2009 Concert Calendar

Gutpuppet (Saturday 01/31/09)

Gutpuppet is a spooky good LA-based duo featuring Bill Barret on Jazz (Chromatic) Harmonica, and 6, 12, & 22 String Slide Guitar by Scott Ray. Think "cross-cultural free folk genre bandits" and you'll get an idea what their instrumental music is all about. Or check them out on their MySpace page. This will be superb music for a quiet January evening in the (hopefully) snow-clad pines.

Saul Kaye (Thursday 02/26/09)

South African-born, San Francisco-based singer songwriter making his second appearance at Lapwai Lane Shredders Club, Saul Kaye is the real deal, a polished performer, exciting and fun to listen to. Saul's songs and live shows take the listener on a journey from the heart on to the dance floor. His vision is to create a world where it is more profitable to help heal the planet and each other than destroy it.

Jenn Adams (Saturday 03/28/09)

Folk music veteran singer songwriter Jenn Adams has it all. A powerful, expressive voice, a songwriting language that is clearly her own and a sure-fire command of the stage. Over the last 20 years, Jenn has extensively traveled the US performing in listening rooms, coffeehouses, theaters and some of our country's most notable festivals. Check her out!

Chris Proctor (Friday 4/24/09)

One of the great fingerstyle guitar players of our time, Chris Proctor is a former US National Fingerstyle Guitar Champ who has 8 CDs in print and a music career spanning three decades. He composes and plays brilliant instrumental music for 6 and 12 string guitar. It also helps that he looks a lot like Christopher Reeves...in his Superman years.

David Boone (Saturday 5/30/09)

Missoula-based singer songwriter makes his second appearance at Lapwai Lane Shredders Club. Soulful songs, an excellent voice and a sensitive musical touch make David Boone stand out as a performer. He might be a local, but he's well worth seeing live in our intimate little concert hall.


Suggested donation for all shows is $15 in advance, $20 at the door. We recommend reserving seats in advance because A: it's cheaper for you, and B: it helps us rural music impresarios plan these fun-filled events even better.

To reserve seats for any of the above shows (except Storyhill), make your check payable to the artist and mail to Jay Toups, 7245 Lapwai Lane, Darby, MT 59829.

Pre-show Potlucks start at 5 p.m. All shows start at 7 p.m. Bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage!

We look forward to seeing you at the show(s) - Jay Toups and Tamera Rackham

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To learn more about any of these artists and hear their music, click their names to visit their sites. Then reserve your seats for some or all of these great upcoming performances!

Storyhill in Concert, December 7

"Quite possibly the best singing/songwriting duo working today."
- Jay Toups

Fast becoming modern touring legends as a tightly harmonizing duo of extremely talented songwriters, Storyhill (featuring Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson) will appear in concert Sunday, December 7 at Rockin' Horse Ranch, home of HalfabubbleOff Studios.

Bozeman (Chris) and Minneapolis (John) based Storyhill recently won the Indie Acoustic Project’s award for Best CD of 2007 in the acoustic ensemble category for their label debut Storyhill. Released in February of 2007, the album was produced by Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Dan Wilson and has garnered much national attention. Storyhill has gone on to win the prestigious 35th Annual Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Contest.

Storyhill in Concert
Sunday, December 7
Potluck: 5 p.m. (please bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Venue: Halfabubbleoff Studios
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Advance reservations advised. Please make check payable to Storyhill and mail to Donna Pearson at the address below:

181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Questions/Directions: Contact Donna at 821-2033 or email donna@mtnmortgage.net.

Thanks for supporting folk music in the Bitterroot. Please forward this message to anyone you think would enjoy this show.

Adventurous types can hear Chris Cunningham's solo appearance at LLSC in 2007. Check the Show Streams on the sidebar of this page.

Matching Ties in Concert, Friday, October 24

Matching Ties is Paul Stowe and Trevor Morriss. They're a dynamic, highly engaging duo from Germany, although Paul is American and Trevor is British. These guys put on a show to remember. They've worked together as a duo, a trio with a bassist, a quartet with a fiddler across Europe for over 20 years. I guess you could say they're "audience tested."

Come enjoy a full evening of Irish, British and related American folk, bluegrass and acoustic blues with Trevor Morriss from London, GB on mandolin, Irish bouzouki, guitar and vocals, and Paul Stowe on acoustic guitar and vocals.

