Ordinary Elephant playing virtually in Marblehead

The acclaimed musical duo, Ordinary Elephant, will play a virtual concert at the me&thee on Friday, March 12. Currently residing in southern Louisiana, Crystal and Pete Damore, have made a significant imprint on the folk music landscape in the last several years. Their debut album from 2017, Before I Go, shot to the top of the folk-DJ list as soon as it was released, and they became a fan favorite because of their pure sound and charming performances. The me&thee show takes place on YouTube and Facebook as well as on the me&thee website and it begins at 8:00 p.m.

Roots magazine, Listening Through the Lens, cites Ordinary Elephant as “folk music at its best. Commentary on social issues, a focus on the importance of family and seeking out the highest human aspirations delivered with tender care and precision—never over-playing or needing to throw in tricks.” Ordinary Elephant’s music is honest and pure. In fact, the couple’s latest record is entitled Honest and it is deserving of high praise due to its unflinching authenticity. The lyrics provide nuggets of wisdom and are accompanied by warm and simple instrumentation. There is nothing flashy about Ordinary Elephant.

Crystal and Pete left careers as a veterinary cardiologist and computer programmer in Texas to take to the road and have been playing music full-time for the past several years. Crystal plays acoustic guitar and Pete plays clawhammer banjo and together they make beautiful music together. Winners of the 2017 International Folk Artist of the Year, Ordinary Elephant easily exhibit why they are anything but ordinary. Their strength and courage in leaving “safe” jobs to pursue their dreams in commendable and the fact that their music has struck a chord with audiences proves that safe isn’t always the way to journey through life. Crystal reports that her creative side was given the breathing room that it needed to come back out after leaving the 9 to 5 world behind.

Ordinary Elephant clearly illustrate the pathos with candid lyrics that convey the depth of humanity. Their songs contain stories like those of a veteran suffering from PTSD and an interracial couple who is shunned for being in love. Crystal and Pete’s tender touch magnifies the common threads that bond us all together. As Nashville songwriter, Mary Gauthier, says of this pair “Two become one, in song…hand-in-glove harmonies surprise the listener with focused intensity and musical mastery.”

A suggested donation for Ordinary Elephant is $20. All are welcome to watch this concert on March 12 at 8:00 p.m. Links will be available on our website at www.meandthee.org but you can also tune into the me&thee Facebook page or YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/metheeTV)

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic listening rooms in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

CALENDAR/PSA: Friday, March 12, 2021: The Ordinary Elephant virtual concert on YouTube and Facebook presented and produced by the me&thee. Suggested donation is $20. Call 781-631-8987 or go to www.meandthee.org for information for more information.