Open Ears Concerts
Open Ears Concerts is a monthly concert series at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas. We strive to present both established and emerging artists, mainly in acoustic genres such as folk, bluegrass, world, and jazz. We are a family-friendly, peaceful, listener-oriented environment. We are located on Wells Branch Parkway, just west of IH-35, at the corner of Wells Port Drive.
If you have other questions, including booking inquiries, or would like to subscribe to the monthly Open Ears Newsletter, you can use email or click Contact Us, select the Music Director, and enter your request in the Comments section.
Upcoming Concerts:
Carrie Elkin
January 28, 2010 (New date!)
With the vocal fire of Patti Griffin and the lyrical rawness of Rickie Lee Jones, Carrie Elkin's songs are, at once, intimate yet universal, naked yet richly adorned. Arthur Wood of Folkwax says it best….."I have never seen a performer so in love with the act of singing. That's the gospel truth, and from what I've subsequently learned I'm not the only one to believe or state that. Onstage Elkin was simply a force of nature.” Carrie was recently chosen as a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist, a finalist for the prestigious NPR show Mountain Stage, and a showcasing artist for the SXSW Music Festival.
Carrie Elkin is one of those people you just can’t help but like. Her warmth, generosity, and kindness are endearing and comforting and those qualities spill over into her music. Though based in Austin, she has been touring extensively in North America and Europe behind her latest CD “The Jeopardy of Circumstance” and our January show will be one of her first after returning from the UK. You can read some of the great press she’s received on her website, and you can listen online at her MySpace site.
She will play at the Open Ears Concerts on Thursday January 28. Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the show starts at 7:30 PM. Admission is a suggested donation of $10. Feel free to bring a snack to share, and please invite your friends and family. It is certain to be a great time and a wonderful musical experience.
Michael Fracasso
February 20, 2010
John Spillane
March 7, 2010
Tom Pacheco
April 9, 2010
Leonard Cohen Hoot Night!
May 1, 2010
St. Andrew's Variety Show and Silent Auction
August 21, 2010 (tentative)
Austin Lounge Lizards
September 24, 2010
Past Concerts:
Danny Schmidt
November 20, 2009
On Friday November 20 we welcomed the esteemed Danny Schmidt (www.dannyschmidt.com). He played a split bill with Carrie Elkin back in January 2009, and everyone liked them both so much, we invited each back for a full show. Click here to view a video clip from that show.
His songs are deep and poetic - at once personal and universal. They cover wide-ranging topics with a wisdom far greater than the number of his years. Add his adept finger-picking guitar style and easy but sincere delivery, and he truly is one of the greats of the singer-songwriter crowd. Rich Warren of Sing Out! magazine says "He is perhaps the best new songwriter I’ve heard in the last 15 years."
Bobbie James Celebration
November 14, 2009
Local Cancer Survivor Bobbie James hosted a benefit concert at St. Andrew’s on Saturday November 14. All proceeds went to the Lance Armstrong Foundation in support of its mission to inspire and empower people affected by cancer. Performers included Lee Edwards, Vanessa Lively, Texas songwriting legend Tim Henderson, and Marilyn Rucker.
Beaver Nelson
October 17, 2009
Beaver Nelson treated us to a plethora of songs, from philosophical to spiritual to nostalgic to narrative to comical, and also enlightened us with many of the stories behind the songs. It was a wonderfully entertaining evening, and it was a pleasure hearing and talking with Mr. Nelson. We even got to hear one of his new songs from his un-named record, which will be out “sometime.” One Red Leaf was a definite winner and fills us with anticipation for the rest of this record. Thank you to everyone who attended and to everyone who helped make it such a special night.
You can listen to some of Beaver's music online here.
Telegraph Canyon
September 19, 2009
Out of over 30 new bands I heard at SXSW, Telegraph Canyon stood out as one that brings a unique sound and vision to the Americana/Roots genre. This 7-piece band from Fort Worth is well on the way to building a large following. They have been touring larger venues this summer, such as the Bass Hall in Fort Worth, the Jewel Box Theater in Seattle, and the Knitting Factory in Los Angeles. I loved their first CD and their second CD “The Tide and the Current” is also getting great reviews. The Dallas Observer said it probably better than I can: “The new disc, produced by Centro-matic's Will Johnson in Austin, is a soul-bearing, deliberately paced, at-once epic and restrained force, beautifully arranged both in its instrumentation and in its vocal harmonies. A surefire contender for best area release of 2009, the disc more than solidifies the band's rightful place among the region's best.”
