Amy LaVere & Will Sexton with special Guest Johnny Dowd – 11/22

Just when you think Amy LaVere is at the top of her craft, it grows into something even more powerful. Her songs are both original and timeless, making her well-known among songwriters and critics alike. NPR’s Robert  Siegel says she “specializes in lyrics that are  more barbed than her sweet soprano prepares you  for.” Amos Perinne of No Depression has written of Amy saying “Her songs have a level of detail comparable to a photo. LaVere has a knack for  documenting simple moments and making them riveting.”Her growing catalog of material and steady critical acclaim suggest a first-tier presence on the Americana and indie-folk circuits.

Her record ‘Painting Blue’ (2019) showcases her depth and creative storytelling, beautifully.  The production is gorgeous, original and naturally ‘Amy’, captured perfectly by producer and husband, Will Sexton. Mojo Magazine gave the project 4 out of 4 stars.

Outside of Detroit and only just entering high school, Amy formed her first band and began writing and performing. She moved to Memphis,  TN in 1999 and began hitting the local music scene hard with various live projects,  performing regularly on Beale Street and the dive pub Murphy’s where she also spent time tending bar.

Music fans first discovered this “sweet soprano”  on This World is Not My Home in (2005), but it was her Jim Dickinson-produced breakout album  Anchors & Anvils two years later that put Amy  LaVere on the map. Stranger Me, the (2011)  release on Archer Records, was called “the break-up album of the year” by Spin. Paste said it was “among the year’s best,” and it earned a first-listen feature from NPR’s All Things Considered. She followed it in (2014) with another critical smash: Runaway’s Diary (2014), a  concept album based on her own experience as a  teenage runaway, produced by Luther Dickinson  (North Mississippi Allstars). American Songwriter called it “boundary-pushing…  heartfelt, reflective, challenging and consistently compelling.” NPR Music’s Robert  Christgau said it was her best yet.

Of Hallelujah, I’m A Dreamer (Archer Records, 2015)  No Depression said simply: “pure bliss.” In addition to her solo records and a tireless touring schedule, Amy enjoys working with other artists. She joined an all-star collaboration called The Wandering, composed of Amy, Luther  Dickinson, Valerie June, Shannon McNally, and Sharde Thomas They released Go On Now, You Can’t  Stay Here (2012) to critical acclaim and sold-out shows.

Amy and Luther also collaborated on Sisters Of  The Strawberry Moon (2019). This project featured Allison Russell, Amy Helm, The Como Mammas, Sharde Thomas, and Lily May Risch. Amy LaVere also has three releases with the band ‘Motel Mirrors’. The self-titled Motel  Mirrors (2013), In The Meantime (2018), and Gotta Lotta Rhythm (2019). This band features Will Sexton, Shawn Zorn, and John Paul Keith.

Amy has been sought out to be a part of MANY  great projects over the years. Notably, Luther  Dickinson has called on Amy to join his band “The Collaborators” on live performances and also his solo records, including record ‘Rock n’ Roll Blues’ and his Grammy-nominated record,  ‘Blues And Ballads: A Folksinger’s Songbook’.  Todd Snider called on Amy to sing backing vocals on the ‘Songs of Jerry Jeff Walker’. Seasick Steve features her on a hidden track duet cover of ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’ on his record  ‘Man From Another Time’.

Do yourself a favor and keep your ears open for future works from this artist.

Born in Shreveport, Louisiana, this future bard moved continuously throughout childhood due to her father’s job. She spent notable parts of her life in Louisiana, Ontario and Quebec Canada, East Texas, Baltimore Maryland, Central Ohio, and South East Michigan. She now calls Memphis TN home.

Alt-country singer-songwriter Johnny Dowd will be opening the show.