PICKIN' PRODUCTIONS: Pickin' in the Parks
- PICKIN' IN THE PARK
Pickin' Productions presented two months of great bluegrass and americana music on the Western Slope of Colorado this past summer with two free concert series. From July 9th to August 27th on 8 consecutive Thursdays, there were four free concerts in Ridgway's town park and four free concerts in Paonia's town park.
- July 2009 - Ridgway
This past July we wrapped up a second season of free summer concerts in Ridgway's beautiful town park. For four Thursdays in July, folks from all over the Western Slope of Colorado gathered in numbers to enjoy great live music and summer nights in one of Colorado's most scenic towns. With the San Juan Mountains as the backdrop, listeners enjoyed a wide variety of quality live music, while eating and drinking local food and beer from the vendors and dancing into the dark. The kid's area was packed with swarms of children hoola hoopin' and trying on costumes alongside Ridgway's enormous kids playground and each night the kids paraded in costume, with scarves and fairy wings, through the crowd and up in front of the stage.
The Ridgway concerts were brought to you by the Town of Ridgway along with support from community sponsors.
Town of Ridgway
Chipeta Sun Lodge & Spa
Alpine Bank
Colorado Boy Brewery
Ouray County Watch
Ridgway Sun
Orvis Hot Springs
Mountain Market
THE 2009 RIDGWAY LINEUPAphrodesia - July 9, 2009
Formed in 2003, the band explores the music of West Africa and mixes in funk and hip hop, forming a contagious beat that coaxed the audience to get up and dance! Guitars, drums, horns and powerful vocals made this show an explosive opening to the series. Paonia, Colorado's African dance/drum group Moto Kutamba started the evening.
Fishtank Ensemble - July 16, 2009California-based Fishtank Ensemble, rooted in European gypsy jazz, featured familiar and unfamiliar instruments played by colorful, energetic virtuosos. Listener's were awed by the vocal abilities and saw-playing of the lead singer in a most unique musical experience. Opening the evening was Western Colorado’s troubadour, Russ Chapman.
Carrie Rodriguez - July 23, 2009
Often compared to the likes of Lucinda Williams and Emmylou Harris, Carrie Rodriguez and her rockin' band gave a powerful performance in Ridgway. Opening was Ridgway’s own rockers, Fall Baby.
Sweet Sunny South - July 30, 2009
Based down the road in Paonia, Colorado, Sweet Sunny South closed the series with their version of oldtime and bluegrass music inspiring dancing till dark. Opening the show was local picker, David Sneed and friends.
- August 2009: Paonia
The second season of Paonia’s Pickin’ in the Park concert series ended August 27th after four fabulous summer evenings in Paonia's beautiful Town Park. The four show series is free to the public and featured music from around the country plus local and regional opening acts. The events included a children’s activities area next to the playground, children's music workshops, food vendors, and KVNF Public Radio.
The series was presented by First Colorado National Bank and Pickin’ Productions in conjunction with the Town of Paonia and is generously sponsored by KVNF Community Radio, the Cocker Kids Foundation, and the Kampe Foundation. Other sponsors include the High Country Shopper, the Paonia Chamber of Commerce, Delta County Tourism and a great number of community sponsors.
Here's a look at last year's concerts:
THE SUMMER 2009 PAONIA LINEUPEilen Jewell - August 6, 2009
A lush songbird of a performer with noir country flair sometimes compared to the likes of Lucinda Williams, Peggy Lee and Gillian Welch. Her band has a western swing feel encompassing elements of country and jazz, while Eilen’s voice conjures up images of Billie Holiday and Hank Williams. www.eilenjewell.com
FEAST - August 13, 2009For the past few years this wonderful quartet has won the hearts of audiences from their home in Western Colorado all the way to Germany and beyond. They play traditional and often-familiar sounding Celtic music with a modern classical presentation. Cello, Piano, Violin and Drums/percussion are the players in this magical instrumental ensemble. www.musicbyfeast.com
Town Mountain - August 20, 2009In 2005, this Asheville-based bluegrass quintet joined the ranks of Yonder Mountain String Band and Steep Canyon Rangers by winning the prestigious band competition at Rockygrass in Lyons, CO. Since then they’ve toured the country turning heads with their hard driving bluegrass and unique original material. They’re based in tradition, while incorporating alternative country and honky tonk styles, creating a fun and contagious sound.
Casey Driessen Trio - August 27, 2009Casey is known best for his work with Steve Earle, Darrell Scott, Bela Fleck and others – including creating the Grammy award-winning CD “Fiddler’s Green” with Tim O’ Brien who he has spent the last few years touring the world with. We’re thrilled to welcome him to our concert series featuring his new trio. Casey is the funkiest 5-string fiddler you’ll find anywhere.
Thank you to our sponsors! We couldn't do it without you.
First Colorado National Bank
Cocker Kids Foundation
Kampe Foundation
Paonia Chamber of Commerce
Town of Paonia
High Country Shopper
Rocky Mountain Inn
Azura Winery
Sunset Printworks
Paonia Realty
Delicious Orchards Organic Farm Market
Hardin's Natural Foods
Earthbound
Old River Road Trading Post
Stone Cottage Cellars
Orchard Valley Farms
Mountain Migrators
North Fork Numbers
Don's Market
Boone's Hooks
For lodging in Paonia:
Rocky Mountain Inn
Paonia Chamber of Commerce
Camping at Delicious Orchards
