Eric (harmonica), Sharon (guitar), and Irene (piano) will play just about anything, but mostly ragtime, vintage soul and cowboy lullabies. Each of them are excited and honored to be returning to the Focal Point, having never played this unbeatable venue as an ensemble. They have a combined 125 years of experience performing, so if you Read more about Irene Allen, Sharon Bear and Eric McSpadden[…]
St. Louis-born Roy St. John grew up in England, becoming a Pub Rock stalwart in the 1970s, playing in Phoenix, Billy & Leroy, Klondike Pete & the Huskies, and the Fabulous Reed Brothers. He has released albums for Virgin, Ace, Trapeze, and most recently released Flight Risk on Rollercoaster Records in 2023. BiographyRoy, with schoolfriend Read more about Roy St.John (and Friends) Album Release!![…]
J C Curry has been playing the St Louis music scene since the 1980s, in many bands, including Cookie Monsters, Slipstream, 710, and many others. He has written hundreds of songs, some of them good. He has a wide variety of many influences, including Townes Van Zandt, John Lennon and Lou Reed. J C’s son Read more about CURRY FAVOR’s Ten-Year Anniversary![…]
FRIDAY NIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT Yes. You read it right Xmas in JULY. Due to the unfortunate cancellation of Roughshop's 18th annual Holiday Extravaganza in December 2022, We've moved it to mid Summer of 2023! We figured that it's such a harebrained scheme, that it might just work. This year marks the 19th year (but 18th Read more about Rough Shop’s First Ever Xmas in July![…]
The backward-glancing trio Rum Drum Ramblers are most commonly thought of as a blues band, and certainly, the guys in this group seek to revive a certain strand of acoustic, pre war blues music. But after listening, one could argue that the Ramblers are a soul band; just listen for a few minutes to guitarist Read more about Rum Drum Ramblers[…]
Dizzy Atmosphere is an elegant, lighthearted trio featuring vintage swing stylings of the '20's '30's and '40's. Collectively influenced by an range of American (Joe Venuti & Eddie Lang, Stuff Smith), European (Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli) and Latin (Antonio Carlos Jobim, Xavier Cugat) recording artists, Dizzy Atmosphere's repertoire demonstrates a broad variety, equally adept Read more about Dizzy Atmosphere[…]
A roots group with a straightforward and unassuming style, a sound that is stripped down to it’s core, and songs that come straight from within, Salt of the Earth hails from St. Louis, Missouri. This is the 20th anniversary of Salt of the Earth’s run, one that has been marked with incredible joy and fun, Read more about Salt Of The Earth Celebrates 20 Years![…]
Guy Davis is a two-time, back-to-back Grammy nominee for Best Traditional Blues, a musician, Actor, Author, and Songwriter. Guy uses a blend of Roots, Blues, Folk, Rock, Rap, Spoken Word, and World Music to comment on, and address the frustrations of social injustice, touching on historical events, and common life struggles. His background in theater Read more about Guy Davis[…]
Folk-Americana duo Of Sea and Stone began in January 2014 when Luke Dierker and Morgan Manson matched on Tinder. Immediately exhibiting a rare vocal chemistry, the two began writing and performing across their home state, Missouri. In 2016, the pair got married and began recording their first full-length studio album, self-titled Of Sea and Stone Read more about Of Sea And Stone with Wood Willow[…]
Fiddlin' Sam and the Bolo Band, the St Louis Western Swing supergroup, comes back to the Focal Point on Saturday, August 12th. This band draws from the songbooks of Bob Wills, Roy Rogers, Milton Brown and others from Western Swing's heyday of the '30s thru '50s. Bandleader Sam Golden's faithful transcriptions and adaptations capture the Read more about Fiddlin’ Sam and the Bolo Band[…]
Todd, Allie and Gerard gave us an unforgettable show on New Year's Day and they have been just as anxious to return as we have been to see them on our stage again! Todd Sheaffer is the vocalist/guitarist/songwriter of Railroad Earth. Railroad Earth combines elements of progressive bluegrass, folk rock, country, jazz and other Read more about Todd Sheaffer with Allie Kral and Gerard Erker[…]
Focal Point proudly presents an amazing “new” St. Louis based "Super Roots" band, Moon Valley! Moon Valley is an original music project led by St. Louis-based artist Gavin J. Duffy (songwriter & all things strings) and backed by Patrick O’Driscoll (guitar & vocals), Tom Souders (banjo & vocals), Roger Netherton (fiddle & vocals), Ryan “Green Read more about Moon Valley w/ opening set by Mikey Wehling[…]
The Buckhannon Brothers perform traditional instrumental old-time music. Their expansive repertoire ranges from lively fiddle tunes to string rags, from waltzes to schottisches, and from polkas to blues. Curtis's mandolin playing is perfectly complimented and balanced by Dennis's guitar accompaniment. Emily Buckhannon on keyboard and Tom Mason on drums will join the brothers for a Read more about The Buckhannon Brothers with Emily Buckhannon & Tom Mason[…]
Boston based Uilleann piper Joey Abarta and fiddler Nathan Gourley are two of America’s great young trad musicians, who have been playing music together daily since 2013. Their debut duo album, Copley Street, has an undeniable chemistry and demonstrates a nuanced understanding of each other's playing. Their music includes offbeat settings of well-known tunes and Read more about Joey Abarta and Nathan Gourley Release “Copley Street” with David McKindley-Ward[…]
