Welcome to the Wood Shed.
If you like Bluegrass, Gospel or just Old Time Music,
you'll be interested in watchin' for the latest live performance schedule to be posted on this site.

You may find a few rough edges here, so watch your step.
The Wood Shed is located in the back of Main Street Mercantile, on the square in Carthage, Missouri. The music and fun is scheduled every 1st and 3rd Friday of the Month. Music starts at 7:30 and there is no admission charge. Donations are accepted.
The concerts, jam sessions and performances by top regional talent are brought to you by the folks at Main Street Mercantile and the Mornin' Mail.
Third Friday

Arlington Returns May 18

Arlington plays primarily gospel while still keeping a hand in bluegrass and they have the perfect blend creating a high-energy sound that you ‘re sure to love. Let’s meet the band members.

The first half of this husband and wife duo that leads the group is Bruce Punches. Bruce sings a great deal of the lead while playing the mandolin in a solid rhythmic fashion. He has been involved with many groups throughout the 25 years he has played including Second Exit (SPBGMA 1997 International Band Champions), First Impression and Oklahoma Pride. Bruce has also judged several prestigious contests and has recently been serving as master of ceremonies at the band contest in Nashville. His vocal and instrumental talents are sure to make Arlington a favorite at every event.

The other half of the duo is Bruce’s wife, Bobette Punches. She sings lead and harmony while laying down a solid, driving bass line that proves to be the group’s meter. Bobette also came to the group from Second Exit and gained her experience while playing in the Bob Lewis Family from Doniphan, MO. Yes, you’ve guessed it! Bobette is the second oldest daughter of Bob & Barbara Lewis. As you can see, she comes from a long heritage of bluegrass music and her warmth and charm have a way of lighting up any stage!

Banjo perfection is realized when Arlington’s Heath Todd begins to play. Although he began his musical career in a Southern gospel group, he is certainly no stranger to bluegrass. Having played with the likes of regionally known groups from allover the mid-west, Heath brings a fullness and drive to the band which is unparalleled anywhere. Heath comes to the group from Oklahoma based Heartland Express where he played bass and sang harmony for several years. He is a rare breed of musician and his ability and experience are a combination you’re sure to love

Last and certainly not least is guitarist, Joey Wright. Joey’s driving rhythm and smooth baritone harmony produce a blend unequaled in the industry. Joey also comes to Arlington by way of a family group, Wright County Bluegrass, where he and his father and brother have played for years. Having grown up around bluegrass and gospel music in the Missouri Ozarks (Norwood to be exact) he is at home in any bluegrass setting and holds a steady foundation for the groups timing. With a well-rounded bluegrass background, Joey is Arlington’s finishing touch.

The program starts at 7:30 with our house band "No Apparent Reason", concessions will be available at 6:30, so come early and plan on a fun evening. For more information, call (417) 358-1800.

  

First Friday May 4 Info here!

Third Friday April 20 & Weekend Workshops
Jim Curley & Colleen Williamson
Workshops will also be available from Jim and Colleen on Saturday

Jim Curley is an Appalachian musician who specializes in music of the 1800's in America and has expanded his performances to include traditional instruments from around the world. Jim plays 18 different instruments and holds Championships in World, National, Regional and State competitions.

He has recieved a number of awards from The Old-Time Country Music Association for his contributions in performing and preserving old time music. Some, but, certainly not all of the instruments Mr. Curley plays are Mountain Dulcimer, Clawhammer Banjo, Carpenter Saw, Fiddle, Guitar, Spoons, Japanese Koto, Native American Flute to name a few. Curley's commitment to educational, historical and traditional music is reflected in the variety of world instruments carried in his store, The Mountain Music Shoppe in Shawnee, Kansas. He appears on more than a dozen CDs to include the popular 5th Gear Production CD entitled "Born Hillbilly", and "The Great Shunga River". He has performed and recorded with other well known musicians such as John Hartford, Mike Seeger, Dan Levenson, David Schnauffer, Connie Dover, Ken Perlman, Tulsa Read and The Wilders to name a few. Perfoming in major music festivals throughout the United States and abroad, Jim has an outstanding reputation as a 'crowd pleaser', both in his musical presentation and teaching. He was sent by the City of Shawnee, Kansas to East Germany to represent the United States at a week long Multi-Cultural Music Street Festival sponsored by the University of Erfurt, Germany. Curley is currently in the studio preparing three more albums to be released this year. He has students in many different states that travel long distances for his teaching and musical assistance, and has performed video background music for instructional videos. Jim has also taught a variety of instruments in UMKC's Communiversity program. You can learn more about Jim Curley by visiting his web page at www.mountainmusicshoppe.com.
  Colleen Williamson is a relative newcomer to the world of Hammered Dulcimer presenters and teachers. Once Colleen went public with her talents, however, she is constantly in demand. Colleen's home is St. Louis, Missouri, but, is becoming quite a traveler after winning the Southern Regional Hammered Dulcimer Championship at the Folk Center in Mountain View, Arkansas last spring. One of her favorite playing partners is Jim Curley. Their different styles and instruments along with their unique personalities provide an entertaining experience that draws a crowd at festivals.

