Owen Grooms Monday Music Series
Live Stream Shows
Live Stream Shows
Owen Grooms Presents Dave Desmelik and Potluck Live and Live Streamed
Click here to watch the show live or recorded.
Dave Desmelik is a singer-songwriter and instrumentalist whose musical focus is on original compositions. What attracts listeners to Desmelik’s tunes, old and new, is the element of authenticity incorporated in them. There is no sugar coating involved. His songs are not wrapped in false smiles, rather they are stark and open and tend to settle on the pulse of everyday life. An unclosed and evolving journal of thoughts set to music and melodies in prose and instrumental performance. Desmelik was born and raised just outside of Atlanta, GA, but has traveled and lived in a multitude of landscapes. He currently resides in Brevard, NC. He was an original member of Onus B. Johnson, a successful band based in Flagstaff, AZ in the late 90’s and early 2000’s. This band was on the front wave of jamgrass while maintaining the passion for songwriting. Today, Desmelik continues to pursue an ascending path as a solo artist.
A seasoned veteran of recording and performing, Desmelik states of his career thus far, “I have recorded in state of the art studios and bedroom closets. I have performed on big festival stages for numerous people and in lonely corners in dive bars for three people and the bartender. Either way, what you get is me with my eyes closed getting lost in these songs. I have chosen the life of a songwriter and musician not because I wish to, or have to, but because I want to and need to. It is my therapy and in this regard the door to my sessions are open.”
Desmelik has released 19 albums to date as well as two albums with his former band Onus B. Johnson. Onus B. Johnson was a Band Finalist at the 2001 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition and was voted Flagstaff’s best band three times. He was the winner of the 2002 Flagstaff Awards for Music Excellence (FAME) award for best singer-songwriter. Desmelik’s song “If It’s Good For You” was chosen in the Top 25 Songs of 2010 by Indie-Music.com. His albums have placed on the EuroAmericana Chart, Roots Music Report, Freeform American Roots Chart, and North Carolina Roots Radio Chart. Dave’s albums have also been voted in the “Best Releases” by the listeners of WNCW radio as well as being voted in the “Best Of” Mountain Xpress Readers’ Poll. His recordings have been reviewed in a number of reputable publications and online music sources such as Maverick Magazine (UK), Southeast Performer Magazine, americana-uk.com and nodepression.com (Flyinshoes Reviews) to name a few. He has toured extensively in support of his songs including numerous performances in the USA and UK. Some notable artists Desmelik has opened for and/or shared the stage with are Paul Thorn, Drivin’ N Cryin’, Tony Furtado, Robbie Fulks, Chuck Brodsky, Richard Buckner, The Black Lillies, Cary Hudson, Bow Thayer, Shawn Mullins, Pieta Brown and Bo Ramsey among others.
If you listen to Dave Desmelik’s songs, whether lyrical or instrumental, you may become pleasantly fixed in the simplistic realness of them and if you hear Desmelik in a live setting you may realize that there are no tricks, just a genuine venture into the highs and lows of life.
We will be hosting a potluck dinner this evening. Please bring a non-disposable place setting and a covered dish if you are able. If you are unable to for any reason, we are happy to feed you, and also to provide a place setting. We are a pack it in, pack it out public house and ask you take everything you bring in, out with you. Many thanks.
Owen Grooms Presents Owen Walsh and Potluck Live and Live Streamed
Click here to watch the show live or recorded.
Owen Walsh has been telling stories and performing music his entire life. Born and raised on the banks of the Lackawaxen River in Honesdale, Pennsylvania—a small, historic coal-mining town that spawned the American railroad—Owen grew up surrounded by relics of 19th Century American life and imagery ripe for musical exploitation. More than his hometown’s history, however, Owen fell in love with the natural beauty of Northeast Pennsylvania. Kayaking the Delaware River, spying on raptors through binoculars, clambering up and down the native magnolia and oak trees, and spending endless hours out in the woods with his yellow lab mix, Allie.
Owen began playing violin at the age of three, studying formal repertoire like Mozart concertos and Bach sonatas. At 12 years old, he found his dad’s dusty, old Epiphone guitar tucked away in a closet and taught himself how to play. Soon after he learned his first few chords, Owen began writing songs. He’s followed in the long tradition of Americana folk music, in which lyrics are equal in importance to the melodies that bind them. His years of formal training combined with his zest for informal improvisation create a unique blend of musical expression that incorporates the many styles Owen loves. Owen spent years hiding his passion for singing from the world—only singing quietly to himself when (he thought) none of his family members could hear him. He didn’t publicly showcase his voice until junior year of high school, when he performed The Beatles song “Come Together” in the yearly talent show. The overwhelmingly positive response he got from that performance was life changing, and helped Owen realize that he wanted to pursue musical performance as a career. (Needless to say, his class won the talent show that year). Owen then convinced his parents to let him make a go of it performing music around town. He got his first professional gig at 16 years old, and he hasn’t stopped since. He’s performed all over, including Nashville, New York City, Los Angeles and Ireland. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing a small open mic or a sold-out show, Owen performs with the same bluesy, earnest passion, no matter who’s listening.
