Society Hall  "where community celebrates!"

Four Shillings Short, the husband/wife duo of Aodh Og O’Tuama from Cork, Ireland and Christy Martin from California, bring together music, stories and folklore from the Celtic lands to celebrate the Ancient Celtic Bonfire festival of Samhain, known as Féile na Marbh (the Feast of the Dead). Samhain (pronounced 'sow-in' meaning 'the Summer's end') marks the end of harvest, beginning of Winter and the Celtic New Year. Traditionally celebrated at the end of October/beginning of November it is the origin of Halloween/All Hallows Eve, All Souls Day and Dia de los Muertos.

It is believed that on Samhain or 'Ancestor Night', the border between the world of the living and the dead is thinnest. Candles are lit at the graves of loved ones, offerings of food and drink left out for the Ancestors and bonfires lit throughout the countryside. Many of our modern day customs are based on Samhain including ghost stories, Halloween costumes, bobbing for apples, and the jack-o-lantern.

Touring in the US & Ireland since 1997, Four Shillings Short are international touring multi-instrumentalists who perform traditional and original music from the Celtic lands, medieval & renaissance Europe, India and the Americas on a fantastic array of instruments (over 30) including hammered & mountain dulcimers, mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, recorders, tinwhistles, medieval and renaissance woodwinds, north Indian sitar, charango, bowed psaltery, banjo, Native American flutes, bodhran, guitar, ukulele, doumbek & darbuka, spoons, vocals and even a krumhorn. Performing close to 100 concerts a year, they have released 13 recordings and live as full time troubadours, performing at music festivals, theaters & performing arts centers, folk societies, libraries, house concerts, retirement communities, schools & churches.

Aodh Og O’Tuama grew up in a family of poets, musicians and writers. He received his degree in Music from University College Cork, Ireland and received a Fellowship from Stanford University in California in Medieval and Renaissance performance. He plays tinwhistles, Medieval & Renaissance woodwinds, recorders, doumbek (from Morocco), darbuka (from Egypt), Medieval bowed psaltery, Native American flute, wooden spoons and sings in English, Gaelic & French.

Christy Martin grew up in a family of musicians and dancers. From the age of 15, began her training on the north Indian sitar, studying with Tony Karasek (a student of master Sitarist Ravi Shankar) and Rahul Sariputra (a student of Allaudin Khan). In her 20’s she took up the hammered dulcimer and studied with Maggie Sansone, Dan Duggan, Cliff Moses, Robin Petrie, Tony Elman and Glen Morgan. She also plays mandolin, mandola, bouzouki, banjo, guitar, bodhran (Irish frame drum), Andean charango, medieval psaltery, ukulele and sings in English, Irish and Sanskrit.

Society Hall board member Don Richmond says about Trout, “I've never known any other band who can appeal to and entertain a wider slice of humanity than these two dear friends. They'll make you laugh until you cry and touch and warm your heart, all at the same time. Don't miss them!”

Keith Grimwood and Ezra Idlet have been playing together for 50 years, and they are celebrating that milestone on their fall tour this year. They formed Trout Fishing in America in 1979 as a means of survival. They traveled to California as a part of the Texas-based five-piece band St. Elmo’s Fire with hopes of being discovered and signed by a major record label. When no such opportunity arose, and the promising tour dissolved, Keith and Ezra peeled off from their bandmates to fend for themselves. Busking on the streets of Santa Cruz with an acoustic guitar, and an upright bass, the pair quickly learned that engaging listeners instantly was the only path towards dollars and coins in the open guitar case. When entry in a music contest required them to have a name for their act, they chose Trout Fishing in America as an homage to Keith’s love of writer Richard Brautigan and Ezra’s love of fishing.

They returned to Texas and continued performing as a duo, landing gigs in the southeast United States. For a band comprised only of a guitar, a bass, and two vocalists, Keith and Ezra could sonically fill whatever space they played. Trout’s genre-defying musical style and unique stage presence did not lend itself to standard marketing strategies so their following developed through word-of-mouth recommendations from fans and club owners. No one could explain what kind of music Trout played but would also tell you that theirs was not a show to miss.

Rather than waiting for a record label’s attention, they formed their own Trout Records label in the 1980s and released two vinyl albums and two cassettes. Drawing inspiration from childhoods spent listening to top-40 AM radio, the two songwriters seasoned their music with stylings from rock and roll, blues, folk, country, bluegrass, funk, Latin, and reggae…whatever sound would best bring out the flavor of the lyrics they wrote. From the beginning, they were a song writing team with Keith typically being the lyrical generator while Ezra developed the music. Their collaborative natures allowed them to edit each other’s contributions without egos clashing.

Through hard work, strong musicianship, solid friendship, supportive families, and a genuine ability to connect with their audience, Trout’s homegrown success and appeal exploded in the 1990s. This led to regular touring throughout the US and Canada in their infamous red truck, Robert RedFord. They retired The Red Truck in 1997 after accumulating over half a million miles. The 1990s ushered in the era of compact discs and Trout released 9 more albums from 1990 – 1999 on their label. They were nominated for Grammy awards in 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2008.

