Raheem Nelson Photo.
The following citizen contribution came to the Arts Paper through artist, illustrator and graphic recorder Raheem Nelson, Marketing Director at the Milford Arts Council.
Canyon lifted her guitar, and began to strum as she sang into the mic. “Sitting on the front porch on a summer afternoon/In a straight back chair on two legs, leaned against the wall,” she crooned, and it was easy to get swept up in the lyrics. From the stage, an orange glow fell over her, bathing her in warm light. Line by line, Dolly Parton’s “My Tennessee Mountain Home” filled the room, wrapping the audience in its sound.
Just weeks after Parton proclaimed that “I ain’t dead yet!”—laying to rest fears of her demise—the Milford Arts Council (MAC) hosted its third iteration of “Tip Of The Hat,” a collaboration with CT Folk, Bigger Beast Records, and All Boats Rise Entertainment paying homage to singer-songwriters who have changed the course of sonic history.
Last Thursday night, it was Connecticut-based artists Canyon, Bryan Titus, Liz Ashkins and Stephen Peter Rodgers at the mic, all performing original music, covers, and music inspired by Parton. Other concerts have included the music of Ray Charles and Pearl Jam; a concert fêting Joan Baez was postponed earlier this year and has yet to be rescheduled.
I work at the MAC and I’m still impressed by how the music reverberates throughout the space. You can literally feel it in your body. As each of the artists shared the stage, Parton’s huge and joyful spirit filled the room, showing in real time why she has become an icon within and also well beyond the country music canon.
“The night was as a great reminder how music brings people together, how The MAC gives us something to do in the middle of the week, a great way to enjoy your night with friends or family or solo when you’re just wanting to unwind and enjoy the human spirit,” said DJ Sonja Denyse, the founder of Manifest Beauty Entertainment.
Throughout the night, Denyse buzzed around the room, conducting short short video interviews with ticket holders between songs. “The Tip of the Hat series really does give us an opportunity to connect with the musicians and hear their art as well as sing-along to songs that we love,” she said.
Canyon, who has performed at the MAC for a “Locals Only” series curated an co-produced by fellow musician Frank Critelli, agreed. When she wasn’t performing herself, she was mesmerized by the other artists in the room, soaking in the music of one of her role models as each artist put their own spin on it.
“It was such a powerful night!” she said. “I loved sharing the backstories of Dolly’s songs and reflecting on her strength and resilience as an artist. Also, I thought it was really special how each songwriter put their own spin on her songs and brought them to life in a different way.”
And indeed, it was akin to a campfire story time, just at the Milford Train Station. Between songs the artists shared stories about their music and just how they were inspired by Parton and her unapologetic authenticity.
With 11 Grammy awards, an induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and now a little show at the Milford Train Station, it’s clear Dolly isn’t going anywhere.