Music News in Door County Wisconsin

Click on the book to order Jones' & Kuhns' poetry

NEWS:

Corky Siegal arrived at the Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on November 8 with his Chamber Blues quartet. Offering an astounding musical presentation to an appreciative audience, the harmonica master and innovative blues pianist blended and juxtaposed his Chicago blues sounds with the strings of the quartet and accompanying percussion. You've got to hear their "Complementary Colors" CD on Gadfly Records.

Corky then spent the Saturday morning with a number of harmonica players and other musicians in a cool workshop all about arranging and varying one's music. Very innovative and informative. This guys is very cool.

NEWS:

On October 24 Award-winning Native American poet Mark Turcotte and accomplished bass player Mitar Mitch Covic performed their spoken word/music composition Road Noise to a full house at the Peninsula Arts School in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. Be sure to see the interviews in the Peninsula Pulse.

NEWS:

The summer performances of "Jungle Gold - Adventures In The French Guyana Rainforest" went well at The Bridge Coffee House in Egg Harbor. Roger Kuhns wrote and performed the 70 minute monologue about his experiences in the remote corner of the jungle. The monologue will be performed in winter 2003 at the Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

NEWS:

Joe & Josh - soloists & duetists!!!

Joe Knaapen Jr. on piano and with a very powerful voice was belting them out - everything from Broadway musical numbers to Pink Floyd - at The Bridge coffee & book shop in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. Josh Blevins - a regular at The Bridge (next playing on May 19 at noon) is also a talented singer/songwriter/guitarists, and joined Joe for a Saturday of tunes. Josh is working on a demo CD of his original compositions, and should have that out before summer.

NEWS:

Mistress Kong...is coming to Door County!

And we'll have the alternative/creative/highly educated Minneapolis band "Mistress Kong" in Door County this summer. They've been jammin' and writin'. Lead singer "Dave" (pictured below with cats; dispite the photo they're "not thaaaaat sensitive"!) is working out the schedules for their summer tour. Watch this space!!!

NEWS:

The New Guys from Fish Creek, Door County, Wisconsin

Ryan Moreno
Singer/songwriters/guitarists Ryan Moreno and Bob Muller from Door County have been performing at The Bridge coffee & book shop in Egg Harbor (also in Door County, WI). These guys are good! Ryan, arriving in the county from Chicago a couple years ago, brings with him a lot of soul, blues, rock and folk, and Bob got the backup baratone and rock-country flavorings. Both are good singers and players, and at all of 16 years old they are a duet to watch up here. They're playing at The Bridge on May 11 (Saturday) and June 23 (Sunday) from 12:00 noon until 2:00. Don't miss these guys!

............................................................Bob Miller

NEWS:

Jammin' at KaVarna in April

Recently seen at KaVarna Coffee House on West Broadway in Green Bay was Damon Weasler (see interview and his new pop album) jamming with FOX11 Morning Show producer and bass/guitar player Bradley C and Door County singer/songwriter Roger Kuhns. Great tunes all night long!

NEWS:

Arlo Guthrie's concert in Green Bay

February 28, 2002 - Arlo and family performed at the newly restored Meyer Theater in Green Bay (at Washington and Walnut). What a great evening with an old friend!

Arlo's daughter Sarah Lee Guthrie and her husband Johnny Irion opened the show with folk and original tunes; a nice start. Sarah Lee and Johnny have been touring for quite a while, and Sarah say, "It's been 40 shows but we're going home soon."

When Arlo came on stage the full house cheered; guitars hummed and strummed as Arlo picked up his 12-string and brought us all into the past with some of his classics from "Amigo" and "Hobo's Lullaby" album. In classic form Arlo took the audience through his experiences and philosophies by way of his stories. Said Arlo, "I like poets more than I like poems, but most of the poets I like are dead. I like that old stuff that scares the hell out of me. But I want to do a poem about mooses - you know they're coming in to Massachusetts; they're not from here, ain't indiginous, no, they just come down from Canada, they just go east and take a right and end up here." Thereafter followed a great and tickling poem.

Arlo is an uncomplicated man. He has an easy and disarming smile. His great white mane lends an air of historical authority and folk insight into the world, and indeed we are rewarded with that knowledge through his surreal tales of near death experiences with his motorcycle, realizations about people and politics, and simple county common sense - often through a question, "Don't you think that's odd?"

