3 posts tagged “guitar”
Johnsmith is one performer who doesn't wear hype well. His artistry speaks for itself. In fact, the idea of 'just being real' is a prominent theme throughout his music. And yet, to simply say that Johnsmith is a great singer/ songwriter would not be enough. In addition to his incomparable musical abilities and finely tuned songwriting skills, Johnsmith possesses the even rarer gift of being able to share his soul. That gift is the foundation on which everything else about him is built, and it comes shining through in every song he sings. The following lyrics from the title cut of his new CD, Break Me Open, are a perfect example:
Break me open, bust this dam
Let these waters flood the bottomland
Free my song to fall like rain upon the ocean
Lord here my prayer, break me open
Buddy Mondlock summed it up when he said of Johnsmith, "I feel like every time one of [Johnsmith's] songs gets heard a little healing happens to the world."
Johnsmith was born in Dewitt, Iowa, where he shared his small town mid-western life (and house) with his two parents, and nine brothers and sisters. The experience of growing up in such a large family nurtured within him a keen awareness of the value of community, and, at the same time, the absolute necessity of solitude. Johnsmith commented recently, "Everybody would go out to play sometimes, and I would go sit in the rocking chair and just make up songs and sing them." What he didn't know then is that those days would be the beginning of a lifelong journey.
For the past twenty years Johsmith has been sharing his music with audiences all across the United States, and abroad. Driving some 50,000 miles to play over 150 dates each year, he has become a favorite at coffee houses, colleges, and house concerts alike. In addition to being a past winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk award, Johnsmith has released four CDs to rave reviews from trade publications such as Dirty Linen, Performing Songwriter, and Sing Out! Magazines. He has also served as a staff songwriter for the WrenSong Music Group in Nashville.
But again, accolades, competitions and quotas are not what motivate Johnsmith. Music is simply his gift, and he feels compelled to share it. That means more than all the hype, any day.
Showtime: 7:30 PM on Monday, August 21
Come for music and our famous desserts.
Memorial Day Weekend presents the first of this summer's Crazy Crow Concerts.
Tom Begich, Alaska's own 'Cool Blue Light", will perform.
“It’s
the words that tell the story.” That is Tom Begich. The bohemian son of
a family steeped in Alaska politics and the product of a life of music,
Tom’s music resonates with stories and the conflicts of the human
condition.
Part of the Alaska music scene in the early 1980’s, Tom dropped out and tuned in to the world of politics and business for a decade before finding his way back to local coffee shops, street corners, and music festivals. Since returning to performing and recording, Tom has opened for recording artists Stephen Fearing, Don Morrell, Paul Geremia, and Kim Richey. Tom also hosted a monthly Songwriter’s Showcase in his hometown of Anchorage for three years and has performed live on numerous radio stations and on the nationally syndicated radio show “West Coast Live” (October 1999).
Tom has released four CDs, "Such a World" in 1997, "Hotel Metropol" in 1999, and “Albuquerque Road” in 2001. His latest CD, “Cool Blue Light”, was released November 20, 2004 and has already garnered favorable reviews.
Tom continues to play in Alaska and small venues throughout the country. Citing musicians as different as Taj Mahal, Harry Chapin, and Christopher Parkening as influences, Tom combines an easy picking style with blues rhythms and storytelling skill to create a musical montage that is always interesting to the ear. His music includes a wide-variety of music ranging from acoustic instrumentals to blues and folk rock. A musician with a wholly original sound, Tom Begich will keep you humming for more long after he’s done.
Join us on Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 pm for the concert and dessert.
Patric D'Eimon has traveled to Seldovia to play music for many years. In the past, he has entertained as a one-man band, a rock and roll and easy listening artist. Recently Patric's own beautiful songs and compositions have become his passion. He is the owner and operator of A Street Recording Studios, is active in the Anchorage Folk and Popular Music world and is a champion of live music for all of us.
