2025 - Live Music Ahead!
A look at the first half of Hillbilly Haiku's new year
We made it through ‘the holidays’ once again, with all of the joys and baggage they bring. I hope you were able to catch the remembrance of childhood christmas magic and hang onto that nostalgia for a moment or two. Against my better knowledge, I struggle with the pressure to make christmas an event and the pressure to be merry. That one was a big fail for us this year, as we had to say goodbye to our beloved dog, Levon. But I was able to make christmas dinner and deliver it to dear friends, one of whom is recovering from knee replacement and not so mobile just yet. The good with the bad, eh?
But to the matter that brings us together here, Hillbilly Haiku! As this is our first full year back after the covid hiatus, we plan to keep it to 6 concerts this year. That seems do-able for us and hopefully we can maintain the audience to make 6 successful shows. We are tentatively planning to do 3 in the Spring and 3 in the Fall, February - April and September - November. Everything is negotiable especially to meet the schedules of our desired artists, but this is the beginning goal. Time will tell if we are able to stick to that plan. Here is what I do know so far, our first house concert of 2025 is… {insert drumroll}
AN EVENING OF HIGH-TONED MUSICAL REFINEMENT with
JEFFERSON ROSS and TODD HOKE
Sunday, February 16 at 4:00pm, Doors & optional potluck at 3:00pm
RSVP Required, Email or text (hillbillyhaiku@gmail.com, 615.500.8717)
Address and Directions provided when you RSVP.
Suggested donation $20, all going to the artists.
Bring a potluck dish or deli/dessert item if you wish to participate
When I asked these men how they would like to be billed, ‘an evening of high-toned musical refinement’ was their typical less-than-serious reply. There will be nothing high-toned or refined about their concert, it will be the same down-home fun you can always expect at Hillbilly Haiku. I’ve been knowing Jefferson close to 20 years now, he has played our stage several times and his art hangs on our walls. In 2017 he gave us the immense honor of recording a live CD in our living room at a house concert. It’s true, you can google it up!
I met Todd at a music conference in 2010. It was a difficult conference for me because I had lost a dear music friend a couple months prior, but I was on the board of the organization so I had to suck it up and attend. To keep it short, Todd was the reason I had a good time at a conference I was just hoping to endure. It’s pretty hard not to have a good time around Todd.
When I introduced these two to each other, it was peanut butter, meet jelly. Their friendship has a strong base in humor, but they are both fine musicians and songwriters and storytellers. And humans, they are especially fine humans. We will let them riff off each other, and I promise nothing but great music and plenty giggles. Sure hope you will join us for this fun! Here are a couple more ‘high-toned and refined’ photos of Todd and Jefferson. Gosh, I love these crazy kidz! Oh, and if I forgot to mention, there will be hats, these guys are notorious for their hats. Hats and music. Notorious. Y’all come!!
That is our February in a nutshell, and although we haven’t nailed down the date just yet, it’s looking likely that March may bring the return of a venerable Tennessee songwriter and Appalachian conjurer to Hillbilly Haiku! As soon as it’s confirmed, you folks will be the first to know! April is still a mystery to be solved, talks are in motion and fingers are crossed. Again, as soon as I know….
If you appreciate what Hillbilly Haiku offers in the way of live music and fellowship, please pass along this email and tell your music-minded friends about us. We are always looking for more listeners and word of mouth is the best way we have to find them. We appreciate you! Yes, YOU!