The amateur singer/songwriter enjoys the camaraderie of the other
musicians too. Davidson calls himself a bluegrass picker. He plays the
guitar, mandolin and bass and has a variety of songs in his repertoire. He
sings about Phan Thi Kim Phuc, the Vietnamese girl immortalized in a
famous photograph when her village was napalmed in the Vietnam War. He
also has a song dedicated to the plight of J & L Steel, called “Follow
the Allegheny.”
Davidson has met many good amateur singer/songwriters and many
professional ones. He’s made some terrific contacts. He says, “What’s nice
is that when I get a good musician to volunteer and come to the barn...I can
always get them to come back because they’ve enjoyed themselves.”
James Hovan, a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, enjoys performing
at the garden club barn. “It’s a great place to play original music and
try out new stuff,” Hovan says. “It’s the best way to evolve. Art lives in
improvisation.”
Hovan adds, “It’s a great place for the community to go and hear music
that they might not hear otherwise.”
Davidson says, “It never ceases to amaze me that there are so many
talented people in our area and they are willing to share [their talents].”
Sandy Sikora, a regular at the Coffeehouse Music series, looks at the
board displaying posters of upcoming events. “I have his CD,” she says as
she points to a poster of Rupert Wates and then, pointing at the poster of
Jay Hitt, she adds, “I have two of his!”
Davidson is proud of the space at the barn. “It’s got lots of tables, and
it’s a nice place for meetings, luncheons, etc. Upstairs is a stage and dance
floor – hardwood floor, wood beam ceilings, wood stage. There’s wood
everywhere. I tell the Coffeehouse folks that it’s like playing inside of a
guitar. The acoustics are great!”
Davidson recommends that you come for the music and stay for the
ambiance. “Come to the Coffeehouse events and you’ll see that the
building is loaded with history and charm. Cultural events are alive and
well in Penn Hills!”
The Coffeehouse Music series is free, but donations are accepted. Check
the PHCDC website for upcoming performances at PennHillsCDC.org.
Greg Davis on mandolin
accompanies Howard
Davidson on guitar.
Dick Sikora
and Patti
Moore serve
cupcakes,
coffee and
water.
Performers who would like information about open slots in the Coffeehouse
schedule can contact Howard Davidson at 412.798.2127. The Penn Hebron
Garden Club is located at 237 Jefferson Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15235.
Mike Buzzelli is a freelance writer, comedian and author of “Below Average
Genius,” a compilation of humor columns available at Amazon.com ■
Greg Davis (left) and Howard
Davidson perform to a
packed house on opening
night of the Coffeehouse
Music series.
Penn Hills | Summer 2014 | icmags.com 31