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Read Barbie, Sierra Cistone, Lucas Yatch, Maria Zepeda Nov. 10th

Independent songwriters, Read Barbee,  Sierra Cistone, Lucas Yatch, and Maria Zepeda have joined forces and together create a unique sound journeying through folk, soul, psychedelic genres with a hint of indie-rock, resulting in their own creation of “Psychedelic River Folk”. Their music features lush three-to-four-part harmonies, thoughtful instrumentals,  and lyrics that invite listeners to contemplate and celebrate. Their sound create a feeling of home and belonging that resonates with audiences of all ages.

Ian Jones October 16, 2023

Debut album Results Not Typical Defines Northwest Americana

On debut full-length Results Not Typical, seasoned Seattle singer-songwriter Ian Jones defines Northwest Americana with melodic, timeless songcraft coupled to universally relatable storytelling and evocative regional imagery.

Released on April 7, the album’s 11 tracks wander a contemplative, poignant sonic landscape between mid-period Tom Petty, the best of ‘70s outlaw country, and James Taylor’s accessible folk-pop.

“I grew up in the shadow of Mount Rainier. My dad left when I was five, leaving a single mom with three kids, bread-and-cheese-line poor,” Jones recalled. “My babysitter was a record player.”

Raised on a steady vinyl diet of The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and David Allan Coe, by the time he was in junior high Jones was writing his own songs on a beat-up classical guitar. After years in promising bands in Seattle, Santa Barbara, and L.A., he released his cathartic debut solo EP, Evergreens, in 2021. “Ian Jones is creating a sound all his own,” raved Ear to the Ground in its review of the 6-song release, which Exclusive Magazine dubbed “A seamless collection.”

Brooks Forsythe and Bill Mize October 19th

What a pair…Brooks Forsythe was here last yeat as part of a songwriter workshop and blew us away, and neighbor, Bill Mize has done multiple shows here over the years.  I know we have a show the day before, but when Brooks asked to fill a day off, I went for it.

This will be a memorable evening of fabulous guitar players doing their thing.

El Wencho September 1st, 2023

Stopping by at Longstaff House before a benefit t Florence/Carlton High School.

El Wencho is a powerhouse duo with big sound that relates the Montana lifestyle through
immersive lyrics, catchy melodies and driving rhythms. Their authentic music is an eclectic
fusion of genres that draws on sonic elements from red dirt rock, blues, country, Americana and
polyrhythmic Latin percussion. Purposefully inclusive, their music is a catalyst for storytelling,
laughter and fostering connections with fans. Live shows are an experiential combination of their
dynamic Montana sound, engaging storytelling and comedic flair. Josh and John are supremely
talented musicians and entertainers. Together they form an authentic and charismatic duo that
expertly connects with the audience and delivers an engaging and highly addictive musical
experience.

Aoife Scott duo August 22, 2023

Aoife Scott

FOLK SINGER AND SONGWRITER

Aoife Scott is an acclaimed folk singer and songwriter hailing from Dublin, Ireland. With her soulful vocals and evocative storytelling, she has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. Born into a renowned musical family, Aoife’s upbringing immersed her in the rich traditions of Irish music. She seamlessly blends elements of folk, traditional, and contemporary styles to create a sound that is uniquely her own. Her music is a heartfelt reflection of her experiences, exploring themes of love, resilience, and social justice. Aoife’s passion for her craft and her dedication to authenticity have earned her critical acclaim and a loyal following. With each performance, she mesmerizes listeners with her raw talent and emotional depth, solidifying her place as a rising star in the folk music scene.

 

Poi Rogers August 2, 2023

Somewhere in-between the tropical lounges of 1930s Los Angeles and the honky tonk beer joints of rural 1950s California, you’ll find Poi Rogers. Hailing from Santa Cruz, CA, the duo performs original and vintage country & western swing, Hawaiian steel guitar ballads and cowboy tunes.

Gerard Egan and Carolyn Sills are both inductees into the Sacramento Western Swing Hall of Fame. Carolyn was named the Academy of Western Artists’ 2021 Western Swing Female Vocalist of the Year, and was nominated for a 2023 Ameripolitan Award for the same. They front the award winning five piece band, The Carolyn Sills Combo, which has released three albums and one doughnut to date.

Poi Rogers features Gerard doubling on acoustic guitar and his 1954 Fender triple neck steel guitar with Carolyn on standup bass, their timeless harmonies anchoring the show. www.poirogers.com

Catmull, Cooper, and Emmer – Songwriter Trio

 Tom Catmull, Dana Cooper, and Jackson Emmer are teaming up for a night of original acoustic music at Longstaff House.  Tom and I put this show together to take advantage of musicians in Montana for songwriting workshops.  Please check these guys out, you will be impressed.

 Tom Catmull is a word enthusiast. They are the larger part of what makes his world go round. He’s spent the last twenty-five years in his adopted hometown of Missoula, MT presenting words in ways to make them as alluring as possible to people who crave such things. The tricks useful to achieving this feat include infectious melody, thoughtful arrangement, storytelling, some finger picking and a clean shirt. The last couple of decades have included seven full length albums, a few television appearances (Montana PBS 11th and Grant), a hundred theaters performances (The Wilma, The Rex, The Roxy, The Dennison, etc), dozens of festivals, countless honkytonks and two ridiculously fun national anthems. He’s been the supporting act for Robert Earl Keen, Charlie Musselwhite, Junior Brown, Asleep at the Wheel and a dozen others. There exists some confidence that his roots driven Americana songs are worthy of your time. Don’t be fooled, though. The acoustic guitar, harmonica and hat are just cheap ploys to get the words out in front of you.

