On The Porch is an acoustic trio weaving playful harmonies into beloved Folk and Americana tunes. Featuring Meg Bolton McKenna on guitar, banjo, harmonica and vocals; Emilei Christine on mandolin, ukulele and vocals; and Jim Shaffer on guitar and vocals. Oswego County is their current home base.
Meg and Jim met at a local open mic several years ago and started performing as a duo. Meg was also performing with another band where she shared lead vocals with Emilei. Meg convinced her to sit in at an On The Porch practice and they immediately realized they had found something special.
Meg is a singer/songwriter who grew up in the Black Hills of SD, Andover, CT and eventually ended up in Lacona/Boyleston, NY. She currently resides in Mexico, NY with her family where she teaches aquatics and coaches soccer. Meg knows and loves a wide variety of music, her first love as a small child was Buddy Holly, bands such as the Grateful Dead, The Band, Bruce Springsteen, Arlo Guthrie influenced her music style…. though a little Bach and Rage Against the Machine filled some voids as well. A strong vocalist who loves to put her own spin on material, her vocal texture and stylings are reminiscent of Bonnie Raite and Dar Williams. She is passionate about her band and bandmates and the mutual respect and fun they have cascades into their performances. When Meg’s not performing, you’ll find her hiking, spending time with family, or watching and cheering on Liverpool FC. You’ll never walk alone!!!
Born in Columbus, GA, Emilei grew up with Country music in her veins. She began her journey in musical performance in school choirs and bands plus musical theater. Life has led Emilei to many locations across Central New York, the United States, and abroad where the music of different cultures and their people illuminated Emilei's heart and soul. From Alanis Morissette to Billy Strings, from the Backstreet Boys to the Grateful Dead, from Etta James to CCR, Emilei's life could be described in chapters of music. This chapter is lovingly called, “On the Porch." Her vocal musings have been likened to a combination of Emmylou Harris and Alison Krauss. For Emilei, making music with Meg and Jim in On the Porch has been a vital outlet for the stressors of daily life and just good plain fun! Like Willie said, "The life I love is making music with my friends."
Jim was born and raised in Central NY and has been in the local music scene for over 25 years. His years of playing guitar for the Classic Rock band, Bad Habit have served him well as he utilizes his Rhythmic guitar style to back up himself and the other band members on their originals songs as well as covers of their favorite artists. His influences include Folk, Country, and Rock including Dylan, John Prine, Tom Petty, The Band, Neil Young and various other Artists. He recorded his first CD “Broken” before meeting his bandmates and continues to perform occasionally as a solo artist however performing with On the Porch is his first priority. He notes that it’s often difficult performing with Em and Meg because he gets so caught up in their singing and harmonies, that he loses his place in the song.
On The Porch is currently working on their own CD as well as adding songs to their repertoire, they love performing for intimate gatherings as well as larger outdoor venues and festivals.
This project is made possible through the CNY Arts Grants for Regional Arts and Cultural Engagement regrant program thanks to a New York State Senate Initiative supported by the NYS Legislature, the Office of the Governor and administered by the New York State Council on the Arts.
Advance Sale: $11 General Admission $9 Members
At the Door Cash Prices: $10 General Admission $8 Members $5 Students
At the Door Credit Prices: $11 General Admission $9 Members