CAMBRIDGE — I love house concerts and backyard folk picnics. I enjoy their causal, informal intimacy. I enjoy the opportunity of meeting and chatting with the artists.
I’ve met some wonderful artists — David Francey, the former trio Modabo, Nashville alt country songwriter David Onley, Texas songwriters Slaid Cleaves and Gurf Morlix and Scottish folk singer Robin Laing, to name a few — in the homes and backyards of people who care deeply about acoustic music.
On the heels of the cool, wet June we’ve persevered in southwestern Ontario, people are eagerly awaiting some sunny, warm weather. Fred Kinsie and his family are planning to greet the arrival of hospitable weather on Sunday, July 12 with their annual backyard concert.
This is the 12th folk concert the Kinsies have hosted in either their home or their backyard. Fred Eaglesmith has been a regular guest.
This year acoustic bluesman Michael Jerome Browne is dropping by. The Canadian Folk Music Awards solo artist of the year in both 2008 and 2012, Brown is a Maple Blues acoustic artist winner and three-time Juno Award finalist. Brown is a virtuoso on various acoustic stringed instruments.
In January I reviewed Browne’s latest album The Road Is Dark (Borealis Records) for The Waterloo Region Record, where I wrote: ‘Indiana-born and Montreal-raised Michael Jerome Browne is an astute student of American acoustic blues. Armed with arch-top and 12-string electric, six- and 12-string acoustic flat-top, National steel, gourd banjo and mandolin, viola and fiddle, Browne journeys into the heartland of the blues. Self-produced, The Road Is Dark features eight originals and half a dozen classics recorded live off the floor with no overdubs.’
‘If you enjoy Americana roots, gospel, blues, old-time country, rural soul or Cajun, you won’t want to miss this rare opportunity to see him live,’ Kinsie adds.
If the weather is cooperative, the Kinsies will host the concert in their backyard at 1945 Chilligo Road in Cambridge at 2 pm. In the event of nasty weather, the venue will shift down the road to their neighbour’s maple syrup facility ( www.shadygrovemaple.ca ) at 6640 Fife Road, Guelph.
Advance tickets are $20, admission at the door is $25. Since the concert is a few days away, just drop Kinsie a line by email (fredkinsie@sympatico.ca) or by phone (519-658-2079) to let him know you’re coming and he’ll honour the advance ticket price.
‘Beer, wine, water and soft drinks will be available, as well as homemade cookies during the break. Don’t forget to bring a lawn chair,’ Kinsie confirms. ‘Please feel free to invite your family or friends.’
You can check Brown out at: www.michaeljeromebrowne.com