Piney Woods Performances

2010-08-23T19:07:00.000-07:00

Upcoming Acoustic Performances

* for information regarding any performance, including how to make reservations, please email coumbe@consolidated.net *

Next on the Rug:
6/25/11
8 pm

Daniel Barrett & Graham Wilkinson Song Swap

$20 per seat (all proceeds go to the artist)

Reserve your seat now. Email coumbe@consolidated.net.

Saturday
6/25/2011
8 pm
Graham Wilkinson & Daniel Barrett

2010-08-18T15:25:00.000-07:00

SHINYRIBS

Shinyribs sure gots good stuff!!!!

Visual Recap

5/22/10 at Piney Woods Performances

** Click photos for hyperlinks to videos **

Top 3 photos by Catherine Click

Click below to see "Who Built the Moon"

Click below to see "Country Cool"

Click below to see "Sweet Potato"

Bottom 3 photos by Eddie "Edge" Ferranti

** click photos for hyperlinks to videos **

Click below to see "Waterfalls"

Click below to see "Devil's Song"

Click below to see "East Texas Rust"

2010-01-10T17:39:00.000-08:00

Matt the Electrician

11/21/2009

Visual Recap

2009-12-30T20:06:00.000-08:00

What the Artists Have Said About PWP

"The Piney Woods House Concert is what a house concert should be. Relaxed, intimate, and fun. Just a guitar and your songs. It's as real as it gets." -- Hayes Carll

"Piney Woods Performances creates an authentic environment for an artist to really showcase his craft. It was the most rewarding experience I've ever had as a performer." -- Austin Collins

"I'd play Piney Woods twice a week if I could. Comfortable, quiet, and real. It's the kind of place where everything is tuned out but the songs." -- Ben Mallott

"I had a lovely time!" - Abra Moore

"The Piney Woods show was a great change of pace for me. It feels so gratifying to step out of the bar scene, sit down and just play and sing for a room full of people that respect what I do. Everyone there is appreciative and respectful of good music and I'm glad to be made a part of it." -- Adam Hood

"Piney Woods is the ultimate in casual yet intense performing environments. The patrons, Jamie and Katren, have all the bases covered for a relaxed and intimate performance. The crowd was stellar, as they listened intently and were easily involved in the show and generous with applause. Even the homey, rustic room itself feels warm and inviting and also sounds great with no amplification whatsoever. I'll pass to Piney Woods the same compliment that I received during my performance there: Better than Bluebell!" -- Kevin Carroll

"If you're a traveling musician, I can't think of any better way to spend a summer night in Texas than at a Piney Woods Performances...An attentive, enthusiastic crowd, with gracious hosts, a bottomless bucket of cold Texas beer, and in a comfy room, is the perfect way for an artist to have their songs heard." - Stephen Simmons

"The best Texas house concert we have played in 2 years, with a vibrant intimacy I can't wait to see again." -- Gordie Tentrees

"As soon as I drove up and saw the tall trees and the open house (the game room has one wall that completely opens to the yard) and the people lounging about on the deck, I knew this night would be fun... I really do love to play without a soundsystem, no cumbersome cords or sound checks just the true resonance of a song sung to appreciative ears in a room custom made for music complete with a cat and some fish... a great musical experience for me!" -- Cindy Kalmenson

"Thanks y'all" -- Adam Carroll

"It is so much fun to play music for people who love music. Keep up the great work and thanks again for providing a great listening environment for some of the area's most talented singer/songwriters (and even me). We look forward to seeing you guys again soon." -- Scott Melott and The Dead End Angels

"At Piney Woods, James and Katren made me feel like a big star and made me feel like part of the family, all at the same time. I would come back anytime." -- Darryl Purpose

"When I arrived at Piney Woods, there was a bucket of canned beer icing down next to my chair. These people should offer house concert seminars." -- Jeffrey Foucault

"Great people, food, and atmosphere....want more could a band want???? They make it easy to relax and let the music flow. Look forward to playin' there again soon!" -- Mike Meadows of porterdavis

"Jamie & Katren really make you feel at home at Piney Woods Performances...except the house is nicer and the food is better...so I could say, it's better than home ~ thanks in advance for having me back!" -- Susan Gibson

"Piney Woods is as intimate as it gets. An attentive audience in a great sounding room. Thanks Jamie and Katren for having me. Can't wait to come back." -- Gordy Quist

