Growing up, Joe Newberry and April Verch absorbed traditions of home and hearth – in his Missouri Ozarks and her Ottawa Valley of Canada. Although they are on the road much of the year, the two musicians are fond of saying that they are rarely homesick, because their music means they always have a bit of home with them wherever they go. And they’re bringing that taste of home to Monterey on Friday, October 30th, when they will grace the Otter Opry stage at Monterey United Methodist Church.
Joe Newberry comes from a family of singers and dancers. He took up the guitar and banjo as a boy and learned fiddle tunes from great Missouri fiddlers. April Verch grew up listening to her dad’s country band play for dances in the Ottawa Valley. She started step dancing at age three and fiddling at age six. In a Newberry & Verch show, delighted audiences see first-hand the roots of their music, their love of performing, and their strong musical connection. Original songs join timeless classics. Stories warm the heart, and give audiences a chance to understand where the music comes from. Lively fiddle and banjo numbers combine with traditional dance steps to illustrate happy times when people made their own fun.
Whether it is the power of two voices lifted in harmony, or the sound of traditional tunes calling people to get up and move, these two masters of tradition put on an unforgettable show. And, when their feet kick up the dust in perfect rhythm and those two voices become one, Joe Newberry and April Verch make folks remember why this music existed in the first place. This will be one for the history books, so get your tickets early. And gosh, why not make the occasion even more special with dinner ($15 in advance, $20 after October 24th) before the show? Online ticket sales will end at 11am the day of the performance. Tickets will be available at the door.
7pm. Monterey United Methodist Church, 1 Soledad Drive, Monterey. $35/show (CBA members $30; 15 and under free) www.otteropry.org