Did you know that Berkley Hart is doing a special concert series this year? They're calling it their "Albums Front-to-Back" Series. Each concert focuses on one of their albums. How cool is that?

We didn't manage to land one of those concerts, but here's the good news: Doing this series means they're going to be walking on stage here at frogstop with so much repertoire under their fingertips. And if you know their repertoire, you know what great news this is.

Fun fact: Since we started hosting concerts in 2008, Berkley Hart drew one of the two biggest crowds we've ever seen here. So please come join us. We know this will be one of our best evenings this year!

Thanks to everyone who attended our 2014 season opener last night. As always, Berkley Hart delivered the goods. Couldn't have been better!

Last night we announced an exciting addition to our 2014 lineup: Maia Sharp will join us here on August 16.

Several of you mentioned seeing Maia open for Bonnie Raitt. Maia's songs are extraordinary, and have been recorded by a range of artists including Bonnie Raitt, Keb' Mo', The Dixie Chicks, Lisa Loeb and Art Garfunkel. And her own performances are as strong as the songs. As noted by the New York Daily News, "Bonnie Raitt often covers Sharp's songs, and no wonder. She writes melodies wide enough to let singers show their range, with lyrics that cut to the bone. Here Sharp proves she has the goods to do all that on her own."

We really believe you won't want to miss this one. Much more information is available on the Maia Sharp website.  For reservations, go to frogstop reservations.

"Maia Sharp conjures the allure of yesteryears Brill Building luminaries....Sharp wields her crisp, alluring choruses like a temptress; listeners will surely be ensnared. Her tear-soaked lyrics and high-cresting melody conspire for a finely crafted lesson on invincible pop."
— Billboard

After we took the year off at frogstop last year, it's fitting to start the 2014 season with Berkley Hart, who played our first house concert in 2008 and have joined us every year since. Berkley Hart never fails to deliver, and this has become one of our most well-attended concerts each year.

About the artists: Berkley Hart have found something that works. The combination of Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Award winner, Jeff Berkley, and stand-out wordsmith, Calman Hart, creates a pairing that, over their ten-plus years together, continues to build fans all over the country. Their unique sound is at once playful and poignant as they deftly combine down-home humor with masterful lyrics delivered with stunning harmony and musicianship.  Beginning with their debut award-winning album, "Wreck 'n' Sow," the duo set a precedent of excellence that they have lived up to with their subsequent, and also award-winning, releases: "Something to Fall Back On", "Twelve", "Pocket Change", "Las Vegas" and "Crow".

Berkley Hart have traveled the folk circuit, making appearances at the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Folk Alliance International conference, regional Folk Alliance conferences (FARWest, SWRFA) as well as playing some of folk's most prestigious venues including the Birchmere and The Bluebird Cafe.

We've scheduled four concerts as our 2014 season series, and we'll be keeping an eye out for opportunities to host additional special events. The concerts are:

We'll post additional information as each concert approaches, but in the meantime you can make reservations from our reservations page, or just visit our home page. Look forward to seeing you at frogstop in 2014!

Berkley Hart will just be back from touring the UK with Eve Selis in July, so we're expecting some good tales from the road. Berkley Hart never fails to deliver, and this has become one of our most well-attended concerts each year.

About the artists: Berkley Hart have found something that works. The combination of Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Award winner, Jeff Berkley, and stand-out wordsmith, Calman Hart, creates a pairing that, over their ten-plus years together, continues to build fans all over the country. Their unique sound is at once playful and poignant as they deftly combine down-home humor with masterful lyrics delivered with stunning harmony and musicianship.  Beginning with their debut award-winning album, "Wreck 'n' Sow," the duo set a precedent of excellence that they have lived up to with their subsequent, and also award-winning, releases: "Something to Fall Back On", "Twelve", "Pocket Change", "Las Vegas" and "Crow".

Berkley Hart have traveled the folk circuit, making appearances at the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Folk Alliance International conference, regional Folk Alliance conferences (FARWest, SWRFA) as well as playing some of folk's most prestigious venues including the Birchmere and The Bluebird Cafe.

More on Berkley Hart at http://berkleyhart.com.

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Listen
Download flyer

The concert will be held outdoors.

Berkley Hart helped us get started here at frogstop in 2008, and we've been thrilled to have them back every year since. We're continuing the tradition this year on July 23. Their 6th studio album, "Crow", has just released, so this is a tremendous opportunity to hear Jeff and Calman's newest material.

