John Elliott

Justin Farren, Wes Collins and John Elliot met at the Kerrville Folk Festival, an iconic, three-week long music festival in which song craft is celebrated and shared. Many Kerrville performances are in Nashville’s famous “in-the-round” style: a group of songwriters in a circle taking turns telling stories and singing their own original songs. We invite you to enjoy this intimate show format, with three talented wordsmiths, storytellers, and performers. Biographies: Justin Farren Sacramento native, 2016 Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk winner. Justin approaches songwriting with intense focus. The end result is a multi-dimensional creation that is enchanting and also seems effortless. Rich Warren of Folk Stage Chicago said about Justin, "He is an incredibly original artist with a lot of verve and energy and a terrific guitarist. He will absolutely charm you with the strange humor and cleverness of his lyrics." John Elliot Born and raised in Minnesota and now living in California, his music has been featured on NPR, in PASTE Magazine, on Neil Young's "Living With War” website, and in various other publications, both digital and actual. John Elliot is "thoughtful, insightful, funny, edgy, unique, intelligent, kind, authentic. John is the real deal troubadour and poet that every lover of great songwriting seeks. A writer who has something to add to the conversation and questions of modern society's issues as well as one who speaks to timeless emotional journeys all humans can relate to." ~ Ford Goodman Wes Collins By day a mild-mannered librarian, 2015 Kerrville Grassy Hill New Folk winner Wes Collins calls his music “guitar driven folk-pop with teeth.” North Carolina Arts Council said about Wes, “His skill with the guitar makes the most of his imaginative arrangements and nuanced control of cadence and phrasing, underscoring the subtlety and bite of his lyrics.” Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door general admission; and $10 advance, $13 at the door for students with ID. Advance tickets are available at the link below, or you may purchase your tickets at the door the night of the show. Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash only at the door (ATMs are nearby). The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own adult beverage with no additional corkage fee. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-654-3808. Thank you for your support!