A co-owner of the popular folk venue Café Carpe in Fort Atkinson, Bill Camplin entertains with the clarity of his penetrating mind, guitar mastery, and quicksilver voice. Come see a long-time mainstay of Wisconsin folk music and supporter of The Coffee House!

Patty Stevenson and Craig Siemsen are known for their gorgeous harmonies, impeccable musicianship, playful stage humor, and jewel-like original songs. Patty says about performing, “I try for magic – nothing less! For the place that opens hearts and will move an audience to tears or smiles.” For many years, the couple maintained solo careers, even after they married. Eventually, with the prodding of wise friends, they agreed to perform one show as a duo. Today, they continue to create and record original songs as well as their own variations on timeless pieces that often span the ages of creativity in sound.

Joining Patty and Craig tonight is Peter Roller who for decades has been a master musician, composer, scholar and author. Recently, in addition to his dobro work on Patty and Craig's latest recording, Peter has been performing with the bluegrass band The Resonators, and playing reunion gigs with singers like chanteuse Robin Pluer, soulman Fred Bliffert and bluesman Steve Cohen.

https://pattycraig.com/

https://peterroller.com/

Forged in the depths of a cold Wisconsin winter of 2011, Pay The Devil brings together an eclectic mix of original compositions, bluegrass, folk, Irish traditional, Americana, and outlaw country.

The five-piece band features guitar, mandolin, banjo, upright bass, and drums (plus spoons and other traditional percussive instruments). They play music with heart, energy, and just the right amount of edge!

Folks would walk under the old Coffee House sign to enter a welcoming world of music and poet friends to talk about peace and justice, reminisce, and share their stories and songs. Tonight we invite everyone to join in on an old Coffee House tradition. Bring an instrument, a song or your own book of poems. You can come just to listen or join in yourself. - The Coffee House Friends Gathering and Open Jam is a time to gather together listen, appreciate everybody's contribution, and have fun singing -- that's what it's all about. In a jam session or song circle just try to be observant and feel your way gently. Each person who wants to can take a turn playing a song and they lead the group. The idea is that no one plays louder than the person leading the song. Depending on the size of the group you may be able to lead multiple songs when the circle comes around as each person takes a turn. We love if people just want to come to listen too. Wonderful time to visit with friends.

Eccentric Acoustic is a trio featuring Ruth Williams on mandolin, Sandy Stehling on guitar, and Scott Emmons on bass. They perform a wide variety of music, ranging from swing era jazz and country blues to more contemporary country, folk, and Americana. Ruth Williams started singing harmony while doing the family dishes with her sister. She currently sings with Milwaukee’s Bel Canto Chorus. Ruth forsook the autoharp for the mandolin some years ago and has been a stalwart member of the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra for more than twenty years.Sandy Stehling began playing guitar as a way to avoid studying while attending UW-Madison. His transcript shows the success of this strategy. The lively folk music scene on campus at the time was a major influence. He has been heard playing as a soloist and in various groups in the Milwaukee area for many years. Scott Emmons, a multi-instrumentalist, is dean of the UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts. He performs in a classical guitar quartet, plays mando-cello in the Milwaukee Mandolin Orchestra, and is the director of the New Horizons Band in Waukesha. Ruth and Sandy have been making music together since they first met some thirty years ago. They have played with Scott informally in various musical gatherings in the Milwaukee area, and have enjoyed collaborating with Scott seriously for the past five years. The process of combining three individuals’ musical tastes into an ensemble repertoire yields the serious fun that is Eccentric Acoustic.

Opener Craig Bruesewitz is a long-time singer-songwriter, guitarist, and harmonicat who has joined many Coffee House veterans on our stage, and has led his own bands on stages throughout southeast Wisconsin. Did we mention high-energy? Craig’s music runs the gamut of genres from blues, rock, country, and his own inspired and inspiring tunes. You’ll be dancing for your health with recovery guaranteed!

