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William Lee Ellis and Larry Nager, along with special guest Tony Ellis, will celebrate more than three decades of musical collaboration with a one-night-only reunion!While their unique brand of acoustic roots and blues has taken them all over the world, from the Arctic Circle to China, New Zealand, Cuba, and Belarus, both men have deep Ohio roots. Indeed, their Natalie’s appearance marks a joyful homecoming – Ellis and Nager were part of the first group to perform at the original Natalie’s in 2012, appearing with Tony Ellis and his wife, Louise Adkins, as The Musicians of Braeburn.
Raised in Chillicothe, William Lee Ellis has been performing with his father, Ohio Heritage Fellowship recipient Tony Ellis, from the time he could pick up a guitar (his godfather and namesake is Tony’s former boss, Bill Monroe). The award-winning fingerpicking stylist and songwriter specializes in acoustic blues and gospel guitar styles, notably the music of Rev. Gary Davis. His latest release, Ghost Hymns (Yellow Dog), was up for the 2024 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Blues Album, and features Larry Nager on several tracks. It’s been hailed as one of 2023’s best by DownBeat and Blues Music magazine, and Acoustic Guitar calls him a “masterful genre-bender who sounds completely at home in whatever style he tackles.” Ellis holds a PhD in ethnomusicology and has taught guitar at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch and Augusta Blues Week. He now lives with his wife and daughter in Vermont, where he is Chair of Fine Arts at Saint Michael’s College.
Nager has played in such acclaimed Ohio bands as Red Mountain String Band, 5 Guys Named Moe, The Katie Laur Band, Red Allen & the Kentuckians, and The Allen Lilly Band. Since 1988, he has played with William Lee Ellis and his father Tony, who, though officially retired, will make a rare guest appearance at their Natalie’s show. Nager is the author of Memphis Beat (St. Martin’s) and was part of the team of bluegrass historians behind the book, Industrial Strength Bluegrass (University of Chicago), the story of Southwestern Ohio bluegrass. Just before moving to Kaua’i in 2018, he wrote and music-directed the PBS Great Performances program, Havana Time Machine, featuring The Mavericks collaborating with Cuban musicians. In Kaua’i he continues to perform roots music throughout the island, most recently as part of the only non-Hawaiian group at the 2024 Hawaiian Steel Guitar Festival.
Food & Bar: Our full food and drink menu will be available before and during the show.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
945 King Ave, Columbus, OH, United States, Ohio 43212
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