Cara Brindisi brings Ricky Duran, Sam James to Funky Murphy's 20th anniversary show
If all-you-can eat steamers isn’t your thing. How about all your favorite contestants from NBC’s “The Voice” under one roof?
Well, this past Thursday, Funky Murphy's Bar and Grille at 305 Shrewsbury St. had both, and the crowd couldn’t be happier.
Central Mass. songbird and former contestant of “The Voice” in 2022, Cara Brindisi was originally booked to play solo at the venue to celebrate its 20th anniversary, but she invited two of her fellow musicians and former “Voice” contestants, Sam James and Ricky Duran, who competed in 2012 and 2019, respectively.
And, the result was absolute magic for the packed watering hole.
“I was having a blast,” Brindisi said. “It was a good night. I’m really tired this (Friday) morning).”
An added bonus was the gifted musicians didn’t have to compete with the Bruins or the Celtics for a change. Then again, these local legends and music superstars were at the top of their game Thursday night and could compete against sports champion team any day, even on their home court or ice.
The memorable evening all started with an innocent text sent a few weeks ago from Funky Murphy’s co-owner Cathal “Cal” Dolan, who owns the place with fellow Irish immigrant Desmond McKane.
“Cal said, 'I know it’s a shot in the dark.’ And, I’m like, ‘No, no. I’m glad that you called me,’” Brindisi said. “Sam actually texted me a few days after Cal did just on a whim to say ‘Hey,’ and I told him that and said, ‘Hey, you should come down.’ Ricky and I had a big (private) event at the Mechanics Hall the other night … And I said, ‘Oh, dude, come down to Funkys, if you want.’ And he did, and that’s how that all came about.”
While this is not the first time the three “Voice” performers made it onstage at the same time together (Brindisi recalls it happening during an after-party for Duran’s triumphant Hanover Theatre show a few years back), this is a rare occurrence that all three are performing together.
But, Brindisi said Funky Murphys (which she fondly calls Funks) will always have a special place in her heart. When she was starting out 12 years ago, Funky Murphys (or Funks) was one of her go-to gig spots to play every last Wednesday of the month.
And, Thursday night was an evening that Brindisi played music for solely for pure enjoyment, where things are loose, unscripted, unrehearsed, inspired and spontaneous, like the old days.
Playing a half-hour longer than the original 8 to 11 p.m. scheduled set time Thursday, Brindisi was also joined onstage by singer-guitarists Josh Briggs and Mark Jablonski and up-and-coming phenom Chase Kinsky.
“Funky Murphys," said Brindisi, "I think of the version of me that was 23, 24, 25 years old. And I think of that in combination with the Vincent’s and the Nick’s and the Quinn’s and all the spots that I was playing and getting my chops down,” Brindisi mused. “It was a really fun time in my life back in the 2010s and Funkys is definitely a part of that.”
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Brindisi, Duran and James lend 'Voice' to Funky Murphy's celebration
