Simply Begin

Featured artist May 2016

Johnsmith is one of those artists so often under-recognized – he possesses a genius that cannot be denied, ignored, or overlooked. For the past thirty-plus years, Johnsmith has been sharing his music all across America and abroad. He has become a favorite at festivals, clubs, and house concerts alike. In addition to being a Kerrville New Folk Winner, Johnsmith has released seven solo CDs to rave reviews, leads musical tours to Ireland, teaches songwriting, and has served as a staff songwriter in Nashville.

With his faded jeans, his twinkly blue eyes, and his infectious smile, John immediately connects with audiences. You get the sense of a man who loves his life, his family and friends, and who loves nothing more than sharing that love in song and stories all across this land.

For more info on Johnsmith, check out his website.

My hometown (Trempealeau, WI) buddy, Beau Janke, is one of the founding members of this raucous (spelled "f-u-n") band.

As told on their website...

"Allegedly founded at a bible camp, and born in the back valleys of Western Wisconsin, Them Coulee Boys craft a brand of Americana that blends punk, bluegrass, and rock & roll.  Guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, and a lone kick drum provide the pulse that drives underneath the conversational yet thoughtful lyrics. 

"Them Coulee Boys seek to start a conversation with their performance, knowing just how diverse that interaction can be. From love letters and farewell fights, to fists raised in protest with a hand held in harmony, the songs are reflections on the current state of the world, and in turn, ourselves.

"The lyrics and singing of Soren Staff are complemented by the reckless banjo stylings of Beau Janke, the deft mandolin work of Jens Staff, and the thump of bass/kick drummer Michael Aschbacher, Them Coulee Boys are sure to make it “impossible not to bob your head, shake your legs, or even strum your fingers along with the beat” (The Spectator)."

Find out more on the aforementioned Them Coulee Boys' website.

Yazmin started playing piano as a youngster and early on became entranced by Cuban music. She has studied intensively with Latin Jazz expert Rebeca Mauleon-Santana in San Francisco, CA, over the last eleven years. At seventeen she was bandleader and member of her own Latin dance band and for the last seven years has been performing as a solo singer-songwriter.

Her songs have earned her recognition as Big Top Chautauqua’s Songwriter of the Year in 2010 as well as an opening slot for Nanci Griffith the following year. She is currently attending McNally Smith College of Music on a full scholarship and performs throughout the midwest.

She has two recordings, La Banda Nueva Live at the Alvord, and Solo, an EP of her original songs. 

For more info about Yazmin, to hear some sound samples or check out a few videos of the artist in action, visit her website, yazminmusic.com

Katie Burns is an American singer/songwriter who currently lives in Mineral Point, Wisconsin.

Katie, whose sound is known to be ethereal and angelic, counts her hometown, Omaha, Nebraska, among her musical influences and Wisconsin as her home and inspiration.

She has performed all over the Midwest for the past 20 years as a solo act and with her band -- The Katie Burns Band -- which consists of Madison cellist, Eric Miller and Madison drummer Michael Sherry. Their sound reflects early Kate Bush and the Cranberries but with melodic songwriting. 

Katie has released three albums: You'll Find Your Way; Throw the Flowers Down and her most recent release, Weighted Balloon.

For more info, check out Katie Burns' website.

Or connect with Katie on her Facebook page.