About motorcycles...and pickles...and falling off cliffs, Arlo said, "I can't believe I wrote this song. I can't believe played it, and I really can't believe I'm still playing it thirty years later. I love America!"

Arlo paid homage to some of his friends who have passed on, like Dave Von Ronk, Waylin Jennings, Hoyt Axton, Steve Goodman (writer of "City of New Orlans". Of the old folk scene in New York Arlo said, "I remember going into those coffee houses in the Village. I'd bring my guitar so that I could get in free. Wouldn't play or nothin'. But then somebody wouldn't show up who was supposed to play and the owner would say, 'Arlo play something until someone good comes along.' So I did." He laughed at his beginnings, and also remembered the first time Bob Dylan showed up at his house to visit his dad Wood Guthrie. Dylan had a big affect on the young Arlo, and you can hear that even in his voice today. Arlo said, "Here I find years later that they're studin' my lyrics in colleges. Can you believe that! My lyrics to that motorcycle song - that's why we're in trouble!"

Arlo was kind enough to chat with Liz and I after the show.

The timelessness of Arlo's music was demonstrated when he sang "Patriot's Dream" from his "Amigo" album. Also, the song "City Of New Orleans" filled Meyer Hall with good vibrations in the timeless song written by the late Steve Goodman.

Arlo joked that he didn't have a plan (referring to a set list), and said, "I had a plan once, back in '68. Yeah, I'd tape it to the top of the guitar here and look at it and sing the next song. But I turned fifty and can't hold it (guitar) away far enough to read it!" Just a subtle reminder that even our folk heros feel age. But the songs carry the day, and the troubador is as good as ever.

Arlo signed Green Bay musician and promoter Carl Laes' guitar. His guitar also has Steve Forbert's signature and I told Carl, "Gee, when you're old and unemployed that'll be valuable - you could pay rent with that!"

NEWS:

Sharing The Peace concert at TAP

On Friday, December 14 at 7:30 make sure you come to the Third Avenue Playhouse for young peoples concert in Sturgeon Bay. Tickets are now available at Thanks A Latte Cafe and Mumbo Yo Yo in Sturgeon Bay, and The Bridge in Egg Harbor. The cost is $12 for people 18 and over, $5 for people under 18. Following the event there will be a reception at Sonny's Pizza. Eli Matteson with be performing. There will be artwork from students around the county displayed. Please join us and spread the word!!

NEWS:

Bob Dylan

- in the Emerald City (Green Bay)! Yes, the master of the lyric and "issues" gave a great show at the Brown County Arena on Tuesday (Oct. 30, 2001).

Dylan's opening song, "Song To Woody" was one of his first compositions some 40 years ago; Dylan rolled through "I Want You" and varying the melody on some favorites like "Don't Think Twice". The rendition of "Masters of War", with a long instrumental by Dylan, seems as appropriate today as it did in the mid-1960s. Dylan, and his 4-man band (Guitarists Larry Campbell & Charlie Sexton; Bassist Tony Garnier (with the fedora) and drummer David Kemper) are all on the new album "Love and Theft".

When my eighteen year old son, Matthew, heard the powerful "All Along The Watchtower" he said, "Hey isn't that a Hendrix song?" Close.... If you have forgotten what it was like way back, take a look (or re-look) at D.A. Pennebaker's rock-u-mentary about Dylan in 1967 called "Don't Look Back". It is cool to see the young Dylan (even with Alan Ginsberg in the back ground on one tune)and now the 60-year old guy who is still carrying the weight.

NEWS:

Another Great Concert & Gathering at Kravings coffee shope in Fish Creek and at The Bridge in Egg Harbor on October 14 & 15 as Karen Mal and friends came to town

Traveling on tour were Austin recording stars Jeff Talmadge (see his website at www.JeffTalmadge.com), who has three really great albums out, and Bill Passalacqua (below; his album available on this website - see catalogue; and Bill's website at www.billposs@yahoo.com) and of course Karen Mal Irwin (who's album is also available on this website - see catalogue).

The three gave joint and individual performances. We got to hear a lot of new material, and Karen has written a moving song for the late Fred Alley called "On Mercury's Wings".

Jeff Talmadge is a really great songwriter and his harmonies with Karen kept the audience focused and quiet so as not to miss a word.

