I generally get to write for OVE about the wonderful outdoor activities that go on in our city and how to get kids out into nature to help curb childhood obesity and ADD.  Fortunately, OVE has asked me to write about one of my other favorite things.  Music!  The band 311 has a line in one of their songs that says “music’s what I need to keep my sanity”.  This definitely holds true in my life.  When I am working on a project, there is always music playing that inspires me in my design work.

A New Kind of Mission

In Huntsville, we are all used to hearing about missions.  From space missions to military missions, Huntsville is embedded with missions. But today, I’m here to talk about The Folk Mission, a mission from my good friend and neighbor “boldly going where no man has gone before” right here in Huntsville.

Who would you guess wrote the song R-E-S-P-E-C-T , or the song Crazy?  If you said Aretha Franklin or Pasty Cline, you would be wrong.  Otis Redding actually wrote R-E-S-P-E-C-T and Willie Nelson wrote Crazy. These are just two examples of song writers whose songs were made famous by others.  This is a common occurrence in the music industry and local singer/songwriter Steven Jackson is bringing very talented singer/songwriters to Huntsville with his new concert series, The Folk Mission. It is a different take on the music scene in Huntsville and is a welcome one.

Setting the Mood

What a great series this has become in just two performances.  Before I attended the first two events, I was unsure of what to expect, having been to just a couple of “listening room” performances in the past.  I was blown away.

The setting is just perfect with Straight to Ale providing a fantastic stage, backdrop and beer. No Brakes Bistro is cooking up wonderful food and of course performers that have written music for several well known artists such as Waylon Jennings, Dierks Bentley, Allison Kraus and others top it all off.   [spacer size=”0″]

How It Works

The nights begin with time to eat and mingle with friends before the music starts.  As everyone is seated, the music begins and there is a treat of local singer-songwriters to take the stage. With Amy McCarley and Alan Little opening up the first two shows, the bar has been set with our own hometown talent.

After a couple of songs from local performers, the music continues.  When the headliners take the stage, the crowd is brought on the road through wonderfully intimate stories in both song and word from the artist about whom or what has inspired the songs that they have written.

All kinds of influences can be heard from the stage.  From The Band to Bob Dylan, Jimmy Buffet, Hank Williams and others these performers’ stories are amazing and you can see how life influences art. With a set break, the crowd is able to stretch their legs, meet the artist and fill up their cup to be ready to go “back on the road” with the artist.

Through it all, the crowd is able to listen to the performer.  Generally, the shows last about two hours getting you home before the babysitter has cost you an arm and a leg, and you have been able to hear some music that will energize and inspire.

The upcoming lineup includes artists (not all folkies by the way!) that you WILL NOT want to miss so make sure you get the scoop by joining the Folk Mission Mailing list at FolkMission.org

Performer Line Up

• February 9th: Jennifer Daniels
• March 9th: Robby Hecht
• April 20th: Matthew Perryman Jones
• June 1st: Chuck Brodsky

Event Information

Dates: February 9th, March 9th, April 20th, June 1st
Time: Beer and No Brakes Bistro at 6:00; Concert at 7:30
Location: Straight to Ale Brewery Stage
Cost: $10
Tickets: Purchase tickets online here

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