Mike & Tari Conroy: Excellent show

Mike and Tari Conroy put on a beautiful show with a full evening of bluegrass songs and tunes on guitar, mandolin, and two different banjos. Listen and you'll agree, these guys are the real deal when it comes to traditional musicianship. Right here in the Bitterroot!

(Right click, open streaming audio links in new tab or window to stay on this page.)

Here's set 1

Here's set 2 in 2 parts:

Set 2 part 1 and part 2

Mike & Tari Conroy in concert, Friday, December 11

In a rare public concert performance, Mike & Tari Conroy from Conner, Montana, will be featured playing bluegrass music drawn from their nine recordings and a lifetime of traditional music making.

"Mike and Tari’s performance is clean and sincere with a simplicity that lets the listener get right to the core of the music."

-Bluegrass Now

"Anyone relishing charismatic vocal duets should find much to savor in the music of Mike & Tari Conroy"

-Bluegrass Unlimited

These two make a powerful sound, not light on musical depth, traditional roots or skill. Come see 'em and find out what bluegrass is all about, up front and personal. Dress casual for a good time!

Potluck: 5 p.m.
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 Advance, $20 Door (if available)

Reservations & Directions to venue: Contact jay@jaytoups.com or 406-349-2943

To reserve seats in advance, make check payable to Mike (or Tari) Conroy and mail to:

Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829

Richard Gilewitz to appear Sunday, November 15

Known as one of the strangest men in acoustic music today, Richard Gilewitz fascinates his audiences with fingerstyle gymnastics on his 6 and 12-string guitars while spinning yarns too unbelievable not to be true. His ability to make one guitar sound like an entire orchestra stems from 33 years of well-honed technique and 25 years of on the road worldwide touring, creating his own signature sound that has been captured on his CDs, DVDs, and songbooks. But it is his live shows that bring out the best in this author, composer, guitarist, humorist, AND storyteller who follows a distinct cadence that creates a glow that continually grows a little brighter with each tune.

Whether playing solo, conducting guitar seminars and school programs, or years of sharing the stage with folks such as The California Guitar Trio, John McCutcheon, John Renbourn, Mose Allison,the late John Fahey, Leo Kottke, Norman Blake, Indigo Girls, John Hammond, Rory Block, or Jane Siberry, Richard Gilewitz always creates a sparkle of mood mastery and wonderment.

Potluck: 5 p.m.
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 Advance, $20 Door (if available)

Reservations & Directions to venue: Contact jay@jaytoups.com or 406-349-2943

To reserve seats in advance, make check payable to Richard Gilewitz and mail to:

Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829

Cliff Eberhardt in concert, Sunday, October 25

CANCELLED: Prior evening's engagement fell through and Cliff won't be able to play our show, sorry!

"Eberhardt is better than ever, Steve McQueening his way into your heart at about ninety-eight miles an hour, kicking ass with fresh insight and new ways to lament old yearnings.”
—Philly Rock Guide

Cliff Eberhardt knew by age seven that he was going to be a singer and songwriter. Growing up in Berwyn, Pennsylvania, he and his brothers sang together and their parents played instruments. His dad introduced him to the guitar and he quickly taught himself to play. Fortunate enough to live close to the Main Point (one of the best folk clubs on the East Coast), he cut his teeth listening to the likes of James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Springsteen, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Bonnie Raitt, and Mississippi John Hurt — receiving an early and impressive tutorial in acoustic music. At the same time, he was also listening to great pop songwriters like Cole Porter, the Gershwins, and Rodgers and Hart, which explain his penchant for great melodies and clever lyrical twists.

At fifteen, Cliff and his brother Geoff began touring as an acoustic duo, playing the Eastern club circuit until Cliff turned twenty-one and moved to Carbondale, Illinois. There he found space to develop his own voice within a vibrant and supportive music scene that included Shawn Colvin. After a couple of years there and a short stay in Colorado, Cliff moved to New York in 1978.

