2023 Guests of Honor
Ivo Dominguez Jr
Mama Gina
Brian Henke
IPMA Best Male Artist winner both in 2019 and again in 2020, Brian Henke composes and performs his music like a painter putting images on canvas, a kind of sonic shaman, drawing his inspiration from the world around him.
His unique guitar style has been called everything from Folk to New Age to Neo-Classical to Pastoral or as Brian likes to call it “a big stewpot of everything, stirred up, simmered and served to taste.”
Brian has just released his latest vocal CD "To the Faire"....2 more albums are written and partially recorded.
He has also released seven instrumental solo guitar and harp guitar albums, two celebrated compilation albums, One group CD, and three previous vocal albums and....is working on a musical play with writer and playwright Byron Ballard.
Throughout all of his music is an undercurrent of spirituality and mysticism that Brian says is very much a part of the creative process. Because of this he has received radio air play all over the world on shows as varied as WKSU’s “Folk Alley” and John Dilberto’s “Echoes.” A winner of many acoustic and electric guitar awards, he has also been a finalist in the prestigious National Fingerstyle Contest in Winfield, Kansas, the National Guitarmageddon regional finals in Boston and in New Age Reporters Top 10 for 2006 and 2010.
“Brian’s fretwork is masterful, elaborate and he makes every note count…His compositions are harmonious, sometimes complicated, but always engaging…Brian Henke’s music is organic, mesmerizing and best of all magic.” – RJ Lannon - New Age Reporter
Dance with the Fireflies, the album, is fae-magickal throughout its 12 tracks, and it’s easy to discern Henke’s most prominent spell-casting tool: his stunning virtuosity on acoustic guitar, harp guitar, and his Gibson Les Paul.
Henke is an awe-inspiring picker whose genre is known as “fingerstyle guitar,” and he’s in the same league with such giants as Alex de Grassi, Will Ackerman, Leo Kottke, and those guys. - Rick De Yampert - Wild Hunt
Mariah Dawn Shepherd & the Covert Dragon
Hailing from Southwestern Indiana, these two eclectic singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists, pioneers of their own proclaimed “sparkle folk rock”, bring a colorful moving blend of earth-friendly original music intent on harmonizing consciousness one note, in 432hz, at a time. With a rich background in steady touring throughout the North American continent in the last several years, many have come to enjoy both Mariah’s and the Covert Dragon’s friendly, fun and easy-going presence. As a rainbow of infinitely musical bliss, they playfully work from their five current album releases for the listening enjoyment and enrichment of their audiences. Refreshing as a crisp mountain stream, each performance is entirely novel unto itself and a one of a kind experience.
Mariah Dawn Shepherd & the Covert Dragon debuted this phase of their touring career at Earth House’s 2017 Midsummer Gather. We’re more-than-pleased to welcome them back for this, their third appearance with us.
Mariah’s distinctive voice has been compared to Joni Mitchell, her poetic songwriting similar to Donovan as well as Simon and Garfunkel, and sparkling guitar playing at times to Led Zeppelin topping it off with a charming and energetic stage presence.
Randy Widick’s (the Covert Dragon) dynamic and counterpoint guitar playing styles have been said to rival Jim Croce and John Renbourn, his bonny vocals and harmonies similar to Crosby, Stills, & Nash, and his quirky outgoing persona to joyfully enlighten the dank shadows. Ultimately, Mariah Dawn Shepherd & the Covert Dragon have their own thriving unique musical style and presence unlike any other. They will bring their definitive hits along with newfangled songs to their show at the 2020 Earth House Midsummer Gather!
Explore the awesomeness of their sparkly, folksy presentation on Bandcamp, Facebook, YouTube and their own Website!
Johnny Dissent
Johnny Dissent wrote one good song six years ago and hasn't shut up about it since.
Dissent [Dih-sent] - to differ in sentiment or opinion, especially from the majority; withhold assent; disagree.
Peggy McDowell
My name is Peggy McDowell and I live in the small town of Tomahawk in the northwoods of Wisconsin. It's kind of primitive here. Except for electricity and the internet things don't change much. Most of the men hunt. Most of the women do crafts. Our family lives in one of Tomahawk's original buildings - behind the storefront - just like in the good old days.
We call our storefront Jester Studio. Jesters have a deep history of being those special characters that were allowed to tell the truth without being beheaded. I try to tell the truth in my artwork, with just enough humor to get away with it.
As a mother of two, a budget-bolsterer, goulash-maker, and laundry lady, life can get damned humorous sometimes. So I make portraits of domestic divas in their elements. I celebrate donuts and chocolate. I illustrate books and helped design a tarot deck..."Breaking the Rules Tarot." I feel the spirit in plants and dust bunnies. Yes, I did go to art school. I have a BFA from Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. But I believe they ought to give degrees for being a wife and mother. It's a lot harder. Oh, and I am a "guest of honor" because I did this year's logo.
