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Two Way Street Coffee House Presents Jon Shain and FJ Ventre
October 7, 2022 @ 7:30 pm
Two Way Street Coffee House is returning to LIVE SHOWS at the venue!! Join us once again in this magical space for live acoustic music. The show starts at 8pm (CDT) and the doors open at 7:30pm. (Suggested donation $10). We will also host this concert virtually. You may access the livestream on www.twowaystreet.org, on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel.
On Friday, October 7, 2022, Two Way Street Coffee House Friday Night Concert Series presents Jon Shain and FJ Ventre.
Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who’s been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work, and his evolved musical style – combining improvised piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing, and ragtime. He is the 2019 winner of the International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category. Shain’s most recent solo disc, Gettin’ Handy with the Blues: A Tribute to the Legacy of WC Handy, was released in 2018 and is soon to come out as a music book published by Mel Bay. Shain’s latest releases recorded along with long-time collaborator FJ Ventre are the gorgeous roots album, Tomorrow Will Be Yesterday Soon (2019) and Never Found Way to Tame the Blues (2021).
FJ Ventre and Jon began playing music together in 1982 when they met in high school. FJ went on to University of Massachusetts-Lowell, earning a B.A. in Music Performance and Sound Recording. He remained in the Boston area, performing in the city’s vibrant music scene. Since relocating to Chapel Hill, NC in 2000, Ventre has performed with his own group The Swang Brothers, as well as Chris Stamey, Rebecca and the Hi-Tones, and Matt Hill. In addition to performing as a sought-after sideman, he spends his time behind the mixing board, engineering at his own Good Luck Studio and operating his graphic design firm Tadpole Designs.
Since their last album release, Jon Shain and FJ Ventre have stayed very busy, even through the pandemic. In 2019, Shain won the International Blues Challenge in the solo/duo category, which opened many doors for touring and teaching for the duo. They also found time to produce a bunch of new music for other artists at Good Luck Studio in Chapel Hill, NC, including Donna Herula’s new album which recently rose to #1 in the Roots Radio blues chart.
Never Found a Way to Tame the Blues represents an homage to the blues influences that shaped the duo’s musical sensibilities while addressing issues both social and personal.
If you can’t join us in person, you can still tune in virtually to catch the show! Make your donation HERE to Jon and FJ. Visit www.twowaystreet.org for more information.