The Mountain Rose is a small-hall concert series featuring local and regional artists with more talent than exposure. We pride ourselves on presenting high-quality performances to an audience that really LISTENS. That is the beauty of a concert setting. Our performers are primarily acoustic artists, mostly in the folk, traditional, and singer-songwriter categories. The concerts are run in Kent, Ohio, with the normal season running October through May. We occasionally (twice a year) produce all-day festivals at the Happy Days Visitor Center in The Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

The Spring 2013 Concert Schedule

Light refreshments will be available at all shows.

Sunday, March 10th, 2013

Silent Lion

Montreal native John Frederick Saunders meets Ohioan Barbiel Matthews (now Barbiel Matthews-Saunders) and eventually forms Silent Lion, a Celtic/Medieval/Bluegrass Acoustic duo. 

In 2001 they followed some advice they were hearing from many fans, to perform at Renaissance Festivals. Beginning with the Great Lakes Medieval Faire in NE Ohio, they’ve regularly traveled to North Carolina, Vermont, Michigan and Florida for these magical time-traveling venues where they join with other musicians and perform ancient and ancient-like pieces from all over the Renaissance world.

With a unique acoustic sound that comes from a Celtic/Medieval/Bluegrass/New Acoustic/Renaissance/Jazz/Middle Eastern/Spiritual/Intellectual/Bibliophilic/Eclectic mix, Silent Lion is still exploring.

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Sunday, April 14th, 2013

Gary Hall

A native Ohioan, singer-guitarist Gary Hall has lived and entertained audiences in such diverse locations as San Francisco, Nashville, Boston and Kittery Maine. He’s currently living and performing in the Cleveland area again. Gary has released 2 record albums, 4 compilation cuts and 2 CD’s.

Although reviewers have often praised Hall’s own songwriting, his primary artistic mission is to help circulate should-be-heard songs from underutilized sources. An extensive repertoire of such songs is what most distinguishes Hall’s act from the typical singer-guitarist fare.

Hall has played venues ranging from subway platforms to concert halls to the NASCAR racetrack in Loudon, NH. He’s performed on folk, country, rock and comedy bills, and appeared on radio and TV. Some of the well-known acts who Hall has shared bills with include Jonathan Edwards and Peter Rowan, country bands Restless Heart and Baillie and the Boys, guitar legend Leo Kottke and Grammy winner Traci Chapman.

Hall’s favorite press quote came from (Beachland Ballroom owner) Cindy Barber, when she was writing for the Free Times: ”Hall’s vocal styling and choice of offbeat songs make for a very engaging evening. If you ever though folk music was dull, Hall is the person to change your mind.”

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Sunday, May 5th, 2013

Rio Neon

“Rio Neon has played our unique  blend of distinctly American music for over 10 years.  We’re rooted in the American folk and string band traditions:  two guitars that bring distinct voices; mandolin and ukulele to add high notes, melody and accents; a bass that doesn’t just maintain rhythm or play the roots of chords, but becomes an integral part of the melody and solos as well; percussion to add rhythmic support, and more importantly color and spice.  Add three lead singers with distinct vocal colors and a wonderful ability to combine for harmonies that go well beyond simple chords.  The arrangements are tight and tasty, and always fun!  

Original songs and arrangements of other artists’ works make up our shows. From local songwriters like Guy Pernetti to icons like Bob Dylan, from the vocal jazz catalog of Lambert, Hendricks and Ross to traditional folk and jug band tunes, the band has “Rio Neon-ized” songs to place our own stamp on well-known standards and obscure gems. We call our music “folkjazz”,  all of the members are rooted in these two American traditions. Folk, swing, Celtic, jug band, gospel, old time string band and an undercurrent of good old rock and roll, that’s Rio Neon.”

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Thanks to the great acts that have already performed this season!

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Sunday, February 10, 2013

Steev Inglish

Born and raised in London England, Steev Inglish is a One Man Blues Band on Vocals, Harmonicas, Guitars, and Percussion. Steev plays original songs and classics from the great Bluesmen of the 1930s-1950s. Under his previous name Mr.Downchild he toured in 25 states, and has been a staple on the Cleveland Blues scene for over 20 years. He was mentored by Robert Lockwood Jr. and has released four Cds. He will be releasing a new CD and DVD in April. Steev will play acoustic 6 and 12 string guitars and a steel bodied slide guitar for the Mountain Rose Concert.

