Événement

Mark Stuart w/ Billy Brandt

Mark Stuart will spend 2016 doing what he has always done. He will tour full-time as a musical artist, bringing his years of experience to the stage. Onstage, his focus is on the songs he has penned and recorded, delivered with a soulful singing voice and highly memorable guitar playing.

After many years on the Americana/Folk circuit, Stuart has cultivated a very rounded performance. His show consists of storytelling, flashy guitar "chops", and songs that seem to draw from his rock, blues, country, and folk music roots. Mostly, this artist from Tennessee has toured solo or in a notable duo with his wife ("Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart"). There were stints
along the way as a sideman, though (Steve Forbert, Freddy Fender, Steve Earle, Joan Baez). If placed on the bill with a contemporary artist he is usually asked to play guitar on their portion of the show. Just ask Jason Ringenberg, Ray Wylie Hubbard, or Jimmy LaFave.

One can find Mark Stuart on any given night in a small theater,
coffeehouse, house concert, festival stage, club, church auditorium, etc. giving it his all. Aside from that, he could be instructing at a guitar clinic, songwriting workshop, or playing on someone's recording session. As co-owner of Gearle Records he has produced or co-produced many albums. Stuart's career has repeatedly taken him to all of the USA, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom, and, has spanned several decades.

Billy Brandt will open the show. Billy is a multiple-award-winning Detroit area singer-songwriter, whose rootsy, folky, psychedelic alt-country background underpins strong songwriting and an adventurous spirit. A mainstay of the local Detroit scene, Billy's collaborations with other artists are near-legendary - and you're as likely to find him out playing with former protegee Jill Jack, or his 'Celticana' duo with Sarana VerLin, or his roots rock combo Grievous Angel, as you are to find him solo. His excellent solo album 'The Mission Band' showcases both his songwriting and his performance collaborations, and is well worth more than one listen. Billy's love for music is infectious, and his embrace of different genres brings a richness and an expanse to his shows. Be prepared for a genial, convivial, and musically rewarding evening with songs you know, songs you might know, and songs you will discover and treasure. And will earworm you unmercifully.