Archive of Past Performances
| January 21, 2006 |
Bruce Holmes
Evanston singer songwriter Bruce Holmes will make his downstate debut at the Hickory Ridge Concert Series in January. Holmes is a songwriter that believes in songs that are short and to the point, songs that capture one moment in time or a conversation. "I don't believe in being mysterious when I write. A song isn't a poem. It can't be studied on the page. You should be able to get it on the first listen."
www.bruceholmes.com
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| February 18, 2006 |
Bucky Halker
Folklorist/songwriter Bucky Halker returns to the stage with world class renditions of Woody Guthrie classics and great originals that draw heavily on country, rockabilly, folk, blues, bluegrass, and rock and roll. Alt-country and Americana long before any marketing director or trendy 'zine used the term.
www.buckyhalker.com
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| March 18, 2006 |
Chuck VanderVennet
Chuck VanderVennet makes his Hickory Ridge debut on guitar and vocals. Chuck combines great songs from folks like Steve Goodman and Tom Paxton along with songs of his own. Well known around the campfires of the Music In The Wild Fest for being the last one playing as the sun rose! I'll be joining in for several tunes as well!
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| April 15, 2006 |
Meridian Green
Meridian Green's original Americana folk fusion moves down the back roads of country music to the earthy rhythms of hoedowns, Motown, Brazilian jazz and Celtic jigs. Daughter of folk music legend Bob Gibson, Meridian grew up in Greenwich Village, enchanted by the magic of live music and songs well sung. She first performed with the Gypsy Gulch International String Band, and later, bluegrass and country rock with former Byrds member, Gene Parsons. How cool is that!
www.meridiangreen.com
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| May 20, 2006 |
Curtis & Loretta
Curtis and Loretta, the Folkmiesters Extraordinaire! Our favorite traditional duo returns with a boxful of cool old instruments and great picking and singing. Great original and traditional folk music on vocals, mandocello, mandolin, guitar, mandola, banjo, ukulele, Celtic harp, guitar, mandolin, and celeste. 'Nuf said!
http://home.att.net/~curtisloretta/
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| July 15, 2006 |
Andrew Calhoun
This Chicago songwriter brings his music and spoken word performance to Hickory Ridge. Calhoun is a perpetual student of songcraft with deep respect for both tradition and innovation. On stage he is disarmingly unpretentious, spontaneous, insightful and darkly witty, as he weaves a tapestry that includes not only his original songs, but Scottish ballads and poems.
www.andrewcalhoun.com
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| August 19, 2006 |
Applegate and Company
A mainstay of the Peoria music scene for the past 30 plus years, these guys can play! Featuring Bob Applegate, Bill Harlan, Steve Hatfield, and, Rich Mitts, they present excellent bluegrass, newgrass and folk played with style and skill. Great showmen as well! A guaranteed good time!
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| September 16, 2006 |
Lee Murdock
Join us for delightful evening full of the music of the Great Lakes with Lee Murdock. Lee has uncovered a boundless body of music and stories in the Great Lakes; songs grounded in the work song tradition, from the rugged days of lumberjacks and wooden sailing schooners presented in the grand folk style.
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| October 21, 2006 |
Randy Erwin
Cowboy singer and yodeler extraordinaire Randy Erwin comes riding in from the purple sage of the old west with classic cowboy songs, great yodeling and perhaps a rope trick or two. A fun filled evening for the whole family! USA Today says “As yodelers go, Erwin is tops."
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| November 18, 2006 |
Chris Vallillo
Series host and producer Chris Vallillo will take the stage for the entire evening rather than just a song or two. Award winning original and traditional songs of rural Illinois on slide guitars, fingerstyle and flat picked guitars.
http://www.ginridge.com
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| December 16, 2006 |
Judy Schmidt & Friends
National champion hammer dulcimer player Judy Schmidt joins us with a wonderful Christmas program of traditional holiday song and instrumental music on the Hammer dulcimer. Judy’s playing is among the best in the nation and her program is joy to hear. A fine way to celebrate the season!
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| January 15, 2005 |
Small Potatoes
The long awaited return of one of the Midwest's finest acts, Small Potatoes. This nationally touring award winning duo combines everything from Celtic to cowboy and all things in between. Winners of the Kerrville Folk Festival songwriting competition, Rich Prezioso and Jackie Manning are commanding performers and amazing musicians!
