The 2021 Listening Room Schedule:
Friday and Saturday, June 11 and 12 at 7:30 pm
Darrell Scott
with Special Guest, John Cowan
Multi-Instrumentalist and Singer-Songwriter Darrell Scott mines and cultivates the everyday moment, taking the rote, menial, mundane, and allowing it to be surreal, ever poignant, and candidly honest, lilting, blooming, and resonating. The words he fosters allow us to make sense of the world, what is at stake here, and our place in it. And ultimately, Darrell knows the sole truth of life is that love is all that matters, that we don’t always get it right, but that’s the instinctive and requisite circuitous allure of things, why we forever chase it, and why it is held sacred.
Darrell Scott comes from a musical family with a father who had him smitten with guitars by the age of 4, alongside a brother who played Jerry Reed style as well. From there, things only ramped up with literature and poetry endeavors while a student at Tufts University, along with playing his way through life. This would never change.
After recently touring with Robert Plant and the Zac Brown Band (2 years with each), and producing albums for Malcolm Holcomb and Guy Clark and being named “songwriter of the year” for both ASCAP and NSAI, these days find him roaming his Tennessee wilderness acreage hiking along the small river, creating delicious meals with food raised on his property and playing music. He often leads songwriting workshops to help people tell their own truths with their stories, and is as busy as always writing, producing, performing, and just plain fully immersing himself in life.
The crazy pandemic year of 2020 Darrell released 2 new albums.
Darrell Scott Sings the Blues of Hank Williams, paying tribute to the music he grew up on.
Jaroso; recorded in friend, Mark Dudrov’s adobe church in Jaroso, CO. A LIVE recording made from a no PA show.
John Cowan, also known as the Voice of Newgrass, has been singing his heart out for thirty-seven years now, and his soaring vocals have only improved with time. A true innovator, John applies his powerful pipes to genres from country, bluegrass, and gospel to soul, jazz, and rock-and-roll – often within the space of a single concert. His ability to move fluidly through multiple styles, and carry mesmerized audiences on the journey with him, has set him apart as one of the most loved and admired vocal artists of his generation, not just by fans and critics but among fellow musicians as well.
Kansas City Blues Artist; Heather Newman
Saturday, July 17th at 7:30 pm
Heather Newman had picked up a bass guitar only six months prior to her bands first on stage appearance at Knucklehead’s Saloon in Kansas City, MO March 17th, 2017, where she introduced her music to the stylings of Keith Ladd on the guitar , bringing on a unique mixture of American roots genres. The Heather Newman Band immediately began to captivate audiences with their powerful performances and Heather’s dominant yet pixie-like stage presence.
The trio played locally around the Kansas City area before adding a brand new layer to their groove when Ryan Matthew joined the band that July on piano and keys. Only one month after bringing on a fourth member, the group hit the studio to record their first album “Burn Me Alive”, which was set to release Dec. 1st 2017 through Vizztone Label Group. Heather’s debut album reached #9 on B.B. King’s Bluesville top 15 Countdown in November 2017 before the official release, and continued to make the charts on various radio stations around the world.
Their raging success with their first album landed them some amazing performance opportunities in 2018 including opening for the legendary Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Walter Trout, Tommy Castro, and Delbert McClinton. The Heather Newman Band and their album went on to win two 2018 Blues Blast Music Awards for “Best New Artist Debut Album” and the “Sean Costello Rising Star Award”. They were also nominated for a 2019 Blues Music Award for “Best Emerging Artist”.
The Heather Newman Band released their second Vizztone album in July of 2019, Rise From the Flames, which reached #4 on iTunes Top Blues Albums and was nominated for the 2020 Independent Music Awards for “Best Modern Roots CD”, “Best New CD”, and “Best New Artist”. They will be making their first European debut coming August of 2021!
