Colorado-based four-piece folk band Big Richard is bringing their contemporary, acoustic sound to the Rogue Valley with a concert through the Ashland Folk Collective. 

The Collective, led by founder and Executive Director Jacqui Aubert, is a nonprofit that brings in touring artists from around the country to the Rogue Valley, along with efforts to build up the local folk music scene. 

Big Richard — Bonnie Sims on mandolin and guitar, Joy Adams on cello, Emma Rose on bass and guitar, and Eve Panning on fiddle — is slotted to perform at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 87 Fourth St., in Ashland, with doors opening at 6 p.m. 

Tickets are $30 per person online or $35 at the door, and it is free to attend for kids 12 years old or younger. 

Tickets can be purchased at ashlandfolkcollective.com. 

“They’re great on their instruments, are great singers, great performers and really engaging,” Aubert said of the band. “And they have really beautiful harmonies.” 

The all-female quartet blends their folk roots in bluegrass, classical and old-time music with contemporary sounds, while also creating a magnetic stage presence with humor and relatability. 

“They’re ridiculous and are laugh-out-loud funny,” Aubert said. 

Aubert started the Ashland Folk Collective in 2017 with co-founder and husband Dan Sherrill after years of touring and playing with bands Hollis Peach and Patchy Sanders. 

“I wanted to still be part of the music community, but I knew I didn’t want to tour as a musician anymore,” she said. “The idea for the folk collective came from that desire.” 

Considering her past experience as a musician and her knack for event production, the new role was a perfect fit for Aubert. 

“(Performers) were like ‘hey, where can I play’ and we started putting on house concerts and I realized I can do better if I put my full energy into it,” she said. “Since then it’s just been growing and we’re putting on more shows each year.” 

The collective utilizes other venues in the area such as Fry Family Farm’s outdoor stage and the Historic Ashland Armory, while organizing all aspects of the performances.

Unlike many other venues and shows, Ashland Folk Collective puts an extra emphasis on taking good care of the artists when they come to town.

“For an artist to put on their best show, they need to be taken care of. On the road, you don’t have a home or bathroom or shower or kitchen; when they come to town, we have a great green room setup with organic food from the (Ashland Food) Co-op,” Aubert said.  

The visiting artists also get lodging in the Ashland Springs Hotel. Additionally, key emphasis is focused on adequate pay for musicians and setting them up with proper sound technology for artists to put on their best show. 

“We’re making sure that we are providing good sound techs and sound for artists; it’s essential for them to feel comfortable,” Aubert said. 

Unlike other venues and performances in the Rogue Valley, Aubert sees the Ashland Folk Collective shows as a communal experience meant to be front and center, rather than background music to enjoy while conversing. 

“Everyone we’re choosing is a talented artist … we choose artists that are amazing; we’re never just filling dates,” Aubert said. “We’re always looking for an artist that’s authentically doing their thing.” 

Now in its eighth year, the Ashland Folk Collective is continuing to bring new and returning folk artists to the valley while working on new initiatives, events and programs. 

“We have some new initiatives like ADA access for all venues and making it more inclusive,” she said. “The scholarship program, no matter what your financial level is, you can come to the show.”

The Collective also organizes a free concert series during the summer at the Butler Bandshell in Ashland’s Lithia Park. 

“Around the next 20 or 30 years, our goal is to fill the niche of any concert smaller than the Britt Festival and foster artists to go to Britt; last year, there were four artists collectively who played at Britt the next year,” Aubert said. “Really, a healthy music scene in the Rogue Valley is our goal.” 

To learn more about the Ashland Folk Collective, visit ashlandfolkcollective.com. 

For more information on Big Richard, go to bigrichardband.com.

Reach reporter James Sloan at jsloan@rv-times.com.