Adler and Hearne – Sunday, September 27, 2015

Adler & Hearne Sitting by Goolsby's Pool

Music at 5:00 p.m.
Socializing and light potluck at 4:00 p.m.
$15 suggested artist donation

For an invitation to attend, please RSVP to Lee
by email at windycityhouseconcerts@gmail.com or at 312-810-3067

Since planting themselves in the ‘upper east side’ of Texas, Adler & Hearne’s music has grown deep roots in the sandy red soil of their Spring Hollow Organic Song Farm – a place considered hallowed ground by the stream of countless friends and family who gather there for the reverie of music making, and good times spent alongside the deep spring waters of ‘Goolsby’s Pool.’

In concert, Adler & Hearne’s songs are a spirited blend of original, folk-jazz blues-grass. She (Adler) sings and plays rhythm guitar. He (Hearne) sings and plays guitar, mandolin and harmonica. Their live sets range from crooning songs of love and longing, losing and finding – to covering touchy subjects with unexpected musical overtones – to camping it up with modern-day spirituals steeped in dry wit.

http://www.adlerandhearne.com/
https://www.facebook.com/adlerandhearne
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCftAbQktZQEBaZ-D-KxIWAw/videos

Ann Armstrong and Steve Hughes – Sunday, August 9, 2015

Ann Armstrong and Steve Hughes playing

Socializing and Light Snack Potluck (BYOB) at 2:00 p.m.

Two sets of music starting at 3:00 p.m.

Suggested artist donation $20 (all funds go to the musicians)

For an invitation to attend, please RSVP to Lee
by email at windycityhouseconcerts@gmail.com or at 312-810-3067

Ann Armstrong is right up there with the great musical exports of Texas! She plays guitar sometimes sweetly, sometimes prickly as an Ocotillo cactus, sings like a steam-powered nightingale and writes songs from a depth of experience.

“Ann Armstrong the powerful blues shouter-cum-folkie from Texas.” – Dirty Linen

“Ann Armstrong’s talents, both as a songwriter and blues performer, are deep and diverse. Armstrong’s music, whether recorded or live, is solid, sincere and roots-conscious. Her constant companion and musical partner Steve Hughes spices up the proceedings with fine harmonica and flute work. If you haven’t caught her act (check-out her blazing bottle-neck guitar work), you’re way behind the times in keeping up with the Texas blues scene.” – Austin American-Statesman

I’ve gotten to see Ann and Steve recently at Folk Alliance but they are long time favorites of Cindy’s and mine from when we lived in Dallas, TX some years ago. So it’s a great pleasure and privilege to host them for a house concert. Check them out and get in touch to be invited to the show!

http://www.ann-armstrong.com/
https://www.reverbnation.com/annarmstrongstevehughes
https://www.youtube.com/results?filters=year&search_query=ann+armstrong+%26+steve+hughes&lclk=year

Cancelled: Mike Mangione – Friday, February 27, 2015

Mike Mangione

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we’ve had to cancel this show. Please join us for a future show.

Thanks,
Lee


Mike Mangione is the band leader of the traveling orchestral folk group Mike Mangione & The Union. Mike and his brother Tom write ballads with lyrics sometimes literal and direct, sometimes metaphorical and mysterious. Whether solo or with the full band, the music fits the stories, crossing blues, folk and rock as appropriate. While we won’t get the full band, we are privileged to host Mike in a smaller format. Red-Winged Blackbird Man, the band’s most recent album, is a great introduction, with several songs with fairly spare acoustic treatments as well as songs by the full band.

Writing in American Songwriter Magazine about Red-Winged Blackbird Man, Hal Horowitz said:

“Lyrically, the tunes are reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen’s ability to describe characters in such exquisite detail that by the end of five minutes it seems as if you’ve known them your whole life…The frontman’s boyish voice is an impeccable fit for this often dramatic material, balancing talk singing with a casual Paul Simon type vibe”

Blurt Magazine described Mike’s singing this way:

Like a less-raspy Ray LaMontagne, or perhaps a huskier Jason Isbell, Milwaukee (by way of Chicago) singer-songwriter Mike Mangione’s got that soul thang (sic) going on in his voice – at once vulnerable enough to telegraph that he’s known heartache, yet with just the right hint of swagger to suggest he’s not afraid to take another chance at love.

