Check out music from JAMES MORRIS PEARSON

Jim Pearson's CD Release Concert/Party - Dec 5th 2009 - Darby, MT

I'm very excited to announce our next performer here at Rockin' Horse Ranch...DRUM ROLLLLL...I'll give you just one guess...Why yes, it's Jim Pearson!!!  Oh yeah, yup, that's right, uh-huh!
We're calling it a CD Release Concert/Party because everyone attending will receive a free CD, whether you want one or not!  Now here's the awkward part, because I'm introducing my husband this time and there's no way to avoid sounding like I'm a bragging  ;-)

Jim Pearson began teaching himself to play guitar while his leg was in a cast at the age of 14 and began earning a living performing on stage by the time he was 15.  He quickly developed into an extraordinary musician and ultimately became an extremely versatile and creative guitarist and keyboard player, nimble in numerous styles including Rock, Blues, Jazz, Country Rock, and R&B.  His extensive background is an attestation to his skills: When he was only 19 his very popular jazz fusion band performed with Ahmad Jamal, Dizzy Gillespie, Bill Waltrous and The Dixie Dregs (Steve Morse of Deep Purple.  Later, he toured all over the world playing guitar for such legendary artists as Edgar Winter and Isaac Hayes and did composing and arranging work along side such award-winning greats as David Campbell, Peter Schless and Mark Isham.

Jim's guitar chops will bring to mind such legends as Eric Clapton, Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughn while his beautiful keyboard melodies, which have been known to bring tears to even the most stoic people, will remind you of guys like Bruce Hornsby and Billy Joel. Because Jim writes his songs using not only both acoustic and lead guitars but also keyboards, his own tunes also encompass several genres and might bring to mind a diversified range of artists like The Allman Brothers, Pink Floyd, Sting and Dave Mathews; His voice, however, has the grainy, airy quality of Joe Cocker---All of this mixed together with his West Virginia roots makes his music very engaging indeed.

When Jim moved to Montana 4 years ago, he finally found the time and inspiration to add singer/songwriter to his bag of tricks, as well as build his own recording studio, Halfabubbleoff Studios, for producing other artists, doing film scores, radio ads, etc.

"When an accomplished guitarist/song writer with a background in film composition takes us away to so many places never known...Listen...I can't explain...put your head phones on and just listen. Do this and you will understand. This is music."

Jim Pearson in Concert
Saturday, December 5th
Potluck: 5:30 p.m. (please bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation:  $15 Advance (includes one free CD)

Venue: Halfabubbleoff Studios
181 Hart Bench

Darby, MT 5982

Limited seating available, advance reservations only Please make check payable to Jim Pearson and mail to Donna Pearson at:
181 Hart Bench  Darby, MT 59829
Questions/Directions: Contact Donna at 821-2033 or email donna@mtnmortgage.net
Click here for Google Map

 Thanks for supporting musicians in the Bitterroot. Please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think would enjoy this show.

Chris Cunningham and Tom Catmull in Concert TOGETHER, Saturday, 7 Nov 2009 - WOW!!

Please join us for an amazing evening of round robin-style entertainment by two of the best solo artists in Montana:  Bozeman's Chris Cunningham (1/2 of the popular national touring duo,Storyhill ) and Missoula's Tom Catmull (Tom Catmull and the Clerics) will be performing together as a doubly fun, very special treat at the Darby home of Jim and Donna Pearson on Saturday, November 7th.
Tom Catmull is a very familiar name here in the Rockies as well as the Pacific Northwest.  He has been writing, recording, performing, eating and breathing music for about 15 years. Originally from Spring, TX, Tom moved to Missoula, MT in 1994.  His performances are split between intimate solo accoustic venues and dancehalls where he plays with his popular 4-piece Americana-style band, The Clerics. Tom effortlessly straddles genres like a bow-legged cowboy on a mountain bike, and his music style lands somewhere between the blurred lines of country, country swing, pop and folk.  He has shared stages with the likes of Greg Brown, Robbie Fulks, Kelly Joe Phelps, Charlie Musslewhite and Asleep at the Wheel.  Tom was introduced to Chris when he was invited to perform solo at this past summers' Storyhill Fest IV where he wowed the audience with his catchy tunes and story telling.


