April Cushman Hometown Throwdown
Images and review by Matthew Allen Photography for New England Music Media
October 18, 2025
Who Is April Cushman?
April Cushman is a New Hampshire–based country singer-songwriter whose music blends heartfelt storytelling with the grit and grace of small-town life. Known for her soulful vocals and relatable lyrics, April’s songs capture the spirit of rural roots, family, and perseverance.
April has performed across the region at festivals, songwriter rounds, and concert halls sharing stages with both local favorites and national touring acts. With songs like “In a Small Town”, “Borrowed Time”, and “More Than His Truck”. April continues to win over audiences with her authenticity, charm, and the kind of honest songwriting that makes country music feel real again.
April’s latest headlining show just happened to be in her hometown at the beautiful Colonial Theatre in Keene, NH. To kick off the show, April’s friends singer/songwriters from Nashville , Blue Foly (“Tired of Being Happy”, “Home Sweet Highway” both recorded by Ashley McBride) and singer/songwriter Russell Sutton (“My Boy” recorded by Elvie Shane, “Whiskey On You” co-written and recorded by Nate Smith). With a 40-minute songwriter round, telling stories of writing the songs. Foley and Sutton were amazing together, fun banter back and forth, and great songs.
Then it was time for the star of the night, accompanied by her band Leo Melanson on Keys and steel guitar, John Andrews on lead guitar, Jessica Thamm on backup vocals, Phil Sica on drums, and last but not lease, on bass guitar Dino Monoxelos. As the band starts with “Ain’t No Stopping You” the crowd erupts as April walks on stage, a little nod to Dino and the show starts. With a setlist made up of 90% of songs written and/or co-written by Cushman proved her talents are endless.
Halfway through the show, the band leaves the stage, leaving Cushman alone with just her and a guitar, Cushman starts playing Ashley McBride’s hit “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” It’s a song about being resilient turning the doubt of others into fuel for her own ambition. There’s a line in the song “where they said I’d never by is exactly where I am”. Fighting the emotions she finished the song to a lengthy standing ovation from the crowd. Once the tears cleared Cushman covers “Come To My Window” by Melissa Etheridge, and a starts a sing a long with the crowd.
The band rejoins Cushman on stage and ramps things up with four more original songs including the title track to her upcoming record “The Price I Pay” an anthem written for her fans and crew “Hell Of A Home Team” and her first ever single “In a Small Town” to close out the show. By the time the final chord rang out, it was clear that April Cushman isn’t just a local favorite — she’s a storyteller built for bigger stages. With every show, she continues to carve her path as one of the brightest voices in New England country music, leaving fans eager to see what chapter comes next.
Consider following her on all social media platforms @aprilcushman and follow her journey to stardom.
