Cousin Andy's

Carter & Connelley at Cousin Andy’s!

Bring your friends and come hear Carter & Connelley play at Cousin Andy’s Coffee House on the evening of Friday, April 4th. Doors open 7:00 pm, music starts at 7:30 pm. The house concert will be at our Redbud Hill venue, 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Park along the street, or in the city lot near the police station, just north of the courthouse.

“Curt Carter and Tom Connelley are energetic and insightful artists tackling social and environmental concerns through their music. Original compositions highlighting the artist’s love of the natural world make up the bulk of the writing.”

Suggested donation: $15
Coffee, tea and cookies provided. Or BYOB.

Read more about Curt Carter’s and Tom Connelley’s music:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077071686429
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61566475186486

Small Potatoes Christmas House Concert at Cousin Andy’s!

Welcome back Rich and Jacquie, aka Small Potatoes, for their annual Christmas house concert, while we fete a reunion with our founding board members Vern and Lenore during their northerly holiday trek from Texas. The house concert will occur at our Redbud Hill venue at 411 N 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL on Friday December 13th. Doors open at 6:30 pm for social conversation; music starts at 7:30 pm. Parking is along the street, in back off the alley, or in the city lot a block away between the police station and courthouse.

Suggested donation $15.
Coffee, tea and cookies provided, or BYOB.

“These folks are wonderful; fun, energetic, and great musicians. They’re two of my favorite performers.” — Bill Staines, Singer/songwriter

“Behind the humble name hides a creative couple of singer-songwriters who know a thing or two about keeping a crowd laughing, smiling, and occasionally crying.” — Bill Lynch, Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV

“Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso combine cleverly witty with powerfully poignant songs, along with well chosen covers to present an unusually entertaining and involving repertoire engagingly delivered. Prezioso’s song “1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes” is one of the most outstanding songs of the past 50 years.” — Rich Warren, The Midnight Special – WFMT Radio, Chicago, IL

Learn more about this Celtic-Cowboy-folk music duo from Chicago on their website: http://smallpotatoesmusic.com/index.htm

Doug Anderson plays at Cousin Andy’s!

Cousin Andy’s welcomes Americana musician and philosopher Doug Anderson to our Redbud Hill venue for an intimate listening room house concert on Saturday, November 9th. Doors open at 7:00 pm; music starts at 7:30 pm. While Doug has played with many musicians, including John Gorka, and southern Illinois’ popular Bone Dry River Band, this evening, the Ol’ Moose will play his own original Americana music from his various CD’s.

Suggested donation $15. Coffee, tea and cookies provided. BYOB.

Parking is available along the street, in back (accessed from the alley), or at the city lot near the Murphysboro police station a couple blocks south.

We thank Doug for this concert which will also serve as a fundraiser for future house concerts with out-of-town musicians.

Read more about Doug Anderson’s music:
https://olmoose.com

Andrew Calhoun returns to Cousin Andy’s!

Join us for Andrew Calhoun’s CD release of Different Now in his return to Cousin Andy’s Coffee House on Saturday, October 19th. Andrew will play songs from his new CD (https://andrewcalhoun.com/product/1017319). The house concert will take place at our Redbud Hill venue, 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL, a block north of the police station, a couple blocks north of the courthouse. Doors open at 7:00 pm; concert starts at 7:30 pm. Parking is along the street or in a city lot near the police station. Coffee, tea and cookies provided or BYOB.

Suggested donation, $15. All are welcome.

“Andrew Calhoun is a powerful songsmith, a quiet and sly performer, and fine traditional singer as well… fascinating and unpredictable.”
— Phil Shapiro, Bound for Glory

“He’s blessed with crystalline fingerpicking, a resonant baritone, and a writer’s ear.” —The Oregonian

Andrew Calhoun’s innovative music is rooted in tradition. In fifty years as a performer, he has cultivated a prismatic repertoire including his poetic original songs, Irish and American folk songs, Anglo-Scottish ballads, folk spirituals, and poems and songs by writers such as Dave Carter, Mary Oliver and Robert Burns.
https://andrewcalhoun.com/home

Tom Neilson Returns to Cousin Andy’s!

Tom Neilson will bring us more political commentary, satire and songs on Friday, February 23 at our Redbud Hill venue at 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Doors open at 6 pm; music starts at 7 pm. Parking is along the street or in the city parking lot just south between the Murphysboro police station and courthouse.

