Sunday afternoon
November 12, 2023
3:00pm
The Quitters trio consists of a right-side up finger picker (Stevie Coyle), an upside-down flat picker (Glenn “Houston” Pomianek), and an upright bassist (Chris Kee). They were the three original members of The Waybacks quintet, and Chris Kee and Glenn Houston were the long-time bassist and lead guitarist for Houston Jones.
The Quitters deliver a memorable performance spiced with humor and serendipity.
Glenn Houston's guitarist influences range from Michael Bloomfield to Doc Watson, as shows in his mastery of both the acoustic and electric guitar. Glenn has been voted Best Guitarist by the Northern California Bluegrass Society and has shared billing with Emmylou Harris, Merle Haggard, Earl Scruggs, Doc and Merle Watson, Willie Nelson and countless other famous artists. He co-founded the Waybacks in 1999 with Stevie Coyle and Chojo Jacques, and was co-founder of the powerhouse Americana band, Houston Jones.
Stevie Coyle was inspired to take up finger-picking guitar by the first Hot Tuna album. After degrees in Theatre and Theology, he hit the road with The Royal Lichtenstein Circus, doing comedy, magic, wire-walking, sword-swallowing, and juggling. Since then he has released a solo CD and opened his own high-end acoustic guitar shop, Mighty Fine Guitars, in Lafayette, CA. In addition to his stellar musical career, Stevie also claims fame as an actor and comedian, including appearances on Cheers and The Comedy Store.
Chris Kee is a classically trained cellist who studied ethnomusicology at Yale. Much in demand as a hired gun, he has performed with Buddy Miller (including appearances with Buddy, Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, and Shawn Colvin), Jim Lauderdale, Norah Jones, Jim Campilongo, the late lamented Ralph Carney, and crypto- Klezmer sorceress Michelle Alany, among many others.
— About the original Quitters duo —
To quote the Strawberry Music Festival:
“Stevie Coyle and Glenn Houston make up the dynamic guitar duo, The Quitters. Having each quit some of the best bands in the business, both are late founding members of The Waybacks and each have performed at Strawberry in other configurations. Stevie Coyle has a long and illustrious career as an entertainer that began well before birth and Glenn Houston's well decorated history in music is best known to berry heads for his founding role of powerhouse Americana quintet, Houston Jones. As individuals, both are renowned players in music circles. Now they have joined forces, to the delight of California audiences, to become a right-handed, right-side up fingerpicking and left-handed upside down flatpicking twosome. Mostly acoustic. Some electric. Much serendipity.”
Click this link for their website: www.quittersduo.com
Reservations are required. Your entire contribution goes to the artist. This performance will be held indoors, and space is limited. You may arrive at 2:30pm, music starts at 3:00pm. Call 530/492-5424 or email info@AuburnHouseConcerts.org for reservations and directions.
What the People Say
Stevie Coyle:
Our recent House Concert with the incomparable Stevie Coyle ranks among the best shows we’ve had. Stevie’s great song writing and amazing guitar playing were complemented by his humor, charm and exceptional rapport with the audience. He’s a dynamite performer and a true professional who left everyone raving about the show. It was truly a wonderful evening and we can’t wait to bring him back.—Russ & Julie, Oak Park, CA
I recently had the great pleasure of hosting a house concert where Stevie Coyle performed for us. His finger-picking and singing was fabulous, as were the songs he played, mostly originals with some well-chosen covers. On top of being a top-rate guitarist and singer, he is also an outstanding entertainer. He brings a lot of humor to his show, through funny songs, stories, and general chatter with the audience. He really connected with our group, and everyone had a wonderful time. I highly recommend you host his show. You, and everyone there, will be very glad you did.—Bo Russell, Casa Bowl House Concerts, Orlando, FL
Glenn "Houston" Pomianek:
The most amazing guitar player I've seen. Wonderful lead guitar work. An awesome player... great flat-picking... incredible.—Dave Stafford, KKUP-FM
(With) long, liquid licks...there is nothing pretentious in Pomianek's manner -- his playing just seems to energize the rhythms and instigate a vollying conversation throughout the band.—Cheryl Koehler, The Castro Valley Forum