March 24, 2019

Malcolm Holcombe returns to Louisville! With special guests Britton Patrick Morgan and Tiffany Williams, and JD Grace. $20, Chicken Gumbo included in ticket price, BYOB, and come get transformed! https://www.malcolmholcombe.com

May 20,2018

Please join us for a tribute to a musical genius. Whether it is her folk, Pop, or jazz eras we want to showcase her music. $10 @ the door. BYO and food will be available, potluck fashion, but we will likely have a crockpot of stew and another pot of lintels on. The performer list contains the BEST musical talent in Kentuckiana and will be updated on this event page. If you wish to play send me two songs , and tell me if you have any special time I should schedule you. the list will be updated in the discussion section of this page. If you want to do the songs you did last year, that is fine, and we are hoping everyone realizes that can arrange and perform these songs without having to sound like Joni. Innovations welcomed! SO this is a call for performers and audience too, last years was pretty super and hopefully more people know about it now and we can have a great turn out. $10 bucks for dinner and concert... good times!

April 14, 2018 doors @ 7

Mark your calendar for a intimate listening room concert with Feathered Mason and Will Scott. $10 @ door 7pm. BYOB These artists are the real deal, I ainafoolin' .... It amazes me the caliber of musicians Lettersong attracts...bring a snack so we can catch a rave about the great food we always have! love you Lettersong family friends old and new...
https://www.featheredmason.com/
http://willscottmusic.com/s Story here

Apri 22, 2018 3 pm-10 pm

Sunday April 22rd will be the Third Annual John Prine Tribute Live Concert @ Lettersong Calligraphy Studio & Gallery 1501 Story Ave. 3pm - 9pm. The last hour of the show will be recorded and broadcast on WCHQ Crescent Hill Radio 100.9 FM on your radio dial the following Monday night... All Ages Show, bring a beverage of choice... Tickets $10 at the door

March 23, 2018 doors @ 7

With Special Guest ( and a few surprise guests) Lainey B and Rodney Gibson. 
Come enjoy the Par-Tee!
Gonna have us a wang dang doodle! Bring a dish, byob Tell a Friend! Doors $10 at 7 Music starts at 8 


Elaine Weaver
Professional Vocalist, Singer & Performer
Elaine Weaver has been singing all her life which was reflected in her youth while singing in the church choir. She remembers singing at a very young age to crowds of people at her church and visiting churches near and far. Her talent allowed her to sing in a variety of venues and explore different genres of music. Her muse have been artists such as Elton John, Billy Joel, Ray Charles, Nina Simone and many other talented artists locally and nationally known. She has sung for several choirs including The Kevin Williams United Voices Choir directed by Minister Michael Young and Tommy Jones and The Christian Mass Workshop Choir for over fifteen years. Singing has been an outlet and a talent that she has shared with others, while raising two young boys. Her youngest son is Autistic and requires full time care, which she has dedicated her life toward. While being an advocate for an autistic child and supporting both her sons, Elaine continues to submerge herself in her passion to share with others. As her children grew into adults, Elaine ventured out to sing on the Karaoke circuit, which she has made a name for herself around town and has won many contests. Struggling with her own disability with a prosthetic leg, she has been able to continue to explore her passion through many struggles in her life. As a house wife raising two boys, advocating for her autistic son, managing her own disability and helping her sons grow into the men that she prayed for, Elaine finds comfort and an outlet in the music that she performs and shares with others. She frequently performs at venues around the Louisville, Kentucky area and for smaller parties as requested. She is a very devoted, blessed and talented woman.

Rodney Gipson has been performing for many years. He started playing professionally when he was a teenager in his hometown, Detroit. After traveling in the U.S. and Europe with the Chairmen of the Board, he studied piano and music theory, then trained in audio engineering and production at the Disc in suburban Detroit.

In Chicago, he studied theory and composition at Harold Washington College with James Mack and performed with various jazz ensembles throughout within Chicago and beyond before leading his own ensembles.

From 1999, he has been performing with the following AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians) members: Dushun Mosely, Saalik Ziyad, Taalib Din Ziyad, Ari Brown, and Edwin Daughtery.

In addition to playing piano and guitar, Rodney is also a composer, arranger, and producer. He produced saxophonist Otis Willis’s record and is releasing his own sextet’s album that features his guitar work. He is also launching his own record label and publishing company.

His influences include Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis from the late 50’s and early 60’s, Duke Ellington, Sergio Mendes, and Howling Wolf. He’s inspired by Branford Marsalis and Chieli Minucci.

Contact Rodney at 773-844-3519 or rodneygipson@gmail.com

and the man of the Hour! Big Poppa Stampley: Mark “Big Poppa” Stampley, was a guitarist in his mind at age 8, long before ever touching the instrument, He recalls, “ I remember clearly, thinking, there are 3 things I must learn to do to be happy, 1. Learn to swim, 2. learn to ride a bike, and 3. learn to play the guitar like Roy Rodgers” Say wha..? That’s right, in Chicago , when he was a kid, WGN-TV would play really old tv shows of, Roy Rodgers and Gene Autry the singing (guitar playing) cowboys.  
“My parents”, who , in their defense, he says,” wanted what they thought was best for me, “completely discouraged him. He dutifully, finished college, got his undergrad degree, and….. Bought his first guitar, and the journey began. 
Was introduced to Reggie Boyd, the main studio jazz guitarist for Chess Records ( yes during the heydays of , Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf, Etta James, Chuck Berry, and The Rolling Stones, who were with that label) , and sucked up every bit of guitar knowledge this great musician could offer as one of his students.
Mark became, a veteran of the Chicago blues/R&B school. Played Chicago’s “chitlin circuit”, but got to share the stage with the likes of, Koko Taylor, Oprah Winfrey, the Delphonics, The Emotions, Pop Staples, Dave Myers, Montel Jordan, Twista and Tracksta, Quiet Storm, Ivan Neville (Neville Bros.), Calypso Rose, Common, Roger, Malik Yusef, Roy Ayers, Maya Angelou, Malcolm Jamal -Warner, and Jack Black to name a few , along the way.. while creating the hit Midwest showband “ECLYPSE OF THE MOON “ that toured the Midwest thru the 80’s /90’s. 
The band recorded the smooth jazz hit CD “SMOOTH CHITOWN GROOVES”. But love moved him to Louisville.,.. and a busy solo career. He released 3 CD’s, HERE COME BIG POPPA STAMPLEY, UNIVERSAL BLUESMAN, and SOME BLUES FOR YOU, that feature his CARIBLUJAZZ style music; and touring the US/Caribbean.
BPS has taken blues music traditions to many schools, as well as guitar instruction. BPS wrote music for the indie release “Legend of the Reno Brothers” 2014…. Has been in demand as a Voice over actor last few years, and will appear as “Hayseed “ in the anticipated new TV-series SMOKETOWN coming soon to TBN network