Suggested donation $15.
Cookies, tea and coffee provided, but you may BYOB.

“People are still talking about Tom’s performance, which brought just the right balance of biting political commentary, humor, personal storytelling, and memorable music to our house concert. His songs, his voice, and his guitar wrapped it all up into one great package.” — Vicki Ryder, South Florida Raging Grannies

“His scope, depth and breadth of original, often funny, social issue/justice songs is impressive. It was the first time I was ever introduced with a song.” — Ralph Nader, Correspondence

Read more about Tom here on his website:
https://tomneilsonmusic.com/

Welcome back Tim Grimm, Indiana’s storyteller through songs, to Cousin Andy’s Coffee House. The house concert will be on Friday, February 9th, at our Redbud Hill venue, 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Doors open at 6 pm; music starts at 7 pm. Parking is nearby on the street, or also near the police station in the block to the south toward the courthouse.

Suggested donation, $20.
Coffee, tea and cookies provided, or BYOB.

“Tim Grimm is a bit of a Renaissance man in the performing arts world, forging a rich and varied career that blends his love of songwriting, travel, and acting in theatre, film and television. For most of his 25-year career as a storytelling balladeer in the tradition of John Prine, Woody Guthrie, and Bob Dylan, Tim has written primarily about community, history, family, and social issues – often framed by his strong sense of place and the many years he spent on the family farm he built in rural Indiana. His songs are filled with rural characters and landscapes, written and sung with vivid warmth and intimacy.” —https://timgrimm.com/

Read more about Tim Grimm here:
https://timgrimm.com/press-reviews

Cousin Andy’s Coffee House welcomes back Mark Stuart for a house concert on Friday, January 12th, at our Redbud Hill venue, 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Doors open at 6 pm; music starts at 7 pm. Parking is nearby on the street, or also over near the police station in the block to the south toward the courthouse.

This Americana/Folk veteran serves up songs from his Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart CDs, solo CDs, AND reflects on his journey in music.
“Onstage, his focus is on the songs he has penned and recorded, delivered with a soulful singing voice and highly memorable guitar playing. 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.“

Suggested donation $15.

All those in good health are welcome.
COVID vaccinations and handwashing recommended.

Read more about Mark Stuart’s music and CD’s on his website:
http://www.markstuart.net/

On Friday, December 15th, Cousin Andy’s welcomes back Small Potatoes for our annual Christmas holiday house concert, also featuring a visit from Santa Claus. The Chicago-based folk duo of Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso play a repertoire they describe as “Celtic to Cowboy.”

Coffee, tea, and cookies provided, or BYOB.

Suggested donation, $20.

The house concert will be at our Redbud Hill venue, at 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Doors open at 6 pm, music starts at 7 pm. Parking along the street, in back (up the alley), or a block away in the city lot near the Murphysboro police station north of the courthouse. Bring some friends.

Read more about Small Potatoes:
http://smallpotatoesmusic.com/

It’s Halloween. Put on your costume (or don’t) and come to Cousin Andy’s for a special Halloween Concert.

Legendary Southern Illinois musician, Hugh DeNeal, features his years of songwriting in a solo house concert for Cousin Andy’s Coffee House, Friday evening, October 27th, 7 pm. Doors open at 6 pm at our Red Bud Hill venue, 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL.
Suggested donation $20.
Coffee and cookies available OR BYOB. And there will be cheap wine and even cheaper beer, but it’s nice to bring and share.
Parking nearby on the street or in the city lot in the block north of the county courthouse (where the carnies park for Apple Fest).

Hugh DeNeal and his songs gained considerable following while he played in the Wood Box Gang at many night clubs and festivals. After a brief exit, his return concert played to a full house at SIU’s Shryock Auditorium, followed by many music events and a documentary film, Confidence Man (directed by Robert Streit). More recently, he has played with Hobo Knife, the People vs. Hugh DeNeal, and solo. His lyrics, describing life as it is, are often sung by all dancing to his tunes.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063518295613
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J138ZjFT9uM
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI1dZwinGHUXh2d-SKamlvQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ctq0cLQiWiU
https://www.youtube.com/@woodbox665/videos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C7AL39jVr4…

Colin O’Brien, based in Nashville, plays on Saturday, September 23, 2023, 7 pm at our Redbud Hill venue, 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Suggested donation $20. This Cousin Andy’s house concert is co-hosted with the American Institute of Philosophical and Cultural Thought.

