Author: Tim Piazza

Teddy’s show last March was so popular that it sold out in just 15 hours, so we had to bring him back to give everyone a chance to see him again! Teddy’s quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor will leave you hanging on every word. He improvises and interjects observations in the course of presenting his songs, and you never know what to expect. I could ramble on about how terrific a performer Teddy is, but it’s obvious that people here in Evansville already know that. He’s an exceptional guitarist and songwriter, but his delivery will be what impresses you most.

Teddy Goldstein first told us about Edie Carey, whom he performed with as part of a tour called “Live from New York” that also included Andrew Kerr and Anne Heaton. It was a great recommendation, because once I heard Edie’s CD I knew she’s be a great cap to our season of shows before taking a summer break.

Edie’s from Boston, fertile ground for any folkie, but it wasn’t until she moved to NYC to attend Barnard College that she discovered the world of acoustic music, listening to the likes of Ani DiFranco and others on stage at the Postcrypt coffeehouse. You can hear the energy of that influence in Edie’s music, but her songs are all her own, intelligent and direct, with a groove that makes you want to move. Here’s more about Edie Carey…

I just love these folks. Since they were here last, Sue traded a difficult to remember last name for a wedding ring, and I couldn’t be happier for them–they’re really a great duo. In conversation, Dana seems like the country gentleman farmer, someone who likes to keep things simple and honest. But his songwriting reveals a much more perceptive and complex individual lies just beneath the surface. Building a bridge between original songs and a strong influence of traditional appalachian music, Dana and Sue delivered a wonderful set of stories set to the music of guitar, old time banjo and fiddle.

Later, after everyone else had gone, Dana and I were talking about old tunes and ended up playing a duet on one of the first songs I learned to play on guitar–Mr. Bojangles. I suppose every folksinger who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s knows that one, and it is still one of my all time favorite campfire songs.

Here’s how I judge a CD. I put it in the player while on an all-day drive, and if I just keep listening to it long after the entire disc has played through, it’s a good one. Annie’s CD is so fun and easy to listen to that we just had to ask her to come down from Ann Arbor, MI to Evansville to perform for you at the cabin. I love the way her lyrics make you realize that she’s just an average person who’s not afraid to state the truth about what she’s thinking in the context of a good lyric. She performs with her multi-instrumentalist husband Rod, who shares my love for funky old instruments.

I’m not sure how we started, but somehow Annie, Rod and I started busting each other’s chops from the moment they were introduced to the audience–we had an immediate comfort and friendship. During their encore, Rod asked the audience if they wanted to hear banjo or mandolin (Rod’s a multi-instrumentalist) and someone said “both”, and suggested I join in. I’m reluctant to do that, because these shows are more about presenting than performing for me, but I really enjoyed picking up Rod’s dobro mandolin and sharing a solo with them.

Erik and I were discussing something on an internet email list, and not knowing I booked performances, he offered to send me one of his CDs. I checked out some music online, and asked if he would send me a PR kit as well, in case he ever made it to the midwest. Well, one thing led to another, and this show is the result.

I have to say I love his sound. It’s thoughtful and understated, with an intimacy that quietly draws you in. I was first struck by his song “God’s Poet Now”, which was written for Dave Carter, a well-known performing songwriter who died suddenly and unexpectedly in the prime of his life and his career. It’s one of those songs that, once you hear it, you can’t seem to get it out of your head.

Erik has had much recent success and recognition as a relative newcomer to the stage. His first Cd was recorded in 2001, and this was followed by a 7 song EP he recorded as a benefit project for the Dave Carter Memorial Fund. His newest release, “While the Paint Dries”, was released in 2004.