A DINNER SHOW. An Italian Delight.

THE SWINGIN’ ARMANI BROTHERS....Italian Party Night with the Swingin’ Armani Brothers….featuring catered italian food, a drawing for an Armani mandolin signed by the band as well as other Italiana flavored items….tap your toe and sway to classic neopolitan Italian folk music with a little Frank & Dino thrown in…..violin, mandolin, guitar, bass and percussion by the Brothers…. who….very often, suspiciously in certain light, look remarkably like some members of the Riders of the Purple Sage………but in pinstripes…..….legend has it the Brothers stowed away on a freighter carrying olive oil from the old country to pursue their musical dreams in the Small Apple…..see them before their green cards expire!.....The Coffee Gallery has cleverly stolen them away from a nearly endless tour of Italian restaurant lounges to perform for you for the first time at the Coffee Gallery…..Bob Stane consumed gallons of latte’s in his caffeinated and fevered pursuit of this unsung and largely cult act…..so that you, his loyal music lovers, could enjoy them in the safe and relaxing confines of the Coffee Gallery….Jackson Armani will dazzle you with his mandolin virtuosity and his oh so romantic violin…..and Codio will croon the night away….relax, dance the tarantella with a Stranger In The Night and sing along with with your new found Italian friends to That’s Amore…..come hungry!.....all this for only $19.99…..

Walter Strauss is a "wizard of the fingerstyle guitar" (Netrhythms UK), a songwriter educated by the ghosts of the high desert where he was born. His music is simultaneously fiery and refined, and his multi-layered guitarwork will make you swear several are playing at once. With roots in American song and a unique style that evokes far reaches of the globe, Walter's music mesmerizes - be it a song about the vast American West or an ambitious guitar translation of traditional music from another part of the world.

In addition to his solo work, Walter has performed throughout North America, the UK and Ireland with musicians ranging from Grammy nominated kora master Mamadou Diabate to eclectic songsters The Burns Sisters and fiddle legend Vassar Clements.

Recently, Walter produced Stevie Coyle's (formerly of The Waybacks) solo CD, & was lauded in the press throughout the UK and Ireland on his breakout 22-show solo tour. Now he brings his jawdropping fretwork and creative shenanigans our way - www.walterstrauss.com. Check out Walter on youtube - click here.

LAURENCE JUBER

"One of the most gifted and versatile fingerstyle guitarists on the scene"
- Acoustic Guitar Magazine. "Stunning fretwork" - Fingerstyle Guitar.
"A provocative guitar perspective" - L.A.Times

MATINEE. MATINEE.
INCENDIO.....acclaimed world-guitar-fusion trio. in both Italian and Spanish means “fire” and this moniker is fitting for a musical group whose sound is all about energy, exploration, and passion. At the heart of INCENDIO’s sound is the Latin or Spanish guitar which can conjure up romantic as well as powerful and bold images – they refer to their style as “Latin Guitar World Fusion”. Averaging over 150 concerts a year for the last four years, INCENDIO’s live show has become an explosive improvisatory journey, garnering tremendous audience response in such diverse venues as the Strawberry Music Fest in Yosemite, the Sundance Film Festival, Verizon Music Festival, Catalina Jazztrax, California World Festival, and many more. Their four previous CD’s have enjoyed international radio airplay and critical acclaim. Their new live DVD and CD, “Dia Y Noche”, captures a daytime show at the Strawberry Festival 2004 and a nighttime show at the Countrywide Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center and was released internationally on December 2, 2005. INCENDIO is Jim Stubblefield (guitar), Liza Carbe (bass and guitar), and Jean-Pierre Durand (guitar). Crazy but let’s do it.

Evening.