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| February 19, 2005 |
The Cantrels
From Nashville Tennessee we present another world class act, The Cantrels. Veterans of a Prairie Home Companion, featured musicians in the movie "A River Runs Through It" and incredible singers and musicians as well, Al and Emily Cantrel are a delight to see and hear. They perform beautiful, original songs on guitar, fiddle and vocals that will make your heart stand still. The DO NOT MISS SHOW OF THE SEASON and that's saying something!
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| March 19, 2005 |
Lil Rev
From Milwaukee, WI comes award winning traditional musician Lil Rev. Performing on ukulele (yes, ukulele!), guitar and assorted instruments, Lil Rev bring the old time music of Tin Pan Alley back with a vengeance. He's known for his fine playing and great showmanship.
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| April 18, 2005 |
Mark Dvorak
We welcome back one of our perennial favorites, Mark Dvorak. From Chicago, IL, Mark is a folksinger whose way with a song is sheer magic. He is a terrific performer who plays guitar and banjo on anything from folk to blues to standards with an ease that draws you in and reminds you what a good song is all about.
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| May 21, 2005 |
Art Lang and Cathy Ciolac
Art Lang and Cathy Ciolac perform primarily traditional music with much of their favorite material coming from the old Appalachian tradition including many Carter Family songs and other old time country duets. Art plays banjo, fretless banjo, guitar, fiddle, harmonica and other old time instruments. Cathy plays the Appalachian dulcimer and autoharp. Old time music at it's finest.
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| June 18, 2005 |
Swing Boulevard
Great Swing and Gypsy Jazz from Dan Zahn and Kate Moretti. Kate's rhythm guitar and lead vocals shine while Dan cooks up some Django Reinhardt inspired guitar leads and throws in some vocal work of his own. "Dan's adept guitar and Kate's sultry vocals join together in a smoky combination that smolders and swings."
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| July 16, 2005 |
Walter Craft
Wisconsin folksinger Walter Craft joins us for a fine evening of songs and stories. Walter draws on many styles including folk, blues, ballads and contemporary songs. He accompanies his rich baritone with guitar, harmonica, Lakota Courting Flute, and rain stick. His infectious style makes him a natural with kids of all ages.
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| August 20, 2005 |
Patchouli
From Chicago, we welcome acoustic/worldbeat folk duo Patchouli. Julie Patchouli combines her pure, primordial vocals, guitar, bass, mandolin and marimbas with Bruce Hecksel's dramatic guitar playing and stunning instrumental compositions. John Williams of WGN Radio described them as "warm, rich and smart!"
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| September 17, 2005 |
The Old Time Country and Blues Revue
This group will grace the stage and provide the soundtrack for our disaster relief concert. Great picking and singing with DK Kohlars and Pete Norman. Original folk and of course, Old Time Country and Blues on guitar, Dobro, mandolin, Hawaiian guitar and vocals.
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| October 15, 2005 |
Bob Bovee & Gail Heil
They join us from Minnesota for a fine night of Western cowboy and traditional music on guitar, harmonica, fiddle and vocals. Known throughout the country for their lively shows, Bob and Gail are perennial favorites at Hickory Ridge and we are always delighted to have them in the house.
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| November 19, 2005 |
Tom & Chris Kastle
The winds will howl and the sea's will rise when Tom and Chris Kastle join us for an evening of sea shanties and songs of the lakes. The Kastles are not only fine performers of traditional folk music of the waters, but are professional sailors themselves. Concertina, cittern, guitars, pennywhistle and vocals in an raucous and enthusiastic performance.
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| December 17, 2005 |
Chris Vallillo
I've set aside the December Coffeehouse for the downstate CD release party of my new recording, The Dance. The concert will feature all the music from the Dance performed by myself (Chris Vallillo), mandolin wizard Don Steirnberg, and bassist Eric Norman. Don, who used to perform with mandolin great Jethro Burns, played the mandolin tracks on the recording. It should be something special! Hope you can make it.
