Lombard’s Maple Street Concerts welcomes Carrie Elkin & Danny Schmidt with Wild Ponies Nov. 16
Maple Street Concerts welcomes back as a co-bill, Nashville-based musical duos and close friends, folk/singer-songwriters and Americana/country-roots performers Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt with Wild Ponies
The concert takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16, at the historic Maple Street Chapel, 200 S. Main St. in Lombard. Tickets are $20.
Carrie Elkin and Danny Schmidt
CARRIE ELKIN & DANNY SCHMIDT — Nashville-based (formerly from Austin, Texas), these two outstanding songwriters are a rare breed with both a real-life romantic and artistic-musical partnership. Gypsy spirit Elkin is best known for her incredibly soulful and dynamic vocals, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Patty Griffin at her most powerful, and Nanci Griffith at her most intimate. And Schmidt, named to the Chicago Tribune’s list of the “50 Most Significant Songwriters in the Last 50 Years,” is best known for his riveting poetic lyrics, which have drawn favorable comparisons to Leonard Cohen and Townes Van Zandt for their depth and complexity.
Together, their respective strengths merge into a much greater whole, a performance of great energy and spirit, and one that audiences seem to be able to connect with at once: emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. Schmidt last played solo at Maple Street in October 2017. The duo played together in May 2013. Learn more about the duo at carrieelkin.com or www.dannyschmidt.com.
“Getting to play Maple Street Concerts as part of the 40th anniversary season is a thrill and an honor for us. It’s an honor because Maple Street has the gravity of being one of the country’s great institutions for singer/songwriter music, and playing in that chapel, you can feel that you’re a part of a larger heritage,” stated Danny Schmidt. “And it’s a thrill because Doug & Telisha (of Wild Ponies) are like family to me and Carrie, and getting to share the stage together will have the levity and joy of a family talent show.”
Based in Nashville but rooted in their Southwest Virginia origins, Doug and Telisha Williams have dedicated the last 20 years to building their musical careers as Wild Ponies. Partners in love and music, they deliver a dynamic blend of country, roots, folk, and Americana. Whether performing with just Doug’s acoustic guitar and Telisha’s upright bass or rocking out with a full band, Wild Ponies creates an inclusive and engaging experience.
Over the last decade, they have also built the life they’ve always dreamed of. Their sixth album, “Dreamers,” (August 2024 on No Evil Records), is the result of all their living, loving, and dreaming. Produced by singer-songwriter Brandy Zdan and featuring several notable collaborations, “Dreamers” is Wild Ponies’ most ambitious record yet. Its 11 songs explore life beyond the traditional nuclear family and detail the joys and challenges of their experiences as a queer, polyamorous family navigating fertility treatments and becoming foster parents in Tennessee. These dreams have manifested songs in musical gallops and emotional wallops. Wild Ponies last performed as Doug & Telisha Williams at Maple Street in May 2012. Learn more at www.wildponies.net.
“We are honored to have both duos back in celebration of our 40th anniversary season. We can’t wait,” said concert booker Melissa Dagenhart.
Advance tickets are $21.25 online (with processing fee) and pre-sales end at noon on the day of show. Door sales are cash or check only, pending availability. All sales are final-no refunds or exchanges. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at www.maplestreetconcerts.org