INCENDIO.....acclaimed world-guitar-fusion trio. in both Italian and Spanish means “fire” and this moniker is fitting for a musical group whose sound is all about energy, exploration, and passion. At the heart of INCENDIO’s sound is the Latin or Spanish guitar which can conjure up romantic as well as powerful and bold images – they refer to their style as “Latin Guitar World Fusion”. Averaging over 150 concerts a year for the last four years, INCENDIO’s live show has become an explosive improvisatory journey, garnering tremendous audience response in such diverse venues as the Strawberry Music Fest in Yosemite, the Sundance Film Festival, Verizon Music Festival, Catalina Jazztrax, California World Festival, and many more. Their four previous CD’s have enjoyed international radio airplay and critical acclaim. Their new live DVD and CD, “Dia Y Noche”, captures a daytime show at the Strawberry Festival 2004 and a nighttime show at the Countrywide Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Center and was released internationally on December 2, 2005. INCENDIO is Jim Stubblefield (guitar), Liza Carbe (bass and guitar), and Jean-Pierre Durand (guitar).

WILL RYAN & the CACTUS COUNTY COWBOYS!

“The Marx Brothers meet the Sons of the Pioneers!”

THEY’RE BACK! Since their critically-lauded year-long run at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood, Will Ryan & the Cactus County Cowboys have broken records all over the country! (Shellac and vinyl mostly, but they’ve promised to sweep up on their next tour.) At the band’s very first performance, they played for Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Gene Autry and Clayton (The Lone Ranger) Moore. Now YOU can see ‘em too!

Lead singer and guitarist WILL RYAN has written songs for acts like the Okay Corral Chorale, the Pointer Sisters, Patti LaBelle and Clark Burroughs. Also for characters like Tigger, Garfield, The Grinch and the Muppets. Will used to open for such folks as Rick Nelson, Pure Prairie League and Lionel Hampton. Then he became a Cineloquist, which is what he calls an Actor who does a lot of Voices. He can be heard in such films as “The Little Mermaid”, “Looney Tunes: Back in Action!”, “The Land before Time” and the holiday favorite “Mickey’s Christmas Carol”. Currently, he’s regular on “Mickey Mouse Club House” and the radio serial “Adventures in Odyssey”.

Legendary Instrumental Wizards WESTY WESTENHOFER (on bass, tuba and euphonium) and JOHN “PRESTO” REYNOLDS (on guitar, banjo and jazzbo) are Will’s sidekicks. You may recall them as the front men of the Palm Springs Yacht Club, when they worked with the Smothers Brothers, Julie Andrews and Steve Allen. Westy and Presto are the Originators and Principal Perpetrators of the musical art form known as BI-LABIAL FRICITATION. Their demonstration of this arcane practice is a work of show-stopping flabbergastosity!

The trio is often joined by some of the most brilliant musicians in the West. The newest band member is CHLOE FEORANZO: the 17-year old old sax and clarinet wunderkind who’s now tripling on mandolin. This brilliant musician completely wowed the crowd at their CGB appearance last November!

Adding to Will’s pair of certified RIAA Gold Records for earlier work, the band’s first Audible Records CD, “Rhythm Rides the Range!” has just gone uncertified Tin. They’ll be performing tunes from their new Audible Records CD at this show!

ELIZA JANE SCHNEIDER....SOUTH PARK’S ELIZA JANE SCHNEIDER PERFORMS HER AWARD-WINNING SOLO PLAY, “FREEDOM OF SPEECH.”A true story, Eliza Jane Schneider’s thirty-four character solo play takes the audience on her journey through the kitchenettes and hearts of Arizona polygamists, Los Angeles dominatrixes and Montana Huterites, and into the real social emergencies facing America as a nation. Arkansas fiddles, Pittsburgh street rap and New Orleans midnight arias provide the soundtrack to Schneider’s 317,000-mile spiritual quest. A fine voice over artist, doing three of South Park's characters, she is a brilliant actress who got a huge ovation during her first appearance (at a matinee, no less) at The Coffee Gallery Backstage.

