Duo Night

Nell Robinson & Jim Nunally  Join two well-known bluegrass musicians for some very fine singing, sweet harmonies, and hot pickin’, just back from a triumphant tour back East, finishing at the Kennedy Center in DC. Nell Robinson (Red Level, the Henriettas) has taken the local bluegrass scene by storm with her distinctive vocals and sunny stage charisma. Nell teams up this evening with world-class picker and singer, Jim Nunally (David Grisman Bluegrass Experience, John Reischman and the Jaybirds) to put a new face on some old-time music. Nell’s second album, On the Brooklyn Road, features new Nell & Jim material and has just been chosen as one of the top albums of the year by That Nashville Sound. For more information, please visit nellrobinsonmusic.com or cdbaby.com

Misner & Smith  Sam Misner and Megan Smith began their musical collaboration after working together as actors on a production of Woody Guthrie’s American Song and immediately recognized a mutual love of Americana music. Since then, the two have built a steady and loyal following. Balancing their careers as actors and musicians is no easy task, but the two have found the art of storytelling to be one of the common threads running through both forms. Crafting original songs rich in meaning and texture, the duo’s sound is centered around unique vocal harmonies and evocative lyrics, and in 2007, their song “Madeline (Paradise Cracked)” won the West Coast Songwriters Association’s Song of the Year competition. Their influences span many genres ranging from traditional and old-time music, bluegrass, folk, and rock and roll, to reggae, Motown, and the blues. Strong songwriting and an exceptional blend of voices are what set this pair apart.

Jeanie and Chuck Poling play bluegrass, honky-tonk, and more. Featuring Jeanie’s beautiful and powerful vocals and Chuck’s inexhaustible supply of stage patter, this duo’s mission is first and foremost to give the folks a show. They’ve been entertaining Bay Area audiences for over a decade as a duo and with their band – Jeanie and Chuck’s Country Roundup. In addition to performing, Jeanie and Chuck have hosted a monthly bluegrass and country music jam at the Plough and Stars since 2001. They’re active members of the California Bluegrass Association and have organized many bluegrass music events in San Francisco.