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The show is presented by the Springfield Arts Council, and admission is free.
The date comes in the middle of House’s East Coast tour, making it a little crazy as he flies in from Washington, D.C., before flying back out to Philadelphia the following morning.
“It’s an honor to open the festival,” said House, a 1998 North High graduate. “I’m glad I get to stop in Springfield though in the middle of my tour. It’s always so good to see everyone.”
The short timeframe will work as a blessing in disguise.
“I’ve wanted to come back and do a night of solo acoustic songs and stories,” he said “That’s what I have been doing mostly on the road now for the last five or six years, and I wanted to be able to bring that show home to Springfield in the park for quite a while, and this year worked out well to do it.”
Watching an acoustic show by rock singer Ryan Adams years ago inspired House to do both band and solo shows.
“When I was out with Jewel touring, we were both solo, and I think it lends itself to me feeling closer to the audience and having more sonic space for people to be able to hear lyrics and for me to tell some stories behind the songs,” House said.
Extensive touring will be on House’s agenda for the final half of 2017. He’s also working on writing new songs and hints at a possible kids’ album.
House joked his time here will be so brief he’ll be lucky to get a donut and a coffee in the morning before leaving, and if he’s super-nice to his mom, maybe she’ll make me some eggs.
He’ll return to visit family here later this month toward the end of the tour but isn’t sure when his next area appearance will be.
“If we end up in Springfield for Christmas, then I’d love to be able to play a show. But we’ve been talking about starting a family holiday tradition at home in Nashville, so we’ll see if we do that this year or next.”
Contact this contributing writer at bturner004@woh.rr.com.
How to go
What: Griffin House
Where: Turner Pavilion, Veteran's Park, Springfield
When: 8 p.m. Friday, June 9
Admission: Free
More info: 937-324-2712 or www.SpringfieldArtsCouncil.org
Summer Arts Festival attractions
Week 1
Friday, June 9: Griffin House (8 p.m.)
Saturday, June 10: Resurrection — A Journey Tribute (8 p.m.)
Sunday, June 11: The Springfield Symphony Orchestra (8 p.m.)
Week 2
Wednesday, June 14, and Thursday, June 15: Youth Arts Ambassadors' musical "Annie, Jr." (8 p.m.)
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