Melanie Hersch & Kenny Edwards (wrap-up)

By Greg Pool
Host, TreeHouseConcerts.org

Here's a wrap-up of the visit by Melanie Hersch and Kenny Edwards to the Tree House (pictures and after-show interview):

* We first contacted Melanie because Brian Joseph mentioned her in his after-show interview in October 2005. Melanie sings backing vocals on on Brian's albums, and after listening to the first minute of "Be More Right," the first track off her album, Waiting For The Moment, and we knew she'd be great in a house concert.

* The bonus came when Melanie asked her friend, Kenny Edwards, to come along. She originally asked Brian, but evidently he was a little slow getting back to her. Imagine if all three came!

* Kenny's first band was the Stone Ponies, which included Linda Ronstandt. Later he was in the band Bryndle, which included Karla Bonoff.

* Kenny's actually playing with Karla Bonoff next weekend at the Sunset Theater in Carmel. Then he's off to tour the US with Karla. he sings backing vocals and plays guitar in the band, but not lead guitar. That's Nina Gerber's job. Remember Nina, from last October?

* Kenny says he usually opens for Karla in those shows. The Carmel show, however, features Livingston Taylor as the opener. Yah, that's James' younger brother.

* Melanie's day job is being a teacher, high school it sounded like. Some of her students even know of her MySpace page.

* This was the first show our daughter Sonoma didn't even make it for the first set. She usually falls asleep during that set or right after the break. This time she fell asleep on Juliet's shoulder in front of everyone. So well-behaved. She did enjoy the soundcheck and all the instruments in the front room.

* A few songs in, Melanie made us all laugh with the Ugly Dress song, about a bad bridesmaid dress she had to wear. In the audience, however, was the mother of the bride! Fortunately, she knew the story and appreciated that Melanie got a song out of it. The mom is also the newest fan of Tree House Concerts!

* The encore was "Troubled Mind" by Catie Curtis, who Kenny had just played with. Catie had come through the area last November with her sideman, Mark Erelli, who was our second house concert.