If you go
› What: Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse concerts.› When: 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6 (John Lathim & Michelle Young) and Saturday, Jan. 7 (Jeff Black).› Where: Christ Unity Church, 105 McBrien Road.› Admission: $10 donation (pass the hat).› Phone: 423-892-4960.› Website: www.christunity.org.
Jeff BlackCharles & Myrtle's Coffeehouse will kick off the new year with a double dose of music: Friday night, Jan. 6, with local favorites John Lathim & Michelle Young and Saturday, Jan. 7, with traveling troubadour Jeff Black.
Lathim and Young often perform as a duo, showcasing their talents on guitar, mandolin and vocal harmonies. Their most recent release together is "Tree House."
Lathim is known for a European-American folk sound, blending Scottish, Irish and mountain music influences into his original compositions. His songs weave stories of farmers, vagabonds and minstrels from days gone by, as well as modern issues of working-class culture.
Young's career has ranged from electric rock to jazz-blues to country folk. She has toured throughout Europe and performed with artists including Rudi Buttas, members of Jethro Tull, Asia, Toto and Kansas. Her career as a solo artist is deeply rooted in prog-rock from her days with Glass Hammer in the early 1990s.
Black is considered a master songwriter and performer in the tradition of great storytellers. Listeners of Boston's WUMB voted him one of the Top 100 Most Important Folk Artists of the Last 25 Years, and NPR recognized him as a musical pioneer in the digital age.
Though mostly flying below the radar of stardom, Black is responsible for an acclaimed repertoire of songs cut by artists as diverse as Alison Krauss & Union Station, Waylon Jennings, BlackHawk, Dierks Bentley, Jon Randall, John Oates, Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush. His works have earned Grammy recognition, chart-topping status and numerous BMI awards. He also has compiled numerous credits on indie film soundtracks.
"Folklore," his 10th and most recent release (2014), was recorded over a two-day period in Nashville, with Black interpreting the collection of modern folk and acoustic classics armed with a guitar, harmonica and banjo.
Jedd Beaudoin of PopMatters has described Black's songs as "damn near perfectly crafted and filled with the wisdom of the ages."
Save the date
Charles & Myrtle’s Coffeehouse hosts local and touring folk musicians every Saturday night (and some Fridays). Here’s the lineup for the rest of the month.› Jan. 14: Mountain Creek House Fire› Jan. 21: Ed Snodderly› Jan. 28: The Band J4