Mark Raddatz, Doc Heide and Roger Kuhns & Jeanne Yingst also performed at Kravings during the course of the concert.

Mark played his tribute to Fred Alley, a song borrowed from Bob Dylan's "Song For Woody".

Roger & Jeanne sang "Blue Ocean" from Roger's "Eye Of The Storm" CD, and a new song that will be on their joint album this winter.

Doc said he was through singing for a few months after a long and demanding AFT season, but was kind enough to join Karen for a couple of tunes and chat with the crowd. Doc will be around this winter working on projects.

Kravings will be open this winter, and owner Paul Krause is excited about offering the coffee shop for jam sessions. Give Roger Kuhns a call at (920) 868-1014 or contact him through this web site for times and gigs.

NEWS:

David Wilcox came to town and gave a wonderful performance at the Door Community Auditorium.

Here's Dave with local Door County musician and fan Jean White

Dave and Roger have a chat after the concert

Check out Dave Wilcox's interview by Roger Kuhns at Door County Compass (www.doorcountycompass.com)

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NEWS:

Don't miss this one - On Washington Island there was an evening of great music with ELI MATTSON and LAURA SAWOSKO on Friday September 21 at Nelson's. All their local hits were performed. Check out the catalogue for their CDs. Roger Kuhns & Jeanne Yingst also performed original songs from Roger's "Eye Of The Storm" CD; Jeanne and Roger plan to make a joint new CD this coming winter

See interviews withmusicians on Door County Compass (www.doorcountycompass.com).

NEWS:

Judy Collins gave a very nice performance at the Door Community Auditorium Saturday, September 1. She sang all her great folk songs and told a few stories,which can also be heard on her "Live at Wolftrap" CD (available on Wildflower Records on her website). Songs like "Someday Soon" and "Both Sides Now" and "Send In The Clowns" ring as sweetly as ever. She was also kind enough to give all the stage hands a free CD (RJK was on monitors, many thanks to Pete Evans)

NEWS:

A great show at the Door Community Auditorium by pop star

Duncan Sheik

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Duncan had the 1994 hit Barely Breathing, and has put out two albums since. He played songs from all three of his albums, and demonstrated his great song writing and very good acoustic guitar playing. Gerry Leonard backed Duncan up with electric and acoustic guitars. The show was of modest energy, reflecting the contemplative soft-pop style Duncan presents. The strong lyrical content and high quality musicianship made the show very enjoyable.

You can read an interview with him on the e-magazine Door County Compass (www.doorcountycompass.com).

NEWS:

Java on Jefferson in Sturgeon Bay is closing its present location, and prorieter Dede McCartney will be passing the baton to new owner Marilyn Beachler by the end of September. The new location is just a few doors down on Jefferson - so it will still serve the same great coffee, offer a wonderful new environment, and since Dede and Marilyn are working together to get it started - is guaranteed to be as good as ever. Dede is throwing a huge "Thankyou" party on Thursday September 6, and the great Jay Whitney will be providing the music, and Eli Mattson will be playing a bit of piano too. Don't miss this!

NEWS:

Coffee House Music Jams welcome Chris and Karen Irwin back to Door County............ Just about everyone in Door County remembers Chris Irwin and Karen Mal Irwin, the former cast members of the American Folklore Theater (AFT). These two accomplished musicians and actors were married last year and also made a decision to leave Door County and migrate south to Austin, Texas to take up their musical pursuits full time. Beginning July 8 they arrived in Door County, and I invited them to kick off the week with an informal musical jam at The Bridge coffee & bookshop in Egg Harbor, and then another the next day at Kravings coffee house in Fish Creek.

On Sunday afternoon The Bridge was full of old friends and lucky new listeners who happened by when they saw the “Live Music” sign out front (see www.musictoears.com ). Donna Lash, owner, was busy behind the downstairs counter serving coffee and making sandwiches and clapping when ever she could to show her appreciation for the great music upstairs. Well known Door County folk singers Mark Raddatz (who sang his song “It Was A Hell Of A Ride” for Fred Alley) and Chris Alley came by to jam with Chris and Karen. Jeanne Yingst and I also got to join in for a few songs.

