Joe Crookston
Hello Friends,
In two and one-half years of playing music together, Andrew and I have had the opportunity to hear, meet and play with some great musicians. Probably the best musician I have heard in this time is a folksinger from Ithaca by the name of Joe Crookston.
When I was a young man I saw film clips of Bob Dylan playing at the Newport folk festival. He was only about 20 years old. I was stunned by the power of his performance. Around the same time I saw a very young Joni Mitchell on the Johnny Cash Show. It had the same impact on me. These artists seemed to be in a “window” of their lives when they had an extraordinary ability to play, sing and write at an exceptional level. I saw them some years later. They were still very good, but in my opinion that time of otherworldly brilliance had passed.
The first time I saw Joe Crookston play, I was reminded of those occasions years before when I had watched Dylan and Mitchell. He is a good guitar player and a strong singer. He is an exceptional songwriter. These elements combine to make an extremely powerful performer in which the sum of his musical abilities is greater than the parts. I am not alone in my high opinion of Joe Crookston. He was voted the “Most Wanted Artist” at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and his latest CD, “Able, Baker, Charlie and Dog”, was awarded the 2009 Album of the Year by The International Folk Alliance.
Why am I telling you this stuff? A couple of months ago I became aware that Joe was going to have a cancellation in his schedule. I got together with him at one of his shows and we made plans for him to come to Perry and play a house concert in our home (11 Saint Helena St., Perry, NY 14530) Andrew and I will open the show at 7:00 PM on Saturday, January 23rd. Joe will play right after us.
This is a unique opportunity to hear a musician at the top of the profession play in a very intimate environment. We can fit about 35 people in our house. About two-thirds of the seats have already been bought. If you think you would like to come to this event give me a call soon and we will try to fit you in (585-237-5346). The admission price is $12 if you pay in advance or $15 at the door, but I am pretty sure the show will be a “sellout” before January 23rd. You can find a flyer on this house concert in the attachment.
Best wishes,
Ernie Lawrence
Visit Joe’s Website: http://www.joecrookston.com/