Chris Cunningham:  Many of you have already had the pleasure of meeting this very charming, ultra-talented singer/songwriter and Red House recording artist when he brought the house down here as the ridiculously tight-harmonizing duo Storyhill in Dec 2008.   In 2007, his song "Paradise Lost", helped earn Storyhill the prestigious Kerville New Folk Songwriters Finalist award out of 800 applicants.  A win at Kerrville carries considerable prestige in the singer-songwriter community (in part due to the peer-professional judging and the festival’s long history of recognizing emerging artists who have later gone on to wider success). With a career spanning nearly 20 years, Chris has produced a catalogue of over 15 albums of original material as a solo artist and with his various groups (Storyhill, 2 Forms of ID, Justin Roth, Sixth Sense).  When not on tour with Storyhill, Chris splits his time playing solo shows around the region and producing music for other artists in his recording studio, Basecamp, just outside of Bozeman. His passion for song writing is undeniably evident to his listeners; Chris has such a knack for telling stories that he easily connects with his audience, sweeps us up and "takes us there" with him.

Chris Cunningham and Tom Catmull in Concert
Saturday, November 7th
Potluck: 5:30 p.m. (please bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $10 Advance | $15 Door

Venue: Halfabubbleoff Studios - Jim and Donna Pearson
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Advance reservations advised. Please make check payable to Tom Catmull and mail to Donna Pearson at the address below:

181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Questions/Directions: Contact Donna at 821-2033 or email donna@mtnmortgage.net (Google Map) 

Thanks for supporting folk music in the Bitterroot. Please forward this message to anyone you think would enjoy this show.

Jim's Debut CD, Everything

The time has finally come folks!!!...In between ranching, family and honey do lists, Jim has finally finished all of the songs for his 2009 debut CD, Everything.  Please use the widgets on this blog to listen to Jim's new songs or purchase them from the Snocap digital store.  Jim played all of the instruments, as well as wrote/arranged/produced/mixed and recorded all of his songs in our home studio (Halfabubbleoff Studios); in other words, this was a completely solo project.  We welcome your feedback. Jim is no longer a touring man, so the plan is to sell as many of these songs as possible to major artists and have a lot of money thrown at us so we can "have the lifestyle to which we would like to become accustomed"...I don't want to be stuck to a desk forever!!!  LOL :o)  Donna

Storyhill Pics

Here are a few pics of the show with Storyhill on December 7. These super-talented guys put on a great show and the crowd loved every minute of it. Thanks to Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson for a lovely evening of music and camaraderie. And thanks to all who attended for making the show possible!

Kaitlin Renneker, a 17 year old who just started playing the guitar last July, made her debut with a new song she also recently wrote. Nice effort that took a lot of poise, way to go Kaitlin!

Jay Toups played a song about the stock market crash called Black Monday, written by the great Geoff Bartley. Hilarious and timely...

Storyhill to appear on December 7

Fast becoming modern touring legends as a tightly harmonizing duo of extremely talented songwriters, Storyhill (featuring Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson) will appear in concert Sunday, December 7 at Rockin' Horse Ranch, home of HalfabubbleOff Studios.

Bozeman (Chris) and Minneapolis (John) based Storyhill recently won the Indie Acoustic Project’s award for Best CD of 2007 in the acoustic ensemble category for their label debut Storyhill. Released in February of 2007, the album was produced by Grammy-winning producer and songwriter Dan Wilson and has garnered much national attention. Storyhill has gone on to win the prestigious 35th Annual Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Contest.

Storyhill in Concert
Sunday, December 7
Potluck: 5 p.m. (please bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Venue: Halfabubbleoff Studios
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Advance reservations advised. Please make check payable to Storyhill and mail to Donna Pearson at the address below:

181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Questions/Directions: Contact Donna at 821-2033 or email donna@mtnmortgage.net.

Thanks for supporting folk music in the Bitterroot. Please forward this message to anyone you think would enjoy this show.

