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Before Teddy played here at the cabin the first time, I was nervous. Here’s a slick streetwise east coast urbanite with attitude entertaining a roomful of midwesterners in the conservative heartland. I didn’t know what to expect. It turns out that my fears were misplaced, because Teddy just killed us all with his wry humor and sly delivery. As I’ve often said to people, “here’s this guy from “The City” singing a song that coming from anyone else you’d think were so sappy that they’d make you ill, but he delivers them with such sarcasm that you can’t help but laugh when you see yourself in those lyrics.” Everybody’s face literally ached at the end of the night–from smiling too hard. I should also note that Teddy’s an excellent guitarist and he’s an awesome mouth harp player as well. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone do both so well, at the same time.

They can be described in one word. Spellbinding. Still, one word is not enough to say everything that needs to be said about this talented duo. Rich Prezioso and Jacquie Manning develop a huge following wherever they go, and we’re fortunate to bring them here to the cabin for what is becoming an annual event. With great songwriting, a collection of instruments, and tight harmonies, they will guide you through the landscape of folk, blues, jazz, celtic and country music with wit and humor. Some of Rich and Jacquie’s songs have become truly inspiring favorites of mine. 1,000 Candles, 1,000 Cranes is Rich’s touching story about long held hatred melting into acceptance, and Waltz of the Wallflowers is Jacquie’s delightful story of awkward romance of two introverts at a party, told by both perspectives at the same time. Rich’s “I Will Pass This Way Again” should become a folk classic. And last year they did a wonderfully witty unrecorded number that was along the lines of “the farmer’s daughter” story meets Abbot and Costello. I can’t wait to hear that one again!

John Smith–it’s a common name for an uncommon man. As one of 10 children growing up in a small midwest town (Dewitt, Iowa), he developed a strong sense of self-awareness, balanced with an equally strong sense of community-awareness. Needless to say, his music is personal and honest, which comes across in his heartwarming performances. John has been touring for more than 20 years, Has played the largest folk stages on the circuit, and his 4 releases of original music have received unanimous accolades from the major folk music publications.

Getting to know John was a real pleasure. His performance is very personal and filled with great stories about his family and experiences. After several trips to Ireland, he has some great tales about that experience as well. It seems that the best performers are great storytellers, and the stories all come from different places. It’s what they share that make the show, through their songs and stories.

This was Andrew McKnight’s third performance in Evansville. He was the first feature performer to play Penny Lane Coffeehouse during the first year of business, and then returned to play a Concert at the Cabin. As an environmentalist with a keen eye for details in the places he visits, Andrew writes songs that touch people from every walk of life. While staying at the cabin last year, he took a meandering drive through southern Illinois and found the inspiration for a song, “Hard Times in the Heartland”, which was then sketched and recorded for the first time around our kitchen table. We were thrilled to bring Andrew back to Evansville and to share his music once again.

John came to us on strong recommendation from our friend Vern Crawford at Cousin Andy’s Coffeehouse. Vern knows the folk scene better than most, as he is an annual fixture at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Texas, a multi-week mecca for folk fans, performers and presenters.

John is one of the most gifted songwriters I’ve had the pleasure to meet, and an engaging conversationalist. It’s clear that John’s faith guides his creative work and the result is really incredible. It’s surprising that through most of his music career John has stuck close to home. Here is a quote from John’s website:

Ticket Magazine places John Flynn “at the near end of a long line of American poets, thinkers and folk artists, stretching from Henry David Thoreau, Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman, all the way up to Kris Kristofferson”. And Kristofferson himself praises John’s songwriting: “The truth is in the details; the gifts are an ear for accurate dialogue, an eye for powerful imagery and anything funny, and a heart open to surprises and the possibilities of moving the emotions.” As a young father Flynn left a Nashville staff writing gig and began writing songs for his kids and for his life. These songs yielded CDs that are informed by the trademark humanity and humor that Flynn sees as the essential tools for parenthood and living. Recently the 46 year-old Delaware resident has turned his attention, and his songwriting, to the world his four children will one day inherit.