Kellin Watson at Coffeehouse

Kellin has been playing music and writing songs for the past 12 years. Releasing her first demo album, Little things in 1998, Kellin got her first taste of recording in a studio. Since then, she released her debut solo indy album, Paper Bird, in December 2003, at 22. Kellin's latest album, No Static includes an array of talented musicians. The album includes a song written by Grammy Award winning Gordie Sampson called Your Place In this World as well as a few guest appearances from members of Afromotive, Sugarhill recording artists The Duhks, local singer-songwriter Tyler Ramsey, and many others.

Will Straughan at Coffeehouse

Will Straughan is a singer-songwriter living in Western North Carolina. A graduate of Trinity College with a degree in English Literature he has also worked as a mentor for the YMCA. Will counts Scott Manring, Nick Drake, Louvin Brothers, Norman Blake, Blind Willie McTell, among his influences. He and John Cloyd Miller of Lo Fi Breakdown and Natalya Weinstein of Lo Fi and Polecat Creek constitute the folk-indie-oldtime-grass trio, Red June. He also is collaborating with Jenny Benford (formerly w/ Jim and Jenny and the Pinetops; Crooked Jades), Brad Hutchison (Greasy Beans; Jim and Jenny and the Pinetops) and Josh Haddix (Greasy Beans; The Whappers) under the name Garbage Bear. He also performs with Eliza Lynn from N/Asheville as well as Lance Mills, from Black Mountain.

Josh Stack at Coffeehouse

Hailing from the Virginia Appalachians, Joshua Stack was raised in a home where there were two kinds of music: Bluegrass and White noise. The bluegrass heritage and tradition colored his understanding of music while Rock and Roll firmly entrenched itself into his expressive tastes. Years of bar gigs, club shows, and even living in Austin to do music full time eventually led him to Asheville where he landed a weekly gig almost as soon as he arrived. Josh’s work in the music industry as a philanthropist with Widespread Panic also led him to MANNA FoodBank in 2008 where he eschewed regular gigs for the fight against hunger. He’s played Bele Chere, Downtown After 5, Mo Daddy’s, Emerald Lounge, and countless venues along the eastern seaboard and between here and Austin. His songwriting is honest, straightforward, and gut punching…a lot of sound for 1 guy and a guitar.

Andy Gwynn at Coffeehouse

Andy Gwynn has lived in Black Mountain since 1983. He is a founding member of the Prophets of Praise band at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. He has two daughters, Lisle and Emelyn. A retired State employee, these days he builds and repairs African drums in his basement workshop. He writes songs mainly as a hobby and enjoys sharing them with friends.

Shrove Tuesday Singer-Songwriter Coffeehouse: update

Black Mountain Presbyterian Church presents a Shrove Tuesday Singer-Songwriter Coffeehouse on Tuesday March 8 at 7PM at White Horse Black Mountain. There is no fixed charge for the event; there will be a free-will offering with proceeds benefiting the crisis orphanage-nursery, Ministry of Hope, in Lesotho in southern Africa. Singer songwriters appearing in this acoustic concert include Andy Gwynn, Josh Stack, Will Straughan and Kellin Watson. Varieties of coffee and various desserts will be available for purchase also; the food and beverage service will be managed by our own Phil Cogbill. Contact Mike Barker 828-669-2725 for more information.

Music for 022711

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
He knows my name
I could sing of your love forever

Opening Song
Lord reign in me

Confession
First song of Isaiah (Surely it is God…)

Offertory
Indescribable

Communion
One bread, one body

Closing Song
Change my heart, O God


11AM
Hymns
142, All hail the power of Jesus’ name (CORONATION)
376, Love divine, all loves excelling (BEECHER)

Confession
White, Surely it is God who saves me

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Music during Communion
521, You satisfy the hungry heart (GIFT OF FINEST WHEAT)
506, Deck yourself, my soul with gladness (SCHMUEKE DICH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Arr. Philip Gehring, You satisfy the hungry heart
Offertory: John Henry Newman/John Bacchus Dykes, Lead kindly light
Ken Scott, Jr., Libby Barker, Carolyn Konnert
Postlude: Pachelbel, Toccata in E Minor

Music for worship 022011

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Sanctuary
Better is one day

Opening Song
Blessed be your name

Confession
Your grace is enough

Scripture/Proclamation
Thy word

Offertory
Lead me to the cross

Doxology
Owens, Praise God form whom all blessings flow

Closing Song
Take my life

11AM
Hymns
479, Praise, my soul, the God of heaven (LAUDA ANIMA)
307, Fight the good fight (DUKE STREET)
274, O God of earth and space (LEONI)

Confession
579, Gloria Patri (GREATOREX)

Anthem
Handel/Hopson, Shout the glad tidings
Shout the glad tidings, O sing to the Lord;
For he hath done marvelous things.
Mighty are his works, wonderful his deeds;
His love and power forever are sure.
The Lord is King, King of all; he rules in might,
O sing for joy; his power and love forever are sure.
Trumpets sound forth his praise
For our victory is won. Sing, O Israel, sing.
The Lord is faithful, let all give praise:
The roar of the sea, all creatures therein.
Sound forth your joy.
God is the Lord, King over all.
See his marvelous works, see his wonderful deeds.
His power and love forever are sure.

