PORTSMOUTH — Internationally renowned North Carolina singer/songwriter Malcolm Holcombe will open Common Fence Music’s 21st season on Saturday, Sept. 14, starting at 8 p.m.
Malcolm Holcombe returns for a third visit to Common Fence Music this Saturday, Sept. 14.
Born and raised in the Blue Ridge mountains of North Carolina, Mr. Holcombe is an uncommonly unique guitarist-vocalist and singer-songwriter at the crossroads of folk, blues and country. Simply put, he’s a raw nerve with an open heart and a howl. Considered by his peers to be among the finest singer-songwriters performing today, he returns to grace the “Gold Lamé” stage for the third time.
Mr. Holcombe’s songs are powerful, poetic and sometimes prophetic. He can be tender and he can be fierce. He’s a capable and subtle fingerpicker but when he feels the inspiration and needs to make the point, he’ll strikes the guitar like a judge strikes a gavel.
“Down the River,” his ninth full-length album, was released in September 2012 and is the latest in a stream of exceptional new work that’s been flowing steadily since 2005.
Doors open at 7 p.m. for the “folk tailgate party” at the Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Road. Tickets are $20 in advance and $23 at the door and are available through Brown Paper Tickets (800/838-3006 or via www.commonfencemusic.org) and at the door until sold out.
Common Fence Music is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the enjoyment and appreciation of folk, roots and world music. Funding is provided in part by a grant from the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts through an appropriation by the Rhode Island General Assembly, a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and private funders.
The community hall is a ’50s-style dance hall with great live sound. Although you’re welcome to bring your own picnic basket, homemade soups, refreshments and soft drinks are available. The hall is ramp accessible.
Purchase a $55 membership before Saturday and you’ll receive a fourth membership ticket for free from a choice of three tickets. More membership information can be found on the website.
Full lineup for 2013-14
Here’s Common Fence Music’s lineup for the 2013-14 season. Unless otherwise noted, all performances are on Saturdays at 8 p.m. (doors open at 7 p.m.) at Common Fence Point Community Hall, 933 Anthony Road.
• Sept. 14: Malcolm Holcombe ($20 in advance, $23 at the door)
• Sept. 28: Lori McKenna ($22 advance, $25 door)
• Oct. 5: Ellis Paul ($22 advance, $25 door)
• Oct. 19: Nora Jane Struthers and The Party Line ($22 advance, $25 door)
• Oct. 26: Jammin’ Divas ($20 advance, $23 door)
• Nov. 2: David Jacobs-Strain ($20 advance, $23 door)
• Thursday, Nov. 7, from 6-10 p.m.: Common Fence Music Steps Out featuring The Jason Spooner Band with The Folk Support Group. This is CFM’s 20th anniversary celebration dinner-dance with silent auction and raffle. It will be held at the The Atlantic Beach Club, 55 Purgatory Road, Middletown.
• Nov. 16: The Stray Birds ($20 advance, $23 door)
• Nov. 23 (doors and music at 7 p.m.): The Horn of Plenty Music featuring Michael Troy, Allysen Callery, Will Houlihan and more ($20 advance, $23 door)
• Dec. 7: The Yiddishkeit Klezmer Ensemble ($20 in advance, $23 door)
• Dec. 21: Aine Minogue’s Annual Winter Solstice Celebration ($20 advance, $23 door)
• Jan. 11, 2014: John Gorka ($25 advance, $28 door)
• Jan. 25 (doors and music at 6:30 p.m.): A Gathering of Fiddlers and Fishermen No. 15 with Tom Duksta ($15 advance and at the door)
• Feb. 8: Zili Misik ($22 advance, $25 door)
• Feb. 15: Roots Caboose featuring The Gnomes ($20 advance, $23 door)
• March 5 (8 p.m.; doors open at 7:30 p.m.): Peter Yarrow at Channing Church, 135 Pelham St., Newport ($30 advance, $33 door)
• March 8: The Sweetback Sisters ($22 advance, $25 door)
• March 29: Poor Old Shine ($20 advance, $23 door)
• April 5: The Carper Family ($20 advance, $23 door)
• April 26 (8 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. doors): Tom Rush at Salve Regina University, Newport ($40 advance and door)
• May 3: Ana Egge ($20 advance, $23 door)