A native of Virginia and Washington state, Bryan Bowers is an autoharp virtuoso, humorist, and story weaver. He spans generations of music and every human emotion in his performances that cover his own marvelous songs as well as powerful renditions of great folk tunes. In 1993, he was inducted into the Autoharp Hall of Fame whose membership includes Mother Maybelle Carter, Kilby Snow, and Sara Carter. The Coffee House is honored to have this world-class artist on our stage.

Opening for Bryan is Rick Fitzgerald, a veteran of the Portage Road Songwriters Guild, has delighted Coffee House audiences with his pure vocals, and masterful guitar and autoharp playing, with influences that include Bryan Bowers, John Denver, and Bill Staines. Rick was the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Champion, and runner-up in the International Autoharp Championship at Winfield. He is currently on the board of directors for the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering and chairman of the Make Our Own (MOO) Music Gathering.

The Portage Road Songwriters Guild is a group of 9 supportive, creative singer-songwriters that have been nourishing new songs into existence for over 20 years. The Coffee House has hosted its well-anticipated new song concert each year. The Guild includes Eric Baer, Rick Fitzgerald, Jay Bullock, Bob Estes, Chris Head, Mark Plotkin, Chris Straw, and Tom & Barb Webber. Be warned: this concert is always lively!!

Joe DeLucia is a self-taught, gifted singer/songwriter who brings to you his heartfelt spirit through his lyrics and melodies. He's a James Taylor style guitarist and singer and he would love to share his gift of music with you. Joe is also well-known for his work in running The Wisconsin Singer Songwriter Series, one of the best venues around for seeing great creative folk artists.

Our dear friend John King left us November 9, 2023. He was kind, funny, generous hearted, with a wicked sense of humor and a killer baritone voice! He was part of our music community for decades. He shared his music, sense of humor and lovely voice with his family, church and our music jams. He was in several bands: City Folk, Cadence, and the Dubious Brothers, and played with many friends for Coffee House concerts. He attended the Make Our Own Music jams for years. This show features a number of Coffee House regulars — Brett Kemnitz, Ives Iverson, Andy Jehly, and Joe Ruback — performing John King’s favorites, with all proceeds benefiting The Coffee House.

Our 15th annual Community Sing features Midwest folk singers and song leaders Will Branch, Julie Thompson, and Craig Siemsen. Julie, Craig, and Will will lead the audience in a group sing featuring well known and loved songs. The Community Sing is part of a movement that started at the Ten Pound Fiddle in East Lansing, Michigan, and has spread throughout the country. We hope that all listeners will join in singing. Our song leaders are each accomplished musicians, songwriters, and humorists. Will Branch is a singer, guitarist, banjoist, and teacher, beloved by both big and little people. Noted folk singer Joe Jencks has said Julie Thompson sings with a style that is silky and soulful. Craig Siemsen has been called “(an) acclaimed performer on the Midwest’s burgeoning acoustic folk scene” by Albuquerque’s The Weekly Alibi. The lyrics and chords will be available and shared as we get closer to the concert date.

Will Branch http://www.willbranch.com/

Julie Thompson http://www.julievoice.com

Craig Siemsen www.craigtunes.com

Earth Poets & Musicians Holly Haebig Wake, Suzanne Rosenblatt, and Harvey Taylor welcome you to their 39th Annual Earthstravaganza, with singer/musician Morning opening the evening, and special guests Barbara Leigh and Sarah Rosenblatt contributing, all celebrating Mother Earth, doing their best to defend Her, with proceeds benefitting The Coffee House. Join us for an evening of inspiration, enlightenment, humor, and joy. Let’s take care of this Earth—it’s the only one we have!

Morning makes music as an offering to everything. She writes to remember and sings to share what she has learned. As the Earth blooms and thrives, and then withers and dies — Morning trusts and honors these same cycles in herself. She is grateful for the opportunity to show reverence for our Earth alongside these wildly creative and wise people.

