Home on the Grange - Concert Series at Lopez Island Grange, Lopez Island, Wa.
Summer 2008
Saturday July 19th 7:30 PM - Lopez Island Grange Hall - Idgy Vaughn with Will Sexton
Idgy Vaughn writes and plays twisted Texamericana with all the aplomb and raw magic of an unsocialized farmkid. A single mother, Vaughn waitressed at a truckstop in Buda, Texas, until a customer won the lottery and loaned her just enough to record her full length debut, "Origin Story." After losing her hometown's talent show to Christian karaoke singers seven years in a row, Idgy finally became a winner herself at the Kerrville Folk Festival's prestigious New Folk Competition for Emerging Songwriters. Since then, she's been winning over critics, cynics, dj's, program directors, and fellow songwriters one at a time.
Some debut albums set up careers with the promise of good things to come. Idgy Vaughn delivered Origin Story without warning, a recording so potent it can't be ignored.
- Margaret Moser, Austin Chronicle
Will Sexton: As one of the youngest original members of an Austin music scene that spawned Stevie Ray Vaughn and others, Will Sexton grew up in the company of country crooners, blues guitarists and folk storytellers. He has wielded his unorthodox guitar-playing style with Johnny Thunders, Ron Wood and psychedelic original Rocky Erickson and recorded for MCA, Zoo Entertainment and A&M Records. As a writer, he has the knack for storytelling he learned from Townes van Zandt and has written with Waylon Jennings, David Baerwald, Steve Earle, Terry Allen, Steven Stills, Doyle Bramhall II and Joe Ely. Bruce Springsteen and Joe Ely have performed the Sexton/Ely composition "All Just To Get To You" on tour.
Home Website: Idgy Vaughn
Listen to: Idgy Vaughn
YouTube: Mr. Wrong,
Friday June 6th 7:30 PM - Lopez Island Grange Hall - The Ian McFeron Band
The Ian McFeron Band exploded onto the Seattle music scene shortly after releasing their debut album, Don't Look Back (2003). A prolific songwriter whose lyrical prose and fervent work ethic has drawn comparisons to Bob Dylan and Ryan Adams, McFeron has released a steady stream of albums. In live performance, McFeron (vocals, guitars, piano) is joined by the Texas fiddle of Alisa Milner and the backbeat rhythms of Todd VanSelus and Mark Bateman. The band has also performed with well-known Northwest lead-guitar players such as Alice Stuart and Rod Cook, and with slide-guitar virtuoso Dan Tyack. The diverse musicianship of its members allows the Ian McFeron Band to shift smoothly through a variety of roots-Americana styles, ranging from acoustic folk rock to gritty alt-country blues, from heartfelt, soulful ballads to driving, danceable backbeat groves.
Whether it's McFeron's funky take on folk, Alisa Milner's distinctive Texas fiddle, or the fact that all five of them are young and hot, the boy and his band have found an ever-growing local following this year. Those who regard roots-rock as a no-man's-land should steer clear - your feet may start dancing of their own accord.
-Rachael Shimp, Seattle Weekly, 8/31/2005
Home Website: Ian McFeron
Listen to: The Ian McFeron Band
YouTube: Fortunate Fool, Fistfight with Father Time, Half a Million & a Bottle of Red Wine, Liar Girl
Spring 2008
Sunday May 11th 7:30 PM - Lopez Island Grange Hall - Danny Schmidt
Austin, TX-based singer/songwriter, Danny Schmidt has been building an enthusiastic (nearly cult-like) following while simultaneously inspiring admiration among fellow artists and critical acclaim from industry professionals. He is the real deal… An authentic, timeless troubadour in the tradition of Townes Van Zandt, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Dave Carter . . . who delivers his craft with a quiet power, level of complexity, and underlying humanity that is truly rare in this age of sound bite marketeering.
~~ Seattle Folklore Society
Americana UK calls Danny: "a captivating talent, with an intensely literate take on things that, at times, recalls that of Josh Ritter . . . but, if anything, encompasses a wider stylistic range and an arguably even greater sense of poeticism."
