Spring is Here. . . .

. . . . .and the pace quickens as we go from a couple shows a month to a couple shows a weekend. This weekend we will be in three places in two days with varying times, so something is bound to work for your schedule!

Saturday, April 27 we will be in Waynesville, NC playing a show for all the night owls. We're making our second appearance at the Water'n Hole. We played there in February with a friend and they've asked us back! Show starts at 10pm and continues on until 2am.

Late night's not your thing? Sunday April 28, come hear Liz sing with the house band at The Grove Church in Bryson City. Service starts at 11am. Coffee is free. Music is rockin'. Truth is spoken.

Later that same day, we will be over in Sylva, NC to hang out with some bikers. No Name Sports Pub hosts biker night early Sunday evening. We will be playing out on the porch from 4pm to 8pm. Come have a beer, a late lunch or both.

It's gonna be a busy, music-filled weekend. We're excited. Hope to see you at one if not all three!

We love ya, Bob.

Music lost a lover. We lost one of our biggest fans. Heaven gained.

Our dear friend, Bobby McCleery, passed away on February 16, 2013. Yep, Bobby. It wasn't short for Robert or any other high-browed name. It was as simple as the man himself. Overcoming a life of struggles from military service to the realities of marriage and children while dealing with an alcohol problem, Bob finally came to know a better life for himself. He spent his last years, months, days, hours with family, friends and the love of Christ.

Bob loved music. He lived with my parents for ten years or more. While living there,  he would come out of his bedroom to listen to us sing to mama during our visits. After mama passed away in 2010 , Bob moved to North Carolina to live with us. He'd keep to himself but we always knew that music would draw him out.

Bob attended The Grove Church with us while he was here. Every Sunday morning he was up and dressed in his cleanest clothes, hair slicked back and beard combed, waiting for us. You'd think a man like Bob would like a church a little more traditional, but he fit right in, hands in pockets, standing and rocking to the music. Of the few real friends he made while here, he loved and always talked about Kerby Worley. One Saturday night Bob had a few too many beers (quarts as he'd call them), and the next morning decided he was too hung over for church. When Kerby arrived to pick him up, Bob was sitting on the neighbor's deck having coffee. Bob watched Kerby knock on the door and then yelled that he wasn't going to make it. Kerby didn't take no for an answer that morning. I wish you could hear Bob tell this part of the story. Bob said, "I told Kerby I wasn't going to church and he said, 'Bob, get your ass down here right now.' I 'bout died! Can he do that?" 

When I texted the news about Bob's passing that morning, Kerby sent a message back that read as follows:

"Was great to know him. We will see him soon enough. I don't know if I'll recognize a young Bob when we get there. Might need your help."

He'll be easy to find, Kerby. When you get there just start playing music, he'll find you.

Bob's place on our back porch.

This is Bob with my Aunt Joan at Hemlock Inn.

Bob & Aj on the road to nowhere

Bob was my dad's best bud.

Bob and Aj's dinner date. haha (This was Bob's first proper glass of wine.)

New Song. Song 2 for Week 2

Private House Concert

Recently Aj and I attended a house concert in Asheville. It was the perfect setting. A comfortable home, tasty snacks, a decent beer selection and free live music without a single bad seat! Ok, so there was a donation jar. But wow! What an awesome way to see live music. Hearing the songwriters every word and the breaths in between. Everyone was there just to hear the music and meet the performer in a setting that made you feel less like a fan and more like family.

Shannon Stephens house concert in Asheville, N.C.

Now typically these house concerts are hosted by a homeowner who wants to offer their living room up as a venue to a touring musician. Then the homeowner invites friends and neighbors over for a private concert. Musicians love house concerts because it gives them direct contact with an audience that is actually listening. Audiences love them because of the informality and opportunities to interact with artists and with their local community. 

This gave us the grand idea of changing it up a bit and hosting the house concert ourselves. Live music at the musician's house!?! Opening up our house to you, a great way for us to share our stories. We will also be using this show to break out a few new tunes we've been working on. There will be artwork on display by several local artists for your visual pleasure.

As with most house concerts, donation jars will be set up near the door. Donations will be accepted and appreciated but are not necessary. Money collected will help cover costs of refreshments which will be provided and to give aid to our future musical endeavors. 

This is a private event. Due to the limited amount of space it is an invite only event. Please RSVP through event page on facebook. If you did not receive an invite and would really like to come, please send a message to Liz Nance on facebook or send an email to usedmuses@gmail.com .