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Event
Steve Spurgin and Doug Haywood Concert Evening
8pm: In the world of Folk and Americana music, some traditional songs have been beloved for centuries and are known all over the world. They form the basis of our musical heritage and are well-loved by performers and audiences alike. Occasionally a song composed by a contemporary songwriter appears and is so universal in its appeal that it quickly becomes a de-facto "traditional" song. One of these is "A Walk in the Irish Rain," by Steve Spurgin. It has been performed and recorded by dozens of artists over the years, and is included in the repertoire of many musicians.
A musical life began early for Steve Spurgin, starting with lessons in classical piano at age five, and then moving on to French horn and choral training in school. The performing bug bit him in the early '60s when he picked up a guitar and started entertaining his schoolmates with the songs of his musical heroes, such as Bob Dylan and Gordon Lightfoot. In the summer of 1965, Spurgin launched a professional career that has touched on six decades. After playing folk music in and around Dallas, Texas, for a few years, Spurgin moved to the Los Angeles area, bought a set of drums and spent the next 15 years providing the backbeat for various bands everything from rock to bluegrass. He played behind such performers as Freddy Fender, Mason Williams, The Limeliters and Byron Berline's cutting-edge country/bluegrass band Sundance, which also included Vince Gill. During his time in California, he also did studio session work on the drums as well as voice-over work for TV and radio commercials. Spurgin moved back to Texas in 1983 and joined the honky tonk scene. He eventually picked up an electric bass and once again joined Bryon Berline in a band that became California, and included Dan Crary, John Hickman and John Moore. California won three consecutive IBMA Instrumental Group of the Year awards and traveled throughout the world, performing its own brand of power bluegrass.
Throughout his performing career, Spurgin continued to pursue his true passion -- songwriting. He spent three years as a Nashville staff writer for The Welk Music Group, assigned to Gene Watson and Reba McEntire. That association saw many of his songs recorded, and produced two major country hits for Watson. With a B.M.I. award in hand, Spurgin started his own publishing company for his songs that have now been circulated far and wide, such as "She Always Smelled Like Lilacs", "Muley Was a Railroad Man", "Band of Angels," and, of course, "A Walk in the Irish Rain. In 1994, after winning the prestigious "New Folk" award at the Kerrville Folk Festival, Spurgin began concentrating on a solo career and has become one of the most distinctive and enjoyable singer/songwriters on the Americana music scene. His live performances showcase original songs full of insight, humor, love, tears and nostalgia.
In the world of singer-songwriters, Steve Spurgin is the genuine article.
9:15pm: Doug Haywood will be sharing the evening with Steve! Doug Haywood, from a 2015 interview with Mariah Fleming: Doug Haywood is a singer-songwriter-musician who has worked with some of the most iconic musicians of the last four-plus decades. Haywood has a list of credits that is mind blowing. "I'm the most famous musician nobody's heard of!" he says. The average music listener may not have heard of Doug Haywood, but he's certainly well known to the many iconic musicians with whom he has worked. The short list includes Jackson Browne, who he's toured with (and continues to do so) for twenty years. The list includes artists like Linda Ronstadt, Graham Nash, the late Warren Zevon and many others. It's a very long list of touring and recording credits. Jackson Browne and Doug Haywood reunited to record Browne's release "Standing In the Breach," with Doug singing harmonies...
Doug Haywood is not a name-dropper, even though he is one of the preeminent 'sidemen' in the music industry. People who follow his music appreciate his superlative talent, humility and humor. He's co-written many songs with people like with Jack Tempchin who wrote "Peaceful, Easy Feeling." Haywood's own songs have been recorded by artists such as David Lindley, Bobbie Gentry, The Dillards, Mason Williams, Jennifer Warnes, Juice Newton and Jerry Reed. He had a top ten hit with "If it Ain't Love by Now" recorded by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius. He (Doug) was also on SNL with Jackson when the original cast was there, and Steve Martin was host.
Haywood's got connections to Arizona music that go way back to the Mews and the Blue Goat Pub 'coffee house' days. Long time Valley residents will remember the Mews and the Blue Goat Pub as a bit of a circa late 1960's early 1970's Greenwich Village vibe in Scottsdale (and believe me, those WERE the days!) In that tradition, the Valley still has Fiddler's Dream, a 30 plus year old Phoenix gem which has hosted much great music over the years. If you've been there, you know what I mean. If you haven't, here's your chance to experience a stunner at this concert. Doug has been around long enough to have played under some good, and some not-so-good circumstances. This one will be a good one.
Doors open at 7:15pm, and the music begins at 8pm. Advance purchase through Brown Paper Tickets will be $10; admission will be $15 at the door on the evening of the show.
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LocationFiddler's Dream Coffeehouse (View)
1702 E. Glendale Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85020
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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