Home Website: Danny Schmidt
Listen to Danny: Danny Schmidt on MySpace
YouTube: This Too Shall Pass, Cleopatra
Friday March 28th 7:30 PM - Lopez Island Grange Hall - Jonathan Byrd
"Jonathan's delightful, substantive songs are rich with imagery and textures of influences from Appalachian, country, early American balladry, modern atmospheric Mideastern, urban and old timey folk music. A stalwart of modern folk music, Jonathan is constantly evolving in new musical directions and each incarnation has proven to be masterful. Like a gourmet chef, Jonathan does not create the same dish twice, so we're not sure what he will bring to the table tonight. But if music were a meal, Jonathan would prepare us a banquet. Catch this Kerrville New Folk winner as often as you can; you'll never get 'full', your appetite will only grow."
-Uncle Calvin's Coffeehouse, Dallas, TX
Folk legend Tom Paxton discovered Jonathan Byrd's music and sent him a quick email, saying, "What a treat to hear someone so deeply rooted in tradition, yet growing in his own beautiful way." He had just released "Wildflowers," in late 2001, simple tales of love and death that seemed to be a hundred years old or more. In 2003 Byrd released his second album, "The Waitress" and won the prestigious New Folk competition in Kerrville, TX. That year, he set CD sales records at the festival.
Home Website: Jonathan Byrd
Listen to Jonathan: Jonathan Byrd on MySpace
Jonathan on YouTube: The Ballad of Larry
Sunday March 2nd 7:30 PM - Lopez Island Grange Hall - Alice Di Micele with David Gelfand on Bass
"Alice's music has that great combination of earthiness and groove that keeps it funky from the inside out. She's for real."
~~ Bonnie Raitt
The first thing you'll notice about Alice Di Micele is her voice. With a five-octave range that is intense, sensual, rich and soulful, Di Micele has been known to turn a noisy bar silent within a few notes. Her warm presence and humor disarm and create a rare intimacy between audience and performer. Whether singing a jazzy-folk number, belting a sassy blues, or rocking out on one of her trademark rhythmic earthy grooves, Alice is a vocalist that moves people. A kick-ass guitarist as well, whether playing solo or with a band her acoustic guitar conjures percussive poly-rhythms, bass lines, and melodies that perfectly frame her vocals.
Home Website: Alice Di Micele
Listen to Alice: Alice Di Micele on MySpace
Watch Alice on YouTube: Alice on YouTube, It's a Miracle, In a World
Fall 2007
Thursday - November 8 - 7:30 P.M. Lopez Island Grange Hall - Rebecca Riots
Representing the Berkeley In All of Us
"The trio is far and away one of the Bay Area's most impressive bands. Rebecca Riots should be a household name." - East Bay Express, California
"They blend three distinctive voices into some amazing harmonies. All there are songwriters whose catchy, thoughtful, up-tempo songs reflect a concern with the problems of living and loving in today's modern and somewhat confused world" - Dirty Linen Magazine
Rebecca Riots is an all-female “radical folk” trio founded in 1993 by its members, Andrea Prichett, Lisa Zeiler, and Eve Decker. Musically Rebecca Riots is upbeat, energized folk music. They sing three-part harmonies, accompanying themselves on guitar, mandolin and harmonica. On stage, they are charismatic, funny, and inspiring. Songs and between-song banter touch on a range of issues, including combating homophobia and racism; police accountability; spiritual ideas that surface in many faiths (the three musicians are Christian, Jewish, and Buddhist respectively); caring for the homeless; prisoner’s rights; positive body image for women; gratitude toward nature; facing death and loss; Palestinian/Israeli peace; love and support of children and teens; and good old celebratory love songs.
Rebecca Riots Homesite: Rebecca Riots
Listen to Rebecca Riots: Gentle Rebellion, Gardener, Fiddler's Creek
Monday - October 29 - 7:30 P.M. Port Stanley Schoolhouse - Devon Sproule & Paul Curreri
Will Love Prevail? Find Out This & More!
"Virginia ’s Devon Sproule makes a jazzy folk that doesn’t sound like any other singer-songwriter music of her generation. It’s both down-home and uptown, a delicate, Appalachian stringed-swing."- Boston Herald
“Curreri plays the guitar like a man possessed. You half expect tears to appear on the face of his instrument. [His voice] ranges from distant howl and somber wail, to full-throttle growl and moan, more than ably covering a spectrum of emotions. As for lyrics, there’s a rhythm and force that brings to mind a boxer on a speed bag; fast, furious, and somehow efficient.” – Oxford Town
About Devon: Born to hippie parents on a commune in Kingston, Ontario, Sproule claims dual citizenship with both Canada and the US. After moving between private, public and home schooling, she eventually left high school, recorded her first record, and began touring nationally -- all before the age of eighteen. Keep Your Silver Shined presents an honest and sparkling portrait of Devon Sproule: candid, poetic and right at home.
