The Eureka House Concerts (eurekahouseconcerts.com), which has hosted some of the country’s top folk musicians in a small, intimate venue at the historic Unitarian Universalist church at 17 Elk Street, begins its 13th year when its season kicks off Sept. 18 with Trout Fishing in America.
“They play music for people who take their fun seriously,” lead organizer Nancy Paddock, said. “Keith and Ezra’s musical skills are astounding. How can so much music come from just two guys?”
And how can so much good music come to Eureka Springs with just a small core group of organizers? In addition to Paddock, other key organizers for the season include Nancy Brooks, Jim Dudley, Deb O’Donnell and Jeffrey Brown. Murdo Laird provides sound and lighting technical assistance. There are also a host of other volunteers who help with the performances.
All money donated to the concert series goes to the artists, except a small portion used to pay rent for the music hall. The concerts are on Sundays starting at 5 p.m. with a meet-and -greet potluck. The music starts at 6 p.m. A local artist usually opens the concert with a few songs.
“I think our regular attendees are aware we bring some of the best music in the country here,” Paddock said. “We try to get the word out to the rest of town. We call it a not-for-profit listening room experience. It is very intimate for the audience. It is very intimate for the artists, too. They get to react to the audience.”
Paddock said house concerts are the most popular folk music venue in the country today, with hundreds across the U.S.
Eureka House Concerts were started by Dudley, Calvin Cotton, John Babbs and Roscoe Van Jones.
“We started it mainly to give folk musicians a venue to play as they are traveling across the country,” Dudley said. “We began just because of our love of folk music. We get some top-notch performers in here. A lot of these people play at major venues. If you look at the people we have had, there are some Grammy nominees and a Grammy winner.”
Here is a lineup of the concerts planned this season.
Oct. 23 – Ed Snodderly. “A singular modern Appalachian style you won’t soon forget. His voice is the sonic equivalent of an old denim shirt, creased and worn and reassuring. He makes a primitive banjo and drums sound like the most obvious combination in the world.” Amelia Mason, WBUR, Boston
Oct. 30 – Richard Gilewitz. For nearly four decades, American fingerstyle wizard Gilewitz has fascinated listeners with 6 and 12-string finger gymnastics while spinning enchanting yarns of a seasoned raconteur. His concert performances around the world spill over with unexpected turns of the funnies, thought-provoking takes on life on the road, and tunes that propel the audience on a magical journey of sight and sound. Creative Loafing Magazine
Nov. 20 – The Bill Hearne Trio. Hearne doesn’t write his own songs, he interprets others’ music, like Lyle Lovett, Gordon Lightfoot and Delbert McClinton, all who’ve played Eureka Springs and all who are influenced by him. He is self-taught, legally blind since birth, and has what is called “vocal charm,” which evokes boats, bourbon, bass, and whatever else you’ll find in Red River, New Mexico.
Feb. 26 – Johnsmith, a New Folk Winner at Kerrville (the Mecca of folk music). Johnsmith is a favorite of Charlie McGettigen, the Irish Nationally Syndicated Radio host who plays The Longing Road album regularly at home, in the car, and all over the Emerald Isle.
March 12 – Emily Kaitz, Mary Catherine Reynolds and Louise Goldberg. Trout Fishing in America has recorded Emily Kaitz’s music, and so has Chet Atkins. She told the Arkansas Times that her voice isn’t her strong point, “but I write these quirky songs nobody else writes.” (Razorbacks, tornadoes, feng shui, etc.) Mary Catherine is a classically trained vocalist and instrumentalist, and Louise is reggae, jazz, folk, rock performer – the three together is a house concert ticket to give for Christmas.
April 2 or 9 – Kevin Welch, and Oklahoma boy whose songs have been recorded by too many of all the best: Reba, the Judds, Waylon, Moe, Randy, Conway, Trisha. More info on the date is upcoming.
Concerts are a $15 donation at the door or you can show your support with a season ticket. Season tickets are $60 for all seven shows. There are also sponsorships available Sponsors receive 12 tickets to be used at any concert, their logo on the webpage and a listing on all promotional material. Sponsorships are a $120 donation. Lodging is always needed for artists, and a sponsorships are available for one night’s stay at your lodging. For more information call 479-244-0123 or email nlpaddock@gmail.com.