Spoonful Presents a Radio Boise Fundraiser Concert
Hillfolk Noir
Jonny Kunk

Hillfolk Noir

Built on more than 15 years of tradition, today’s Hillfolk takes their acoustic guitar, double bass, and “anything you can find at a hardware store” sound and integrates driving drums and an electrified sound, kicking down limitations to create a vibe that goes beyond their Americana “junkerdash” roots. Want to call it bluegrass’s trouble-making cousin? Fine by us. A bit of string-band blues? Sure ‘nuff. A concoction of electrified rockin’ soulful folksy witchcraft mayhem? Now you’re talking, mama. The indelible through-line is rooted in the band’s song craftsmanship. From mountains of frontman Travis Ward’s ragged, spiral-bound notebooks comes the hard and tender. They can blow the roof off the place or draw you around the fire with their earnest musical narratives of the back alleys, the open range, and the front porch. They paint with sound the earnest stories about the lives of lovers, law-breakers, and the lion-hearted. Heroes and outcasts alike. Hailing from Boise, Idaho, the always young-at-heart Hillfolk Noir has been carving their own musical path for 15 years. Grab a cup of juice and ease on down to enjoy these newfound Hillfolk vibes. “If John Steinbeck owned a speakeasy,” said John Doe (X, the Knitters), “Hillfolk Noir would be the house band.”

Jonny Kunk

Johnny Kunk is a raw performance of psychedelic blues rock done with finger-pick style in an explosive manner! From the solo to full band experience, Johnny and crew curate a show with juke house, trance rhythms, and garage built tone to satisfy the soul. His right hand man, Sam Gates helps raise the music to an unforgettable dancing good time when the two combine drums and guitar in a hill-country duo style. Their music is inspired by a life of cheap thrills and two wheels!”

Bill Coffey & Curtis Stigers

Bill Coffey and Curtis Stigers met in downtown Boise nearly 20 years ago while waiting to pick up their kids from school, and they’ve been good friends ever since. They began playing music together soon thereafter at the Xtreme Holiday Xtravaganza in support of Interfaith Sanctuary Homeless Shelter, and at school fundraising house concerts. On occasion, they add guitarist Shaky Dave Manion, bassist and multi-instrumentalist Bernie Reilly, and drummer Casey Miller to the mix, and they often perform these house concerts while standing in front of the swimming pools of wealthy donors.

Thus: The Electric Poolboys!

Bill Coffey is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player who seamlessly melds the heartfelt storytelling of country with the raw emotion and energy of classic soul. His rich vocals and evocative lyrics are set against instrumentation firmly rooted in the traditions of American music, while his unique musical identity and stellar lineup of Boise-based musicians, affectionately known as His Cash Money Cousins, defy prevailing boundaries between genres. Born in Santa Monica, Bill Coffey spent his formative years playing psychedelic-tinged roots rock in southern and central California before eventually relocating to Idaho. As a solo artist and frontman for various bands, Bill has performed throughout the West and opened shows for a diverse list of artists from country legends Dwight Yoakam and George Jones to rock goddess Pat Benetar. Bill’s music has been featured in independent films, television, and on National Public Radio.

Singer/Songwriter/Saxophonist Curtis Stigers grew up in Boise studying music in the Boise Schools and under the mentorship of legendary jazz pianist Gene Harris. Stigers moved to NYC at age 21 where he signed his first record contract and released the first of 14 albums, his eponymously-titled 1991 debut on Arista Records, which sold over 1.5 million copies. Subsequently he contributed a track to the 45 million-selling soundtrack album “The Bodyguard” and co-wrote and sang the theme song to the TV show “The Sons Of Anarchy”. He’s made cameo appearances in the Seth McFarlane movies “Ted” and “Ted 2”, he’s written songs with Carole King, Barry Mann and Danny Kortchmar, and he’s performed in concert with Elton John, Bonnie Raitt, Al Green, Eric Clapton, Branford Marsalis, Gerry Mulligan, Michael Brecker, Spinal Tap, and many more.

Buddy Devore & the Faded Cowboys

After spending 17 years as a professional cowboy throughout the western states, Buddy began to focus more seriously on his music about 15 years ago, and began playing professionally. In 2017, he brought together several other talented musicians from Southwest Idaho to form Buddy DeVore and the Faded Cowboys. With their energetic brand of Western Honky Tonk music, the band plays extensively at venues and festivals throughout the Mountain Northwest. The Faded Cowboys consist of Buddy DeVore – lead vocal and guitar, Bernie Reilly – upright bass, guitar and vocals, Louis McFarland – drums, Rob Matson – guitar and vocals, and Sam Rothwell – steel guitar. Their shows feature the best of classic traditional Country Music, as well as original material written by Buddy. The band released their first album, “Beautiful Day” in November, 2019, and just released their 2nd studio album “To Save A Miserable Hide” in September 2024.

Tater Patch

Comprised of seasoned local pickers, Tater Patch delivers a unique sound combining the melodic drive of old-time music with the harmony vocal traditions of bluegrass. Featuring Dave Manion (dobro/guitar), Beth Mason (upright bass), Tate Mason (banjo), and a double fiddle attack from Justin Moore and Adam Straubinger, the band brings a raucous and frenetic energy to every performance.

Eilen Jewell

Twenty years of touring. Twenty years on the road. “My own weariness amazes me,” as Bob Dylan sings to his Tambourine Man. I feel ya, Bob. But the depth of my gratitude amazes me too. I’m humbled by the countless gifts of fanship and friendship throughout the past two decades. I would say it’s been a dream, except I never could have dreamt up most of it. I’ve shared stages and drinks in hotel rooms with my heroes, met children named after me, made friendships rooted in music from Auckland to the Arctic Circle, performed on trains, on boats, for Wall Street men in tuxes and for the muddy denizens of a musk ox farm… Not bad for a lonely rambler girl from Idaho. It was always a nebulous gut feeling that got the show on the road, and so it is now but in reverse. A gut feeling is telling me to get off the road, at least for now. After 2026, touring and I will part ways for a year, maybe two, maybe fifty…it’s hard to say at this point. I do hope to keep performing in some capacity. Maybe come see me of a weeknight in some Boise dive, playing for potatoes? Or strumming the guitar for a handful of fellow meditators as we contemplate the Dharma and the temporary nature of all things. I need some time for a new exploration, to try to be the kind of mother I want to be, and to stop moving long enough “to let my soul catch up with me,” as my grandma Jeanne used to say. Who knows what will come of that? Maybe on some jingle-jangle morning I’ll come following the next great dream, rested and ready to go anywhere. But until then, suffice it to say…thank you. Thank you, thank you to everyone who carried me forward all this way and in all your different ways. With love, gratitude, and solidarity in music always, –Eilen