2020 PERFORMER AND PRESENTERS
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LINDA BILQUE’s original songs capture the flavor of the Southwest and the diverse struggles of the people who call it home. Her first commercial release Twists of Fate, includes “Mother of Mexico” which takes place in the Yaqui Indian community of Guadalupe. “Lucky” is a story of trailer park love in Tucson, and “Dat-So-La-Lee” speaks of the tragedy of the lost art of the great Indian basket weaver. Linda’s second CD, Side Tracked visits Loretta at the dollar store; presents the legacy of the cowboy women of Cochise County in “We Were the Cowboys;” and remembers the day of the dead and a love left behind in “Dia De Los Muertos.” Borrowing Time, released in 2011, features songs of the road—“Empty Places,” a guitar playing anthem—“Mama Got a Six String” and, “For Fahey,” a tribute to finger-picking great, John Fahey. Linda's 2014 CD, Good & Gone is a tribute to, "all those we have loved and lost and those left behind." Cowboys, Christmas, Evelyn, and the Lady in The Moon are just a few of the characters that populate Good & Gone as they try to navigate life's challenges. Fresh Cuts, released in 2017 is titled from her song about a musician trying to balance life and the road. Fire up the Mercury Marquis and along the way you will meet Ora Mae, a woman determined to have independence and Claire, a caregiver for a traumatic brain injury survivor. Relax with the instrumental “Broken Wing,” the story of a Killdeer bird performing the defense dance. Raise your voice with “Hey Joe,” a tribute to Arizona's iconic musician, Joe Bethancourt. |
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JOANN BRAHENY has a deep background in the music business. She was the first full-time female radio disc jockey in Atlanta where she got her Bachelor’s at Georgia State University in Commercial Music & Recording. In LA she has worked in record promotion, music publishing, and public relations with internationally-known actors, songwriters/musicians, and celebrities. She also worked with visual artists in Talent Development for Walt Disney Imagineering. She works part-time in archives at The Art Center College of Design in Pasadena. Specializing in giving workshops on the creative process, brainstorming and collaboration techniques, she presents 'Goosing Your Muse' creativity seminars nationwide. JoAnn is also available for private consultations. JoAnn will be available on January 26 for private consultation. Please call (818) 528-5152, or email jbraheny@gmail.com.
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JESSI COLTER is one of modern music's singular talents, a singer, songwriter, and entertainer whose influence continues to echo across
musical genres. An artist talented and versatile enough both to top the pop charts and to be part of the groundbreaking Wanted: The Outlaws album, she is assured a place in the history of both formats. With the release in 2003 of An Outlaw ...A Lady: The Very Best of Jessi Colter--which No Depression called "one of the more important and plain necessary releases of the year"-and the 2006 release of “Out of the Ashes” -her legacy has been showcased again both for those who were part of the magic as it happened and for a new generation. Jessi Colter was born with the name Mirriam Johnson in Phoenix. (She adopted the stage name Jessi Colter after her great-great-great uncle who was in Jesse James' notorious outlaw gang.) Her mother became Sister Helen, an ordained Pentecostal minister, and Colter became the church pianist at age 11. As a teen, her musical talent impressed rockabilly guitar star Duane Eddy, who produced her 1961 single "Lonesome Road." They married in 1963. He wrote and recorded an instrumental, "Mirriam", while she wrote some of his album tracks, as well as "No Sign of the Living" for Dottie West. In 1967, Eddy and Colter recorded a duet single, "Guitar on My Mind," but divorced the following year. She married Waylon Jennings on Oct. 26, 1969, at her mother's church. In 1975, Colter notched a sizable country and pop hit with the self-penned "I'm Not Lisa." That was followed a year later by the success of Wanted! The Outlaws, a collaboration with Jennings, Willie Nelson and Tompall Glaser and the first Nashville album to sell a million copies. Her best-known duets with Jennings are "Suspicious Minds" and her soothing composition "Storms Never Last." Her re-emergence as a recording and concert artist, bodes well for the future of popular music when it can surely use someone of her vision, originality, and accomplishment. Visit her website at http://www.officialjessicolter.com/ |
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DR E MICHAEL HARRINGTON is Course Author at Berklee and Berklee Online and has served as consultant and expert witness in hundreds of music copyright/IP matters involving The We Shall Overcome Foundation, Pharrell Williams, Robin Thicke, Taylor Swift, Dixie Chicks, Adele, Steven Spielberg, Led Zeppelin, Steve Perry, Katy Perry, 50 Cent, Tupac, Lady Gaga, Deadmau5, Danger Mouse, Jib Jab, Adam Levine, Busta Rhymes, Samsung, HBO and others.
