This program featured a duo that shares some fertile common ground. Jacob Groopman is a native Richmonder who now calls Richmond, California home and Melody Walker is from the bay area of San Francisco. From their west coast vantage point they’ve led the band Front Country to winning the prestigious Telluride and RockyGrass competitions. And Melody’s song “Black Grace” won the Chris Austin songwriting contest at Merlefest a few years back. Their engaging chemistry was on full display during this Studio A session from 2013.
We hear from two veteran road warriors who Robbin Thompson brought to our concert series early in 2015. Jack Sundrud is a revered Nashville songwriter who toured with Poco and wrote songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, the Judds and Michael Johnson. Craig Bickhart is a Philadelphia native now working the Nashville scene as a sought-after tunesmith and session guitarist. Together, they’re known as Idlewheel.
In Your Ear offers a chance to discover new artists and appreciate the “in the moment” creativity, inspiration and soul of live music. Studio A is a “great room,” a haven for artists with intimate, friendly and informed audiences and peerless audio fidelity. Host Tim Timberlake and In Your Ear studio president Carlos Chafin produce the programs, which feature three acts, reflecting the diversity and range of these special concerts. The eclectic selections cover many genres -- including bluegrass, jazz, blues, old time, Celtic, gospel and singer-songwriters of many styles. Artists range from superior local and regional talents, to premier acts from all over the country.
Production Funding of In Your Ear is made possible, in part, by... the Dean Foundation, presenting the Old Dominion Barn Dance, Digital Video Group, Infinity Financial Partners, Threshold Counsel, PC and Will and Molly Perkinson. Artist accommodations courtesy of the Hilton Garden Inn and the Hampton Inn West.
