The Newports of Washington, D.C.

One of D.C.’s most active bands in the 1960s, the Newports reorganized in 2001, and have been active again since playing for clubs and private affairs. The current lineup includes two original members plus six other veteran performers. The Newports play vintage rock ‘n’ roll at its very best, with great heart and authenticity, and feature numerous classic hits of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Read more about the Newports today, and see recent photos of the band. Also see our schedule of upcoming events, our news page, and we’d love to hear from you if you’d like to contact the band about playing for your event. Thanks -- and we hope you enjoy our site!

Don't Miss the Newports at Hershey's Restaurant in Gaithersburg,
Friday, March 6, 2020 More . . .

In Memory of Evie Kirkland Smith
November 14, 1951 - March 8, 2017

On March 8, 2017, Blaine Smith's wife -- and our Band Mom -- Evie died at Casey House Hospice in Rockville, Maryland of respiratory failure from ALS. She was diagnosed with the disease in November, 2015, but, looking back, she had probably suffered from it for close to three years. Many of you who attend Newports events knew her, for she was present at nearly every one, and lit up the room with her radiant smile.

Evie taught elementary school music in Montgomery Country, Maryland public schools for 25 years, and was highly successful at the task. She was loved by a great many people, and will be dearly missed by so many. To say we in the band miss her enormously is a huge understatement.

Evie leaves behind Blaine, her husband of 43 years, and two sons, Ben and Nate. Blaine has posted a memorial photo tribute of Evie on YouTube, featuring about 100 pics from throughout her life. The photo on the right, included in that display, shows Evie and Ben dancing at his wedding reception, July 28, 2008.

Newports Tributed in the Montgomery County Gazette

7/27/12: The Gazette of Montgomery County, Maryland ran a two-page feature on the Newports this week, with a batch of photos. To view it online click here. (If you click in the article's text, it enlarges and is easier to read; click again, and it shrinks). We're extremely grateful to the Gazette, to editor Kim Bamber, and to writer Karen Finucan Clarkson for this wonderful feature!!!

See our News page for other news.

Newports Photos from the '60s and Band History

We now have a large photo gallery posted featuring numerous photos of the Newports from the 1960s. Accompanying them is a history of the band and its development from 1961-1968. Also included are posters, flyers, articles, and other memorabilia from this period, plus records with the option to listen. Visit this archive.

You can also listen now to every record the Newports produced in the 1960s, in videos with vintage photos of the band. Included are the band’s D.C.-area hits Little Heart and Don’t You Ever Mess Around, plus many other vocals and instrumentals recorded between 1961-65, plus some unreleased tracks. Also included is Fort Lauderdale, a Mercury release by Doug Powell on which the Newports played. Go to the directory.

The Newports and Filterettes at The Outta The Way Cafe, May 2011

(L to R, from top) Rob Dyer (drums), Blaine Smith (guitar), Debbie Halverson (vocals), Mike Henley (keyboards), Cal Linley (lead singer), Mike DeGraba (bass), Becky Briggs (vocals), Arlene Jaye (vocals)

See many more photos from this event.