Steve Forbert, Stacey Earle, Mark Stuart June 3, 2004

"Tradition bearers and pure originals"

Former Mississippi truck driver Steve Forbert was playing Americana music before there was any such thing, blending rock, folk, country, and southern r&b in a poetic and personal synthesis. Live and solo he's a magical presence, drawing an audience deeply into his highly original and observant songs without ever raising the volume above conversation level. He'll be bringing music from his new album, Just Like There's Nothin' To It. Stacey Earle is a sister but no clone of Steve Earle, with a distinctive songwriting voice and an alternative country style that often brings in a terrific, spare brand of swing and ragtime. She performs with her husband Mark Stuart, who will do double duty by also playing guitar with Steve Forbert. This evening brings to The Ark a trio of musicians who are at once tradition bearers and pure originals.