ROSEMARY BUTLER has sung backup on tours and/or recordings with Linda Ronstadt, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Bonnie Raitt, Dolly Parton, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Bob Seeger, Sarah Brightman, Julio Iglesias, Aaron Neville, Kenny Loggins, Michael McDonald, Eagles, Joni Mitchell, Bette Midler, BeBe & CeCe Winan, Vanessa Williams, Neil Diamond, Roseanne Cash, Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, Andrea Bocelli, Dan Fogelberg, Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Jimmy Buffet, Emmylou Harris, Ray Charles, Hilary Duff, Jacob Young, and Rod Stewart. She has toured the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Scandinavia, South America, Middle East, The Orient, and Russia including the Prince Charles and Lady Diane, Prince's Trust, President Clinton's Inaugural Ball, Superbowl Pre-Game Show, and The Grammys. In the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame there is a clip of Rosemary with Jackson Browne singing "Running on Empty" continuously. Rosemary was the "Choir Contractor" for the "Living With War" album by Neil Young. Her two solo albums went gold in Japan.

ERIC SCHWARTZ has been on the road since 1998 playing "folk" venues: festivals (Kerrville, Philly Folk, Falcon Ridge, Oregon Country Fair, South Florida, for example); premier venues such as The Bottom Line, The Ark, The Birchmere, The Tin Angel, Club Passim; and the gigs that keep the singer-songwriter fed: House Concerts, coffeehouses, colleges etc. He composed the score for a musical adaptation of Beowulf presented as a workshop in NYC starring Andre DeShields and Billy Porter. Dr. Demento plays his songs now and then ("Charliesomething" was #2 for the year a couple of years back.) 'Napster Rap' was featured on NPR's All Things Considered. A biology degree and experience as a touring bilingual actor have furnished Eric Schwartz with a deftly analytical mind, an awesome imagination, and a soul which thrives in the spotlight. He honed his performance skills with 5 years in the Greenwich Village bar scene. (Please note: This show is RATED "R". Eric's material often uses colorful language as well as political and sexual content; if you are easily offended by such material, this is not the show for you.)

emith is singer-songwriter Carol Ann Ives and guitarist Stevie Gurr. Carol is a newcomer but sounds like a veteran, with a gloomy vocal style reminiscent of Aimee Mann. Founded in 2003 at a crossroads between Los Angeles and the infamous Inland Empire, emith ("the good life") is an original band of the old and new, of humor and sadness, of the pristine and the profane. The band plays both as an acoustic duo, featuring songwriter Carol Ann Ives on vocals and guitar, and highly respected guitarist Stevie Gurr (Dr. John, Elvin Bishop, and others) on guitar, bass and harmonica, and also as a full band supplemented by various local favorites on bass and drums. emith's style of music features melodic, haunting influences from rock, folk, country, blues, and Celtic genres. emith features music that is ethereal but rootsy, lyrically compelling but catchy, and full of humor, passion and a wry sex appeal. The band brings a modern energy to melodies that sound as if they were written centuries ago. Accessible by both youthful and mature audiences, emith is a fresh new arrival producing compelling songs and an in-the-flesh impression that is hard to forget.

SUSIE GLAZE & THE HILONESOME BAND ...The best in Appalachia to Bluegrass, an evening of gorgeous eclectic blends of Appalachian mountain folk and exciting new bluegrass inspired originals, all with the remarkable voice of Susie Glaze. "Susie Glaze does something with a song that only great singers can do... she grabs hold of a song's deepest emotion and purpose and wraps it tightly around your soul." (KCSN FM) "Every song is a journey and her versatility as a vocal stylist is impressive and downright unbelievable at times. She will glide from a plaintive moan to a cozy vibrato and every choice she makes seems perfect." (San Diego North County Bluegrass Association). Folk music legend Jean Ritchie has called Susie Glaze "a fresh young voice, a communicator, to me the most important of qualities in a singer." Bluegrass Unlimited calls her "an important voice on the California Bluegrass scene" and Roz Larman of KPFK's FolkScene writes "Susie Glaze has one of the most beautiful voices in bluegrass and folk music today. She performs a song straight from her heart and soul." Winner of the Just Plain Folks 2006 Music Awards for Best Roots Album, and Folkworks Magazine's Pick for Best Bluegrass Album of 2005 for "Blue Eyed Darlin,'" Susie's Hilonesome Band is Steve Rankin on mandolin, Rob Carlson on dobro and guitar, and the amazing Fred Sanders from The Eight Hand String Band on bass, showcasing the songwriting of lead guitarist Rob Carlson. The show features songs from the new album "Green Kentucky Blues" and award-winning "Blue Eyed Darlin'" along with mountain standards from the Jean Ritchie collection, old favorites from Iris Dement, Gillian Welch and Lucinda Williams among other great songwriters. Entertainment Weekly writes "...she can blow the roof off any joint lucky enough to book her."

