Las Alturas House Concerts

Friday, July 31, 2009 Dorian Michael House Concert

macbikegeek — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:08:22 +0000

Dorian Michael

Dorian Michael started playing guitar as a seven-year old in Los Angeles just as folk music was about to have a renaissance of sorts and earthy acoustic music was his first guitar experience. He has been a working guitarist for four decades and in that time has played plenty of blues and folk, jazz and rock and roll. There has always been a huge variety of playing experience from smokey honky-tonks to theater orchestra pits. At some point along the way he started playing a few solo fingerstyle instrumentals, made a cd and decided he needed to hit the road and see if he could sell all those cds he had. Three solo cds and four ensemble cds later Dorian is still playing throughout the States and Canada. He calls his solo music “contemporary traditional”; original music that reflects his interest in a number of styles of music. These influences come through in his original material, but it is a contemporary music that grows from, rather than mimics, those influences. When he plays someone else’s music or a traditional piece he always manages to add a few surprises. Says Dorian, “Some music makes you feel, some makes you think and some music is just for the fun of it. I try to get to all those places in the space of a performance.”

“This is an impressive collection of 12 solo guitar pieces composed and nimbly performed by guitarist Dorian Michael, whose writing and playing has obviously been influenced by guitarists like Leo Kottke and John Fahey. His fingerpicking style sharply defines the tunes, and his melodies show a wide range of influences. An engaging and entertaining recording.” -Dirty Linen Magazine

http://www.dorianmichael.com

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Please feel free to bring wine and potluck food to share.

For more information, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009 A Taste of Tasmania: Audrey Auld House Concert

macbikegeek — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:52:18 +0000

Audrey Auld

Devils are not the only thing to come from Tasmania. Singer-songwriter Audrey Auld’s heart is in Country, Folk and Americana music with a presence as big as The Outback. Her songs are the wry and poignant observations of a Tassie girl living in California and Nashville for the past five years. Audrey calls it “Music with the dirt left on.”

Auld is a memorable and uplifting entertainer. She’s a spontaneous comedienne and a writer of humorous, provocative and soulful songs. A touring songwriter, Audrey won the 2006 MerleFest Song Contest and performed her winning song ‘Losing Faith’ with Rich Brotherton (Robert Earl Keen) on guitar to a thrilled MerleFest crowd.

I got to meet and hear Audrey in February, 2009 at the Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. We ran into each at several other artists showcases at the conference and found we liked a lot of the same musicians, besides Audrey herself. Audrey is a wonderful singer/songwriter and has quite a wicked sense of humor. I’m looking forward to a great evening and so should you!

http://www.audreyauld.com

http://www.myspace.com/audreyauld

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, BYO wine and/or potluck refreshments to share are welcome.

For more information, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Friday, June 19, 2009 Molly Venter House Concert

macbikegeek — Sun, 31 May 2009 20:01:05 +0000

Molly Venter

Singer-songwriter Molly Venter is an Austin-based musician whose stunning voice and powerful lyrics are at once boldly unique and warmly familiar. Molly doesn’t just sing and play – she pours her soul out on stage. She released her fourth album, “Love Me Like You Mean It,” in May 2008. She has shared the stage with Amos Lee, Patty Griffin, Josh Ritter, Red Molly and Erin Mceowen.

Molly was a big hit when she played the Black Box Theatre earlier this year. I’m pleased to welcome her back to Las Cruces for a house concert. Molly is a sweet and gracious person but she’s had love won and lost and her pains and trials and her positive take on the world come out in her songs. You’ll leave her concert happy you came.

http://www.myspace.com/mollyventer

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Light dessert refreshments provided, guests are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Attendance is by invitation only. For more information and an invitation, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Saturday, June 6, 2009 Hans York House Concert

macbikegeek — Thu, 21 May 2009 19:30:17 +0000

Hans York

Hans’ joy is infectious and his voice is smooth, silky, and unique, with a breathtaking three-octave range that pulls you right in. Richly textured as well as utterly intimate, a true Renaissance musician skilled in many genres, knowing exactly how to blend them, and with the ability to sweep you right off your feet.

Hans York creates music with brilliant emotional momentum. He’s a consummate musician, traveling between folk, jazz, and pop effortlessly, while his voice soars above it all.Hans York is a world musician in the true sense of the term, drawing inspiration from his vast eclectic background. Seeing him live, you understand that you are experiencing a world-class talent.

Please join us for an evening of music and warmth, for Hans is not only a superb musician but a wonderful person to know. Hans was the first musician to send a friend request when I set up the Las Alturas House Concerts MySpace page and was very helpful when I was getting the page started. I felt privileged then to have the support of a musician of Hans stature. It was just this February that I finally got to hear and meet Hans in person at Folk Alliance. Trust me when I say we are in for a treat with Hans’s visit to Las Cruces.

http://hansyork.com

http://www.myspace.com/hansyork

http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=34427

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, guests are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Attendance is by invitation only. For more information and an invitation, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Cancelled: Saturday, May 2, 2009: Beth Wood

macbikegeek — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:44:10 +0000

Show has been cancelled.

