Barb & Tom Webber
New News
The perrenials are blooming profusely in the small back yard. Inspiration. Barb has accepted the challenge to consciously write songs for Tom. Usually she falls in love with the tunes and then has a hard time handing them over to his voice. Keep Walking is taking shape nicely. June 2010
Archive News
We have had great fun so far this May. Barb presented 4 new songs at the Portage Road Songwriter's Guild 7th Annual New Song Concert. Several of them got a nod of approval from the college son on furlough. That feels good. The first CD release concert on May 15th was just as energetic as the night we recorded Fair Webber By Request. We thank Gary Kitchin and Peg Kasun for joining us once again. If you missed the 15th, we will run the concert again on May 22nd at the Steaming Cup in Waukesha with Peg Kasun. May 2010
Tom has been encouraging Barb to share the stories behind the songs. To a large degree, she has resisted, believing that the songs are best when they stir awake thoughts or memories within the listener. It is spring, though, and let's just say that the bunnies and geese are pairing up in the back yard. Love is in the air and the plants are a bright shiny green. Earth Tilts rose like a phoenix from winter. Come to the Portage Road Songwriter's Guild 7th Annual New Song Concert at the Coffee House on May 1, 2010 to hear this new gem. April, 2010
Barb has been a member of the Portage Road Songwriter's Guild for about 10 years. This group meets about monthly to talk about songwriting and give feedback as a songs take shape in this world. These new songs are released to the public yearly at a Coffee House concert. Join us for the latest batch of hits so that you can say, "I heard that song when it was brand new." Mark May 1, 2010 on your calendar. March 2010
Fair Webber By Request is now here! This is a collection of cover tunes that have become old friends on our musical journey. 16 of the songs were recorded on October 9, 2009 at a live concert at Our Lady of Lourdes, Milwaukee. Look for favorites by Johnny Cash, Dave Carter, Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones, Joshua Radin, Grace Potter, Kris Kristoferson, Hank Thomas, Dave Loggins, and others. We added Across the Great Divide by Kate Wolf as a bonus track recorded live in studio.
Thank you to:
Jonathon Leubener (SurroundinSound Studio) for the wonderful sound engineering and mastering.
Rich Morgan and John Webber for house sound.
Peg Kasun and Gary Kitchin, 2 wonderful musicians joining Fair Webber for the recording.
Our fans, for their support, encouragement and beautiful singing on the recording.
Our Lady of Lourdes for welcoming our music and fans with grace and enthusiasm.
The Kasun family who set up and cleaned like whirling dervishes...or is it dervi?
Peg Couillard who smiles encouragement from the back of the room.
Paula Waldoch who smiles encouragement from the front of the room and sings along beautifully.
Jennifer Shilt for her outstanding graphics.
The Steaming Cup crew and Coffee House volunteers who allowed us to test drive so many of these songs.
All our musical friends who cheered us on.
Lon, Andy, Tom and Barb thank you all for allowing Fair Webber to pursue our passion - creating music.
February 2010
In January, Barb was honored to be included as one of the judges in the annual Midwinter Coffee House Talent Contest. Talent includes acoustic originality, performance quality, and audience response. It is open to poets, songwriters, performers, instrumentalists, and bands. This year we had a wide range of performers in age and presentation. As usual, the Coffee House audience was warm and encouraging to the artists.
