SECOND  SATURDAY  CONCER

February 13, 2010   7:30 p.m.

Bill & Kate Isles

 

Bill Isles (Duluth, MN) performed his first show of original songs in twenty-five years in February of 2000. Since that time, he has become one of the most well known singer/songwriters in the Minnesota acoustic scene and has been getting national and international attention. His songs are poetic reflections of life experiences and often explore adventurous spiritual courses. Admittedly a romantic, many of his lyrics describe emotional and sensual encounters.

His love of life has strong roots in his childhood, but his urgency to tell these stories comes from an experience in 1993 when, with just enough warning to drive himself to the hospital, his heart stopped beating. He arrived with just ten minutes to spare. After being defibrillated, and before the doctors had time to detect and open a blocked artery in his heart, he made a commitment to himself that, if he survived, he would begin to write again. Those paddles restarted more than his heart…

    Sample Videos:    Hobos In The Roundhouse       Old Fences

Kate Isles was a closet singer/songwriter, full-time wine representative and dedicated single-mom when she came to a CD release concert for Bill's first CD, “Weightless” after hearing a radio interview. She bought the CD and signed up on his e-mail list. ("Grounds for marriage!”, quips Bill)
Their relationship began soon afterwards with afternoon sessions with guitars, harmonies and coffee. They've been together ever since, marrying in May of 2004. While Bill initially toured solo, Kate is becoming an integral part of the act. The response has been very positive with many comments about the "perfect blend of two voices". "I'm honored to hear such things," said Kate, "it reflects the wonderful relationship that we've enjoyed."

The song that caught my attention so readily when Bill and Kate played Second Saturday Concerts in January of 2008 was Hobos in The Roundhouse. – Bobby Pangle.   Here are the comments of Kathy Sands-Boehmer regarding  JC Shepard's video ' Bill & Kate Isles - Hobos In The Roundhouse -  “I've seen Bill and Kate perform this at Folk Alliance. Very moving song. Reminds me of some of Bill Staines' best!.”

Bill explains the song, "My grandfather, August, was a railroad roundhouse mechanic in Virginia, Minnesota. He risked his job during the depression by letting hobos sleep indoors while he was on the midnight shift." The heart of the song is when August has a moment of doubt and Bill sings, "I asked my Savior, 'What should I do? If I'm caught helping hobos my job could be through.' And I heard my answer, so clear and so bright, 'Are there hobos sleeping in your roundhouse tonight?'"

Second Saturday Concert is presented by the Houston Folklore/Music Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of folklore and folk/acoustic music.    Homemade refreshments are available.  Tickets are sold at the door - adults $12, senior citizens (65) $8,  children under 12 free with adults, children 12-18 and students with ID $8.  Concerts are held the second Saturdays of each month in the West University Community Center at 6104 Auden (intersection of Auden. and Rice Blvd.)  Phone Bob or Gay Pangle at 281-347-3235  or  Chris Hartman at 281-495-2923 for more concert information.  Visit our website at:  http://www.houstonfolkmusic.org

March 13, 2010   7:30 p.m.

Jack Williams

Jack Williams, a South Carolina-born artist, is celebrated by the contemporary U.S. folk community as a singer/songwriter of national stature and an uncommonly unique guitarist whom Sing Out! Magazine describes as “one of the strongest guitarists in contemporary folk". He continues to tour the U.S. constantly, as he has for the past 50 years, out of the sheer love of music and performing. Williams has added extremely successful tours of England, Scotland, Switzerland, Germany, Liechtenstein, France and Austria to his list of recent performances at festivals, house concerts and major folk venues. A featured performer on the Philadelphia and Kerrville main stages, Jack has also appeared on the Newport, (New Bedford) Summerfest and Boston Folk Festival stages. In addition to his successful solo career, Jack's credits include guitar work with legendary singer/songwriters Mickey Newbury, Harry Nilsson, Tom Paxton, Peter Yarrow, and Steve Gillette, among others. He currently has a DVD (High Cotton) and seven CDs of original songs on Wind River / Folk Era Records: “Bound for Glory – Live”, “Laughing in the Face of the Blues”, “WALKIN’ DREAMS”, “LIVE & In Good Company”, “Eternity & Main”, “Across the Winterline”, and “Dreams of the Song Dog”. His CD “Don’t Let Go” is a collection of cover songs reflecting the major influences on his musical development.

 Sample Videos:      Natural Man       Jack At Kerrville 2006

Williams’ music is born at the meeting ground of the traditional and the contemporary – original Southern-American songwriting and performance at its best, drawing deeply from the eclectic well of our musical heritage. Jack’s fusion of guitar, voice and songs – which are loaded with delightful influences from his career in jazz, classical, rock, blues, country and folk – should not be missed.

".... his artistry... is nothing short of amazing. Dazzling picking, expressive voice, unique and interesting songs. He is a showman in the best sense of the word and just wowed our audience. I think they would have followed him anywhere."
Rich Warren, WFMT "Midnight Special", Chicago IL

 Second Saturday Concert is presented by the Houston Folklore/Music Society, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of folklore and folk/acoustic music.    Homemade refreshments are available.  Tickets are sold at the door - adults $12, senior citizens (65) $8,  children under 12 free with adults, children 12-18 and students with ID $8.  Concerts are held the second Saturdays of each month in the West University Community Center at 6104 Auden (intersection of Auden. and Rice Blvd.)  Phone Bob or Gay Pangle at 281-347-3235  or  Chris Hartman at 281-495-2923 for more concert information.  Visit our website at:  http://www.houstonfolkmusic.org