Skyrocketing California folk favorites FUR DIXON AND STEVE WERNER have built a solid reputation with their sizzling two-part harmonies, spectacular yodeling, awesome guitar picking, and wise-cracking humor which all serve to compliment their incredible original traveling songs. Their two CDs, "The Pearl and the Swine" and "Travelers" are a one-two knockout punch of real-deal American Folk music, filled with songs that are classics in the making. They effortlessly bridge the rich traditions of Bluegrass, Western and good old American folk music. They have wowed 'em all over the west, headlining at such places as the Getty Center, Tucson Folk Festival, Peter Strauss Ranch Concert Series, Friends of Bodie Days, Bluegrass at the Braemar, Ojai Concert Series, Underwood Farms Bluegrass, and Folk Festival, and the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest. Larry Wines, host of radio's "Tied To the Tracks" writes, "Fur Dixon & Steve Werner create music that is essential, by all the definitions of that word: their music is 'absolutely necessary, indispensable; it 'constitutes the essence' of the genre; and it is, 'by its very nature or in the highest sense, natural, spontaneous.'

STONEHONEY began as a bunch of "songwriters in the round." It's that simple. Nothing contrived or planned, just a group of songwriters that enjoy playing and singing together. "We would meet up at Nick's house in Beachwood Canyon and play songs around the circle. With four singers we just naturally started singing harmonies and this sound, reminiscent of the country rock sound of the 70's, began to develop that we all really loved." In August of 2005 the band took their "Songs From A Hillside Living Room" live with a monthly show at the Knitting Factory in Hollywood. The line-up consisting of Shawn Davis, Phil Hurley, David Phenicie, Nick Randolph and Scotty Lund was now complete. The formation of Stonehoney generated several albums worth of new material and caught the attention of hit maker producer Ric Wake. Ric took the band into the studio to capture the magic of their live "living room" sound and cut over 40 tracks. The first record was released in 2007. Stonehoney captures that energy and sound that the early Eagles helped cement as the best of rock and roll. Their concerts are built on lots of great music with high energy fun, fun, fun!

JOHN WORT HANNAM, one of Canada's most promising new songwriters, is from the Canadian prairies in southern Alberta. John is known for his unique take on the simple day-to-day dramas of the common man through songs that map the landscapes of both the human heart and his vast country. He is a born story-teller with a keen eye for the quirky, a humble and engaging performer with lyrics that create stories behind the songs. His voice is a constant strong and emotive presence demanding attention to lyrics. John Wort Hannam received two 2007 WCMA nominations. He was named a 2007 New Folk Winner at the Kerrville Texas New Folk Songwriting Competition as part of the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival. (John joins the list of previous finalists such as John Gorka, Nanci Griffith, Eric Taylor, Lyle Lovett, and Steve Earle). John won 1st Prize for Best song at the 2007 Calgary Folk Music Festival Songwriting Competition, an award John also won in 2004 as well as the "Best Performance Award" in 2006. John has two Canadian Folk Music Award nominations for "Best Emerging Artist" and "Best Contemporary Singer", a Western Canadian Music Award nomination for "Outstanding Songwriter" and he took home a 2005 CBC Galaxie Rising Star Award at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival.

STEPHANIE BETTMAN and her band were the grand prize winners in the 2008 Southern California Live Acoustic Music Competition, regional finalists in the Mountain Stage New Song Competition, and among the winners in the 2007's Topanga Banjo / Fiddle contest. She has been recognized in several international songwriting contests, and when they played the 2007 Sedona Bluegrass Festival, buzz on the street labeled her "the new Alison Krauss." Stephanie's music is new and very catchy; an engaging mixture of bluegrass, folk, roots, and jazz with sophisticated lyrics and killer instrumentation set in a folky mountain vibe. She has an amazing voice, and when her band chimes in with those soaring harmonies, audiences have been heard to literally gasp "wow." Her illustrious band members have worked as studio musicians in Nashville, toured this country as well as others, and opened for everyone from Lone Star to Merle Haggard.

