Katie Powderly & The Sparetime Bluegrass Band
Doors 6:30PM / Show 7:30PM
Seated show
$12ADV / $15DOS
This is gonna be a bluegrass bash, y'all. Katie will have her full band and they'll be joined by Sparetime Bluegrass Band.
About Katie:
Press for her new album, "Live by the Song, Die by the Song"
“...inhabiting the same musical geography as Gillian Welch and Aoife O’Donovan, fiddle and guitar combining to create a sublime bluegrass ambience.” – Graeme Tait, Americana UK
...Powderly possesses a singing style similar to Gillian Welch, Natalie Merchant, and Emmylou Harris in its soft sensual delivery.” – Lee Zimmerman, The Alternate Root Magazine
“Katie Powderly's "Live by the Song, Die by the Song" is a puzzle you put together by listening.” – Wildfire Music + News
“When it’s just you, your voice, and your guitar, there isn’t much to hide behind, which is how Katie Powderly likes it. The singer-songwriter shines brightly on her latest release, the five-song EP, "Live by the Song, Die by the Song"… Powderly utilized a stripped-down approach, relying predominantly on her talents as a songwriter and vocalist. And it’s those talents that are very apparent, with a collection of powerful, heartfelt tracks. – Christopher Gonda, V13 Magazine
“Celebrating the beauty of simplicity with stripped-down, acoustic instrumentation, [Live by the Song, Die by the Song] features a blend of acoustic guitar, haunting vocals and occasional touches of mandolin and fiddle, bringing the spirit of the mountains to life. It showcases 10 songs that demonstrate Powderly’s evolution as a songwriter and a reflection of her experiences living in Appalachia.” – Lauren LaRocca, The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, MD)
More about Katie Powderly: katiepowderly.com
About Sparetime Bluegrass Band:
A special note from Katie: Sparetime Bluegrass Band has been a band since at least the 1990s. Led by the charismatic Bobby Batyko, their presence has been an unforgettable force in the Madison music scene for decades.
What many people don't know is that Bobby has been my friend and mentor for over 20 years. His consistent uplifting and encouraging presence in the Madison music scene has impacted me more than words can convey.
A stalwart presence at bluegrass jams and at gigs, feeling welcomed and included by Bob and his bandmates helped me gain the confidence necessary to learn to play the bluegrass bass and cut my teeth performing, despite being young and inexperienced. And for that I would like to thank him, as it has affected the trajectory of my career in music.
Bobby eventually took over leading the Monday night weekly bluegrass jams where I got my start, and he continues to mentor younger pickers and welcome new players into Madison's musical community. When founder Evan Murdock retired, Bobby stepped into the role of President of the Four Lakes Traditional Music Collective, the non-profit responsible for the Sugar Maple Festival every year at Lake Farm Park. He also hosts a Sugar Maple concert series through the year, books talent for the Atwood Fest, and also helps organize the annual United Way Fundraiser bluegrass concerts at The Barrymore. The man is busy.
I am so blessed to know Bobby Batyko and to have been his friend and mentee these last 20 years. Because of his contribution and care for both the young and older members of our community (by encouraging young people to pick up bluegrass and for helping to take care of the older members of our musical community like Bob Stanton) our community is much, much richer.
Bob Batyko has created a living legacy, the likes of which many of us only dream of.
I'm sorry to say that his band member and friend, banjo player Jim Robarts, another one of my lifelong musical mentors, passed away late last year due to cancer caused by chemical exposure while serving in the Vietnam War. I cannot imagine the loss of a friend after sharing the stage over the course of 20+ years and thousands of gigs. Which is in part why I've resolved to celebrate the people in my life while they are alive.
I'm so honored to share the stage with Bobby and Sparetime Bluegrass Band again this August for the first time in many, many years. I hope you'll join us. Let's sell the place out and rejoice in community and songs.
More about Sparetime Bluegrass Band: sparetimebluegrass.com