"This is a really nice house concert. Thanks for having us." -- Brian Hudson

2009-07-21T08:40:00.000-07:00

Ben Mallott

visual recap

7/18/09

"Ben Mallott's pearl snaps and patterned cowboy boots on the cover of his debut LP are a bit misleading. Although he's backed at times by some solid steel and gently chugging rhythms, the Austinite's propelled by his impressively soulful vocals." - Doug Freeman, Austin Chronicle

Roots formed in old standards, a juvenile heart, and his mother’s Ray Charles albums, Austin’s Ben Mallott uses his grainy timbre to remove the punctuation between singer and songwriter.
For his first solo release, Look Good, Feel Good, Mallott’s songs range from sentimental to sad to what he calls “unpredictably genuine”. A songwriter who admits his journeys have taken him from window seats to bathroom floors, he sticks to what works and in turn churns out his distinctive brand of Americana confession.

2009-07-06T20:40:00.000-07:00

The Hudsons

Visual Recap
June 6, 2009 at Piney Woods Performances
Supported by Colby Miller

Just days before Hudson Mueller left for New York City to see what the next chapter held for him, he and Brian Hudson made their second trip to the rug for a farewell acoustic performance for 30 appreciative fans in Conroe, Texas. Wow. What a show.

Scroll through the photos below for a hint of the evening's delights. But for a better taste, check out the videos. Just look on the right hand side of this blog and click on the links to go straight to YouTube for some incredible songs. And if you're interested in more, a simple YouTube search will reveal several more recordings from that evening. Just search "The Hudsons Piney Woods Performs" and enjoy. (My YouTube name is PineyWoodsPerforms if you'd rather search that way.) Either way - enjoy! ---- Oh yeah, you'll find Colby Miller there too!!!!

Above - Colby Miller - what a wonderful beginning to the night. Check back for Colby's return trip to the rug as a part of the Piney Woods Songwriter Swap Series...

2009-04-22T10:08:00.000-07:00

porterdavis
visual recap
March 27, 2009

porterdavis pastel on paper by Joy Wren

www.joysgallery.net

below - Dan feeling it during a splendid rendition of Bill Withers' classic "Use Me Up". Click the photo to go to YouTube and watch the whole thing. I assure you, it'll be worth the nine minutes. I'd say this shot is somewhere around 3:45 or 4 minutes in.

below - Simon, once I'm able to unearth "Work Song" from the videos, it's going to go here. For now, click on the link below to see my daughter's favorite porterdavis song performed live.

below - I believe this was just prior to Simon announcing "it's Dan's birthday!" Click the photo below to hear Simon's game-worthy accent shake the snow globe as he states it loud and proud, before they bust into "Take the Fall".

below - the full capacity audience at hand for porterdavis' third trip to the rug. Even though it was Dan's birthday, he gave a gift to Jamie by performing "Bury Me Deep" (Poi Dog Pondering). Click the photo below to enjoy this moment.

2009-04-18T22:07:00.000-07:00

Kevin Carroll

with special guest Mike Meadows

February 28, 2009

Visual Recap

below - Kevin Carroll pastel on paper by Joy Wren

www.joysgallery.net

click on the video below to see the live performance of "Singing to the Birds"

click on the video below to see "Give it Away"

click on the photo below to see "Dark Valley Serenade"Click below to see Kevin Carroll perform "Box of Wine"

Click below to see "Make it Feel Good" performed live and acoustic on the rug

Click below to see "Borderline" (Yes, that "Borderline"...)

Click below to see "Something Has Ruined You"

2009-04-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

Visual Recap
Austin Collins & The Rainbirds
January 24, 2009

above - "Austin Collins & The Rainbirds" pastel on paper by Joy Wren

www.joysgallery.net

What an incredible performance! Austin, Craig, Dylan & "the professor" treated a capacity crowd at PWP to a wonderful evening of music. If you're unfamiliar with Austin Collins, I urge you to check out his music by visiting the web site. If you have a chance to see them live, do it. And if the rare acoustic performance presents itself, make absolutely sure you're there. This music was made to be heard in a true listening environment.

The set list:

(Click on the set list above to hyperlink to "House Without Windows" live at Piney Woods Performances)

(Click on the photo below to hyperlink to YouTube to see "Unapology" live at PWP)

(Click on the photo below to see "Reckless & Lovely" from this evening)

(Click on the photo below to hyperlink to "Roses are Black" from this evening)

(Click on the photo below to hyperlink to "Restless" from this evening)

(Click on the photo below to hyperlink to "Things You Want the Most" from this evening)

To compare the unplugged at PWP to the plugged version, click here and check out some tunes on Austin's myspace page.

