Still River Concerts – Bolton Mass

Still River House Concerts is a folk concert venue in the home of Dan and Faith Senie in Bolton, Ma. In 2009, touring musician Joe Jencks was staying with the Senies when he suggested that the living room would make a great concert space and asked if they would consider hosting a show. It wasn’t the first time a touring musician had made this suggestion; Pete Kennedy had the same thoughts on the space back in 2006. Dan and Faith decided it would be interesting to try hosting a show and the Still River Concert Series was born.

Pete Kennedy was the first performer to play at the venue in early 2009 and he will be performing again May 1st, 2010 as the first returning artist. Still River Concerts also hosted Brooks Williams in the spring of 2009. Since then, Joe Crookston, Terence Martin and Rod MacDonald have performed.

On February 20^th Cliff Eberhardt will be performing for a sold out house and following in the spring of 2010 will be shows by Bob Franke, Pete Kennedy and Siobhan Quinn & Michael Bowers.

While there is a steady stream of requests from artists wishing to perform at the venue, Dan and Faith only book artists they have seen in concert. Many of the artists are instructors at Summer Accoustic Music Week which Dan and Faith attend annually.

The ticket price for all shows is $15.00 and 100% of the proceeds go to the artists. Dan and Faith host the show, provide the artists with room and board and do all of the concert promotions at their own expense. Some artists have put on guitar, songwriting or voice workshops in the afternoon (additional cost) followed by a concert in the evening.

The venue seats 25 comfortably and while there have been as many as 29, Dan says that was a bit “cozy”.. so they try to keep to 25 for the comfort of the audience.

Dan and Faith open each show with two of their own songs followed by the featured artist who performs a two set show. In between sets, Dan and Faith usually serve apple cider (mulled on a cold night) and artists are available to interact with the audience, answer questions and sell CDs.

Dan and Faith have many wonderful memories from the first year of Still River Concerts, w hen asked to name some memorable moments, Dan replied. “Many: Joe Jencks' powerful voice filling the room. Pete Kennedy's playing resonating the space. Brooks Williams' wonderful vocals and stunning guitar work and so many others. Most of all we enjoy looking at the faces in the audience and seeing their delight at being able to hear the music live, without a sound system, watch as the artists play, sing along perhaps, and feel a complete connection to the music.”

For Dan and Faith Senie, Still River Concerts is a labor of love. For guests, Still River Concerts is a beautiful gift. For more information visit www.stillriverconcerts.com

*(Photo courtesy of Dan Tappan - Shown: Pete Kennedy (left) and Daniel Senie )