Owen attended Ithaca College, studying journalism and music. He received instruction from classical guitar master Pablo Cohen, who helped broaden Owen’s own musical vocabulary and abilities. Owen performed frequently around campus, winning competitions and contributing electric guitar to the band South Hill Revival, whose music is available on streaming services. Owen has just completed writing and recording his debut album, On My Way, an eclectic mix of 12 songs, including the rye-whiskey-infused fantasy “Kings & Pharaohs,” whose lyrics were inspired by Edward Hopper’s painting Nighthawks; “Bad Dream,” a song that explores Owen’s childhood fears of an eternal afterlife; and “Time To Go,” a country ballad Owen wrote from the point of view of an old-timer who was born in a small town and never left. In his daylight hours, Owen also works as a freelance journalist, so whether it’s in print or on stage, he’s always telling a story to somebody.
We will be hosting a potluck dinner this evening. Please bring a non-disposable place setting and a covered dish if you are able. If you are unable to for any reason, we are happy to feed you, and also to provide a place setting. We are a pack it in, pack it out public house and ask you take everything you bring in, out with you. Many thanks.
Owen Grooms Presents Old Sap and Jackson Grimm + Potluck Live and Live Streamed
Click here to watch the show live or recorded.
Poet from Chicago, rambled out to Montana, cut a banjo from a tamarack, strings across the country, foot like a freight train, voice rushing down over lush Appalachia, sings a thrush tune through the rush hour and into your long-forgotten prairie dreams.
Folk. Folk Rock. Americana.
Old Sap has just released a terrific new album entitled: Marble Home, “a record that understands music as shared space.” “For listeners who believe albums should feel alive, Marble Home delivers fully.”
—Claire Uebelacker, Ballyhoo Magazine
Old Sap will be accompanied by friend and frequent collaborator, Jackson Grimm.
Potluck
We will be hosting a potluck dinner this evening. Please bring a non-disposable place setting and a covered dish. If you don’t have food to bring for any reason, we are happy to feed you. We are a pack it in, pack it out public house and ask you take everything you bring in, out with you. Many thanks!
Owen Grooms Presents David Matters and Jackson Dulaney Live and Live Streamed
Click here to watch the show live or recorded.
David Matters of the band Life Like Water, and virtuoso multi-instrumentalist Jackson Dulaney take the stage at the Canteen!
“Life Like Water has harvested a sound from the mountains of North Carolina that is uniquely suited to satisfy the needs of a world that is waking up. Some of their songs are a still lake, others thunderstorms, but the depth of their message is without a floor. From a dance with the devil to unnamed celestial sounds, this group of compassionate musicians offers fresh richness from the soul of Appalachia.”
-Ben Stockdale
Noah Proudfoot and the Botanicals
“Life Like Water makes music that is a healthful elixir for the spirit and a pleasure to the ears. Evocative and tasteful, artful and earthy.”
-Christopher Leva
Mastering technician at Grammy-winning Long Gone Sound Studio
Potluck
We will be hosting a potluck dinner this evening. Please bring a non-disposable place setting and a covered dish. If you don’t have food to bring for any reason, we are happy to feed you. We are a pack it in, pack it out public house and ask you take everything you bring in, out with you. Many thanks!
Owen Grooms presents Alex Ball Live and Live Streamed
Click here to watch the show live or recorded.
Owen Grooms Presents Alex Ball and Potluck
April 12th @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Alex and Owen first met at old time parties in Asheville back in 2012 and formed a duo called the Franklin Rattlers soon thereafter. They have been playing old time and bluegrass tunes, Alex’s original music, and covers from folks like Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, ever since. Alex’s vocals, guitar and fiddle playing are all a real treat, and together their energy makes for a super fun and dynamic show. Come on out and enjoy the evening with us!
Photo By Ken Voltz
Owen Grooms presents Jackson Grimm Live and Live Streamed
Click here to watch the show live or recorded.
Owen Grooms Presents Jackson Grimm and Potluck
April 6 @ 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Jackson Grimm marries folk pop melodies with the lonesome sound of traditional Appalachian music. In a region with a strong music culture, it is no surprise that Grimm’s songwriting is representative of his musical birthplace: Asheville, NC. His songs run the gambit from an homage to a traditional country waltz in “If Not For You”, an unrequited love song driven by a Beatles-esque melody in “I’d Hold You (But I Don’t Wanna Hold You)”, to a drunken partygrass song à la Old Crow Medicine Show in “Last Train Home”.
Grimm lives in Asheville, North Carolina, and can be found playing solo or around Western North Carolina with bluegrass band, The Bull Moose Party. The band is also the band on Grimm’s latest album by the same name, “The Bull Moose Party”
Grimm studied Traditional Music at Warren Wilson College under the tutelage of great players like Wayne Erbsen and Kevin Kehrberg. He also studied guitar, banjo, mandolin, and singing with the Western North Carolina music master, Josh Goforth. Josh was the obvious choice when it came to finding a producer for Jackson’s latest album.
Grimm also plays extensively as a sideman for his father, singer-songwriter Tim Grimm. Touring with Tim has taken him to over 20 states in the US and 7 countries in Europe (Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, & England). He has appeared on, written songs on, and co-produced the last two Tim Grimm albums. Jackson has also shared the stage and played with singer-songwriters Ben Bedford, Krista Detor, and Jennie DeVoe.