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Arr. Robert Buckley Farlee, Lauda Anima
Offertory: Arr. George Shearing (d. 2/14/2011), I know that my redeemer lives (Antioch)
Postlude: Handel, Presto, Concerto in F

RIP George Shearing

British pianist George Shearing died recently. I happened to hear an interview with him on Fresh Air yesterday. He was talking about working during "the War." (Because he was blind, he was ineligible for military service.) Because other musicians had been conscripted, he remained busier than he could manage. He described a typical day that began at 10AM in the recording studio and concluded about 4AM in the last-to-close piano bar! It reminded me just a little of the one year I tried to make a go of it job-wise without a full-time gig, and instead worked 4 part-time jobs.

One of the first collections of organ music I ever bought was a set of hymn interpretations by Shearing. At the time, I had no idea who he was, and I didn't know what I was buying, in terms of the adventuresome harmonic language. I probably raised a few eyebrows the first time I trotted out those settings. I think without knowing it those hymn settings colored my own development as an improviser and hymn interpreter. I learned it's okay to string along accidentals and added ninths (major and minor) all day long.

I'm planning to play one of my favorites this week, Shearing's setting of the 'old" tune ANTIOCH. The "new" ANTIOCH we sing to the text Joy to the world. But there is an older minor key ANTIOCH (found in The Sacred Harp) that is usually paired with the hymn I know that my redeemer lives. I think it be a fine testament to Shearing and his music style.

I know that my Redeemer lives; glory, hallelujah!
What comfort this sweet sentence gives; glory hallelujah!
Shout on, pray on, we're gaining ground; glory hallelujah!
The dead's alive, and the lost is found; glory, hallelujah!

Hymn Festival update

Here are the hymns to be included in the festival event this coming Sunday at 430PM:

Lead me, guide me (Doris Akers)
How happy is he born and taught (TALLIS' CANON)
Send forth, O God, they light and truth (HOLDEN)
When I can read my title clear (PISGAH)
God is my strong salvation (CHENIES)
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah (REGENT SQUARE)
How firm a foundation (ADESTE FIDELIS and FOUNDATION)
The battle hymn of the republic (BATTLE HYMN)
Lead, kindly light (LUX BENIGNA)
Precious Lord, take my hand (Tomas A. Dorsey)
O God our help in ages past (setting of ST. ANNE by John Rutter)
Lift every voice and sing (J. Rosamund Johnson)

Lead me, guide me: hymns that inspired our nation's leaders will explore the favorite hymns of several US presidents and that of Susan B. Anthony (whose birthday we celebrate this month) and Martin Luther King, Jr., in ackowledgment of Black History Month.

The event will begin with a setting of ENGLEBERG for brass ensemble and handbells. The event is co-sponsored by the Western North Carolina chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Hymn Society in the United States and Canada. The event is free and open to the public.

Music for worship 021311

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
Lord, be glorified
Glorify thy name

Opening Song
Cry of my heart

Confession
You are my all in all

Offertory
Lord, I Want to be a Christian

Doxology
Give thanks

Closing Song
Refiner’s fire (Purify my heart)


11AM
Hymns
420, God of grace and God of glory (CWM RHONDDA)
372, Lord, I want to be a Christian (I WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN)
386, O for a world (AZMON)

Confession
579, Gloria Patri (GREATOREX)

Anthem
Mark L. Williams, O Master, let me walk with thee

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Walther, Allegro, Concerto in B Minor
Offertory: Walther, Adagio, Concerto in B Minor
Postlude: Walther, Finale, Concerto in B Minor

Red June in commercial

From Will Straughan:

My friend Marc Ryan's film company, Third Story Films, used "Biscuits and Honey" for a cool video blog project they did for Chrysler's facebook page. They traveled from one NFL play off city to another promoting the new Chrysler 200 (they did a commercial for it last night during the game). And no, Red June is not going corporate-just hoping to get a little more exposure. Be sure to check them out

Music for 020611

FirstLight
Gathering Song(s)
The heart of worship

Opening Song
The wonderful cross

Confession
You are my hiding place

Offertory
Video meditation

Closing Song
Bring for the kingdom of God

11AM
Hymns
263, Immortal, invisible, God only wise (ST. DENIO)
408, Where cross the crowded ways of life (GERMANY)
432, Song of hope (ARGENTINA)

Introit
Strathdee, What does the Lord require of you

Confession
Alleluia, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven

Anthem
Handel, Blessed be thy name evermore

Doxology
592, Praise God from whom all blessings flow (OLD HUNDREDTH)

Instrumental/Organ Music
Prelude: Vivaldi, Gavotte, Sonata in C
Libby Barker, flute
Offertory: Vivaldi, Gigue, Sonata in C
Postlude: Handel, Voluntary and Fugue in C