March 24, 2018 doors@7:30

$15 at the door which will open @ 7:30... Music starts @ 8 byob or a snack for the food table. Lettersong is delighted to present Alan Rhody and Aaron Biblehauser, and Britt Morgan, who will be performing in a round in a listening room atmosphere. come enjoy the best singer song writers around!

​

Saturday, January 27 at 8 PM -10 PM

Mickey stage left, Turley stage right... friends of 50 + years will song swap starting with a song recorded in 1959 That put Turley Richards in the Rockabilly Hame of Fame ... Old Friends take us thru the 60's when they called themselves "a par·a·pher·na·lia". as they hit the coffeehouse circuit in NYC...Turley would harmonize to Mickey Clark's folk tunes .... a lot of great stories!!! Merch available. byo and a snack to share... $15. at the door, General admission seating

October 13, 2017 doors @ 7

Singer songwriter John Carroll will share the stage with Louisville's own singer song writer Dan Colon. Bring your friends for an intimate evening with sterling troubadours. Relax and BYOB. Doors @ 7 

October 9, 2017 doors @ 6:30

John Gage is opening for this great Band!!
Back In The Saddle is a Western Music band that is based in the Atlanta area. They do Western Swing, Cowboy classics, TV & Movie Western themes and originals that are written in the style. The band is composed of talented and seasoned musicians, who perform in a number of musical genres (Jazz, Folk, Rockabilly, etc.). They banded together because of their mutual love of Western Music.

On Monday October 9, we will be heading back from a short tour of Nebraska and Iowa. While there, BITS will play at the Rural Roots Music Gathering (in Fremont, NB) and receive their Traditional Western Music CD Of The Year award. They are also playing at a restored opera house in Greenfield, IA and a restored movie theater in Winterset, IA.

I had been put in touch with John by some friends in Louisville. They suggested that he could help us book a performance that would introduce the band to Louisville music fans and allow us break up the return leg of our trip. John suggested that Lettersong would be a great option as a listening room. As a group, we try to focus on performing in venues that are not loud bar situations. Lettersong sounded perfect.

We hope that scheduling might work out for Back In The Saddle to perform there on 10/9. We think that your audience will have a great time enjoying a night of Western Music.

Here are some links that will give you a better idea of the band's music and performances:

www.backinthesaddleband.com
https://www.facebook.com/backinthesaddleband/
A short performance demo video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCBP5BqGtQo
Our entry into the NPR Tiny Desk Concert Contest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udSeLjfdDvY

BITS is traveling on this tour as a quintet, without the accordion and with a different guitarist. Thanks.

October 14, 2017

Jason Wilber, singer-songwriter and guitarist of the John Prine Band, Kentucky singer-songwriter Britton Patrick Morgan, and the original duo the Tin Whiskey Sisters will make for a special and intimate evening of songs at Lettersong in Louisville KY October 14, 2017 Doors @ 7  $15

Saturday September 23, 2017 doors @ 7pm

​

Verlon Thompson 

"Most people who have seen Guy Clark since the late '80s have also seen Verlon Thompson. Aside from being Clark's friend, right-hand man, co-writer and co-producer, Thompson is also a prolific flatpicker and narrative songwriter. The list of big-name artists who have cut his songs includes Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, Kenny Rogers, Pam Tillis, Del McCoury, Trisha Yearwood and Jerry Jeff Walker. But Thompson's force becomes most apparent when you hear him perform the songs he penned. From the smoking picking on "Joe Walker's Mare" and "Darwettia's Mandolin" to storytelling gems such as "Indian Head Penny" and "He Left the Road" to hillbilly toe-tappers such as "Backsliders Blues" and "Asheville Turnaround," Thompson ranks as perhaps the most well-rounded yet overlooked instrumentalist and songwriter beneath the large Americana umbrella. Catch him out front, where he belongs."

​

$!5.00 @ the door, BYOB snacks to share are welcomed.

June 17th, 2017 doors @ 7pm

Mickey Clark : "Back in 1973-74, Mickey White played acoustic guitar with me, as we performed on the National College Coffee House Circuit, which was based in New York City. We also appeared regularly at clubs around the country, including the historic Earl of Old Town in Chicago, which was home base back then for Steve Goodman and John Prine. In January of 1974, Bob Dylan and members of the Band came into the Earl and caught our set, the night before Dylan opened his Bob Dylan and the Band 1974 Tour in Chicago. In a subsequent interview by Rolling Stone’s Ben Fong-Torres, Dylan mentioned Leon Redbone and also our duo as acts he would like to have on Ashes and Sand, a record company he was going to start (Interview appears in the 1974 Rolling Stone book, “Knockin’ On Dylan’s Door”}. As fate would have it, Dylan never started the label, but Mickey and I jokingly call ourselves “Bob Dylan’s Favorite Duo,” lol! Well, guess what! On Saturday, June 17, Mickey White is coming up to Louisville from Austin and we will be doing a reunion concert at Lettersong Calligraphy Gallery and Studio, with Marty Miller joining us on bass and John Gage adding his musical magic to what will be a very special night!
Note: After Mickey White left me, he played with Townes Van Zandt for 8 years and briefly with Lucinda Williams, whose first album he co-produced. The picture of me and Mickey goes back to 2005 when we did a Clark Family Night with Bill Clark and Del Clark at Phoenix Hill". 

