Singer/songwriter John Stano’s sound is a distinctive blend of acoustic and slide guitar, harmonica, expressive vocals and insightful songwriting developed over many years of performance and study. He sometimes adds a little mandolin, cigar box guitar or banjo to the mix as well. His style can be described as a combination of folk, blues and Americana. Initially self-taught, John went on to study American fingerstyle guitar at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music and harmonica with national blues legend, Jim Liban. John studied English and creative writing at U.W. Madison. A skillful use of language adds an original spark to his lyrics. ‘Green Man Review’ compared John’s music to early Bob Dylan while ‘Dirty Linen’ was reminded of Country Joe McDonald. John also performs his own arrangements of folk and country blues classics by artists such as Robert Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt and Bukka White and contemporary writers such as; Gillian Welch, Bob Dylan, Greg Brown, John Prine and Tom Waits. John is a flexible and engaging performer who works regularly at a variety of indoor and outdoor venues. John has released four recordings of original music.
“His vocal resemblance to John Prine may be a plus for some, but Stano’s songwriting voice is his own, apt for the folksinger’s task of chronicling the local while relating it to the universal.”
-The Shepherd Express
PK Harmony is Peter Lee and Karen Levy on vocals, autoharp and guitar. Together they make lovely harmonies and joyous renditions of jug-band, country blues, early jazz, and Americana. https://www.facebook.com/PKHarmony1/
Frogwater is Susan and Jack Nicholson. Their amazing music features a cross pollination of musical genres: Celtic, Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Blues. Their performances are particularly influenced by their love of Irish and Scottish music.
For the past several years, Frogwater has performed regularly at Milwaukee’s Summerfest, Irish Fest, Bastille Days and Rainbow Summer. They also perform at numerous other fairs and contra dances across the state and Midwest. They received honors as best band in the Bluegrass and Country categories in WAMI (Wisconsin Area Music Industry) awards two years running.
Susan and Jack are bringing a holiday theme to this show, so The Coffee House will be filled with good cheer and spirits. Be prepared for a truly festive eve!
As the year’s longest night and shortest day bring their magic to our calendar, we celebrate with songs that reflect on these changes. Join us for an evening with some of our favorite performers, and all for a great cause! This evening we have music from Brett Kemnitz with Carol Lee Hopkins, Scott Dunnington with Steve Girman, and Scott and Paula Emmons. Proceeds after expenses for this show will go to NourishMKE.
Jerry Danks found a whole new fingerstyle world, hearing Leo Kottke's A Good Egg twice on WBAY-FM out of Green Bay in the summer of '74.
Jonnie Guernsey discovered harmony in her childhood, thanks to intensive exposure barbershop rehearsals in the living room. After 100+ performances with the Moxie Chicks, she is delighted to have discovered George on her patio, and our collaboration with Jerry began.
George Kidera started playing guitar and singing when hew was ten and joined his brother's band. He enjoys playing all kinds of music with friends.
