Josh Calhoun has been selected as one of 32 finalists, among 600 applicants to the Kerrville New Folk songwriting contest for 2000. Kerrville is a folk festival located in Texas, well known for attracting emerging songwriters and seasoned veterans to the Quiet Valley Ranch for a three-week festival celebrating the gift of creativity in music.
Josh Calhoun is a performing songwriter from Wisconsin who writes music that speaks to people by pulling them in with meaningful lyrics and soulful melodies. Some reoccurring themes underlying his music include, hope, the family, childhood storytelling, the spiritual, and a look at the simple in a new way. "I want to tell a story with my music and present a positive upbeat vibe through my songs." Josh pulls from many musical genres, which have provided good soil for his songs. He comes from a strong folk music background from a lyrical perspective; however there is an emphasis on the "groove" of a tune from a rhythm point of view as well. His guitar playing is a diverse combination of fingerpicking ballads to swinging flat picking, and switching gears to alternate tuning with a funky rhythm. A phrase that comes to mind when explaining Josh's music would be "variety is the spice of life."
Josh was born in San Diego, California but spent the majority of his youth in Wisconsin. He remembers growing up listening to folk music and attending concerts at a very early age. Greg Brown, Nancy Griffith, L.J. Booth, Bobby McFerrin, Corkey Siegel, and B.B. King were among some of the family favorites discovered in his mother's vast vinyl collection. He comes from a very musical family and recognizes his Mother for introducing him to the guitar at age 13.
Josh enjoys performing at concert series, outdoor festivals, clubs and coffeehouses around Wisconsin as a solo act or with his Trio. Josh is a performer and writer who has a good grasp on the art of songcrafting and the presentation of those songs in an engaging way to audiences.
Performances
*Kerrville Newfolk songwriting contest 2000 Kerrville, Texas
The Old Time Music & Craft Festival, Shawano, Wi
The Great River Folk Festival, La Crosse, Wi.
*Café Carpe, Fort Atkinson, Wi.
*FAMA concert series, Fond du Lac WI.
*Wisconsin Songwriter series McMillan Public Library, Wisconsin Rapids, WI.
*Berlin Victorian Days outdoor festival Berlin, WI.
*Nelsonville Mill Concert Series, Nelsonville, WI.
Shared the stage with John Gorka, Christine Lavin, Michael Smith, Claudia Schmidt, Vance Gilbert, John Smith, L.J. Booth, Mark Dvorak, Lee Kelm, Alice Peacock, Cliff Eberhardt, Steve Hazel.
Quote from well know folk musician.
"Great voice, great writing.....fabulous" Vance Gilbert
Discography
"The Vinegrower" ASCAP bloomingmusic 2000
Josh Calhoun
Blooming Music
718 Franklin St
Oshkosh, Wi. 54901
920-232-0755
jcalhoun@cheerful.com
cell phone 920-203-6776
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