Russ & Julie's House Concerts has been hosting House Concerts regularly since 1997. We've enjoyed doing it and have been lucky to host some great talent. Among those who have performed here are Jim Messina (Buffalo Springfield/ Poco/ Loggins & Mesinna), John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Chris Hillman (The Byrds/ Manassas/ Flying Burrito Bros.) & Herb Pedersen (Desert Rose Band/ Laurel Canyon Ramblers), Mary McCaslin, Severin Browne, Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney & Wings), Penny Nichols, Lowen & Navarro, Karla Bonoff, Wendy Waldman & Kenny Edwards, James Lee Stanley, Barry McGuire, Caroline Aiken, Ellis Paul, Darryl Purpose, Doug Haywood, Laurel Masse (Manhattan Transfer), Bill Payne (Little Feat), John Hall (Orleans), Steve Gillette, Laura Love, Artie Traum, Ronny Cox and Andrew Gold.
In March 2001, KCBS Channel 2 News (out of Los Angeles) did a "Special Assignment" story on House Concerts which featured our show that month with jazz vocalist Laurel Massé (founding member of The Manhattan Transfer). In April 2002, NPR's "Marketplace" did a story on house concerts which featured our February 2002 show with Kate Bennett & Amilia K. Spicer. The reporter interviewed us as along with Darryl Purpose and Dar Williams! We've also been featured in the Los Angeles Times and other local and regional publications. A feature story on our House Concert series appeared in an issue of FolkWorks newspaper and another feature story appeared in an issue of Ventura Life & Style Magazine. Syndicated music critic Bob Lefsetz also did a wonderful column on a recent concert here with John Batdorf and James Lee Stanley. (All of which can be downloaded from our website.)
We are located in Southern California about 45 miles northwest of Los Angeles, in southeastern Ventura County near the cities of Agoura Hills, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks.
SOME OF OUR PAST PERFORMERS:
Bill Payne
The Kennedys
Wendy Waldman
Caroline Aiken
James Lee Stanley
John Hall
Lowen & Navarro
Severin Browne
Berkley Hart
Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen from our Feburary 2009 House Concert:
Here's a video that was captured of me offering my bottleneck slide interpretation of an old blues song, Goin' T' Brownsville, on open mic night at Old Strokers in Everett, WA. It starts out with me briefly introducing my homemade "Nobro" resophonic guitar and explaining some of the various recycled garage sale junk that I used in it's construction. Enjoy!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Thank you for being our friend. Uncle DooDad invites you to stop by http://www.uncledoodad.com/ and check out the live recordings we’ve posted from recent shows in Seattle, Portland and Bellingham. Lots more streaming audio for free on the site too.
Howdy and thanks for your enduring friendship and support. Just to let you know, your music is great and once again shows what great people you are. On the homefront, I just added my latest song, "The Cowboy Way". I'm sure you'll feel what I did when I wrote the song. There is a side to me (and everyone, I reckon) that's hard to come to grips with and that I can't expect anyone else to understand, either. Have fun listening and let me know how you like the song. Dexter
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
...Dear Julie & Russ...we looked forward to last night as well,and it was worth the anticipation...the audience was SO ready to listen...thanks again for inviting us into your home...we'll see you soon,Carol Ann and Stevie...
I knew Michael Jackson and worked with Jermaine Jackson when I came to Los Angeles after leaving K.C. and the Sunshine Band. Michael Jackson was a gift from God that we were gratefully allowed to share our lives and hearts with through his wonderful music which will always live on...A shy man seeking peace in the midst of all of the storms that swirled around him in his life...It is my prayer that he is truely peaceful now. I intend to make great music in his honor and I hope all of our comtemporaries will do the same... In Jesus love, Oliver C. Brown
Howdy, Thanks for your friendship and the great music on your page. Just uploaded my new song "My Future Showed Up Late". It's a toe tapper about southern style karma and us good ole boys. It's got my good buddy Ray MaGee on pedal steel cookin' up a storm. Enjoy and let me know how you like it. Thanks, Dexter
*available on cdbaby and itunes!! making music, marianne