The first set will be a survey of Americana and roots music in the tradition of John Hartford’s informative style of teaching us our own truths. The second set will be Colin’s usual singer/songwriter fare.

“Colin O’Brien’s music is informed by the past and speaks to the present. A playful performer, Colin delights his audiences with fiery melodies, groovy rhythms, soulful lyrics, fancy footwork and old time hat tricks. His banjo, fiddle and guitar playing, percussive dancing, and lyrics all express an earnest regard for the traditional, natural and true.”

“Colin O’Brien is a great entertainer.” –Tim O’Brien

Feel free to BYOB and snacks. Coffee and cookies will be available. 

Read more about Colin O’Brien here: www.colingobrien.com.

Amy Kucharik, with Dennis Stroughmatt, featuring Robert Russell, house concert on Sunday, August 27th, 3:00 pm (doors open at 2:00 pm) at our Redbud Hill venue at 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Suggested donation: $20.

AMY KUCHARIK
A native of Southern Illinois now based in Somerville, MA, Amy Kucharik [/kuh-CHAR-ick/] performs as a one-woman band with ukulele, tenor guitar, foot percussion, mouth trumpet and harmonica, or with bands featuring top New England musicians. Combining poignant lyrics and a danceable swing, Amy draws from blues and Vaudeville traditions, musical theatre, 80s pop and contemporary folk music with a street-smart stagecraft honed in the subways of Boston. Amy was a winner of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition and a formal showcase artist at SWRFA in 2015, and a Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist for 2018. She has headlined, performed and taught at ukulele festivals including Flower City (Rochester, NY) and the Gaithersburg Ukefest, and is featured in the fall 2023 issue of Ukulele Magazine. She is a Mi-Si Electronics performing artist. www.amykucharik.com

DENNIS STROUGHMATT
Dennis Stroughmatt takes listeners on a musical odyssey not so different from his own musical journeys into Upper Louisiana Creole Culture. Taught to play fiddle by local Creole fiddlers Roy Boyer and Charlie Pashia in the tradition of their fathers, Dennis gradually became an adopted son of the French Midwest Creoles living along the Mississippi River near St Louis. A vibrant blend of Celtic, Canadian and Old Time sounds, this music bridges the gap between contemporary Canadian and Louisiana Cajun styles. Preserved by families in the Ozark foothills, the music remains largely intact and true to the traditions that have been passed down for over three centuries. Among his many achievements, Dennis is a member of the National Oldtime Fiddlers Hall of Fame and was Consultant, Musician and Linguist for the 2018 Installation of the New “Arch National Park” French Creole Exhibit in St. Louis MO. http://www.creolefiddle.com/

ROBERT RUSSELL
Connecting Amy and Dennis is musical collaborator, Robert Russell. His acoustic blues performances provide an opportunity to hear how blues sounded before it moved to Chicago. Robert fell in love with acoustic and Mississippi blues as a teenager in North Carolina, where he was exposed to the southeastern or “Piedmont” tradition of blues. He’s a professional musician who has been on the road with Dennis Stroughmatt and Zydeco band Creole Stomp for more than 17 years. Last year, Amy and Robert shared an evening co-bill at the Varsity Theater in Carbondale, sharing their love of Memphis Minnie and other early blues artists.
https://www.facebook.com/p/The-Deciders-100063670953255/

Wil Maring & Robert Bowlin, house concert on Good Friday, April 7th, 6:30 pm at our Redbud Hill venue at 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. Suggested donation: $15. Read more about Wil and Robert: Wil Maring, Wil Maring – YouTube, Wil Maring | ReverbNation.

Nora O’Connor
Thursday, March 30th, 6:30 pm house concert at our Redbud Hill venue at 411 N. 9th Street, Murphysboro, IL. $20 tickets must be purchased in advance: https://undertowshows.com/products/murphysboro-il-march-30. Masks required, per COVID precautions. Read more about Nora on her website: https://www.noraoconnormusic.com/.

The COVID pandemic precautions have made us cut back on the number of concerts we do, and those we do schedule will be virtual events for awhile, instead of in-person. Check back here on our website’s Schedule tab for updates on our future concerts.