Singer-songwriters in the Catskills region have made the Emerson Resort & Spa in Mount Tremper an unlikely hot spot to show off their latest work.
The “Spotlight on Song” series, which takes place alternating Thursdays, features some of the area’s most popular musicians, performing in an intimate setting — the Phoenix Restaurant’s Great Room.
Using his prior experience hosting singer-songwriter nights at NYC’s Iridium Jazz Club and Woodstock’s Harmony Music, host, producer, and performer Doug Yoel of Woodstock began arranging shows at the Emerson last year. “In June I was introduced to the Emerson folks; I heard they were beginning to put on shows and that they had some amazing spaces in which to do so,” Yoel says. “Their marketing director showed me the Great Room and I fell in love with it. It's got a tremendous clay fireplace, vaulted ceiling, and plush seating that could be configured all different ways. It's quiet, and really encourages listening — it's a very natural, warm sounding room that appeals to me as a performer, as a producer, and as a listener.”
When the weather outside isn’t so frightful, shows take place on the Great Room’s outdoor, streamside deck, with atmospheric torch lighting. “It’s another amazing setting for the intimate acoustic shows,” Yoel says.
Those who are looking for a bite to eat can enjoy items from the Phoenix’s two menus, the restaurant menu and the inexpensive tavern menu, all prepared by Chef Curt Robair. “His chicken sandwich is probably my favorite in the county,” Yoel quips. “People have been coming to hear the acts, and then they get impressed by the food and surroundings. I am suggesting that people come for the whole experience; it is a very enjoyable night out, for modest money.”
Past Spotlight performances featured The Trapps with Josh Roy Brown, Marc Black, Michael Esposito, Carl Mateo, Dean Batstone, Shana Falana, and others.
Upcoming shows include (note: Doug Yoel will be performing at each show):
Feb. 2: Indie-rocker Sarah Fimm (Fimm has been dubbed “… a consummate songwriter” and “… an enchanting singer-pianist” by BILLBOARD Magazine.)
Feb. 16: Grammy-winning blues artist Lucky Peterson and his powerhouse-vocalist wife Tamara Peterson
March 1: Folk legend Happy Traum with singer-songwriter Adrien Reju and her partner Owen Biddle, bassist for The Roots.
Visit www.EmersonResort.com or www.Facebook.com/DougYoelMusic for more information about the shows and performers.
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