Two Crows for Comfort Acoustic Roots

This group sounds so good to my ears. I highly recommend joining us for this special concert. Manitoba Country Music Association’s 2021 Roots Duo/Group of the Year, Two Crows for Comfort, are a touring folk-roots duo from the prairie wonderland of Manitoba. These wandering troubadours, accompanied by their pup, Elliot, travel across North America in an 18-foot camper, playing countless shows from coast to coast to coast Here’s a little video sample of their fine sound. Donation $20 per person. Email for details and to make your reservation.

A house concert is an excellent place to hear and meet great musicians in a very intimate setting.

The Quitters!

The Quitters duo consists a right-side up finger picker (Stevie Coyle) and an upside-down flat picker (Glenn “Houston” Pomianek). They were two original founding members of The Waybacks quintet, and Glenn was co-founder and long-time lead guitarist for the high octane Americana band, Houston Jones. Additional info on The
Quitters is at www.quittersduo.com

Glenn Houston’s guitarist influences range from Michael Bloomfield to Doc Watson, as shown in his mastery of both acoustic and electric guitar. Glenn has been voted Best Guitarist by the Northern California Bluegrass Society and has shared billing with Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Earl Scruggs, Doc and Merle Watson, Willie Nelson and countless other famous artists.

Stevie Coyle was inspired to take up finger-picking by the first Hot Tuna album. After degrees in Theatre and Theology, he hit the road with The Royal Lichtenstein Circus, doing comedy, magic, wire-walking sword-swallowing, and juggling. Since then he has released a solo CD and opened up his own high-end acoustic guitar shop, Mighty Fine Guitars, in Lafayette, CA. He is also a master of the comedic mashup, with such songs as “Stairway To
Gilligan’s Island” and “Mary Tyler Moore Meets The Reaper” in his repertoire. In addition to his stellar musical career, Stevie also claims fame as an actor and comedian, including appearances on Cheers and The Comedy Store.

Located off of Greenberry Road between Corvallis and Monroe, doors will open at 2:30pm. A no-host taco truck will be available for your enjoyment, but you are also welcome to bring your own food and/or drinks. We will crank up the music at 3:30pm

While there will be plenty of sunshine on this day of summer solstice weekend, bring clothes that are appropriate for the day’s weather report. Also bring water and a camp chair and/or blanket to sit on while on the lawn.

To reserve a seat, email Pete at muddycreekconcert@gmail.com.

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Flat Stanley Incident

The Flat Stanley Incident is an Oregon band based in the Willamette Valley.  They deliver their own eclectic mix of Americana music built on original material, ranging from traditional folk to contemporary genres. Rob Pugliese and Steve Martin (formally of The Kindreds) are joined by Texas bass player Ron Green

8:30 Can’tNeverCould

Can’tNeverCould is a new Corvallis band made up of long-time local musicians Rita Brown, Bill Smyth and Leigh Ann Starcevich. Featuring rich vocal harmonies, expressive guitar, they do originals as well as intriguing songs from the 60s to the present (The Band, Joni Mitchell, Pure Prairie League, Guy Clark, Brandi Carlile, Tracy Chapman, Natalie Hemby, and more).  A fun and friendly band.

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
Most often in “the cellar” of the church, with an entrance around the back side of the church.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Tom and Ellen Demarest

Fifty-one years, one month, and five days after Tom played the very first night of The Best Cellar, he’s back with his wife Ellen. They have great vocal harmonies to go with terrific song selection. Although they’ve played The Cellar many times in the past, it’s a treat to have them back.

8:30 Mike and Carleen McCornack
with Dale Bradley

These three absolutely delighted The Cellar audience last summer and for decades before. Here’s what some other artists have said about them:

“Beautiful melodies, great musicians, pure, heartfelt vocals all blended together into music that will leave you smiling in your heart.” -Bill Staines, singer, songwriter

“Their songs are wonderful. exquisite. I love their voices and sweet harmonies. Very expressive. -Steve Gillette, songwriter

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
Most often in “the cellar” of the church, with an entrance around the back side of the church.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Faux Paws

The Faux Paws have a problem. They’re a triangle band in a land of circles. Musically impossible to describe, they don’t even fit into today’s often hyphenated-genre world. No fan, industry expert, nor member of the band can seem to sum up this band’s sound in any kind of marketable way. They continue to remain a singularly unique outfit in the acoustic music community, always on the fringes, always memorable and with an increasing number of die-hard fans who feel like they’ve uncovered a secret.

