The Columbus Arts Council hosts Seattle singer/songwriter Ian McFeron and fiddler Alisa Milner in concert Wednesday, May 16, in the Omnova Theater of the Rosenzweig Arts Center in downtown Columbus.
McFeron, whose lyrical prose has been compared to Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams and David Gray, weaves together a variety of roots/Americana traditions to create his unique form of roots-oriented music. His “I’ll Come Knockin'” can be heard frequently on Sirus XM’s Coffee House station.
McFeron, then a recent college grad, got his start in the Seattle music scene after his self-produced debut album “Don’t Look Back” (2003) was discovered by AAA format 103.7 FM “The Mountain” in Seattle.
His poetic lyrics and tightly-composed songs inspired the media giant to put the album’s lead-off single, “Love Me Twice,” into rotation. Listeners responded, and within months, McFeron would share the spotlight with international and national artists such as Patty Griffin, Nanci Griffith, Shawn Mullins, Brandi Carlile, Sister Hazel, Amos Lee, Hayes Carll and Missy Higgins.
Those early successes in Seattle launched McFeron into a full-time recording and touring career. Continuing to operate as a fully independent artist and self-functioning record label, he went on to release five more albums in rapid succession, delving into a variety of musical traditions such as blues, folk, pop, gospel, alt-country and jazz.
Currently, McFeron is on tour in support of his sixth album, “Summer Nights,” recorded in Nashville, Tenn., with musicians drawn from Ryan Adams’ and Patty Griffin’s touring bands, including Doug Lancio, Brad Pemberton, Billy Mercer, Micah Hulscher and McFeron’s longtime musical partner, Alisa Milner.
From the beginning, McFeron dedicated himself to building audiences the old-fashioned way — on the road. Traveling from city to city, state to state, nation to nation, he performs an average of 200 shows a year throughout the U.S. and Europe. In Columbus, McFeron will be joined by Milner, a Texas-style fiddler, cellist and harmony vocalist.
How to go
Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. Light refreshments and set-ups will be available.
For tickets or more information, contact the CAC at 662-328-2787 (ARTS) or visit columbus-arts.org.
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