2018 Concerts

February 10th, 2018 (7 PM) - Beth Wood

Beth Wood is a modern-day troubadour and believer in the power of song. Her exceptional musicianship, crafty songwriting, powerhouse voice, and commanding stage presence have been winning over American audiences for twenty years. Beth\u2019s music is soulful, organic, intelligent, barefoot, high-energy communication of joy.

A 2005 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award Winner, Beth has been one of our favorite artists for many years. We are so pleased that she has been able to fit us into her busy touring schedule.
It should come as no surprise that her roots are firmly planted in Lubbock, like so many other talented singer songwriters. She has studied classical music at Brevard College in North Carolina, spent a while in Austin, and currently is based out of Portland, Oregon. Her 20 albums are filled with songs that tell tales of love, leaving things behind, cast iron skillets, lace, and railroad bridges, just to name a few. You can learn more about Beth and her music at her website.

March 3, 2018 (7 PM) - Trout Fishing in America

Gail and I have been fans of Trout Fishing in America forever, ok, maybe not forever, but definitely since we first saw them at Symphony Square in Austin in the 1980's. Back then, they were playing songs while they balanced pitchers of water on their heads and other such antics. Thirty years later they no longer balance pitchers of water on their heads, but they put on just as energetic a show as they did in the 1980's. They are the ultimate performers/songwriters/musicians. We are so happy to have them return to Sycamore Creek for another great night of music.

This quote from the San Jose Mercury News pretty much sums it up: "Their songs are folky and intelligent, part country, part roots, a mix of cheeky lyrics and soulful harmonies. Their live shows blend campy humor and instrumental prowess...The power of their music is that they write kids' songs that grown-ups can share without feeling embarrassed or lowbrow. And they write grown-up songs that don't bore kids."

I doubt it is necessary, but if you are not familiar with this "dynamic duo," you can visit their website to learn more about them. If you attend this concert, be prepared to experience the full gamut of emotions, from laughing at songs like "Don't Touch My Stuff," to shedding a tear listening to "Lullaby."

April 7th, 2018 (7 PM) - Steve Seskin & Allen Shamblin

Some of you may not be familiar with their names, but all of you will be familiar with their songs.

Allen Shamblin and Steve Seskin are two of the most successful writers in Nashville. They are also prolific co-writers, and as you can see from their bios below, some of their greatest hits were products of their co-writing partnership.

Allen Shamblin has written songs like "I Can't Make you Love Me", "The House That Built Me", "Life's A Dance", "Don't Laugh at Me", and "He Walked on Water". Allen has had more than 100 songs recorded by artists in several genres of music. Check out Allens website to learn more about him and his music.

Steve Seskin has written a boatload of songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery, Kenny Chesney, Collin Raye, Peter Frampton, Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Mark Wills, and Peter Paul and Mary. His song "Don't Laugh At Me" was a finalist for CMA "Song of the Year" in 1999, and has spurred an entire tolerance movement, launched by the Don't Laugh at Me Project. Other Seskin hits include: "I Think About You", "Life's A Dance", "No Doubt About It", "If You've Got Love" and "Grown Men Don't Cry". More information on Steve and samples of his music can be found at his website.

Allen and Steve are both great solo performers, but when they take the stage together, it is magic.

Two friends, two songwriters, joining together to provide you with an incredible night of music.

October 6th, 2018 (7 PM) - Verlon Thompson

We are very excited to present Verlon Thompson for the first concert of this season. Many of us know Verlon as Guy Clark's musical sidekick, but he is also an incredible songwriter and performer in his own rite. His compositions have been recorded by Jimmy Buffett, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley, Anne Murray, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Del McCoury, Sam Bush, Trisha Yearwood and many more.

Verlon has viewed the world from stages everywhere from Barcelona to Binger (his hometown in Oklahoma). Gail and I have enjoyed seeing Verlon on many occasions, including his incredible performance at the Kerrville Folk Festival in 2017.

We are all in for a very special evening on October 6th. But you don't have to take our word for it, go to the following links for a gourmet taste of Verlon's music, fo to the links below:

The Guitar

Jammin' at HippieJack's

November 3rd, 2018 (7 PM) - 2018 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award Winners

Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition is a yearly event to discover promising singer-songwriters. The competition was established in 1974 by Kerrville Folk Festival Founder Rod Kennedy and folk legend Peter Yarrow. Thirty-two finalists are selected from a field of 800 entries to come to the Kerrville Folk Festival and share two of their original songs. From these 32 finalists, six award winners are selected by a panel of well-established performing songwriters.

A win at Kerrville carries considerable prestige in the singer-songwriter community.

2018 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award Winners performing at Sycamore Creek:

Sarah Morris (Minneapolis, Minnesota) www.sarahmorrismusic.com
Helene Cronin ( Plano,Texas) www.helenecronin.com
Mac Leaphart (Nashville, Tennessee) www.macleaphart.com
John Butler (Matlacha, Florida) www.johnrbutler.com
Rich Krueger (Evergreen Park, Illinois) www.richkrueger.com

Ben Bedford is also a 2018 Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Award winner, but was unable participate in the tour due to a previous commitment.

You can find samples of each artist's music on their websites.

December 8th, 2018 (7 PM) - Walt Wilkins

Walt Wilkins’ work has been likened to the greatest and most timeless of the Texas/American troubadours: Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, and Kevin Welch among others.

Most folks know Walt from his performances with his band the Mystequeros. Hearing him solo is a different experience. His touching songs performed with him and a six string are simply stunning. The first time we saw him solo at the Kerrville Folk Festival showcase at SXSW, we immediately asked if and when he could play a concert at Sycamore Creek. December 8th is the date and we can't wait.

For a taste of Walt's music:

Walt Wilkins

Trains I missed

Songs I've Sung

Poetry