June 16th 2017 7:30

Enjoy classic honky tonk and original country tunes by Don Frank from Barcelona, Spain. Put on your Western garb, kick up your heels, and join Frank, Rick Quisol, Lee Puckett, Mark Hamilton at the lovely Lettersong Calligraphy Studio and Gallery. $10 at the doors, open at 7:30 pm. Have a listen: donfrankmusic.com

June 9, 2017 doors @ 7

Tret Fure’s and Sam Gleaves in Concert
Friday, June 9 - 7:00 PM
Lettersong Calligraphy Studio/Gallery
We are pleased to announce that singer songwriter Tret Fure and Sam Gleaves will be performing together for the first time at Lettersong Calligraphy Studio/Gallery, located at 1501 Story Ave in Louisville on Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 PM. Tret’s show will feature songs
from Rembrandt Afternoons, along with older favorites and even a few new songs. Sam Gleaves is a delight to hear if you haven’t yet. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door the night of show. For more information, call Jen at (502)819-1439.
Tret's 15th album, Rembrandt Afternoons (2015) proves to be her best work yet. It has already been chosen by the acclaimed folk music
show Midnight Special as their album of the week and has been in heavy rotation on several of the folk shows around the country. Her song “Riverbank” was #2 on the Acoustic Outpost charts for the week of February 15 and the song “Rembrandt Afternoons” is quickly climbing the charts! The album showcases Tret's exceptional songwriting and
strong voice. Highlights on the album include the rousing "can't help but sing along" anthem "Freedom," the beautiful ballad "The Fishermen of Bristol Bay" and the touching song about overcoming loss, "How We Dare." With an acoustic guitar and her voice, Tret effortlessly moves between musical styles including folk, blues and even a bit of rock and roll. John Hart from NewFolk Radio in Portland has this to say about
Tret, "Favorite tracks are Freedom, Rembrandt Afternoons, and How We Dare. Tret is a national treasure and here at NFR we love her."
Though best known in past few decades in the folk and women's music world, Tret started her career at 16 performing in coffee houses and on college campuses, and spent the early 70s touring with Spencer Davis as his guitarist and vocalist, releasing a solo album produced by Lowell George of Little Feat, and opening for Yes, Poco and the J. Geils Band.
Tret Fure Discography:
Tret Fure (1973)
Terminal Hold (1984)
Edges of the Heart (1986) Time Turns the Moon (1990)
Back Home (2001)
My Shoes (2003)
Anytime Anywhere (2005)
True Compass (2007)
The Horizon (2010)
A Piece of the Sky (2013) - #3 in the 2013 Outvoice Top 10 chart.
Fure may be offering us A Piece of the Sky, but she offers us her open heart as well. It is hard not to reach in and find a song that speaks directly to you, the listener. Reach in and listen."
- A review written for the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange by Roberta B. Schwartz
Rembrandt Afternoons (2015) "As always Tret has delivered a sensitive and moving selection of songs" - Arthur Berman, Pacific Pickin' CiTR
With Spencer Davis:
Mousetrap (1970)
With Cris Williamson:
Postcards from Paradise (1993) Between the Covers (1996) Radio Quiet (1999)
www.tretfure.com
www.reverbnation.com/tretfure www.facebook.com/tretmusic
"Tret

Friday June 2, 2017

www.leviparham.com

Levi Parham is an Americana musician, singer and songwriter from southeast Oklahoma. The Kansas City Star called him "An Okie version of Ray Lamontagne..." while The Bluegrass Situation said, "Perhaps it's something in the water - that same iron-heavy tap drink that Woody Guthrie sipped on as a young man....Whatever it is, Levi Parham has it."

Parham released his first album, An Okie Opera, in may 2013. Currentland Magazine named it one of the top Red Dirt Albums of the year along side Samantha Crain, The Red Dirt Rangers, and Jason Boland saying, ”Parham is a major talent. He has a soulful, ballsy voice. His Songwriting is filled with infectious hooks, and easy rolling rhythms. These are all love songs, evoking the full range of emotions that go along with it.” Ryan Heinsius, Editor of Flagstaff Live Magazine wrote, “A heartfelt piece of recorded Americana, raw and honest, showing off an up-and-coming songwriter molding a distinct and beautiful style.”

In December 2014, Parham released an EP titled Avalon Drive recorded in Nashville, TN to much appraise. "...highly stylized; subtle hand claps and flanging strat riffs act as an incredibly interesting foil to Parham's roughed up singing voice." wrote The Bluegrass Situation. Flagstaff Live raved, saying "Levi Parham shines as a dazzling mashup of radical down-stroke blues sung in the sultry vibrato of a terrestrial angel with perfectly groomed facial hair, his all-original tunes may remind Tom Petty enough of himself to ride those coat-tails." 

At the end of 2015, Parham immediately went to work on his follow up to Avalon Drive, These American Blues, which released June 24th, 2016 on Music Road Records. No Depression called it "a must have in any music aficionado’s collection" while Elmore Magazine said it was "a remarkable feat of musicianship". 

With a steadily increasing fan base and a prolific tour schedule, Levi Parham shows no signs of slowing down, while the horizon gets bigger and broader.