I am particularly impressed with their ability to include a wide variety of instruments to achieve very specific emotionally-charged sounds. From the bowed electric guitar to the pedal steel to the B-3 organ to the toy dog xylophone, each is used to its best effect, when and only when it is needed. While complex and varied, the songs are never overwrought and nothing sounds out of place. Rather, they make their point efficiently and then leave space for the music to breathe and for the listener to contemplate.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram agrees:
"It's hard to get your fill of Telegraph Canyon, a rustic eight-piece band from Fort Worth, currently working on the follow-up to 2006's All the Good News. Guitarist/vocalist Chris Johnson spins dark-hued tales of love, loss and life that spring to life on pedal steel runs and angelic organ fills. Timeless yet immediate, it's the sound of America, torn from the depths of an observant soul."
Telegraph Canyon played a great set that included nearly all of both of their CDs. The crowd enthusiastically enjoyed the show, and the band made some new loyal fans.
The Fourth Annual St. Andrew's Variety Show and Silent Auction
Saturday August 22, 2009
A great time was had by all, and we raised over $800 to benefit improvements to the sound system. Big thanks to everyone who helped put on the show, attended, and donated!
School's Out For Summer! with The Authors
Friday June 12, 2009, 7:00 PM
In honor of their completing another year of school, and in thanks for their assistance with Peace Camp, Open Ears Concerts presented the Schools Out for Summer party for the youth in our community. Local indie rockers The Authors headlined the show for an enthusiastic and appreciative crowd. The Authors have a new self-titled EP available at Waterloo Records and on CD Baby.
Jennings and Keller
June 6, 2009
Based out of Miami, Florida, Jennings and Keller bring a wealth of experience to their collaboration, from the Broadway musicals of New York to the honky tonks of West Texas. Their music is called "Fusion Folk Americana” - a blend of many different elements that comes from their vast and wide-ranging musical backgrounds. With the release of their debut CD, Susan's House, Jennings and Keller are quickly gaining recognition throughout the country. In 2007 they were finalists in five songwriting contests. Jennings & Keller have completed their new CD As the Universe Unfolds, available for purchase in May 2009. (www.jenningsandkeller.com) Suggested donation: $10:00
David Roth
March 6, 2009
A powerful new singer-songwriter has reached our hearts. With voices like David’s still singing, there’s a certainty that the candle will remain lit, the hope reasserted, and the dream still sung — Peter Yarrow (Peter, Paul & Mary)
For over two decades, David Roth has been writing, singing, and teaching music, reaching and inspiring a multitude of people.
Landslide top vote-getter at the Falcon Ridge (New York) Folk Festival’s Most-Wanted competition (1996) and NAIRD Indie nominee (singer-songwriter album of the year; 1994) for Digging Through My Closet, David Roth has gained national attention for his unique songs, moving stories, and powerful singing and subject matter.
The Therapy Sisters and Las Gabachachas
February 21, 2009
- The Therapy Sisters, a longtime Austin favorite known for their blend of sweetly psycho urban swing folk music, often boast that they put the funk in dysfunctional, and thousands of fans in Austin and around the world certainly agree.
- Las Gabachachas are a relatively new Spanish-language cha cha group, as the name suggests. Maurine McLean and Lisa Rogers lead the group in a series of rousing tunes that will make you want to dance, and if you speak even a little Spanish, laugh!
A portion of this concert's proceeds were donated to Latinitas, a nonprofit organization focused on informing, entertaining, and inspiring young Latinas to grow into healthy, confident, and successful adults.
To learn more about, book, or schedule interviews with these artists, contact Maurine McLean at 512-HI-SISSY (512-447-4779).
Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt
January 10, 2009
Austin is chock-full of talented folk singer-songwriters, but this show brings two of the city’s finest to St. Andrew’s:
- Carrie Elkin has an amazing voice that can be as soft as a rose petal one moment and as powerful as Gabriel’s horn the next. She uses this incredible instrument to great effect, matching her vocal delivery perfectly to each song’s theme.
- Danny Schmidt regularly draws favorable comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan. His lyrics could easily stand alone as classic poetry, but when you add his masterful finger-picked guitar style and authentic and sincerely emotional delivery, the result was an unforgettable artistic experience.
Listen to song samples of Carrie and Danny on MySpace.
A portion of the proceeds benefited the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.
Cady Finlayson and band (Celtic)
November 15, 2008
Spirited Irish fiddle with a global twist, Cady Finlayson and her band presented their high-energy show blending traditional Irish fiddle tunes with American folk melodies and world music percussion.
Cady’s international band includes Dublin-born singer Marina Meyler, French guitarist Vita Tanga, and Irish percussionist Shane O’Sullivan. Doc Grauzer, harper and storyteller of the Irish tradition, opened the show.
A portion of the proceeds benefited the Cancer Research Foundation.
Austin Civic Wind Ensemble
October 25, 2008
Now celebrating 33 years of performing free concerts in Austin, the Austin Civic Wind Ensemble includes both amateur and professional musicians. The mission of the ACWE is twofold:
- To provide an ensemble for Austin area musicians who want to pursue music performance as a hobby
- To bring public performances of great concert band literature to the Austin community
In its “Best of Austin 2006” issue, the Austin Chronicle named the ACWE Austin’s “Best Excuse to Be a Band Geek Again.”
Bruce Jones & the Monotones
October 13, 2007
With Special Guest: Marilyn Rucker!
Bruce Jones is a Texas songwriter who spent 16 years playing bass with Austin icon and legend Omar Dykes (Omar and the Howlers).
During the time he was in Omar and the Howlers, the band had a CBS recording contract, produced a number of albums, and toured all over the United States, Canada, and Europe, appearing with such acts as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Bonnie Raitt, Johnny Winter, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more.
In 2004, Jones released Flashpoint Sessions, his first album of all original material, including his song “Fight Like a Girl,” which was a winner in the Austin Songwriter’s Group 2004 Songwriting Contest.
Instruments for Peace, International
February 24, 2007
Featuring and hosted by Richard Bowden, Barbara Kooyman with very special guests from Atash
A mix of Americana, Persian, and Arabic Music. Free and family-friendly show.
Ana Egge
September 9, 2006
Opened by Southpaw Jones.
Proceeds benefited Foundation for the Homeless IHN.
Nels Andrews
August 12, 2006
Jeffrey Richards (banjo).
Opened by Mo Pair, Texas songwriter.
Proceeds benefited Grace Coggins and Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Marilyn Rucker
June 24, 2006
CD release party for Everybody’s Somebody Else’s Weirdo — with loads of special guests.
Marilyn Rucker has played with The Therapy Sisters, Maryann Price, The Big Band Sound of Austin, Emily Kaitz and Mary Reynolds, and a score of other groups over the years.
She’s won regional, national, and international songwriting awards in several different genres, including jazz, singer-songwriter, and cabaret.
Marilyn’s masterful playing and singing reflect a playful mix of influences from Diana Krall, Tom Lehrer, Norah Jones, Blossom Dearie, Dave Frishberg, and Mose Allison.
AJ Roach and the Three Percent Mandate
February 11, 2006
Featuring AJ Roach with W. Alisa Rose on fiddle and Adam Roszkiewicz on mandolin and guitar.
Opened by Mo Pair, Texas songwriter, and the spirited Irish fiddle of Cady Finlayson.
Proceeds benefited the David Lewis Memorial Education Fund, a trust fund set up for David’s three young daughters. (David was a Sago miner and lost his life in the disaster in January 2006.)
Hurricane Katrina Benefit Concert
October 9, 2005
Featuring:
- Pop Stars! Dads Who Rock!
- Beaver Nelson
- Matt the Electrician
- Nathan Hamilton
Proceeds benefited Foundation for the Homeless, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Katrina.