August 17, 2012, 7:30 p.m. Gwendolyn Countryman and the Dusty Road premier "My Grandma's Songs" at the What Cheer Opera House

Gwendolyn Countryman and the Dusty Road will present a concert on Friday, August 17, 2012 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the What Cheer Opera House, main street, What Cheer, Iowa. Musician-songwriter Gwendolyn (Coppersmith) Countryman, a What Cheer native, is joined by John Lake on lead guitar, Marty Letz on pedal steel guitar, Al Murphy on fiddle and Aleta Porcella on stand-up bass.  These four talented musicians, all members of other regional bands, have joined Gwendolyn for the What Cheer Opera House premier of “My Grandma’s Songs.” Ms. Countryman wrote and recorded “My Grandma’s Songs” as a tribute to her grandmother, Minnie Burdock who lived in and near What Cheer for 103 years.  Original art by regional artist Nancy Purington will also be on display. Countryman and Purington have collaborated over a year to turn the lyrics of “My Grandma’s Songs” into a 32-page illustrated book for children.  Enjoy an hour of music from the heartland – including country swing, folk, bluegrass and gospel -- and view original art inspired by rural Iowa, in this special musical tribute to Minnie Burdock.  There is no admission charge; a freewill collection will be made.

Uptown Bills Coffee Shop, August 04, 2012, 7:00 -9:00 p.m.

Gwendolyn Countryman and Marty Letz perform, Saturday, August 04, from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. at Uptown Bills's Coffee Shop, 7:30 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City, Iowa.  Join us in this sweet summer venue -- cool, quaint, and child friendly -- for an evening of  original music featuring Gwendolyn on acoustic guitar and vocals and Marty on pedal steel.   

"My Grandma's Songs," is now a children's picture book.

After a year of collaboration with Nancy Purington, a talented regional artist, I am thrilled to introduce "My Grandma's Songs," a 32-page children's picture book illustrating the lyrics of the song.  I hope you will stop by Sunday, July 15th at the Iowa Artisan's Gallery, downtown Iowa City, at 2:00 p.m. when Nancy and I will preview the book and discuss the collaborative process.

I'll introduce the project by singing "My Grandma's Songs.  I am thrilled to be joined by Al Murphy on fiddle, and Scott Cochran on lead guitar and vocal harmonies.  Read more about the event and collaborative process at this link:

http://www.dailyiowan.com/2012/07/12/Arts/29050.html