Andy Sydow
Friday, September 10th at 7:30 pm
Americana/folk singer-songwriter, Andy Sydow is a jack-of-all-trades. As an accomplished multi-instrumentalist who’s lyrics paint a picture of poetic realism, the Colorado native tours constantly both solo and with a backing band. Throughout the course of a show he’s known to croon an audience with acoustic guitar ballads, sing a few numbers on his lap steel, and even sit down at the keys to show off his surprising boogie-woogie piano chops.
Andy has had the chance to open for acts such as Chuck Prophet, Brett Dennen, and Anders Osborne. He was also named a finalist in the 2021 International Songwriting Competition, the 2021 Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk Songwriting Competition, the Fall 2020 Durango Songwriters Expo Song Competition, and the 2021 Acorn Songwriter Competition.
Though still clinging on to his 20s (barely), Sydow has toured internationally, composed and arranged music for big bands and orchestras, and received accolades from LA Music Critic and No Depression. On top of that, 2021 will see the release of a dozen or so tracks Sydow produced for other artists, including Lauren Frihauf and Payge Turner (The Voice, Season 19).
When he’s not touring, writing, or recording, Sydow spends time talking to other creatives and music industry professionals on his podcast, Middle Class Rock Star. The hour”ish” long weekly program comes out every Thursday on all streaming platforms, as well as 26 FM stations around Colorado (via Chris K’s Colorado Playlist). MCRS has played host to the likes of: Mickey Raphael (harmonica, Willie Nelson), Andy Frasco, Dango Rose (Elephant Revival), Jeremy Lawton (Big Head Todd & The Monsters), Phil Cook, and Shanna In A Dress.
His newest EP, Time. Love. Everywhere. was released on April 9 2021
Bonnie & Taylor Sims
Friday, October 1 at 7:30 pm
Raised in the heartland of Texas, Bonnie and Taylor Sims are forging a distinct brand of rock, country, blues and soul. A flawless execution delivered with authority that cuts like a hot knife through fresh butter, but it’s the edge that truly defines their sound — a blend of rowdy, heel-stomping badass attitude!
Over the last ten years they have made a name for themselves as a true Colorado treasure with a full touring schedule as well as many teaching and speaking commitments.
Bonnie Sims sings & plays mandolin and carries on the musical tradition of her father, a life long Texas banjo playing legend and songwriter.
Taylor Sims sings & plays flat-top guitar and is an award-winning songwriter and recording artist from wide open spaces of West Texas.
The Honey Dewdrops
Friday, November 12 at 7:30 pm
Laura Wortman and Kagey Parrish, together known as Americana duo The Honey Dewdrops, have long felt the push and pull between their original roots in the Appalachian mountains of Virginia and their current home in Baltimore, Maryland. It is in the sound of their harmony-soaked songs, blended with the tones of guitar, banjo, and mandolin and also in the group’s songwriting, which reflects the beautiful and hard realities of today. Artistically, Wortman and Parrish are inspired by American folk and traditional music and their sound expands on that style and showcases the dynamism and intimacy of musical duos.
The Honey Dewdrops have released six albums and toured internationally since 2009, with over a thousand shows under their belts on stages such as A Prairie Home Companion, Merlefest, Celtic Connections (Glasgow, SCO) and the Bluegrass Jamboree (Germany). The duo’s latest collection of songs, Anyone Can See, was released in March 2019. Baltimore Magazine says “…their sincere, stripped down songwriting is just the kind of music we need more of.” Laura and Kagey are working through the winter on a new recording project set for release in late 2021.
3 Nights with The Talbott Brothers
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, December 2, 3 and 4th at 7:30 pm
As we planned last year, Nick & Tyler will plan a different format of songs for each night; enticing you to come for ALL THREE !!!!
The Talbott Brothers have earned a large and growing following for their songs consisting of down-to-earth messages that prove to be prevalent in today’s world. Originally from Imperial, Nebraska, they now call Portland, Oregon home. Billboard defines their music as “captivating with haunting brotherly harmonies.”