Brian Henke

As much musical shaman as musician, performing on both acoustic six string and 28 string harp guitar, virtuoso multi award winning guitarist Brian Henke plays his music with the passion and grace that comes from his deeply held belief that music is indeed magic and the world needs magic. Brian delivers GREAT magic…sweeping, moving, grand magic with a flourish of just downright amazing guitar wizardry. His seventh solo album “Seven Magic Spells” was released in May of 2012. Previous recordings include “A Crown of Stars” with Bluefeather, Dunlap and Henke, a CD that made it into the top 10 in June of 2007 on the International New Age Radio Charts. Brian produced “The Woodchoppers Ball”, a double CD featuring 26 of the worlds best acoustic guitarists released to benefit Northeast Ohio’s homeless and Brian is the promoter of the annual benefit concert of the same name, having recently celebrated it’s 11th year.

 Showtime: 6:30; Tickets: $7.00; Location: Roy Smith Shelter House in the Fred Fuller Park.

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Sunday, January 13, 2013

The Flipside

We’re a five-piece, Cleveland-based folk rock group of singer-songwriter-musicians who formed from a community of seasoned musicians in 2004, and have been gigging almost weekly throughout the Midwest since then. We’re not the next big (egotistical) thing. You’ll find we just have a knack for crisp vocal harmonies, and for showing your customers — festival attendees, party-goers, coffeeshop patrons, etc. — a good time.

“One of our best nights. High energy + amazingly talented, with songs for all ages! Loved them!” Gina Hart, Cleveland radio personality and music venue manager.

“Traditionally strong song-writing and some of the nicest people in any band in Cleveland.” Jim Mileti, Winchester Music Hall owner and radio personality.

More quotes here: http://heartheflipside.com/pk/

 Showtime: 6:30; Tickets: $7.00; Location: Roy Smith Shelter House in the Fred Fuller Park.

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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Rick Breuning

“Rick Bruening has been writing music and picking his guitar since his early teen years. But it took raising a family, operating several businesses (one of which ended in a bankruptcy), and almost losing his life in a work-related accident to offer a proper perspective from which to create. He is currently full time as an entertainer of song and stories and grateful for the privilege to do just that.

His stories are recollections of real life drama with a little artistic license thrown in. Call it folk music, roots music, or acoustic Americana. He invites you to rest a while and listen to his lifetales.”

Rick has been active with Habitat for Humanity and his song, Stone by Stone…”is now included in all of the Ground Blessing and Home Dedication ceremonies in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania and Mahoning County, Ohio.” Visit Rick’s website to learn more.

Jim Dime & Cinnamon Chivers

Jim Dime is a prolific and gifted songwriter. He claims to sing out only to get the songs heard. Don’t be fooled by that humble disclaimer….he is a gifted performer as well. His smoothworn leather voice and moving lyrics can take the listener from high hilarity to the brink of despair and back again in the space of a few songs. A born storyteller, he leaves one with unforgettable images and a sense of familiarity with each vignette enriched by his insight into the human condition. A click on his “Coondog Song” hit on youtube will give you a glimpse of his talent.

Cinnamon Chivers is a warm and sincere and engaging performer with one of those rare golden, soaring voices that stop conversation and turn heads when she begins to sing. Crystal clear and pure as churchbells ringing in a Sunday morning steeple. Windchimes on a clear Fall day. Her original songs are rich lessons in the joys of motherhood, family, and spirituality.

When Jim and Cinnamon team up on stage…magic happens. The room and the audience are immediately immersed in the glow of the first duet number. Each listener leaves with a sense of warmth and fulfillment, knowing they’ve been a part of something good and right. Knowing they’ve shared a blessing and been part of something very special.

You can find a sample duet on their song “Can We“ by clicking Jim Dime and Cinnamon Chivers on youtube.

