How to go
What: The Farmer and Adele
Where: Clifton Opera House, 5 S. Clay St., Clifton
When: 2 and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9
Cost: $12
More info: www.villageofclifton.com/this-weeks-shows/
The Farmer and Adele put the Western back into what used to be called country and Western music. They’ve even created their own genre twist — country vaudeville.
Expect a different take on the holiday concert when The Farmer and Adele’s Country Western Christmas Spectacular comes to the Clifton Opera House for two shows, 2 and 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9.
With influences ranging from Gene Autry to Riders in the Sky, guitarist and vocalist Grace Adele and mandolin player and vocalist Keenan Wade are excited to put their own unique spin on holiday cheer.
“We love Christmas. This show is a big show with a variety of comedy, classic Christmas songs and we throw in our original Western songs for extra flavor,” said Adele.
They do three-part harmony, and each performer gets the chance to shine. Rounding out the band are Carco Clave on steel guitar and Erik Alvar on upright bass.
One of the highlights will be the group’s original holiday song “Christmas Comes Just Once a Year.”
The Clifton audience will also get to see something extra special. The band will debut its version of “The Nutcracker Suite.” The piece is especially meaningful to Adele, who grew up dancing in “The Nutcracker” and has become a tradition for her.
The Farmer and Adele got a career boost a few years ago when they were just goofing on their favorite Christmas songs for friends and the word spread. They were almost immediately asked to perform at a party for the cast and crew of the hit ABC series “Nashville,” leading to taking the holiday show on the road.
Currently based in Nashville, this appearance will actually be a return to the area for Adele and Wade. She’s from Columbus and played at the Springfield Museum of Art in the previous decade, as well as learning dancing at the Arthur Murray Studio in town.
Wade lived in Yellow Springs for a while and liked soaking up its unique culture.
Both know about the Clifton Mill and its light show and hope to experience it while in the area.
Given the band’s musical influences of the 1930s and ’40s, performing in a classic building is appropriate.
“I love playing in older rooms. It fits the vibe of what we’re doing,” Wade said.
He said that playing two shows in a day is another nod to the entertainers that preceded them, when it wasn’t uncommon to do two to three shows in a single day.
Given the band’s love of the season, they think it will rub off in a good way for what they hope is a wide range of people in their audience.
“Our show is family-friendly, and we hope having an earlier time will give a chance for more families to come out and see us,” Adele said.
About the Author