Joni Bishop

SAVANNAH

A very talented melodic and visual artist from Nashville, Tenn., makes her First Friday for Folk Music debut on March 7.

Joni Bishop, who combines the worlds of folk music and folk art, will join Statesboro's Richard Flynn and local singer/songwriter Jason Bible at the next monthly coffeehouse-style concert presented by the Savannah Folk Music Society.

The March 2003 First Friday will continue at the Wesley Monumental United Methodist Church, 429 Abercorn St., on Calhoun Square. First Friday's usual home, Crumley Hall at the Lutheran Church of the Ascension, is undergoing a facelift.

Bishop has four CDs to her credit and tours the county and the world with her art and music. She is a gifted performer with noteworthy guitar and vocal ability. Her songwriting has an organic and direct style that touches hearts in her audiences. Using bold, primary colors, Joni's folk portraits of gospel, jazz and blues legends capture their spirit as well as interprets their music. These portraits will be on display, along with her musical talent, at First Friday.

Opening and returning to the First Friday stage once again is Richard Flynn. An English professor at Georgia Southern, Richard always brings surprises and far-ranging sounds to the stage. Whether wailing a Robert Johnson tune, doing an impression of Bob Dylan or belting out a country ballad, Richard is both talented and entertaining.

Following Bishop, local singer/songwriter Jason Bible will close out the evening. A Texas transplant, Bible will feature songs from his all original CD, "Embracing Imperfection." Growing up in Fort Worth, Bible was always surrounded by music and studied music theory and music business. After a brief detour into the film industry, Bible is back to writing and performing music full time. The influences of Bob Dylan and Tom Petty are evident in his work. Using guitar and harmonica, the music is full of honesty, passion and sincerity.

This will be the 81st month in a row for "First Friday for Folk Music," a musical program delivered in a relaxed, smoke-free, alcohol-free family environment. The show is from 8-11 p.m. There is a recommended donation of $2 per person. Refreshments are available for purchase.

For further information, call Hank Weisman at (912) 786-6953.