Rolly Brown and Mark Cosgrove have been friends and musical cohorts for over 30 years, and have collaborated on many concert performances. We are delighted to have the two of them perform individually and together for tonight’s concert.
A lifelong student of the guitar, Rolly Brown has been a National Fingerpicking Champion, a Philadelphia Music Award nominee, a solo performer, teacher, and sideman for many once well-known artists. Over 54 years, folk, blues, ragtime, bluegrass, country, & jazz have each been his passions. Acoustic Guitar Magazine says, “an exceptionally melodic, articulate playing style that takes full advantage of the acoustic guitar’s beautiful tone.” Wise sage Bennett Hammond says, “He’s the real deal, the gen-you-wine article, the guitar picker’s guitar picker.” Blues master Andy Cohen (who IS prone to hyperbole) told Rolly, “Dammit, you are the best that ever was. You may quote me.” Rolly has acquired an international reputation as a master guitar teacher and performer, with numerous recordings, and instructional DVDs.
Mark Cosgrove‘s distinctive, creative flatpicking guitar sound is known and respected on both sides of the Atlantic, through both his own recordings and as a sideman and session player for Jerry Douglas and others. Although he grew up in a Manhattan apartment surrounded by classical records, his original musical ambition was to become a drummer. Immersed in bluegrass and fiddle tunes from an early age, he has continued to make acoustic music his life’s work and pleasure.
Mark Cosgrove has won the U.S. National Flatpicking Guitar Championship in Winfield, Kansas and also the Doc Watson Guitar Championship in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. His flatpick guitar work is notable not only for power, precision, and tone, but for his fluid high speed improvisation. Mark is equally proficient in any number of musical styles and as an accompanist, can back a singer or soloist with taste and sensitivity.
The Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse is a ministry of the Perkasie Mennonite Church. The coffeehouse is warm and cozy, with lots of atmosphere. It is a place where people can enjoy fellowship and see some of the best performers available up close and personal, in an intimate setting. Perkasie Patchwork Coffeehouse is located in the church fellowship hall, which is air conditioned and handicap accessible.
Admission: $12 for adults; $10 for adults 65 and over; students 13 and up, $6; 12 and under free. All ticket sales at door, no advance sales, no reservations. Delicious desserts and drinks are available. The doors open at 7:00 and performances begin at 7:30.
A portion of our proceeds from each concert will go to a local or international social cause. The benefit for November and December 2018 and February 2019 concerts is Mennonite Central Committee‘s work with immigration. You can also drop off donations of non-perishable food at Patchwork for Pennridge FISH (Fellowship In Serving Humanity), our local non-profit food pantry and clothing outlet here in Perkasie at all our concerts.
November concert flyer.