Is it bluegrass? Not usually. Old-time? Occasionally. Is it Celtic? Can’t quite say that. Is it Folk? Americana? Jazz? Singer-songwriter? None of the above, but members of the Paws have deep ties to all of these traditions and blend their elements effortlessly to serve whatever musical idea is being presented.

So what can we say? This band takes risks. They’re dynamic, exciting, sincere, irreverent, infectious, and surprising. They move deftly between moods, influences and instruments but always maintaining a “groove” that pulses through the music like a heartbeat (you may not always be aware it’s there but it gives the thing life).

A Faux Paws live show is an explosive roller coaster ride that brings the audience along. Virtuosity on the fiddle, mandolin, guitar and saxophone, sure, but also vulnerability, personal lyrics, tight 3-part brother harmonies, playful interplay, intricately arranged details and soaring improvisations.

There will be snacks! Please bring camp chairs if you have any. Please park on the street unless you
a) don’t mind being parked in and
b) have mobilitylimitations.

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Revel’n

Evelyn Idzerda and Ron Snyder have wowed Best Cellar audiences in the past with their fine harmonies, flashy guitar playing and great song selection.

8:30 The Idle Hands Trio

Nick Rivard, Dave Chiller, and Ben Woodman will bring something new, to The Cellar: Acoustic Gypsy Jazz. Some great instrumental work to classic songs of the past.

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
In “the cellar” of the church, with an entrance around the back of the church.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@alyrica.net

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Compass Rose

Compass Rose is a unique musical group that performs an eclectic mix of songs from around the world and across the decades. The band includes lead singer Jeanette Hardison, harpist/singer Laura Zaerr, cellist/singer Sabina Monn, percussionist George Beekman, and bassist Bill Veley.

8:30 My Canadian Girlfriend

This international duo of Ellen van der Hoeven, from Vancouver BC, and Tom Rawson, from Orcas Island WA are armed with banjo, mandolin, penny whistle, and other weapons of mass delight. Ellen and Tom love to strike up hootenanny fun on both sides of the 49th Parallel. Their humorous stories, user-friendly songs, and acoustic folk philosophy are guaranteed to have you singing along in no time and to leave you smiling. Tune up your vocal chords; you’ll need ‘em!

“I have a banjo and I’m not afraid to use it.”

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Lucky in Love String Band

Pete Kozak, Barbara Barry-Doyle and Mark Weiss will some bluegrass, some blues, and some who-knows-what-it-is. There’ll be some three part harmony and a whole lot of hot licks.

8:30 Sweet Melange

Sweet Mélange prides itself in a wide mix of music with a special attraction for harmonies.  Doug Crotty on vocals, guitar, and ukelele, Stephanie Higgins and Kory Riseley on vocals and percussion, Warren George on acoustic bass, with Pat Megowan joining on guitar and mandolin.

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Shanghaied on the Willamette

Jonathan Lay and Gordie Euler have been singing together and entertaining Pacific Northwest audiences for decades.  They’re really good!

8:30 Julie Williams, Linda Knighten, and Stephanie Lynn Smith

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Webster Chicago

Gospel-tinged blues and funk with some vintage Chicago, Delta and NorthMississippi blues. Chris Dunfield, Bill Veley, Brian Rhodes, and Jim Munford.

8:30 Cassandra Robertson

A muse with a message, Cassandra has the heart of a lion, and the mane to match. Accompanied by her acoustic guitar, she floors the audience like a sonic boom with captivating messages of peace, prosperity, hope and above all, inspiration. Her unique style of “acoustic conscious folk” kick starts the heart and levitates the soul; reminding us all that we CAN positively affect the world we all share, as long as we choose planet over profit and remember to be ourselves.

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the main hall for this show. Enter from Monroe.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Johanna Beekman

Johanna Beekman is one of a kind. Whether she’s leading a kirtan, performing original music at a concert or festival, or guiding students through a Lullaby Yoga session, she warms hearts with her soulful music and her soaring spirit. Her velvety voice, her creative interpretations of music from various world traditions, her gorgeous original songs, and her open-hearted presence come together to create unforgettable musical experiences.