January 2010
For years we have halted all performing in December. Well we broke with tradition this year. We performed at the Wisconsin Singer Songwriter Series in December to benefit the program and local food pantries. The WSSS brings in wonderful indie performing songwriters to the nother Milwaukee suburbs. The 2010 calendar lists Peter Mayer, Richard Schindell, and Lucy Kaplansky. We also performed at a private party, learning a few Christmas songs along the way and rediscovered the joy of caroling. Maybe it's not surprising then that a new song, Humble Night, was delivered to Barb over the course of 24 hours. December 2009
Despite our hopes, it looks like Fair Webber by Request
will be more realistically available after the holiday season. We don't want to rush and compromise quality. We can tell you that our initial reaction is a shiver of delight, having heard the rough mix. For those of you who have asked us about the CD for Christmas and holiday gifts, maybe you could consider giving a coupon and spread the enjoyment of gift opening out a little longer. Happy Thanksgiving! November 2009
Thank you to all of the Fair Webber fans, old and new, who came to the Our Lady of Lourdes Coffee House. A large energetic audience out sang the band on a couple of songs. Peg Kasun and Gary Kitchin joined the band on piano, harmonica, mandolin and recorder to add some very cool interpretations.The concert will be released as a recording so that everyone can have more than a memory of this special evening. Look for information on Fair Webber by Request in December. October 2009
Tom and Barb are excited about the upcoming concert and live recording on October 9, 2009 at Our Lady of Lourdes. This CD will collect their favorite cover tunes and unique interpretations in honor of their years of recording. Come and be a part of the energy and enthusiasm of creating a new CD. September 2009
Sometimes when I am performing, I feel like the luckiest person on the earth. The bass vibrates up through my bones and the percussion makes me want to dance. Andy, Lon, and Tom bring incredible talent, energy and feeling to the music. What's really great is that we like each other and there are no egos to filter the music. Performing in outdoor casual venues may seem like hard work, but when you see the double-take of people passing who decide to sit for awhile and join our friendship... that's a perfect summer. July 2009
Tom bought a Martin J-40. Our music is a mixed bag of harder rhythmic blues or country to sweet folk/acoustic ballads. This guitar shows promise to be able to fullfill both styles. It really breaks the performing magic when a guitar needs constant attention. Although, tuning does allow space for stage banter. Lots of banter. June 2009
We had a blast learning and performing the songs of Simon and Garfunkel. The Coffee House in Milwaukee offers monthly concerts in support of the local food pantry. It was an evening of good vibes for a good cause. May 2009
We had a warm spring day in the 70's, a tease really before the blustery winds swept in again. Birth and beginnings are all around. This May we will present a few new songs, along with those of other writers, at the Portage Road Songwriter's Guild's 6th Annual Concert. Check out the concert listings for more information. March 2009
I was becoming anxious as January progressed. We did not perform all of December and I thought for sure a new songs would come pouring out. My muse spoke to me as I was driving to my goddaughters home and I found myself headed south to Chicago when I wanted to go north. Inspiration. It wasn't until I sat down to hammer out the verses that Fragile was finally born. Perspiration. I guess Edison knew what he was talking about. February 2009
Comedians say they lost material with the outgoing administration. Songwriters continue to have plenty of woes to write about in the economy, war, and other social injustices. We encourage you to go out and listen to the songwriters in your local pubs and coffee houses. January 2009
The cold in Wisconsin draws us inside, to huddle in warmth, spending time with family at the end of a busy day. There has been more snow than average so far this year. We do not perform in December so that we take advantage of that family time in preparing for the holidays. Our gingerbread house will not make it on the front cover of a magazine, but, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Blessings to you and yours as you celebrate the holidays and year's end. December 2008
They fell into a rhythm of songwriting. Barb writes the melody and lyrics and then Tom sits down to arrange the song on guitar. This month, they co-wrote their first song, Lazy River and debuted it at The Coffee House on November 1, 2008. It has a few jazz chords which allows Barb freedom to explore new vocal spaces.
Give Him Time was played on Simply Folk WHAD in commemoration of Veteren's Day. Skeleton's in the Closet was played on Mostly Folk WRPI on Halloween weekend. November 2008
The Coffee House on Wisconsin and 19th St. in Milwaukee, WI is a musical haven for performers to find their voice. Those of us who spread our wings a bit, come home to the nest with great happiness. The Coffee House encourages experimentation, bold spirits, and genuine friendship. Barb and Tom will return to The Coffee House on November 1, 2008 with an 98.9% original night celebrating 22 years of songwriting and performing. More information is on our calendar page. October 2008
Profit Line is a song for the working person who struggles to do good work in an economy that values efficiency over human voice. We are proud that it was performed in Colorado and New York for Labor Day. September 2008
Celebrate You was aired in the state of New York and Busy Day was aired in Colorado.
The band has been hard at work learning new tunes, original and covers. It is a thrill to work collaboratively with creative musicians who understand that a song speaks through us.
Barb and Tom have attended a number of local musical gatherings, jams if you will, this summer. We are struck by how many people make music a priority in their lives, playing after work, writing songs, collaborating on grass roots albums. This happens all around the country, all around the world. It is truly amazing when a song bubbles up and is noticed beyond your neighborhood. August, 2008
Peace Will Reign was aired in Israel; Ruby Shoes was aired on KVMR - FM, Nevada City, California. Only Way Home was reviewed in the Milwaukee Metro paper, The Shepherd Express. May 2008
We have been hard at work revamping the web site. Although technology is not our native language, we have been trying to make our music available to the "native" speakers. Check out the music page and see how you can order music digitally, or the old-fashioned way, in CD form. Hmmm, does anyone else find the thought of CD's being old-fashioned slightly humorous? March 2008
Wholly was released on January 25, 2008 at a special concert at Our Lady Of Lourdes Parish in Milwaukee WI. Thank you to Peg Kasun for her generosity in coordinating this event. Peg is a wonderful and warm musician, light years beyond technical ability and into the realm of intuition. Her piano is beyond compare on Wholly. January 2008.