Give a listen and check out the lyrics at the links below and see what you think. I’m excited to hear a full show from Mike. I’ve gotten to hear him showcase several times at Folk Alliance but that’s only a couple songs at a time, so I’m really looking forward to this show. If you like what you hear, please get in touch (see the contact information at the bottom of the page).

http://mikemangione.bandcamp.com/
http://www.mikemangione.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Mangione-The-Union/133976429984287
https://www.youtube.com/user/mikemangione/featured


Music starts at 7:30 p.m. You’re welcome to join us from 6:30 p.m. for socializing and optional potluck supper. BYOB wine or beer are welcome. We’ll have two sets of music with a short break in the middle.

Suggested artist donation $20. This is a voluntary donation. All donations go to the musician.

For more information, please contact Lee by e-mail at windycityhouseconcerts@gmail.com or at 312-810-3067.

To get emails about our shows, please click here to subscribe to our mailing list.

The Flyin’ A’s – Friday, July 11, 2014

TheFlyinAsStrummin

The Flyin’ A’s mix Americana, honky-tonk country, aggressive guitar work, distinctive vocal harmonies and strong songwriting with breath taking ballads, “Texified Jazz” and good old Southern Blues to create a musical mix that will lift your spirits and have your toes tapping! Hilary and Stuart Adamson are both multi-instrumentalists and great entertainers. You’ll enjoy their music and leave uplifted and inspired from this rocking show!

“…this powerhouse duo brings a unique mix of rockin’ countrified music served with a taste of blues, jazz, and gospel on the side. With their considerable talents as both songwriters and vocalists, they combine for a spirited and soulful explosion of distinctively original music. Whether tapping your toes one minute, or getting swept up by the heart-wrenching ballads the next, there’s no denying that you’ll be entertained.”
– Mike Hall, Uncle Calvin’s Coffee House

“Stuart and Hilary deliver a spirited brand of original music. It’s a fusion of country, rock, jazz, and gospel.”
– Sam Kindrick, Action Magazine, Action Magazine

“…Their rockin’ set brought the house down. High energy doesn’t quite describe this powerhouse duo’s blend of blues, jazz, folk and gospel…”
– Eddie “Edge” Ferranti, Senior Editor,
Houston Music Review

For a quick introduction to The Flyin’ A’s, check out this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJy4I3JrvXM and then click on the email link below to get an invitation to join us.

http://www.theflyinas.com/
http://www.facebook.com/theflyinas
https://www.youtube.com/user/theflyinas


Music starts at 7:30 p.m. You’re welcome to join us from 6:30 p.m. for socializing and potluck supper. Wine or beer are welcome.

Suggested artist donation $20 (All funds go to the musicians.)

For more information and an invitation, please contact Lee by e-mail at windycityhouseconcerts@gmail.com or at 773-334-5776.

To get emails about our shows, please click here to subscribe to our mailing list.

Brian Ashley Jones – Nashville folk blues artist – Sunday, May 4, 2014

Brian Ashley Jones

Brian Ashley Jones defies categorization. He is a great guitarist, songwriter and singer. But his work crosses smoothly over folk, blues, bluegrass and even touches on crooner of ballads. With songs that tell stories, hit a groove, make you happy or thoughtful or even occasionally wistful, a honey-smooth tenor voice and guitar licks worthy of any shredder.

A few comments from some other folks will give you an idea…

“…an excellent guitarist and thoughtful singer-songwriter”
– Jack Silverman, Nashville Scene

“…a master class on how to play the guitar”
– James Soars, Maverick Magazine, Kent, England

“…an accomplished musician… warm tenor vocals”
– Brad Fischer, Nashville Music Guide

“…a stellar guitar player, lyricist and songwriter… Brian’s live show is a must see!”
– Tom Tranchilla, KPFT, Houston, TX.

“…intelligent… clever… a monster on guitar.”
– Janet Hans, Urban Campfires Concert Series, San Antonio, TX.

Brian’s compositions have been placed in film and television and recorded by a variety of other performing artists. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Brian performs internationally at festivals and concert series and leads seminars for music education programs, music business conferences, and NSAI chapters around the USA.

Brian’s current independent release, Courier, made the Top 40 of the Roots Music Report, broke the Top 100 of the Americana Music Association’s album chart, and is receiving widespread commercial, college, public, and international radio play. The swampy instrumental “Pull ’em Up” has been featured in the widely acclaimed PBS television series “Road Trip Nation” and footage of Jones performing “Free To Miss You” live at The Bluebird Cafe has been featured in the British network television show “Amanda Holden’s Fantasy Lives”. The Brian Ashley Jones Trio showcased these songs as official performers at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and Brian was nominated for Best American Roots Guitar Player in the Alternate Root’s 2011 Reader’s Choice Awards!