“Captivating! A vivid aural photo album of America.”---New York Post
“Astonishing transformations!”---New York Times. “A tour de force….A wondrous harmony of voices pouring from a one-woman choir.”---Time Out New York “Riveting. Brilliant. Dazzling”---Wisconsin State Journal
“One of the best physical actors you’ll ever see.”---Greenville News

WHAT: “Freedom of Speech.” Winner: Best Solo Show NYC International Fringe Festival. WHO: Written and performed by Eliza Jane Schneider. Directed by Sal Romeo. RUNNING TIME: 90 minutes

Plus....CHARLIE FAYE...Charlie’s sound is a blend of Americana; rock n’ roll, country, and blues. Channeled through her resonant, sultry voice, her songs are a reflection of the places she’s been. Charlie Faye: She’s got a big voice well-suited to her generous soul . . . as well as being a powerful vocalist, she’s also a gifted instrumentalist, and a seriously good songwriter. She writes the kinds of songs everyone says nobody writes anymore: songs with sweet and romantic melodies, songs laced with the rich details of real life, songs meant to be sung, meant to be heard. Songs that matter. Songs of consequence, of a finely focused vision and ambition. She has toured with artists like Dan Zanes and Greg Garing, and played as a sideman with many others, including Natalie Merchant and Will Sexton. New cd Wilson St.

FRED EAGLESMITH....Cult Sensation and Americana Music Hero, Is a Songwriter's Songwriter and Critics' Favorite?(Los Angeles) Award-winning singer-songwriter Fred Eaglesmith inspires comparisons to icons like Woody Guthrie and Bruce Springsteen, tops the roots music charts, and boasts devoted fans that include a slew of his fellow songwriters. High-profile tastemakers in the know? Fellow musicians like Toby Keith and The Cowboy Junkies as well as film folks like Martin Scorsese and James Caan, to name a few. Consider him one of the stellar musical and lyrical talents of our day.

Comments by Carey:
PERSONAL COMMENT: You know how there are some things in life that, no matter how great a wordsmith you are (not that I think I am), you can never find words that paint as vivid a picture of -- that completely or properly describe -- the "thing" even close to adequately, relative to how you KNOW you felt about it? Fred Eaglesmith's JAN 2008 show was one of the best we've had -- and that's saying a LOT -- in the 5+ year, almost 300 concert history of this series. He and his band exceeded expectations by margins too large to measure. Musically, they kicked ass (sometimes, you just gotta tell it like it is -- even if the words you use might offend someone!). Song-quality-wise, Fred's a great writer. And in both his on-stage patter and in some of his lyrics, he's a funy guy.

Ticket sales were DOUBLE my expectation -- and that's NEVER happened before or since! His show is one I'd definitely label "Don't Miss!" -- without hesitation. I wish more of you would come see why. (Carey, San Diego presenter.

Though a decidedly grassroots artist in the thematic focus of his songs and how he pursues his career, playing some 180 shows a year across North America as well as Europe and Australia, Eaglesmith boasts an impact that far better known musical acts can only dream of.

With THE FABULOUS GINN SISTERS....The Fabulous Ginn Sisters have made a career of breaking hearts in clubs across North America. Their already constant touring schedule recently ballooned to include touring as part of the Fred Eaglesmith Band. Backing up the iconic Indie artist led to a collaboration with Eaglesmith’s band in their opening sets. Eaglesmith was struck by the new band’s rough, rawboned sound and invited them to record the new Fabulous Ginn Sisters CD in his Port Dover, Ontario studio. The result is a smoky, drunken stumble through a broken-heart junkyard. ‘You Can’t Take a Bad Girl Home’ is set for release in the late winter of 2010. Having notched out a place for themselves with their amazing singing, the new CD is a marked dodge towards rock and roll. The songs are bleak yet poppy, the singing is subtle and nuanced, and the music is a garage mix of reverb and mystery hum. The Fabulous Ginn Sisters (then ‘The Ginn Sisters’) first made their mark on the Americana scene with their 2006 release “Blood Oranges” which received stellar reviews from regional, national and international media.