An Evening with Michael Gulezian - Saturday, September 6th

Genre: Acoustic Solo Guitar
Related Artists: Michael Hedges, Leo Kottke
Most Recent Release: Concert at St. Olaf College (Timbreline Music, 2005)

Boundary-free, horizon-expanding, genre-bending, transcendent, soulful, kickass, mind-opening, exquisitely gorgeous instrumental solo acoustic guitar music. If you've never heard of Michael Gulezian (gu-LAY-ze-in), you're in for a very pleasant surprise. He's one of the most highly regarded instrumental acoustic artists of our time. In concert, Michael is all warmth and humor ... and though it's visually breathtaking to watch him perform, a Michael Gulezian concert is more than a display of cutting-edge virtuosity – it is the passionate communion of master musician engaged with his audience in the mystery of self-revelation, creating music of atmospheric power, ecstatic joy, and haunting beauty.

The reviews speak volumes: "unbelievable … incredible … music from another planet" (Jazziz Magazine); "Gulezian's place [is] among the great acoustic guitar innovators of the 20th Century" (Music Web Express); "for all his virtuosic ferocity, Michael never loses sight of the melody, or the drama of his compositions. And he can still play sweetly. At this stage in his career, Gulezian doesn't need to prove he can play, he just needs more people to hear his expansive and original sound" (Acoustic Guitar Magazine).

With his two most recent CDs charting nationally at radio, Michael quickly found himself performing live to an audience of millions on NPR radio shows West Coast Live, Echoes, and World Café. For all the airplay, accolades, and critical acclaim, Michael remains most touched and humbled by the words of his late friend and colleague Michael Hedges, who called Gulezian "a great guitarist. My kindred spirit."

If you enjoy the artistry of musicians such as Leo Kottke and Michael Hedges – guitarists who amaze us with what ten fingers and one guitar can do – then you will love Michael Gulezian. Find out why Garrison Keillor said, "If I could play guitar the way Michael Gulezian does, I would just sit in front of a mirror and watch myself do it."

Don't miss this rare opportunity to experience Michael Gulezian in concert, in the intimate setting and awesome acoustic room at Haffabubbleoff Ranch.

Select Discography:

"Language of the Flame" Timbreline Music; "The Dare of an Angel" Timbreline Music; "Unspoken Intentions" Takoma / Chrysalis

For more information on Michael, please visit http://www.timbrelinemusic.com/music.html

Saturday, September 6th

Potluck: 5 p.m. (please bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage)

Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Venue: Halfabubbleoff Studios
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Advance reservations appreciated. Please make check payable to Michael Gulezian and mail to Donna Pearson at the address below:

181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Questions/Directions:Contact Donna at 821-2033 or email donna@mtnmortgage.net.

Thanks for supporting folk music in the Bitterroot. Please forward this message to anyone you think would enjoy this show.

Terry Holder in Concert, Friday, May 30

www.terryholder.com

Please join us for a very special evening with this Alaska-based singer songwriter, along with her husband Jerry Holder.

As a singer/songwriter, Terry Holder writes about basic human emotion with layers of meaning behind them.

In her live performances, she has the undeniable ability to captivate and connect with her listeners through her emotionally driven songs.

Terry sprinkles her songs with fifty-cent words and gets away with it: “Interrogated by your own Conscience”, ”harboring heartache”

This is the stuff that ordinary people can barely say, let alone sing.

Friday, May 30
Potluck: 5 p.m. (please bring a covered dish and your favorite beverage)
Showtime: 7 p.m.
Suggested Donation: $15 Advance | $20 Door

Venue: Halfabubbleoff Studios
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Advance reservations appreciated. Please make check payable to Terry Holder and mail to Donna Pearson at the address below:

181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Questions/Directions:Contact Donna at 821-2033.

Thanks for supporting folk music in the Bitterroot. Please forward this message to anyone you think would enjoy this show.

