“These folks are wonderful; fun, energetic, and great musicians. They’re two of my favorite performers.” –Bill Staines, Singer/songwriter
“Behind the humble name hides a creative couple of singer-songwriters who know a thing or two about keeping a crowd laughing, smiling, and occasionally crying.” –Bill Lynch, Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV
Eighteen years ago, Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso, the Chicago-area duo known as Small Potatoes, decided to hit the road. “In one year, we quit our jobs, bought a house, bought a car, and became full-time folk singers–not exactly the greatest combination, financially speaking, or what most people would call a sound business model. We didn’t throw darts at a map, but we might as well have.”
They might not have had the best plan, but what they did have were great songs and musicianship, and the ability to put on a show. Eighteen years, more than a million miles, 3000 shows, and five Dodge Caravans later, they are listed as a “favorite act” by many coffeehouses, clubs and house concerts across the U.S. They have made repeat appearances at major folk festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, the Walnut Valley Festival, and the Philadelphia Folk Festival.
From the start, they’ve called themselves eclecto-maniacs and described their music as “Celtic to Cowboy”. They say it has taken them “years of careful indecision” to come up with a mix of music that ranges from country, blues, and swing to Irish, with songwriting that touches on all of
those styles and more. Their four recordings, Alive!, Waltz of the Wallflowers, Time Flies and Raw demonstrate that “indecision” can be wonderfully entertaining . They both sing, they both play guitars and an array of other instruments. They even yodel.
“MAKE ‘EM LAUGH, MAKE ‘EM CRY, MAKE ‘EM THINK”
“Jacquie Manning and Rich Prezioso combine cleverly witty with powerfully poignant songs, along with well chosen covers to present an unusually entertaining and involving repertoire engagingly delivered. Prezioso’s song “1000 Candles, 1000 Cranes” is one of the most outstanding songs of the past 50 years.” –Rich Warren, The Midnight Special – WFMT Radio, Chicago, IL
When you see Small Potatoes perform, you hear two great voices, some fine guitar playing, and a touch of tin whistle, flute, mandolin, bodhran, and other percussion toys. Together they present a truly rare blend of vocal and instrumental abilities, award-winning songwriting, and arranging talents. They have the unique ability to adapt to the style of music they happen to be playing. They seem comfortably at home whether playing an upbeat cowboy swing tune or a tender, traditional ballad–though there are no rules here either, sometimes the traditional sounds contemporary, sometimes the contemporary sounds traditional. And they also pay attention to the little things, the warmth, the humor and a rapport with the audience that makes for a memorable performance. Their new live CD, “Small Potatoes Alive!” showcases both their story-telling abilities and their easy manner with an audience. You will find yourself laughing one minute, and crying the next.
“They don’t sound like anybody else. I like that. They lay out a blanket and every song is a picnic.” –Warren Nelson, Big Top Chautauqua/Tent Show Radio–Wisconsin Public Radio, Bayfield, WI
SMALL POTATOES HAS OPENED FOR OR SHARED STAGES WITH:
Tom Paxton, Greg Brown, John McCutcheon, Tom Chapin, Christine Lavin, Jay Ungar and Molly Mason, Utah Phillips, Cheryl Wheeler, Robin & Linda Williams, David Wilcox, Bryan Bowers, Peter Rowan, Kate & Anna McGarrigle, Bill Staines, Trout Fishing in America, Austin Lounge Lizards, Susan Werner, The Hot Club of Cowtown, The Bobs, David Massengill, Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen, James Keelaghan, Cliff Eberhardt, John Stewart, Jack Williams, Michael Johnson, Tanglefoot, Billy Jonas, Michael Smith