Songbird Cafe is a St. Louis-based concert series with singer-songwriters performing their material in a stripped-down, intimate, in-the-round performance space, a format unique in STL. Come enjoy singer/songwriters Fats Kaplin, Kristi Rose, Eric Barnes and Nathan Golliher
Chris Jones & the Night Drivers make some of the most distinctively elegant yet driving bluegrass music heard anywhere today. Deeply rooted in tradition but never bound to it, they deliver original music with tight arrangements, emotional authenticity, and engaging humor. As actor and banjo player Steve Martin says, “Chris Jones’ voice is there with Read more about Chris Jones & the Night Drivers[…]
Focal Point presents Queens, NY soulful Blues vocalist Missy Anderson!! “If a voice as rich, supple, and vibrant as Missy Andersen’s could come out of a bottle – not that it hasn’t been tried – every blues singer would be dripping deep soul.” – DAVE RUBIN, Author & Journalist. Missy Andersen and her accompanist/husband, Heine Read more about Missy Anderson[…]
The Resonant Rogues’ dark Appalachian folk paints a picture of their lives in the mountains of Western North Carolina and on the road. Anchored by the songwriting duo of Sparrow (banjo, accordion) and Keith Smith (guitar), they’ve traveled the byways and highways of America and crossed the oceans with instruments in tow. From riding freight Read more about The Resonant Rogues with opening set by Cowboy Randy Erwin[…]
Three like minded musicians coming together to showcase the acoustic guitar! Each of these fine players is unique in their own way and together they will blend their skills for a night of music to be remembered!
Mike Compton and Joe Newberry mine one of the more neglected segments of country music history: the period during the ‘30s and ’40s when brother duet music was transitioning into what is known today as bluegrass. Both masters of the bedrock instruments of old-time music, they collaborate with a vision that is both modern and Read more about Focal Point Friends of Old-Time Music Present: Compton & Newberry: A Return to the Roots of Bluegrass[…]
All the Days is an original Americana folk rock band from St. Louis, MO featuring Stephanie Stewart, Danny Kathriner, Chuck Lindo, and Tony Estrada. They have a warm, energetic sound infused with three part harmony. All the Days was born out of a songwriting collaboration between Danny and Stephanie, both prolific songwriters who share a Read more about All the Days[…]
Please come to the Focal Point on Saturday, September 9th from 1 pm to 10pm-ish. We're hosting a Celebration of Life for Eric Stein. Many of St Louis' favorite Folk and Roots artists will be performing, including... Ethan Leinwand and Valerie Kirchhoff Buchannon Brothers BAJA Gloria Attune Farshid Etniko Soltanshahi Colin Blair Gary Hunt and Read more about A Celebration of Life for Eric Stein[…]
The Blue Canyon Boys are equal parts purists and innovators when it comes to Bluegrass: they stay true to the form’s roots while constantly reimagining their relationship to tradition. The result is a toe-tapping mix of haunting standards, genre-bending arrangements, and catchy original numbers—all built on the bedrock of their collective bluegrass mastery. Ever since Read more about The Blue Canyon Boys – High Octane Colorado Bluegrass[…]
The Dust Covers are a four-piece acoustic group with a passion for traditional Ol' Time and American roots music! Each band member brings a special expertise to the stage and together meld seamlessly to invoke the sounds of our musical history! Plan on an evening filled with "songs you don't know by dead guys you Read more about The Dust Covers[…]
CANCELLEDUnfortunately, Leroy has had to cancel his 9/16 concert for a personal reason. But don’t worry, he’s well. If you purchased tickets, you will receive a refund within the next couple of days. No need to request a refund! One of St.Louis' REAL ole school Blues men, Leroy Jodie Pierson is a co-founder of the Read more about Leroy Jodie Pierson[…]
Vivian Leva & Riley Calcagno have emerged as two of the most promising young roots artists. Indeed, Saving Country Music writes that, “Individually, Vivian Leva and Riley Calcagno are already two of the most exciting, promising, and talented up-and-comers in most all of roots music, fluidly moving through old time, bluegrass, and classic country modes Read more about Viv & Riley[…]
Yes! You heard it right. St.Louis' (as well as St.Charles') own goofballs of the midwest are doing a reunion! Expect masterful musicianship, ridiculous parodies, goats on wheels, ballads of love, love of weed, love of truckers, love of small brains, love of weed, love of women, love of canned goods, love of friends and most Read more about The Triumphant Return of Jim Findlay’s Colin Sphinctor Band!!![…]
This is a special performance by Royce Martin celebrating the release of his new album “Memories on Morgan Street” Scott Joplin Reimagined by Royce Martin on Rivermont Records. Royce Martin is a pianist, composer and graduate from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Royce taught himself the piano Read more about Royce Martin Album Release “Memories on Morgan Street”[…]
Songbird Cafe is a St. Louis-based concert series with singer-songwriters performing their material in a stripped-down, intimate, in-the-round performance space, a format unique in STL. Come enjoy singer/songwriters Adam Reichmann, Andy Ploof, John Wendland and Steve Dawson.