Gary Kitchin (guitar, vocals, mandolin, harmonica) and John Granzow (guitar and vocals). Gary and John have performed together for years, including as founding members of the wonderful folk/rock/ and blues group aptly named the Dirty Dishes that graced our stage in previous years! They will be joined by JP Spencer (“JP”) a guitar player, singer and songwriter from Milwaukee who has graced the Coffee House stage a number of times in the past in our songwriter shows and various tribute benefits. Their devotion to the music and high energy will warm our audience on this mid-April show!

Be part of a long-running CoffeeHouse tradition and bring your voice, instrument, a poem or story, or simply come to listen share, and contribute. Your donations will help Casa Maria, an intentional community, dedicated to following the tradition of the Catholic Worker movement.

Casa Maria currently runs four houses. They perform such services as: taking in single mothers and their children who are in need of housing; providing longer-term housing to families and women who need more support; and giving temporary living space for workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and others facing difficulties within the immigration system.

http://casamariacatholicworker.weebly.com/

Lil’ Rev is a storyteller, poet, author, folklorist and joke-lorist; a performer on multiple instruments at festivals, camps, and clubs; a teacher and instructional book writer; a composer of original music and a torch bearer for old tunes. And he has delighted audiences at The Coffee House for decades!

Joining Lil’ Rev will be Will Branch. Over his 35-year career as a musician and songwriter, Will has performed in many different lineups and situations. As a solo artist, he has performed around the US and his original songs have been played on folk radio around the world. As a member of the duo Fox & Branch, Branch has performed for thousands of children and family members at festivals, libraries, and concert series.

Rick Fitzgerald, a veteran of the Portage Road Guild, has delighted Coffee House audiences with his pure vocals, and masterful guitar and autoharp playing, with influences that include Brian Bowers, John Denver, and Bill Staines. Rick was the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Champion, and runner-up in the International Autoharp Championship at Winfield. He is currently on the board of directors for the Mountain Laurel Autoharp Gathering and chairman of the Make Our Own (MOO) Music Gathering.

Opener Kevin “Hardwood” Reger has been writing and performing songs for over thirty years in local churches and other organizations he attends. He is a regular at the Coffee House benefits for Casa Maria. His songs reflect his outlook on life with humor, a gentle wit and occasional genuine insight. Topics include politics, love, aging, spirituality, the social contract, golf, the Green Bay Packers and anything else that happens to cross his mind. Good to have Kevin back on our stage!

Tom and Barb Webber combine a Texas growl, jazzy bass, tasty guitars, and lilting harmony to great lyrics. They dabble in a bit of everything from country, blues, gospel, and folk-rock to name a few genres, finding the sound that fits the song. This evening they will perform all originals — songs and stories with heart!

Barb Webber is a natural storyteller, a talent honed by years of listening. She writes a Capella, letting the words choose their own notes, without constraints. It is in singing the songs over and over that the story finds its own rhythm and melody. Off stage, she is a great audience, listening to other people share their life's happenings.

Tom Webber was born and raised in Borger, Texas, just north of Amarillo in the dry dusty Texas Panhandle. His early memories include playing with horny toads and ants. It is clear to all outsiders why music becomes such an important part of a young person's social life in the Texas Panhandle: there is, quite simply, nothing else to do. Tom began jamming in grade school and hasn't stopped. He has developed an interesting 2-finger picking style for the tender love ballads which contrasts dramatically with his country-rock strum. Tom is persistent in finding arrangements that give voice to the personality of each song.

Their show will include Jon Pagenkopf (lead guitar) and Nick Hooyman (bass). Jon and Nick enhance the songs with great leads and a grounding pulse.

Francesca and The Night Sky is a band from Milwaukee Wisconsin USA.

After years of terrorizing Milwaukee stages separately, Francesca, Tom, Larry and Mike joined forces in 2023 to conquer the world.

So far, so good.