2008-08-08T18:47:00.000-07:00

porterdavis visual recap

porterdavis live at Piney Woods Performances 8-8-08

photos courtesy of Ashlee Newman Photography

porterdavis back on the rug. Wow. Simply incredible.

Be sure and take a moment to check out the videos from the evening on the main page here at the Piney Woods Performances blog.

Below, photography by Ashlee Newman Photography

Below - Simon Wallace on the harmonica. If Simon blowing on the bass harp doesn't get you grooving in some fashion, I recommend you see your general practitioner to find out what's wrong. (Check this out -- "Janey")Below - The evening wouldn't be complete without backing vocals on "Smack you Back" by Kenny Pipes. Smash the mailbox again... Apart from being one really nice guy, Kenny is the man behind the Almost Austin house concert in Pasadena, Texas. Be sure and check out the great artists he presents there. And his pot-luck dinner generally puts ours to shame!

The next three photos below - Many thanks to Ashlee Newman Photography for capturing the moment from the back of the rug. As you can see, everyone in attendance certainly enjoyed a wonderful evening of music. You can tell that goes for the musicians as well as the audience.

Below - Mike Meadows on the spoons. Mike is an amazing percussionist. He borrowed my djembe and Katren remarked "I didn't know that thing could sound like that!" (So I'm not a great djembe-ist...) Check this out to see for yourself -- "Sunshine"

http://www.loveporterdavis.com/

http://www.ashleenewman.com/

http://www.artetvaleur.net/showp.php?a=13

2008-07-06T19:00:00.000-07:00

Sam Baker at Piney Woods Performances
6/28/08

Sam Baker performs live at Piney Woods Performances: "Slots" 6-28-08

Please take a moment to enjoy this video from a few rows back at Piney Woods Performances (courtesy of Dave and Amanda): Sam Baker performing "Waves" at PWP 6-28-08

Below: Sam Baker pastel on paper by Joy Wren

Below: 2 photos courtesy of Dave and Amanda

2008-05-20T18:35:00.000-07:00

Graham Wilkinson

5/17/08 at Piney Woods Performances

with special guest James Levy

Below: "Graham" by Joy Wren

Above: "Graham Wilkinson at Piney Woods Performances" pastel on paper by Joy Wren

Below: "James Levy" by Joy Wren

What a treat. Graham provided two fantastic sets of original music to an extremely appreciative Piney Woods Performances crowd. Check out some of Graham's tunes for yourself at: www.myspace.com/undergroundtownship

Somewhere between these two photos Graham explained his inspiration for "Child of Light". Unless you happened to stroll in the same Austin back alley, odds are you'd never come close to guessing...

Below - As an unexpected bonus, the PWP enjoyed 4 songs from James Levy, hailing from Brooklyn, NY. Check him out at www.myspace.com/levy
Take special note of the guitar below. James is left-handed. So he turned the guitar upside down and played it backwards. Had it not been pointed out, it's likely we wouldn't have noticed. How's that for a PWP original moment?

Below - As Graham began the first song of his second set he blew out a string. Maybe it was due to James' upside-down tuning, maybe it was due to the passion Graham played with. So a five-minute break was in order and then Graham got back into the groove.
Graham tried out some new tunes to our delight. Many so new he needed to review the words...

For those in attendance, Graham left us behind an unreleased collection of songs as a special thank you to the PWP audience - you will soon find that arriving in yhour mailbox (details to follow). For those not in attendance this time, don't miss the next show! Graham has already agreed to come back for some more fun at PWP!

2008-02-24T08:25:00.000-08:00

THE GORDIE TENTREES TRIO

Traveling all the way from the Yukon to Conroe

The Gordie Tentrees Trio wowed PWP with two fine sets of Canadian Roots Music

3/1/08

Above - Do you think Ken was feeling it?

Below - Some of the beautiful PWP attendees (and Jon & James & David & Billy...)

GORDIE TENTREES TRIO RECAP
3/1/08
The Gordie Tentrees Trio
http://www.tentrees.ca/

Hear some roots music by visiting www.myspace.com/gordietentrees

2008-02-24T08:24:00.000-08:00

SUSAN GIBSON RECAP

Susan Gibson returned to the rug 2/9/08

for an unprecendented third incredible performance.

