Groovin’ in New Fairfield is proud to welcome ABBIE GARDNER with special guests Shawna Caspi, Don Lowe and Lorkin O'Reilly on Saturday, September 24 at 7:30pm, at the New Fairfield Senior Center, 33 Route 37, New Fairfield, CT. Tickets are $10 and doors open at 6:45 pm.
Abbie Gardner, the fiery Dobro player with an infectious smile has been touring with Americana darlings Red Molly for the past eleven years. After gracing stages from Denver to Denmark, from Australia to Austin, the band decided to take an indefinite hiatus in 2015, so Abbie is striking out on her own! " Her background is as varied as the songs she writes. Abbie has listened to the sweet sound of high lonesome harmonies since her first bluegrass festival at the age of three. Her father, Herb Gardner, is a swing jazz and stride pianist and dixieland trombonist. Watching him laugh as he went off to "work" every day was her first introduction to the joy of being a musician. Abbie's first full-length recording, My Craziest Dream (2004) is an album of jazz standards featuring her father on piano. It earned her an entry in the 2009 Hal Leonard book "The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide." Abbie is quickly compiling an extensive discography of recording credits. Her own CDs include Honey on My Grave (2006), Bad Nights/Better Days (2008, with Anthony da Costa), and Hope (2011), which features three different kinds of slide guitar (dobro, lap steel and National bottleneck). Abbie has been recognized as an award-winning songwriter, with such accolades as; 2006 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriter Showcase (2nd place), 2008 Lennon Award Winner (folk) for "The Mind of a Soldier" and 2008 American Songwriter Magazine Grand Prize Lyric Winner for "I'd Rather Be." "The Mind of a Soldier" was also featured on Lufthansa Airlines in 2010. Richard Cuccaro, publisher of Acoustic Live writes: “Abbie Gardner shows her prodigious writing chops in her album, Hope. Tales of love and loss, both gritty and sweet, ride the back of her by-now familiar, formidable slide guitar licks. She channels Lucinda and Bonnie, but remains pure Abbie." www.abbiegardner.com
SHAWNA CASPI: With her third album, Apartments For Lovers, Canadian Shawna Caspi taps right into her folk roots, stripping away the session musicians and elaborate arrangements of her previous records in favour of a simple, authentic sound – her solo guitar and voice. The result is a collection of songs that is close-up and honest, showcasing her warm vocals, classically trained fingerstyle guitar playing, and intimate songwriting in a genuine, powerful way. She has played festivals including the Blue Skies Music Festival, the Summerfolk Festival, the Deep Roots Music Festival, and the Ottawa Grassroots Festival. as well as the VIA Rail On Board Entertainment Program. “Shawna Caspi has the rare gift of presence that immediately invites audience engagement, from the first strum of her skilled guitar playing to the last exquisite note she sings”. – Andy Frank, co-founder of Roots Music Canada
http://www.shawnacaspi.com
DON LOWE: Don Lowe lives in Sherman, Connecticut. He plays guitar and sings in a variety of venues throughout Western Connecticut and New York. Much of his material is written by himself but he also puts his own touch into the songs of a wide range of artists. Don’s background is theatre and he was a professional actor in New York City for twelve years. He currently makes a living as a freelance writer in addition to teaching and tutoring writing. For the last two years, he has taught English at Western Connecticut .State University where he recently earned his Masters degree in Creative Writing. He has written two books, one on contemporary music and another on the Revolutionary War. He also just completed his first novel, titled Late Harvest, which he is currently trying to get published. He has three children and is married to Broadway performer, Mary Ann Lamb. http://www.donlowesongs.com/
LORKIN O-REILLY: “Arriving from his native Scotland with naught but a guitar on his back, a head full of song and hands schooled in UK song avatars John Martyn and Nick Drake. Lorkin O’Reilly has made a name for himself in the Hudson valley as an emerging talent to watch” – Chronogram http://www.lorkinoreillymusic.com
Advance tickets can be purchased at the New Fairfield Senior Center or by mail. Payments made my mail should be payable to Groovin’ in New Fairfield, c/o New Fairfield Senior Center, 33 Route 37, New Fairfield, CT. 06812. Please allow sufficient time when mailing. All sales are final. Tickets can also be purchased at the door, pending availability. Additionally, a moderately priced dinner catered by Bruno’s Restaurant is offered before the show. Choices include: eggplant rollatini, chicken francese, pizza, coffee, tea, hot mulled cider, water and homemade desserts. For additional information, contact us at grcoffeehouse@gmail.com.
About Groovin’ in New Fairfield: Groovin’ in New Fairfield seeks to develop and promote ongoing, regularly scheduled live music programs in New Fairfield and surrounding areas. It is a non-profit organization supported by sponsors, local businesses, grants from charitable organizations and patron donations and is staffed by volunteers. It operates under the New Fairfield Parks and Recreation Commission. www.groovininnewfairfield.com