STEPHANIE BETTMAN & LUKE HALPIN
“That Stephanie Bettman has reached a level comparable to others like Emmylou Harris, Joan Baez and Alison Krauss so quickly it’s a bit uncanny.” –Country Jukebox, Germany

“Bettman jams it up like few others as she leads an ensemble with great imagination.” – Maverick Magazine, UK

Stephanie Bettman is a singer/songwriter/fiddler extraordinaire and has been generating a buzz in bluegrass/country circles with inevitable comparisons to Alison Krauss and Emmylou Harris. Her partner, multi-instrumentalist, Luke Halpin, is an awesome talent in his own right. Named by Folkworks Magazine as one of LA’s top ten Female Singer Songwriters, Stephanie’s songs are sometimes sad, sometimes sassy but always stunning. Together she and Luke have been winners in many local and national competitions including:

* Grand Prize Winners in the 2008 So Cal Live Acoustic Music Competition.
* Winners in the 2007 Topanga Banjo / Fiddle contest.
* Folk Works Top Ten Los Angeles based female singer-songwriters of 2008.
* Music Connection’s Top Twenty-Five New Music Critiques of 2008.

Inspired by the likes of Sam Bush, Tony Rice, and Mark O’Conner, Luke’s perfectly blended harmonies and his instrumental expertise together with Stephanie’s artistry and performance make for a dynamic entertaining experience. One thing’s for sure, if Stephanie Bettman & Luke Halpin are on the bill, you are in for an unforgettable performance that will have you hooked from the first fiddle line to the last sweet harmony.

MOJACAR FLAMENCO...... Join award-winning Mojácar Flamenco at the Coffee Gallery Backstage for their evocative duet concert "Bailes Candiles." The concert takes its inspiration from the 19th century "Café Cantante" flamenco shows, where the only lighting was supplied by gas lamps. This intimate concert setting allows the artists to perform their best, most difficult flamenco works.

Featuring guitar virtuoso Stephen Dick and elegant, fiery flamenco dancer/singer Katerina Tomás, this dynamic duet completely transforms the art of flamenco. Recognized with numerous awards and honors for their artistry by the Spanish Ministry of Culture, the City of Los Angeles, the Zellerbach and Haas Foundations, and “Meet the Composer,” Mojácar Flamenco is well known for their distinctive use of Katerina's footwork as a rhythmic instrument and Stephen's outstanding flamenco guitar compositions.

Flamenco guitar, rhythm & dance. Join Mojácar Flamenco as they celebrate the release of their hot new Flamenco and Latin album, “Al Que Quiere.” Led by guitar virtuoso Stephen Dick and dance dynamo Katerina Tomás, the group completely transforms traditional flamenco.

**SPECIAL NOTE FOR HAITIAN RELIEF: ALL CD SALES (CDs are $15 each) at the Mojácar Flamenco February 12 Coffee Gallery Backstage show will go to the Haitian Relief Fund. These are gorgeous CDs that you will really enjoy. Come on out and share the love and support!

Matinee. 2:00 P.M.

BOWSER & BLUE

They appeared at the 2008 edition of the Just For Laughs comedy Festival, with Joan Rivers and many other fine comedians. That performance was telecast in January 2009 on CBC-TV. They can often be seen on television shows compiled from their many festival appearances since 1988.

Also in 2008, they appeared at Montreal's Centaur Theatre in "The 25th Century Belongs to Canada," a follow-up to the highly successful "Four Anglos of the Apocalypse." This was a comic perspective on the last 30 years of politics in Quebec, narrated by film-maker and humorist Josh Freed, with music by Bowser and Blue and cartoons by award-winning cartoonist Terry Mosher (Aislin). Highlights from the show were presented at Toronto's IdeaCity festival in 2007.

