Sara Petite was last here in 2011, and we're really happy and excited that she's back with us this year.

”There is no medical evidence to prove that Lucinda Williams, Nanci Griffith and Carrie Rodriguez joined forces to mother a fully-grown musician daughter.  But if they did, San Diego singer-songwriter Sara Petite would be the likely outcome.” – George Varga, San Diego Union Times.

Named “Best Americana or Country” in the 2009 San Diego Music Awards, Sara Petite has been called everything from “Outlaw country” to “AAA singer-songwriter”.

Often described as an Americana artist, Petite’s sound is an earthy fusion of folk, bluegrass, country, and mountain music with surprising flashes of pop and rock. She steadfastly affirms that "it's all Americana". Her singing voice, which has been likened to that of June Carter and Dolly Parton, is the tie that binds the varied styles she blends. Her songs, whose inspiration comes from broken hearts and those full of hope, revive fond memories of history, home and travels.

On stage, Petite has opened for such major headliners as Marty Stuart and the Fabulous Superlatives, Josh Turner, Shooter Jennings, Dave Alvin, Trent Thomlinson, Richie McDonald, John Eddie, Todd Snider, Ralph Stanley, Steve Poltz, Lance Miller, John Doe and Bert Jansch.

This is one of our most well-attended concerts each year, and with good reason: Eve Selis is an exciting presence on stage, bringing great songs and outstanding musicians to each show. This year Eve will again be accompanied by bandmate and songwriting partner Marc "Twang" Intravaia, and we think we'll be seeing another member of the Eve Selis Band (just can't say who quite yet).

"Eve is a deeply creative, caring artist who gives everything to her craft. As a live performer she is awesomely powerful, as a recording artist she is both sensitive and strong. I love her spirit and I love her music. She deserves to shine."
BBC Radio Legend Sir “Whispering Bob” Harris

"The most requested local artist in the history of our station."
Robert Hughes, Station Manager, KPRI, 102.1FM San Diego

“The Eve Selis Band erupted in an acute explosion of Americana, wailing and twanging and thundering and throbbing, conjuring demons and angels alike. Damn, that woman can sing!”
Buddy Blue - Blue Notes

“Eve Selis isn’t just a “singer” — she’s an emotion transducer who converts country, R&B, blues, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll signals into a megawatt zap that galvanizes everyone in its path. The power of Selis’s voice can arc-weld material from almost any genre into a personal manifesto.”
John D'Agostino - Taylor Guitars On Review.

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!

Molly Tuttle, John Mailander, Matt Witler and Brittany Karlson are individually renowned up-and-coming musicians in the acoustic music world, and will be joining together for two sets of dynamic original and traditional music. All four are currently studying at the Berklee College of Music in Boston.

Molly Tuttle is highly regarded for her soulful singing and songwriting talents. Originally from Palo Alto, CA, she is quickly becoming one of the top guitar/banjo players in the country, and is the winner of the Merlefest 2012 songwriting competition.

John Mailander, a San Diego native, is known for his unique voice on the fiddle and mandolin, and has performed with artists including the Alison Brown Quartet, Victor Wooten and Darol Anger.


Matt Witler, a Los Angeles based mandolinist, has performed with Marty Stuart and will be adding his instrumental virtuosity to the mix.

Bassist and vocalist Brittany Karlson hails from Aurora, IL and has committed to the study of numerous musical traditions from jazz to classical to bluegrass. She has performed across the country at venues including Symphony Hall and the Kennedy Center.

The quartet's wide range of influences and appreciation for honest, soulful music blends into an exciting and fresh sound.

Concert: 7:30pm
Doors open: 6:45pm
$15 (all proceeds go to the artists)

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The concert will be held outdoors.

As part of the California Listening Room Festival, August 1-10, frogstop is pleased to host one of the featured festival artists, Natalie Gelman, for a "Dinner and Song" event on Wednesday, August 8. (For more on "Dinner and Song" events, please see our FAQ.)

