Folk artists Anne Hills, Michael Smith and Laurie McClain at FitzGerald's April 11

Folk favorite Anne Hills returns to FitzGerald’s with two special guests Michael Smith and Laurie McClain for an intimate performance in FitzGerald’s Sidebar at 8 p.m. April 11. Tickets are $15 and available at FitzGerald’s and TicketWeb http://www.ticketweb.com/snl/VenueListings.action?venueId=32814&pl=.

ANNE HILLS has become one of the better known voices of the contemporary folk music scene, receiving awards and recognition for her live performances (2009 Bound for Glory live radio show favorite- Ithaca, NY), her unique solo and collaborative recording projects (2001 WAMMIE for duet CD with Tom Paxton, Under American Skies), and her overall artistry and benefit work (2002 Kate Wolf Award, Carole Robertson Award & Kerrville Female Vocalist of the Year 1997). Her song “Follow That Road” was the title cut of the Martha’s Vineyard Songwriter Retreat and has enchanted audiences for over a decade. Whether she is singing her own song, the words of 6-year-old Opal Whiteley, or the Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley; accompanied with her guitar, banjo, or simply a Tibetan bell, she puts her whole heart and soul into the moment. So, even if you haven’t become familiar with her voice (featured often on XM/Sirius Folk Radio, The Midnight Special & many other folk shows) you won’t want to miss a chance to hear her songs and stories in person. www.annehills.com 

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Rolling Stone magazine once called MICHAEL SMITH "the greatest songwriter in the English language." He has been singing and composing since the 1960s; his rich and challenging songs have been recorded by many other performers. He is best known for writing "The Dutchman" which was popularized by Steve Goodman and also recorded by Tom Russell, John McDermott, Jerry Jeff Walker, Anne Hills, Suzy Bogguss and many others. He has recorded many albums and also wrote the music for Steppenwolf Theatre's staging of John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath." With Jamie O’Reilly, he created performed and recorded “Pasiones: Songs of the Spanish Civil War,” followed by “Hello Dali.” With Barbara Barrow, he created “Weavermania,” celebrating the music of The Weavers. He composed the score for (and performed in) “The Snow Queen,” which ran for several season at Victory Garden Theater. http://michaelpetersmith.com/

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LAURIE McCLAIN moved to Nashville in 1997 with three daughters in tow after spending most of her life in Lincoln, Nebraska. She has managed to make a name for herself as a formidable songwriter and engaging performer on the national folk and Americana scene while raising her children, therefore touring only sparsely and sporadically around the U.S. for the last 20 years. With her three daughters raised, Laurie is now embarking on a full time music career. http://www.lauriemcclain.com/home.html