They have recorded with Supertramp's Rick Davies, and with Kimberley Rew, Vince de la Cruz, Alex Cooper and Katrina Leskanich of Katrina and the Waves. They also recorded a song with the late great MacLean and MacLean.
They have written and appeared in many full-length Theatre shows, most recently the musical 'The Paris of America,' which ran for seven sold-out weeks at Montreal's Centaur Theatre in 2003. Previous shows include the smash hits 'Blokes' and 'Blokes Deux.'

See: www.bowserandblue.com/
and http://bowserandblue.com/history.php

ZEN BOOGIE, brings L.A.'s most original Boogie-Blues Jazz for the first time to The Coffee Gallery Backstage where some of the best, jazz, blues, folk and alternative music enlivens the intimate room. With lyrics that tell his stories with his sardonic sense of humor intact, Robert Linden is supported by his loyal band: Bob Helfant (guitar), Doug Snyder (bass), Larry Williams (alto, tenor, soprano and baritone sax), and Bob Girnius (Drums). Backup vocalist Deb Snyder helps light up the stage.

ZEN BOOGIE was the winner of the 2009 Best Jazz Ensemble from the Malibu Music Awards, Robert has won top honors for his song "Too Hip For The Room" from the John Lennon Songwriting Awards and Tin Pan South in Nashville, Tennessee. The band has been featured for the last three years at the Labor Day Weekend Sweet and Hot Music Festival in Westchester, California.

Some of the reviews of their CD, "Beginnings: The Early Live Recordings":

“Everyone loves ZEN BOOGIE’s music. The songs are awesome.
It’s a kind of ‘bluezjazzfunk’. I get requests for it all the time.
~Bambi Breeze, “Kool Breezes” on Radio Scooter

“…an infectious band that has four beat imbedded in their chromosomes…
if the cool live disc is anything like the real thing, a lot of good times
are guaranteed when ZEN BOOGIE comes to a town near you.”
~George Harris, “All About Jazz”

“We are afforded the luxury of being able to play the music we like…
I liked your music and will be playing ‘Madness’ on my show,,,
~JR Moreno, “The Jazz Café”

Vocalist/Keyboardist Robert Linden has assembled a bunch of boogie-crazy musicians to run through a varied program... they have a certain rawness but also an immediate sense of excitement... a riotous celebration of swing-boogie heaven. ~Myrna Daniels, “L.A. Jazz Scene”

(Robert Linden) sings and plays a mean piano...and loves to share a raw boogie piano style with his audience while romping forcefully on the bottom keys.. That driving rhythm is the best part of what ZEN BOOGIE does... they give each song direction and the kind of powerful force that would fill a room. ~Jim Santella, “Southland Blues Magazine”

Come on out and boogie. They are simply a good time and a great show of music you won't hear anywhere else!

http://www.zenboogie.net

Help Bring Them Home

Zen Boogie | MySpace Music Videos

February 14

JANET KLEIN & The Parlor Boys........

Come out and frolic with Ukulele Chanteuse Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys ! Janet and her distinctive musician pals bring to life "Obscure, Naughty and Lovely tunes of the 1910s, 20s & 30s, delivering a bundle of spirited and inspired renditions of cleverly fun but forgotten Tin Pan Alley, early hot jazz, saucy bits and late ragtime gems. These merrymakers zestfully branch into obscure vaudeville and Vitaphone numbers, Hawaiian, Yiddish novelty tunes, French and Italian knock-out ballads.

The Parlor Boys feature Ian Whitcomb, on accordion and ukulele (A Backstage favorite) , as well as the astonishing guitar,banjo and whistling talents of John Reynolds and Tom Marion on guitar, banjo & mandolin, alumni of R. Crumb's Cheap Suit Serenaders, along with a bevy of hot musicians on violin, cornet, trombone and slap-happy bass.. Watch out for the Charming and Alarming Ms. Klein!

