Next Up: Pierce Pettis Sun. October 20, at 4:00 p.m.

Alabama’s Pierce Pettis, beloved by songwriters throughout the U.S. & U.K. , returns to Acoustic Celebration on Sunday Oct. 20 with three amazing instrumentalists accompanying him. For the first time in a decade Pierce has a new album out, full of wonderful, moving songs, “Father’s Son”,

Amy Speace, Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4p.m.

BILLBOARD: Amy Speace Stuns on Title Track of New Album ‘Me and the Ghost of Charlemagne’:

A CHIRP favorite, with a new album, The Ghost of Charlemagne that is receiving killer reviews here and in the U.K, Amy Speace returns to the Acoustic Celebration on Sunday, Oct. 27 at 4 p.m.  Speace possesses a commanding voice, a distinctive melodic sensibility and an uncanny knack for nailing complex emotions in song.   She makes music that’s both illuminating and effortlessly accessible.  Hand-picked and mentored by folk/pop icon Judy Collins, Speace has toured with Nanci Griffith, Ian Hunter, Little Feat and many other artists, has appeared on “Mountain Stage” four times and has been featured on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and “Marketplace.” Her recordings have been in the Top 10 of the Americana/Roots and Folk Radio Charts, and have landed in the “Best of” pile for many critics. Judy Collins, who has recorded Amy’s songs, has said “Amy’s a remarkable artist, writer and singer—I am a total fan.”

Speace, who used to be a frequent presence at Acoustic Celebration and CHIRP has been absent the last couple years.  She took time off to have a son at age 50 and to start a wonderful blog called “Menopausal Mommy” that is both wise and wicked.  A terrific raconteur as well as songwriter, Speace’s performances are always both entertaining and memorable.

She will be performing in North Hall of St. Stephen’s Church, 351 Main, tickets online are $20 at www.acousticcelebration.org or $25 at the door.

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