Joni Laurence, assisted by Jed Mitchell & his new wife Cristina, wowed us with a memorable performance of heart-felt  songs and stories.  We learned the story behind that puzzling song title (and 2004 CD cover) "Trash Bag Birdie."  Seems Joni once worked with a raptor recovery program in the midwest, and spotting distant hawks was a car trip pastime.  Seems one distant bird on a rural farm fence wasn't what she thought it was.  We especially like her songs "More & More Each Day" and the spirited "Hey Babe."  No longer on the road but situated in Portland with a "real" job, we are thankful that she is still sharing her talent, rich voice and able way with her guitar with us folks in the Pacific Northwest.  If you have a chance to hear this lady, don't miss the opportunity!

Saturday, 13 October 2007
House Concert:   Joni Laurence

In Joni Laurence’s performances, the Midwestern roots of a woman born and raised in Illinois clearly show themselves. She tells a few stories, but mostly lets the music speak for itself, which happens effortlessly because of Joni’s simple and accessible, while still captivating, performance style. Joni’s early influences, audible in her music, include Mary Chapin Carpenter, the Indigo Girls and Nanci Griffith, although her earliest influences were likely her musical parents, who once sang duets on central Illinois’ first television variety show, the Possum Holler Opry.

Whatever her influences, Joni has been drawing audiences into her world – and keeping them there – for over 10 years while performing in and around the Midwest at venues such as The Old Town School of Folk, Chicago, IL and the Blue Moon Coffee House, Bloomington, IL. Joni’s current CD Trashbag Birdie, and two previous releases, Short Time (1998) and Daphne Speaks (2000) have received high praise. The creative songwriter has been a finalist in a number of song writing contests including the Songwriters Association of Washington Song Contest and the John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and she has opened for such artists as Carrie Newcomer, John Gorka and Lynn Miles, among others.

"Folk music with a modern twist delivered through exceptional guitar playing and her powerful, moving voice. A live performance by Joni is stunning." (-- Curt Tucker – Verde Gallery, Champaign, IL).

  7:30pm at Brookhaven Lodge.