If you would like to know more about Matching Ties, visit www.matchingties.com.

Matching Ties
Friday, October 24
Potluck: 5 p.m. (Please bring a covered dish and a favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Bob Sima: Concert Review

Check out the streaming audio of Bob Sima's show here for set 1 and here for set 2

Turns out that Bob's got some kinda talent, and our crowd of 20 loved his stuff. His soulful, "frontman-quality" voice, compelling songs, and dynamic guitar added up to a lovely, lively evening of great music and songs. And how cool is this: his last big gig was at the Kennedy Center just a week or so ago, and this was his first gig in the Bitterroot.

Bob Sima in Concert, August 12

"Bob Sima is a dynamic performer whose grace and power on the stage are as engaging as the songs he writes. His star is rising ever so fast, hire him now before you can't afford him."

- Michael Stiles

Bob Sima literally burst onto the singer-songwriter scene after taking a hiatus from his band Stereopool, a highly successful acoustic power trio from the Annapolis, MD area. Stereopool has made a name for themselves in the local and regional scene for their brand of energetic, evocative acoustic power folk music. They shared the stage with NRBQ, Eddie from Ohio, Ari Hest and many local legends and landed a UK distribution deal with Smart Choice Music (Kathleen Edwards, John Prine, Lyle Lovett) and were featured on the Smart Choice Sampler which landed them in Maverick Magazine.

November 2006, Bob released his first solo release entitled POUR IT ON. It was produced by David Weber in Bloomington, Indiana (Krista Detor, Carrie Newcomer) and was quickly named "CD OF THE YEAR" by the former Westside Café. Pour It On is an amazing collection of songs captured "in the moment" with a very live feel.

Bob's song "Amazed By You" has landed him in the top 1% of all time in the Acoustic Genre at GARAGEBAND.COM. He has also reached #2 ALL-Time in Male Vocals (Acoustic). His music has won awards from Songwriteruniverse.com, has been webcasted, podcasted and beamed through satellite radio waves.

Bob has played many of the top venues in the mid Atlantic including Rams Head OnStage, IOTA, World Cafe Live, Fletchers, Cellar Stage, Columbia Lakefront Concert Series, Dewey Beach Music Conference and the National Folk Alliance Festival and Conference, Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival. Bob is also a highly sought after house concert player and has played dozens of house concerts all across the country. Bob also hosts and books a singer songwriter in the round at the Austin Grill in Rockville, MD.

Bob Sima
Tuesday, August 12
Potluck: 5 p.m. (Please bring a covered dish and a favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Advance reservations: Make check payable to Bob Sima and mail to:
Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829
jay@jaytoups.com
406 349-2943

Carl Tosten to appear July 12

Carl Tosten

Modern acoustic. Singer/songwriter. Contemporary folk. Carl Tosten is a musician whose style defies easy classification. With his strong and soulful voice and an eclectic & expressive guitar technique that includes percussion, tapping, multiple open tunings and capos, Tosten has been called an “acoustic one-man band.” Classical and jazzy overtones elevate his music to a level more sophisticated than simply “folk.” His live performances are filled with intense energy, stories, and songs that captivate and inspire his audiences.

Interview: Carl Tosten at the Montreal Guitar Show

"Tosten's superbly crafted lyrics share the spotlight with intricate and aggressive guitar arrangements, combining virtuosity with sensitivity and a social conscience." — Victory Review
“One of the most unique talents of the day.” Bill Gonder, Gibson Montana
“Acoustic one-man-band” Planet Media, Frankfurt Germany.
“An amazing guitarist and vocalist...“ Tuck & Patti

GUITAR MASTERS VOL. 1:This compilation CD includes a track by Carl Tosten and also features guitarists Allan Holdsworth, Jeff Beck, Steve Morse, John Scofield, Pete Anderson and others. Available now at Tower.com, Bestbuy.com and Amazon.com

Carl Tosten
Saturday, July 12
Potluck: 5 p.m. (Please bring a covered dish and a favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Advance reservations: Make check payable to Carl Tosten and mail to:
Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829
jay@jaytoups.com
406 349-2943

Big Sky Coalition Benefit Concert in Darby, June 19

The Floating Glass Balls, a bluegrass band from Oregon, will play a benefit concert at the Darby Clubhouse in Darby on Thursday, June 19th. Doors open at 6 p.m., showtime is 7 p.m.