Woodsong and Friends Return March 16

In the Woodshed this Friday, March 16, Woodsong and Friends make a return

appearance bringing their unique style of folk music entertwined with fun.

Their four piece band will keep your attention as they play familiar old

tunes on dulcimer, autoharp, and guitar. Your toes will be tappin’ as they

get you to sing along. The music starts at 7:30 PM with our house band, "No

Apparent Reason" with Bluegrass and fun. Concessions will be available at 6:30.

Don’t forget our special day of music on Saturday as we have our first

Bluegrass festival. Starting at noon, our ‘St. Patrick’s Day Bluegrass Show’

will feature 11 bands, (with some surprises mingled in), candle

demonstrations, fresh baked goods, a woodcarver, a quilter, Maggie’s Nut

Cart with Fruit Smoothies, and more!!

For more information, call Main Street Mercantile at (417) 358-1800.

  

Woodsong and Friends

  
January 19 Features Loose Change

If you’ve attended a music program at The Woodshed in Carthage, you know the format is a variety of Bluegrass, Gospel or Dulcimer music, or all three.This Friday, January 19th, we’re looking forward to an evening of music played by a local group known as "Loose Change". Not Bluegrass, not Country, not Pop, theirs is a style all their own as they delve into music by such popular musicians as Peter, Paul and Mary, The Everly Brothers, The Judds and Johnny Rivers. "Loose Change", headed up by popular guitar player and instructor, H.J. Johnson, will entertain you in ways seldom seen in music halls. Don’t be surprised if they use everyday items for instruments.

They’ve been known to thump on books to add an interesting sound, bang sticks together, or use the time-tested washboard, keeping time with the songs. H.J., singing and playing the guitar, is joined by Roger Bohm on guitar, Kelly Nugent, snare drum and vocals, and Jewell Wilkinson on keyboard and vocals.

The music starts at 7:30 PM this Friday. Our house band, "No Apparent Reason" will also be featured. Concessions will be available starting at 6:30. For more information, call Main Street Mercantile at 417-358-1800.

.

  
   
December 29 Special Performance

Hi, friends. Mike from Main Street Mercantile in Carthage. I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. Even with the extreme cold, we’re planning a very special evening in The Woodshed. A locally based group called Arlington is coming to play on Friday the 29th. Their bio is as follows:

Arlington plays primarily gospel while still keeping a hand in bluegrass and they have the perfect blend creating a high-energy sound that you ‘re sure to love. Let’s meet the band members.

The first half of this husband and wife duo that leads the group is Bruce Punches. Bruce sings a great deal of the lead while playing the mandolin in a solid rhythmic fashion. He has been involved with many groups throughout the 25 years he has played including Second Exit (SPBGMA 1997 International Band Champions), First Impression and Oklahoma Pride. Bruce has also judged several prestigious contests and has recently been serving as master of ceremonies at the band contest in Nashville. His vocal and instrumental talents are sure to make Arlington a favorite at every event.

The other half of the duo is Bruce’s wife, Bobette Punches. She sings lead and harmony while laying down a solid, driving bass line that proves to be the group’s meter. Bobette also came to the group from Second Exit and gained her experience while playing in the Bob Lewis Family from Doniphan, MO. Yes, you’ve guessed it! Bobette is the second oldest daughter of Bob & Barbara Lewis. As you can see, she comes from a long heritage of bluegrass music and her warmth and charm have a way of lighting up any stage!

Banjo perfection is realized when Arlington’s Heath Todd begins to play. Although he began his musical career in a Southern gospel group, he is certainly no stranger to bluegrass. Having played with the likes of regionally known groups from allover the mid-west, Heath brings a fullness and drive to the band which is unparalleled anywhere. Heath comes to the group from Oklahoma based Heartland Express where he played bass and sang harmony for several years. He is a rare breed of musician and his ability and experience are a combination you’re sure to love

Last and certainly not least is guitarist, Joey Wright. Joey’s driving rhythm and smooth baritone harmony produce a blend unequaled in the industry. Joey also comes to Arlington by way of a family group, Wright County Bluegrass, where he and his father and brother have played for years. Having grown up around bluegrass and gospel music in the Missouri Ozarks (Norwood to be exact) he is at home in any bluegrass setting and holds a steady foundation for the groups timing. With a well-rounded bluegrass background, Joey is Arlington’s finishing touch.

