Rj Cowdery, Hope Dunbar, and Katie Dahl

RJ Cowdery (Ohio), Katie Dahl (Wisconsin), and Hope Dunbar (New Jersey) may be from three different states, but they all share a knack for razor-sharp lyrics, wicked humor, compelling vocals, and unflinching truth-telling. All alumni of the prestigious Kerrville New Folk competition, Cowdery, Dahl, and Dunbar each tour the country individually, but are teaming up for this powerhouse triple bill. Don’t miss this chance to see three of the country’s most respected songwriters, swapping songs with one another in an in-the-round format.

RJ Cowdery
Rj Cowdery writes the kind of songs that sneak up on you—quiet, honest, and armed with just enough wit to keep you on your toes. A late bloomer in the music world (she didn’t dive in until most people are taking up pickleball), Rj has been making up for lost time with award-winning albums like In This Light, produced by Billy Crockett and What If This Is All There Is, produced by Amy Speace. Hailing from southeastern Ohio, with Appalachian roots, she balances heart-tugging ballads with a sly grin and the occasional perfectly timed zinger. Along the way, she’s earned top honors at Mountain Stage NewSong, Kerrville New Folk, Sisters Folk Festival, to name a few.  Fellow musicians call her “the real deal,” audiences call her music “a warm blanket,” and she just calls it “medicine.”

Katie Dahl:
Clear-eyed and tough-minded, songwriter/playwright Katie Dahl is known for her smart songs, wry wit, and wise spirit. A small-town celebrity on the Wisconsin peninsula where her family has lived for 175 years, Katie is also an internationally touring, radio-charting artist who “delivers razor-sharp lyrics with a hearty, soulful voice” (American Songwriter). In live shows that are both courageously honest and devilishly funny, Katie dives deep into questions of land and love, family and body image, grief and joy. “In unsettled times,” says Peter Mulvey, “Katie Dahl brings us a grounded spirit.”

Hope Dunbar:
Hope Dunbar is a singer-songwriter known for her blend of Americana and country-folk sounds. Hailing from Utica, Nebraska, she has been a pioneer of what she calls “New American Prairie style,” crafting semi-autobiographical songs that transform everyday life into art. Her work has garnered recognition, including being a three-time finalist at the Kerrville New Folk Song Contest. After residing in a small town in Nebraska, Dunbar relocated to New Jersey, bringing her unique “Big Sky sound” to the East Coast. She has opened for national artists and has been a part of shows with Asbury Park musicians. She also co-hosts a weekly podcast, “Prompt Queens,” where she and her sister-in-law write a new song each week based on a specific prompt. Dunbar’s latest album, “Happily Ever Elsewhere,” was released on August 1, 2025. The album, which was supported by a Kickstarter campaign, features collaborations with artists such as Darrell Scott, Eliza Gilkyson, and Cory Branan.