September 3, 2004

Caffé Acoustic lineup features variety of musicians

A combination of local and national talent has been booked for the fall season of Caffé Acoustic, the free Thursday evening concert series at Brown’s in downtown Arkansas City.

Andrew Calhoun, a Portland-based singer-songwriter, kicks off the season with a performance at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 16. Brown’s is located at 225 S. Summit St.

Caffé Acoustic is a community project, and CornerBank, Home National Bank, and Union State Bank underwrite artist’s fees. Brown’s and Heartland Arts at Cowley also are contributors to the series.

All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

The remaining concerts are Louise Taylor on Oct. 14, 5-Man Trio on Nov. 11, and Robin Macy, Kenny “Kentucky” White, and Mackie Redd on Dec. 9. Following is a short summary of each performer.

Andrew Calhoun
7:30 p.m. Sept. 16



Acoustic, Americana, contemporary, folk, original, traditional. Those words aptly describe Calhoun’s music. His well-honed songwriting talents take an audience from laughter to tears and many places in between. Songs range from unpredictable, image-rich poetic journeys to emotionally charged tales to fun sing-alongs like “You Never Can Have Enough Pens.” Acoustic blues, folk, and classical guitar studies influence his fluid fingerpicking guitar style. In concert, he performs original music written during 30 years, makes old Scottish ballads contemporary, recites poetry, and covers Dave Carter songs. Now living in Portland, Ore., he recently released his eighth album, “Telfer’s Cows: Folk Ballads from Scotland.” “Tiger Tattoo,” his previous disc, marked a new direction in Calhoun’s songwriting, with an emphasis on storytelling. It rose to No. 8 on the nation’s folk DJ-list in November 2002.

Louise Taylor
7:30 p.m. Oct. 14
Taylor is a Vermont-based songwriter, an aural version of a cross between two great American visual artists, painter Georgia O’Keefe and photographer Dorothea Lange. In 1992, Taylor’s songwriting prowess made its debut with the release of “Looking for Rivers.” The album is dedicated to co-producer and close friend, Jack MacKay, who provided crucial early support. Signature Sounds (her current label) states: “With her hypnotic rhythm guitar work, dusky vocals and the strong poetic imagery of her songwriting, Taylor’s music was already mature and fully developed.” Upon its release, this album received glowing reviews from the likes of Dirty Linen and Performing Songwriter. Last year, Signature released Taylor’s latest album, “Written in Red.”

5-Man Trio
7:30 p.m. Nov. 11
Three Cowley County Community College instructors never had so much fun. Journalism/English Instructor Dave Bostwick, Director of Instrumental Music Gary Gackstatter, and Social Science Instructor Chris Mayer comprise 5-Man Trio, a band that took its name because of the three members’ penchant for playing multiple instruments. On any given song, even performed live, you will hear five or more instruments. Mayer, a percussionist, gives the group its unique sound with his blend of African, South American and Asian rhythms. Gackstatter, a songwriter, plays acoustic guitar, fretless bass, mandolin and flugelhorn. Songwriter Bostwick plays acoustic guitar, bass and harmonica.

Robin Macy, Kentucky White, Mackie Redd
7:30 p.m. Dec. 9

Macy is a well-known musician who was an original Dixie Chick. She now plays with Kenny “Kentucky” White as a part of Big Twang, now called Little Twang. They are being joined for the concert by Mackie Redd. Heartwarming originals are the best way to describe their music. Redd, a singer-songwriter, combines song with story to paint a picture that most have seen in their own lives or are sure to in the future. He started playing music in Biloxi, Miss., as a young man and has lived all over the United States playing and writing. He released his first solo project titled “When the Last Leaves Fall” just a few years ago. The songs on this album have already touched many appreciative listeners. His live performance of these songs has had his audiences laughing and crying. Redd’s material is very expressive, touching, simple songs that people can relate to in their own lives. Redd has opened for or shared the stage with the likes of Crow Johnson, Steve Sprugin, Pete and Maura Kennedy, Katy Moffitt, Cormac MaCarthy, David Massengill, Cozy Sheridan, T.R. Ritchie, Betty Elders, Bill Morrisey, Spencer Bohren, Tim O’Brien and Peter Rowan, to name a few.