Once-a-month until May, area residents will have the opportunity to enjoy free live performances by regional musicians in an intimate, unplugged setting.
Trinity Guitars has teamed up with Martin Guitars to present "In Our Back Yard-Live," a program hosted by regional musician Bill Ward. The next performance, which will feature Bumpy Peterson, his granddaughter Amanda Barton and Ward, is scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Back Room of Trinity Guitars.
"It's always been a passion of mine to feature as much local and regional independent music as I can," said Ward. "... We now present a live, once-a-month event that features performers in an unplugged setting."
Article Photos
Pictured are Bumpy Peterson and his granddaughter Amanda Barton. Peterson, Barton and Bill Ward will perform Tuesday at Trinity Guitars.
Submitted photo
The show premiered in November with Sean Patrick McGraw and Big Leg Emma's Steve Johnson, Charity Nuse and Kev Rowe. According to Ward, the success of the first show garnered the attention of Martin Guitars, which is now a supporter of the program. The company donated a new Performing Artist Series GPCPA3 guitar that will be used by each artist throughout the series, and will be donated to Infinity Visual and Performing Arts, Inc. at the end of the season in May.
"Martin Guitars was very excited about the idea of fostering regional independent music art," said Ward. "And, when they heard about the Infinity project they came on board with our passion for it to become even more interested in helping us present this show. So, they provided us with a new guitar that the performers will use every month. There's going to be a lot of mojo in that guitar by the end of the season."
The show is recorded live from Trinity Guitars' performing arts studio Back Room, which has been transformed to have a stage, lighting and a sound system.
"It's going to be very cool," said Ward. "I've known Bumpy for a long time, and he has been a mentor of mine for years. He's really a country music icon in this part of the world. His daughter is Amanda's mother, Leslie Barton of Jamestown Nutrition. I've known Amanda since she was born. We've had the chance to play together for many years, and recently we have forged a pretty solid musical partnership.
"The show is designed to showcase every musician's strong points, and Bumpy has a bunch of them," said Ward. "So, we're going to have him do some stuff by himself, and Amanda will be joining him for some of that. Then Amanda and I will be doing something together. I'm really interested in presenting some of Amanda's original stuff that is very engaging. And, she will be featuring some of her songwriter sister Ellen Feldt's stuff. Plus, we're even going to be doing some of my original Christmas songs from the record I released a few years ago. And, we may even get together at the end of the show to do something all-together. It's going to be extremely eclectic."
Trinity Guitars is located at 800 W. Third St. in Jamestown. Because there is limited capacity in the Back Room, those interested in attending are required to make reservations by calling 665-4490, or by emailing kathy@trinityguitars.com. For more information search for "In Our Back Yard Live" on Facebook.