Beth Wood

We are once again blessed to host a singer/songwriter with an amazing voice. Beth Wood can rock the house as she does when singing the Star Spangled Banner to open baseball games or present a poignant, sensitive ballad in a small, sweet voice. But don’t just take my word for it:

“Folk singer-guitarist Beth Wood has such a dazzling

voice it’s a mystery why she’s still just a cult

artist.” — DALLAS MORNING NEWS

Beth was the Winner of the 2005 Kerrville New Folk Contest, along with another dozen awards for her performances and songwriting at the national and regional level. While I’m happy to brag on Beth as a friend, the point is that Beth is widely recognized in the folk world for her songs, performance and spectacular vocal ability.

If you ask Beth to describe her music, she might just shrug. Some have called it folk, pop, folk-pop, country-folk, Americana, etc. Beth prefers to say it is soulful, organic, free-range, barefoot music delivered through a high energy communicator of joy. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram calls Beth “a superb singer-songwriter whose versatility discourages labeling.” Beth’s songs tell of life and love, stories of all kinds of folks she knows or has seen.

Beth is wonderful to be around – her joy and energy are contagious. We will have a wonderful time. Please get in touch so you can be part of this wonderful evening.

Beth Wood Official Website

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, guests are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Attendance is by invitation only. For more information and an invitation, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Saturday, April 11, 2009: Karen Mal

macbikegeek — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 03:47:39 +0000

Karen Mal

Words are inadequate to describe the beauty and character of Karen Mal’s voice. I listened to her music online and fell in love with her voice and songs. Based on that, we scheduled this house concert some months ago. In February, 2009, I finally got to hear Karen in person at the Folk Alliance conference in Memphis, TN. While the songs and videos online give a taste for Karen’s music and performance, they are nowhere near the experience of hearing Karen live. Now you have that chance. I hope you will join us for a lovely evening of music.

Karen Mal website

Karen Mal MySpace

Chicago Acoustic Underground Podcast with Karen Mal

Karen Mal YouTube Videos

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m. Socializing from 6:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, guests are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Attendance is by invitation only. For more information, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Saturday, March 14, 2009: John Batdorf

macbikegeek — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 14:00:05 +0000

John Batdorf

Las Alturas House Concerts is proud to host John Batdorf.John’s uniquely passionate vocals and guitar playing landed him his first major record deal back in the 70s with Atlantic Records, and he’s continued to develop and grow as an artist to this day. As the song writing and lead vocal half of Batdorf and Rodney, John began honing his craft and developing his own style back in the early 70s. After the breakup with Rodney, John did an album with a group called Silver and toured the country promoting their album at venues with the likes of America, Doobie Brothers, Poco and Hall and Oats. Fans devoted to his sound recognized Johns voice on several radio and television projects in the 80s when he worked as a top LA studio session singer. When he wasnt touring with bands, or producing music for a variety of clients, he never stopped writing songs. In the early 90s he partnered with fellow songwriter Michael McLean and released a handful of albums that captured a personal resonance John found with his universal songs of hope and inspiration. Its as if with each stage in his artistic journey, he developed a greater understanding of the power music to impact our daily lives. Never one to stagnate creatively, John expanded his artistic palette from acoustic driven pop/rock to story driven melodies. From 1996 to 2002 he worked as a TV composer for the hit series Touched by an Angel and Promised Land. Now into the second half of the new millennium, John has recorded a new CD with James Lee Stanley “All Wood And Stones” (a highly original take on early Rolling Stones songs, done acoustically with tight harmonies) along with his first solo EP, “Side One.” His first full length solo CD, Home Again is an acoustic guitar and vocal enthusiasts dream come true! John’s latest CD, “Still Burnin’” teams him up again with Mark Rodney. The duo recorded a live show at XM Studios in Washington D.C. revisiting many of their great songs from the 70s. Also John and Mark have recorded two brand new songs in LA that are also included in the package. This marks the first new Batdorf and Rodney recordings since 1975!

John Batdorf’s MySpace Page

John Batdorf Website

John Batdorf allmusic.com Profile

Suggested artist donation $15

Music starts at 7:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, guests are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Attendance is by invitation only. For more information, please contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009: Juni Fisher

macbikegeek — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 04:47:21 +0000

Juni Fisher

Juni Fisher was the winner of the 2008 Western Music Association Songwriter of the Year award, the first time a woman has won this award. She also won 2007 WMA Song of the Year, 2006 WMA Female Performer of the Year, 2005 Academy of Western Artists Western Female Vocalist of the Year and the 2005 Western Music Association Crescendo Award.

Juni grew up as a cowgirl, horse trainer and rode in all kinds of horse competitions and trials. She also grew up singing Western songs she learned from her father. Today Juni still has horses but most of her time is spent singing and writing her own Western songs. She has a wonderful, clear, soaring voice and songs that tell stories of the West and life under big skies.