As expert witness, he is responsible for freeing the iconic civil rights anthem, “We Shall Overcome,” which the Library of Congress called, “the most powerful song of the 20th century” on January 26, 2018: nyti.ms/2Eiibuo On August 30, 2016, his writings and interviews were cited as authorities in the “Brief of Amici Curiae, 212 Songwriters, Composers, Musicians, and Producers in Support of Appellants” in the “Blurred Lines” decision at the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit bit.ly/2FApIqI. He co-authored the Brief of Amicus Curiae Musicologists in Support of Williams & Thicke: bit.ly/2FAh6k0 and recently co-authored Brief of Amicus Curiae Musicologists in Support of Led Zeppelin and Katy Perry in those appeals to the Ninth Circuit. He has been interviewed by media including New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Bloomberg Law, NPR, Bravo, CNN, BBC, CBC, The Guardian, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, the Today Show, Time, Huffington Post, Fortune, Esquire, Salon and others, and lectured at Beverly Hills Bar, Texas Bar, Boston Bar, Minnesota Bar, Harvard Law School, Harvard Business, the American Bar Association, GWU Law, Cardozo Law, BC Law, UNH Law, Vanderbilt Law, Penn State Law, William Mitchell Law, NYU, and more than 300 universities, festivals, conferences and organizations. He created the Coursera/Berklee Copyright Law in the Music Business MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) which has attracted students from 110 countries: bit.ly/2zFPLfB. He also created the Berklee Online Graduate Music Business Law course bit.ly/2sifg03, and the Berklee Online Music Business Capstone course bit.ly/2HiHfDv He was the Jemison Distinguished Professor of the Humanities at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and has taught at University of Miami, Ohio State, University of Pittsburgh, William Paterson University, Belmont University, Berklee and Berklee Online. |
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SANDY HATHAWAY’s songs reach back in time and deliver stories that touch the heart. Her music can be described as a soulful blend of Dar Williams, Joni Mitchell and Patty Griffin. Sandy’s live performances are filled with emotion and expression. Her own songs contain vivid descriptions and metaphors that transport the listener to a country garden or a dirt road. Sandy plays nearly all genres of music and has about six hours of songs in her cover song library.
Sandy is a daydreaming artist from West Michigan lakeshore. She taught herself to play guitar at eight. She took every opportunity she had to play on stage at 4-H events, school talent shows or church. Early influences were her aunt Jean and uncle Pat who both helped her learn. Sandy studied Classical Guitar as an adult at Meyer Music in Grand Rapids. She moved to Arizona and became a full-time singing guitarist. Sandy has studied Songwriting at Berkley online and voice with Ree Boado. Her songs are emotionally engaging for the listener; whether walking the cow back home, or dancing on her father’s shoes. Sandy was a Top Ten Finalist in the Tucson Folk Festival songwriting contest in 2004, 2016 and 2017. She placed second in 2017 for a country songwriting contest by West Valley Country Music Association. Sandy has recorded three CDs: Edge of Twilight 2014, Red Sky at Morning 2015 and a children’s CD Milkweed Seeds 2016. Currently, she is intently focused on playing music, teaching guitar and helping fellow local musicians get started. She has developed a workshop series to help musicians book more live music. Sandy describes the motivation behind the workshops she presents: “I began the new year - 2018 with hopeful inspiration to help other local musicians learn how to book shows. I researched and combined my own experience to create a comprehensive workshop to help musicians learn how to create press kits and press kits on the web. This information was not easily available when I was starting out. I want to open discussions about booking and bidding shows online, in person, what to do and what not to do. Courses will be available at Sing4Strings.Teachable.com.” |
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Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ray Herndon is unable to appear at the Annual Arizona Songwriters Gathering as originally scheduled.
