It’s never too early to start planning for the summer. At least, not for Steve and Kay Ellis, who have opened ticket sales for the 2024 Barn Concert Series.
Between May and October, the couple will be hosting six concerts featuring Americana singer-songwriters in “The Barn,” a pavilion turned concert venue next to their Mac Davis Road home.
“Every single one of these people that we’re bringing, I’ve seen live in concert,” Steve said. “I think everybody who comes is really going to enjoy seeing them.”
Steve said this year, the series will kick off with the return of the Nashville-based genre bending folk band TopHouse to the city on May 2, along with opener Bre Kennedy. Steve previously invited TopHouse to play at the Omnova Theater above the Rosenzweig Arts Center last year, to a very warm reception.
Joseph Larson, singer, banjo and guitar player for TopHouse, said the group is excited to return to the city to kick off the series, and to bring new songs that they are releasing this year to The Barn’s stage.
“Last year, it was just kind of an out of the blue invitation from Steve (Ellis) to come and play, so we didn’t know exactly what to expect,” Larson said. “But it was so much fun. And he’s obviously built such a cool community of music lovers. So we’re excited to come back and see everyone and get to repeat everything.”
While TopHouse has played in Columbus before, Steve said other featured singer-songwriters this season are making their first appearances in the city. These artists come from “far and wide.” The regular series line-up includes:
■ TopHouse with opener Bre Kennedy on May 2
■ Max Gomez with opener Hayley Reardon on May 23
■ Gabe Lee with opener Holley Rumbarger on June 22
■ Tim Easton with opener Erin Erinder on September 12
■ Katie Boeck with opener J.M. Stevens on October 10
“Basically, all of ours are singer-songwriter type shows, if you like those,” Steve said. “It’s not saying that they’re all acoustic, because they’re not. A lot of these folks will bring electric guitars with them and such, but it’s primarily based on the songwriter.”
At all five of the regular season shows, Steve said, a free dinner will be provided, along with a donation bucket on the table to raise money for different local charities. Last year, the series raised about $11,000 for five charities.
This year’s charities have not yet been selected, but will be released about a month before the season starts, Steve said.
Along with the regular shows with their donation buckets, Steve said the Barn Concert Series also hosts a sixth incentive show that is exclusive to season ticket holders and series sponsors. This year, the incentive show features Anse Rigby and Codetta South playing on August 22.
Since Steve and Kay Ellis started the Barn Concert series about four years ago, New Hope resident Kaye Truitt has been a fan and season ticket holder. She called the atmosphere, “casual and laid back,” while featuring unique live music.
“It’s been wonderful to gather and enjoy the arts and music, but it’s also been great to see community events that also support community needs,” Truitt said.
Drummer Bryan Owings is based out of Nashville, but grew up in Columbus. He has traveled back to his hometown several times to play with other musicians, including in the Barn Concert Series. He called the environment “welcoming.”
“It’s great,” Owings said. “People come out with the intention of hearing some good music and supporting people who are playing original music. It’s a good thing, and it’s important … to keep that fire burning.”
For more information about the series, visit Barn Concert Series Facebook Page. Or, for tickets, go to barnconcertseries.com. Tickets to individual shows in the series cost $30, while season tickets for all six shows cost $150.
Steve said two other concerts, featuring Mac McAnally and the Jeremy Pinnell Band, are taking place in March and April before the series starts. Information on those shows is also available on the Barn Concert Series website.
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