SECOND  SATURDAY  CONCERT

September 11, 2009   7:30 p.m. 

David Mallett

 David Mallett was working on the garden on his family's farm in rural Maine when he was inspired to run into the house, take a pencil and pad and write a new song. In the nearly three decades since, "The Garden Song" has been covered by more than 150 artists ranging from Pete Seeger and Arlo Guthrie to John Denver and the Muppets. Besides being translated and recorded in a lengthy list of languages, the song inspired a book, Inch By Inch, published by Harper Collins. Mallett, however, is not limited to just one song.

 The cool breezes of Maine's northlands have flowed through the songs of David Mallett for more than four decades. In addition to being featured on his eleven solo albums, Mallett's pen has provided material for an eclectic list of artists that includes Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Emmylou Harris, Kathy Mattea, John Denver and the Muppets.

 Mallett's first break came when he met Noel Paul Stookey of Peter, Paul and Mary. Stookey, who owned a recording studio in South Blue Hills, Maine, became Mallett's mentor and produced his first three albums. He was also instrumental in bringing "The Garden Song" to the attention of Pete Seeger, who included it on his 1979 album, Circles and Seasons.

 In the early 1990s, Mallett left his home state and moved temporarily to Nashville in hopes of becoming a successful songwriter. During the six years that he lived in Tennessee's Music City, he co-wrote many songs with country music songwriter Hal Ketchum and recorded a country-folk album, This Town, that was produced by Jim Rooney in 1993.

 Since returning to Maine in 1997, Mallett has continued to rediscover the roots of his music. "My music is a combination of European and New England maritime music," he said. "The New England maritime thing is Scotch and Irish. It's more European in the tempos, time signatures and chords. I think it's very northern."

 
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, and children under 12 free with adults.  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:  www.houstonfolkmusic.org

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UPCOMING CONCERTS <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

                          SECOND  SATURDAY  CONCERT

October 10, 2009   7:30 p.m.

Bryan Bowers

Master of the Autoharp, Singer/Songwriter/Storyteller

 As a child, Bryan Bowers would tag along with the field workers and gandy dancers and learned to sing old call-and-answer songs.  In the 60’s Bryan took up the guitar.. "The roots of the music had gone real deep in me. Music was real fulfilling, unlike anything I had ever done before."  It wasn't long before Bowers encountered the autoharp. "I ran into a guy that played several instruments and could get the harp in good tune. He played without any fingerpicks, just with his fingernails. He had a real sprightly style on it. It was the first time I'd heard someone play it in good tune and play it well. It opened my eyes and my ears. I went out and got one the next day."  Bryan relocated to Seattle, WA in 1971 and played for coins as a street singer and in bars for the right to pass the hat.

 

Bower’s creativity and talent have won him induction into Frets Magazine’s First Gallery of the Greats.  This distinction put Bowers alongside other luminaries, such as Chet Atkins, David Grisman, Stephan Grappelli, Itzhak Perlman, Tony Rice, Rob Wasserman and Mark O'Connor, recognized for their personal accomplishments. In 1993, Bryan was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame to stand only with Maybelle Carter, Kilby Snow, and Sara Carter.

 

From his rather unglamorous beginning as a street singer, Bryan Bowers has become a major artist on the traditional music circuit. He has redefined the autoharp and is also well known as a singer-songwriter. For nearly three decades, Bryan Bowers has been to the autoharp what Earl Scruggs was to the five-string banjo.

 

"To call Bryan Bowers' performance simply a 'concert' would be inadequate if not inaccurate ... (it) could better be described as an experience!"  - Deseret News

 

"Bowers is widely regarded as the leading virtuoso on the autoharp... Bowers also has distinct gifts as a singer and songwriter."  -  People Magazine

 

"...This man makes more music from an Autoharp than you can imagine from a 12-string guitar and a harpsichord combined. He has more stage presence and charisma than any stage performer in recent memory."   -  The Washington Times

 

 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, and children under 12 free with adults.  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:  www.houstonfolkmusic.org

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         SECOND  SATURDAY  CONCERT

November 14,  7:30 p.m.

Small Potatoes

 This Chicago-based duo, Small Potatoes, is made up of Jacquie Manning & Rich Prezioso.  has been touring on the folk circuit since 1993 and in that time they’ve become sought-after regulars at many clubs, coffeehouses across the U.S.  They have made repeat appearances at major folk festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Walnut Valley Folk Festival, and Philadelphia Folk Festival. They were one of the “most requested” acts at the 1999 Falcon Ridge New Artist Showcase.  Jacquie is also a winner of the 1998 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest.

They call themselves eclecto-maniacs.  They describe their music as “Celtic to Cowboy” and say it has taken them “years of careful indecision” to come up with a mix of music that ranges from country, blues, and swing to Irish, with songwriting that touches on all of those styles and more.   

Dirty Linen Magazine called them “one of the most polished, inventive, and entertaining shows on the circuit.”  Sing Out Magazine called “Time Flies” a “wonderful, wonderfully eclectic” album and said “Small Potatoes might well be leading mainstays on the folk scene for years to come.” 

"I've never been so fascinated by a singing duo.  They’re original, funny, energetic, profound, and always respectful of the music but always daring to try new things…..The audience here loves them.  It’s a stand-up-and-shout kind of love.” ---Phee Sherline--  San Diego Folk Heritage Society, San Diego, CA

“Small Potatoes did one of the best shows we have ever had at the Rouse House Concerts. Many of our regulars believe it was THE best show they have seen- bar none! They are great.”-- Bruce Rouse-- Rouse House Concerts, Austin, TX

 “They’ll never open for me again!”  --  Cliff Eberhardt  Singer/Songwriter

 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 $10, senior citizens (65) $5, and children under 12 free with adults.  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