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| January 17, 2004 |
Curtis and Loretta
Voted "Best Acoustic Performers of the Twin Cities, 2002", Curtis and Loretta have been acclaimed across the country for their exquisite harmonies, incisive songwriting, and skill on an array of stringed instruments including Celtic harp, mandocello, mandolin, guitar, clawhammer banjo and ukulele. This husband and wife duo has made six recordings. The latest, "Sit Down Beside Me," was released in 2001 to rave reviews. "Dirty Linen Magazine" had this to say: "Loretta's almost operatic and Curtis" rich tenor form a lush, polished and varied vocal blend. The pairs instrumental interplay is equally compelling".
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| February 21, 2004 |
Andy Wiesenhofer
Cowboy Poet and musician Andy Wiesenhofer appeared several year’s ago as the guest of the Bunkhouse Buckaroos. Now he returns along with fiddle and mandolin player extraordinaire Tim Runyan with a delightful collection of western songs and stories to put you in stitches. Guaranteed to be a fun night!
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| March 20, 2004 |
Chris McNamara and Rick Neeley
Chris McNamara and Rick Neeley have both appeared at Hickory Ridge on their own in the past. An accomplished singer, Chris has been trained in classical voice and has experience singing classical, gospel, folk, and Celtic music. Rick Neeley performs on 12 string guitar and banjo and seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary folk music with a vast repertoire of songs gathered cross a forty year relationship with folk music. Together they create an exciting sound reminiscent of the great folk scare of the 60’s!
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| April 17, 2004 |
DK Kolars and Pete Norman
Get ready for a great night of music with the Old Time Country and Blues Review. This dynamic duo features DK Kolars (one of the best dobro players around) and Pete Norman on guitar, dobro, and mandolin performing authentic old time country and blues music that will make you want to get up and move your feet! DK and Pete have a great collection of vintage instruments and present a truly authentic sound!
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| May 15, 2004 |
Patricia Pettinga
Kalamazoo Michigan singer songwriter will present a delightful evening of folk, blues, and contemporary acoustic music. Pettinga's music covers the spectrum from Gershwin to the Carter Family as well as her own outstanding original material. She will be joined by husband Bill Willging on back up vocals, lively banter and slick guitar playing.
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| June 19, 2004 |
Barry Cloyd
Barry Cloyd is a Midwestern based singer/songwriter who has spent over four decades perfecting a guitar and vocal style that weaves the genres of Blues, Folk, Celtic, and Country into a unique blend all his own. A strong vocalist and multi-instrumentalist as well as a theatrical performer, Barry delivers his music on a multitude of guitars and other interesting stringed instruments.
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| July 17, 2004 |
Patrick Brickel
Iowa City singer-songwriter Patrick Brickel makes his debut appearance at Hickory Ridge. Ranging from subtle, finger stylings to aggressive, emotional, pounding pop-Americana, Patrick Brickel is many things...from a powerful roots musician to the unassuming guy sitting next to you on the bus.
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| August 21, 2004 |
Echo's
Local folk trio Echo's returns to our stage with a great combination of Celtic, original and folk music. Featuring former Inland Tern members Chris Mangold on guitar and soaring vocals and Jerry Hunt on banjo, Echo's moves in a whole new direction.
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| October 16, 2004 |
Larry Penn
One of the Midwest's true treasure, songwriter Larry Penn returns to Hickory Ridge. A former truck driver and labor activist, Larry's smoke and gravel voice and tough as nails disposition his his enchantingly simple, poignant songs. Larry is a master storyteller who has a way with melodies and phrases that will have you humming along before you know it. Don't miss this rare opportunity to see him in Central Illinois.
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| November 20, 2004 |
Chris Vallillo
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| December 18, 2004 |
Tim & Jeff Runyan
Fiddle and mandolin wizard Tim Runyan is joined by brother Jeff on guitars and vocals for an exciting combination of traditional and contemporary acoustic music. Tim was a member of the Rural Route 3 house band and most recently appeared with Andy Weisenhoffer and the Band of Merry Cowboys last winter. Tim and Jeff can cover most any style from folk to bluegrass to swing and beyond.
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| June 21, 2003 |
Eric Noden
Chicago Blues artist
http://www.ericnoden.com/
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| July 19, 2003 |
The Bunkhouse Buckaroos
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| August , 2003 |
No coffeehouse this month.
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| November 15, 2003 |
Cooper & Nelson with Kate Early
http://members.aol.com/coopnel/
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| March 16, 2002 |
John Heasley
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