Karen and Chris both play guitar and mandolin and have wonderful voices. Karen is known for the songs she co-wrote with Fred Alley (especially “Falling”), and these original songs along with some of Chris’ originals appear on their self-titled CD (which can be purchased through their website www.chrisandkaren.com and at The Bridge). Two of Karen and Fred’s songs were finalists in an Austin songwriter’s competition. Recently Chris and Karen also sang for the Austin city mayor. They are also opening for a number of the up-and-coming musicians in Austin, and are starting to make their mark in the folk/country world.

“We went to Austin,” Karen said, “because the talent soup is so thick, and the opportunities are much greater for what we want to do (than in Door County). But there are so many talented musicians none of us make much money.”
At The Bridge Chris and Karen looked a bit weary, having just arrived from a gig in Minneapolis, which was proceeded by a 25 hour drive from Austin. But they both found some hidden energy, like most musicians, once instruments were in hand and the folk music was rolling off their tongues.
On the evening of July 8 Chris and Karen had their next concert at Fish Stock on County F at Maple Grove Road outside of Fish Creek (Dave Ellmann’s farm; a.k.a “Camp David”; see the Fish Stock Sunday concert series schedule below). Eighty-five fans showed up for the loft concert. Dave Ellmann said, “Welcome all, I organize these Sunday evening concerts so that they’re not too late so the locals that need to work on Monday morning can get home by 10:00, and also this is the only day the AFT people have off, so they have the chance to come here too.” He then thanked Dave Alley for running the lights and sound on his only night off from AFT.
Chris and Karen looked out from the small stage at the room full of people. “It is so nice to see so many people!” Karen said, and mentioned that some of the places they had played were sparsely attended. But here, in Dave Ellmann’s barn, their folk music seemed so at home. It intermingles with the old wooden rafters and settles comfortably in our ears, as well as now and then tapping into an emotion that makes us laugh or cry. There was much talk and stories about Fred Alley, and songs sung to his memory. All the AFT members at the concert who know Chris and Karen so well have all had to deal with the loss of their brilliant play writer and songwriter friend. So the evening was a blend of memories and music that was very personal for many of the audience. Following the performance, which included a guest appearance by Eric Lewis, Chris and Karen chatted to friends, sold CDs and enjoyed the attention and success of the evening.
The following afternoon Chris and Karen joined Mark Raddatz, Chris Alley, Jeanne Yingst, Eric Lewis, Roger Kuhns, and others for another coffee house jam session. This time at Kravings in Fish Creek, where owner Paul Krause has recently opened a great place for coffee, music and gatherings (see www.musictoears.com ). Jeanne and Karen sang a duet on “The Water Is Wide”. Eric Lewis’ rapid fire flat picking on guitar and Chris Irwin’s equally fast mandolin was a great crowd pleaser to the twenty or so gathered around on the front deck of the coffee shop. The jam went all afternoon and Karen said, “I’ll play as long as Mark is here!” Great fun all around and the tip jar was again full and would help pay for gas and food for the concert tour.

Karen said she was hoping to get into a tour schedule that would take them on the road about three months out of the year, and then keep them at home in Austin much of the rest of the year. Their first album has sold about 800 copies since last fall, which reflects a lot of gigs and hard work and, most important, good music. More recording is in the works for the future, and they have an upcoming east coast tour.
Chris and Karen played at Third Avenue Playhouse (TAP) on Thursday evening July 11, and then it returned to Minneapolis and other gigs (see www.chrisandkaren.com ). Make sure you pick up a copy of their album.

Camp David’s Sundy Evening Summer Fish Stock concert schedule:
July 6 Jay Whitney, Big Mouth & The Power Tool Section (PreConcert show) July 8 Chris and Karen Irwin – folk/country mandolin & guitar & vocals July 15 Jay and Rich Whitney – blues guitar & vocals July 22 Mark Raddatz – original folk guitar & vocals July 29 Terri Garrison – original folk, gospel folk & blues August 5 Steve Lavell – original & classical guitar & vocals August 12 Blue Spruce Band – Washington Island’s finest acoustic folk blues August 19 Cathy Braaten – urban folk rock & blues August 26 Jana Herzen – world rock, jazz & blues September 2 Eric Lewis, Andy Ratliff & friends – old time country music September 9 Door County’s best folkies and their stories !