Because the clubs were great (the Bitter End, the Speakeasy, Kenny’s Castaway, Folk City) and the company amazing (John Gorka, Suzanne Vega, Lucy Kaplansky, Julie Gold, Steve Forbert, Christine Lavin, and Shawn Colvin), New York was an ideal musician’s boot camp. Though he put in long hours as a taxi driver, Cliff worked steadily on his music throughout the 80’s, doing solo gigs and studio work, and playing guitar on the road with Richie Havens, Melanie and others. Singing advertising jingles for products like Coke, Miller Beer and Chevrolet (“The Heartbeat of America” campaign) allowed him to devote more time to his songwriting.

In 1990 Cliff’s song “My Father’s Shoes,” appeared on Windham Hill’s Legacy collection, leading to a deal with the label. They released Cliff’s first album, The Long Road (1990), a work featuring a duet with Richie Havens. The critical response to this debut was outstanding (the Philadelphia Inquirer called the album a “repeatedly astounding collection”). He followed with two more records on Shanachie before releasing, 12 Songs of Good and Evil (1997) on Red House Records, which stemmed from a chance meeting with Red House founder Bob Feldman at John Gorka’s wedding. Since then, Cliff has released 4 albums on the label-Borders, School For Love,12 Songs of Good & Evil and his current one- The High Above & the Down Below, recorded in Minneapolis with noted jazz players Gordy Johnson, J. T. Bates and Rich Dworsky.

Long one of the most respected songwriters on the club scene, his peers often mine his catalog for themselves. Cliff’s song “Memphis” was included on Cry Cry Cry, an album of collaborative covers by the “folk supergroup” of the same name (comprised of Dar Williams, Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Shindell). Other performers who have recorded his songs include Richie Havens, Shawn Colvin, Russ Taff and Buffy Sainte Marie. A collection of his songs has recently been published in The Cliff Eberhardt Songbook (Cherry Lane Publishing).

Cliff is touring to promote the brand new release of 500 Miles: The Blue Rock Sessions. A deeply personal album, it follows his critically acclaimed The High Above and the Down Below, which was named the #5 album of the year in 2008 by USA Today.

For more info and music samples, visit Cliff's web site: http://www.cliffeberhardt.net

Potluck: 5 p.m.
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 Advance, $20 Door (if available)

Reservations & Directions to venue: Contact jay@jaytoups.com or 406-349-2943

To reserve seats in advance, make check payable to Cliff Eberhardt and mail to:

Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829

Cliff Eberhardt

Ben Bedford in concert, July 30

We're adding a last-minute show with Ben Bedford, who contacted me recently trying to fill an "off" night as he and his family make their way east for Ben to play more shows. I listened to some of his stuff and was instantly a fan. Come see this guy and hear the magic for yourself!

From Ben's web site:

A storyteller from the age of 3, Bedford began by dictating stories to his parents before he could hold a pen. He continued to write short stories into his early teens. He picked up the guitar at the age of 14 after watching a friend play on a camping trip. In high school Bedford explored many different genres of music, but his world exploded when he discovered his mom's Gordon Lightfoot collection and then began a foray into the world of folk and Americana that included artists such as Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Richard Shindell, Tom Russell and Patty Griffin. The work of these artists resonated with Bedford and inspired him to try his hand at songwriting.

In 2000, Bedford entered the University of Illinois in Urbana with intentions of becoming a history professor. While he finished his degree, he was sidetracked by his love of music and writing. The history lectures and texts instilled in Bedford a fascination with gritty human truths and the plight of the common man/woman through the ages. Bedford has used that love of the past to imbue his characters with a sense of historical reality, yet maintain a heightened emotional and human quality.

Lincoln's Man was released to radio (U.S./Europe/Canada/Australia) January 29, 2008 on his own label, Hopeful Sky Records and reached number eight on the national Folk-DJ charts in February. The title track peaked at number three the same month. Bedford's second album, Land of the Shadows, was the number one album for January 2009 with three songs charting in the top ten, also making Bedford the number one artist.

Both albums are available for purchase at several locations on the web, including his website.

Link to Ben's site.

Annabelle Chvostek in concert Tuesday, June 23

Annabelle Chvostek

Annabelle returns for a second appearance on Tuesday, June 23 at LLSC. If you want to hear her first set (along with Justin Roth backing her up), check the streaming audio section of the sidebar.