RAY HERNDON’s career spans over three decades. This singer/songwriter, guitarist and music industry veteran has cut solo albums, as well as performed and toured with chart-topping bands and iconic artists. Ray is an important, crucial piece to today's music industry. Thirty-six years ago while Ray was a band member with J David Sloan and the Rogues, a serendipitous musical meeting in Luxembourg led Ray to meet the then up and coming singer-songwriter and Texas native: Lyle Lovett. Lyle, being without a fulltime band, reconnected with Ray in Phoenix where the band recorded what would become Lyle’s debut record. From this record, Ray has toured most of the world and been a staple member of Lyle Lovett and His Large Band ever since. While in pre-production on Lyle’s second album Pontiac, Ray met the renowned MCA Records president Tony Brown. This connection led to Ray becoming a principal member of the hit recording trio: McBride and The Ride. The band filled out by Terry McBride and Billy Thomas, was hand-picked and signed to MCA Records by Tony Brown himself. During their three record, five-year career together, McBride and The Ride scored 6 top 10 singles including the number one song “Sacred Ground”. After a career shared with many acts, Ray debuted his solo project Livin’ The Dream (Compendia Records 2007). This highly anticipated album was recorded and produced with Ray’s long-time friend and session piano ace/ producer Matt Rollings. Made to act as an audio time capsule, Ray and Matt included longtime friends and musicians to document the musical road they have all travelled together. The record featured legendary guest vocals by Lyle Lovett, Jessi Colter, and Clint Black. Ray has no limits to his musical abilities. As a songwriter, Ray has had songs recorded by various country artists including Lee Greenwood, McBride and The Ride, Linda Davis, and Aaron Tippin. Ray also co-wrote the hit song; “Me and You” which propelled Kenny Chesney to the top of the charts for the first time in 1996, the song has been released on 3 of Chesney’s records to date. You might also remember Ray’s voice on Arizona news channel 3’s: “Good Morning Arizona” theme song for 20 plus years. Currently, Ray is the owner and operator of longtime Scottsdale landmark restaurant, saloon, and live music venue Handlebar J. The Herndon family purchased Handlebar J from its previous owners in 1975. Proudly, in 2007, Handlebar J. and the Herndon family were inducted into the Arizona Music Hall of fame. Since their induction and just last year, Ray has become the sole owner and operator of this long legacy business. Ray’s vision and preservation of music in Scottsdale have made Handlebar J an iconic venue that the business will cherish for many years to come. Aside from running Handlebar J and keeping this Scottsdale landmark alive, Ray stays extra busy recording, touring with Lyle Lovett, leading his local band The Herndon Brothers, and being a member of a philanthropist group “The Scottsdale Charros” who support education through spring training baseball and other ventures in Scottsdale, AZ. To follow and contact Ray, explore the links below. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ray.herndon.5 Contact Ray: Rayherndon@me.com Contact Handlebar J: Handlebarjaz@cox.net |
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RHONDA HITCHCOCK-MAST has been writing music for close to 15 years. Her favorite styles are country, pop, rock and blues. Ms. Hitchcock co-wrote "I Believe," which was featured on the TV show Summerland where she was also the performer. She has a holiday song, "Sugar Cookie," which has gained some traction and has gotten Web Radio AirPlay. Rhonda recently signed another co-written song to be pitched to artists, TV and movies called "Can’t Get Enough of You."
