A release show for “Live at Cambridge Sound Studios,” the first album by Pocono Jones & The Bear is this Saturday, Feb. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Coolidge Theatre at the Deane Center for the Performing Arts at 104 Main Street in Wellsboro.

The Bear is folk/blues artist Paul Wilkinson who lives in the Philadelphia area, but is originally from Westfield and Pocono Jones is Brad Hinton.

Wilkinson and Hinton have been performing as a duo for about five years. This is the first album the two have done together. They met about 15 years ago through bands they both played in around the Philadelphia area.

They will perform ten selections from their live acoustic album recorded during the pandemic in a back-to-the-basics folk music session. Most are familiar songs and four are originals.

Wilkinson was born and raised in Westfield. “My dad and brother both played guitar. I started playing guitar when I was 12,” he said. “I jammed with friends in high school.” In 2001, he graduated from Cowanesque Valley High School.

“I have been living in Chester County, Pa. for almost 20 years,” Wilkinson said. “I was more serious about music in West Chester Pa. where I performed at open mics and made new friends.
 Mason Porter was the first band I played with that released albums –  about five.  Since then, I have released my own album ‘400 Bears.’”

Asked why they had decided to release their new album in Wellsboro, Wilkinson said, “We have toured up to Wellsboro before and played at the Roost. It is always great to come back to my home area. And the Deane Center seemed like a great opportunity to celebrate our new record.”

The release show is BYOB with audience members encouraged to bring their favorite beverages and snacks.

Admission is $20. To purchase tickets and reserve a table, call 570-724-6220 or visit deanecenter.com.