Timeline Photos

Don't miss The Rum Drum Ramblers in their Debut Show at The Focal Point!!! http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2813764

Legendary accordion player has been making music for six decades

An inspirational story! “The doctor was testing me and Joe said ‘Doctor I know what’s wrong with him. His head is full of slides and polkas rather than decent jigs and reels’. I said ‘Joe, thank you for visiting me. I’m going to compose a tune in your honour’. I did, and it’s Joe Burke’s polka. People say to him Joe, play your polka, so I definitely got my own back. He’s never played it.”

Timeline Photos

Buy your tickets here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2881127

The Missouri Rounders (Sunday Matinee)

The Missouri Rounders are John Higgins, Thayne Bradford, Charlie Pfeffer, Vince Corkery, and Bob Breidenbach. Youve seen them all before, but in this configuration they are going to make you smile! The Rounders are probably more bluegrass than anything, but these people can play absolutely anything they want. They sing, write songs, and find the best of old treasures from the country/bluegrass world. The arrangements have been pared down to let the abundant three-part singing, and the beauty of the songs in general, take center stage … but there are always a few instrumentals thrown in for good measure! *****Note This Show Begins At 2PM*****

THE Tom Hall

Tom Hall has been undisputed occupant of first chair in every band he’s played in, whether its the Geyer Street Sheiks, River City Rhythm, The Illusions, The Fighting Molly McGuires, or any of the others. Of course, the respect he now enjoys didn’t just fall into his lap; in the twenty-plus years he’s been a working professional, Tom’s paid his dues with interest, playing on street corners, festivals, bars, and concerts across the continent, Ireland and Europe. Tom’s music was originally based on blues mentors Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, and Rev. Gary Davis, to name only a few. He has since broadened his repertoire to include eclectic fingerstyle guitar, clawhammer banjo, and Irish tenor banjo alongside his mastery of resophonic guitar. Tom’s playing has brought him acclaim from appearances on National Public Radios Good Evening America with Noah Adams to the stages hes shared with The Neville Brothers, Count Basie, Lightin’ Hopkins, Albert King, Guy Clark, and many others. He was last seen at the Focal Point in a duo with Ethan Leinwand; look for him here again in July as part of the guitar heroes showcase!

Paddy Keenan & Friends

Master Irish piper and co-founder of the incomparable Bothy Band, Paddy Keenan is unique. He comes from a Travelling family steeped in traditional music; both Paddy’s father and grandfather were uilleann pipers. Paddy himself took up the pipes at the age of ten, playing his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, when he was 14. Paddy’s flowing, open-fingered style of playing can be traced directly from the style of such great Travelling pipers as Johnny Doran; both Paddy’s father and grandfather played in the same style. Although often compared to Doran, Paddy was 19 or 20 when he first heard a tape of Doran’s playing; his own style is a direct result of his father’s tutelage and influence. At 17, having fallen in love with the blues, Paddy left Ireland for England and Europe, where he played blues and rock. Returning to Ireland after a few years, he began playing around Dublin with singer/keyboardist Triona Ni Dhomhnaill and her brother, singer/guitarist Micheal O Dhomhnaill. Thus was born one of the most influential Irish bands of the 1970s, The Bothy Band. Bothy Band-mate Donal Lunny once described Paddy as the Jimi Hendrix of the pipes; more recently, due to his genius for improvisation and counter-melody, he has been compared to jazz great John Coltrane. Paddy is an old friend of The Focal Point. We are always delighted to have him and are endlessly grateful that he’s chosen us as his favorite Midwest stop!

Missouri Breaks

Join Missouri Breaks for an evening of bluegrass and beyond. Missouri Breaks combines hard-driving bluegrass with elements of rock, jazz, blues, and folk. The band's tight vocal harmonies, solid grooves, and inventive improvisation make for a highly enjoyable musical experience. Missouri Breaks is: Mike Aehle, banjo and vocals; Joel Ferber, mandolin and vocals; Joey Ferber, guitar and vocals; and Glenn Meyers, bass.

The People's

Jack and Tracey Semelsberger, a.k.a. The Peoples, have been riding high since the release of their debut album, “Songs From the Chicken Shack,” many cuts from which enjoyed airplay on various KDHX shows. This year will feature new additions on bass in the form of Red Jones and his thundering doghouse, and on Dobro with the slick sliding of Stephen Clark. Also joining Jack and Tracey will be the nimble-fingered and tasty Russell Rench on mandolin. This year’s performance will feature old favorites and a bunch of brand-new material. This group’s show ranges from hysterical to sublime and from beautiful to frenzied. These guys will not disappoint, so don’t miss out!

Jeremy Stephens & Corrina Rose Logston

Corrina Rose Logston and Jeremy Stephens are a duo heavily steeped in the sounds of traditional bluegrass and early country music. From heart songs and brother duets of the early Grand Ole Opry era to lively bluegrass tunes and their own original material, their show is sure to keep you entertained. Corrina & Jeremy perform the ballads of bygone days with a haunting authenticity in spite of their young age, yet simultaneously breathe new life into the old songs. Their performance blends past and present in a compelling combination of familiar and unique. Both Corrina and Jeremy are well-accomplished in their own rights. Jeremy, born and raised in south central Virginia, has worked as guitarist and singer for the world famous gospel group The Chuck Wagon Gang, as a multi-instrumentalist on the television show Ray Stevens’ Nashville, and most recently as banjo player and singer with Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys. He is a true student of old-time, bluegrass, and country music and has won banjo contests all across the country. Corrina, originally from southwestern Illinois, has worked as fiddler and singer with a who’s who of today’s traditional-based bluegrass performers, including David Peterson & 1946, Jesse McReynolds & the Virginia Boys, Chris Henry & the Hardcore Grass, and Jim Lauderdale. She is a graduate of Belmont University and has won numerous contests in fiddling and singing as well. Drawn together by their mutual love for duets, especially the lesser known names in traditional bluegrass and hillbilly music, Corrina and Jeremy have been likened to Reno & Smiley, the Louvin Brothers, and Lulu Belle & Scotty. Their vocal blending and harmony has led many listeners to remark that they must be related. In fact, Corrina and Jeremy are both only-children who are only “kin” by their marriage to one another. They currently reside in Nashville, Tennessee. Together they bring a colorful palate of diverse musical styles with a heart-warming delivery that is sure to delight.

The Foggy Memory Boys

The Foggy Memory Boys perform traditional bluegrass as well as newgrasseverything from original, blues and acoustic jazz to fire-breathing Bluegrass. Jason Scroggins on Guitar, Cecil Tinnon on mandolin, Will Miskall on bass, and Mark Raborn on banjo.. Their roots are in traditional bluegrass; they have individually performed with, traveled with, and recorded with some of the greatest names associated with that genre, and their playing clearly echoes those influences. Special guests: Gary Hunt, Dustin Greer, Kris Shewmake, Matt McGibany, and Andy Novara.

Musicians Unite

Musicians Unite