About the artists: Berkley Hart have found something that works. The combination of Kerrville New Folk Songwriter Award winner, Jeff Berkley, and stand-out wordsmith, Calman Hart, creates a pairing that, over their ten-plus years together, continues to build fans all over the country. Their unique sound is at once playful and poignant as they deftly combine down-home humor with masterful lyrics delivered with stunning harmony and musicianship.  Beginning with their debut award-winning album, "Wreck 'n' Sow," the duo set a precedent of excellence that they have lived up to with their subsequent, and also award-winning, releases: "Something to Fall Back On," "Twelve," "Pocket Change," and "Las Vegas."

Berkley Hart have traveled the folk circuit, making appearances at the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Folk Alliance International conference, regional Folk Alliance conferences (FARWest, SWRFA) as well as playing some of folk's most prestigious venues including the Birchmere and The Bluebird Cafe.

More on Berkley Hart at http://berkleyhart.com.

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Listen
Download flyer

The concert will be held outdoors.

Ah yes, the famous "squint" photo... Berkley Hart will be back at frogstop on Saturday, May 15. Mark your calendar, call a friend, and join us for a great night of live music.

Hailed as masters of both two part harmony and dazzling song craft, over the past ten years, Berkley Hart have established themselves as one of the premier acoustic duos touring the country. In concert the duo shines, the obvious camaraderie between these two top songwriters driving each performance. Add in virtuoso playing from both Jeff Berkley (guitar, percussion) and Calman Hart (guitar, harmonica) as well as their good natured humor and it’s easy to see why the two have become live favorites.

More on Berkley Hart at http://berkleyhart.com.

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 (all proceeds go to the artists)

Download flyer

The concert will be held outdoors.

A belated thanks to everyone who came out for the May 30 Berkley Hart show. Our first time indoors, and what a great sound from the guys! We hope you were able to buy a copy of the new CD on the way out. If not, be sure to visit the Berkley Hart site to order one (or many!).

Shout-outs to Patty Kattus for enthusiastically responding (on short notice) to our plea for help, and to Chiara Sutton for running the lights (excellent job!) and answering Jeff’s quiz about Order 66. (And yes, Jeff, you are indeed a Jedi master in the real world.)

As always, we love hearing from people after the show. From M.E.M’s Facebook page:

Berkley Hart house concert in San Marcos CA.
Beautiful harmony and great humor. Thanks to our host and hostess who so graciously put us up.

And in an email from P.K:

What a great show last night! I had such a great time and I know my sister and friends did as well! Thank you so much for the invitation.

We continue our streak of having no real collection of photos from the show. (And to think: We passed up two perfectly good offers and went with a no-show. Forgive us, Lorinda and Andy!)

We’re working on nailing down our next show(s); you’ll be the first to hear!

We're opening our second season at frogstop on May 30 with Berkley Hart, and our timing couldn't be better. The guys will just be coming off a performance at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, Texas. And May will mark the debut of their 5th studio album, "Las Vegas", so we're eagerly looking forward to hearing the new songs, along with some old favorites.

Hailed as masters of both two part harmony and dazzling song craft, over the past ten years, Berkley Hart have established themselves as one of the premier acoustic duos touring the country. In concert the duo shines, the obvious camaraderie between these two top songwriters driving each performance. Add in virtuoso playing from both Jeff Berkley (guitar, percussion) and Calman Hart (guitar, harmonica) as well as their good natured humor and it’s easy to see why the two have become live favorites. More on the Berkley Hart website.

Listen

Concert: 8:00pm
Doors open: 7:15pm
$20 donation (all proceeds go to the artists)

Download flyer

The concert will be held outdoors.

What a great evening! We knew that a concert by Berkley Hart would be great (a recurring pleasure), but what a great group of people to have visit our home! Wonderful folks, and you made us so happy that we took the plunge. Thank you!

If this was your first time hearing Berkley Hart and you didn't get a chance to purchase a CD or DVD on your way out, be sure to visit the Berkley Hart music room, where you can listen to samples and buy CDs. We have them all, and we're eagerly awaiting the next one.

A big thanks to our dear friends who helped with the concert logistics. Kevin and Shole seemed to be everywhere, and Melisa cheerfully handled duct tape and artist liaison duties with equal aplomb. (By the way, Melisa just finished her most recent CD. Check it out.) Plus a hearty thanks to our son Robert, who manned the lighting board with more patience and attention than many 11-year olds could have managed.

When we start thinking about the possibility of a "next" house concert, we'd be interested in knowing what artists you'd make a trip to North County to see. So don't be shy, and let us hear from you (or post your feedback below).