Hot days call for a COLD beverage. (Just ask my boy!)

Which is why I poured myself a ‘Black’nTan’, One Village style!

One Village … Woodrow (the MASTER roaster!!) and friends… THANK YOU for those glorious beans!

For those of you who choose not to provide your own cold beverages,

Main St Java has got it going on.  Trust me.

(Clarification: no alcoholic beverages were consumed during this photo shoot. A COFFEE b’n't … it’s in focus, isn’t it?)

I’ve been shooting quite a bit of live music lately, but have yet to make it out to Steel City Coffee House

Eric Lee Burkert. I’d had the opportunity to hear him at the Celebrate Souderton event a few weeks earlier.

He told me about his upcoming album, and the party he was going to throw to celebrate.

I knew I wanted to be there.

But even with this anticipation, I had no idea what was I was in store for.

The musicians that gathered and shared their gifts to help Eric release his debut album were first class. Every one of them.

The atmosphere in the place was electric.

Friends. Family. Fans.

What a night.

So – here’s a few of my favorites. Sorry to say, it really is only a snapshot of just how special this show was.

Eric – well done.

Here’s a little something extra for your listening AND viewing pleasure…the music is ‘Overboard Interlude’ from Eric’s album.

In a way of saying ‘thanks’ to a friend,

Nathan Allebach and Eric Sirianni gathered some musicians to host an evening of live music,

raising support for Steel City Coffee House.

Among others, Boog, Brian Medlin, and the Dave Spencer Trio brought some fantastic music to that small stage.

From Boog To Brian Medlin…

…and then the eclectic Dave Spencer Trio…

Great music! And all of these are regularly seen and heard at Steel City.

If you’ve never been there, check out their schedule.

A coffeeshop with a focus on excellent music. How can you go wrong?

An idea birthed out of the shared vision of Scott Hackman and Jared Byas, of the Open Hand Initiative,

joining hands with the promotional teamwork of Nathan Allebach and Eric Sirianni.

The vision: to help local communities become places of belonging, using generosity and collaboration.

The event: a night of free music. Both sides of Main St were rocking!

This event was an excellent opportunity to open the doors of some local establishments,

celebrating local talent while strengthening their community.

Between the Montgomery Theater and Main St Java, it was hard to decide which side of Main St to hang out on!

Souderton hasn’t had this much fun in a long time, and there’s only more to come!

First up: Brian Medlin

He brought up a buddy, who just happens to be a new friend of mine .. Nathan Allebach, you rocked that tambourine!!

It’s possible you’ve driven PAST this theater countless times, but step INSIDE and you realize Souderton is FULL of hidden gems. Great place!!

Acoustic + harmonica = instant winner in my book!

Next to hit the stage was Among Trees, with an acoustic guitar, banjo, and mandolin…

Slide across the street to catch a few tunes from Brothers of Nevada – reminded me a lot of Mumford & Sons

Back to the theater to hear Diomara Keane.

Then Elisha Kane took the stage with yet another great instrument combination: guitar and violin! SWEET!!

And then there was the beard…

Last to hit the stage was Eric Lee Burkert, starting off on a ukelele, then switching to an acoustic guitar, but all along

playing an old suitcase with his foot for some bass-drum percussion. Very creative, and very effective!!

Eric is on the eve of releasing his first CD, and he’s throwing a CD-release party April 1 at Steel City Coffeehouse.

Put it on your calendar – and we’ll see you there!

All the music was fantastic, and WELL WORTH YOUR TIME!! Lots of links there: click and give them a listen – maybe you’ll find your next favorite.

And if you’re lucky enough to consider Souderton ‘local’, find the Open Hand Initiative on facebook.

There’s some more great stuff coming down the pike – including a huge block party at the end of April!

Today, he stopped by and hooked me up with my ‘fresh new look’.

A little while back, we spent some time in Doylestown getting him some photos to work with for his album ‘Heart Condition’ – hot off the presses, and definitely worthy of a listen!

As for the photos, here’s a few of my favorites. But you need to see what he did with them – his album looks SWEET!

Check him out. Call him unknown (or underknown) – but not for long! Call him up-and-coming. Call him to play at your next backyard gathering.

Email him for some great creative graphic work (viewpointgraphics@gmail.com)

Thanks, Seth, for all your help!

Now, on to the eye candy…