CuppaJoe

CuppaJoe is based in Ventura county and has been performing throughout Los Angeles, Orange County and the Inland Empire since 2003. The quartet approaches classic rock with the sound of acoustic instruments and tight part vocal harmony. The band has received rave reviews and has done more than 140 shows--across 4 counties. Performing an eclectic repertoire of covers that spans 3 decades, CuppaJoe plays music for every taste and generation to enjoy.

SURFIN’ SAFARI....is a faithful recreation of what it would have been like to see The Beach Boys live, in concert, in their prime. This 5 member line up is unrivaled in their sound, presentation, and professionalism. There are NO BACKING TRACKS or extra musicians playing off-stage! SURFIN' SAFARI is as close as you will ever get to seeing the original 5 member line up of the Beach Boys. The incomparable beauty of their vocal harmonies, the crashing back beat of Dennis Wilson's drums, the soaring surf guitar of Carl Wilson, and the genius of Brian Wilson's music is all here. The uniband choreography, the Fender guitar line up, the famous custom striped shirts, right down to the black suede Beach Boy boots, it's all here. SURFIN' SAFARI... a great show, a great time, and fun, fun, fun till our Daddy takes the T-Bird away!

SLIGO RAGS... Named among the top acoustic bands in LA (by Folkworks Magazine) and two-time winners of the Orange County Music Award for Best Folk Band, this dynamic ensemble presents Celtic Folk with a decidedly bluegrass attitude. Sligo Rags is taking the local and not-so-local Folk and Celtic music scenes by storm with a unique blend of eclectic musical influences. Dan Miller of Flatpicking Guitar Magazine says “These guys have it all--great vocals, lots of energy, captivating songs, well executed arrangements, and tasteful solos.” Their debut studio recording, "The Night Before the Morning After", was called "the best I've heard from a stateside band" by Celtic Beat Magazine, while their sophomore effort, “The Whiskey Never Lies,” (called “the best from the West Coast Celts in many years” by Shay Clark of the Irish-American News), was named one of the top 10 of 2007 by Folkworks. Don’t be surprised if elements of country, gypsy jazz and swing manage to sneak their way into the act as well. Award-winning flatpicking and fingerstyle guitarist David Burns (recently featured in Flatpicking Guitar Magazine), fiddler extraordinaire Michael Kelly, world-renowned bassist Gordon Rustvold, and percussion whiz-kid Andy Reilly (8 years on the road with the original Riverdance company) are guaranteed to fill the room and your lives with electricity. They may give you a good laugh or two along the way as well.

"Sligo Rags have mastered the ability to take songs from a time gone by and make them fresh and relevant for a modern audience. Their passion for the music and their willingness to take risks combine for an outstanding live show."--Music Connection

"…A ‘money back, no questions asked if you are not thrilled’ act. Bring friends. Dynamic, up tempo, multi-talented. A fusion that just crackles."
—Bob Stane, The Coffee Gallery Backstage

BORDER RADIO...

Border Radio has been a well-loved acoustic band playing in the Los Angeles area since 2000. They return to their stomping grounds at the Coffee Gallery Backstage after a hiatus of a couple of years, ready to charm you with their handwritten songs, soulful folk and bluegrass style tinged with cowboy swing, all backed up with some serious steel and string.

Border Radio is Kelly McCune on sweet lead vocals, Mike Stromberg on dobro and guitar, Mark Indictor on smokin' fiddle, and Robert Staron on bass.

Jerry Burgan & Friends...Folk Songs & Stories

Jerry and friends take a musical journey leading from familiar pop songs of the late 50s to an exploration of his folk roots and experiences as the surviving co-founder of We Five, the group that had a million selling hit record with the folk-rock classic, You Were On My Mind. It is a totally entertaining experience that also manages to inform the audience about pockets of our American heritage we have overlooked, forgotten, or never really known about....