 Showtime: 6:30; Tickets: $7.00; Location: Roy Smith Shelter House in the Fred Fuller Park.

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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Small Potatoes

The Chicago based folk duo of Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso say it has taken them years of careful indecision to develop a repertoire they describe as “Celtic to Cowboy.” Superb musicianship and showmanship, award-winning songwriting, and a strong sense of tradition has made them, as Dirty Linen Magazine once said, “one of the most polished, inventive, and entertaining shows on the circuit.”

This show is being presented in partnership with Folknet.

Showtime: 7:00; Tickets are $10 to the general public or $8 for Folknet members. Location: the Unitarian Universalist church in Kent, 228 Gougler Ave.

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Sunday, November 11, 2012

Sarah Goslee Reed

“Sarah Goslee Reed’s new album, Plenty, is her fifth and finest yet. The stated aim of the album is to celebrate life by sorting out the difference between wants and needs. But the unstated thread that binds it all together is community, for the rural Ohio songwriter knits together contributions from supporting musicians, family, friends and even local schoolchildren to fill a cornucopia with life, well-lived. Now, lest this sound like soppy, feel-good platitudes, don’t doubt that Reed knows and shows that joy only takes its full luster when it emerges from the shadows of loss and sorrow. That’s life, and this album lives.”  From a review by Mark Sebastian Jordan. Plenty was released in May of 2012. Visit Sarah’s website for more information.

Kerry Kean

Starting out with rock and roll, Kerry soon taught himself to play many other styles as well. Over the years, he has performed in various groups including folk trios, dance and show-bands, and jazz ensembles. For most of a year, he toured the country with the Parker Brothers, a national show group. At the same time, he has maintained a strong interest in acoustic finger-style and flatpicked guitar. Kerry gradually gathered a repertoire of blues, ragtime, and folk tunes, as well as writing his own songs, and in recent years this music has become a primary focus. While living in southern Ohio, he began performing as a solo act, and has shared a stage with artists like John Fahey, John Hartford, Nanci Griffith and others. In 1995 Kerry released Guitarism, a solo fingerstyle album which contains eight originals and two cover tunes and covers a wide range of musical territory. “Deer Tracks” from this album was selected for a Folknet compilation CD and is still in rotation on area radio stations. He has since released two more albums: New Guitarism and This Song Is For You. Kerry is also the coordinator for the workshops at the annual Kent State Folk Festival. Visit his website to learn more about Kerry and his music.

Showtime: 6:30; Tickets: $7.00; Location: Roy Smith Shelter House in the Fred Fuller Park.

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Sunday, October 14, 2012

Uncle John

Uncle John (John McDowell) started trombone in 6th grade public school. “Loved the sound and found, as an added benefit, that the required home practice really annoyed my sister.” He started concentrating on guitar in the late 1960′s, doing periodic appearances in coffee houses and garage bands. He started performing in local Rock and Country dance bands in 1985, and joined Greased Lightening (then called Ranger) in 1998. He’s still going strong with Greased Lightening, sharing the stage with some of the area’s best musicians. Separately he performs as Uncle John, a persona he started to “stretch out” musically and do things a dance band couldn’t. Uncle John embodies John’s unique take on Standards, Light Rock, Blues and Country music. Performing in local venues, surprising and surprisingly affordable, ask about an Uncle John show in your hometown.

Ed Amann

Ed started playing in public at The Needle’s Eye in Kent and began playing with bands while in the Army in Texas. He toured with Elmore Brothers Band in mid ’70s and has played with a lot of commercial bands around Akron since. Currently he performs with The Band G in addition to his solo work.  ”I started playing as a single in 2001 in order to get my songs out to the public. I pick music from all times and many genres for my shows. I like to say, ‘If you don’t like what I’m doing, wait 3 minutes, it will change’. The songs I write are crafted to fit with this wide range of material and include songs of conscience, railroad songs, blues, alt-country and hilljazz (my countrified take on jazz and pop standards).”  Ed released his most recent album, Playing the Game, in May 2011. Visit Ed’s website for more!

 Showtime: 6:30; Tickets: $7.00; Location: Roy Smith Shelter House in the Fred Fuller Park.

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