Saturday show to feature Alaska singers, songwriters

PALMER — The Palmer Arts Council has organized “An Evening of Alaska Singer Songwriters” with Emily Kathryn Barry, Melanie Hartman Trost and Shane LaBoucane at 7 p.m., Sept. 7 at Vagabond Blues in Palmer.

The three will perform their own unique styles of music in separate sets during the showcase.

Barry is classically trained on the flute and brings many years of music experience to the stage, performing for audiences on the East and West coasts.

“I achieved a ‘Grade 5’ in the English Royal College of Music exams,” she said. “I passed up an opportunity to attend Salford College of Performing Arts in Manchester, England, so that I could make the move back to the U.S., as scheduled with my family. I’ve been writing songs ever since.”

She said she began writing songs and experimenting with guitar when she was 16. At age 19, she bought her first guitar in Helena, Mont.

“Life threw me some curves and I gave up the craft for about six years,” she said. “However, I’m back now and living in Palmer. I am enjoying the local music scene here.”

She’s performed in venues from New York City to Seattle and Palmer. Barry said her biggest influences are Traci Chapman, Allison Krause, Bob Dylan and her dad, “one of the best guitarists I have ever known.”

Trost started performing in her teens, after her father bought her a guitar. She said she has performed at the Alaska State Fair, the Alaska Folk Festival, Friday Flings and the Anchorage Folk Festival.

Trost’ peers — and fans — describe hers as an “amazing yet effortless voice.”

LaBoucane’s bio says he is one of Alaska’s top guitarists and is likely better known for the years he spent performing with a couple of Alaska rock bands. About a year ago he left the rock scene to focus on acoustic guitar.

He says he learned to play guitar from a “hillbilly” in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. He wrote his first song at 16 and continues to write songs from life, he said.

Tickets to the showcase are $15 for adults, $10 for students/seniors/military and are available at Vagabond Blues, Fireside Books or online at conta.cc/19KCH1l.

For more information, call 745-7735 or contact info@thepalmerartscouncil.org.