Following their Bluebird Cafe debut, Nashville based “A Tale Of Two” is an undeniable rising duo in today’s roots music scene. Combining the best of Americana and blues melodies with timeless Southern storytelling, award winning vocalist Stephanie Adlington and guitarist Aaron Lessard draw influence from the likes of Tom Waits and Ray LaMontagne, along with Read more about A Tale Of Two[…]
Donna Herula is a blues, folk and Americana singer, songwriter and resonator guitar player and a Chicago Blues Hall of Fame inductee who is returning to The Focal Point for another spectacular event! Her latest album, “Bang at the Door” won “Best Acoustic Blues Album” at the 2022 Independent Blues Awards and was also nominated for Read more about Donna Herula Trio[…]
Bulgarika is an authentic 5 piece traditional Bulgarian group who play the time honored music of the Balkans. They include: Donka Koleva - The internationally prominent singer, Donka Koleva is a native of the town of Rudozem Rodopa region of Thrace. After graduation of National School of Folk Arts in Shiroka Luka Bulgaria, Donka Koleva Read more about Bulgarika[…]
The celebrated virtuoso partnership of “the doyenne of Irish harpers” (SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY) and “one of the UK’s most staggering and influential acoustic guitarists” (fROOTS), has graced venues large and small - from the tiniest of historic churches in England, Germany and Italy to palaces in Kyoto and Istanbul, London’s Barbican, Sydney Town Hall and Read more about Máire Ní Chathasaigh & Chris Newman[…]
CANCELED Unfortunately three of the members of Buffalo Rose are too sick to perform. Any purchased tickets will be refunded.
Eric & Suzy have devoted their lives to the pursuit of weird and obscure old-time American music – warped fiddle tunes in odd tunings, cinematic ballads, country blues songs that contain mysterious metaphors, early Cajun music with incomprehensible French lyrics and backwards chords. Using fiddle, mandolin, guitars, Cajun accordion, banjo (and the occasional odd instrument Read more about An evening of Southern Roots Music with Eric and Suzy Thompson[…]
Beppe Gambetta is an Italian guitarist, vocalist and composer who found a way to make Italian and American traditions speak together with one voice. Born in the seaport city of Genova and raised on American Flatpicking he developed a unique captivating guitar and performance style. Beppe is beloved all over the world, gaining new fans Read more about Beppe Gambetta[…]
Dr. Dom Flemons, is a musician based in the Chicago area and he is famously known as The American Songster® since his repertoire covers over one hundred years of American roots music. Flemons is a songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music scholar, actor, slam poet, record collector, and the creator, host, producer of American Songster Radio Show on Read more about Dom Flemons *The American Songster*[…]
Gangspil (Sonnich Lydom: accordion, harmonica, vocals & Kristian Bugge: fiddle, vocals) will take you on an entertaining and variated journey through the traditions of Danish folk music. These lively musicians perform old dance tunes and songs from every corner of their Scandinavian home country. From rural islands like Læsø to the metropol Copenhagen, including a Read more about Gangspil[…]
4pm TICKETS 8pm TICKETS Focal Point proudly welcomes our old friend Chris Smither back for TWO back to back shows on Saturday, October 14th at 4pm and 8pm. “Smither is an American original – a product of the musical melting pot and one of the absolute best singer-songwriters in the world.” -Associated Press. " Read more about Chris Smither[…]
Focal Point will be celebrating our annual Scottish October with The Tannahill Weavers!! Traditional Celtic music at its best! With fire-driven instrumentals and songs, haunting ballads and a good dose of humour, the Tannahill Weavers have transformed traditional Scottish material and brought it into the modern world, vitally alive and kicking. Members of the Scottish Read more about Tannahill Weavers[…]
Darren Nicholson is a GRAMMY nominee, 13-time International Bluegrass Music Association award winner, Grand Ole Opry performer and recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, the highest honor given by North Carolina’s governor. Nicholson has been on stage since childhood. Growing up in Jackson County, he played alongside his father, Hayes Nicholson, a Read more about Focal Point presents Darren Nicholson: Original Americana Music from the Mountains of Appalachia[…]
Rhys Jones is one of the finest living performers of Appalachian and old-time music, and his numerous recordings have influenced generations of musicians over the last 30 years. Rhys plays with a unique style loved by audiences and critics alike. A recognized master musician, his fiddling is the gold standard for imaginative and inspired traditional Read more about Focal Point Friends of Old-Time Music Presents: Rhys Jones, Sam Bartlett, and Abby Ladin[…]
Daniel Neihoff is an emerging Singer/Songwriter from Paducah, KY. He has been described as “one of the best storytelling songwriters in Nashville”. His music blends sensitive and articulate lyrics with effortless fingerpicking and powerful vocals. With a voice that is honest and passionate, Daniel holds nothing back every time he takes the stage. In a Read more about Daniel Neihoff[…]
We're REALLY looking forward to this one! Choro das 3 is a family based trio formed by the sisters: Corina (flute), Lia (7 string guitar) and Elisa (mandolin, clarinet, banjo, accordion and piano). Tragically, Eduardo, the father of the three sisters, lost his life to Covid early in the pandemic, before vaccines were available in Read more about Choro Das 3[…]
Nicolas Brown was born in Illinois and raised in Ontario, and first started playing Irish music when he was in his late teens. A friend lent him a practice set of uilleann pipes, with which he proceeded to torture his extremely patient and understanding parents. Norman Stiff (a student of Dublin born Chris Langan) started Read more about Nicolas Brown CD Release Show[…]
The Midwestern Harvesters - Lynn "Chirps" Smith, Fred Campeau, and Jim Nelson - have been playing together since sometime in the mid-1980s when they got together in the Volo Bogtrotters. They play the real rough and ready, authentic stuff, often learned during visits with elder musicians from previous generations, or from field recordings, or from Read more about The Midwestern Harvesters – Vintage Old-Time String Band Tunes & Songs[…]
The much anticipated return of Mean Mary to The Focal Point! Mary James stunned a small but enthusiastic crowd in August of 2022 and the video of her debut show continues to dominate the Focal Point YouTube channel with over 12,000 views! She is an award-winning musician/writer and fan favorite (over 30 million views on her YouTube videos), Mean Read more about Mean Mary[…]
Drawing inspiration from the rich string band culture of the Virginia-Carolina Blue Ridge region, The Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee bring together old time mountain music, traditional bluegrass, and early country music to produce a uniquely authentic old time sound. The Floyd County-based string band plays regularly for dances and festivals around the country and they have won many contests including the Read more about Focal Point Friends of Old-Time Music Presents: Alum Ridge Boys & Ashlee[…]
Focal Point Friends of Traditional Jazz, Blues & Ragtime are happy to welcome back Miss Jubilee! Miss Jubilee is St. Louis band that specialize in 1920s and 30s blues, jazz and hokum. With a style described as "a kind of hot elegant rawness" this group has always been a Focal Point favorite. Vocalist Valerie Kirchhoff Read more about Miss Jubilee[…]
Unfortunately, the concert on Saturday with John Higgins & Thayne Bradford has been postponed. We'll update social media, our newsletter, and our website when we have a new date. If you have any questions, please reach out to us via email at [email protected]
Focal Point Friends of Old-Time Music is glad to welcome back Bob Bovee. Since 1971, Bob Bovee has traveled the country taking old-time music to audiences of all ages at festivals, fairs, coffeehouses, schools, libraries, and radio and TV prorgams. His performances feature rural music of an earlier era as played in homes, at Read more about Focal Point Friends of Old-Time Music Presents Bob Bovee[…]
Songs from the heart. There's no better way to describe the music from Hunter Peebles. The human experience is filled with heartache, loss, love and joy. Hunter's songs capture these sentiments with seemingly effortless simplicity and depth. Hailing from southern Illinois, just east of St. Louis, MO, Hunter reflects his influences in country, folk and Read more about Hunter Peebles and The Moonlighters[…]
FRIDAY NIGHT SATURDAY NIGHT This year marks the 18th year that Rough Shop will be at the Focal Point to offer up their take on the holiday season! Find out why these shows have become an annual tradition for so many! It’s all there – the wonder, the longing, the joy, the beauty, the feeling Read more about Rough Shop’s Eighteenth Annual Holiday Extravaganza! (FRIDAY and SATURDAY NIGHT)[…]
