If you weren't there, you missed a great show. Stephen Simmons rocked the house!

... and pre show, it was all about chilling on the deck,

casual conversation, and food & beverage...

Jamie (red shirt) and Katren (doing her bugle boy imitation) have a great deck for entertaining.


Suzanne and Terry are happy patrons.

Laughter and relaxation set the tone for an extraordinary intimate performance.

Craig demonstrates his dancing skills.

Rowdy D and his bride Sheri looking forward to the show.

Stephen Simmons on the rug

at Piney Woods Performances, May 6, 2006

The First Set...

Stephen Simmons hit the rug a few minutes past 8pm and immediately had the audience immersed in his songs. As a songwriter, Stephen's vision is complex. Stephen featured many songs from his new recording, Drink Ring Jesus, which tell stories of country life’s dark side and serve to remind listeners how it feels to stand at the intersection of piety and sin.

The Tennesee native also covered cuts from his previous record, Last Call, which was compared to everyone from Johnny Cash to Ryan Adams. Both records provide a front porch view of life in rural Tennessee, albeit one with a sometimes sinister perspective.

Though an accomplished musician, writer, and performer, Stephen displayed an approachable, down to earth stoke about him, leaving the PWP audience with the feeling there was nothing else Stephen would rather be doing than playing for them.

The worst seat in the house at Piney Woods Performances is quite likely closer than you've ever sat for a performance before. Cozy and music-centered, Stephen seemed to enjoy the rapt attention to his songs. The audience definitely enjoyed an evening of great music without background clatter - you can hear complete silence between verses and chord changes.

Tabitha, the house cat, strolled on rug for a cameo appearance at Stephen's feet.

If you're a music fan, you would have loved this show.

For information on upcoming events, email pineywoods@myway.com and ask to be added to our mailing list. The next show is 7/8/06 and features Susan Gibson.

To contact Stephen Simmons, click on the photo above to be redirected to his web site.

Stephen Simmons - the second set.

A bit more carefree, Stephen let it hang out a bit. Stephen gave the audience a real treat by playing a few songs from his forthcoming album.

Throughout the show, Stephen's between song patter included insights into the facts behind the songs -- inspirations, his thoughts during writings, as well as interesting side notes to the characters and events within the songs added even more depth to the already exceptional stories. These are the kinds of things you won't get on the radio, at a bar or at a large concert hall. The intimacy of house concerts afford performers the opportunity to open up and share.

Stephen's rendition of "Out on the Weekend" would have made Neil proud.
Hailing from Tennessee, PWP was pleased to offer Stephen a bit of Texas Hospitality in the was of a sampler bucket of ice cold beers featuring Shiner, St. Arnold, and of course, Lone Star.

After the show Stephen hung out for a while and visited. Here he and Katren look at the photos on the game room wall of fame, featuring photos of past PWP performers as well as some other artists the hosts have been lucky enough to get photographed with.

Thanks again to everyone that came to the show and of course a special thanks to Stephen Simmons.

Keep checking us out, cause the PWP summer house concert series is just getting started, with plenty of great shows coming up.