SUNDAY, MARCH 1ST, SHEPHERDSTOWN WV

Two Young Artists Bring a Hush to those Gathered and Cast a Spell over All

Sitting around the campfire, amid a song circle of musicians after a wonderful day of music at Pops Walker's Shenandoah River Song Fest this past fall, two young artists spontaneously sang together.....bringing a hush to those gathered in the dark and casting a spell over all.  The combination of their voices was mesmerizing, and even though it was the first time this had happened, they were “right on” with every little aspect.  The artists?  Kipyn Martin and Chuck E. Costa.

"Wow, that was awesome," said one guest, and others chimed in.  Then Pops said, "That was the BEST DARN THING I've heard all day!" 

So, of course, concert producer Cheryl Mansley and co-producer Thomas Elliott, both of whom were among the lucky ones sitting around the campfire, asked the two artists if they’d like to do a show together.  And, they jumped at the chance, excited about the opportunity to explore the unexpected magic they had just created.

Kipyn Martin, a Jefferson County WV native, recently graduated with a music degree from Shepherd University.  But, even though her years at Shepherd were occupied by studies, she continued to write and perform her own songs. 

Martin is a favorite of Mansley’s.  Years ago, when Martin was a high school student, Mansley happened to see her in a production of Godspell.  In the middle of the play, Martin sat on the edge of the stage, played her guitar and sang.  Mansley was struck by her, and once the production was over, began her search to find out who that student was.  She did, and she invited Martin to open for some RiverHouse shows.  In doing so, Martin met acoustic blues artist, Pops Walker.  Since then, she and Pops have shared many a stage, and she and Mansley have continued to do shows together. 

“Kipyn has grown into an amazing artist,” says Mansley.  “She has great musical intuition and is spellbinding on stage.  Her senior composition recital at Shepherd University was astounding.  She’s composed everything from orchestral pieces such as "Essay for Wind Ensemble" and "Song Cycle," which is based on the poetry of Denise Levertov to a capella pieces such as "Variations on a Hymn Song," which she was commissioned to write for the Antietam Women's ensemble and which is based on a Catholic hymn song, Tibetan Buddhist chant and African and Indian drumming concepts!

Chuck E. Costa's candid and instinctive delivery of literate and well-crafted contemporary folk tunes has steadily raised his profile on the national music scene and reeled in one award after the other.  Since earning his degree in philosophy, Costa has released 3 independent albums. 

The third, Where the Songs Come From, debuted just last year, with the opening track being selected for a compilation released by Hear Music in every Starbucks in North America. The album appeared on the Billboard charts within its first week of release.

With his dulcet voice and emotive lyrics, Costa is a singer/songwriter with a unique and honest voice that makes one listen.  He’s shared the stage with such diverse nationally touring acts as, Rosanne Cash, The Weepies, Pete Seeger, Peter Case, Dar Williams, Josh Ritter and Andrew Bird.

Sunday, March 1, 2009, Chuck E. Costa and Kipyn Martin will be in concert at the Blue Moon Sundays Concert Series.  The Blue Moon Sundays Concert Series takes place at The Blue Moon Cafe located on North Princess Street at the corner of Princess and High in Shepherdstown WV.  Doors open at 5:30pm; show begins at 7:00pm. Admission for this show is $12/person at the door. Food and drinks are available for purchase at all Blue Moon Sundays concerts.  For reservations call the Blue Moon Cafe at 304-876-1920. 

For more information, contact Cheryl Mansley at 304-702-0554 or riverhousemusic@....  Or, visit the Blue Moon website at www.bluemoonshepherdstown.com.