Author: Tim Piazza

Usually, if you want to hear Eunan McIntyre, you have to travel to the far northwest regions of Ireland, to County Donegal. Our friend and fellow musician Pat McNulty arranged to bring Eunan over to the USA for a special St. Patrick’s celebration in Indianapolis, and we were invited to host a private show here in Evansville when he arrives here in the USA.

Eunan Mc Intyre is an award winning singer/songwriter from Glencolmkille in Co Donegal, Ireland. Eunan writes about the place he was born, his experiences being part of a big family (he’s one of 16 children), and his love of traditional ballads.

He’s toured in Canada, the United States and Luxembourg and has also played in Spain with Enjoy Travel. He has toured extensively in Switzerland both as a solo musician and supported by the Swiss band “Tacha”. He is best known for his songwriting skills and his warm personality.

Eunan has won numerous song competitions in Ireland, including the All Ireland Traditional Ballad Song Competition. While he is on stage he can reach into the heart of the audience with his Irish humor, and his own songs.

Friends, we are truly excited about this next show, our last scheduled for 2012. These two troubadours from Alberta, Canada are far more talented than our little venue deserves, but some of our great connections in the music world really came through!

John Wort Hannam played the 2012 Summer Olympics, was commissioned to write and perform the theme for the 2012 Winter Olympic Games, and has won multiple accolades across North America, from Kerrville, TX to the Kennedy Center, to the Canadian Folk Music Awards.

John is a former teacher who uses music to tell the stories of people like us, finding the lessons, the poetic beauty, and the magic in seemingly ordinary lives. John’s 5 CD releases feature a rich tapestry of images that will draw you into a world that is familiar in the way a good book keeps bringing you back to read again and again. It’s going to be a fun night!

Joining him for the evening is the talented traditional Irish fiddler, Scott Duncan. Scott has toured the world with The Calgary Fiddlers, Barrage, and numerous other bands. Having Scott join us is the delicious icing on an already rich cake.

We really hope you will get those reservations in, there is just 2 weeks for us to fill our 25 seats. This is a show not to be missed!

As usual, the performance starts at 8PM and you are welcome to arrive as early as 7PM. We’ll put out some refreshments and you are welcome to bring something for yourself or to share. Tickets are $15 and seats are limited to 25, so please reserve your seats by clicking the Reserve Seats tab on our website. CDs will be available for sale during the show. You learn more about John and hear a bit of his music on www.johnworthannam.com.

In 2002 we went down to Nashville to attend (and volunteer at) The International Folk Alliance annual conference. This is the event where songwriters, publishers, booking agents, and venue operators to to network and discover each other.

One of the cool things about Folk Alliance is that songwriters will seize every opportunity to share their art, in lobbies, in hotel suites turned into small performance venues, in elevator foyers. That’s where we met Paul Sprawl.

We stepped out of an elevator and into a mesmerized crowd circling this lone, lanky, barefooted guitarist who was simultaneously channeling Robert Johnson and Michael Hedges. We were stunned, and also behind schedule. I slipped Paul a business card, which he smiled and took, without interrupting his playing. That was the beginning of a great friendship.

Paul Sprawl is one of those artists who defies explanation. How he does it is beyond words. You have to experience it. When Paul plays, he becomes the instrument and the music flows through him. I have seen Paul pick up a broken, out-of-tune instrument in the middle of a performance. Anyone else would make noise, Paul made music. Then there is his deep voice, resonating with the soul of a bluesman. Paul is in a class of his own.

Each of Paul’s shows here at the cabin (this will be his third) were among the most memorable of the more than 85 shows we’ve hosted. I’m sure that others who have attended one of his shows will tell you, this is not one to miss!

The performance starts at 8PM and you are welcome to arrive as early as 7PM. We’ll put out some refreshments and you are welcome to bring something for yourself or to share. Tickets are $12 and seats are limited to 25, so please reserve your seats by clicking the Reserve Seats tab on our website. Paul will have CDs available for sale during the show. You learn more about Paul Sprawl and hear a bit of his music on ReverbNation.

One of the real treats of hosting house concerts is the occasional email that comes out of the blue with an artist we’ve never heard of, who is passing through on the way to Europe or Alaska, or some far away place and touring along the way.

Amy is one of those performers. An incredible voice, mesmerizing and clever lyrics, Amy is adept on both piano and guitar. She just released her 4th album of jazz-influenced folk and she’ll be joining us for one of those rare Friday night shows. You can listen in on some of Amy’s music at her website: http://www.amyobenski.com/

Songs about broken things and poignant little ponderings are delivered with a rootsy vibe, a touch of twang and a soulful groove. Annie and Rod are on a musical journey that began in 1982, culminating into a symbiotic sound that reflects their deep and intuitive understanding of each other. Annie’s disarming, earthy voice and solid command of her guitar are punctuated by Rod’s effortless accompaniment and beautiful solo work. Together they weave unforgettable melodies that are at once intricate and sparse – musically completing each others’ sentences.

We are really looking forward to sharing this duo with you. They first joined us in 2005 after we listened to an absolutely stunning CD, and only after the show learned that this was their first house concert, and they fell in love with the experience. This is Annie and Rod’s first return to Evansville since 2007, and you won’t want to miss them! Annie’s songs are quirky and fun, Rod’s musicianship is just incredible. This will be a show that is not to be missed.

Annie and Rod have recorded a half-dozen CDs and played major music festivals and listening rooms across the country. They have often shared the stage with our friends Small Potatoes, and create a similar warm presence when they perform. Here’s a little taste of their music with a full band: