On Sunday, September 14, six of Door County’s favorite musicians will take the Door Community Auditorium (DCA) stage to play a one-night-only concert of their musical revue Buckets of Rain: The Songs of Bob Dylan. The Buckets of Rain team has played to enthusiastic (and often sellout) crowds at Woodwalk Gallery and Door Community Auditorium for each of the past three years. This year at DCA, Memphis multi-instrumentalist Eric Lewis, California string player Chris Irwin, local folk crooners Katie Dahl and Jeanne Kuhns, and bassist-percussionists Rich Higdon and Patrick Palmer will reunite in this one-night-only tribute to one of America’s most iconic songwriters.
Each possessed of considerable vocal and instrumental skills, the Buckets of Rain crew breathes new life into some of Dylan’s best-known songs, summoning the power of such driving anthems as “The Times They Are A-Changin’” and making classic ballads like “Blowin’ in the Wind” spark and crackle. This year’s performance will contain favorite selections from past Buckets of Rain shows, as well as a few Dylan tunes the troupe hasn’t yet covered. The six Buckets of Rain musicians will play in a variety of different configurations, backing each other up with fine vocals, guitar, mandolin, fiddle, electric guitar, dobro, harmonica, bass, and percussion.
Bob Dylan is arguably one of America’s most important songwriters, influencing countless musicians and writing dozens of hits in his long tenure on the music scene. His songs range from straight-ahead folk to classic rock-and-roll, from modern jazz to traditional blues. The depth and breadth of Dylan’s songwriting make him an ideal subject for the wide-ranging talents of the Buckets of Rain ensemble.
Multi-instrumentalists Eric Lewis and Chris Irwin are well-known on the Door County music scene for their astounding musical wizardry on a multitude of stringed instruments. Lewis has won the Premier Player Award for Strings by the Memphis Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Lewis (based in Memphis, TN) and Irwin (based in Los Angeles, CA) have worked locally with American Folklore Theatre and a plethora of local Door County musicians.
Katie Dahl is a Door County resident and national touring artist who is known for her work as an American Folklore Theatre playwright, as well as for her solo music shows. Her rich alto voice and lively performances have earned her many accolades, including 2010 Big Top Chautauqua Songwriter of the Year. Jeanne Kuhns is a singer-songwriter who weaves themes of blues and jazz into her own unique blend of progressive folk. Kuhns (who also owns Lost Moth Gallery and is a member of the band Small Forest) sings with a versatile voice that is both powerful and intimate. In 2008, Kuhns was voted “Best Female Musician” in Door County Magazine.
Rich Higdon is a bassist and percussionist who regularly performs with a variety of Door County artists, including Katie Dahl and Julian Hagen. Higdon is also a well-known Door County potter. Patrick Palmer, a member of the band Small Forest, accompanies musicians across the peninsula with his skills on both electric and upright bass. He also works as an audio engineer through his company Wired for Sound.
Buckets of Rain is sponsored by Door County Land Trust, Ecology Sports / Base Camp Coffee Shop, and Main Street Market.
The Buckets of Rain ensemble will perform at DCA on Sunday, September 14 at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the concert range from $16 to $22. Advance reservations are recommended and can be made through the DCA box office, located at 3926 Highway 42 in Fish Creek. The box office is open Monday-Friday, 12-5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased in person, on the phone at (920) 868-2728, or online at www.dcauditorium.org.
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