Jorge Vallentine is bringing his full, authentic self to the stage with The Honest Love. Vulnerable storytelling and compelling rhythms are at the heart of Jorge Vallentine’s distinctive indie folk sound. He layers dark and brooding indie rock effects behind a bright and percussive acoustic guitar, freely transforming from singer-songwriter to folk punk to one-man-band.

Patty Stevenson and Craig Siemsen are known for their gorgeous harmonies, impeccable musicianship, playful stage humor, and jewel-like original songs. Patty says about performing, “I try for magic – nothing less! For the place that opens hearts and will move an audience to tears or smiles.” For many years, the couple maintained solo careers, even after they married. Eventually, with the prodding of wise friends, they agreed to perform one show as a duo. Today, they continue to create and record original songs as well as their own variations on timeless pieces that often span the ages of creativity in sound.

This show will include some wonderful songs that will help us all celebrate Valentine’s Day!

https://pattycraig.com/

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 to 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 he was ten and joined his brother's band. He enjoys playing all kinds of music with friends.

Early in the new year The Coffee House celebrates the poets and musicians who have passed away in the past year. This year’s performers are Scott Dunnington, JP Spencer, and Bird & Bloom.

Scott Dunnington has been strumming guitars for about 60 years. For the past 8 years he has run the Lake Country Ukulele Club, playing the bass and arranging songs for ukulele. He has a knack for finding common themes among songs from a wide range of genres.

JP Spencer is a singer-songwriter whose vast knowledge of popular music always leads audiences to learn surprising stories and connections. Look forward to powerful vocals and interesting songs.

Bird & Bloom consists of Rebecca and Maddie Rose - mom and daughter (and best buddies!). With Rebecca on keys and vocals, and Maddie on cello and vocal harmonies, they add a new dimension to songs from across the decades.  Rock, pop, musical theater, country, folk....they've got a little bit of everything. 

Warning Glory writes and plays musical stories in a style they call “bluesgrass.” They pour the experiences of modern life into old American forms including blues, bluegrass, and country. Around a scaffolding of upright bass, guitar, accordion, keyboards. and vocal harmonies, they're building out their sound day by day with new instruments and collaborators. Band members include Jackie Lalley, Chuck Lawton, Sachin Chheda and Donna Kummer. This promises to be another great show — don’t miss it!

Opener Mike Ewing is a poet, singer/songwriter, and performer on 6- and 12-string guitars and harmonica, He has brought his artistry to The Coffee House stage in the past and we’re delighted that he joins us again! His originals and renditions show his devotion to John Prine and other great musicians in the folk tradition.

Folks would walk under the old Coffee House sign to enter a welcoming world of music and poet friends to talk about peace and justice, reminisce, and share their stories and songs. Tonight we invite everyone to join in on an old Coffee House tradition. Bring an instrument, a song or your own book of poems. You can come just to listen or join in yourself. - The Coffee House Friends Gathering and Open Jam is a time to gather together listen, appreciate everybody's contribution, and have fun singing -- that's what it's all about. In a jam session or song circle just try to be observant and feel your way gently. Each person who wants to can take a turn playing a song and they lead the group. The idea is that no one plays louder than the person leading the song. Depending on the size of the group you may be able to lead multiple songs when the circle comes around as each person takes a turn. We love if people just want to come to listen too. Wonderful time to visit with friends.

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 a show 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.

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!

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/

Ruth Williams and Andy Jehly have been performing at and supporting The Coffee House for ages, and now’s the time to celebrate their years with a double birthday concert. Sandy Stehling, Paul Smith, and several other musical cohorts will join in with old country blues, Americana, early swing, rock, inspired folk and more. Don’t miss the party!