The sets are laced with a fabric woven from the spirit of Woody Guthrie, John & Alan Lomax, Pete Seeger and the Weavers, to the more contemporary artists they inspired when Jerry was coming of age in the mid sixties under the mentoring eye of John Stewart—No, not the comedic TV host, but the Kingston Trio banjo player, writer of countless classic songs including Runaway Train, Gold, and Daydream Believer, as well as an early pioneer of the musical form that’s come to be called Americana.

Jerry’s songs, stories and guitar are beautifully complimented by bassist and humorist, Tholow Chan. Also joining them for this show will be Jerry’s wife and lead singer from We Five, Debbie Burgan. Their stage rapport has a quality which can only come with time, and their arrangements reflect voices that can be disarmingly bold and beautiful. Don’t miss it. Jerry Burgan & Friends Folksongs & Stories

EVAN J. MARSHALL and BILLY & THE HILLBILLIES, featuring JOHN "SLAP-BASS BILLY" MARSHALL...

EVAN J. MARSHALL is widely regarded as one of the greatest mandolin virtuosos ever. He possesses an uncanny technique which the Raleigh-Durham Independent called "superhuman," the Los Angeles Times called "remarkable," the Washington Post labeled "truly dazzling," and the Fresno Bee called "mind-boggling." Besides his "obvious virtuosity" (Pasadena Star News), he also has "in color and texture . . . a stunning mastery of interpretation" (St. Paul Pioneer Press). Evan's accomplishments are legendary among other artists of the plucked string: The late Chet Atkins called him "one of the few great musicians of our time;" Don Stiernberg calls him "The Michael Jordan of the mandolin." and BILLY & THE HILLBILLIES, featuring JOHN "SLAP-BASS BILLY" MARSHALL... JOHN MARSHALL, founder of "Billy and the Hillbillies," has performed for about four million visitors to the Golden Horseshoe Theater at the world's most famous theme park during the course of 18,000 shows spanning 17 years. He also has brought his "Hillbillies at the Symphony" program to over a dozen of the country's premier orchestras, including the Baltimore Symphony & the Houston Symphony. A consummate entertainer, he is widely regarded as the greatest slap-bass virtuoso in the world of Bluegrass.

Opening the show is PHOEBE BRIDGERS...who has played her own brand of acoustic folk all over Los Angeles, including the Topanga Banjo Fiddle Contest and Folk Festival, Folk Music Center in Claremont, and the Echo Back Porch. Phoebe is an engaging performer for such a young singer, and her own songs are mature and insightful.

GORDIE TENTREES...From the Canadian North Country on his US CD release tour comes Yukon Roots act Gordie Tentrees Trio with dobro, lapsteel, banjo, upright bass, harmonica, guitars and 3 part harmonies weaving stories in song, digging deep into country blues grooves, and blowing your "What the heck what that?" door down. "In the rough cut vein of Fred Eaglesmith or Kelly Joe Phelps, Tentrees is gifted" Globe & Mail. www.tentrees.ca

Yukon roots music songwriter Gordie Tentrees has released his 3rd album, Mercy or Sin, produced by Juno Award-winning producer Bob Hamilton. Joining Gordie (dobro, guitar, harmonica) on the "Mercy or Sin" CD release tour is legendary multi-instrumentalist Ken Hermanson (banjo, lapsteel, guitar) and singing sensation Jennie Sosnowski (upright bass).

This is the much-anticipated follow up to critically-acclaimed Bottleneck to Wire (2007) and 29 Loads of Freight (2004). This album finally captures the bands dynamic live show and unique growth of songwriter Gordie Tentrees. There are 12 tracks delivering story-driven songs, edgy foot-stompers and heart-worn odes that can only be cultivated by a road warrior.

Gordie has toured relentlessly in North America, Europe and the UK, building an international buzz in the roots music world. He has opened for Fred Eaglesmith and Kelly Joe Phelps, shared stages with the D-Rangers, Rick Fines, Blackie & The Rodeo Kings, performed a CBC Saturday Night Blues concert, and showcased at North American Folk Alliance, Western Canadian Music Awards and South by Southwest.