The program starts at 7:30 with our house band "No Apparent Reason", concessions will be available at 6:30, so come early and plan on a fun evening. For more information, call (417) 358-1800.

Dec. 3rd Friday Adjustments

Hi, folks. Mike from Main Street Mercantile wishing all of you a wonderful holiday season. I know this notice is late coming out, but Mother Nature kinda threw a wrench into my 3rd Friday plans for the Woodshed. I’ve asked the group scheduled for tomorrow night to come play on the 1st Friday in January. They have to come from Springfield, and considering the roads.......

This week, we’re planning an all ‘No Apparent Reason’ evening. We’re just going to pick and grin and hang out with those of you willing to come out in less than perfect weather. We’ll have some chili, some hot dogs, some pie and coffee, and it’ll be warm in the Woodshed, so drop on by. We’ll start pickin’ about 7:30.

Hope to see you here!!

Your friend,

Mike Tichenor

Ripplin' Waters On Tap December 1.

If you’ve not attended a music program at The Woodshed in Carthage, this Friday (December 1) would be a good show to see. We kick off the evening with our house band "No Apparent Reason" followed by a kid’s bluegrass group from Brighton, Missouri known as "Ripplin’ Waters". Here’s their story:

The Ripplin’ Waters Bluegrass Band is an "all kids" band with members ranging from 11 yrs. to 18 yrs.. Their show includes Bluegrass, Gospel, and Comedy. Ripplin’ Waters has performed all over Missouri including two T.V. shows, have been live on KTTS radio, and have played at Roaring River Theatre, the USDA Millineum Conference, Bluegrass Festivals and much more. They have also performed in Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Tennessee, where they won 1st place two years in a row performing "Petticoat Junction".

Band members are:

Daniel Wright, 11years old, on Mandolin. Daniel won the National Championship for 12 and under on Flat Top Guitar.

Joey Stokes, 17 years old, Banjo. Winner of the Junior National Championship on 5 String Banjo in 1997 and 1999, and has appeared on "Live with Regis and Kathy Lee".

Matt Lane, 16 years old, the newest member of the band, on Fiddle.

Dusty Stokes, 17 years old, plays Bass Fiddle. Dusty was chosen to perform in the Stage Band in Smithville, Tennessee.

Chad Graves, 18 years old, won 2nd place on Dobro for two years and also plays Guitar, Jaw Harp, and Washboard.

Katie Scott, 18 year old fiddler has won numerous fiddle competitions and performed at the Fiddler’s Palace in Osage Beach, Missouri.

The music starts at 7:30 PM, with concessions available starting at 6:30 PM, so come early and plan to stay the entire evening. For more information or to reserve seats, call Main Street Mercantile in Carthage at (417)358-1800.

Johnson Family November 3.

Several years ago a little musical band was formed in the living room of the childhood home. Sitting at their daddy's knee, four children were taught to sing and play different kinds of acoustical instruments. This band was eventually known as the Johnson Family Bluegrass. With music being a part of their everyday life the Johnson family developed a unique blend of Bluegrass style music which includes a variety of rhythms and harmony. Good wholesome family fun accompanies this family band and offers listening pleasure to anyone with a taste for clean, fresh Bluegrass.

The Johnson Family Bluegrass will be performing the evening of Friday, November 3 in the Woodshed inside Main Street Mercantile on the Square in downtown Carthage, Missouri. For more information call 417-358-1800.
Special Fourth Friday Entertainment

August 25, '00 - Carhy Barton and Dave Para
Cathy Barton and Dave Para are popular and experienced musicians from Missouri whose dynamic performances are acclaimed for their variety and expertise in both vocal and instrumental styles. Their repertoire and informal audience rapport are marked by a special affection for traditional music.

