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Arts & Entertainment

Local Guitarist Performs Impromptu Show

JJ Posway, frequent visitor of Woodstock Coffeehouse, obliged other guests by performing an unrehearsed live show on Friday.

Though no show was scheduled for last Friday night at Woodstock Coffeehouse, musician and Georgia resident for 17 years, JJ Posway gladly obliged the eager crowd by agreeing to play an impromptu live show.

Posway has played several shows at the Coffeehouse, along with attending countless open mics on Mondays. He is always a crowd favorite, and tends to bring other musicians on stage during his performances.

He was joined by vocalist Holli Griffin during his latest official show Β Nov. 26.

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"She's such a fantastic singer, and I always look forward to her playing, whether it's an open mic or one of her own shows," Posway said.

The feeling is mutual; Griffin said she always enjoys Posway's shows.

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"He's one of the most talented people I know. I really don't think JJ knows how much I look up to him," she explained.

Friday, Amber Steele accompanied Posway for a few songs, including a Johnny Cash cover.

"We've been singing duets for almost a year now. Her smooth, alto creaminess compliments my voice well, and blend is the key to good harmony," Posway said.

Posway has also been joined by some interesting instruments, such as a saxophone played by Alex Adamczyk.

"He was hands-down the best musician in the house. He knows his theory, and he knows where to place a note or phrase so that the whole song shines. Consequently, he always delivers," said Posway of Adamczyk.

However, Posway's talents are far from being overshadowed by his fellow musicians. His own musical style incorporates many instruments, primarily the guitar and harmonica. He plays both originals and covers, and his style changes depending on the song.

"I like to put my own twist on certain songs, and some songs are just pure gold. One of those is Dylan's 'Don't Think Twice, It's Alright'," Posway said. His covers are popular with his audience.

During his sets, he strives to impress his peers that populate Woodstock Coffeehouse.

"The people that regularly patronize the coffeehouse are generally musicians or artists of some sort themselves. They appreciate the subtleties most people don't pick up on, but they also aren't sitting in front of me staring me down," Posway explained.

He has considered himself a musician for the past four years, but has been playing music for almost seven years.

"I considered myself a 'musician' when I started writing my first songs. They were terrible, but they were my terrible songs," Posway said.

Posway said his current songwriting process is flexible, and it works for him.

"It differs from song to song. Sometimes I fashion some chords for lyrics I wrote, and sometimes I end up writing words to go with music. Occasionally, both will appear out of thin air in my head, and that usually yields the best results," he explained. He is inspired by artists like Jeff Mangum, Thom Yorke and Ezra Koenig.

"And of course, like any other songwriter on this earth, I owe a lot to Bob Dylan," Posway said.

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