Nathan Brown and Beth Wood combine their talents ‘When Music and Poetry Meet’ on the Winter Wind stage Sunday, March 9.  Tickets are $10 for the concert, which begins at 7:00 pm in the Norman Depot, 200 South Jones Avenue.  Advance ticket purchase is recommended. 

Wood and Brown met and joined forces at the creative vortex of Blue Rock Artist Ranch and Studio in Wimberley, Texas, introduced by the owners, Billy and Dodee Crockett. On the whim of another good friend, Jim Chastain, they created a show that seamlessly weaves together Beth’s music and Nathan’s poetry into a concert unlike any you’re likely to experience. After a four city mini-tour in Oklahoma last year that received rave reviews, they have gone on to perform in Austin, Dallas, and soon, Houston.

Nathan Brown worked as a professional songwriter and musician for more than fifteen years in and around Oklahoma City, Nashville, and Austin, working with artists like Cynthia Clawson, Billy Crockett, and Tom Wopat.  He has recorded five of his own albums. The two most recent are "Why in the Road" and "Driftin' Away.”

Brown now travels widely, offering poetry readings in an effort to “bring back the hint of a smile and the hope for a good story in poems... poems unafraid of making sense... poems that carry us to better places.” 

A Norman resident, Brown holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. in English and Journalism from the University of Oklahoma where he currently teaches for the Human Relations and Liberal Studies departments.  His first collection of poetry, Hobson’s Choice, was published in 2002, followed by Ashes over the Southwest and Suffer the Little Voices.  His most recent book, Not Exactly Job, is a finalist for the 2007 Oklahoma Book Award.

Beth Wood grew up in Lubbock, TX, where she was classically trained in piano, violin, harp and voice.  After two years studying voice and piano in North Carolina, she transferred to The University of Texas where she picked up a degree in literature and her first guitar.  While teaching herself guitar, she joined a band and became part of the Austin music scene.

After a return to North Carolina, where she became a standout in the Ashville songwriters’ community, Beth is now an established singer/songwriter living in Arlington, TX.  She tours continuously to promote her seven independent releases, the most recent of which are Marigolds (2005) and Beachcombers Daughter (2007.)

"I feel blessed to have the opportunity to make music for a living!” Beth says.  “I want to continue making music I believe in, and to continue spreading the word about independent music. For me this journey is not just about the music - it's about the connections we make through music and recognizing the importance of art throughout our lives."

Wood won the 2006 Sisters Folk Festival Songwriting Contest, the 2005 Kerrville New Folk Contest, The Wildflower Festival Songwriters Contest, and took second place at the 2005 Rocky Mountain Folk Festival Songwriters Contest.

“When you combine a poetic, word-driven singer songwriter like Beth with a very lyrical poet like Nathan, who has a background in music, a certain synergy springs forth, and the two art forms--music and poetry--land in a new, very magical place.” says Jim Chastain, who was instrumental in bring the duo together.  This will be a very special performance.

For additional concert information, or to purchase tickets, contact The Performing Arts Studio at 405-307-9320.  PAS office hours in the Depot are Tuesday through Friday from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm, and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00.  Tickets can also be purchased on-line by clicking on the "Buy Now" button above.  For additional information on Beth Wood visit www.bethwoodmusic.com.  For more on Nathan Brown, go to www.brownlines.com.

The Performing Arts Studio Winter Wind Concerts are made possible in part by grants from: The Norman Arts Council; Norman Chamber of Commerce Arts Grants; Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.  Sponsors include Tom McAuliffe: Don Cies Real Estate; Mark and Teresa Marsee, Avante Skin Care; and Nancy McClellan.  Contributors include Skye Diers: Gingerbread Kindergarten and Nursery School, and Friends Becky Grider and Danna Primm.