​
​www.alexguthriemusic.com
“An old soul.”
Alex Guthrie is an Atlanta-based soul singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His powerful, soulful voice and insightful lyrics have established him in the Southeast as a must-see artist. Combining influences from classic soul and rock, blues, and folk, Alex has a sound that bridges genres and connects, emotionally, to the music lover in everyone. After traveling much of the country in a beat-up, old camper van, playing for and with all that he met along the way, he’s found his calling in life: bringing people together with open arms, a smile, and a song.
Alex has been featured in a national ‘American Family Insurance’ TV/Radio commercial with Jennifer Hudson. Awarded Georgia Americana Artist of the Year in 2015!! Chosen as the Atlanta Braves Band of the Year in 2014. Alex has also opened for Epic Recording artist Collin Raye, Stoney Creek Recording artists Parmalee, and DOT Recording artist Drake White. Additionally, Alex has been invited to perform with Legendary Country Music Icon & Country Music Hall of Fame Member Bill Anderson, Marty Raybon (Columbia Recording artist & Lead Singer of Shenandoah), Ken Mellons (Epic Recording artist), Rick Scott (Grammy nominated songwriter) and award winning singer/songwriter Pierce Pettis. While touring nationally, some of the places that Alex has performed include the Bayou Benepalooza in Slidell, Louisiana with Louisiana Blues Hall of Fame member Ernie Vincent, the IMR music festival in Atlanta Georgia, Alexander City Jazz Festival in Alabama, Tennessee Valley Fair in Knoxville Tennessee, Jammin’ Java Listening Room in Vienna Virginia with The Parkington Sisters, CRE-A-TV studios near Baltimore Maryland, Margaritaville and '12th & Porter' in Nashville Tennessee.
With influences including Otis Redding, Van Morrison, Marc Broussard, and Ray LaMontagne, Alex’s genre goes by different names to different people. Folk-Rock, Blues, or Americana; the listener’s preference is likely to influence his or her categorization. What they all agree on, though, is that it’s great music.
For music, tour dates, and more info, visit AlexGuthrieMusic.com.

Saturday May 20 2017

Join local fans of Camp Piomingo like Kathleen Hoye, John Gage and Dave Evans and many more for a fundraising event for everyone favorite YMCA camp! Enjoy standards, originals and sing alongs and give generously!

May 21, 2017 doors @ 3 o'clock

Please join us for a tribute to a musical genius. $10 @ the door all proceeds go to the Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation. prints of an original charcoal drawing by Dan Colon will be for sale. the Performer list contains the BEST musical talent in Kentuckiana.

April 30, 2017 5:30

We are having the Bibelhauser/Clark/Gage birthday event at Lettersong (Story Ave) this Sunday, April 30 at 5:30 pm. Will and Geoff Gage will be joining us, too, for this event! I'm very excited about it. It’s been a long time since those boys have been with me on my birthday, and it’s been years since I’ve heard them play together. . .just the two of them. It’s pretty cool.

So. . .anyway. . .here’s the link for the Fund for the Arts match. People can take advantage of this anytime they wish, and it’s a 1:1 match. . .so if someone donates $25 that becomes $50 immediately up to $4000 which would become the $8000. (Many thanks to Col. Bob for putting this together.$

Fund for the Arts Link: 

https://tell-your-story-sing-your-song.everydayhero.com/us/tell-your-story-sing-your-song

food truck and everyone needs to bring their own libations. We can have a couple of coolers of beer and 

May 26th 2017 7:30 first come, first seat

Malcolm Holcombe is a unique talent in music today. Long known in Nashville as a "songwriter's songriter," Holcombe weaves his tales of heartache and redemption with an unmistakable percussive guitar style and a voice dripping with raw human emotion. His music has best been described as "Appalacian soul." Don't miss this intimate concert with Malcolm Holcombe. Also appearing will be Dave Benson and The Bundle of Nerves. $15 Door @ 7

April 21 7pm

Picture a smoky bar in early-to-mid 20th century New Orleans, filled with musicians playing the songs of Billie Holiday, Sidney Bechet, Bessie Smith, Django Reinhardt, Louis Armstrong and Cab Calloway, with cabaret dancers on tables dancing the Lindy. Add a dash of Kentucky flavor and you have BOURBON JAZZ.  

It’s been an unpredictable journey since our founding Billy Goat (Mark Hamilton) took a trip to New Orleans and quickly became intoxicated with the city’s rich musical culture and tradition. He brought us together on a cold and rainy Kentucky autumn day in 2011 and stated his vision of forming an ensemble of all-star players for an old-time project. Through our progression as a band, the moniker “Antique Jazz” started to float around. With the addition of tunes that contained hints of Kentucky flavor and an irresistible twang (Pistol Packin’ Mama and Louisiana), we realized our strange version of jazz embodied the influences of a Kentucky mode de vie. Our result is a fun and exciting NEW GENRE of music that touches upon the centuries-old path down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, down the bourbon trail, from the Derby City to the Crescent City and back. Ladies and Gentlemen: This Is Bourbon Jazz!

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/billygoatstrutrevue
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/this-is-bourbon-jazz/id653573701?uo=4
https://www.facebook.com/billygoatstrutrevue/app_208195102528120

April 20, 2017

Atlanta based artist Reverend Hylton shares the stage with his supporting local acts Samuel St Samuel and Grayson Jenkins Join us doors @ 7 Door $12. BYOBeverage, bring some food too if you want to share. http://www.justinhylton.com/

