Last Minute Folk

Judy Coder and Cowgirl Swing, with special guest Jennifer Epps

Judy Coder and Cowgirl Swing have taken the western music world by storm. Energy and enthusiasm mark each performance in a showcase of cowgirl-branded musical magic. The four-piece, all-female acoustic ensemble performs western swing, traditional songs of the western frontier, and newer music closely tied to the American cowgirl. A gathering of exceptional musical talent, the group features Judy Coder’s singing and yodeling skills, supported by Diane Gillenwater (Topeka, KS) on fiddle, Patti Nance (Platte City, MO) on dobro, and Karla Campbell (Wichita, KS) on the bunkhouse bass. Sometimes sophisticated, sometimes wild, these fun-loving cowgirls light up the stage.  They are joined this evening by cowgirl Jennifer Epps of Methow, WA on auxiliary instruments and vocals.  Listen in, and let Judy Coder and Cowgirl Swing yippee-yi your troubles away!

“In scorching form” (UK Telegraph), Northern California’s own Rita Hosking sings of forest fires, culture clash, demolition derbies, the working class and hope. From major CA music festivals to Bob Harris’s BBC show, Rita is moving audiences around the globe with her stories in song and doubly sweet and sinewy voice, “a captivating performer,” (R2 Magazine.) Rita’s style of country-folk has been lauded for story and sense of place, and her performances praised for capturing the audience. Honors include winner of the ’08 Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest at the Sisters Folk Festival, finalist in the ’09 Telluride Troubadour Contest, and more.

“This California girl comes by her mountain-music sensibility with true authenticity, with original songs deeply rooted in her family’s frontier experience,” (Dan Ruby, FestivalPreview.com) and Rita’s fans call her “the real deal.” A descendant of Cornish miners who sang in the mines, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice.(www.ritahosking.com)