Danny Schmidt & Carrie Elkin (headlining); Roland & Ginger Brown (opening)
A concert in tribute to all live music fans for their support, honoring Stars’ cofounder, Randy Renter (1950 – 2024). Underwritten by Denise Renter. Proceeds to Wimberley Valley arts & Cultural Alliance.
Danny Schmidt and Carrie Elkin are two acclaimed solo singer/songwriters who also happen to perform together when they can, trading songs and stories, and adding lush harmonies to each other’s songs. If the chemistry seems especially amorous, they come by it honestly, as they are a rare breed: a romantic partnership in real life, as well as a musical partnership in artistic life. And the two together on stage make for a classic case of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts.
Austin native Danny Schmidt was a Kerrville New Folk winner in 2007, and named on the Chicago Tribune's list of the "50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years.” He's best known for his riveting poetic lyrics, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt for their depth and complexity.
And gypsy spirit Carrie Elkin is best known for her incredibly soulful and dynamic vocals, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Patty Griffin at her most powerful, and Nanci Griffith at her most intimate. She has a tidal wave singing voice and a stage whisper writing voice which brings you to the edge of your seat, emotionally.
Together, Danny and Carrie's respective strengths, individually, merge into a much greater whole, a performance of great energy and spirit, and one that audiences seem to be able to connect with on a multitude of levels, at once: Emotionally, Spiritually, and Intellectually.
Roland Brown and Ginger Brown (father/daughter duo).
Roland has lived in Wimberley, Texas since 2008, Roland’s lifelong love affair with music has expanded to include years of weekly performances as bass guitarist for the late Neal Ford, for the band, Southland, and for others. In 2021, Roland joined youngest daughter, Ginger Brown, and Marty Sosby to form River Mountain Green, later adding fourth member, Mindy (Curnutt) Turner. Roland’s earlier musical endeavors included guitarist with the LA based Continental Singers in 1968, a number of bands in his hometown of Jacksonville, Texas, and then at Baylor University where he received his law degree in 1975. Roland and wife, Gayle, hosted singer-songwriters at their northeast Texas venue, Roland’s Next Door, where his band, Plain Folks, also appeared regularly for 20 plus years.
Now 74, Roland continues to practice plaintiff’s personal injury law, extend his 34 years of attendance at the iconic Kerrville Folk Festival and at other music events, perform solo and with River Mountain Green, support other musicians and efforts such as Stars Over Wimberley, spend time bicycling and kayaking, and enjoying his family.
Ginger Brown discovered a love for music early in life, learning guitar from her father, Roland Brown, and being exposed to the music of singer-songwriters who performed at his venue, Roland’s Next Door in her hometown of Jacksonville, Texas. Although Ginger enjoyed singing with friends, she was shy about performing in public. She eventually found her voice—and the courage to share it—by attending an open mic in Wimberley, Texas hosted by professional songwriter and performer, Michael James, which led to her joining with her dad and his friend, Marty Sosby, to form the Americana music group, River Mountain Green. Blending country roots with touches of other genres, Ginger’s dynamic voice brings heartfelt and raw emotion to every song she sings including her popular initial composition, “90s Country Song” which she hopes will be the first of other originals. Balancing her music with being a new mom and a legal assistant for a law firm based in Tyler and Dallas, Ginger can currently be heard performing solo as well as with River Mountain Green.