Friday April 7th 2017 doors 7

Shelby Bottom Duo & John Paul Wright Joe Hill Concert

​

Lettersong Calligraphy Studio and Gallery

1501 Story Ave, Louisville, Kentucky 40206

Shelby Bottom Duo & John Paul Wright Joe Hill Concert
by Nell Levin
$10
Nashville-based Shelby Bottom Duo (Michael August and Nell Levin) will perform their entertaining, multimedia educational show, A Musical History of Joe Hill and the Early Labor Movement. Their companion CD Joe Hill Roadshow will be available at the show. Special guest will be Louisville's John Paul Wright, Railroad Engineer, Songwriter, Drummer, Poet, Activist. www.railroadmusic.org
Songwriter Joe Hill is the precursor of Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. He was immortalized when Joan Baez sang “I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night” at the Woodstock Festival in 1969. A Swedish immigrant, Hill was a member of the international labor group, the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW or Wobblies), active in the decade leading up to World War I. In 1914, Joe Hill was framed for two murders he did not commit. He was executed by a firing squad in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 19,1915. He subsequently became a labor icon.
Our Musical History includes live performances of Joe Hill songs along with a talk and images about Hill’s life, early labor struggles and the influence of the IWW’s innovative organizing strategies on movements today. Our goal is to share this vital slice of labor history with a wide range people so that we can all better understand why the revolutionary creativity exemplified by Joe Hill and the Wobblies is still relevant. In 2015, 100 years after Joe Hill's execution, 40 concerts were held around the country celebrating his legacy. Shelby Bottom Duo organized and performed at the Nashville concert and performed at the Knoxville concert.
A Musical History has received funding for our performances from Metro Nashville Arts Commission THRIVE and Humanities Tennessee.

“When setting the agenda for our annual Leadership Conference, we were looking for a unique addition that would be a lively experience for our attendees. That’s exactly what we found with the Shelby Bottom Duo. Nell and Michael engaged the audience and provided everyone with a memorable and distinct take on the history of the labor movement.” Tennessee AFL-CIO President Billy Dycus

“Shelby Bottom Duo: Entertaining, irreverent social commentary, humanity and humor." Bill Friskics-Warren, correspondent for the New York Times
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shelby-bottom-duo-john-paul-wright-joe-hill-concert-tickets-32694943456?ref=eattnewsrecs&utm_source=strongmail&utm_medium=discovery&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=EBrecommend&utm_term=eventcard&afu=198085595445&rank=0&aff=eattnewsrecs

MArch 25, 2017

Alan Rhody, John Gage, Aaron Bibelhauser In Concert

​​

Alan Rhody, John Gage, Aaron Bibelhauser In Concert Sat. Mar. 25 Lettersong Studio and Gallery7:30 pm
Suggested donation: $15. Bring any snacks and beverages you want for yourself or others in the Pot Luck!
1501 Story Ave. Louisville, KY Alan is hoping to have some advance copies of his new CD, "Farther On"
with him as well!

www.alanrhody.com
www.reverbnation.com/alanrhodymusic
www.facebook.com/alanrhody
alanrhody@icloud.com

tory here

February 26, 2017

February 26th is officially "Mary Ann Fisher" day in Louisville, KY. Mayor Jerry Abramson deemed it so in 2002. On Sunday February 26th, 2017 "M & M" Productions, along with Lettersong Gallery, located at 1501 Story Ave., will present a small segment, one woman act, of the musical play "Songbird of the South" the real Mary Ann Fisher Story!

Marjorie Marshall, who will portray Mary Ann at different stages of her life, was Fisher's protégé, and was given the green light by Fisher's family to pay tribute to Mary Ann through this dramatization after their displeasure with the way Mary Ann was represented in the movie "Ray".

Admission is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. Contact Jen Grove 502-819-1439 for advance tickets.

Doors open at 7 pm for a meet and greet, presentation begins promptly at 8pm. will be recorded and live-streamed from Crescent Hill Radio (100.9 WCHQ). 

Light refreshments will be served.

Proceeds will go to the non-profit Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation Museum.

The play "Songbird of the South" will be presented in its entirety during the summer of 2017.

January 27, 2017 7pm

An evening of shared songs and stories that celebrate our beautifully diverse community with the hope of creating a platform for social action and equality. 
Live video broadcast at www.concerwindow.com

Featured artists of the evening: 
Daniel Martin Moore
Small Time Napoleon Duo)
Marty Rosen
John Gage
Marjorie Marshall
Fernando Moya - of Appalatin
Julia Purcell- of Maiden Radio
Lance Minnis
Cynthia Fletcher
Caleb Adonay Leiva Vasquez with Fuego Azul
Wind and Pine (Barry Smith & Emily Joan Smith)
Emcee- Ashlee Clark Thompson

more to be announced!

All proceeds go to Americana Community Center and 
Kentucky Refugee Ministries, Inc. (KRM)

www.kyrm.org/
http://americanacc.org/


Cost- $10 
Time- 7pm doors, 8pm music
BYOB
Food truck on site

February 4, 2017 7pm

Come see us promote our upcoming album coming this summer at a great venue in Butchertown! We will also be promoting our album at an open mic on December 22---come on out if you are a musician or a fan of music! A suggested donation of $10 will be taken at the door.

www.facebook.com/theemptyroomband
https://theemptyroomband.bandcamp.com/releases

Eric Vaughn Schneeberger
https://soundcloud.com/user-726341279

February 3th doors 8 pm

DOORS @ 8PM
DONATION BASED ENTRY at the door.
suggested $10-15

This special night will be an opportunity for four writers to share tunes in an in-the-round style song sharing session. While, all four are established working musicians in the community, we often get wrapped up in gigging, leading a band, and playing the role of sideman, all the while, working our respective day jobs, supporting our families, and trying to make time to write, record, and feed our creativite souls. Hope you can come share with us. 

Johnny Berry
Stephen Couch
Aaron Bibelhauser
Mickey Clark

GUESTS ARE WELCOME TO BRING THEIR OWN FOOD AND BEVERAGES TOO!!!