This event is by presented by Jay Toups, volunteer webmaster on behalf of the Big Sky Coalition, Environmentalists with Common Sense. Advance tickets can be purchased at Little Blue Joint in Darby and the Music Box in Hamilton.

Terry Holder to appear May 30

Terry Holder to appear Friday, May 30 at Halfabubbleoff Studios

Dorian Michael to appear April 27

Dorian Michael

"I have been a working (and working class) guitarist for about 40 years now. I’ve played plenty of blues and folk, jazz and rock and roll. I think of my acoustic solo music as "contemporary traditional"; original music that reflects my interest in a number of styles of music. These influences come through in my original material, but it is a contemporary music that grows from, rather than mimics, those influences. When I play someone else's music or a traditional piece I do my best to give the listener at least a few small surprises."

Sunday, April 27
Potluck: 5 p.m.
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Advance reservations: Make check payable to Dorian Michael and mail to:
Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829
jay@jaytoups.com
406 349-2943

Chris Ayer to appear March 28

Last night as it snowed up a storm outside Chris Ayer put on an excellent show for 45 people, and he was accompanied by Jim Pearson on keys and guitar on several songs. At 25 years old, Chris sings beautifully, writes interesting, smart songs and has a bright future in the singer-songwriter trade. Check him out!

Chris Ayer

Due to anticipated demand, this show is being held in a larger venue, Halfabubbleoff Studios. See below for more info.

Chris Ayer's clever lyrics and song structure are driving a powerful career path for this 25 year old singer/songwriter. Chris tours nationally and won the Grand Prize in the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Competition Folk category for "Evaporate". In November 2006 the song was also recognized by VH-1, winning Song Of The Month in their Save The Music competition (Adult Contemporary Category). Chris was also Performing Songwriter Magazine's "Do It Yourself" pick for March 2007. His latest album, This Is The Place, was recorded in Nashville and produced by Jason Gantt (The Chieftains, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill). Chris's next studio album is set for release in spring 2008.

"Part street poet, part armchair philosopher, indie singer/songwriter Chris Ayer will leave you smiling whether you feel like smiling or not. You gotta love this guy... This Is The Place is a delightful discovery."

- BuddyHollywood.com, September 2007

"Ayer's effort has it all- tight arrangements, excellent musicality and imaginative lyrics. If you're looking for great music, this is the place indeed."

- Performing Songwriter Magazine, March 2007

Chris Ayer In Concert

Friday, March 28
Potluck Dinner/Reception 5 - 7 p.m.
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.

Location:
Halfabubbleoff Studios
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Donation is $15 advance, $20 day of show. Reservations are suggested.

To reserve your seat(s), please make checks payable to Chris Ayer, and mail to: Donna Pearson, 181 Hart Bench Road, Darby, MT 59829.

Questions about the show: call Jay at 349-2943 or jay@jaytoups.com

Saul Kaye's first LLSC show was good indeed

It turns out that Saul doesn't get to play too many house concerts, so he had a great opportunity to connect with our audience of devoted listeners and he did. They all loved his music. Good stuff!

Here are sets one and two of Saul Kaye's performance.

Saul Kaye to appear January 22

Just 2 seats left...www.saulkaye.com

Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Potluck: 5 p.m.
Showtime: 7 p.m.

Join us and make welcome Saul Kaye, from San Francisco by way of South Africa. He's quite a talent, as you'll hear and see. He's headed down to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah after this show, just like last year when he appeared here. There's streaming audio of his performance, so give Saul a listen! Here's set 1, and here's set 2.

"Crooning about in a blues-rock fashion that could get even the most sleepy coffeehouse jumping, Saul Kaye could easily be compared to fellow South African Dave Matthews. Yes his guitar playing is that good. .. his guitar work is steeped in originality. Vocally he accomplishes great harmonies while he sings true-to-form real stories that anyone can relate to."

Suggested Donation: Advance $15, $20 Door

Advance reservations are appreciated. Please make check payable to Saul Kaye and mail to:

Jay Toups
7245 Lapwai Lane
Darby, MT 59829