About Paul: Internationally acclaimed as a songwriter, guitarist, and spirited live performer Curreri brings a renewed eloquence to the medium. Raised in Richmond, Virginia, Paul now makes his home in Charlottesville with songwriter / guitarist Devon Sproule (the two were married in May of 2005). Curreri grew up playing music but ended up enrolling at Rhode Island School of Design to pursue painting and film. “My movies were okay, I guess,” he said. By the time Paul graduated from RISD, he'd composed over 200 songs on guitar and piano. Turning down an editing job at MTV he set to work carving out a life as a musician.
Devon's Homesite: Devon Sproule
Paul's Homesite: Paul Curreri
Listen to Devon: Devon Sproule on MySpace
Listen to Paul: Paul Curreri on MySpace
Sunday - September 30 - 7:30 P.M. Lopez Island Grange - Songwriters in the Round
Carolyn Cruso, Val D'Alessio, and Brad Warren
A Poet's Eye - Songwriters in the Round
Seattle’s favorite songwriters, Brad Warren and Val D’Alessio join Orcas Island Songstress Carolyn Cruso, for a Songwriters in the Round show at the Lopez Island Grange. Between the three of them expect to hear tales told with a poets eye, exploring love, loss, humor, and joy, woven into infectious grooves, intricate finger picking, and soulful vocals. These artists will present their songs in the round, individually as well as in duos and trios, adding harmony, backup and lead work.
Carolyn:
“The folk diva mixes excellent musicianship with poetic lyrics and an ear for lilting melody…a gifted singer” ~Glen Starkey, San Luis Obispo New Times
Val:
“Val delivers thoughtful lyrics, emotionally honest singing, and possesses an instrumental prowess that inspires and captivates.” ~Alan Williams, producer for Dar Williams
Brad:
"Warren is a marksman when it comes to songwriting. His simple way with a tune allows the lyrics of his music to seep in under your skin and soon you're living in his world." - Sounds of Seattle
Carolyn's Homesite: Carolyn Cruso
Val's Homesite: Val D'Alessio
Brad's Homesite: Brad Warren
Listen: Carolyn Cruso - Wandering But Not Lost, Val D'Alessio - Home Highways, Brad Warren - Welcome Home
Summer 2007
August 24th - 7:30 P.M. Lopez Island Grange - Bayou Cadillac
Sam Bernardi, Chip Cohen, Walter Cryderman, Mark French
Accordion Driven Swamp Stomp
Perhaps you've heard Sam in the summer at the Lopez Island Farmers Market singing and playing accordion in various combinations with island musicians. Well, Sam is bringing his full crew up all the way from the state south of the border: OREGON! They'll be squeezing out the tunes in an accordion driven swamp stomp that will that will rock & romp-the-old-grange floor!
Bayou Cadillac features accordion, fiddle, guitar and more in a fun-filled gumbo of Cajun, Rockin’ Zydeco, Country-Blues, Jug Band and other musical styles, drawing on traditional, contemporary and original sources. Featured on the accordion is the heart and soul of the band, Northwest mainstay and part – time Lopezian Sam Bernardi. Weaving unrivalled melodies and harmonies on the fiddle is the ever-popular veteran virtuoso, Chip Cohen. Distinctive guitar stylist, Walter Cryderman, contributes chunky rhythms and slinky lead work, while the rock-solid bass work of Daddy Treetops rounds out the sound. Toe tapping fun for all ages, Bayou Cadillac provides an enjoyable musical experience.
