The Law & the Lonesome

The duo The Barn Birds was the perfect band for our inaugural Chestnut House Concerts show in 2012. Tim was familiar with Chris Kokesh from the Portland music scene and her songwriting, fiddle playing and crystal clear vocals paired nicely with Jonathan Byrd‘s magical storytelling.

One of my favorite Jonathan Byrd songs is the title track from his 2008 album, The Law and the Lonesome. Jonathan is deliberate and introspective as he sings:

Christ on his hilltop and the cop at the truck stop are both only doing their jobs.
You’ve got a double-cross to bear. Now you’ve lost the last friend that you had to lose.
He’s in the ambulance. You’re in the cruiser, with a fatal case of the sucker-punch blues.

You took the wrong way home.

On Sunday, April 23, 2017 the Toronto-based Slocan Ramblers will be playing at 7:00 pm. They cover Jonathan Byrd’s The Law and the Lonesome tune, but as a more straight, fast-paced bluegrass version.  I included videos below of both bands.  slocanRamblers

To hear The Slocan Ramblers at Chestnut House Concerts on April 23, contact Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com or call/text 717-940-9311 to reserve seats.  Suggested donation of $15-20 per person; all money goes to the musicians.

Potluck at 6, music at 7.

Jonathan Byrd | Johnny Waken | Sally Barris

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The first house concert at Chestnut House Concerts was October 3, 2012 featuring Jonathan Byrd and Chris Kokesh (The Barn Birds).  We’re now ready for our 34th show and happily invite Jonathan to return to Chestnut House with multi-instrumentalist Johnny Waken.

We could not have asked for a better introduction to house concerts in the Lancaster community than a show by Jonathan Byrd.  He’s a musician that has the perfect concoction of performing, storytelling and humor.  Jonathan’s lyrics are like short stories; snippets of phrases that engage your brain from beginning to end.

He hugged the brush and ran the ridge, dropped down and headed for the bridge, quiet as the rising moon. I saw coyote.

~ Coyote, The Law and the Lonesome

Like a song in the night, you bring love to life
Take the burdens of my day; all my worries roll away
Every day you are my true companion, like the sun.

~ True Companion, The Sea and the Sky

It’s a simple bed; you could turn it to a temple just for one night. Sing to me. Hold your holy lips up to the candlelight.

~ Prairie Girl, The Law and the Lonesome

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Jonathan Byrd is touring with Sally Barris.  Sally is a Nashville songwriter who has had songs covered by such top-level artists as Kathy Mattea, Martina McBride, and Lee Ann Womack. Her song “Let The Wind Chase You”, recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban, received a Grammy nomination for vocal collaboration in 2009.

These three top notch musicians will be performing at Chestnut House Concerts this Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 7:00 pm.  Prior to the show there will be a potluck starting at 6:00 pm.  If you’d like to attend please contact Tim at tlehman9@gmail.com or text/call 717940-9311.  Recommended donation is $15/20.

Below is one of my favorite songs by Jonathan and he’s accompanied by Johnny Waken on the mandolin.