ALAMOSA — Society Hall is thrilled to host international touring artists Bard Edrington V and the Blackbirds at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20. Doors will open at 6 p.m.
The concert will also stream live on the Society Hall Facebook page and You Tube channel. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door and are available at the Society Hall website at www.societyhall.org or at the Green Spot, at 711 State Ave., Alamosa.
Bard Edrington V is an award-winning songwriter and international touring artist from Santa Fe, N.M. Bard and his band, the Blackbirds, will be performing at Society Hall while breaking from recording Bard’s tenth album at Howlin Dog Studios. Bard will be joined by well-known Santa Fe musician Karina Wilson on fiddle and vocals, Sarah Ferrell on bass and vocals, Jim Palmer on drums and special guest Bill Palmer on guitar.
Bard holds up the true meaning of being a “bard”. In medieval times a bard was a professional storyteller, verse-maker and music composer. They were usually hired by a chieftain to commemorate and praise the patrons achievements. Though Bard is not singing the praises of the monarch, he does write songs in the storytelling style. His songs are authentic retellings of family history, tales of pioneers, relic train lines or his experiences in the Rocky Mountains. Bard has a gift for telling stories in between songs that gives the listener insight into the song. The Blackbirds bring these stories to life by adding beautiful three-part harmonies and dynamics that keep the listener engaged.
Born in Alabama and raised in Tennessee. His extended family comes from the prairies of Kansas and the banks of the Mississippi in Arkansas. Hard work and family were the core values of his upbringing, and accomplishment came from a day's work with your hands.
These values have carried over into Bard's family life. With his wife, Zoe, they have successfully run their landscaping business for over 15 years. He spends nearly every day outside working. During most of this time, old and new songs run through his head, melodies that sound as if they are coaxed out of the stone he cuts.
His musical roots began when he and Zoe lived in Blowing Rock, N.C. The first time he saw Doc Watson play, he was hooked on old time music. Weekly open jams taught him the clawhammer style on the banjo. When exploring Doc Watson's music, he learned of Mississippi John Hurt and his fingerpicking style of blues. The syncopated rhythms that he held with his thumb, and melodies he played with his fingers, permeated Bard's mind. From John Hurt, he was introduced to the delta blues players, hill country players, piedmont blues, and on and on.
It wasn't long before he started writing songs. Bard's songs have a deep influence of Appalachian music and country blues. Staying true to his name, he writes songs that tell stories of his family, pioneers, relic trains, mezcaleros in search of wild agave, road trips, and southern belles.
Currently, Bard and his family live in Santa Fe,
where you can find him performing with his band or solo. Wherever you hear him sing you will be guaranteed a musical journey of roots music.
As a fully independent artist, Bard has gained a fanbase and notoriety in the United Kingdom and Netherlands. There he has toured with his band as well as the HOTH Brothers. Bard and Karina will be embarking on a UK tour in October 2024.
Society Hall is on the corner of 4th Street and Ross Avenue in Alamosa.
