Ken and Linda Bolton welcome you to their home for occasional acoustic performances by indie/emerging singer/songwriters, as well as established artists such as Neil Young, Van Morrison, and Joan Baez (hey, you know what they say, dream big). New York music lovers can hop NJ Transit's Raritan Valley Line to Dunellen station just a mile from our home. We'll pick you up and drop you off! A couple of
years ago, a seasoned artist contacted us for a gig. When I realized who he was, I confirmed that he knew that we’re a 25 seat living room series; he replied, "25 Engaged Listeners is Better Than 250 Talkers Any Day." Cozy Cabin Concerts is a "real" music venue (maximum 30 guests), "an acoustic oasis for those in the know," with performances by national and international indie emerging and aspiring singer-songwriters as well as familiar artists. For the past decade we've had the pleasure of hosting musicians from New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Nashville, New Orleans, the West Coast and points in between, as well as Argentina, Brazil, Canada, the UK, Australia, South Africa and Japan. Our "family" includes former American Idol and The Voice contestants and a Grammy nominee and Grammy winners! Many of our "kids," as we fondly refer to our younger musicians, have won regional and national songwriting competitions and have performed with household names. We've also been extremely fortunate to host nationally recognized artists--Sarah Lee Guthrie and Johnny Irion, rock and roll/reggae, blues and soul man Garland Jeffreys, and folk icon Eric Andersen. To paraphrase artist Martin Rivas, we strive to provide an encouraging and empowering environment for musicians to make sounds for "gourmet" audiences. The ambiance is unparalleled--an authentic Adirondack-style cabin nestled in the Watchung Mountains of central New Jersey, an hour from midtown Manhattan and Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and about 90 minutes from Center City Philadelphia. We've had the honor of being the recipient of Concerts in Your Home's 2016 Host of the Year, and Honorable Mention for 2017 Host of the Year. This recognition is based on the fact that hosts love music so much that they make it a hobby, love artists so much that they've taken them into their home and made them feel like family, and care about their friends and community so much that they work to connect them with inspiring independent music. Friends as well as friends we haven't met yet are welcome to all of our performances. Here are some testimonials from past performers:
"An acoustic oasis for those in the know." - JW Johnson (Manager to James Maddock), GPS/Casa del Fuego Music)
"Linda and Ken have created the perfect atmosphere for house concerts...and not just because their home happens to be the most cozy, adorable cottage tucked away in the woods with turkeys and racoons abounding (and yet still conveniently located near NYC)...
They are also incredibly warm, gracious, kind and enthusiastic music-lovers. You won't find a more appreciative or welcoming pair. Oh, and be sure to come hungry, because Linda will spoil you with her amazing cooking! We can't recommend this series enough!" - Becky Bliss of Barnaby Bright
"Linda is a wonderful host! She brought an awesome crowd of attentive listeners, fed us a delicious homemade meal, watered us, made us feel at home! Thoroughly recommend Cozy Cabin Concerts to musicians and guests alike! :)" - Cariad Harmon, August 2012
"First (and not last!) time at Cozy Cabin! Thanks! " - Jann Klose, 2/16/2013
"So thrilled to be a part of this lovely Sunday afternoon. Already lookin' forward to next time!" - Orion Freeman, April 28, 2013
"The Cozy Cabin is the loveliest listening room. Thank you for the love." - marQue, April 28, 2013
"The Coziest Cabin! This was one of the most pleasant and fun times we've had in concert. A beautiful night under a Sky Blue Sky, a beautiful audience, and a supermoon! There's nothing better than making good music with good people." - Avi Wisnia, June 22, 2013
"A beautiful night on the planet because of you and your warmth." - Scot Sax, August 25, 2013
"Thanks for a magical evening!! We are so happy you've become part of our musical family. Long live Cozy Cabin!! " Suzie Brown, August 25, 2013
"Enchanted evening indeed. Thank you so much for having me! Beautiful environment." Emily Elbert, September 21, 2013
"I LOVE Cozy Cabin! Thank you for having me in your beautiful home and treating me like one of the "kids." - Jesse Terry, September 29, 2013
"Great pleasure to be here...Many thanks" - Rupert Wates, December 29, 2013
"Thank you...for caring enough about the music and musicians you enjoy enough to provide a loving and encouraging and empowering environment for them to make sounds in. I'm thrilled to be part of that sonic family. All...house concerts should be as wonderful as this." - Martin Rivas, February 2014
"This has been a wonderful night!" - James Dalton, March 2014
"What a pleasure to be at your house to make music. It is truly and honor and I love your energy as well as your guests!" - Michael Gilbert Ronstadt, March 2014
"What you do in this gorgeous cabin is an incredible act of love and generosity to human souls...I feel loved!!!" - Silvina Moreno, March 2014
"Our day at Cozy Cabin was perfect--awesome crowd of wonderful people, perfect setting, beautiful day....Still thinking about the first class hospitality today..." - Paul Wright, Tall Heights, April 2014
"What a fine music venue!" The birds sang along, and methinks the deer were dancing! Can't wait to be back at the Cozy Cabin enjoying tjhe warmth of Linda and Ken's music loving community." - Tim Harrington, Tall Heights, June 2014
"The love you give is the reason we do it. Thank you for being such wonderful hosts!" - Pete Donnelly, June 2014
"I enjoyed myself so so much!" - Vinx, August 2014
"Thanks so much for having me back--your house is the coziest of cabins!" - Emily Elbert, September 2014
"Was great seeing your part of the world and finally getting to play Cozy Cabin. Really hope we can do it again." - Simon van Gend, September 2014
"The audience here is one of the most attentive I've ever played for. This is a gig to which every serious musician wants to return again and again." - Rupert Wates, December 2014
"What you're doing here is absolutely golden...Thank you so much for having us...'Great poets need great audiences.' And you made this happen. That's a Walt Whitman quote, by the way." Alan Semerdjian, January 2015
"I loved playing your charming cabin! Thank you for inviting me into your music circle." - Craig Bickhardt, February 2015
"Thank you so very very much! This is an oasis for us road weary artists. Friendly faces, good food, cozy spaces." - Jess Anderly, Strangled Darlings, April 2015
"What an extraordinary experience!...Thank you for providing a welcoming and nurturing audience and experience for us." - Fife and Drom (Abby Ahmad and Mark Marshall), April 2015
"I respect so much how much care and thought you put into every detail. You have created a perfect space to make music and share our souls." Marci Geller, June 2015
"I never know how these things are going to go, and I had an absolutely wonderful time. Thank you for being so supportive to independent artists. It means more to us than you can possibly imagine. Can't wait to come back!" - Jesse Ruben, June 2015
"Everything about this gig is PERFECT! The sound, the stage, the tiny Christmas lights, the food, the after-gig meal and hang-out, Sophie's stage-diving, and all your audience members. Everything was absolutely wonderful! " - Maura Kennedy, July 2015
"Wow! You've got an Adirondack camp without leaving home! Ken's cabinetry and Linda's musical enthusiasm make this a dream venue!" - Pete Kennedy, July 2015
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