Dana Cooper
Saturday October 18 2025
Nashville-based Dana Cooper, a veteran of the Kerrville Folk Festival and Austin City Limits, is a poetic songwriter, an insightful storyteller, and a rousing musician whose performances engage and inspire audiences around the world. Dana, who has released over 30 albums to date, has a unique ability to connect with audiences through his authentic stories, sense of humor and warm stage presence.
We had the pleasure of hosting Dana at the Cranberry Coffeehouse in August 2024, and the audience was spellbound by his storytelling and musical acumen. Dana’s latest release, The Ghost of Tucumcari was voted #1 Album of 2024 on Americana Highways Readers Poll. Accompanists on the album include the acclaimed Lyle Lovett.
We’re not always this excited to have someone return so soon – if you didn’t catch him here last year, you will not want to miss him this time around!
Performer web page: www.danacoopermusic.com
Rupert Wates
Saturday November 15 2025
London (U.K.) born Rupert Wates, a U.S. resident since 2006 (with a stint in Paris in between), has been a full-time songwriter since the late 1990’s. He has released eleven full-length CDs, all receiving outstandingly good reviews, and has been heard regularly on radio stations in the USA, Canada, France, The Netherlands, Germany, Israel and Australia. In 2015-2016 alone over twenty of his songs were recorded by other performers, and 2 tribute albums to his material have been recorded by independent artists in Nashville and Los Angeles.
Rupert’s music is an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret. Rupert averages 120 live shows every year, prefers smaller listening rooms where the audience is up close and the emphasis is on the music, so he should feel right at home at the Cranberry Coffeehouse!
Performer web page: www.rupertwatesmusic.com
Bells & Motley
Saturday December 20 2025
Multi-instrumentalists Bells & Motley (Sondra and John Bromka) return with another special holiday-themed concert. They are historical musical story tellers (as well as instrument makers, authors, and dance callers) who perform on hurdy gurdy, nyckelharpa, French bagpipes, harp, hammered dulcimer, squeezeboxes, assorted historic wind and percussion instruments (and voices). Their numerous topics include the Erie Canal, early music (they’re a founding ensemble at the Sterling Renaissance Festival near Oswego, NY), and world music (including the folk traditions of Netherlands, England, Celtic lands, Spain, Italy and perhaps more!). They have a wonderful gift for connecting to audiences of all ages with a musical mix of history, literature, fine arts, and artistry.
Joining them will be the Champeons of Folly, who will present a traditional mummer’s play.
Performer web page: bellsandmotley.com