Above - "Susan Gibson" pastel by Joy Wren

Above - Michael Pope opened the evening with several songs from his cd.

Below - Susan shows off her tattoo after detailing the events surrounding obtaining it.

Above - Susan treating the PWP audience with her wonderful songs.

Below - Susan sharing another story behind the song.

The intimate PWP setting and its music-first focus affords musicians the opportunity to detail events in a way that simply is not possible in other atmospheres.

Check out http://www.susangibson.com/ or
www.myspace.com/susangibson

to hear Susan for yourself!

2007-11-12T16:40:00.000-08:00

porterdavis recap

below - pastels by Joy Wren

photos from porterdavis live at Piney Woods Performances 11/10/2007

(click on thumbnails to enlarge)

Wow. What an incredible performance.

Mike, Dan & Simon (left to right) are three extremely talented individuals. If porterdavis is ever playing anywhere near you, make sure you go see them. They are freaking fantastic live. And they're nice people to boot.

above - Dan treats the audience to "Carter's Tune" from the 2001 Lovebang Records release, Daniel Barrett - Shadows.

Thankfully he told the backstory after he finished the song...

below - Mike plays an assortment of percussion instruments, uniquely and exceptionally.

porterdavis trivia - Mike's favorite cd at the time of their PWP show - "Transatlanticism" by Death Cab for Cutie

below - Simon on the harmonicas. Yes, at times he plays two at a time. The man takes playing the harmonica to a whole other level.

above - A typcial moment of jam. I wish you could hear it.

below - Dan makes his way into the crowd.
Kenny (to Dan's left) loved every moment of it and Stephen danced in the back row.

below - Dan and Simon work their way back into the audience.
No way they could leave Stephen back there dancing alone...

below - post show good times in the game room.
Simon tries on the "I'm a Texan" cowboy hat.

above - the conclusion of the first of the 3 last songs.

below - poterdavis doing what they do so well.

below - Mike tries a bit of Dalise's Custard Pie. Gimme some of it. Mmmm. Mmmmm.

above - told ya it was an "I'm a Texan" hat

below - again, I wish you could hear it...

all remaing shots below - I'll just let them speak for themselves. If you were there, you remember. If not, you missed out. We'll try and get them back very soon - don't miss it next time.

2007-10-03T14:53:00.000-07:00

A Partial and Incomplete List of Past Shows...

6/25/11 - Daniel Barrett & Graham Wilkinson Song Swap

3/26/11 - Terri Hendrx & Lloyd Maines

2/12/11 - Shinyribs

10/2/10 - Danny Malone

9/4/10 - Adam Hood

5/22/10 - Shinyribs (Kevin Russell of The Gourds)

4/17/10 - Adam Carroll & Michael O'Connor

3/13/10 - 3-13-10: Jubal Lee Young

11/21/09 - Matt the Electrician

7/18/09 - Ben Mallott

6/6/09 - The Hudsons

3/27/09 - porterdavis

2/28/09 - Kevin Carroll & Mike Meadows

1/24/09 - Austin Collins & The Rainbirds

8/8/08 - porterdavis

6/28/08 - Sam Baker

5/17/08 - Graham Wilkinson

3/1/08 - Gordie Tentrees Trio

2/9/08 - Susan Gibson

11/10/07 - porterdavis

9/29/07 - The Hudsons

5/19/07 - Adam Hood

3/3/07 - The Band of Heathens

11/18/06 - Stacey Earle & Guest

10/13/06 - Cindy Kalmenson

9/9/06 - Sam Baker

8/5/06 - Rod Picott

5/6/06 - Stephen Simmons

7/23/05 - Adam Hood

3/18/05 - Cindy Kalmenson

12/18/04 - Adam Carroll & Gordy Quist

1/13/04 - Darryl Purpose

12/6/03 - Abra Moore

3/21/03 - Susan Gibson

12/13/02 - Jeffrey Foucault

11/13/02 - Susan Werner

12/28/01 - Susan Gibson

Don Conoscenti / Don Conoscenti / Christopher Williams / Ruthie Foster / Adam Carroll / Dead End Angels / Hayes Carll

2007-10-02T12:23:00.000-07:00

Houston Chronicle Article by Eileen McClelland (click the thumbnails to enlarge and read)

HOUSTON CHRONICLE ARTICLE by Eileen McClelland

2007-09-30T19:25:00.000-07:00

THE HUDSONS Performance photos: 9/29/07

Above, first set, Brian Hudson on left & Hudson Mueller on right.