January 9th 7:00 pm

Lack Love Productions Presents:

AUGUST WINTERS 
[https://www.facebook.com/augustwinterspa/?fref=ts]

UNDER THE LIGHTS TOUR

MON JAN 9TH

$10adv./$12door

7PM

LETTERSONG CALLIGRAPHY STUDIO AND GALLERY
1501 Story Ave.
Louisville, KY
---------------------------------------------------------------------
with

CHRISTIAN ANDERSON
[https://www.facebook.com/C.Andersonmusic/?fref=ts]

MASON OSBORNE
[https://www.facebook.com/MasonJOsborne]

BADRACKET
[https://www.facebook.com/BadracketBandOfficial/?fref=ts]


EVENT PAGE LINK: https://www.facebook.com/events/539304736265201/

AUGUST WINTERS YOUTUBE LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5It-if5FlE

January 13th 7:30

Come help Marjorie celebrate her birthday and raise funds for our KMHF (Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation) Museum. Smooth sounds, and foot stomping blues all in one night! Bring your instruments. Friday. January 13th. I think there will be cake with all that jubilation...

January 7, 2017 @7

Check it out! http://wfpl.org/does-louisville-need-a-music-museum-meet-the-man-who-says-yes/
SO COOL yep. if you are interested in getting in on the ground floor with a project that will unite us through music, get our artifacts all in one place, and help build a tribute theatre to Kentucky entertainers of all genres...join us! Light refreshments...free and open to the public.

December 16th 7:30 p.m.

WE'RE BACK!!! After an extended hiatus of well over a year, all five is us will be reuniting for a special concert at Lettersong Gallery on Dec 16. This is going to be a blast! 

Doors at 7:30. Show starts at 8:30pm. 

Donation based entry at the door 
($10-$15 suggested)
Opening set by Sarah Breit at 8pm!!!!

There will be a food truck on site!!! And guests are welcome to bring in their own beverages, etc. 

Stay tuned for more details

Glad to say that 502 Cafe Food Truck & Catering will be @ this event and will be serving from keg, they have a catering license and we are glad to have them...

Stay tuned for more details. 

Chris Rodahaffer - guitar
Mike Cleveland - fiddle
Tavis Conley - drums & vocals
Adam Bibelhauser - bass & vocals
Aaron Bibelhauser - piano & vocals

Saturday December 17th 7p.m.

Add News Story herePleased to announce: 14th Annual Holiday Songwriter's Showcase - Saturday December 17 - Alan Rhody - Greg Foresman - John Mann - danny flanny - Live at Lettersong - Doors at 7:00 - Start time is 7:30- $10 at the Door - this is a Bring Your Own Beverage event.https://www.facebook.com/events/294082934321604/

December 10th, 2016 5-8pm

Look for spending an incredible evening @ Lettersong as we display artifacts and memorabilia from the last ninety years of Kentucky entertainers, enjoy light refreshment, enjoy a brief presentation by Doug Van Buren, and enjoy a set by Louisville's own Marjorie Marshall, accompanied by Linda Steidle Sparrow! Count on some moving and shaking and some divine sounds. Free and open to the public, all ages.
You are cordially invited to a premier reception for the Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation. The reception will be at 1501 Story Ave, The Lettersong Calligraphy Studio Gallery, on Friday December 10th, from 5-8 pm. Your hosts for the event will be Jen Grove, Marjorie Marshall, Doug Van Buren and Michael Logsdon.

MARJORIE MARSHALL and LINDA SPARROW will treat us to a musical concert that will ignite you and catch you on fire! a pairof dynamos. fresh from their recent appearance in Ladies Sings the Blues.

The Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit established in 2016 to preserve, curate, and showcase the legacy and history of entertainers from Louisville and throughout Kentucky who made their marks in radio, television, recording and live performance fields.  

The mission includes the establishment of a local museum to display extensive collections of musical and recording instruments, as well as memorabilia from the collections of passionate collectors. The vision focuses on education, and also expands to provide a theatre for current talents to preform tributes to all Kentucky entertainers past and present. 
Doug and Butch will be displaying items from their extensive collections - including a 1894 Edison gramophone, and other rarities. Brief talks by Butch Williams and Doug Van Buren will be presented. There will be delicious light fare and an opportunity to Q&A about the items displayed, and the Foundation. Membership to the Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation wil be available

For more information contact Jen Grove lettersongstudio@icloud.com or 502-819-1439. Please invite your friends, and stop by to enjoy these expert collectors. .FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

October 21, 2016 7:30pm

"Hail Poetry" An Evening of Gilbert and Sullivan Favorites
Presented by The Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Louisville
October 21, 2016
7:30 pm
Tickets $10
Here's the ticket link:  http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2605323

For reservations, call (502) 439-6007 or email gsslou@gmail.com

Join us for music from The Mikado, H.M.S. Pinafore, The Sorcerer, Patience, The Pirates of Penzance and more! Singing along is encouraged!

Thursday October 20th 2016 7:30 pm

The Troubadours of the Divine Bliss have conjured an evening of music and spoken word!
Poetry Salon featuring celebrated British Poet Vik Bennett of Wild Women Press. Here is her blog http://www.wildwomenpress.com/Site/Vik%20Bennett.html
Vik Bennett
wildwomenpress.com

December 3-4 9am to 4pm

Are you drawn to “suggested” text in abstract paintings? Do you like expressing yourself with words as well as with paint, color and composition? These are things that we will explore within this class. We’ll work at dividing our substrate with beautiful marks and lines. We’ll try asemic writing, an abstract form of written expressions. Mood and atmosphere will be created with color and tonality in the built up complex layers of our abstract paintings. As always, students will learn about color, materials, and composition. Painting as well as writing intuitively will be encouraged. Words used can be your own words or the words of othersthat inspire you. Legibility and perfect letterforms will NOT be a concern! We’ll work with High Flow, Fluid and Open Acrylics – exploring their individual properties and usefulness in our work. 
December 3-4, 2016
Duration: 2 days 9-4 each day
Class Fee $195. early bird discount $180 due by Nov 18
Supply Fee: $15 to be paid directly to instructor.


