On Display: Musical partnership leads to creation of Abigail Rose

<p>Dennis Schubert performs a solo act with his guitar. Submitted photo</p>

Dennis Schubert performs a solo act with his guitar. Submitted photo

Dennis Layne Schubert's been exploring music since he found an old guitar in his grandfather's attic in 1963.

Now part of the local folk duo Abigail Rose, Schubert plays original tunes and roots music from the last 100 years. He likes to say he went "musical trade school" by hanging out where music was being made, and continues the tradition with his own Ozark and Okie style of picking and singing songs about life, love and losing.

"I have been playing the guitar for more than 50 years. Some other instruments, too," Schubert said. "After retiring from the world of engineering, I am able to devote more time to music. That's what I really wanted to do anyway."

Schubert said he met Abby Brunnert, his partner in Abigail Rose, through a "musical blind date" when someone they knew thought their singing voices might blend well.

"We've been doing stuff together ever since," Schubert said. "Abby is my best friend. My musical best friend. As it turns out, with her vocal range and mine, we can sing perfect duet harmonies."

Schubert said the pair started out playing songs Brunnert already knew and she learned a few of Schubert's as well. He noticed Brunnert's true stories, what she told between the songs, were often poignant and sometimes hilarious. He said he challenged her to write her own songs, an idea she struggled with at first, though she began to share some of herself not only with Schubert, but with the audiences.

"She's written songs about gossip, love-and-luck, addictions to every-day stuff, dealing with sadness and other relevant topics," Schubert said. "And one particularly irreverent anthem to those single-serve liquor bottles you might carry in your pocket or purse."

Schubert said the duo is continuing their "teeny tiny tour" of Missouri with performances of both of their original songs. Brunnert does most of the lead singing, with Schubert singing harmony. With Brunnert being a fine guitar player on her own, Schubert said he can play all the notes and fills that the song requires with a great degree of freedom.

"I expect that our musical relationship is gonna last a long, long time," he said.

Schubert was a member of KFAL radio's Rooster Creek Boys as a singer and guitarist for 10 years. He also sang and played mandolin with the Ironweed Bluegrass Band for 15 years. In 2015, he recorded a solo project called "Two Dollar Portrait" featuring original songs and instrumental tunes.

As a skilled sideman, he's played electric and acoustic guitar, mandolin and steel guitar. He's worked in many tavern bands or as one-fool-on-a-stool with a guitar.

Art happenings

The Capital Arts Gallery is hosting "Myth and Legends," which gives artists room to interpret what is fact and fiction, through Oct. 29. Capital Arts Gallery also houses "The Imagination Station," which will help you to produce an art project for $1. They have many projects to choose from, a full stocked art studio and provide instructional classes as well. The Capital Arts Gallery is located at 1203 Missouri Blvd. For more information, visit capitalarts.org.

The Mid-Missouri Art Alliance of Ashland hosts classes in many art skills, including fall classes in clay for youth and basic painting and Mid-Missouri sketchers for adults. For more information, call 573-657-0711 or email [email protected].

The Mid-Missouri Arts Association will host the Boone Plein Air event Oct. 18-20.

The Sedalia Visual Arts Association always has an exhibit at Sedalia City Hall, 200 S. Osage, that features two artists. This rotating show changes every two months. Through October, the artists are Cindy Fedelleck and Chester Lux. From December to February, three artists will be featured: Jack Dieckman, Linda Hookver and Linda Rhoads, all of whom are artists-in-residence at churches.

Village Art Studio, 1502 E. High St., Suites 40 and 60, will host "Witches Night Out" from 6-9 p.m. Oct. 16 for $35. Women may bring their favorite witches, delicious potions and join in painting the "Sanderson Sisters." Those attending wearing a costume or a witches hat will get a $5 coupon for another painting class. The studio also is accepting registrations for Kids' Art Workshops on Nov. 2, with workshops from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Each workshop, $35 each, offers three projects - clay, painting and mixed media. Call 573-230-1414 to register or for more information.

The Lake Arts Council and "Arts at the Lake" bring entertainment to the Lake Ozark area, including a Lake Area Woodcarvers Festival and Display on Oct. 19 at Community Christian Church in Camdenton and the Lake Area Strings Fall Concert Series set for Oct. 24, 27 and Nov. 4. For more information, call 573-374-9297 or visit artsatthelake.com.

Art Underground Downtown offers classical art training for all ages in a historic and art-filled atmosphere. They have classes for beginners through professionals, providing the resources to learn anything about art. Classes for children in kindergarten through 12th grades are held Tuesday through Thursday nights. For more information, call 573-355-2255 or email [email protected].

The Jefferson City Art Club is temporarily holding its meetings at the Hawthorn Bank Community Room on Amazonia Drive. Meetings are held the third Monday of the month, September through May, with social time at 5:30 p.m., speaker at 6 p.m., break from 7-7:15 p.m. and business meeting at 7:15 p.m. The next meeting will be Oct. 21 with speaker Phil Jones, a clay sculptor. The club will meet at the Community Christian Church once needed repairs from tornado damage are completed.

The JCAC Featured Artist through Nov. 1 is Essex Garner. You may view a collection of Garner's artwork at the Department of Motor Vehicles, 1617 Southridge Drive. Also, find Garner as featured artist at the JCAC website, jeffersoncityartclub-missouri.com.

Jimmy Mustion is a professional artist who is involved in area organizations and galleries.