Feb. 2012 Brick & Mortar Show

Jan 12, 2012 Brick & Mortar shows, Events, News

The February Brick & Mortar show will feature songwriters Kevin Brown and Bill Kostelec (bios below). This promises to be another great night of original music in Spokane! Join us Thursday, February 2nd from 7 to 9 pm at Chairs Coffee 113 W. Indiana. And don’t forget we’ll kick the night off with a half hour open mic. Hope to see you there!

Kevin Brown is an active member of the Spokane roots music community. For the last decade he has hosted the radio show “Front Porch Bluegrass” on Spokane Public Radio, served as the Music Director for the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival, and played mandolin in the Rhythm & Bluegrass band Big Red Barn. In 2010 Kevin released his first solo album of original songs, “The County Primaries”, which NoDepression.com called “easily one of the best debut albums of 2010.”

http://www.brownknows.com
http://www.facebook.com/brownknows
http://kevinbrown.bandcamp.com
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/KevinBrown3

Bill Kostelec is a founding member of the songwriters organization and member of the board of directors. He is a prolific songwriter known for sometimes edgy lyrics and storytelling in the American roots music tradition. He performs with his wife Kathy as The Blue Ribbon Tea Company. They released their 5th cd in 2011.
www.theblueribbonteacompany.com
http://www.reverbnation.com/blueribbonteacompany
www.facebook.com/blueribbontea
www.myspace.com/theblueribbonteacompany

Jan. 2012 Brick & Mortar Show

Dec 27, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows, Events, News

We’ve got a great show lined up to kick off our 2012 Brick & Mortar events with featured sets by 2 well noted local songwriters and performers: Laddie Ray Melvin and Stan Hall (bios below).  We will start the night with a half-hour open mic. (sign-up starts at 6:30).  The last few months have seen record attendance and full houses so lets keep up the momentum and have a great 2012!  See you at Chairs… 113 W. Indiana, Thursday, January 5th from 7 to 9 pm.

Laddie Ray Melvin has been a performing songwriter in the Pacific Northwest for many years and has participated in the Spokane Songwriter shows since the beginning in 2005. He has served as the regular host for the Brick & Mortar shows since 2008 and he is also on the board of directors for the organization.
www.laddieraymelvin.com
www.myspace.com/laddieraymelvin

Stan Hall is a well known guitarist in the Inland Northwest Bluegrass scene. For the last few years he has fronted the band “Heartbreak Pass” which was invited to play Wintergrass during the first six months of the bands career, largely on the reputation they gained on their picking and songwriting skills. Stan’s songs were a huge part of that band, he is currently working towards a solo release of some more originals.

Nov. 2011 Brick & Mortar show

Oct 21, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows, Events

The November Brick & Mortar show will feature songwriters Kevin Schibel and Allen Surdez (bios below).  As usual we will begin with a half hour open mic so come if you can and help support your local songwriters! 

Thursday, November 3rd 7 to 9 pm
Chairs Coffee 113 W. Indiana
***free***

Nick Straight and Kevin Schibel have been playing music together for more than a dozen years. As Union Street, they use music as a connection between people from all corners of life. Their lyrics are portraits of the journey we are all on. Twelve string guitar, 6 string guitar, harmonica and vocal harmonies are the tools Nick and Kevin use to paint those pictures. If you’ve lived, then you’ve felt their music.

I was a 12 year old boy living in Illinois. My older brother bought me a small guitar and a chord book and said here learn what you can. so I learnd some chords wrote some songs and thuought I was going to be a star.(the dream of every kid). so here I am 45 years later still trying.

October 2011 Brick & Mortar Show

Sep 14, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows, Events, News

Join us for the October Brick & Mortar Show featuring Michael Dwyer and Cheryl Branz (bios below). The show starts at 7 pm with a half hour open mic and will be hosted by Laddie Ray Melvin. Mark your calendar for Thursday, Oct. 6th and come on out and support your local songwriters!

