This show featured the incomparably skilled Andrew McKnight, with supporting spots from Charles Parente, and yours truly. The real show-stealer was the Red Door Coffeehouse's "poet-in-residence," Janet Hoyt. Mrs. Hoyt, sharp of wit, delivered a number of self-penned poems. Instantly funny and touching, she had the audience in her hand.
Andrew will always command a degree of my envy simply because he had the gumption to quit the corporate world to pursue music. He's based in the Shenandoah foothills in Aldie, VA, where he writes, records and plays his original songs about people and cultures on the cusp of irrevocable change. Andrew is equipped with a rare Martin cutaway flat-top with on-board electronics. He and this guitar frequently travel on the east coast performance circuit, so by now Andrew's vocals and instrumental package are thoroughly honed. I usually don't touch my guitar for days after seeing Andrew play.
Charles Parente, M.D. hails from the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre region of Pennsylvania. Having apparently shelved the Rx (at least for now), Charles has relocated to Arlington, VA to do that singer-songwriter thing. Charles is equally accomplished on piano as he is on guitar. His ballad-rich repertoire is captured on CD. I get the impression that we'll be seeing a lot of Dr. Parente (a Rick Springfield for the new millenium?) out there on the performance circuit.
I was rushed in getting to this gig on time, what with a train from DC up to Baltimore, a quick pack-up, and a dash back down the road to the venue. I didn't have time for an over-due string change on the Taylor. To my surprise, I found that this satin dreadnaught has a real nice fingerstyle thump with dead strings; I was grateful for this bit of serendipity. Get a load of this stage, which holds the many instruments brought by Ed and Patrick. Half of these are home built, and there are many more that didn't make the trip tonight. My spot was brief, but it's always a pleasure to play to a listening audience, as well as sharing a stage with players like Andrew and Charles.
Use the web to check up on Andrew McKnight, Charles Parente, and the Red Door Coffeehouse.