In October of 2007, Rhonda Hitchcock and Pandy Raye started Chicks with Picks – a platform for “up and coming” female singer/songwriters to showcase their talent. To date, Chicks with Picks has featured/helped over 400 artists. Chicks with Picks offers workshops on a regular basis that cover topics in every aspect of the music industry including professional songwriting, recording and music business mentoring. |
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JAMES M. MAROVICH is a litigation and transactional attorney. His intellectual property practice consists of copyright, trademarks and trade names, and rights to privacy. He provides legal services for singers, songwriters, musicians, bands, artists, actors, authors and photographers, as well as to independent film companies, publicists, physicians, medical spas, theatre companies, talent management, and record sales and distribution services companies. He has served on numerous not-for-profit boards, is a frequent speaker for the Arizona Songwriters Association, local talent organizations, and community college performing arts classes. He has served as general counsel for the Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame, has been a member of the Executive Council of the Intellectual Property Section of the Arizona State Bar, and has been an associate director on the board of Jazz In Arizona, Inc. He provides legal services to start-up companies, which includes assisting with choice of entity, agreements between persons desiring to do business together, organization of corporations and companies, ownership and licensing of intellectual property, negotiating contracts and business deals, risk assessment, end of business life decisions, helping clients to avoid disputes and, if necessary, to resolve disputes. To contact James, please call 602-956-4121 or email jmarovich@marovichlaw.com.
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STEVE PARRISH is a Producer/Engineer and owner of Desertcoast Productions. He has produced a wide variety of music, specializing in singer/songwriters who license their music for TV and Film. Steve composes and produces content for his own "Pawnshopmusic" catalog which has been heard on HBO, MTV, NFL, NHL, Travel Channel, Food Channel, and most major television networks. Mr. Parrish has a background in writing and producing content for an Emmy winning sports TV show, as well as some top rated Valley radio programs. He has a long association with Arizona Songwriters Association and is a current member of the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame Advisory Council. Find Steve online at: www.desertcoast.com.
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ERIC RAMSEY writes from experience about the human condition - at times sensitive, at times humorous, always thought-provoking. His arrangements and delivery encompass a spectrum of styles from delicate fingerpicking to raucous, bluesy bottleneck slide.
Among other things, Eric is two time champion of the Phoenix Blues Society's Blues Showdown. He has been a Finalist in the Telluride Blues Challenge and semi-finalist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. He’s a past winner of the Stefan George Memorial Songwriting Competition, a 4x Featured Artist at the Dripping Springs (TX) Songwriters Festival, and was selected for the prestigious Songwriter's Showcase produced by Tempe Center for the Arts, filmed for PBS distribution. Eric's live performances are captivating, entertaining and accessible, and he's a favorite on the Blues and Folk Festival circuits not only for his dynamic performances but for his workshops on slide guitar techniques and tricks. He lives in the Phoenix area with his long-suffering and patient wife, three kids, four (yes, four, to date) dogs of indeterminate pedigree, and can often be found in the garage, where his family prefer he practice.... |
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ROBBY ROBERSON sings original musical stories steeped in reality and imagination, happiness and sorrow – delivered through the musical strings of multiple instruments, played skillfully and passionately. Robby’s songwriting and his vocal style is evocative of an organic urban acoustic music vibe that is enhanced by diverse and dynamic rhythms and grooves. He uses the instrumentation as an equal, interconnected partner of his songs and not just for melodic accompaniment. His songwriting has not gone unnoticed across the valley and state – he is the winner of the Songwriter Contest at the Tucson Folk Festival and a finalist in the band contest at the Pickin’ in the Pines Music Festival. He has also performed at the Tempe Center for the Arts Songwriters Showcases III and VII. Robby’s musical versatility makes it possible for him to be a solo act or to include other talented musician friends in a duo, trio or quartet setting.
