John Ford and Joe Smothers at Fogartyville

Fogartyville welcomes back singer-songwriters John Ford and Joe Smothers for a double bill of blues goodness!

John Ford

It’s pre-war blues, old-school country, Southern gospel, and the history behind the music. John Ford assimilates the blues of the 1920’s and 30’s, the blues of Robert Johnson and Son House, a bit of 1940's country and a pinch of gospel rhythm, and comes up with his own brand of the roots experience.

Ford has been writing since his early teens, growing up in New Richmond, Ohio a small river town 20 miles east of Cincinnati. “Whether it be songs I’ve written or an old song from the 1930’s, I play what I fall in love with".

Joe Smothers

Joe Smothers was born & raised in the middle of the North Carolina Piedmont. At the age of thirteen, Joe got his first guitar his mother bought him from a local pawn shop. Joe teethed on the greats from the Carolinas like Reverend Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller, Blind Willie McTell, Etta Baker, Loudon Wainwright Ill, James Taylor & Ben E King.

Joe happened on a tv show which featured this blind musician named Doc Watson. Joe was mesmerized! Little did he know he was to ultimately join Doc, his son Merle and others to form the band Frosty Morn who recorded over a dozen albums and toured Internationally.

In the early 80s, Joe joined Jack Lawrence as Smothers & Lawrence touring across the USA fronting artists including John Prine, Leo Kottke & Emmylou Harris. Joe & Jack collaborated on one self-titled album which was recently remastered and rereleased.

About the venue:

The Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center is a special gathering place for those who truly appreciate music and community. Nothing draws people together like a shared musical experience, and the listening room atmosphere at Fogartyville enables people to fully appreciate that experience.