Roger
Quad Cities born-and-raised, Roger has been performing as a hobby for only 6 years. Getting his start in BlueGrass/Folk music, now honing his skills on a wider variety of music. Often you can also expect to hear Celtic, Reggae, Country, and of course 60, 70, 80’s and 90’s Rock. Always thrown in at times to catch the audience off guard is a song laden with political incorrectness, a parody or story to make you laugh. Boasting acoustically folked up 'True Stories' he covers a wide range of music. Roger’s songs are usually the odd ones out, a little off the wall or the other side of the 45 songs. Roger has written a dozen songs, which he will do occasionally. But entertaining is the most fun part for him. At times he’ll get the audience involved in what he is doing at the time one way or another. Recently venturing from his normal venue of coffee houses and open mics to a wider audience. Many times playing with accompanying musicians on harmonicas, fiddles/violins, mandolins, banjos, even flutists on occasion. "I love trying different sounds with different instruments, because you never know what you might discover. Sometimes I might do an entire song just for a specific sound or gesture". As far as covers, "songs and music, it's great, because usually if you know a song, you can remember where you heard it, remember a feeling, or a location comes to mind as you hear it". Roger has his own way of doing songs. "If you want to hear a song done just like the original, you may as well listen to the original, I give you my interpretation, maybe in a different style than the original" Lots of songs and influences from so many artists.. .including Bob Seger, Talking Heads, Jethro Tull, Waylon Jennings, John Prine, Cat Stevens, Blake Shelton, 10,000 Maniacs, Sublime, Warren Zevon, Archie Fisher, Jerry Reed, Jim Stafford, Randy Newman, Shel Silverstien.... and many many more.
Often joined by :
Stephanie S. Stephanie has performed as a vocalist for Quad City music groups Crossroads, Fly South and Sin City Orchestra (from 1991-2000). Her musical influences are Stevie Wonder, KD Lang, Patsy Cline, Aaron Neville, Martina McBride, Sting, Tracy Chapman (just to name a few). It was on this scene that Roger and Stephanie crossed paths. They have just recently began performing together as an acoustic act calling themselves Carlson and Stephens. They get an amazing balance from his folk-like repertoire and her sultry and rich female covers, it's a music act is worth hearing. Click here for more about Carlson and Stephens.
Jani T. Fantastic folk singer, Jani has her own smooth style, often appearing at the Bucktown Review and many events. She has a country western style, either on the guitar or mandolin.
Mandolyn (Mandy C). . accompanying with her Mandolin and vocals.
AND.. and other times whoever else he can drag up from the audience, kicking and screaming.