Please join us for a lovely evening of Western music. Tell all your friends, too. I look forward to seeing you soon!

Lee

http://junifisher.net
http://www.myspace.com/cowgirlmusic

$15 artist donation

Music starts at 7:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, you are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Reservations are required – your artist donation check for $15, payable to Lee Herman, holds your reservation. Please mail to Las Alturas House Concerts, 4055 Tamarisk Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011.

For more information, contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net

Tuesday, January 6, 2009: Randall Williams and Stryngs

macbikegeek — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 08:44:27 +0000

Randall Williams at Cafe Veritas

Randall Williams is a polymath. He is a world traveler. A sailor. A teacher. A classically voice trained baritone. A citizen of the world. A storyteller. A friend. A guitarist (with and without capos, whole and partial). A newly settled resident of Columbus, Ohio. A writer and published author. A singer/songwriter.

And he’s bringing us an evening of magic. Music and tales to transport us around the world, food for thought and humor, all founded on Randall’s positive energy and deep love of people. Randall has an amazing voice to listen to, smooth and full, with perfect control from his classical training. Listening to him play guitar, you will find yourself looking for the rest of the band, but your eyes will confirm that Randall is the only one playing.

But there is more to this evening!

Strings and Martin in Yosemite Park on Labor Day, 2008

A unique acoustic duo from the UK, Stryngs, will be opening the show. Stryngs, as a duo, is Strings singing hauntingly beautiful vocals and Martin Giles on guitar filling out the musical tapestry of their music. Stryngs sound is hard to capture in words. Lyrics like poetry seamlessly matched with rhythm and melody create a warm cocoon of sound. Listen closely – these gentle sounds are telling tales of emotion and passion, some wistful and longing but always seeking love and happiness.

Please join us for this wonderful show! Tell all your friends, too.

Stryngs
Stryngs MySpace

Randall Williams
Randall Williams MySpace

$15 artist donation

Music starts at 7:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, you are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Reservations are required – your artist donation check for $15, payable to Lee Herman, holds your reservation. Please mail to Las Alturas House Concerts, 4055 Tamarisk Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011.

For more information, contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net

Saturday, December 20, 2008, Kelly’s Lot Acoustic Duo

macbikegeek — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 22:36:34 +0000

Kelly Zirbes and Perry Robertson

Based in Los Angeles, California, Kelly’s Lot Acoustic Duo is making a holiday stop in Las Cruces to warm up the Saturday before Christmas! Kelly’s Lot was honored with the “Best Blues Band” award by Rock City News and named one of the Top 13 bands in the U.S. by Independent Songwriter Magazine.

Kelly Zirbes and Perry Robertson as Kelly’s Lot Acoustic, “combine blues and folk, along with some genuine bar room rock, to come up with a sound that is lively and wild, while also honest and sincere. Kelly and Perry put their heart and soul into every song.

Kelly is an alto, singing with a range close to Natalie Merchant and with the conviction of Marva Wright. Perry Robertson is a human metronome. That’s all there is to it. He plays the rhythm guitar as if he had a metronome surgically implanted into the wrist of his right hand,” wrote musician Scott Detweiler for http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com.

From the tour host of Kelly’s Lot Acoustic in Belgium:
“Was Kelly’s Lot Trio strong enough to bring the spirit of blues and confront their new audience ?

No need to wait for the last show to notice how the magic of Kelly’s Lot works. With an incredible energy and a powerful voice, Kelly Z draws the attention of the crowd and takes them for a ride on the highways of rock and blues. During an hour or two , Perry Robertson gave the perfect rhythm with his guitar and lifted Kelly up to find and show the best emotion on each song.”

Besides producing great music both as Kelly’s Lot Acoustic and with her full band, Kelly’s Lot, Kelly is an advocate for Hepatatis C awareness. Kelly’s Lot has played for countless benefits and Kelly started the Hep C Postcard campaign and began building a coalition of musicians and street teams to help her raise awareness on a larger scale.

Check out Kelly’s Lot Acoustic’s music online at these sites. Then make a reservation and put the date on your calendar to come join us! See you soon!

http://www.myspace.com/kellyzirbes
http://www. KellysLot.com
http://www.wfaa.com/video/?z=y&nvid=237830&shu=1
http://www.nohoartsdistrict.com/dance/music_column_kellys_lot.htm
Review of Kelly’s Lot latest album “The Light”

$15 artist donation

Hang out from 4:30 p.m. Eat at 5:30 p.m. Music starts at 7:00 p.m.

Light refreshments provided, you are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.

Holiday party! Full potluck! We’ll have some food and hot cider, please bring a dish to share, wine if you want!

Reservations are required – your artist donation check for $15, payable to Lee Herman, holds your reservation. Please mail to Las Alturas House Concerts, 4055 Tamarisk Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011.

For more information, contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts@comcast.net