Event

Michael Gaither & Friends and Rick Di Dia & Aireene Espiritu

Michael Gaither has been a journalist, teacher, even a joke writer for Jay Leno. All roads led to music. His CD's "Spotted Mule and Other Tales" (2006) and its autobiographical follow-up "Dogspeed" (2009) mix folk, Americana, and even a little gospel to tell funny and poignant stories of everyday life. Michael favors songs with stories and tales of day-to-day life: Big cars. Bad drivers. A baby's first steps. Dogs and horses. Michael draws the audience into the music through his intelligent, sophisticated lyrics about common everyday subjects to which we can all relate. He is a writer with a keen eye for detail and a gentle sense of humor.

Since pairing up three years ago, the guitar and ukulele duo of Rick Di Dia & Aireene Espiritu has supported musical legends Willie Nelson, Rickie Lee Jones, Odetta, Susan Tedeschi and Derek Trucks, Robin Trower, Sugar Pie Desanto, and Ramblin' Jack Elliot. Their versatility in songwriting has also enabled them to share shows with acts as diverse as Rogue Wave, My Morning Jacket, Bill Tapia, Hot Buttered Rum, Harry Manx, and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Aireene, a native of the Philippines, plays a 1950's Martin tenor ukulele, and crafts simple yet hauntingly beautiful songs that are highlighted by the strength and richness of her 'spot on' vocal delivery. Rick plays guitar in various tunings and has developed a unique lap-style playing method that results in an intriguing array of chords, single note lead runs and sliding that looks as if he is chasing notes from one end of the neck to the other.