Fisher and Byrd Top Valentine's Day
Bill at the Live Oak Coffeehouse

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Jeff Dorsch, Concert Publicity: 925-7874
Concert Line: 219-9008
Coffeehouse Web Site: www.liveoakuu.org/coffee/

FEBRUARY 2003 (Austin, Texas) - In a benefit for Heifer International, a
Little Rock, Arkansas-based organization that helps small-scale farmers
around the world with livestock cultivation, the Live Oak Coffeehouse Concert
Series this month presents acclaimed folk musicians Steve Fisher and Jamie
Byrd. An Austin group, the Undercurrents, will open the show. The performance
is at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 14, at the Live Oak Unitarian
Universalist Church in Northwest Austin.

Admission is $10 or a season pass at the door. Gourmet coffee and pastries
will be served, and are included in the price of admission.

As always, the concert will be smoke-free and alcohol-free, putting the
emphasis on the music and the musicians. Three-quarters of the gate goes to
the performers, and one-quarter to the selected charity. Since the
coffeehouse is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, all of the money
from admissions paid at the door and season passes goes to the performers and
the charity.

In the 1930s, a civil war raged in Spain. Dan West, a Midwestern farmer and
Church of the Brethren youth worker, ladled out cups of milk to hungry
children on both sides of the conflict. It struck him that what these
families needed was "not a cup, but a cow." He asked his friends back home to
donate heifers, a young cow that has not borne a calf, so hungry families
could feed themselves. In return, they could help another family become
self-reliant by passing on to them one of their gift animal's female calves.
The idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief
caught on and has continued for more than 50 years. As a result, families in
115 countries have enjoyed better health, more income and the joy of helping
others. Heifer animals (and training in their care) offer hungry families
around the world a way to feed themselves and become self-reliant. Children
receive nutritious milk or eggs; families earn income for school, health care
and better housing; communities go beyond meeting immediate needs to
fulfilling dreams. Farmers learn sustainable, environmentally sound
agricultural techniques. For more on Heifer International, see their Web site
at www.heifer.org.

"Steve Fisher comes from a long line of folk artists, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy
Clark, Nanci Griffith and Bill Staines, who know a good tune when they write
one, and better yet, know how to perform their tunes effortlessly and
sincerely." So wrote Dirty Linen magazine, the bible of the folk music scene.
In California, Jamie Byrd is a regularly featured performer at the High
Sierra Music Festival, the Napa Valley Folk Festival, the Arcata Festival,
Freight and Salvage, The Great American Music Hall, and at numerous other
venues and radio shows across the state. Nationally, she has been a featured
performer at major clubs and festivals such as the Kerrville Folk Festival,
the Cottonwood Festival and the Wildflower Festival. Jamie has also opened to
sell-out crowds for artists such as Philo's Cheryl Wheeler, and others. In
addition to her own performances, her vocal harmonies have graced the live
performances and recordings of such artists as Sylvia Tyson (of Ian & Sylvia
fame), Michael McNevin, Cosy Sheridan, David Maloney, Tom Payne, Rob Laurens,
Megan McLaughlin and many others. Jamie was also contracted to record a movie
soundtrack demo for Steven Spielberg, for "The Bridges of Madison County."
Steve and Jamie collaborate on "The Looking Glass" CD, and each also has a
number of solo recordings to offer.

The Undercurrents perform an eclectic mix of originals. Janet and Rebecca
love everything from jazz, blues, and folk/rock to Celtic, gospel, bluegrass,
and country. While their songs are mostly folk/rock, their music reflects
this diversity of styles and the sweet blend of vocals adds to their stories
of longing, love, and many other emotions. Singer-guitarist Janet writes
powerful music from the heart. Her soulful voice ranges from gutsy lows to
ethereal highs. Singer Rebecca's skillful songs combine her love of folk,
rock, and country. Rebecca is quite simply an exquisite singer. Her songs are
both witty and haunting and are laced with irreverence. Al is brilliant on
acoustic guitar and mandolin. His subtle style fused with his love of jazz
standards gives his playing beauty and depth. On bass guitar, Ben keeps it
all moving in the right direction.

The Live Oak Coffeehouse has set dates and performers for our Spring 2003
season, which opens our sixth year of presenting monthly coffeehouse
performances. Season passes are on sale at $32 for four shows, or $8 per
show. For more information on season passes, call 331-8956. The schedule is
as follows.

MARCH 7: The Kennedys; Edge City to open
APRIL 11: Anni Clark and Beth Williams
MAY 9: Billy Jonas and Eric Schwartz

Doors open at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 14, at the Live Oak Unitarian
Universalist Church, located at 12310 Ranch Road 620 North. For driving
directions, visit the church's Web site at www.liveoakuu.org or call 219-9008.


THE LIVE OAK COFFEEHOUSE - GREAT MUSIC FOR GOOD CAUSES.
NOW IN OUR SIXTH YEAR.