As the Robby Roberson Band, Robby has the lead vocals and plays guitar, dobro, mandolin, banjo, Weissenborn-style lap steel and harmonicas; Arlienne Scofield has supporting vocals and percussion; and Eddie Garnero plays the electric and acoustic bass and sings supporting vocals. Robby lives in Tempe, Arizona, and he and his band perform regularly at various venues – large and intimate, festivals, galleries and benefits throughout Arizona. |
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LES SCOTT is a veteran of the music industry whose publishing company Source Q Boutique (SQB) specializes in music placement in film & television and currently represents over 400 writers/artists. SQB is exclusively marketed through its alliances with Crucial Music Group, Expressive Artists LLC, and FuzeArtz LLC. SQB placements include: Chicago P.D. (NBC), Shameless (Showtime), The Fosters (ABC), American Idol (FOX), Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (ABC), House (FOX), Shut Eye (Hulu), Love (Netflix), Rizzoli & Isles (TNT), Castle (ABC), Breaking Bad (AMC), Weeds (Showtime), Cold Case (CBS), Ugly Betty (ABC), Saving Grace (TNT), Prison Break (FOX), Friday Night Lights (NBC), Dancing With the Stars (ABC) and Californication (Showtime), along with landing the theme song for the CW show, Life Unexpected.
As a producer, Les is commissioned to produce master recordings for such companies as Universal Music Group, Killer Tracks, FirstCom Music, One Music and Network Music. He has produced over 500 artists/bands in all genres where his writings and productions appear daily throughout the film/TV industries. Mr. Scott consults on intellectual property and other legal matters such as: music licenses, producer and recording agreements, writer collaborations, performance releases, publishing agreements, cue sheets, copyright registrations and to informally mediate between disgruntled songwriters or band members. For private consultation, please call 602-705-3554 or email lesscott@fastq.com. Disclaimer - While very knowledgeable in intellectual property laws (e.g. Title 17 of U.S Copyright Code) along with being a veteran within the music business industries, I, Leslie S Hanson DBA Les Scott Music, am not an Attorney, or certified to provide “legal” advice. I am providing my services as a music business consultant and specialist. For legal matters and/or advice, it is suggested you seek legal counsel from a certified Attorney within your local area. |
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LON AUSTIN is a folksinger, songwriter, storyteller, and instigator. He was primarily influenced by Woody Guthrie, Utah Phillips, & Prescott cowboy poet Gail Gardner in his songwriting and performing. Instigations include the Phoenix Folk Traditions Music Festival, Glendale Folk & Heritage Festival, Peoria Library Monday Night Melodies, the Encanto Park Coffeehouse (now evolved to the Beaded Lizard Gathering), the Arizona Songwriters Gathering, Trail Dust, and the Mexican Beaded Lizard Band, among other things.
DOUG AND BARBARA BARNETT are musicians living and working in Arizona. They own a small event production company, Barnett Productions. They perform along Route 66 and in the greater Phoenix and Seattle areas. Doug is a songwriter and has produced 13 indie albums.
RANDY LEE BROWN is a Country/Americana songwriter who has won national lyric writing competitions by both American Songwriter and Billboard magazines. His credits include songs in several movies, most notably Remember the Titans, and songs in numerous television shows, everything from Malcom in the Middle to A Person of Interest and CMT’s Crossroads. Randy, along with Jon Iger, host’s a monthly “Songs in Progress” workshop for ASA. He also has recently conducted songwriting seminars at the MIM and Gilbert Folk Festival. To contact Randy, please email RLBAZ@cox.net.
ANDY HURLBUT is a singer/songwriter who is a member of the Artichoke Sisters trio, the Improbable Quartet, and she performs solo as well. She is active in the music community as a volunteer on the committee that organizes the Glendale Folk Festival, and is the current president of the Arizona Pickers and Grinners Society. Influenced by the idea of free folk music, and the importance of supporting grassroots efforts to promote folk music in the community, Andy continues a personal quest to include young musicians and songwriters in events and songwriting sessions as a way of keeping acoustic music alive.
JON IGER is a songwriter and publisher with Major Label cuts, and has song placements in Movies and TV shows such as The Sopranos, Parks & Recreation, Ugly Betty, My Name is Earl, Touched by An Angel, The Oblongs, Brooklyn 99, Where the Money Is (starring Paul Newman), and many more.
Iger, a former Capitol recording artist, co-founded the Arizona Songwriters Association in 1977, and has kept it rolling ever since. Jon was inducted into the Greater Arizona Country Music Association Hall of Fame in 2018. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame from 2005 to 2015, was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2019, and continues to serve on its Advisory Council.