"Ms. Chvostek won our hearts and minds... Her show was one of those magical, chemistry-connected sets, with a sense of discovery attached... Singing with pluck and precision, Ms. Chvostek exudes organic musicality, whether when digging into folky roots music or art-pop turf…"

Santa Barbara News-Press Nov 2008

If the name Annabelle Chvostek is familiar, or you've heard of The Wailin' Jennys, it could be from their numerous appearances on A Prairie Home Companion, or perhaps you saw them a few years back in Hamilton. From 2004 to 2006 Annabelle performed over 250 shows with the Wailin' Jennys, including major folk festivals in Canada, Australia, USA, UK. She's recently left the band to pursue a solo career. Come see how she's doing!

"Annabelle made the hair on the back of my neck stand up." - "stunning free form folk...", "she can do everything, and does."

- The Hour, Montreal

Potluck: 5 p.m.
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 Advance, $20 Door (if available)

Reservations & Directions to venue: Contact jay@jaytoups.com or 406-349-2943

To reserve seats in advance, make check payable to Annabelle Chvostek and mail to:

Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829

David Boone in concert May 30

Updated June 2: Streaming audio of David's performance
Set 1
Set 2

David at LLSC, September 2007, pics by Tom Robak

More information about David: www.davidboone.net

Potluck: 5 p.m.
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $15 Advance, $20 Door (if available)

Reservations & Directions to venue: Contact jay@jaytoups.com or 406-349-2943

To reserve, make check payable to David Boone and mail to:

Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829

Chris Proctor show a hit, listen to the audio stream

photo: Jay Toups

Fingerstyle guitar virtuoso Chris Proctor played to a full house and the crowd was way into it. People were craning their necks and standing up to see how he was creating all those beautiful sounds as Chris performed two sets of his original compositions and arrangements of traditional tunes, even a cover of "Nights in White Satin," switching between 6 and 12 strings and using advanced guitar techniques such as false harmonics, fingerpicking while using an E-Bow and bottleneck slide. As always, great music from a true superstar of fingerstyle guitar.

photo: Mark Porter

photo: Mark Porter

Wisconsin resident Mark Porter delayed his trip home by a week to come see Chris, even bringing his parents along. They enjoyed it too. Turns out that Mark's a fingerstyle player as well, and I look forward to hearing some of his stuff too.

I've seen Chris many times over the 28 years I've known him. He never fails to amaze and delight the audience, and this show was especially sweet in our own little Folk Taj Mahal. Inspired by the room and the big crowd, Chris gave a stellar performance and won a lot of new fans.

Please feel free to leave a comment about this show.

Here's set 1 and set 2 in streaming audio format.

Chris Proctor in concert, Friday, April 24

Updated April 23: 32 people have reserved. Just a few great seats left...

Chris Proctor
Internationally Renown 6 and 12-String Guitarist, Performer and Composer

Chris Proctor won the U.S. National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship back in 1982, and he hasn't looked back since. He's toured consistently and produced albums rooted in classic Americana, but delved also into folk, Celtic, jazz, pop and classical. He's one of the more revered figures on the acoustic guitar scene... Proctor's virtuoso fingerstyle technique and compositional abilities combine to render an original collection of pieces that very much lives up to its name. In the way Proctor explores melodies, and with his unique variety of tunings and spidery fingerings, he is a true pioneer of the contemporary fingerstyle form.

Ten CDs on Flying Fish, Windham Hill, Rounder and Sugarhouse Records, and his books, DVD's, videos, magazine articles, and endorsements all testify to Chris's standing as one of the elite fingerstyle composers, arrangers, and performers of the day.

"Proctor is...writing challenging compositions and playing them with such precision and clarity that they seem to sparkle... maintaining an evenness of tone and a cleanliness of fingering that will impress fellow guitarists even more than it does lay listeners."

- Washington Post

Suggested Donation: Advance $15, $20 Door

Potluck: 5 p.m.

Showtime: 7 p.m.

(Please bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage. No desserts please;-)

Advance reservations suggested. This show will sell out before show time.

Please make check payable to Chris Proctor and mail to:
Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829

Questions/Directions? (Google Maps won't get you here, sorry.) Email

Learn more about Chris Proctor