February 1, 2005 > The Niles Edison Theater welcomes songwriter Johnsmith

A wonderful songwriter and troubadour - Johnsmith comes to the Edison Theater all the way from Wisconsin for a special "Sandlot Concert & Picture Show." You'll hear short concerts by John and a few songs by host Michael McNevin too, spliced between Silent Films of the Charlie Chaplin and Bronco Billy variety.

Johnsmith was born in Dewitt, Iowa, where he shared his small town mid-western life (and house) with his two parents and nine brothers and sisters. The experience of growing up in such a large family nurtured within him a keen awareness of the value of community and at the same time, the absolute necessity of solitude. "Everybody would go out to play sometimes and I would go sit in the rocking chair and just make up songs and sing them," said Johnsmith. What he didn't know then is that those days would be the beginning of a lifelong journey.

For the past 20 years Johsmith has been sharing his music with audiences across the U.S. and abroad. Driving 50,000 miles to play over 150 dates each year, he has become a favorite at coffee houses, colleges and house concerts alike. In addition to being a past winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk award, Johnsmith has released four CDs to rave reviews from trade publications such as Dirty Linen, Performing Songwriter, and Sing Out! magazines. He also served as a staff songwriter for the WrenSong Music Group in Nashville.

Sandlot Concert & Picture Show
Thursday, Feb 17
7:30 p.m. $10
Edison Theater
37395 Niles Blvd., Fremont
(510) 794-9935
www.michaelmcevin.com or www.nilesfilmmuseum.org