Johanna’s songwriting knows no stylistic boundaries. Her catalog includes heart-opening folk-pop songs, gospel hymns, a cappella anthems, classic soul songs, and jazz-infused love ballads. And these songs haven’t gone unnoticed. One of them, Free to Decide (Breathe), has been performed by several choirs and a cappella groups across the United States and Canada.

Johanna will be joined by pianist/vocalist Lauren Servias, cellist/vocalist Sabina Monn, and percussionist/father George Beekman.

8:30 Dave Plaehn and Jeff Hino

The best Blues duo this side of the Mississippi delta.

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the main hall for this show. Enter from Monroe.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Adam Scramstad

Adam is an award winning Acoustic/Electric Finger-style & Blues Musician, born and raised in Oregon. Performing regularly throughout the Pacific Northwest, Scramstad’s reputation as a professional Blues Guitarist & Vocalist is rapidly becoming widespread.

A strong and creative Songwriter in his own-right, Scramstad’s repertoire also covers a broad range of early American Folk/Blues artists’ works – such as: Son House, Bukka White, Mississippi John Hurt, Rev. Gary Davis, Robert Johnson, Big Bill Broonzy, Lightning Hopkins, Blind Blake, John Fahey, Elizabeth Cotton.

Adam’s 2006 debut Solo album “No Sun Around Blues” climbed to #33 on the Roots Music Radio Blues Chart – June 2006. The CD is a mix of acoustic blues (w/vocal) & finger-style guitar songs, and quickly became a favorite of local NW Radio Stations. His music has been featured on the nationally syndicated “Blues Deluxe Show” as well as receiving regular airplay on many regional, national and international stations/shows.

Although he maintains a focus on Solo Acoustic Delta Slide & Country Blues (both vocal and instrumental), Adam also regularly performs with Blues Guitar Legend Terry Robb (Adam’s Producer & Mentor)– as an acoustic duo as well as slinging electric guitar in the acclaimed Terry Robb Band. You can hear Adam’s rhythm & lead electric guitar work throughout the 2012 Terry Robb Band release “Muddyvishnu”.

8:30 Loose Flagstone

Loose Flagstone celebrates its fifth anniversary this year as a Corvallis Celtic quartet drawing from Irish, Scottish, and American musical influences both traditional and contemporary. Come savor the rich variety of moods—from mysterious airs to driving and danceable reels and jigs—created by Leslie Glassmire on silver flute, Jennifer Parke on fiddle, Tracy Daugherty on bodhran, and Marjorie Sandor on DADGAD guitar.

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Sharon and Dave

Sharon and Dave Thormahlen have been making beautiful music together in Corvallis for decades. They perform traditional and new music written by Sharon, mostly on instruments made by Dave.

8:30 Wild Hog In The Woods

Stringband music from a bygone era played the way it always should have been.

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com

The Best Cellar

Masks welcomed for everyone’s continued safety

7:30 Jens Lovetang

Jens is the Director of Choirs for Corvallis and Crescent Valley High Schools and the Music Director for the First United Methodist Church in Corvallis, Oregon.  He’s done plays at the Majestic Theatre, Corvallis High School and elsewhere. A singer/songwriter, during Covid he recorded videos of his music which can still be seen on youTube.com at https://www.youtube.com/@LovtangMusic

8:30 The Flat Stanley Incident

The Flat Stanley Incident is an Oregon band based in the Willamette Valley.  A great acoustic, country trio. Lots of strong original tunes, vocal harmonies, and some sharp picking, to boot, they deliver their own eclectic mix of Americana music built on original material, ranging from traditional folk to contemporary genres. Rob Pugliese and Steve Martin (formally of The Kindreds) are joined by Texas bass player Ron Green

 Best Cellar is held on the last Friday of each month of the school year.
Admission is pay-what-you-will, with a minimum of 2 dollars. Kids are free and welcome.
Coffee, tea, and gluten free cookies are fifty cents each.
Masks are encouraged but not required.
We will be in the cellar for this show. Enter from the back of the church parking lot.
For more information contact Mark Weiss at mjweiss@cmug.com