Special Guests: Daddy Treetops on Bass & Guitar, Morgen Spiess the Sax playing clown from the Oregon Country Fair
Listen to Bayou Cadillac: Sold Out Doc, Joli Joli, Wrong Key Hole, I'm a Farmer
Bayou Cadillac on YouTube:
August 9th - 7:30 P.M. Lopez Island Grange - The Foghorn Stringband
"It's inspiring to hear what talented folks can do when they simply huddle together in a circle with acoustic instruments and let 'er rip." - Salt Lake Tribune
"Proudly flying the traditional curmudgeon banner, right next to their Most Ferocious Groove award, is Portland Oregon's Foghorn Stringband, whose love for simply playing tunes without set lists or the usual performance trapping has made them the fave band of traditional old-time music patrons as well as punk square dancers and back-to-the-roots ravers. - Scott Nygaard, Acoustic Guitar Magazine
The Foghorn StringBand: The sound of the Portland, Oregon's Foghorn Stringband could have come barreling through the grille-cloth of those big console radios in the living rooms of the 1950's, when the traditional sounds of rural America were still on the minds of young musicians transferring the old-time music to a distinctively modern age. Their tight intstrumental work and line-up - fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass and guitar - is reminiscent of early bluegrass, but their powerful approach is whole-heartedly old-time, centered largely by the fiddle. Devoted to the interpretation and performance of American stringband music, their style encompasses early country music, the fiddle repertoire of the Southern Appalachians and the Midwest, and the stringband sounds of the Piedmont region.
The Foghorn Stringband Homesite: Foghorn Stringband
Listen to Foghorn Stringband: I Dreamed I Searched Heaven For You, Train On the Island, Prairie Dog
The Foghorn Stringband on YouTube:
July 25th - 7:30 P.M. Lopez Island Grange - Steve James & Del Rey
Steve James - songsmith and bottleneck guitarist from Austin Texas, is "a true Americana hero...his intensity and focus always reminds me of James Coburn's character in the Magnificent Seven"(Third Coast Magazine).
Del Rey - from Seattle Washington, is a complex, pianistic guitarist, described as "a combination of Bo Carter and the Andrews Sisters"(Observant Fan).
These two powerful exponents of American vernacular guitar-playing, have joined forces to make music testament to the hillbilly/smarty-pants/country blues aesthetic. Sharing a sense of humor and a similar manic intensity, their duets are smart, funny and full of instrumental virtuosity. Del Rey doubles on resonator ukulele and Steve James is known for his "noble savage" mandolin style.
Del Rey & Steve James Homesite: Del & Steve
Steve James Homesite: Steve James
Del Rey Homesite: Del Rey
Listen to Steve & Del: The Real Guitar Rag, Cold Morning Shout
Del Rey & Steve James on YouTube:
Spring 2007
April 20th - 7:30 P.M. Lopez Island Grange - John Reischman & John Miller
John Reischman, on mandolin, and John Miller, on guitar, perform a scintillating program of traditional and original tunes with a Latin tinge, and a special focus on great grooving and great tone.
Long regarded by peers, fans and critics alike as two of North America's finest instrumentalists, mandolinist John Reischman and guitarist John Miller have joined forces in an exciting new foray into the world of Jazz and Latin music. Althought their formative years were spent in Folk and Bluegrass music, both Reischman and Miller have used that experience as a launching pad for exploration of other genres that has culminated in a love of melodic acoustic jazz. Both are outstanding players and composers known for an abundance of taste and tone. Reischman was termed "one of the great unsung heroes of contemporary mandolin playing" by David Grisman, while Miller's highly original fingerpicking style was described as "magnificent" by the Jazz Journal.
With their two CD releases, "The Singing Moon" and "The Bumpy Road", Reischman and Miller have put together a couple of the finest acoustic instrumental CDs in recent memory, with a book of truly memorable tunes.
John Reischman Home Website: John Reischman
John Miller: John Miller
Listen to John & John: The Bumpy Road
John Reischman & John Miller on YouTube:
March 25th - 7 P.M. Lopez Island Grange - Danny Schmidt
Opening: Esther Golton - Mountain Dulcimer, Flute & Vocalist
"Danny Schmidt reminds me of why I gravitate towards the singer-songwriter art form. With the gravitational pull of the sun, he is, perhaps the best new songwriter I’ve heard in the last 15 years."
~ Rich Warren, Sing Out! magazine
Home Website: Danny Schmidt
Listen to Danny: Danny Schmidt Listening Room
Danny on YouTube
Esther Golton
"A dulcimer, a flute, and a voice that echoes the vastness of glacial canyons and the laughter of hidden creeks…"
Home Website: Esther Golton
Alice Di Micele - April Show is postponed....Stay Tuned! - March 2008
Home Website: Alice Di Micele
Listen to Alice: Alice Di Micele on MySpace
Watch Alice on YouTube: Alice on YouTube