Supply List: [students are responsible to being to workshop]
Paint brush - bring an assortment including a 1"flat that is good for acrylics
Water Container for rinsing brushes– 16 to 32oz size; plastic 
Faber Castell Pitt Pen (black or Sepia) with fine point
Gelly Roll Pen by Sakura in white
Fine line applicator bottle 
2 sheets 22” x 30” 140 lb. watercolor paper. 
Words/ poetry or quotes that you love – something that brings out an emotional response and suggests color and form to you. 
Notebook and Pen
Apron and Gloves if desired
Sumi Ink of any type
Your favorite pens and markmaking tools


Instructor Provided Supplies: 
all paints and mediums
extensive color handouts
stencils to share
Large paper for practicing marks
Lots of tools
For more information and to register call Jen Grove 502-819-1439 or respond here on Lettersong FB messages or mail me at lettersongstudio!icloud.com

November 6th 2016

Experience the Emotion, Movement, Music, and Artful Beauty of Flamenco NOVEMBER 2016. Doors@ 7:30. performance @ 8. $10. cover. A perfect event in an intimate setting, creating the passion and the warmth of Spain right in the heart of Downtown Louisville. Flamenco Louisville with 
Paul T. Carney, guitar
Shannon Fitzgerald, cante
Paula Collins, Diana Dinicola, Larissa Guy, Mary Ann Silveri-Ljubic, baile.
ABOUT FLAMENCO LOUISVILLE
Flamenco Louisville is an inclusive, participatory community of dancers, musicians, teachers and aficionados who wish to keep the Flamenco experience present in our lives though we live far from Spain. Through classes, performances and juergas (flamenco parties), we share our passion with our home community of Louisville, KY and communities throughout the region. We are committed to the practice and presentation of Flamenco Puro - the most authentic form of flamenco music and dance. The performers you will see tonight have dedicated themselves to developing their skills as flamenco artists through intense study and practice including travel to Spain and ongoing collaborations with excellent fellow-artists here in the US. 
ABOUT FLAMENCO
Flamenco is a system of singing, music and dance with its roots in the diverse cultures of Moorish-ruled Al-Andalus (the Iberian peninsula, what is now known as Spain and Portugal). The many flamenco song forms or “palos” were developed and preserved in the Gitano families and communities of Southern Spain – Andalucia – who lived on the fringes of society. It is the art form of an oppressed people and in that respect bears a similarity to the Blues of the American South. It is something that, in its purest form, takes place within the family or an intimate community. Only in the last two hundred years has it coalesced into a theatrical form to be performed on stages in café settings and later in theaters. The many flamenco palos are organized around a recognized structure that allows musicians, singers and dancers to improvise. In that way, it is similar to Jazz

November 11, 2016 7pm

Join Michael Cleveland & Brian Allen for a special concert

Friday Nov 11th • Door @ 7 Music @ 8
Tickets will be available at the door the night of the concert - First come, First Seated 
No concessions will be sold during the evening but guests are free to bring their own.
Located at the Lettersong Calligraphy Studio/Gallery - 1501 Story Ave., Louisville, Kentucky

Saturday November 12, 2016 (7-10pm)
Lettersong Presents: Ladies of Louisville

Sydney Slead with special guests Kim Weber and Jacquiblue
Music in the Round hosted by: Sydney Sleadd host a music in the round, past performers featured, Lisa Sanders, Ariana Staiger, Kendra Villiger, Carrie Coolie, Alex Peterson, Janis Pruit, Elizabeth Jil Ice,
A new music series focused on showcasing the talented women of Louisville, and building a supportive community of musicians that lift each other up! $10 suggested donation, potluck.

November 18th 2016 7:30

Sunday, Nov 6, 2016

A project to honor women blues artists, these are women who have earned their right to sing and play the blues. 

All nine performers have been invited by Les Reynolds and Jen Grove. Each artist will be performing three songs then a grand finale featuring  jazz, gospels and an old blues standards with all the artists joining in. 

The intent is to build community, and to support women finding their voices and women in general. All proceeds go to the non profit The Kentucky Music Heritage Foundation and their fund raising efforts to build a museum to house memoralbilia from Louisville and Kentucky entertainers...PLUS provide a theatre that will allow for live performances.  Last year's performers were: Laurie Jessup, Robbie Bartlett, Carla Reisert, Judy Tyler, Kim Weber, Tanita Gaines, Sheryl Rouse, Amy Johnson,  Susan O’Neil, Patty Cain, Marilyn Kington and Artie Wells. 2016 artists  TBA...If you wish to purchase your admittance in advance, you may go to paypal, send $20. per seat or contact Jen Grove  to reserve your seat today! jsgrove23@gmail.com and your tickets will be will call. You also may send a check made out to Lettersong of any donated amount to Lettersong 1501 Story Ave. Louisville, KY. Call me for more information. we can take credit cards over the phone. This years concert will be located @ The Ursuline Art Center Theatre on Lexington Rd...Feel free to call me anytime! 502-819-1439.

Every Thursday nite

Sign up sheet out at 7:30. Come on out to share a cuppa cuppa and good music at Louisville's funkiest coffee house and open stage with a revolving roster of hosts. Bring your voices and instruments to be a part of the musical magic in the eclectic atmosphere that defined the coffee houses of yore.

All ages are welcome. 

Check our Facebook event page to see who the weekly host will be.

Every Sunday nite from 6-10pm unless announced

Here is a chance to just pick and play in a circle, round robin style. Just folks, no dues, no tickets, just come pull up a chair. If you want to bring a snack or put something in the jar for the electric bill thank you kindly...Lettersong is glad to host Ray Redman and all his friends (and soon to be friends)...every Sunday night @ 6, Lord willing and the creek don't rise. Check in to Lettersong Facebook for other of Rays activities, he has been known to gather with folks on the other side of the river around a bonfire.