Below, second set, Hudson on left & Brian on right.

Below, Hudson Mueller

Below, Brian Hudson

If you missed The Hudsons at PWP, make time to find them playing elsewhere,

you'll be glad you did.

2007-09-26T17:00:00.000-07:00

THE BAND OF HEATHENS - Performance Photos - 3/3/07

2007-09-26T16:50:00.000-07:00

ADAM HOOD Performance Photos

2007-09-26T16:30:00.000-07:00

FROM THE WALL OF FAME

Above: Ruthie Foster & Cyd Cassone

Below: Jeffrey Foucault 12/13/02

Below: Sam Baker 9/9/06

Below: Stephen Simmons 5/6/06

Below: Rod Picott with Amanda Shires

Below: Hayes Carll

Below: Scott Melott & The Dead End Angels

Below: Song Swap featuring Adam Carroll & Gordy Quist 12/18/04

Below: Susan Werner 11/13/02

Below: Adam Carroll

Below: Darryl Purpose 1/12/04

Below: Abra Moore 12/06/03

Below: Susan Gibson with Michael O'Conner

Below: Don Conoscenti

Below: Cindy Kalmenson

Below: Adam Hood

Below: Stacey Earl & Mark Stuart

2007-09-25T19:51:00.000-07:00

SAM BAKER performance photos

2007-09-24T11:21:00.000-07:00

Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart performance photos - 11/18/06

2007-09-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

Stephen Simmons performance photos - 5/6/06

2007-09-22T11:42:00.000-07:00

Gordy Quist & Adam Carroll Song Swap - Performance Photos - 12/18/04

2007-09-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

Rod Picott & Amanda Shires performance photos - 8/6/06

2007-09-20T12:03:00.000-07:00

Cindy Kalmenson performance photos - 3/18/05

2007-09-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

Some Background on PWP

A little about the venue: Since beginning in December 2001, Piney Woods Performances has continued to bring fantastic artists to the rug (as opposed to the stage) in an intimate, completely acoustic setting. The artists that perform here have one thing in common: they're good. While there's a slight leaning toward folk artists, don't make the mistake of pigeonholing the venue into any particular category.

100% acoustic performances occur roughly every month, 6 weeks or 2 months -- there is no set schedule. PWP will only bring in artists who they are already admirers of. And it's small. With a maximum capacity of 26, these shows always sell out.

This is not a venue in the traditional sense. PWP exists only because they believe there is no better environment to hear great music than completely acoustic, up close and personal, with a group of friends to enjoy it. PWP does not make one red cent from the shows; rather, it costs them a little bit to put on the shows. They think it's worth it. If you want a reservation to one of the shows, you must send in a check made payable to the artist, and the artist gets all donations. After all, the music is what you're coming for, and the artist deserves the compensation.

Shows regularly occur on Friday or Saturday nights. There's a potluck dinner before the show, and then two sets of great original music with an intermission. There's a steady stream of regulars at the shows, but they're always willing to make new friends.

Piney Woods Performances began in December 2001 with a dual first; their first house show and Susan Gibson's first house show performance. Since then PWP has hosted high-caliber artists such as: Christopher Williams, Don Conoscenti, Jeffrey Foucault, Susan Werner, Ruthie Foster & Cyd Cassone, Susan Gibson (again), Adam Carroll, the Dead End Angels, Hayes Carll (twice), Don Conoscenti (again), Abra Moore, Darryl Purpose, a Texas Song Swap featuring Gordy Quist & Adam Carroll (again), Cindy Kalmenson, Adam Hood, Stephen Simmons, The Band of Heathens, Rod Picott, Sam Baker and more...

2006-07-19T18:06:00.000-07:00

Susan Gibson at Piney Woods Performances
Average Joe Crane opened
July 8, 2006

What a show! If you missed it, (and I know several of you did since you were on the waiting list...) here are a few photos for your enjoyment.

Average Joe Crane began the evening with some fine tunes covering ground from several of his cds. Joe noted how songwriters always hope for a captive audience, adding PWP is exactly what they're all looking for. As Joe let the music flow, he ended up busting a string. Not missing a beat, he played the song through.

Then Susan offered up her guitar. But first she had to change her open-tuning back to a traditional tuning...