Lisa Medina is a contemporary folk singer-songwriter with a flavorful hint of Latin rhythm and spice. Lisa’s performance history includes: church choir, theater kid, solo singer-songwriter, vocals and guitar in various duos and bands, and as a vocalist with a Grammy-nominated Latin jazz big band. Over the years Lisa sang on renowned stages, most notably at the Petrillo Bandshell for the Chicago Jazz Festival, Park West, the Old Town School Folk & Roots Festival, the Adler Planetarium, and at Wrigley Field singing the National Anthem for Cubs games.

More recently, her children's innocent laughter and musical curiosity became her muse, who inspire stories and dreams into powerful songs that form the heart and the backbone of her latest project, her first studio album, "Wishes" released in May 2024.

Adela Skowronski is a cellist, pianist, and singer-songwriter from the Chicagoland area. She is free-spirited, diverse, and associated with many projects including an all girl blues/rock band, a metal group, and occasional compositions for string quartet. Her newest project is a folk group called "Adela's", which draws from folk, pop, classical and rock.

Steve Higgins is a singer/songwriter multi instrumentalist from Milwaukee who plays Indy/alternitive/punk with his band “Phasing”. He also plays some great finger style guitar. His music can be found at: https://stevehiggins.bandcamp.com

So many great folk artists have hailed from Canada — Leonard Cohen, Stan Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young just to name a few. This show is a benefit that celebrates the amazing music that has been brought to us from our wonderful northern neighbors. Our performers this evening will be Rick Fitzgerald, Martin Levson, and Mark Peterson with Pam Kennedy.

Rick Fitzgerald is a familiar face at the Coffee House. He is an accomplished guitarist, singer/songwriter, recording artist, and is a Mountain Laurel autoharp contest champion. Rick has performed & taught at autoharp gatherings from coast to coast, and has recorded four CDs that feature a mix of his own original songs and those of his favorite artists.

Martin Levson grew up in San Jose, CA; the child of two hard-core early '60s folkies.  His father was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  His secular musical influences include Pete Seeger, Theo Bikel, Paul Simon, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, and Suzanne Vega, but he also has a great fondness for Jefferson Airplane, Elvis Costello, Talking Heads, The Decemberists, and The Bobs.  IRL, he serves as the Cantor and Sole/Soul Spiritual Leader of Congregation Emanu-El of Waukesha. 

Pam Kennedy and Mark Peterson are members of Milwaukee's own Sequestered Puppiez and love playing all kinds of music!  Fun is contagious. This is their second appearance playing at the Coffee House and they're looking forward to seeing everyone! 

Proceeds after expenses for this show will go to Nourish MKE.

Co-owner of the popular folk venue Café Carpe in Fort Atkinson, Bill Camplin entertains with the clarity of his penetrating mind, guitar mastery, and quicksilver voice. Come see a long-time mainstay of Wisconsin folk music and supporter of The Coffee House.

Known as a Milwaukee-based duo named electri-violet, John and Carole have played countless venues ranging from smaller clubs to large music festivals here and abroad. Locally, they’ve played Summerfest, Jazz in the Park, Lakefront Festival of Art, Chill on the Hill, Milwaukee County Parks Music Series, City of Sheboygan music festivals, and other area events. They’ve performed throughout the Midwest, including Chicago and Minneapolis, and have made several tours to Ireland including shows in Dublin, Waterford, Cork, and more. https://electriviolet.com/

Opener Craig Packard is a high-energy jammer and performer of his own fine songs, and gives powerful renditions of songs about Peace, Love and Understanding and other things that are well worth our while.

The String Along Band plays music to soothe the savage soul! Covering music by Johnny Cash, Willy Nelson, Patsy Cline, John Denver, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Various Rock N' Roll, Blue Grass, Country and classics from days gone by and more! And long-time member John Higgins (guitar, banjo, vocals) is one of the great volunteers who have helped keep The Coffee House alive and well. Other band members performing Saturday are Steve Karthauser, Brian Karthauser, Steve Vogt, Zach Karthauser, and David Morrissey. Come to see some great folks playing some great music! For more info see their Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/stringalongband