Chris Ayer to appear Friday, March 28

Chris Ayer

Chris Ayer's clever lyrics and song structure are driving a powerful career path for this 25 year old singer/songwriter. Chris tours nationally and won the Grand Prize in the 2006 John Lennon Songwriting Competition Folk category for "Evaporate". In November 2006 the song was also recognized by VH-1, winning Song Of The Month in their Save The Music competition (Adult Contemporary Category). Chris was also Performing Songwriter Magazine's "Do It Yourself" pick for March 2007. His latest album, This Is The Place, was recorded in Nashville and produced by Jason Gantt (The Chieftains, Brooks & Dunn, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill). Chris's next studio album is set for release in spring 2008.

"Part street poet, part armchair philosopher, indie singer/songwriter Chris Ayer will leave you smiling whether you feel like smiling or not. You gotta love this guy... This Is The Place is a delightful discovery."

- BuddyHollywood.com, September 2007

"Ayer's effort has it all- tight arrangements, excellent musicality and imaginative lyrics. If you're looking for great music, this is the place indeed."

- Performing Songwriter Magazine, March 2007

Chris Ayer In Concert

Friday, March 28
Potluck Dinner/Reception 5 - 7 p.m.
Showtime: 7:00 p.m.

Location:
Halfabubbleoff Studios
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Donation is $15 advance, $20 day of show. Reservations are suggested.

To reserve your seat(s), please make checks payable to Chris Ayer, and mail to: Donna Pearson, 181 Hart Bench Road, Darby, MT 59829.

Support the Arts in the Bitterroot! Reserve your seats before they are sold out!

Questions about the venue? Call Donna at 821-2033 or call Jay at 349-2943 or email jay@jaytoups.com

Our First-Ever House Concert!

Jay Buchanan and special guest Jim Pearson

Live in concert at the new Rockin' Horse Ranch!

December 1, 2007, 7:00 P.M.
181 Hart Bench
Darby, MT 59829

Join us for an evening of out-of-this-world musical talent from two accomplished musicians who will be providing the type of entertainment that will leave you hungry for more.

Jim Pearson

Jim Pearson is a versatile musician, singer & songwriter who is vastly experienced in numerous styles, including Blues, Rock, Country, and Jazz. He's toured all over the world with legendary live bands and major artists such as Edgar Winter, Isaac Hayes and Mark Isham. An accomplished studio artist with an extensive background in composing and arranging, "Jimi" has spent most of his life producing others and making them sound good, and now we will have the treat of seeing him perform several of his new original songs. Jim is not only an extremely gifted and creative guitar player, he is also well versed on the keyboard, to put it mildly, and his beautiful melodies have been known to bring bring tears to even the most stoic people.

Jay Buchanan



Vocally falling somewhere between Dave Matthews and Darius Rucker (Hootie to you!) is South Cali singer/songwriter, Jay Buchanan, the namesake and leader of the recently disbanded national recording act, Buchanan. With his powerful, emotional, incredibly passionate & soulful performance, you will find yourself leaning forward in your seat and spellbound. JAY CAN BELT IT OUT LIKE NOBODY'S BUSINESS!!

More than a frontman when it comes to the delivery of the music, Jay also plays a variety of instruments on the band’s 2004 disc, All Understood (produced by veteran Don Gehman----John Mellencamp/REM/Tracy Chapman), and plays them well. He has also created some damn tasty arrangements that will be found ear-appealing to everyone from folkies, to jazzers, to progressive/jam rock fans. Click here to listen to samples from his solo acoustic disc.

His accomplishments include opening for Hootie & The Blowfish, playing a side stage at a John Mayer/Counting Crows concert, and the soundtrack "If you Leave" for the 2007 movie "Waitress" starring Cheryl Hines, Kerri Russell, Jeremy Sisto and Andy Griffith.

Support the Arts in the Bitterroot! Reserve your seats before they are sold out!

Donation is $15 advance, or $20 day of show. To reserve your seat(s), please make checks payable to Jay Buchanan, and mail to: Donna Pearson, 181 Hart Bench Road, Darby, MT 59829

Please feel free to forward this invitation to your music-loving friends.

For more information, call 821-2033. We look forward to meeting you at the Rockin' Horse Ranch's first ever house concert!