Soon Susan was on, accompanied by Gabe Rhodes. As usual, Susan had the audience completely in her hands with every lyric, line and note. Gabe complemented the songs adroitly, as if he had helped craft the tunes himself.

Olivia's request for "My Best Feature", or, as Olivia put it "The Big Ole Butt Song" had everyone enjoying themselves even more!

What a great show! If you missed it, don't fret, because soon you should be able to hear it streaming live on the world wide web. Check back to this web site for updates.

2006-05-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

If you weren't there, you missed a great show. Stephen Simmons rocked the house!

... and pre show, it was all about chilling on the deck,

casual conversation, and food & beverage...

Jamie (red shirt) and Katren (doing her bugle boy imitation) have a great deck for entertaining.

Suzanne and Terry are happy patrons.

Laughter and relaxation set the tone for an extraordinary intimate performance.

Craig demonstrates his dancing skills.

Rowdy D and his bride Sheri looking forward to the show.

2006-05-08T17:46:00.000-07:00

Stephen Simmons on the rug

at Piney Woods Performances, May 6, 2006

The First Set...

Stephen Simmons hit the rug a few minutes past 8pm and immediately had the audience immersed in his songs. As a songwriter, Stephen's vision is complex. Stephen featured many songs from his new recording, Drink Ring Jesus, which tell stories of country life’s dark side and serve to remind listeners how it feels to stand at the intersection of piety and sin.

The Tennesee native also covered cuts from his previous record, Last Call, which was compared to everyone from Johnny Cash to Ryan Adams. Both records provide a front porch view of life in rural Tennessee, albeit one with a sometimes sinister perspective.

Though an accomplished musician, writer, and performer, Stephen displayed an approachable, down to earth stoke about him, leaving the PWP audience with the feeling there was nothing else Stephen would rather be doing than playing for them.

The worst seat in the house at Piney Woods Performances is quite likely closer than you've ever sat for a performance before. Cozy and music-centered, Stephen seemed to enjoy the rapt attention to his songs. The audience definitely enjoyed an evening of great music without background clatter - you can hear complete silence between verses and chord changes.

Tabitha, the house cat, strolled on rug for a cameo appearance at Stephen's feet.

If you're a music fan, you would have loved this show.

For information on upcoming events, email pineywoods@myway.com and ask to be added to our mailing list. The next show is 7/8/06 and features Susan Gibson.

To contact Stephen Simmons, click on the photo above to be redirected to his web site.

2006-05-08T17:18:00.000-07:00

Stephen Simmons - the second set.

A bit more carefree, Stephen let it hang out a bit. Stephen gave the audience a real treat by playing a few songs from his forthcoming album.

Throughout the show, Stephen's between song patter included insights into the facts behind the songs -- inspirations, his thoughts during writings, as well as interesting side notes to the characters and events within the songs added even more depth to the already exceptional stories. These are the kinds of things you won't get on the radio, at a bar or at a large concert hall. The intimacy of house concerts afford performers the opportunity to open up and share.

Stephen's rendition of "Out on the Weekend" would have made Neil proud.
Hailing from Tennessee, PWP was pleased to offer Stephen a bit of Texas Hospitality in the was of a sampler bucket of ice cold beers featuring Shiner, St. Arnold, and of course, Lone Star.

After the show Stephen hung out for a while and visited. Here he and Katren look at the photos on the game room wall of fame, featuring photos of past PWP performers as well as some other artists the hosts have been lucky enough to get photographed with.

Thanks again to everyone that came to the show and of course a special thanks to Stephen Simmons.

Keep checking us out, cause the PWP summer house concert series is just getting started, with plenty of great shows coming up.

2006-04-29T10:20:00.000-07:00

Piney Woods Performances welcomes Stephen Simmons to the rug on May 6th. Reserve your seats now.

Saturday night singer /songwriter Stephen Simmons will be performing at PWP. The show starts at 8:00 pm sharp, so be sure and get there to claim your seat early, as all seating is first come first serve. The doors open at 6:30 pm and all are encouraged to join us prior to the show for pot-luck dishes and finger foods. For ticket information email Jamie at pineywoods@myway.com .

Simmons credits such artisits as Springsteen, Jackson Browne, Steve Earle, Rodney Crowell, Don Williams, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, Hank Sr., Waylon, Cash, Gordon Lightfoot, in influencing his unique sound.