Back by popular demand!
CHUCK PYLE has won high praise from both fans and peers alike throughout an inspired performance career of over 40 years. When reviewers first gave him the "Zen Cowboy" moniker, he decided to, as he says, "Always ride the horse in the direction it's going," and took the nickname to heart, shaving his head and blending his upbeat perspective with old-fashioned horse sense. He mixes infectiously hummable melodies with straight-from-the-saddle poetry, quoting bumper stickers, proverbs, world leaders and old cowboys. An accomplished songwriter, Chuck's songs have been recorded by John Denver, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Suzy Bogguss. Country fans know him best for writing, "Cadillac Cowboy", recorded by the late Chris LeDoux, and "Jaded Lover", recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker. The Chuck Pyle Finger-Style approach to guitar has distinguished him as a true original, earning him invitations to teach at such prestigious events as The Puget Sound Guitar Workshop and The Swannanoa Gathering. His music has made him a favorite of Bill & Melinda Gates who have had him play at their home in Seattle. Since writing the theme-song for a PBS series called Spirit of Colorado, he's attained local fame, and even sings for the opening session of the Colorado State Legislature. Chuck has recently released his 10th CD. We are happy to welcome Chuck back to Russ & Julie's House Concerts -- hard to believe that it's been 7 years!

CINDY KALMENSON first apeared at Russ & Julie's House Concerts back in January 2000. Her original voice weaves deep sentiments with honesty and humor. Inspired and influenced by her favorite artists: Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, Lucinda Williams, Neil Young, Joan Baez and Emmylou Harris, to name a few, Cindy has developed a unique and heart felt sound very much her own. At age 35 with no more than a car load of stuff, Cindy moved to Nashville to concentrate solely on writing and singing. Within a year she came out with her debut CD, Let Me Out Here. The title track was featured in the HBO comedy BIG LOVE in 2006 and the title track also won first place in the 2003 International Songwriting contest. In 2002, she co-produced Witness, with grammy award winner, Jon Randal. The title track won first place at the prestigious Chris Austin songwriter's contest at MerleFest in 2002. In 2005 Cindy gave birth to her first and only child, Sara. Naturally things changed. Now almost 3 years later, she's back on the road, family in tow, celebrating the release of her 3rd independent release, I'm Not Leaving which is quite ironic since her house is currently on the market in Nashville and she's relocating to her native Southern California.

Back by popular demand!
HOUSTON JONES is a high energy roots rock style band featuring Travis Jones (popular blue-eyed Bay Area singer and guitarist, seen in many venues with bands such as Large And In The Way and who has worked closely over the years with leading Bay Area musicians), Glenn Houston (Bammie-Award winning lead guitarist who is also a co-founder of The Waybacks and Hearts On Fire), Chris Kee (a classically trained cellist with a degree in ethnomusicology, Chris is a busy Bay Area bassist, having opened for many a famous act as well as being an original member of The Waybacks), Peter Tucker (percussionist extraordinaire, who has worked with the latest, the greatest and the oldest, from The Monks to The Waybacks and everything in between), and Henry Salvia (who has played keyboards with artists such as Bo Diddley, Rickie Lee Jones, Al Kooper, Johnny Adams and many others). The "High Octane Americana" music of HOUSTON JONES recaptures the infectious energy of the early days of rock n' roll. The band features top notch original songs from ballads to rockers, energetic instrumentals, and some of the strongest vocals you've heard in years. Their music is an original blend of folk, blues, bluegrass, and gospel. What separates Houston Jones from similar bands is the high quality of the songwriting, with great hooks, melodies, and compelling lyrics. And WOW can these guys play!

This duo's music is a jaw-dropping tour de force of Latin, Classic-Rock and Showtunes designed to bring audience members to their feet. Standing ovations are the norm not the exception. A chance meeting south of the border in the Baja coastal town of La Mision, melded the talents of these two stellar musicians known for their fiery performances. Alex Depue and Miguel De Hoyos have recorded two CDs together that are sure to turn some heads. Rock-N-Roll on the fiddle and guitar featuring "Dust In The Wind" by Kansas, "Stairway To Heaven" by Led Zeppelin, and "All I Ask" from The Phantom Of The Opera to name a few. National Fiddle Champion Alex DePue began taking classical violin lessons at age five. He won his first major competition at age 10, and later (age 16) won a competition that entitled him to perform at Carnegie Hall. He has been ranked among the top 10 fiddlers in the nation at the Grand Masters Fiddling Championship. Miguel De Hoyos is one of the foremost guitarists in all of Mexico. To say that they are amazing together is quite an understatement. We guarantee one of the best shows you'll see all year! Certainly a GREAT way to start our 2010 series.