NEWS:

This website: musicTOears is now linked to Door Count Compass e-magazine (www.doorcountycompass.com) which is the premier information web site in door county. Roger Kuhns, who keeps musicTOears going, is also the music editor for the Door County Compass. This means all of you out there get more music information, and you musicians get a lot more exposure!

NEWS:

Summer is here and there is great music at the HARBORSIDE BISTRO in Egg Harbor - check out the schedule on the menu and enjoy a late night meal (until 2am!!!) and great music under Door County summer skies.

NEWS:

With great sadness we report the untimely death of singer and American Folklore Theater founder Fred Alley on Tuesday evening, May 1. Fred was 38 years old. He apparently died of a heart attack while jogging near his home at Fish Creek Tuesday night. Fred brought so much energy, creativity and friendship to those in his life, especially all of us in Door County. As a playwright he co-wrote many AFT shows, including "Lumberjacks in Love" and "Guys On Ice". Recently he co-wrote "The Bachelors" and the off-Broadway play "The Spitfire Grill". Fred will be missed by all. Our condolences go out to his family.

NEWS:

Acoustic music at The Bridge coffee house and book shop began on Sunday April 22 at 2:00pm. Roger Kuhns and Jeanne Yingst performed for the opening show. It was a well received opening, and proprieter Donna Lash's fantastic coffee was had by all. Check the music schedule in this website for up-coming Sunday music at The Bridge.

NEWS:

On April 21th at the Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay hosted the Community Gala Revue. The event was organized by the TAP staff, led by Amy McKenzie. It was a sold out performance, and the benefit raised $29,000 from the community to purchase much needed stage lights for the theater. The show featured musicians and actors, including Washington Island folk singer Julian Hagen, premier flutist Christine Pagliano, Northport folk singer Mark Raddatz, guitarists Chalie Baumgarten and Chris Thorp, folksinging duet Roger Kuhns and Jeanne Yingst, singer Jim Lautenbach with pianist Sue Romey and conga player Ben Larsen, Door Shakespeare directors/performers Jerry Gomis and Suzanne Graff, poets Si Lent and Mark Turcotte, actresses Sara Nerenhausen and Kate Kaniff, comedy by Emily Murphy-Larsen, and a debut performance by pop pianist/vocalist Eli Mattson. Volunteers stood on the old movie house marquee helping to bring in donations. Many thanks are due to the people Door County and Sturgeon Bay, and elswhere who support TAP. Amy McKenzie is now busy, after the conclusion of this first successful season, putting together shows for the upcoming season.

NEWS:

On April 14th at the Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay the town and county were treated to Julian Hagen's concert (and new CD release). One thing that really impressed many of us was that, in this day and age of fast moving people and often fragmented families, the Hagen family is very much together and Julian included so many of them in the concert. The evening was like sitting in their living room hearing this amazing family sing to each other. Steve Stone on drums, Paul Sowinski on bass, Peter Evens on mandolin, John Redmann on harmonica, and the ever amazing Lynn Gudmundsen on fiddle really added to the family talent as the backup band. Julian's nieces Sally and Rachel Swan have fantastic voices and stage presence. Hats off to you Julian!!!

NEWS:

On April 7th the Lawrence Arts Academy's Cantabile Choir participated in the National Children's Choir festival. This meant a Saturday night performance at Carnegie Hall. Madeleine Kuhns (my daughter) was one of the girls choir singers that traveled to New York for the event. Madeleine is 15, and to be able to sing at Carnegie Hall any time during one's life is an honor. It will be a tough act to follow!

NEWS:

On March 28th at the Riverside Ballroom many of us were treated to a Steve Forbert Concert - check out his new album "Evergreen Boy". Steve has been writing and performing outstanding folk/rock and folk/pop songs since his early days in New York more than 26 years ago. Many thanks go out to Carl Laes for organizeing the event. Dana Erlandson was the local Green Bay opening performer, and did a great job.

NEWS:

On March 17th at the Third Avenue Playhouse in Sturgeon Bay the room was filled with the music of Chris and Karen (Mal) Irwin. Their Irish Celtic songs, original music, and a some new tunes from their new home in Austin were welcomed by friends and fans and lucky first-time listeners. They have a self-titled music CD out and you can contact them at www.chrisandkaren.com - this CD is a must for all lovers of acoustic original and traditional music.