HE has been described as, "a singer-songwriter of marked depth and commitment, (he) recalls a more subdued Steve Earle, a more grounded Ryan Adams and any aggregation of three-named Texas troubadours you'd care to recall." -- Bill Friskics-Warren, THE NASHVILLE SCENE

At his best, Simmons is as good as heartland songwriters like Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Chris Knight and R.B. Morris, all of whom he calls to mind at times, even though his voice and lyrics have a potent punch distinctly his own. -- Michael McCall, THE NASHVILLE SCENE

Stephen Simmons was raised in the small town of Woodbury, Tennessee. His mother was a schoolteacher and his father held a factory job (In his family, they were the first generation that didn’t work the farm). Humble and soft-spoken, Stephen at first seems to exemplify this rural, Church of Christ upbringing. As a songwriter, however, his vision is much more complex. The songs on his new recording, Drink Ring Jesus, tell stories of country life’s dark side and serve to remind listeners how it feels to stand at the intersection of piety and sin. “When you’re raised in the Church of Christ, if you’re sensitive at all, it leaves you with a lot to struggle with,” says Stephen, who now lives in Nashville. “You grow up to see that there are gaps and holes in what you’ve been taught; there are questions where there are not supposed to be questions. On the one hand, I was exposed to small community religious life, but on the other, I was exposed to my wild-ass relatives. My songs are an attempt to get all those contradictions out.” Like Stephen’s previous record, Last Call, which was compared to everyone from Johnny Cash to Ryan Adams, Drink Ring Jesus provides a front porch view of life in rural Tennessee, albeit one with a sometimes sinister perspective. This time, though, Simmons dispenses with the rhythm section and electric guitars, making his last-song-of-the-night vocals and hardtack
acoustic photo by Chelle Rose

accompaniment seem all the more ominous and immediate. On songs like “Time To Pay,’ Simmons explores the tension between faith and cutting and running. “Comes a time to be brave,” he sings, “Your soul is mine/ Now it’s time to pay.” If anything, Drink Ring Jesus focuses more on religious faith—or its lack––than did its predecessor, though Simmons understands that spirituality is guesswork at best. “Well I’m out here, out here on the road/ Seem to wonder who’s watching over my soul.... Lord, I wonder where this road really goes/ Man, I wonder who knows,” he sings on Carpenter Skills. Redemption, spiritual or otherwise, is a recurring theme on Drink Ring Jesus.

“Next Stop, Redemption” finds Simmons on a “train trying to find its way home/ Picking up people like a lost and found,” he sings, “Hittin’ every depot that’s long been abandoned/ Man, this train is going where we need to go.” Likewise, on “Cryin’ Elvis,” a worn-out portrait of The King looks down on an anonymous stage like Jesus, but unlike The King of Kings, Elvis won’t be coming back to deliver the singer from a roadhouse life where “these old ears have heard too many shows.” Drink Ring Jesus, which was recorded in Nashville by producer/engineer Eric Fritsch (Scott Miller, RB Morris, Carter Little, Rowland Stebbins), is the follow-up to Simmons full-band debut, Last Call, which was praised critics worldwide.

Among it’s remarkable notices, renown country music authority Robert K. Oermann called the record “ragged-but-right” and “utterly compelling,” and Nashville Scene music editor Bill Friskics-Warren repeatedly placed the record alongside the work of Steve Earle and “any aggregation of three-named Texas troubadours you’d care to recall.” In a coup for Stephen’s do-it-yourself marketing scheme, The November 2004 edition of Mojo Magazine listed him, along with the likes of Bobby Bare, Jr. and Josh Ritter, as “One Of Five Young Bucks Taking

photo by Bob Delevante

a Lead From Johnny Cash. “At times I feel like I’m being deadly serious, but at the same time being tongue in cheek,” says Stephen, who, last year, was a finalist in Merlefest’s prestigious songwriting competition. He admits that, like Last Call, Drink Ring Jesus is mostly about “lying, cheating and drinking.” That said, his vision of Middle Tennessee’s underbelly is not nearly as dark as it might seem. “These are not so much records about saints, as they are about sinners,” he says. “But I truly believe that there’s salvation out there for everyone. In that sense, I guess they’re songs about all of us."

2006-04-29T09:53:00.000-07:00

Photos of Past Performances:

Here's a quick look back at some of the shows on the rug you may have missed. Enjoy.

Above - Abra Moore. Below - Michael O'Conner & Susan Gibson.

Below - Adam Carrol (left) & Gordy Quist (right). December 2004.

Below - Adam Hood. July 2005.