Ghost Talker is the second full-length studio album from the sibling duo. Rolling Stone named their latest single one of the ‘Top 10 Songs to Hear Now,’ defining their music as “cinematic folk-rock for open highways, widescreen skies and the limitless reach of the American Heartland.” Blood harmonies and sibling rivalry are evident in their songwriting with lyrics pulling from the trials of everyday life and the questions we all face. “Everyone has ghosts, whether they talk about them or not. We wanted to take off the mask and be honest with this record, hoping that what we needed to say is what people needed to hear.”
At its core, the album is transformative in nature, prompting the listener to question motives, face realities, and go to war with their own ghosts. Spiritual apprehension and seeking answers are common themes. “Shadowboxing” is a hard look in the mirror, realizing that what you have been fighting all along is your own fear. “It takes one good fight to turn things around.”
Lead single, “Run No More” forces a look at the past while offering a soul shaking guitar solo that feels like a rally cry. “We tried running for a long time but it doesn’t do a heart any good. Sometimes in a wake-up call you realize what’s most important to you. “Run No More” is about when your legs give out and you gotta turn around and fight.”
Past Shows:
January 17, 2020- Gunter Voelker & Sky Smeed
February 14, 2020- Bonnie & Taylor Sims
March 6, 2020- Freddy & Francine- cancelled due to Nashville storm
April 3, 2020- Scott Mulvahill Trio- cancelled due to COVID 19
April 24, 2020- The Gasoline Lollipops- cancelled due to Covid 19
May 1, 2020- Jeffrey Foucault- cancelled due to COVID 19
June 12, 2020- Peter Mayer- cancelled due to COVID 19
July 11, 2020- Heather Newman Band- cancelled due to COVID 19
September 16, 2020- The Steel Wheels- cancelled due to COVID 19
October 16, 2020- The Honey Dewdrops- canceled due to COVID 19
November 20, 2020- The Lone Canary- cancelled due to COVID 19
December 3, 4 & 5- The Talbott Brothers- cancelled due to COVID 19
January 18, 2019 – Martin Sexton
February 16, 2019 – The Wildwoods
March 1, 2019 – Freddy & Francine
April 12, 2019 – Jessica Paige
May 25, 2019 – Josh Hoyer & Soul Colossal
June 21, 2019 – Max Hatt / Edda Glass
July 20, 2019 – FY5
September 27, 2019 – Mark Erelli
October 18, 2019 – The Crane Wives
November 8 & 9, 2019 – The Talbott Brothers
December 13, 2019 – Roger Landes & Chipper Thompson
January 13 2018 – Jackie Allen
February 18 2018- The Mammals
March 9 & 10 2018 – Darrell Scott
April 6 2018 – Melodime
April 20 2018 – Sweet Talk Radio
May 4 2018 – Korby Lenker
June 10 2018 – Zoe Lewis & the Rubber Band
August 3 2018 – The Railsplitters
September 14 2018 – The Honey Dewdrops
September 30 2018 – The Steel Wheels
November 16 2018 – The Talbott Brothers
December 7 2018 – Kevin Cott & The Ghost Chorus
January 13, 2017- The Wildwoods
February 12, 2017- Korby Lenker
March 4, 2017- Star Belle Trio
March 25, 2017- John Smith & Dan Sebranek
April 22, 2017- Jalan Crossland Band
May 7, 2017- The Steel Wheels
July 21, 2017- The Railsplitters
August 20, 2017- Nora Jane Struthers & the Party Line
September 8, 2017- Pierce & Grace Pettis
October 21, 2017- The Talbott Brothers
November 3, 2017- Peter Mulvey
December 9, 2017- Bluestem / Robin Harrell & Carey McGehee
January 23, 2016- Gina Sicilia
February 13, 2016- The Railsplitters
March 11, 2016- Darrell Scott
April 2, 2016- FY5
June 3, 2016- Tom Prasada Rao & Tom Kimmel- 25th Anniversary
June 4, 2016- Jackie Allen Band- 25th Anniversary
July 17, 2016- Samantha Fish
August 20, 2016- Jack Hotel
October 9, 2016- The Mulligan Brothers
December 10, 2016- Kelly Hunt