Michael J. Dwyer
For more than 3 decades Mike has been playing guitar and singing the music that inspired him from the start. At an early age his influences varied from Bob Dylan to Bob Marley and everything in between.
As a singer-songwriter his style gravitates toward Americana acoustic. Mike’s lyrics are thoughtful, engaging and whimsical with a bit of sarcasm thrown into the mix for good measure.
The late 1970’s and early 1980’s found Mike touring nationally and internationally in a rock n roll band called Heirborn. Throughout the latter part of the 1980’s Mike would align himself in various musical incarnations such as the Lehnen-Dwyer Band and The Paradise Highway Band.
As a solo artist Mike is known to have an easy, open, playful manner with his audience often times coaxing the crowd to join in to singing along with the more familiar tunes in his repertoire.
Mike mixes it up with a generous portion of cover tunes by artists such as the Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Bob Dylan, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, Linda Ronstadt, Joni Mitchell, The Beatles, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac and many more artists that had an influence on our culture and our lives.
Mike has recently moved to the Spokane urban center and is enjoying the benefits of living “in the city.” Mike’s music works in the urban café, martini lounge, pub or wine room and supper club environment. His style is intimate and engaging.  http://www.reverbnation.com/mikedwyer

Cheryl Branz is a local singer/songwriter who performs throughout the
region armed with her acoustic guitar, versatile voice and engaging
personality. In 2006, she released her first cd of all original music
titled, “Disappear.” She followed that up in 2008 with a holiday cd,
“The Christmas Gift” blending elements of folk, jazz and classical
styles in one seamless package. Known for her powerful vocals and
honest lyric style, she continues to gather a loyal following of fans
throughout the area.
www.cherylbranz.com

September 2011 Brick & Mortar show

Aug 18, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows, Events, News

The September Brick & Mortar show will feature songwriters Jerry Reynolds and Stan Hall (bios below). As usual the show will begin with a half hour open mic. Join us and host Laddie Ray Melvin Thursday, September 1st, 7 to 9 pm at Chairs 113 W. Indiana. Hope to see you there!

Jerry Reynolds wrote his first two songs on a Silvertone acoustic guitar bought from Sears-Roebuck catalog in 1962. Then one day, someone came along that knew how to play a guitar and very respectfully asked Jerry if he could tune up the Silvertone. Jerry was delighted, and said, “Sho nuf, man! Tune that baby up.” Jerry has been searching for those first two songs of his ever since.
Jerry was fortunate to have the opportunity to contribute music to “The Most Dangerous Woman In America”, a play that finished a run at The Odd Duck theater in Seattle on June 5th and will soon be performed in L.A. as part of the 2010 Inaugural Hollywood Fringe Festival. For those interested in the project more information can be found at theresediekhans.webs.com and some of the music Jerry wrote for the play is in rotation at myspace.com/jerrylynnreynolds.
theresediekhans.webs.com
myspace.com/jerrylynnreynolds

Stan Hall is a well known guitarist in the Inland Northwest Bluegrass scene. For the last few years he has fronted the band “Heartbreak Pass” which was invited to play Wintergrass during the first six months of the bands career, largely on the reputation they gained on their picking and songwriting skills. Stan’s songs were a huge part of that band, he is currently working towards a solo release of some more originals.

August 2011 Brick & Mortar Show

Jul 18, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows, Events, News

The August show will feature Leif Solem for his 2nd appearance as a Brick & Mortar featured performer, and newcomer Michael Davis. Michael entertained the audience at an open mic earlier this year. And don’t forget…each show begins with an open mic so join us Thursday, August 4th, 7 to 9 pm at Chairs 113 W. Indiana, for another great night of original music in Spokane! Free.

Leif Solem has been writing songs for twenty years. Since moving to Spokane in 2oo7 he has written and recorded eleven records’ worth of material under the name Leif Mulch. He plays in a band called the Converters, and describes his style as Igneous Rock. Leif is just back from Norway with some brand new song material.

I am an observer,
who enjoys communicating with my music,
which I think is one of the highest forms
of expression.

July 2011 Brick & Mortar show

Jun 10, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows, Events

The July Brick & Mortar show will feature songwriters Liz Rognes and Brad Sondahl (bios below). Join us Thursday, July 7th from 7 to 9 pm at Chairs Coffee 113 W. Indiana for another great night of original music! Also, we’ve had the question again and the answer is…Yes. The show is open to the general public and we would love for you to come! And if you have an original song or two that you want to share bring that along too because we start every show with an open mic Hope to see you there!

Originally from Iowa, Liz Rognes is a singer/songwriter and multi-genre artist currently based in Spokane, Washington. Classically trained as a soprano, Liz started writing and singing folk songs in college and fell in love with the idea of singing about her trouble. Her songs range from playfully flirtatious to introspective to string-busting energetic. Liz worked closely with her friend and producer Dan Zamzow of Deep Sea Productions to create her first album, Red Flags, in 2009, which quickly sold out. Liz re-released the record in Spokane in 2010, with the cover artistry of Bethany DeLine. A follow-up to Red Flags is percolating, but meanwhile, Liz continues cultivating her loves for vermiposting, vegan cooking, thinking, and teaching.  http://lizrognes.com/

