On the night before President-Elect Obama becomes President Obama, those of you in the Washington area may be looking for an Inauguration Eve party.  If you love acoustic Americana music served with a healthy dose of major musical chops and sly humor, let me recommend Peter Ostroushko at the Monday night Institute of Musical Traditions concert on January 19th.   You’ll laugh, be amazed at the musicianship, and avoid those huge crowds at the big public parties with their high drink prices.

I’ve heard Peter play on several occasions and met him when we shared a house one evening during the Oak Grove Folk Music Festival with our friends Margaret and Oakley.   Those of you who attended the National Preservation Conference in St. Paul in 2007 will remember his beautiful musical turn at the opening plenary.  As the former musical director for Prairie Home Companion, he can play any kind of music – and does. 

And best of all, Ostroushko has a sly sense of humor.  Check out his version of the parody Benny’s From Heaven in the clip below.  Enjoy and have a smile.

More to come…

DJB