Welcome to Focus MusicAn intimate, "up-close" music experience, the opportunity to discover high-quality new artists, personal contact with performers, a community of music-loving friends and time to socialize. |
Artists to be Enjoyed from a Distance...Frustrating though it may be, we've had to cancel a number of Focus events. Joe Jencks, Lynn Hollyfield, Scott Ainslie, Jonathan Byrd, Anne Hills, Scott Cook, David Mallett and Buskin & Batteau are all stunning performers and we hope to have them back soon. Take a listen. Support them if you're able with digital or physical merch sales. Thank you in advance! |
Scott AinslieSteeped in traditional music from both sides of the color line, Scott Ainslie is a renowned acoustic blues guitarist, singer and songwriter. He learned southern old-time ballads, banjo and fiddle from senior musicians in North Carolina and West Virginia and blues from his black elders in North Carolina, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi: his roots are deep. Jonathan Byrd“...a folk singer with the heart of a rock 'n' roll band.” — K. Oliver, Free Times Jonathan Byrd and The Pickup Cowboys are musical gunslingers, vaudevillian hucksters, and old-fashioned tent revivalists. Between heartbreaking ballads and heart-lifting sing-alongs, the Cowboys entertain and get audiences involved in the show.
Jonathan Livecasts EVERY WEDNESDAY! Scott CookA roots balladeer with a rare personal warmth, Alberta's Scott Cook has distilled the stories collected over twelve years touring full-time across Canada, the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia and elsewhere into straight-talking, keenly observant verse. Visit Scott's website and support his new album... and accompanying 180-page hardcover book! Anne HillsAnne Hills is one of the most beloved voices of the contemporary folk music scene, receiving awards and recognition for her live performances, her unique solo and collaborative recording projects, and her overall artistry and benefit work. Whether she is singing her own songs, the words of six-year-old Opal Whitely, or her song settings of the Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley; accompanied with her guitar, banjo, or simply a Tibetan bell, she puts her whole heart and soul into the moment. She tours extensively, winning over audiences with her warm, lively and humorous performances. | Buskin & BatteauBuskin & Batteau have been winning hearts and minds with their soulful acoustic balladry and fun-filled performances for more years than they care to remember. "We're not from the Cambridge, came-over-on-the-Mayflower first wave of folkies [ Joan Baez, Tom Rush, Eric Von Schmidt ]," says Buskin, "but we'd like to think we've stolen many of their licks." Visit Buskin & Batteau's website here. Lynn Hollyfield
"Some artists are known for their voice or their delivery or maybe their songs or for their guitar playing. Lynn is not just "some artist." She delivers ALL of these, with depth and clarity, one gorgeous song at a time." Award Winning-Ruthie Logsdon-Ruthie and the Wranglers David MallettSinger-songwriter, David Mallett, is one of America’s true original troubadours. In a career spanning four decades, he has recorded 14 albums, had several hundred covers of his songs, including the American folk classicGarden Song [Inch by Inch, Row by Row] and performed in clubs, concert halls and festivals across the US, Canada and Europe. He has appeared on numerous broadcasts, including National Public Radio’s A Prairie Home Companion. Known for his carefully written, poetic offerings, his body of work has provided material for an eclectic list of artists that includes Alison Krauss, Pete Seeger, Hal Ketchum, Emmylou Harris, John Denver and the Muppets. Joe JencksJoe Jencks is an 20-year veteran of the international folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Having penned several #1 Folksongs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor, Jencks is also co-founder of the harmony trio, Brother Sun. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel. |
Focus ConcertsBy attending shows you are helping to support local and traveling musicians as well as building the reputation of the DC area music scene. Check out our calendar of upcoming shows.
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Become a Focus MemberYour Focus membership makes it easy for you to discover great music and further strengthens our ability to draw the most talented performers. You'll receive advance notice of Focus events, including bios and video links so you can find out more about the performers before the show. Discounts to all shows, invites to special events too. Choose between Fan or Friend Membership Level. See Membership Page for more details. DonateWe appreciate your support! Focus Music is a 501(c)(3) organization, and contributions of cash or other needed items are tax-deductible (to the extent allowed by IRS regulations). Visit our Donations page for more information. |
Tell your friends about FocusWhen you discover the pleasure of hearing high quality performers in our quiet venues, don't keep it a secret. Help spread the word about the outstanding entertainment presented each month at Focus concerts. VolunteerDuties may include preparing and cleaning up the venue before and after a show, selling tickets at the door, or coordinating special events. We like getting new members involved. So if you have time and a skill to share, please contact our volunteer coordinator. |
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Focus Music is supported in part by contributions from donors and by funding from the Montgomery County government, the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, the Virginia Commission for the Arts, and other supporting organizations.
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