SUNDAY MATINEE This year marks the 18th year that Rough Shop will be at the Focal Point to offer up their take on the holiday season! Find out why these shows have become an annual tradition for so many! It’s all there – the wonder, the longing, the joy, the beauty, the feeling of loneliness Read more about Rough Shop’s Eighteenth Annual Holiday Extravaganza! (SUNDAY MATINEE)[…]
Yes! They are back for their 6th'ish(?) Holiday season sing on our stage! So come one come all, we absolutely guarantee your complete satisfaction!! The Wee Heavies (Aaron Schiltz, Peter Merideth, Jay Harkey, and Steve Neale) started singing together in the Shaw Neighborhood of St. Louis in 2013. The mostly a cappella band has won Read more about The Wee Heavies’ Annual Holiday Sing[…]
This will be a quick return to The Focal Point for Mean Mary and she'll be bringing her brother Frank James along to perform together Sunday, December 10th, at 6PM (doors 5:30) Tickets $20 in advance. Please get your tickets early; we expect a sell-out show! Mary and Frank will be playing crowd favorites (such Read more about A Very Merry Mean Mary Christmas[…]
The Hot Club of St. Louis is an all-star line up of the city’s finest acoustic jazz musicians led by guitarist Joe Park. The group will perform many of the classics made famous by Django Reinhardt and the Hot Club of France as well as some of Park’s own original compositions. Rinn Netherton - violin Read more about The Hot Club of St. Louis[…]
Yes, you heard it right! Not only will this be Jake's Leg's 10th Annual Holiday Show at Focal Point but they will only be doing ONE show rather than the typical two, so get those tickets while the-get'ns good! Spanning the generations, Jake's Leg has been performing the music of The Grateful Dead for 48 Read more about Jake’s Leg’s 10th Annual Holiday Acoustic Dance Party (One Night Only!)[…]
Graham Curry is a bluegrass multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Missouri and has been playing since a young child. Graham specializes in flat-picking guitar, mandolin & fiddle and has a strong passion for traditional Bluegrass, American roots & world folk music. Graham, who splits his time between St.Louis and Nashville as an accomplished live & Read more about Graham Curry’s Birthday Bash with The Missouri Fury[…]
Hey folks! Ryan Koenig here. I’ll be having my annual last Saturday of the year show at the Focal Point again on December 30th. This year I’m going to feature the band that I (willingly) exhausted myself the most for in 2023, So Grand Polka Band! So Grand Polka Band is run by my constant Read more about Ryan Koenig Presents: So Grand Polka Band[…]
Old Mines friends take note! Music historian, author and clawhammer banjo player Calamity Mo collects and currently specializes in the French- Creole songs of Missouri and Illinois. Calamity Mo is in the region to join in Prairie du Rocher’s Guiannée, the old French folk song still sung yearly for New Year’s Eve. For us, she’ll Read more about Calamity Mo: Mississippi Valley Creole Culture Aficionado[…]
Enjoy an evening of 1920's & 30's jazz performed by some of it's finest practitioners from around the USA. Each member of this band is a multi-instrumentalist and bandleader in their respective cities of Chicago, New York, Cincinnati, Davenport and Austin, and each travel the world performing this energetic and entertaining style of music. The evening will include Read more about T.J. Muller’s All Star Jazz Band Ft. Andy Schumm, Matt Tolentino, Mike Davis, Josh Duffee & Colin Hancock[…]
Mainstays of the St. Louis Folk music scene, Nate and Dan Lowery originally hail from Dallas, Texas. Born into a large musical family, the brothers were exposed to traditional music at a young age. Their earliest memories are of their father playing Doc Watson songs on his Martin D-35 guitar. It wasn’t long before they Read more about For the Sake of the Song: A Tribute to Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt with The Lowery Brothers and Kevin Buckley[…]
Band leader Mitzi MacDonald says “The neatest thing about Keltic Reign is the evolution of the band. My kids cut their teeth listening to us play…and now they are playing.” It’s true, the house has been filled with Celtic music for many, many years. So which Keltic Reign are we talking about? …well, it is Read more about Keltic Reign RETURNS for their (mostly) Annual New Year Focal Point Concert[…]
