Born the youngest of 14 children in rural Arkansas, DeMent moved to California as a young girl after the family farm failed. An avid radio listener through her teens, she quit high school and took a job at K-Mart, the first in a string of unfulfilling jobs that brought into disturbingly sharp focus the unromantic side of the American experience. Those years were full of self questioning and yearning to embark on a lifelong dream to "write songs and sing 'em for people." She finally took the plunge at age 25, and in a relatively short time was signed by Rounder Records, which was attracted in particular to her fervent, high-register vocals. DeMent has released a string of high-folk records to international acclaim. We are proud to present one of American folk music's most timeless voices.

Special thanks to OGB Architectural Millwork for making this concert possible!