Chaney’s Dairy Barn is giving music a good go these days with a series of singer-songwriter nights. They have two Saturday night events under their belt already, and now they have started hosting one that will take place on the fourth Tuesday of the month. The Saturday events are a little more formal with two or three performers playing in the round. The Tuesday events are being billed as singer-songwriter open mic events, and as such feature six or seven performers who get up on their own and play two or three songs. But it’s not totally informal. The performers are booked and scheduled in advance, so you don’t have to worry about seeing a glorified karaoke night. And judging by the level of talent at this first one, you will be pleasantly surprised at the quality of the performers. And as with the Saturday night events, the evening is hosted by Dan Modlin, and it’s a family-friendly show.

This evening featured Collin Hancock, Johnny Thompson, Lonesome Liz, Tracy Owens, Baily Rose, Donna Boyd, Steven Baker and special guest Kara Clark from Nashville. Modlin played a few songs to open the evening and then introduced the lineup. Hancock was up next with a spirited set, followed by a smooth, bluesy performance by Owens (some really nice acoustic guitar and singing here). Though I had to leave at this point the word was that the rest of the evening was very well received. And by the miracle of YouTube I can tell you, even though I wasn’t there, Clark’s “I Don’t Drink Anymore” went off quite nicely.

The Amplifier’s own Franne J is doing the bookings for these Tuesday shows and said that next month’s show is almost fully booked. Since it’s so early I can’t mention who yet but there are several local favorites who want to be there. If you’re a local musician who would like to participate (did I mention that these are always charity events?) Franne is the person to contact. On this night all donations went to the WHAS Crusade for Children (for special needs kids). So what are you doing on February 24th? Going to Chaney’s I hope. Bring friends, eat, have ice cream, enjoy the music. It’s all good.

Photo captions Top to Bottom:

• Collin Hancock, a WKU Film major from Scottsville and half of the original duo Canoe on Farm Out! Records performs original material at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11.
• Tracy Owens, a musician, songwriter & visual artist who has been active in the scene since the 90’s in groups like the Chromatic Gypsies & St. Phoenix, performs original material at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11.
• Bailey Rose, a WKU senior Ag major performers her original country songs in public for the first time at at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11.
• Donna Boyd, lead singer for Life on Mars, appears solo for the first time performing original material at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11.
• Kara Clark, a country storyteller with rock attitude and Nashville recording artist sponsored by TN Motorsports performs original material at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11.
• Lonesome Liz, an outlaw americana singer/songwriter, vocal, banjo & guitar instructor and actress & director performs original material at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11.
• Johnny Thompson, owner of Farm Out! Records and Scottsville Conservatory as well as past leader of the Park Avenue Dregs and Envy Estate, performs original material at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11.
• Steven Baker, a musician, songwriter and visual artist, leader of Dementia Cookie Box and proprietor of Dozing Lady Records performs original material at Chaney’s Dairy Barn’s Songwriters’ Night. Photo by Kim Mason 1/25/11
• Host Dan Modlin gathers the songwriters to say goodnight.