Second Annual Townes Van Zandt Tribute Scheduled In Ben Wheeler
At Old Firehouse in Edom This Month:
Friction Farm In Concert On March 7th
Modern-folk duo Friction Farm, will be in concert at Old Firehouse in Edom. This husband and wife team of traveling troubadours. Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay, combine storytelling, social commentary and humor to create songs of everyday life, local heroes, and quirky observations. Their lyrically rich, harmony-driven songs earned them spots as Kerrville New Folk Finalists, Falcon Ridge Emerging Artists, and South Florida Folk Festival Songwriter winners. Friction Farm’s latest CD “So Many Stars,” which reached #6 on the Folk Radio Chart, was inspired by travels across the country witnessing the collision of strong political polarity with personal kindness, the intersection of fragility and breathtaking beauty.
April 4th: Adler & Hearne
Also this month, from Texas’ upper east side, award-winning singer-songwriters Lynn Adler and Lindy Hearne will be in concert. They connect with audiences coast to coast. Their music is a signature blend of original folk, jazz, and blues with deep Texas roots. With more than 12 recordings and decades of touring between them, their repertoire is playful, poignant and poetic including sparky love ballads, historically based tributes, children’s music, quirky story songs, modern-day spirituals, and anthems of justice and peace. Raised by musical families and nurtured by choirs through college, the two met in Nashville, and now pay it forward together in performances from listening-room venues, festivals, and community events to churches, libraries, and schools. Lynn co-wrote the theme song for the hit PBS children’s TV series “Wishbone.” Her diverse writing background brings added experience to the duo’s workshops and presentations. Lindy sang in the famed Texas Boys Choir as a child, and for several years he and his band were Roy Clark’s backup group performing with
Roy from Las Vegas to “Hee Haw” to Carnegie Hall. How to describe Adler & Hearne’s music and vibe? Think ‘song circle’ between Johnny and June Cash, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Astrud Gilberto, and Gordon Lightfoot and Joni Mitchell.
About Old Firehouse
The Old Firehouse in Edom is the only “listening room” in the area where audiences can enjoy a “coffee house” atmosphere of the ‘70s, with national and international singer/songwriters performing their own music up close and personal. Concerts feature folk genres typically described as Americana, Orchestral Folk, Traditional, and Mountain. Every performance consists of strictly original songs that are both composed and performed by the musician who has created them. Admission prices for concerts are usually $12 in advance and $15 and the door beginning at 7:30pm, with doors opening at 6:30pm so the audience can enjoy coffee and desserts that are always available during the “schmooze hour.” Info, tickets, and more are at theoldfirehouse.net, info@theoldfirehouse.net, or by phone at (903)852-ART1 (2781).
The Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation presents the second annual Tribute to Townes Van Zandt from 6-8pm, Saturday, March 7th, at The Forge Bar & Grill in historic downtown Ben Wheeler. The late Townes Van Zandt is often referred to as the most influential Texas songwriter of the 20th century. Musician Steve Earle says he was “the best songwriter in the world.” Performers imbedded in Townes Van Zandt’s music will honor the legend in song swap style during the tribute event. They include Matt Harlan, Chris Edwards, Shane Rendon, Grady Lee, Nick Brumley, and Cole Allen. Other musicians are invited to bring instruments and continue the tribute in an open jam session after the show. Last year, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Van Zandt’s birthday on March 7th, his family’s record company, TVZ Records, along with Fat Possum Records, released a new album, “Sky Blue,” a collection of unreleased songs created 47 years ago. Newly released this year are other records including a double LP compilation, “The Best of Townes Van Zandt;” reworked artwork and lyric sheet and remastered 180-gram vinyl, “Townes Van Zandt: 50th Anniversary Edition;” and “Our Mother The Mountain: 50th Anniversary Edition.” A limited supply of vinyls and CDs are available at the tribute with proceeds benefiting the arts foundation. A larger variety are available online at townesvanzandt.com. The Van Zandt family - former wife and literary executor Jeanene, and children J.T., Will, and Katie Bell - continue to illuminate his songwriting process and evolution. Townes Van Zandt died January 1, 1997, at the age of 52 from cardiac arrhythmia while recovering from hip surgery. He is buried in the
Van Zandt family plot in Dido Cemetery near Fort Worth. He came from a long line of Texas nobility. His three times great grandfather, Isaac Van Zandt, was a prominent leader of the Republic of Texas and the namesake of Van Zandt County in the Upper East Side of Texas. His great-great uncle Khleber Miller Van Zandt was one of the founders of Fort Worth. Although he was born into an affluent family, he endured poverty and often sang of folks living on the edge. He was a poet and songwriter beloved by his many fans and peers. Don Williams and Emmylou Harris had hits with his song “If I Needed You.” Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard reached No. 1 with their version of his song “Pancho and Lefty.” His influence on Americana music is immense and continues today. Artists who cite Van Zandt as a source of inspiration include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, John Prine, Lyle Lovett, Guy Clark, Norah Jones, Robert Plant, Alison Krauss, and Garth Brooks to name a few. For more information on the Tribute to Townes Van Zandt March 7th at The Forge Bar & Grill, go to theforgebenwheeler.com or call (903)833-5970. To learn more about the Van Zandt Arts & Cultural District Foundation, go to vanzandtacd.com.
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