Russ & Julie's House Concerts

UPCOMING HOUSE CONCERTS
(Links go to the performers' websites.)

Saturday, February 25, 2012, 8pm - Lou & Peter Berryman
with an opening set by Sabrina & Craig
Suggested Donation: $20
Lou & Peter Berryman are best known for their humorous songs. They have released almost twenty recordings and are working on their fourth songbook. Pete Seeger, Tom Paxton and Tom Lehrer count themselves among their fans. Their work has appeared in numerous compilations such as the popular RISE UP SINGING songbook, in periodicles like SING OUT! Magazine, and in many audio collections.

Wayne Johnson

Sabrina & Craig's signature sound is rooted in their heartfelt connection enveloping audiences in great harmonies anchored upon Craig's finely-crafted guitar voicing and award-winning finger-style playing, which emerges as a third voice. The duo builds on their strong musicality by writing lyrics that are at turns sophisticated and witty yet honestly heart breaking.

Saturday, March 24, 2012, 8pm - John Flynn
Suggested Donation: $20
John Flynn draws from a significant body of work, ranging from his early country offerings to story songs, love songs, songs for kids, funny songs, songs of social justice and meditations on loss, tolerance, faith and hope. In 2005, Arlo Guthrie invited John on the historic "Train to New Orleans" tour following Hurricane Katrina. And Kris Kristofferson recited the lyrics to John's song "Without You with Me" at Stephen Bruton's funeral. Ramblin' Jack Elliott himself has called Flynn the undiscovered "John Lennon of the plasma generation"!

Saturday, April 21, 2012, 8pm - Robert Earl Longley
and Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon
Suggested Donation: $15
Robert Earl Longley, also known as Robby, is a world-class level guitarist and symphonic composer from New Orleans whose original compositions are available on nine CDs. His jaw-dropping fingerstyle techniques on the flamenco guitar always deliver fresh, sophisticated, jazzy melodies within classically inspired movements.

Bev Barnett & Greg Newlon jump the lines between acoustic soul and folk rock, creating a place where you can relax in the comfort of the groove and leave feeling just a little more hopeful. A great blend of harmonies, along with rhythmic guitar, drive a compelling sound. Greg's guitar and Bev's voice together explores life, love and the pursuit of something real. The connection they have with each other flows through the audience with each song and story.

Saturday, May 12, 2012, 8pm - Jorge Calderón
Suggested Donation: $20
Jorge Calderón is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and record producer best known for his collaborations with Warren Zevon. He produced Zevon's final album The Wind (for which he co-wrote many of the tracks). On the CD, which won the Grammy for "Best Contemporary Folk Album," he played bass, acoustic guitar, various percussion, electric guitar, as well as background vocals. Calderón is also a noted solo artist, releasing his first album on Warner Bros. in 1975. He has just released a couple of great new singles on Jackson Browne's Inside Recordings label.

Saturday, June 9, 2012, 8pm - Jack Brown and James Hurley
Suggested Donation: $15
Jack Brown writes, sings and plays music that reflects everything from his Mississippi Gulf Coast and New Orleans upbringing to his California stint and his current Idaho environs. His songwriting style includes lots of folk, blues and jazz styles, but can best be defined as something that audiences immediately enjoy and come back for.

James Hurley has been described as "Americana...on the rocks, with a twist". James' music has the sophistication of jazz, the immediacy of blues, and the imagery of film. With his smooth, passionate voice and tastefully understated guitar playing (called "jazz-like virtuosity" by Minor 7th Magazine) he leads the listener through tales of whimsy and romance, celebrations of life lived, and stories of love won and lost.

Saturday, July 14, 2012, 8pm - James Lee Stanley
Suggested Donation: $15
James Lee Stanley has been performing up to 300 dates per year since he was fourteen, opening for artists like Bonnie Raitt, Steve Martin, Nicolette Larson, Bill Cosby and Steven Wright. Among the 25 albums to his credit, Fi Magazine listed his Freelance Human Being as one of the finest recordings of 1998 and one of the Top 200 Recordings of all time.

Saturday, August 11, 2012, 8pm - The Folk Collection
Suggested Donation: $20
The Folk Collection could just as well be named the "Singing the Classic Songs of the '60s Folk Era" group. Tony Unger, Ed Labowitz and Mike Sirota, along with bass man Bob Packham, recreate the story songs and 3-part harmonies of that acoustic era. Much of their repertoire is familiar to audiences of all ages. They will leave you singing, toe-tapping, and wanting more.

Saturday, September 22, 2012, 8pm - Janet Robin and Ali Handal
Suggested Donation: $15
Janet Robin’s musical education began the moment she met her guitar teacher, Randy Rhoads (Quiet Riot, Ozzy Osbourne). Under Rhoads' tutelage, Robin became an ace player and was soon the lead guitarist for the all-female rock band Precious Metal. Robin later joined Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham's band. She has opened for such acts as Heart, Loudon Wainwright III and the Smithereens.

Ali Handal is one of the few women in rock (along with Janet Robin!) who can solo with the electric fury and fluid grace of a Hendrix, Slash or Page. Her songs have been heard in countless movies and TV shows. She has sung on a Neil Young album, performed at Neverland Ranch, danced with Janet Jackson, written with Paul Williams, had her hands filmed playing guitar in a Playboy video, and even demonstrated guitars several times on The Price Is Right!

Saturday, October 13, 2012, 8pm - Angelo M. and Salty Suites
Suggested Donation: $15
Emerging on the music scene after a steel mill bankruptcy that cost him his pension, Angelo M. (short for Melasecca) made the unlikely transition from steelworker to touring artist and hasn't looked back. He is an award winning Americana songwriter and master finger style & slide guitarist with a blues bent in the vein of Chris Smither, Keb' Mo' and Lucinda Williams. With guitar influences from the likes of Ry Cooder, Chet Atkins, Duane Allman and Leo Kottke, reviews hail Angelo M. as a "Brilliant Guitarist" with an "Excellent Voice" and call his performance "Powerful".

Salty Suites live in the world of live acoustic music, sharing a passion for roots and bluegrass, as well as traditional mountain music. Scott Gates is as close to a musical prodigy on the mandolin as you will ever meet. Chuck Hailes is one of the top bass players in the country, schooled in classical and jazz techniques. Chelsea Williams has been writing and performing her own music since she was 13 years old. Elaine Gregston on accordion brings the rhythm drive to the band as well as a wealth of musical training.

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED.

Some of our House Concerts fill up a couple of weeks in advance, so please RSVP early. All our House Concerts begin at 8:00 P.M. unless otherwise noted. A voluntary suggested donation of $15-$20 per person to the musicians is requested. Remember, 100% of all contributions go directly to the performers!

For more information on Russ & Julie's House Concerts,
please contact Russ & Julie at: info@houseconcerts.us

To RSVP, and for directions, please email: rsvp@houseconcerts.us

Please note: "Russ & Julie's House Concerts" is simply the name we choose to describe our private parties, in our private home. These parties are NOT a business nor are they a business related activity. They are strictly a hobby for us, and are simply gatherings of our friends and guests to enjoy live acoustic music, fellowship, food (a potluck dessert buffet) and fun. Our concert parties are officially free (or else it might be considered a business), although voluntary contributions (suggested donation of $15-$20 per person) are accepted at the party on behalf of the artists. 100% of all contributions go directly to the performers. By invitation only.