Jon co-produced the cable TV series The Arizona Songwriter with producer Randee Mossburg, and has co-produced the annual Arizona Songwriters Gathering since its inception over twenty years ago. He has also taught songwriting workshops at the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) along with Randy Brown and co-hosts the ASA 3rd Saturday Songs in Progress workshop. To reach Jon or the Arizona Songwriters Association, please email Jon@IgerMusic.com. The Arizona Songwriters Association website is www.azsongwriters.org (reconstruction starting soon!)
IVY JARVIS is a programming librarian at the Glendale Public Library. This is her 9th year on the planning committee for the Arizona Songwriters Gathering. She has organized a wide variety of programs for the library since 1999, including author appearances by world renowned authors Diana Gabaldon, Jodi Picoult, Nancy Turner and J.A. Jance; performances by R. Carlos Nakai, Walt Richardson, Big Pete Pearson, Dolan Ellis, and Marshall Trimble; lectures on the humanities and arts, health and wellness, paranormal, astronomy and financial topics; artistry workshops, the Socrates Café philosophical discussion group, and the Gentle Reads book discussion group.
DOUG AND BARBARA BARNETT are musicians living and working in Arizona. They own a small event production company, Barnett Productions. They perform along Route 66 and in the greater Phoenix and Seattle areas. Doug is a songwriter and has produced 13 indie albums.
RANDY LEE BROWN is a Country/Americana songwriter who has won national lyric writing competitions by both American Songwriter and Billboard magazines. His credits include songs in several movies, most notably Remember the Titans, and songs in numerous television shows, everything from Malcom in the Middle to A Person of Interest and CMT’s Crossroads. Randy, along with Jon Iger, host’s a monthly “Songs in Progress” workshop for ASA. He also has recently conducted songwriting seminars at the MIM and Gilbert Folk Festival. To contact Randy, please email RLBAZ@cox.net.
ANDY HURLBUT is a singer/songwriter who is a member of the Artichoke Sisters trio, the Improbable Quartet, and she performs solo as well. She is active in the music community as a volunteer on the committee that organizes the Glendale Folk Festival, and is the current president of the Arizona Pickers and Grinners Society. Influenced by the idea of free folk music, and the importance of supporting grassroots efforts to promote folk music in the community, Andy continues a personal quest to include young musicians and songwriters in events and songwriting sessions as a way of keeping acoustic music alive.
JON IGER is a songwriter and publisher with Major Label cuts, and has song placements in Movies and TV shows such as The Sopranos, Parks & Recreation, Ugly Betty, My Name is Earl, Touched by An Angel, The Oblongs, Brooklyn 99, Where the Money Is (starring Paul Newman), and many more.
Iger, a former Capitol recording artist, co-founded the Arizona Songwriters Association in 1977, and has kept it rolling ever since. Jon was inducted into the Greater Arizona Country Music Association Hall of Fame in 2018. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Arizona Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame from 2005 to 2015, was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2019, and continues to serve on its Advisory Council.
Jon co-produced the cable TV series The Arizona Songwriter with producer Randee Mossburg, and has co-produced the annual Arizona Songwriters Gathering since its inception over twenty years ago. He has also taught songwriting workshops at the MIM (Musical Instrument Museum) along with Randy Brown and co-hosts the ASA 3rd Saturday Songs in Progress workshop. To reach Jon or the Arizona Songwriters Association, please email Jon@IgerMusic.com. The Arizona Songwriters Association website is www.azsongwriters.org (reconstruction starting soon!)
IVY JARVIS is a programming librarian at the Glendale Public Library. This is her 9th year on the planning committee for the Arizona Songwriters Gathering. She has organized a wide variety of programs for the library since 1999, including author appearances by world renowned authors Diana Gabaldon, Jodi Picoult, Nancy Turner and J.A. Jance; performances by R. Carlos Nakai, Walt Richardson, Big Pete Pearson, Dolan Ellis, and Marshall Trimble; lectures on the humanities and arts, health and wellness, paranormal, astronomy and financial topics; artistry workshops, the Socrates Café philosophical discussion group, and the Gentle Reads book discussion group.
