AMERICA’S SOUL with Jon Chandler A live concert series from the Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor produced by Jess Stainbrook and Jon Chandler the third Tuesday of Each Month, 7:30 P.M. Kit Simon’s Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor in Arvada, Colorado is one of the country’s premier acoustic musical instrument shops. Its 19thcentury brick walls are decked with high end guitars, mandolins, dobros, banjos and just about anything else with strings. What better place to host a monthly gathering of the Rocky Mountain region’s best singer/songwriters? On the third Tuesday of each month, the shop fills up with an audience that’s come to expect the best in Colorado music. For two hours, singer/songwriter/author Jon Chandler welcomes two guests to the stage for America’s Soul, a round-robin, Austin City Limits-type acoustic concert showcasing regional and national singer-songwriters. String wizard Ernie Martinez, fiddler extraordinaire Johnny Neill, and bass player/audio producer Butch Hause (who collectively play with Chandler as Jon Chandler & the Wichitones) are on hand, as well. As an added bonus, the shows are videotaped by Pacific East Creative Services, with the resulting episodes of the folksy concert series aired regularly on the station. Simon approached Chandler with the concept of starting a songwriter’s showcase in early 2004, with the first edition taking place in March 2004. The idea was to let a small audience interact with performers they would normally see on larger stages. “I perform at a lot of festivals, and the highlights are always after the main shows when writers and players get together in private rooms or hotel lobbies to jam,” says Chandler. “We’ve captured that spirit in this series.” Chandler invited singer/songwriters Chris Daniels and Timothy P. Irvin to join him for the first show. The intimate atmosphere and close proximity between the performers and the audience were immediate selling points. The audience loved the shows, the singers loved the shows, and the venue grew. In 2005, Jess Stainbrook, Creative Director for Pacific East, approached Chandler and Simon with the idea of videotaping each of the shows and broadcasting them locally in the Denver metro area. The multi-camera shoots are being edited into an 18-episode series titled America’s Soul with Jon Chandler. According to Stainbrook, “We caught one of the shows, and realized immediately it was a video project waiting to happen. There’s a real need, in my mind, for quality music programming on the local level. Jon and his guests provide wonderful shows, and we’ve succeeded in capturing that spirit. We named the series America’s Soul after one of Jon’s songs, and it fits like a glove, particularly since the Pickin’ Parlor is such a great place for Americana-style visuals as well as music.” In addition to Jon and the Wichitones, a “who’s who” of the Rocky Mountain region’s Americana singer/songwriters have performed, or are slated to perform, on America’s Soul. They include: Chris Daniels – Leader of the Denver-based, internationally popular Chris Daniels & the Kings. Timothy P. Irvin – Fronts the legendary Timothy P. & Rural Route III; lead singer for Flash Cadillac. Acoustic Eidolon – Joe Scott (guitars) and Hannah Alkire (cello), internationally acclaimed new age/celtic duo. Jim Ratts – Renowned songwriter; member of the Wild Jimbos; fronts Runaway Express. Mary Huckins – Nationally recognized songbird, fronts Dakota Blonde. Milton Carroll – One of the original Austin-area Cosmic Cowboys with Jerry Jeff Walker, et al. John Magnie – Incredibly soulful founding member of the Subdudes. Rebecca Folsom – A genuine chanteusse, one of Colorado’s most popular singers. Richard Dean – Exceptional writer; stints with Michael Murphy, Lix Deluxe, Patsy DeCline. Bill Barwick – The Voice of the West; the cowboy singer’s cowboy singer. Patty Clayton – A true troubador who travels the West singing lovely songs of love and redemption. Jim Salestrom – Nationally and internationally known acoustic artist, carrying on John Denver’s tradition. Celeste Krenz – Stunning songwriter and singer, now based in Nashville. Chuck Pyle – The Zen Cowboy, known throughout the world for his intelligent songwriting. CONTACTS: Jess Stainbrook - Creative Director/Producer - Pacific East 303-961-3477   pacificeast@comcast.net Jon Chandler 10621 Clay Court Westminster, Colorado 80234 (303)469-6229   jonchandler@comcast.net The Olde Town Pickin’ Parlor/Kit Simon 7515 Grandview Avenue Arvada, Colorado 80002 (303)421-2304  unclekit@picknparlor.com