Wonderful night of music Saturday at the Pearl

April 2, 2017

Alex Ashley Americana artist Alex Ashley of Bellingham, Washington, will take the stage at the Pearl Theater for an evening of original roots music and storytelling at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 8. Northwest folk icon Bradford Loomis will join him in a show being opened by Bonners Ferry's own singer-songwriter Karly Leonardo. “Masterfully weaving the old with the new, Alex Ashley brings fresh eyes and an old soul to the gritty realities of life and love lost,” said Dillon Honcoop, with the Cascade Radio Group. “With an unorthodox approach, Ashley delivers heartfelt vocals and wields his well-worn six-string to stir fresh reflection on the human condition in a way only honest American music can. And that’s what he makes -- real music of the tortured and fiercely independent West, rooted firmly in the musical traditions of country and rock and roll.” Ashley is a rare, triple-threat singer, songwriter and instrumentalist who creates an electrifying amalgam of insightful lyrics, profound storytelling, sultry, smoky vocals and razor-sharp guitar playing that brings his songs to life with nostalgic effervescence. He has been compared to “a young Vince Gill,” with elements of blues reminiscent of Eric Clapton and John Mayer. Bradford Loomis "These days, music tries really hard to tell you how authentic it is," said Ashley. "What I want is to hear how authentic it is. Stops in a tour like the Pearl Theater give songwriters and storytellers like Bradford and I a chance to share something special with an audience we know is there to really listen and come away with something they didn't have when they walked in the door." Bradford Loomis marries grit and melody to dig to the roots of American folklore and speak of the raw reality of the human condition with passion. His stories span several lifetimes of relatable emotions; bitterness and loss, deep longing and regret, enduring hope and love, elation and joy. Upon learning recently that his father was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s disease, Bradford started laying the ground work for this new project. Bravery and the Bell, just released March 24, about legacy, both the lineage we are born into and that which we pass on. Tickets to what is sure to be an exceptional show are $12 advance at Mountain Mike's, Bonners Books, online at www.thepearltheater.org or by calling the Pearl at (208) 610-2846 or $15 at the door. Doors at the Pearl Cafe open at 6 p.m. The Pearl Theater is a non-profit organization, dedicated to fostering the performing arts throughout Boundary County. For more information or for membership, please call (208)610-2846 or email info@thepearltheater.org.