Along with his own busy touring schedule, Jones has accompanied a diverse batch of artists on stage and in the recording studio including Grammy Award winning songwriter Jon Vezner, Eric Heatherly, Caroline Aiken, Thom Shepherd, Sara Hickman, Donna Hopkins, David Gans, Corinne West, Doug Jones, Donovan Roberts, Jeff Black, Diane Durrett, Ralph Roddenbery, Deep Blue Sun, Celeste Krenz, Wyatt Easterling, and Spuyten Duyvil.

Brian Ashley Jones has spent enough time as a Nashville-based singer, songwriter and guitarist to feel as if he’s in the music business for the long haul.

Music “is what I’m supposed to be doing, and I can’t imagine doing anything else,” Jones said in a recent interview with Dan Armonaitis for GoUpstate.com. “And most every other songwriter or musician I know who’s done it this long pretty much has the same attitude. … We just all feel compelled to do it, even when it defies logic.”

Brian will be joined by bassist Geoff Henderson on upright bass, adding additional depth and interest to the performance. We’ll have a great time and enjoy some great music. Please plan to join us for a lovely afternoon!

Lee

http://www.brianashleyjones.com
https://www.facebook.com/BrianAshleyJonesMusic
http://www.sonicbids.com/band/brianashleyjones/
http://www.reverbnation.com/brianashleyjones


Music at 3:00 p.m. Light potluck and socializing at 2:00 p.m. Please feel free to bring a dish and beverage to share. Wine or beer are welcome. Water, glasses, dishes and silver provided.

For more information and an invitation, please contact Lee by e-mail at windycityhouseconcerts@gmail.com or at 773-334-5776.

Suggested artist donation $20 (All funds go to the musician.)

To get emails about our shows, please click here to subscribe to our mailing list.

Saturday, September 11, 2010: Caren Armstrong

Caren Armstrong at Freight and Salvage

I got to hear Caren Armstrong at FAR-West (the Folk Alliance Western Region conference) this past fall. I knew of her but I had never heard her perform. The power and joy of her performance was striking. I introduced myself after her showcase and offered to host her whenever we could make it work. It took about a year, but now we have the great fortune to host Caren at Las Alturas House Concerts.

Award winning singer/songwriter Caren Armstrong has been making “big buoyant music” since the tender age of ten years old. This dangerously honest, wickedly funny, and disarmingly vulnerable songwriter is “one of those rare musicians who plays and sings music from its bones on out. Caren’s work has a visceral and deeply satisfying impact, which is invariably garnished with great good humor.” – Steve Coyle, The Waybacks

“Caren has found a deeply original voice that the listener experiences as coming from within.” – Bay Area concert promoter Russ Jennings

She was awarded top honors at the Emerging Songwriter Showcase at the Napa Valley Music Festival, and the 15th Annual Songwriting Competition at the Tucson Folk Festival, and has been a finalist at the Rocky Mt. Folk’s Fest and the Wildflower Music and Arts Festival.

She is a member of Folk Alliance and was a featured showcase artist at the First Annual FARWest Folk Alliance conference in October 2004. The petite redhead’s soaring vocals, sophisticated guitar chops and dynamic performances have endeared her to fans nationwide.

These days Caren lives in Oakland, CA when she is home. In addition to her busy touring schedule, she is currently hosting her showcase, “Celebrating Songwriters” at the Larkspur Caf Theatre in Marin County. She is in high demand as a private guitar teacher. Caren has produced albums for artists such as the new acoustic string band Calevaras (who played at our series in June this year), art-folkie Lori B, as well as for Bay Area songwriters Rachel Garlin and Ilene Adar.

I’m sure you’ll enjoy her music – please check her out at the links below. Then RSVP for the show – you’ll be glad you did!

http://carenarmstrong.com
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=116607
http://www.myspace.com/carenarmstrong2

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, BYO wine and/or potluck refreshments to share are welcome.

For more information, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Friday, August 20, 2010: Gabrielle Louise

Gabrielle Louise photo by Jim Farnam artworksphoto.net

Gabrielle Louise returns to Las Alturas House Concerts with her new album just completed. She just keeps getting better – new songs, astonishing vocals and a range of songs from tender ballads to scorching hot torch songs.