Their more than 18 years of playing together have taken them to festivals, clubs, concert halls, schools and recording and media studios across the United States and five European tours. Their audiences are as diverse as A versatile duo, Dave and Cathy perform and conduct workshops with hammered and fretted dulcimers, banjo, guitars and Autoharp, as well as "found" instruments like bones, spoons, mouthbow and leaf. Their music ranges from hard-driving stringband music to contemplative ballads and airs. They have a knack for finding unusual, rarely heard songs from traditional and contemporary sources in their home region, but also from elsewhere in the US and Europe. They have conducted many topical workshops on songs from the Carter family, the Civil War, river lore, gospel, children's songs, Christmas music and Ozark ballads. Much of their Missouri music has been collected from some excellent and noted traditional musicians like fiddlers Art Galbraith and Taylor McBaine, gospel singer Thelma Conway, and collectors Max Hunter and Loman Cansler. This effort has graced them and their audiences with a heightened awareness of where their music comes from, and a genuine affection for material learned from good friends. With an informal performance style, Dave and Cathy demonstrate a workable combination of urban sophistication and rural sensitivity, playing in both settings with ease. Their anecdotal approach enlivens the contexts of their music.

Dave and Cathy also recognize their responsibility to introduce new audiences to folk
music. Included on the artists-in-education roster for the Missouri Arts Council for 13 years, they have done residencies and assembly programs in schools across the state. They are also the directors of two local folk festivals.

Of their eight recordings, the first few were-self produced. In 1982 the Walnut Valley Occasional called their "Ballad of the Boonslick" album "the finest acoustic music heard this year." The release of their "On a Day Like Today" album in 1986 for Folk-Legacy Records was a special achievement. This small, family-run record company renowned for exceptional recordings of important traditional and contemporary folk musicians has greatly influenced Dave and Cathy and helped to inspire their study of traditional music in their own community. Teaming up with the company's founders, Sandy and Caroline Paton, they produced an album of lesser known Christmas music, "'Twas on a Night Like This," which the American Library Association named a Notable Recording in 1990. They have appeared on several other recordings with the Patons, Ed Trickett, Ramona Jones, Bob Dyer, Wade Hampton Miller, Jay Round and Ron Penix, Judy Domeny and Lisa Redfern.

Cathy Barton and Dave Para

P.O. Box 33, Boonville MO 65233 (660) 882-7821

Email: dpara@mid-mo.net 2000 UPDATE www.mid-mo.net/dpara www.listen.to/folk

Rivers Running Through Our Minds

We head back into the studio this year to produce an album of music related to American rivers, riverboats and river life. It is a musical theme we have favored for years. There are probably enough river songs on our previous albums to make a compilation from them, but Cathy counted up at least a couple dozen more selections in or soon to be in our repertoire.

The river is a very potent, multi-layered image in the human experience, and its theme is widespread in traditional and contemporary folk music. We have conducted workshop sessions with this theme for 15 years or more; our interest has intensified during our 20 years in Boonville, a historic Missouri river town, and more so since our performances on the Delta Queen steamboat on the Mississippi, Ohio and Arkansas rivers.

Our 1998 release, "Crazy Quilt," included some river songs in its assortment of vocal and instrumental music, both traditional and contemporary. It received favorable reviews and notable airplay in the folk DJ circles.

Last year saw the release of an album by good friend and musical mentor Ed Trickett, from Washington D.C.; we helped Ed with a number of tracks on "Echo on the Evening Tide." We plan to tour with Ed this May in the Northeast.

This year fiddling dermatologist Joe Phaneuf released an all-instrumental album of fiddle favorites which we recorded with him a few years ago. Cathy provided all the hammered dulcimer and banjo on the cuts, and Dave did some backup and lead guitar, too.

Those Crazy Pickers

The annual meeting of the Missouri Folklore Society last October was held in Sikeston, down in the bootheel and in "the other Missouri," the flat, delta country. To celebrate the state’s cotton culture, academics and musicians alike took part in a cotton-picking contest, which apparently was the only cotton-picking contest in the U.S. Cathy and Dave took third place (along with about four other teams) in the self-proclaimed national cotton-picking championship. Thankfully the contest lasted only 20 minutes.

New Additions to Our Tee Shirt Collection

Following our agricultural triumph in Sikeston, we boarded The Delta Queen for part of its History of Steamboating tour and experienced the upscale side of the cotton culture. We look forward to steamboating again this year. Like the Delta Queen, many festivals sell their own tee shirts, and while on tour last year we added some favorites from the Mystic Seaport Sea Music Festival, the River Rendezvous in Jefferson City, the Mountain Music in the Ocean State festival in Providence, R.I., Rebstock, a Civil War music festival at the Old Courthouse Museum in Vicksburg, Miss. We look forward to returning to the Summer Solstice Festival in Los Angeles this summer and the 29th Walnut Valley Festival at Winfield, Kan. in September. We have begun our sixth year with the Missouri Arts Council Touring Program and continue our artist-in-education programs. Partial state funding from the council for performances is available. Interested sponsors should contact the council office, (314) 340-6845.