SOURDOUGH SLIM with ROBERT ARMSTRONG

Well traveled veterans of stages ranging from Carnegie Hall and The Lincoln Center to The National Cowboy Gathering, Strawberry Music Festival and Prairie Home Companion, these modern day vaudevillians capture a sound and moment in time that consistently delights fun loving music fans everywhere they perform.

"First rate entertainment. A delightfully splendid show. . . full of good time music and laughs galore." - Diane Brinkman, Seattle Times

"You won't find better authentic Country or Western music being played anywhere."
- David Barnes, British Archive of Country Music

"Much more invigorating than 9/10ths of the stuff you hear from the current cadre of Western revivalists." - Ronald Lankford, Jr., Sing Out! magazine

"Good stuff!" - Dallas Dobro, Master of Ceremonies, Strawberry Music Festival

KEN O’ MALLEY

The University of St. Thomas at Houston proclaims that Ken O'Malley is "widely regarded as the finest Irish folk singer/songwriter in the United States today" and the Irish News calls this consummate entertainer "without question, . . .the single most enduring, influential and proficient of all Irish musicians in Southern California . . ." And, last year, Folkworks Magazine named him second among the top 10 live acoustic male singer-songwriters in Los Angeles.

The event promises to be a magical evening of music with songs in both English and Irish Gaelic, suitable for all ages. Not just a singer, about whom Dave Soyars of the Irish Herald writes "his powerful and emotive voice shines through on everything he does", O'Malley is also a cultural ambassador and educator who infuses every performance with a genuine passion and love for his native land and its people.  As longtime fan Mark Dresser says "the songs Ken sings touch all of us, Irish or not, to the very core of the human heart."

Monday

March 2

THE RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE....with mandolin phenom...EVAN MARSHALL...

One of, if not "the" most historical Western bands in the world, The Riders Of The Purple Sage starred in films and radio for the pre-war days to today... Today's Riders, under the leadership of Cody Bryant, put on a show rich with old and new music. Band members are highly-skilled musicians-instruments include a five-string banjo, hot lead guitar, fiddle, steel guitar, bass, and drums and consummate vocalists. While keeping alive the tradition of the original Riders' sound, they continue to write and perform new material that carries on and builds upon their signature style. Adding a strong swing influence (ala Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys), their performances appeal to listeners and dancers of all ages. Today’s Riders bring together hot swing riffs with smooth harmonies that, at the end of the show, leave the audience wanting more. Their sound and show makes you feel that all is well in the West. They are “etherial” and “Orchestral.” They exceeded musicianship. They exceeded their genre.

You owe it to yourself to see this most amazing and amusing exhibit. Forget what you think you like and don’t like. See The Riders Of The Purple Sage.

Monday

March 29

THE RIDERS OF THE PURPLE SAGE....with mandolin phenom...EVAN MARSHALL...

One of, if not "the" most historical Western bands in the world, The Riders Of The Purple Sage starred in films and radio for the pre-war days to today... Today's Riders, under the leadership of Cody Bryant, put on a show rich with old and new music. Band members are highly-skilled musicians-instruments include a five-string banjo, hot lead guitar, fiddle, steel guitar, bass, and drums and consummate vocalists. While keeping alive the tradition of the original Riders' sound, they continue to write and perform new material that carries on and builds upon their signature style. Adding a strong swing influence (ala Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys), their performances appeal to listeners and dancers of all ages. Today’s Riders bring together hot swing riffs with smooth harmonies that, at the end of the show, leave the audience wanting more. Their sound and show makes you feel that all is well in the West. They are “etherial” and “Orchestral.” They exceeded musicianship. They exceeded their genre.

You owe it to yourself to see this most amazing and amusing exhibit. Forget what you think you like and don’t like. See The Riders Of The Purple Sage.