All Music Guide reviewed Only Way Home and rated it 4 out of 5 stars. Read the review. January 2008
The CD release concert of Only Way Home was very fun. Thank you to all who came to support us! You can also order the music electronically on Digstation.com under Americana. Blessings to you and yours this season! December 2007
Barb & Tom Webber celebrated the release of their latest CD, Only Way Home on November 17th, 2007 at The Coffee House.
Barb and Tom Webber decided to go to Nashville to record their 3rd CD, Only Way Home. In search of growth and musical direction, they found Tim Lorsch of Bull Creek Productions in Nashville. He assembled a marvelous team of musicians that understood the genuine and passionate nature of Barb and Tom's music. Despite being crafted in Nashville, this CD is belongs in the Americana category. Barb has written 11 of the 13 songs. This recording is rich with strong visual lyrics and storytelling. The melodies and arrangements reflect the unique personality of each song. Barb and Tom were voted the 2003 WAMI Folk Artist of the Year but they are not shy about venturing forth into soft rock, bluegrass, gospel, jazz, old country, or dancing on the fringe of Celtic influences.
Although we are not shy about mixing song styles, there was one that stood apart and was not included on the CD. Wholly is a song of healing, and Barb has been asked repeatedly to record and offer it to fans. So, in the midst of the flurry of releasing Only Way Home, she is in the process of finding the right voice for this powerful and hopeful song. Please be patient. September 2007.
Only Way Home will be released on November 17th, 2007 at The Coffee House in Milwaukee, WI.
The musical style on this CD shows our range of talent and taste. Tom growls a bit, and then croons tenderly. Barb's voice lilts, gets closer to a twang than she has ever been, and bends a few notes. Gregg Lindsay flew to Nashville to add his guitar prowess and vocal harmony, and we are so grateful for his willingness to share his talent with us. Our producer, Tim Lorsch of Bull Creek Productions, helped us stretch our canvas and found colorful clothes for our songs to wear. We are very grateful for the loving attention he gave to each song and each phase of production. Eleven songs are originals, and include an ethereal song of encouragement (Celebrate You), a powerful call for peaceful dialogue (Peace Will Reign), a legend from the Wisconsin northwoods (Lily Marlene), a ballad of a family ghost (Skeletons in the Closet), and he-done-me-wrong song inspired by a fickle computer (Back-Up). Two great duets from other songwriters, on either side of the loving spectrum, were irresistible. Still the Night is a BoDeans tune, passionate and playful. Two Rights Make a Wrong is a masterful couple-fight song with biting humor written by Brett Kemnitz. So that makes this a genuine Wisconsin CD, as all the songwriters come from the land of cows and corn.
We spent a wonderful week in Nashville laying down tracks for the next CD, working with a fine producer, Tim Lorsch. The musicians we met in Nashville were very talented and welcoming, cementing our opinion that music brings good people together. Tom will participate in the mixing in the middle of July and them we might know a little more about the release date. At this time we are anticipating having the new CD ready for you in early autumn. June 2007
Awards
Nominated for Folk/Acoustic WAMI in 2005
2003 WAMI AWARD for FOLK ARTIST of the year.
Barb & Tom Webber Profit Line, (Indigo Sky: 2002) won 2nd place in a WAMI (Wisconsin Area Musicians Industry) CD roulette contest for performance, musicality and general impressions.
1996 Co-winner in The Coffee House’s Mid-Winter Talent Contest.
Airplay (selected stations in no particular order)
- WHAD Milwaukee and statewide Wisconsin
- WMSE Milwaukee, WI
- WYRS Manahawkin, NJ
- WYMS Milwaukee, WI
- WORT Madison, WI
- KVRM Nevada City, CA
- WTIP Grand Marais, MN
- WXPN Philadelphia, PA
- KOPN Columbia, MS
- WFRG Atlanta, GA
- WBGU Bowling Green State University, OH
- WSLR Sarasota, FL
- WCVP Fredonia, NY
- KGNU Boulder, CO
- WRPI Troy, NY