 

Cooper’s lifelong passion & devotion to music began at age 2 in Kansas City. His father, George, was a huge influence. One of Dana’s earliest memories is of his father taking him to the Calico Cat, popping a coin in the jukebox and listening to Dana sing along with Hank Williams & Ernest Tubb.At age 20 a move to LA resulted in a record deal with Elektra Records where he recorded his first album with members of “The Section” Russ Kunkel and Leleand Sklar, as well as other luminary players Jim Horn, Al Perkins, Jim Gordon, Joe Osborne, and Lee Holdridge. This album still wins accolades today and was recently reissued on the Warner/Japan label.After several years in California and a year recording in Seattle, Cooper moved to Texas where he wrote and performed with Shake Russell. They released several independent albums and one album for Southcoast/MCA.

Jackson Emmer is an award-winning singer, songwriter, and producer from Carbondale, Colorado. His work blends humor with heartache, and tradition with exploration. Emmer’s writing is often compared to that of John Prine and Guy Clark. He has toured the US since 2009, collaborated with Grammy-winners, and co-written 40+ songs with folk music legend, Tom Paxton. Emmer has opened for Robert Earl Keen, Sierra Ferrell, and Tim McGraw. His work has been featured in Rolling Stone, Billboard, 1200+ Spotify playlists, and 200+ radio stations worldwide.

 

Lonesome Ace Stringband November 27th, 2023

What can I say, the 3rd show for LAS at LSH!!  Do not (ever) miss these guys, absolute masters.  This is the last show of the season, AND, we are unveiling our new mural by Cecelia Masony!!

The Lonesome Ace Stringband is an old-time band with bluegrass credentials playing some righteous Americana music. There’s a depth of groove and sense of space not often heard in bluegrass today, a level of instrumental interplay uncommon in old-time, and an on-stage rapport that transcends all of this.

Three Canadians lost in the weird and wonderful traditional country music of the American South, the band members Chris Coole (banjo), John Showman (fiddle) and Max Malone (bass) are each journeyman musicians and veterans of some of Canada’s top roots music acts (New Country Rehab, The David Francey Band, The Foggy Hogtown Boys, Fiver).

The Tannahill Weavers November 16, 2023

Wow, another legendary Celtic band at Longstaff House.

Fiddler Malcolm has been called back to Tasmania because of the death of his mother so the band will be playing as a trio.

The Tannahill Weavers are one of Scotland’s premier traditional bands. Their diverse repertoire spans the centuries with fire-driven instrumentals, topical songs, and original ballads and lullabies. Their music demonstrates to old and young alike the rich and varied musical heritage of the Celtic people. These versatile musicians have received worldwide accolades consistently over the years for their exuberant performances and outstanding recording efforts that seemingly can’t get better…yet continue to do just that. As the Winnipeg Free Press noted, “The Tannahill Weavers – properly harnessed – could probably power an entire city for a year on the strength of last night’s concert alone. The music may be old time Celtic, but the drive and enthusiasm are akin to straight ahead rock and roll.”

Born of a session in Paisley, Scotland and named for the town’s historic weaving industry and local poet laureate Robert Tannahill, the group has made an international name for its special brand of Scottish music, blending the beauty of traditional melodies with the power of modern rhythms. The Tannahill Weavers began to attract attention when founding members Roy Gullane and Phil Smillie added the full-sized highland bagpipes to the on-stage presentations, the first professional Scottish folk group to successfully do so, breathing new life into Scotland’s vast repertoire of traditional melodies and songs.

Over the years the Tannies have been trailblazers for Scottish music, and their tight harmonies and powerful, inventive arrangements have won them fans from beyond the folk and Celtic music scenes.  Since their first visit to the United States in 1981, the Tannahills’ unique combination of traditional melodies on pipes, flute and fiddle, driving rhythms on guitar and bouzouki, and powerful three and four part vocal harmonies have taken the musical community by storm. As Garrison Keillor, the host of “Prairie Home Companion”, remarked, “These guys are a bunch of heroes every time they go on tour in the States”.

In 2011 the band was inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame, and in 2018 they released their highly acclaimed 50th Anniversary album Òrach (“Golden” in Gaelic) on award-winning label Compass Records. Malcom Bushby joined as fiddler, and in 2019 they were nominated for Folk Band of the Year at the Trad Awards, and in 2021 they have been joined by Iain MacGillivray, Scotland’s youngest Clan leader, on pipes and fiddle. As they return to the world of touring, the Tannahill Weavers are firmly established as one of the premier groups on the concert stage. From reflective ballads to footstomping reels and jigs, the variety and range of the material they perform is matched only by their enthusiasm and lively Celtic spirits.

 

The Pine Hearts

Looks like another good bunch coming toLongstaff House.

“The Pine Hearts are totally rad! They’re one of the best new bands on the scene. The singing, picking and songwriting is fabtastic and organic. Two thumbs up!” — Charles Humphrey III (Songs From The Road Band)

Just beneath the eaves of Washington’s Cascade Mountains, The Pine Hearts are combining wood, ore and soul to channel the colossal, organic spirit of the untamed Pacific Northwest. Their sound, like the environment around them, is ever-changing, harnessing classic country songwriting, the powerful emotive themes of experimental folk, and the blazing-fast pickin’ rhythms of traditional Appalachian bluegrass — all the while staying rooted to their rock-n-roll backgrounds.

“A catchy, peppy mixture of folk, indie and jamgrass” — Bluegrass Today