We saw the T Sisters at a house concert in the Bay Area in December, and were knocked out. They subsequently appeared on Garrison Keillor's Prairie Home Companion in January. (You can listen to that show online). So we're very excited to be hosting T Sisters here at frogstop on May 16.

California born and raised and now based in Oakland, siblings Erika, Rachel, and Chloe Tietjen of the T Sisters have been singing together their whole lives. “We sang together when we were little, making up songs and writing plays together in the attic of our grandparents’ house,” says the trio. “Our parents were dancers and our father is a musician, so rhythm and movement were a constant backdrop for our experience of music.” Staging original musical theater productions together in college inspired Erika, Rachel and Chloe to write and arrange their own music, leading to the T Sisters.

The three sisters, typically accompanied by upright bass, guitar, banjo, percussion and mandolin, captivate audiences with close harmonies, inventive arrangements, and plenty of sass.  When performing their lively set of originals and covers—sometimes in arresting a capella—they call to mind classic girl groups: from the Andrews Sisters and The Ronettes to The Roches and the Dixie Chicks. Touching on elements of folk, Americana, gospel, R&B, bluegrass and soul, the T Sisters weave evocative stories with a sound that is at once modern and timeless.

The T Sisters begin 2015 grateful for a host of accomplishments: their first full-length album, produced by Grammy-winning musician Laurie Lewis, and a new EP; a performance of the national anthem at the San Francisco Giants game; supporting vocals two years in a row at Hardly Strictly Bluegrass; and an exciting performance on Garrison Keillor’s classic live radio show ‘A Prairie Home Companion.’ They have been honored to lend their vocals to a range of musicians and musical projects: Laurie Lewis, Amos Lee, Jim Lauderdale, The Waybacks, The California Honeydrops, Elephant Revival, Everyone Orchestra, and many more.

We've put together a T Sisters YouTube playlist for you. Don't miss them at frogstop in May!

In the early to mid 1960's artists such as The Beach Boys, Jan & Dean, Sonny & Cher, The Byrds, The Righteous Brothers, Nancy Sinatra, and The Fifth Dimension, topped the pop charts with songs like Up, Up and Away, Little Old Lady From Pasadena, Cherish, These Boots Are Made for Walking and Good Vibrations. They were the 'Wall' in Phil Spector's 'Wall of Sound'. It was known as the West Coast Sound, and the artists who sang these songs were household names, but the musicians who performed those hits were virtually unknown to the listening public and remain so today.

Some of Hollywood's older and established studio musicians laughed and refused to partake
in this new musical movement. It left the door wide open for young players like drummers
Hal Blaine, Earl Palmer, guitarists Tommy Tedesco, Glen Campbell, Billy Strange, and Bass
Players like Carol Kaye, Larry Knechtel and Joe Osborne.

Soon they were given the nickname, "The Wrecking Crew". A disparaging comment given by
the older naysayers of how these guys were going to "Wreck the Music Business" playing
'that rock & roll'.

The Wrecking Crew has been reunited in a feature length documentary film that has gone
around the world in over 50 film festivals with over a dozen awards.

The film is an intimate, enlightening and often humorous remembrance of the real stories and
emotions as told from the perspective of those who lived it. We are a part of the conversation.
Interviews with the musicians and with the well known artists, producers and engineers of the
day, provide us with a unique insider's view into a special time and place. But it is the music
itself that becomes the heart and thread of The Wrecking Crew. It is the soundtrack of our
lives, yet few people realize how that sound came to be ... until now.

The Wrecking Crew is the result of a 12·year labor of love by accomplished Hollywood
Producer/Director Denny Tedesco. Tedesco recalls, "My father, Tommy Tedesco is one of the
anonymous musicians whose musical legacy will live on for many generations. As his son,
I have lived with this story my whole life". Tedesco explains, "I started this project when my
father was first diagnosed with cancer and realized how important it was to share his story
and that of his contemporaries. I was so fortunate to have filmed him before he passed away.
The greatest joy for me now is watching audiences with smiles on their faces. The greatest
compliment is they now listen to music differently after viewing the film."

A wonderful, touching and hilarious film about the unsung stars of so many records that you carry in your heart.  - Elvis Costello 

I hovered in the room near the ceiling as I watched this inspiring movie about the musicians who made the songs that continue to lift me higher than ever.  - Nancy Wilson (Heart)

If I'd known they were available, I would have used those guys on my records. 'The Wrecking Crew' is the best documentary yet about the recording scene. I loved it. - Steve Miller, Gangster of Love

I loved the film, thank you for bringing to light the story behind one of the most important musical ensembles of the modern recording era...  - Chad Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers 

More testimonials and reviews

Interview with Director, Denny Tedesco

Raised in Southern California, Christine Parker began playing piano at the early age of 4 when her parents noticed her affinity for all things music. She fell in love with songwriting as a teenager after composing her first song on the guitar, and continued to write and play music as she pursued education and a career.

After realizing music and songwriting needed to become more center stage, Christine began playing venues while living in the midwest. Drawing on such musical influences as Colbie Caillat, Ingrid Michaelson, and Brandi Carlile, Christine Parker has won over crowds with her pure and soulful vocals and engaging lyrics. Her self-released debut EP, “The Journey Home,” was released in January 2012. Her full length studio album, "Looking Glass", was released in October 2013.

George Vargas, San Diego Union-Tribune: "Drawing from folk, country, urbane pop and jazz, the 11-song 'Looking Glass' shows Parker to be an accomplished singer-songwriter whose understated music makes some of its biggest impact in its most quiet moments."

Mark Pulliam, San Diego Troubadour: "Parker draws her influences from artists as varied as Norah Jones, Sarah McLachlan, and Alison Krauss, but to my ear the clarity and purity of her voice most closely resemble Joni Mitchell. Looking Glass is an auspicious debut."

Christine Parker will be joined for this concert by Marc Intravaia and Rick Nash (of the Eve Selis band), both of whom backed her on "Looking Glass".

More on Christine Parker at http://www.christineparkermusic.com/

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

Listen

The concert will be held outdoors.

Maia Sharp's songs have been recorded by Bonnie Raitt, Keb' Mo', The Dixie Chicks, Lisa Loeb, Art Garfunkel, Trisha Yearwood, Edwin McCain, David Wilcox, Paul Carrack and many more. 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." And as Bonnie Raitt put it, "Maia is making some of the most innovative and soulful music around, with songs that are head and shoulders above the rest.  She has become one of my favorite artists."

As you might guess from the quotes above, there's a lot of good press about Maia Sharp. We won't copy it all here, but check it out. Her albums (including "Hardly Glamour", "Maia Sharp", "Fine Upstanding Citizen", "Eve and the Red Delicious", "Echo and Change the Ending") have all been very well received.

For those of you not already familiar with Maia, we've put together a YouTube playlist for you of live and live-in-the-studio performances, plus an interview.

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!

We're back in 2014, and will announce our concert schedule soon. (We'll start in May, so "soon" could still be a while...)