“Articulate and gifted, Gabrielle Louise…is an artist who comes to music from a literary vantage point, first and foremost…But the lyrics standing alone are only part of the story…As a vocalist Gabrielle Louise dives deep into her songs, exploring them in a warm, sturdy voice reminiscent at times of Joni Mitchell…especially in the falsetto flights and lower register swoops…She executes a captivating balance of heartache and resolve.” -David McGee, http://www.thebluegrassspecial.com has written for rolling stone, pro sound news, spin…currently the country music editor at barnesandnoble.com.

http://www.gabriellelouise.com/
http://www.myspace.com/gabriellelouisemusic
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Gabrielle-Louise-Show/62475447325

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, BYO wine and/or potluck refreshments to share are welcome.

For more information, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Saturday, November 14, 2009: Rachel Sedacca

Rachel Sedacca
Rachel Sedacca

Southern California is lucky to have singer-songwriter, performing, recording artist Rachel Sedacca call it home. Her country/blues songs and folksy ballads are full of colorful characters and stories of love and hope from her time on the road. She calls this blend bluesy folkabilly with a smile. We’re lucky to have her come and play for us!

Rachel’s diverse repertoire includes her Americana flavored originals, as well as some favorites that she says, “need to be sung”, including tunes from a variety of artists, including Bob Dylan, Bonnie Raitt, Jimi Hendrix, Alison Krause, Dolly Parton, Paul Simon, Gillian Welch and others.. Inspired by the Janis of all trades style of Bonnie Raitt as well as the sounds of Lucinda Williams and Sheryl Crow, Rachel points to years of Grateful Dead shows steeping her in an eclectic musical tea, appreciation for the fusing of genres and the ways of the road. That big smile in her pictures reflects the energy and joie de vivre at the core of her being.

http://www.rachelsedacca.com
http://www.myspace.com/rachelsedacca
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=26115

$15 artist donation

Music starts at 7:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, you are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Reservations are required. For more information, contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net

Saturday, December 20, 2008, Kelly’s Lot Acoustic Duo

Kelly Zirbes and Perry Robertson
Kelly Zirbes and Perry Robertson

Based in Los Angeles, California, Kelly’s Lot Acoustic Duo is making a holiday stop in Las Cruces to warm up the Saturday before Christmas! Kelly’s Lot was honored with the “Best Blues Band” award by Rock City News and named one of the Top 13 bands in the U.S. by Independent Songwriter Magazine.

Kelly Zirbes and Perry Robertson as Kelly’s Lot Acoustic, “combine blues and folk, along with some genuine bar room rock, to come up with a sound that is lively and wild, while also honest and sincere. Kelly and Perry put their heart and soul into every song.

Kelly is an alto, singing with a range close to Natalie Merchant and with the conviction of Marva Wright. Perry Robertson is a human metronome. That’s all there is to it. He plays the rhythm guitar as if he had a metronome surgically implanted into the wrist of his right hand,” wrote musician Scott Detweiler for http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com.

From the tour host of Kelly’s Lot Acoustic in Belgium:
“Was Kelly’s Lot Trio strong enough to bring the spirit of blues and confront their new audience ?

No need to wait for the last show to notice how the magic of Kelly’s Lot works. With an incredible energy and a powerful voice, Kelly Z draws the attention of the crowd and takes them for a ride on the highways of rock and blues. During an hour or two , Perry Robertson gave the perfect rhythm with his guitar and lifted Kelly up to find and show the best emotion on each song.”

Besides producing great music both as Kelly’s Lot Acoustic and with her full band, Kelly’s Lot, Kelly is an advocate for Hepatatis C awareness. Kelly’s Lot has played for countless benefits and Kelly started the Hep C Postcard campaign and began building a coalition of musicians and street teams to help her raise awareness on a larger scale.

Check out Kelly’s Lot Acoustic’s music online at these sites. Then make a reservation and put the date on your calendar to come join us! See you soon!

http://www.myspace.com/kellyzirbes
http://www. KellysLot.com
http://www.wfaa.com/video/?z=y&nvid=237830&shu=1
http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/dance/music_column_kellys_lot.htm
Review of Kelly’s Lot latest album “The Light”

$15 artist donation

Hang out from 4:30 p.m. Eat at 5:30 p.m. Music starts at 7:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, you are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Holiday party! Full potluck! We’ll have some food and hot cider, please bring a dish to share, wine if you want!

Reservations are required – your artist donation check for $15, payable to Lee Herman, holds your reservation. Please mail to Las Alturas House Concerts, 4055 Tamarisk Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011.

For more information, contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts@comcast.net