Local songwriters in concert

Sat, May 17 2008

— BY RUTH RICE
RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM
The music of local songwriters will become more familiar after their talent is celebrated in the first of two concerts.
“Celebrate the Song” will be presented by three members of Song Works at 7:30 tonight at Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center, 411 Third Ave. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
Singers for tonight’s concert are Ann Bourine, Rachel Allen and Sam Coco.
A second concert with different songwriters will be held at 7:30 p.m. April 25.
Song Works is a community of regional songwriters dedicated to developing their craft within a supportive environment and increasing public awareness of and appreciation for original music.
This will be Coco’s first concert as a member of Song Works.
“This is my second year in Song Works,” said Coco, who serves as director of the Johnstown Symphony Chorus.
“We play new music at meetings, while others listen and give positive comments. Most of the time, it’s very good.”
For tonight’s concert, each performer will do a set of his or her own original songs.
Everyone will play guitar, and there will be background vocals and percussion.
“Ann and I will do background vocals on some of Rachel’s numbers,” Coco said.
Coco plans to do six songs of his own, four beat songs and two about events that put the area in the news.
He said his songwriting style is influenced by Jimmy Buffett.
“All my music is based on storytelling; there are no hidden meanings,” Coco said.
He currently plays with Hard Rok, KoKo and Joe, a cover band with two guitars and percussion; Take 2, more cover music with Jack Duvall; and Guitars Around, four guitarists playing in different styles.
Bourine’s music has a folksy pop-rock sound.
The 10 original songs on her debut release, “Restless Journey,” deal with the themes of greed, love, longing, nature and admiration.
Bourine’s biggest musical influences have been Bob Dylan and Suzanne Vega.
Allen is a well-known singer, songwriter and percussionist in the area.
While she performs traditional, multicultural and contemporary folk music, Allen will focus on her original material for tonight’s performance.
The original lyrics on her CD, “Almost There,” explore relationships to people, place, time and spirituality.
Allen has performed professionally at concerts, clubs, coffeehouses, universities and festivals throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

Original music
What: Concert presented by Song Works.
When: 7:30 tonight.
Where: Bottle Works Ethnic Arts Center, 411 Third Ave., Cambria City section of Johnstown.
Admission: $3 for individual, $5 for couple.
Information: 536-5399.