April 14th

SDFH is proud to present:

Small Potatoes

      Small Potatoes are Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso.  This Chicago-based duo has been touring on the folk circuit since 1993 and in that time they've become sought-after regulars at many clubs, coffeehouses and other venues across the U.S.  They have made repeat appearances at major folk festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Walnut Valley Folk Festival and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.  They were one of the "most requested" acts at the 1999 Falcon Ridge New Artist Showcase.  Jacquie is also a winner of the 1998 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Contest.
      Self-proclaimed eclecto-maniacs, they describe their music as "Celtic to Cowboy" and say it has taken them "years of careful indecision" to come up with a mix of music that ranges from country, blues, and swing to Irish, with songwriting that touches on all of those styles and more.  Their two recordings, "Waltz of the Wallflowers" and "Time Flies" (Wind River Records), cover all these styles.  They both sing, they both play guitars and an array of other instruments.  They even yodel.  "Dirty Linen" Magazine called them "one of the most polished, inventive and entertaining shows on the circuit."  "Sing Out!" Magazine called "Time Flies" a "wonderful, wonderfully eclectic" album and said "Small Potatoes might well be leading mainstays on the folk scene for years to come."  Their new album, "Waltz of the Wallflowers" appeared on several "Best of 2000" radio playlists, including WFMT's syndicated "Midnight Special."
      When you see Small Potatoes perform, you hear two great voices, some fine guitar playing, and a touch of tin whistle, flute, mandolin, bodhran and other percussion toys.  Together they present a truly rare blend of vocal and instrumental abilities, awardwinning songwriting and arranging talents.  They have the unique ability to adapt to the style of music they happen to be playing.  They seem comfortably at home whether playing an upbeat cowboy swing tune or a tender, traditional ballad -- though there are no rules here either, sometimes the traditional sounds contemporary, sometimes the contemporary sounds traditional.  And they also pay attention to the little things, the warmth, the humor and a rapport with the audience that makes for a memorable performance.  A listen to a few tracks on "Waltz of the Wallflowers," Jacquie's one-of-a kind 1998 Kerrville New Folk winning title track, Rich's powerful "1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes," or their Celtic-flavored rendition of the Jefferson Airplane classic, "Lather" provides a more than ample illustration.

Information:  (858) 566-4040
Email:  SDFH@san.rr.com
Admission:  $15 (members $12), available at the door.
Advance Ticket Sales:  TicketWeb.com
Time:  7:30 pm
Location:  San Dieguito United Methodist Church
                   170 Calle Magdalena
                   Encinitas, CA

SDFH is proud to present:

Albert & Gage

      In Austin, Texas -- a town overflowing with gifted singer/songwriters and guitar heroes -- Christine Albert & Chris Gage have a nine year track record of making beautiful music together.  Over the course of five duet albums, the duo has demonstrated that disparate backgrounds do not preclude musical soul mates from finding one another.
      Their "Burnin' Moonlight" album led an Austin Chronicle reviewer to exclaim, "[The songs are] beautifully framed by the duo's intertwined, yearning vocals, leaving a glow as luminous and bright as moonlight itself."  And the Houston Press noted, "From George Jones and Tammy Wynette to Richard and Linda Thompson, male-female duets are one of popular music's most delightful permutations.  And the Austin-based duo of Christine Albert and Chris Gage easily slot right in with the best."
      In 2003 Albert and Gage released their first live recording, "Albert and Gage at Anderson Fair."  "Dirty Linen" commented that the set had "energy, humor, really fine duet singing, strong leads, original harmonies, a strong sense of partnership, personality and musicality."
      Says Christine of her partner, "Musically, I like to go in lots of different directions" -- from country songs to French chansons -- "and Chris goes right along with me.  It's not just that he plays bluegrass or folk or blues, but that he plays it all with so much integrity."
      "After being a sideman for several years I was ready to start my own band again," recalls Gage.  "I wasn't sure exactly how that would manifest, and then I met Christine.  What we brought out in each other was magical."
      Onstage, Albert's slender, dark beauty contrasts strikingly with Gage's craggy good looks.  How gracefully they complement each other is easily apparent.  Although they have functioned as a duo for just nine years, both musicians' individual pedigrees are far more extensive.
      Gage is a journeyman musician and South Dakota native who literally began touring in a station wagon at age 15.  In the mid-Seventies and early Eighties he led the popular midwestern country-swing Red Willow Band, and from there graduated to an eight-year tenure on piano with guitar virtuoso and country star Roy Clark.  After moving to Austin in 1991, Gage began commuting to San Antonio to take the reins as musical director for the Fiesta Texas theme park.
      But it was during (and following) his next incarnation, as bandleader for West Texas alternative-country singer/songwriter Jimmie Dale Gilmore that he began to carve out his own place in the Austin scene as an in-demand session player and accompanist.  It was with Gilmore that Christine first heard Chris play and in 1997 Albert & Gage was formed.  The duo later toured as an opening act for Gilmore and as members of his ensemble.
      Christine Albert's French grandmother lived in Paris and her mother was born in Switzerland, so perhaps it's inevitable that the occasional Edith Pilaf song migrates into her sets of original material and carefully chosen covers.  Indeed, she recorded an entire album of lovely (albeit improbable) Franco-Lone Star fusion entitled "Texafrance" in 1992; and a 2003 sequel -- "Texafrance-Encore!" -- was released, appropriately enough, on Valentine's Day that year.
      Christine herself cut her musical teeth in northern New Mexico, in the chic environs of Santa Fe and in the rough-and-tumble biker bars out along the Turquoise Trail.  Along with fellow New Mexico chanteuse Eliza Gilkyson, Albert re-located to Austin in 1982 and began to distinguish herself as a singer-songwriter in a town where the bar for such artists is set very high indeed.
      She has released five solo albums, including "Texafrance," "The High Road" and "Underneath the Lone Star Sky."  In 1996, she was voted Female Vocalist of the Year in the Kerrville Music Awards poll associated with the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival and has appeared on "Austin City Limits," both with Gilkyson and on her own show.  A longtime community activist, Albert is also known for her work on behalf of survivors of sexual assault and has recently founded "Swan Songs," a not for profit program that arranges private concerts by favorite Texas musicians for individuals with a life threatening illness.
      The duo's 2006 release "Cry Love" was recorded entirely at their own Moon House Studio, showcasing their compelling songwriting, impeccable harmonies and Gage's natural instrumental gifts.  When not on the road, Chris and Christine stay busy producing other artists and have expanded Moon House Records with releases produced by Chris Gage for fellow Austenite Cowboy Johnson and Michael Austin.

Information:  (858) 566-4040
Email:  SDFH@san.rr.com
Admission:  $15 (members $12), available at the door.
Advance Ticket Sales:  TicketWeb.com
Time:  7:30 pm
Location:  San Dieguito United Methodist Church
                   170 Calle Magdalena
                   Encinitas, CA