Wagon Shed concert to feature Ferguson & Ferguson, no relation
Over the years, singer-songwriters Gary Alan Ferguson and Gary Gene Ferguson have each played The Wagon Shed in New Freedom separately.
Their April 16 performance will be their first at the intimate music venue as Ferguson & Ferguson, the duo the two have been performing as since 2014.
"It's a fun place to play," said Gary Alan, 64, who lives in Alexandria, Virginia. "It's a good listening crowd, and they're enthusiastic."
The two men aren't related.
But they share a first and last name and a taste for the Americana and bluegrass music they play.
They each had carved out a successful music career on their own before teaming up. They've each been finalists in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at the MerleFest Music Festival in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.
It was not until two years ago, however, that the two long-time musical artists got together to perform.
"We became good friends really quick," said Gary Gene, 66, who lives in Littlestown in Adams County.
They've written two songs together so far, including the song "Some Bridges Are Meant to Burn," from "Some Bridges," their first CD together. They'll perform the song and others from the CD in their Wagon Shed appearance.
The CD is up for best Bluegrass Recording by the Washington Area Music Association. Gary Alan is up for a Wammie in the Bluegrass Instrumentalist category.
"It was fun bringing that song to life, and I like the way the recording turned out," said Gary Alan who also plays with The Hula Monsters, a swing band. He calls the song one of his favorites on the CD.
The two were in Gary Alan's kitchen chatting when Gary Gene tossed out the phrase, "Some bridges are meant to burn."
It sounded like the makings of a song lyric.
"It was a collaborative effort and a lot of fun," Gary Alan said of collaborating on the song. The two may team up on writing other songs in the future, but right now their focus is on performing together, he said.
"We like each other, so that's a big part of making things work on stage," Gary Alan said.
"It's like a lot of other relationships," he said. "You have to participate and share in the work, share in the outcome."
If you go:
What: Ferguson & Ferguson Live at The Wagon Shed Concert Series
When: 8 pm, April 16
Where: The Wagon Shed, 109 N. 2nd Street, New Freedom
Tickets: $15 plus a $1.50 handling fee. Order online at wagonshedconcerts.com