Brad Sondahl has been playing finger style guitar and writing songs since the early 1970′s. He lives in Spirit Lake, Idaho. His picking is styled after Mississippi John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis, and Sam McGee. His songs tend to have love somewhere in them, in many of its manifestations. Songwriters that have influenced Brad include Bob Dylan and the anonymous folk balladeers, blues men, and old time musicians of the US.. Brad is accompanied on the acoustic bass by Jonathan Hawkins, who teaches bass playing in Spokane. http://sondahl.com/

June Brick & Mortar Show

May 16, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows, Events

The June Brick & Mortar show will feature songwriters Geoff Haworth and Kathy Kostelec (bios below), and will begin with a half-hour open mic. Join us and host Laddie Ray Melvin Thursday, June 2nd 7 to 9 pm, Chairs Coffee Shop 113 W. Indiana. Hope to see you there for another fun night of original music!

Geoff Haworth has been playing music in Spokane since the mid eighties. From country rock with “Not a Pretty Sight” at the Big Dipper to aggressive folk at Artfest with “The Occasional String Band” and most recently with “Sidetrack” playing rockabilly, blues and country to audiences at Pig Out in the Park, Art on the Green, Valleyfest, and Centerstage, among many other venues and private events.

As a songwriter Geoff has written original music for both “The Occasional String Band” and “Sidetrack” and his songs are available on several local CD’s.
Listen:
Betty by Geoff Haworth
Just Like You by Geoff Haworth

Kathy Kostelec has been writing songs since 2002 and she performs regularly with her husband Bill as The Blue Ribbon Tea Company. Their 5th cd, “The Devil is Beating His Wife” (2011), includes 5 of Kathy’s originals and her recording debut as a lead singer. Kathy is a member of the board of directors for the Spokane Songwriter’s Organization.
www.theblueribbonteacompany.com
www.facebook.com/blueribbontea
www.myspace.com/theblueribbonteacompany

Listen:
Rolling River by Kathy Kostelec
Flowers and Jade by Kathy Kostelec

May B&M Host Notes

May 16, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows

Well, folks another great Brick and Mortar concert. I guess I let the open mic go
on a bit long, but music doesn’t hurt us, and I was interested in what Glen, Chris
and Michael had to offer. Adam Lambert opened the featured artist portion of the
show and a theme that developed in the open mic carried over which was expressed in
songs about relationship. But maybe that’s what all songs are about. The second
featured artist was Lyle Morse, and I was happy to sit in with him and improvise a
few guitar lines as a second guitarist. He too delved into relationships great and
not so great. In all, I’d say a good time was had by all. Stay tuned for time and
place for the next Brick and Mortar show. Thanks again to Martin John for sharing
his performance space. See ya soon.

Laddie Ray

April Brick & Mortar Show

Mar 17, 2011 Brick & Mortar shows

The April Brick & Mortar show will feature Kevin Brown and Adam Kogler (bios below) and will begin with a half hour open mic. Join us Thursday, April 7th 7 to 9 pm at the Chill Spot 2706 N Monroe. Free with donations going to support the Spokane Songwriters Organization.

Kevin Brown: Singer-songwriter Kevin Brown hails from rural Eastern Washington, where the arid Columbia Basin Plateau meets the Ponderosa Pine forests of the Selkirk Mountains. Kevin Brown made his debut as a songwriter in 2010 with his album “The County Primaries”, although he has been mandolin player for the rhythm & bluegrass band Big Red Barn for the last decade, as well as a DJ for Spokane Public Radio and the music director for the Blue Waters Bluegrass Festival. Kevin’s songs draw from images of rural life in Eastern Washington. It’s a rough-hewn landscape that lends itself perfectly to Kevin’s rusty voice and layered lyrics — lyrics that deal subtly with universal themes of faith, family, change, and the interwoven fabric of nature and humanity.
www.brownknows.com

Adam Kogler: Originally from Seattle, Adam Kogler has been a singer/songwriter for the past 9 years. He moved to Spokane in 2007. He has a wonderful family, with two boys and one more on the way.

Adam’s music tries to combine fun Jack Johnson-esque guitar rhythm with catchy melodies and thought provoking lyrics. Adam believes that music should stand for something, to express an idea. Adam tries to write lyrics that work on 3 levels: personal, social and spiritual. He tries to balance out positive messages with the realities of the social injustices in this world. In the end Adam thinks that music should bring community together.

To help bring local musicians together, Adam started the Revolving Musician Project, which was series of shows in which different song writers played short, overlapping sets encouraging collaboration.  RMP plans a return in 2011. So keep a look out!
www.myspace.com/adamkogler