If you are suffering from "jet lag" from the holidays or a "let down", you need to treat yourself to an evening that will boost your spirits and start off your New Year with fun.
Harmony House Concerts will host the musical duo, the E-Flat Porch Band, to start your year "angst- free" (to quote one of the eflatters description of their music) on Saturday night, January 15, '11 at 7:00 p.m.
Make your reservation early.....you won't be sorry, as you grin and listen to these guys play tunes from legendary folk musicians and some of their own original songs.
Rudy Littrell, a self-proclaimed "recovering percussionist," has the coordination to play four instruments at one time--acoustic bass, high hat, harmonica, and a wooden soda pop box.
Duane Brown has been making music since he was a kid, when he strummed the broom (today it’s a guitar and harmonica) and sang Roger Miller songs for the neighbors.
A “typical” set includes a mixture of traditional country Blues tunes including songs by Texas Blues artists Mance Lipscomb and Lightnin’ Hopkins, Woody Guthrie tunes such as Do Re Mi, folk tunes, and classic jazz and swing tunes. The musicians are also songwriters, and will perform their own tunes as well.
The E-Flatters present an educational and entertaining introduction to folk music, to enable the audience to understand and appreciate the folk roots of today’s music. They recognize and pay homage to many Texas musicians, who have had an important role in influencing music trends everywhere. Through their original songs, they carry on a tradition of creativity in its musical form.
The E-Flat Porch Band is named for the porch in McKinney, Texas where the members first practiced - it resonates to the key of E-Flat. Duane Brown and Rudy Littrell form the core of the band, entertaining with their unique blend of acoustic “porch music,” including folk, blues, early country, jazz and original tunes. As “angst-free” acoustic musicians, they play serious music without taking themselves too seriously. In fact, they have recently discovered that they are adult prodigies.
Their “porch music” is played on acoustic instruments and pays homage to our varied Texas musical roots. It is influenced by Country Blues, Texas folk music, Jazz and swing standards, and Depression Era country songwriters. Guitar playing styles include finger picking and slide guitar. Other instruments include the acoustic bass, harmonica, cymbal, and a drum-like instrument of their own design made out of a wooden soda pop box. This is a small band with a big sound--up to eight instruments will be heard at one time, along with harmonizing vocals.
The band is on the Touring Artist Roster of the Texas Commission on the Arts, and they offer workshops and performances for a variety of age groups, including school and library performances. They have been playing together for over 10 years, and have three CDs, Porch Music, Pork Chop Night, and No Unauthorized Play.
Venues they have played include the Texas Metal Arts Festival (Gruene), Tucson (Arizona) Folk Festival, Denton (Texas) Blues Festival, Wildflower Festival (Richardson, Texas), the Texas Arts and Crafts Fair (Kerrville, Texas) the Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio, the Heritage Festival at Six Flags in Arlington, Texas, Uncle Calvin’s Coffeehouse (Dallas), and Squatty Pines Storytelling Festival (Tyler). In downtown McKinney, they can be heard at Café Malaga on the second Saturday of each month.
To make reservations, please call 903/583-2661 and leave your name, contact information, and the number of seats needed. Seating is limited to 50 persons. The requested donation is $15 per person, and all proceeds go to the performing artists. To prepay, please make your checks to E-Flat Porch Band and mail to Faye Wedell; P.O. Box 812; Bonham, TX 75418, to be received by Thursday, January 13th. Refunds will be made to those who have to cancel by that same date. Guests can also pay at the door, but reservations are required (even if you call the day of the event, if space is still available). Duane & Rudy will play two 45-minute sets with a 30-minute intermission for snacks provided by the hosts. Bottomless cups of coffee, tea, and punch are available throughout the evening. A basket for your optional $1 per person donation to offset expenses will be provided on the breakfast room table.
A Potluck Souper-Salad Buffet will be served at 6 pm for those who want to partake. Please indicate your intention to do so and what you plan to bring, when making reservation. Faye will be cooking up a black-eyed pea soup, one with meat and another meatless. Menu ideas include other soups; salads; breads & crackers; desserts. For those who wish to stay after the show and be part of a Pickin' Party, bring your instruments or just stay and listen/sing-along.
Read more about the E-Flat Porch Band by visiting their website, www.eflatporchband.com. There is a fantastic article about this group in the McKinney Living Magazine, which has a link on their website. You can also listen to their tunes and hear their "down home" style of making music.