Friends of the Allen Public Library

E-Flat Porch Band at Library

By Tom Keener

Do you recall when friends and neighbors sat on the porch and entertained themselves and each other by playing tunes  on their own instruments and as well as household objects such as  jugs and washboards?  Long to relive those days or experience music without batteries or earbuds? Treat yourself to an evening with the E-Flat Porch Band at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at the Allen Public Library —it’s sure to boost your spirits and energize the start of your weekend.

Rudy Littrell and Duane Brown’s “porch music” is played on acoustic instruments and pays homage to our varied Texas musical roots. Their style is influenced by country blues, Texas folk music, jazz and swing standards, and Depression Era country songwriters. Guitar playing styles include finger picking and slide guitar. Other instruments include the acoustic bass, harmonica, cymbal, and a drum-like instrument of their own design made out of a wooden soda pop box. This is a small band with a big sound--up to eight instruments will be heard simultaneously, along with harmonizing vocals.

A self-proclaimed "recovering percussionist," Rudy Littrell has the coordination to play four instruments at one time--acoustic bass, high hat, harmonica, and a wooden soda pop box.

Duane Brown has been making music since he was a kid, strumming a broom and singing Roger Miller tunes for the neighbors.  He has since advanced to the guitar and harmonica.

“Rudy noticed that every time he hit an E-flat, the porch would resound to that," said Brown's wife and band publicist, Adah Leah Wolf.  Thus, the E-Flat Porch became the duo’s name. The E-Flatters present an educational and entertaining introduction to folk music, enabling the audience to understand and appreciate the folk roots of today’s music.  Through their original songs, they carry on a tradition of musical creativity at its finest.

The E-Flat Porch Band has performed at folk and blues festivals throughout the Southwest, Texas Metal Arts Festival in Gruene, Folk Festival in Denton, Richardson’s Wildflower Festival, Texas Arts and Crafts Fair in Kerrville, and Texas Folklife Festival in San Antonio.