A modern day troubadour, Natalie Gelman grew up performing on NYC subway platforms. Her passionate songs and voice stopped even the most hurried commuters in their tracks and brought comparisons to Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell and Jewel.

Natalie now lives in southern CA and is currently touring and recording her follow up album with Charlie Midnight (Joni Mitchell) and Mark Needham (Fleetwood Mac).

"As it becomes more difficult to tell one singer songwriter from the next, Natalie Gelman's commanding presence makes me resist any urge to lump her into a genre of pretty boys and girls with guitars. Instead I'll usher her into a category of the few with a talent for smart, crafted songwriting- not too over dramatic or preachy, not too much about her, but somehow about me & everyone in the audience as well. Her serious pipes don't hurt either." - Stacy Marzik, Fairfield Theatre Company

More on Natalie Gelman at http://www.nataliegelman.com.

Dinner and Song: 7:00pm
$10 (all proceeds go to the artist)

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SOLD OUT!!! If you'd like to be put on a standby list, let us know by calling (760) 295-0222, or by emailing your request, either through your email program or our contact form. We'll contact you if there's a cancellation.

The concert will be held outdoors.

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)

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The concert will be held outdoors.

The first year Eve Selis was here at frogstop she performed with her songwriting partner, Marc "Twang" Intravaia. Last year Eve and Marc were back, along with the band's other guitarist extraordinaire, "Cactus" Jim Soldi. This year we're excited all over again, because Eve, Marc and Jim will be joined by bandmate Sharon Whyteon keyboards, accordian, and vocals. (And yes, we're hoping this means one year we'll see Rick Nash and Larry Grano here, too!)

“One of the best shows I've ever seen in the U.K.”
Bob Harris - The Bob Harris Show, BBC2

“The Eve Selis Band erupted in an acute explosion of Americana, wailing and twanging and thundering and throbbing, conjuring demons and angels alike. Damn, that woman can sing!”
Buddy Blue - Blue Notes

“Eve Selis isn’t just a “singer” — she’s an emotion transducer who converts country, R&B, blues, folk, and rock ‘n’ roll signals into a megawatt zap that galvanizes everyone in its path. The power of Selis’s voice can arc-weld material from almost any genre into a personal manifesto.”
John D'Agostino - Taylor Guitars On Review.


More on Eve Selis at http://eveselis.com.

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

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The concert will be held outdoors.

Born in Ennis, County Clare, along Ireland’s music-rich west coast, Gerry O’Beirne is a renowned singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. His compositions blend the passion found in traditional music with the freshness of contemporary song.

Gerry’s first solo album, Half Moon Bay, was cited as one of the 12 best releases of the year 2000 by Performing Songwriter magazine and was chosen as one of Folkworld’s Top Ten Albums of the year. His second album The Bog Bodies And Other Stories: Music For Guitar, was named CD of the Month, and one of the essential albums of the year, on the radio show Echoes. His latest album “Yesterday I Saw The Earth Beautiful” with fiddler Rosie Shipley was described as “"an extraordinary album with innovative arrangements and hauntingly beautiful songs" by Folkworld. Many of Gerry's songs have been recorded by a number of artists, including Maura O’Connell, Mary Black, and Cathie Ryan. Gerry has also produced a large number of albums for various artists, including Kevin Burke and Michael O’Dhomhnaill, Patrick Street, Andy M. Stewart, and others.

Gerry has toured the globe as a solo artist and with the Sharon Shannon Band, Patrick Street, Midnight Well, Andy M. Stewart, Kevin Burke, Andy Irvine, and the Waterboys. He has performed at the White House and the Kennedy Center, opened for the Grateful Dead, and played electric guitar with Marianne Faithfull. He has appeared on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion. His performance of Western Highway was chosen as an audio highlight on A Prairie Home Companion’s website.

More on Gerry O’Beirne at http://gerryobeirne.com.

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

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The concert will be held outdoors or indoors, depending on weather.