30 Days til Newport: Day 17- Christopher Paul Stelling in the Museum Stage

One of the great things that I have mentioned many times before is the unannounced performances and off the cuff kind of sets that happen during Newport. Whether the performance is Chris Thile taking on Griffin Goldsmith in ping pong (that was quite a performance!), Jeff Tweedy with just a guitar in the Museum, or someone who just blows you away during the open mic. There is always something amazing to take in that you weren’t planning on seeing. So keep your eyes open.

Last year, one of those performances for me was catching Christopher Paul Stelling in the Museum. Most folks only got one tune during open mic, but Chris Funk felt the need to give CPS two because he was just so damn good. His intensity and the fervor with which he plays is unrivaled. Playing behind his head, his voice rising like a violent tide and falling again to unveil the graceful picking on his beat up acoustic guitar.

I would like to think that although it has been quite an amazing year for Christopher, that performance that a select few of us were lucky enough to take in was a small part of the reason that he will be gracing the stages of Newport Folk this summer in a slightly more official capacity. And be ready folky folks…you are in for a real treat.

Stelling just had an NPR Tiny Desk concert released yesterday. For those looking for a new favorite. A songwriter who pours his whole self into his performances and his writing, this is your guy.