October 15th 2016 19:00

the best singer song writers and story tellers are here for a session won't you join us...And Welcome all! Here is the itinerary for Oct 15 @ Lettersong.
John Gage is opening for his longtime, good friend Tret Fure. The magic will be in the air!
Date: Saturday October 15, 2016
Location: Lettersong Calligraphy Studio/Gallery
1501 Story Ave.
Louisville, KY 40206
(Lettersong Contact: Jen Grove 502-819-1439)
Schedule: 7:00 pm (EDT) doors open  
Tret - merchandise sales
7:30 John Gage 
(no break)
8:00 Tret - 1st set
Intermission: 
Tret - merchandise sales
fruit & cheese trays
you are welcome to bring your own beverage. 
Here is tret's web page SAVE THE DATE!
http://tretfure.com/ for advance tickets.News Story here

July 9th-10th

The pointed brush is so versatile an instrument that a scribe could well consider spending the rest of his life on a desert island with only that tool to comfort him. In this class we’ll learn how to hold the brush and control the pressure in order to get the different strokes on paper. We’ll improve our handskills while copying some alphabets after which we’ll explore how to stimulate our inventiveness for the goal is to produce all kinds of variations while staying consistent. Inevitably, this class will also deal with the principles of gestural writing.
Supply list
1. Pentel Point Brush (holding black ink) and/or a medium or small tipped Aquash Water Brush. 2. Pencil, a watercontainer, a palette, mixing brush and ruler 3. Stack (approx. 40 sheets) of plain, cheap photocopypaper (approx 11x16 inches) to practise on. 4. A few leftovers of good quality paper (colour doesn’t matter) 5. (optional) any decent pointed brush you may have

ALL LEVELS
$200 for two days $185 early bird fee cut off July 1st. $50 deposit holds your spot, seats are limited. B&B just 4 doors down. guesthouseonstory.com limited hospitality @ the gallery.
Jen Grove lettersongstudio@gmail.com or 502-819-1439

TBA

This seminar builds on our innate human desire to make marks, uncovering the perception of negative-space in all its forms.
 

“The eye does not see the black on the page, it sees the white” — Ieuan Rees
The discovery of emptiness, (ie, negative space in all its connotations) is a deep positive source of creativity. Observing and drawing out these “dark” forms engages the non-linear mind, making marks, feeling out the contours of form with pencils, markers, and the East Asian brush.

“The hand is the mind in the world.” — PF
We also focus our awareness toward the four essential components of the mind/hand connection—intention, attention, action, release. Every action we take in the world is comprised of these four, and within each action are many sub-actions, each of which is also comprised of the four components.

The workshop will focus on the inner process of making marks rather than the end product. Using the East-Asian Brush or a chisel-edged tool, we’ll make deliberate calligraphic marks, allowing the space surrounding to shape the line, rather than the other way around. In addition, we will use soft pencils or graphite to explore the awareness of negative space. Each exercise contributes to a deeper awareness of space and our essential mark making. This enhanced awareness allows us to aspire to greater achievement in our practice, whether calligraphic, or contemplative.

The principles behind this series have been inspired by the groundbreaking work of Dr Betty Edwards' "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" and "Drawing on the Artist Within", as well as the teaching of Welsh master calligrapher and lettering designer Ieuan Rees; Zen Shodo master Kazuaki Tanahashi; and my many other honored teachers.

Peter Fraterdeus is a calligrapher, typographer, photographer, fine-printer, and life-long student of consciousness and symbolic communication forms. 
He’s a two-time winner of National Endowment for the Arts grants in the letter arts (1980, 1985) which included studies with Ieuan Rees and Hermann Zapf. http://fraterdeus.com/bio

Peter is the founder of Emptiness Design (http://empt.yt), and Slow Print Letterpress (slowprint.com). 
He teaches in the US and beyond. 

Peter Fraterdeus - @ideaswords

http://emptiness.design – Drawing on Emptiness : Opening Mindful Space for Innovation

http://fraterdeus.com 

Letterpress Training & Consulting. Letterform and Typographic Finesse

Slowprint.com : Commercial High-touch Letterpress 

IdeasWords : Idea SwordsSemiotx.com

TBA

We are truly fortunate to have a visit with Peter @ Lettersong. Below is his discription of our weekend workshop in April. which is a two day workshop, Sat April 2-Sunday April 3 9-4, door @ 8 am. Let me know if you would like to study with this iconic instructor asap, I posted only a couple of photos and already have two students. Even if you have studied with him before there is huge benefit to take a layout and design class with someone who knows what he is talking about. I am also sure it will be a great opportunity to see and maybe purchase a few of his most recent works. Call me Lettersong Calligraphy Studio/Gallery with any questions.
LAYOUT AND DESIGN OF A FINISHED PIECE
Good Layout will support indifferent lettering......
But good lettering will not support indifferent Layout.

L and D is often considered by many to be the weakest part of their work. One reason may be the confusion of the Functional - with its need for logic and order and the more Contemporary or 'Painterly' that requires a more intuitive approach.

In this w/shop, for all levels of ability, we shall clarify (and combine) our intentions to produce work that has both the Freedom (the risk) and the Discipline (the safe).
In many exercises we shall focus on the 5 or 6 key factors of Contrast that when brought together will give us a more dynamic quality, that important 'spark', of Visual Interest. 
 Class fee is $165 with an early Bird fee of $150 $10 supply fee to be paid directly to the instructor.
A feature of the class is to work on, and finish, either a text of your choosing (say 15 to 30 words ?) or one of the many I shall bring. 

Material list
Layout Paper
Any better quality paper you already have (Fabriano Ingres, Arches Text Wove/Laid, Arches MBM or similar.
A sheet or 2 of Tracing Paper.
A wide range of nib sizes, Brause or Rexel or Tape. Speedball C2. Any Automatic Pens and/or Ruling Pens you may have.
Black and/or Walnut ink.
Any gouache/Water Colours you already have.
Mixing palette and water pot
An old brush to load your pens.
HB Pencil, 

Peter Thornton