Storyhill climbs musical mountains in Zumbrota

With harmonies that have been compared to those of Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkel, it’s not surprising that fans demanded the reunion of childhood friends Chris Cunningham and John Hermanson, a duo known as Storyhill.

Storyhill takes to the Zumbrota State Theatre stage at 7:30 p.mn. Friday April 27. Singer/songwriter Beth Wood opens for Storyhill.

Cunningham and Hermanson grew up in Montana and began playing music as a duo. They’ve performed together and separately ever since, and their sell-out reunion concerts are a testament to how popular their collaborative efforts are, Crossings officials said.

Garrison Keillor’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” invited Storyhill to perform on the radio show twice this year. Plus, the Storyhill Festival will take place Sept. 1-2 in Deerwood, Minn.

The friends’ latest CD release, “Shade of the Trees,” is their second on the Red House Records label. Mixing old-fashioned storytelling with acoustic arrangements, they sing about love, war and the many sorrows that accompany them.

In addition to their work with Storyhill, Cunningham and Hermanson continue their separate pursuits in Montana and Minnesota. Cunningham produces recordings at Basecamp Recording, a studio he built just outside of Bozeman. Hermanson, who attended St. Olaf College, works as a producer in Minneapolis and continues to play with his band Alva Star.

Wood began her musical journey in Lubbock, a high plains Texas town with a rich musical heritage that includes Buddy Holly, Natalie and Lloyd Maines, Mac Davis, and Joe Ely. She studied classical piano, violin, harp, and voice. She earned a degree in literature and guitar in Austin, Texas, and has been playing and recording for 15 years. Her latest album, “The Weather Inside,” is Wood’s eighth studio release.

Tickets are $22 in advance; $25 day of show. To reserve tickets, stop in to Crossings at 320 East Ave., Zumbrota, or call 507-732-7616. For more information, visit www.crossingsatcarnegie.com.

Tags: arts and entertainment, zumbrota, entertainment