Keith and Ezra have always been road dogs, driving tens of thousands of miles throughout the United States every year. In March 2020, years of touring came to a halt. After a month apart, they reunited at the Trout House Studio and did what they do best: they wrote songs together. With live gigs disappearing, Keith and Ezra had lots of time to experiment and create. The studio became their safe house. They wrote over a dozen new songs and performed monthly live streams to stay connected with their fans. The result is Trout’s 25th album, “Safe House”.

It is not unusual for three or four generations of a family to show up at a Trout performance and this is a point of pride for both Keith and Ezra. It may still be impossible to tell you what kind of music Trout plays, but after attending a show, you’ll know exactly what you’ve witnessed: two guys who still love what they do and are excited to share it with you.

Anam Cara, which means “soul friend” in Irish, is a trio based in Taos, NM featuring Celtic, New Age, and original music. Julie Hawley on Celtic harp and lead vocals and Jimmie Killingsworth on bouzouki, tenor banjo, and mandolin have been mainstays in the northern New Mexico folk scene for over a decade and have recently teamed with the touring and recording guitar ace and composer, Michael Mandrell, to produce a rich interplay of soulful vocals and intricate instrumental arrangements. The music ranges from rousing to meditative and is designed to move your heart and free your mind.

From the wind-carved plains of Lubbock, Texas, where music is woven into the land, Calistro Junior and Mickie Vasquez step into the spotlight together with their long-awaited duo debut “Chapter 23”. Released on Alamosa's own Howlin’ Dog Records, this self-titled album is a heartfelt collection of songs born from life, love, and years of making music side by side. Featured tracks on the new album include “Little Things” — a haunting reminder of how little things can overwhelm; “It’ll Turn Around” — a hopeful anthem in uncertain times; “Time and Again” — the echoes of love that keep returning; “1,4,3” — a timeless expression of devotion; and “No Tom Petty” — a nostalgic nod to youth, loss, and musical roots.

Calistro “Junior” Vasquez is a singer and songwriter, born in Lubbock and raised in West Texas. He has been playing professionally for over 50 years. Junior began playing guitar at the age of ten and fronted his first band at age 11. From the early 70's to the early 80's, Junior fronted several bands, including Peyote, Texas Rain, Junior's Farm, and Rhema, and traveled throughout Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. They opened for several national acts including David Alan Coe, Styx, Batdorf and Rodney and many more. "Music is the universal language - it knows no boundaries”, says Vasquez. He continues, “It reaches down to the soul and makes a person laugh, cry, reminisce, dance…. My hope is that my music will do just that."

Society Hall board member and area musician and music producer Don Richmond adds, “Junior and Mickie's gorgeous vocals and great songs just transport you to a wonderful place, where life is amazing and the world is full of beauty. Can't help but love them!”

Born and raised in Lubbock, Tx. Junior has been an integral part of the music scene in Lubbock and the surrounding area since 1973. His music is acoustic guitar driven folk/Americana influenced by the likes of America, Batdorf and Rodney, James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, The Beatles etc… He and his wife Mickie have earned the respect of many fellow successful musicians who’ve encouraged them to take their music to the music lovers throughout the US! Here's some of what their musical friends and peers have to say -

“I’ve known Junior and Mickie Vasquez for over 50 years. Their songwriting and vocal goodness is second to none. Their live shows are stellar and compelling. And, besides all the talent, they are good Human Beings. I’m glad they are finally taking their music to the World”

Lloyd Maines - Musician and Producer (and father of The Chicks Natalie Maines)

My friends and heroes Junior & Mickie Vasquez are consummate musicians. Brilliant singers and instrumentalists — Junior on guitar and Mickie on keys — the two bring years of experience to their gigs. Having a wide and varied repertoire, including finely-crafted original works, they come prepared for any occasion. But of even greater importance, Junior and Mickie are consummate human beings. They bring a bright and genuine presence to their music, a cheery soulfulness which is the most important gift that music — and its practitioners — can bestow. They’re the real deal.
Andy Wilkinson Writer/performer/teacher

"Junior and Mickie Vasquez is a husband and wife team I have followed for decades and proudly proclaim myself as a fan from the beginning. The perfect duet harmony, level of musicianship, and original compositions combined with selective choice of cover material guarantees to win you over as a new fan."
Jay Boy Adams- Singer/Songwriter- Producer

The New Mexico/Colorado based band is excited to present their 9th album to the Society Hall audience, and it's one specially made for the Holidays! Winter Song is a collection of Christmas and winter songs, with four originals from the band, a few old classics, and some songs that are a bit more off the beaten path. Says band member Don Richmond, “We had a lot of fun making this album – walking around in July singing Christmas songs and all! For the concert, we'll play some of the Holiday songs off the album, as well as some of our other songs, and even do some sing-alongs. It will be fun, and of course we hope you can join us!”

The Rifters are: Rod Taylor on guitar, mandolin and vocals (and sleigh bells on the new album), Jim Bradley on bass and vocals, and Don Richmond on guitar, mandolin, fiddle, dobro, banjo, accordion, pedal steel, trumpet and vocals. The album also features several special guests - Michael Hearne on guitar, Paul Pearcy on drums and percussion, Jimmy Stadler on piano, Boulder horn virtuoso Dexter Payne on clarinet, Alamosa native Valerie Naranjo on percussion and her husband Barry Olson on trombone and piano.The Rifters will celebrate their 25th year together in 2027, and as they have been known to say, “We ain't dead yet!”