John Ford and Joe Smothers | Friday, July 24, 8 p.m. | Doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets: $2o members; $25 not-yet-members; $13 students (13+)
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VIDEO
It’s pre war blues, old school country, southern gospel and the history behind the music. John Ford assimilates the blues of the 1920’s and 30’s, the blues of Robert Johnson and Son House, a bit of 1940’s country and a pinch of gospel rhythm, and comes up with his own brand of the roots experience.
Ford has been writing since his early teens, growing up in New Richmond, Ohio a small river town 20 miles east of Cincinnati. “Whether it be songs I’ve written or an old song from the 1930’s, I play what I fall in love with”.
Over a year in the making, John’s newest album, “Rollin’ On” will be released in the fall of 2024 on disc and vinyl…….
In November of 2019, John released a live EP called “John Ford Live” (with The John Ford Blues Society) recorded at Morehead State University on March 31st, 2016. Six songs…..five blues classics and one original song, “Ma Sibbi’s Chicken & Dumplins”.
In September of 2016. John released “The John Ford Blues Society”, his first full length album, comprised of 10 tracks, it has some of the best musicians in Cincinnati playing along.
John recorded the 2014 EP “Songs From Room 414” at The Gunter Hotel in San Antonio Texas – the hallowed ground where Robert Johnson recorded 16 out of his 27 songs in November of 1936.
John’s first EP, “Injection of the Blues” was released in 2011.
In 2015, John was nominated for a CEA (Cincinnati Entertainment Award).
Over the past few years he has performed at “The Shack Up Inn”, “Hambone Art Gallery”, “The Hooker Grocery & Eatery” and “Levon’s Bar & Grill” in Clarksdale, Mississippi, “The Iron Horse Grill” in Jackson, Mississippi, “The Cottonwood Public House” in Vicksburg, Mississippi, “The Slippery Noodle Inn” in Indianapolis, “BB’s Jazz, Blues & Soups” in St. Louis and Honky Tonk BBQ in Chicago, as well as opening for Cedric Burnside, Patrick Sweaney, Damon Fowler and Ruthie Foster.
Joe Smothers
Joe Smothers was born & raised in the middle of the North Carolina Piedmont. At the age of thirteen, Joe got his first guitar his mother bought him from a local pawn shop. Joe teethed on the greats from the Carolinas like Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Willie McTell, Etta Baker, Loudon Wainwright Ill, James Taylor & Ben E King.
Joe happened on a tv show which featured this blind musician named Doc Watson. Joe was mesmerized! Little did he know he was to ultimately join Doc, his son Merle and others to form the band Frosty Morn who recorded over a dozen albums and toured Internationally.
In the early 80s, Joe joined Jack Lawrence as Smothers & Lawrence touring across the USA fronting artists including John Prine, Leo Kottke & Emmylou Harris. Joe & Jack collaborated on one self-titled album which was recently remastered and rereleased.
Joe took a few years off from touring to raise his family, but continued performing and writing songs, performing solo & in various bands playing everything from Originals, Rock, Blues, Appalachian, Pop, R&B and everything in between.
Joe has the distinction of being part of the annual Merlefest Music Festival & typically performs in several sets, both solo and with his long-time friends & Merlefest alumni including Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Jack Lawrence, Michael T Coleman & Peter Rowan. Along with Joe, these artists have performed worldwide with Doc & Merle Watson & have played at the festival since the very first one in 1988!
Rolling Stone Magazine was covering the Merlefest in 2019 & detailed the alumni set as a key highlight from the festival, mentioning Joe along with his long-time fellow artists & friends.
Joe has a silky smooth voice like a Southern evening breeze combined with great lyrical fingerstyle guitar playing. Joes interpretations of some familiar classics take on a whole fresh perspective for the audience. Joe often accompanies his songs with never before heard stories of the songwriters & artists who made them their signature songs. Oh, hes got some road stories that will make you laugh too! But, dont expect just great playing, singing & story-telling. Prepare for a great night of entertainment that will have you talking long after the show!