August 18 -Third Friday Entertainment

3rd Friday in the Woodshed promises to be a fun one, indeed. A member of our house band, 'No Apparent Reason', will be on vacation, so, I'm bringing in two other groups to play.

Appearing first is a group I've had the pleasure of hearing twice. Billed as 'Dale Small and group', their music is a much of an experience as it is entertainment. Dale plays an old time 4 string banjo in a style best described as, well, wonderful. Not bluegrass, not Ragtime, just wonderful. His hands just never seem to stop moving. Backed up by his wife Kathy on the Washtub Bass, and his friend, Hack Britton from Pleasant Hope, Missouri, the trio winds through a myriad of Big Band tunes from the 40's and newer selections you're sure to recognize. Living miles apart, they only get to play together a few times a year, so, we're quite priviledged to have them in the Woodshed.

On their schedule of places to play this year are such cities as Springfield, Ohio, Ft. Mitchell, Kentucky, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Dale is also a well known banjo builder whose custom instruments are played folks all over the country.

Their program will start about 7:30. At around 8:30, we're pleased to present Bill and Deanna Lisk,"Two Cents Worth", who have been performing together the past five years. They enjoy promoting old time, traditional American and Irish tunes, and folk songs. Bill performs vocals, and plays guitar, autoharp, mandolin, and octave mandolin. Deanna is featured on the fiddle and occasionally plays cello, English concertina, and bodhran. The couple resides in Siloam Springs, Arkansas and recently performed for the Arkansas State Old Time Fiddler's Convention, the Jimmy Driftwood Barn, and the Grand Lake Fiddler's Contest. In May, the Mike Flynn Show, a cable television program, highlighted the music of Bill and Deanna while they hosted one of their popular "pickin parties" at their home.

-August 4, '00

Blues to Bluegrass with Lemuel Sheppard.

Lemuel Sheppard is a blues musician with rare abilities. He began touring in 1982 after a brief stint with the famed choral director Eva Jessey. Jessey lived in Coffeyville for a time and gained international acclaim for her work with George Gershwin in "Porgy and Bess."

He also appeared with Dr. Jessey in the CBS special segment, "Pioneers in Black Music."

He gained an appreciation for a wide range of vocal music he refers to as African American traditional songs. This combined with his ability to perform many historical and geographical blues styles, has gained him a reputation as an authority on African American folk music.

Despite his reputation for being a scholar, Sheppard feels his cultural heritage is his greatest asset as a performer. His own compositions reveal his diverse musical abilities, cultural heritage, and a deep sense of cultural history.

Sheppard will be at The Woodshed at Main Street Mercantile Friday Night August 4 at 7:30 PM.

This promises to be an interesting evening. The cafe will be featuring a New Orleans-style selection of delicious food, so come early, and expect a fun evening.

Reserve a seat in the cafe by calling: Main Street Mercantile The Back Porch Cafe, Carthage, MO (417)358-1811 or (417)358-1800
   

Past Engagement - June

"....Kelly and Diana Werts are revered names in the folk music scene in
Kansas".
– K.C. Star, 2-3-95

 KELLY & DIANA WERTS

Appearing at the Woodshed June 2, '00

Kelly and Diana Werts are dedicated to preserving the old-time music of the 1800's with their fiddle, guitar, vocals, accordion, jawbone and spoons. They perform American traditional music with an easy comaraderie that
results from years of playing together. Songs from the Old West tell of rugged times when pioneers faced challenges with determination and humor, songs which Kelly and Diana deliver with energy and warmth. Their shows are full of audience participation, along with some hot picking and fiddling.

The Wertses are full-time folk musicians, and have recorded together on various successful album projects together and with their trio, The Plaid Family. In 1993, they appeared in the TNN music video special, "Music of the Wild West". Kelly, who has won awards for his fiddling and fingerstyle guitar-playing, also appeared as a fiddler in the 1999 Hollywood movie, "Ride With the Devil".
   

Past Engagement May 5, '00- The Johnson Family

Several years ago a little musical band was formed in the living room of the childhood home. Sitting at their daddy's knee, four children were taught to sing and play different kinds of acoustical instruments. This band was eventually known as the Johnson Family Bluegrass. With music being a part of their everyday life the Johnson family developed a unique blend of Bluegrass style music which includes a variety of rhythms and harmony. Good wholesome family fun accompanies this family band and offers listening pleasure to anyone with a taste for clean, fresh Bluegrass.

The Johnson Family Bluegrass will be performing the evening of Friday, May 5 in the Woodshed inside Main Street Mercantile on the Square in downtown Carthage, Missouri. For more information call 417-358-1800.