Singer-songwriter Robert Maharry of Marshalltown performs on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at The Parsonage in Traer, a new venue sponsored by Ripley United Church of Christ (UCC). In his day job, Maharry is managing editor at the Times-Republican newspaper. His Traer concert drew a crowd of roughly 30 listeners aged 1 to 101. PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

TRAER – Under the star-studded night sky last Wednesday at Traer Ripley UCC’s new venue The Parsonage, Times-Republican managing editor Robert Maharry temporarily left his day job behind to moonlight as a singer-songwriter, performing a variety of folk rock classics plus some original material to a crowd of almost 30 people.

The audience – which included both members and non-members of the congregation alike – gathered in lawn chairs situated on the large grassy space bookended to the east by Ripley’s statuesque, brick house of worship and to the west by the parsonage itself. A gas fire pit glowed nearby, adding to the friendly ambience cultivated by Maharry, a founding member of the Iowa band Catfish Murphy.

Maharry’s concert was the penultimate event for The Parsonage’s inaugural summer concert series – a monthly series which began in June with Katie Sires (of Katie and the Honky Tonks) performing inside The Parsonage to a chockablock crowd of more than 90.

Both Sires and Maharry were among the main acts this summer to follow what Lay Minister Jim Coppoc, a musician himself, has billed as ‘open mic night.’ Per Coppoc, ahead of each month’s featured performer, Traerites are given the “opportunity to come together, share talents, support local music/poetry/comedy, and socialize in a non-bar venue” for roughly 30 minutes. The events are part of the congregation’s recent decision to become a ‘mission oriented church’ with a laser focus on community outreach.

For Maharry – a 33-year-old native of Alta who now lives in Marshalltown where he edits not only the daily Times-Republican newspaper but also Tama-Grundy Publishing’s weeklies including the North Tama Telegraph – the venue provided a new experience.

Robert Maharry, a member of the Iowa band Catfish Murphy, performs on guitar and harmonica as part of his solo gig at The Parsonage last Wednesday evening in Traer. PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

“I have never played anything quite like [The Parsonage],” Maharry said following the concert. “It was a great atmosphere. I love outdoor-campfire type vibes, and it actually kind of reminded me of the Tiny Campfire shows at another Tama County venue, Pilgrim Heights (in rural Montour), that I’ve previously covered (for the newspaper). The sound was great, the people were great, and Jim was so appreciative and receptive. It’s a unique space, and I really hope he can keep it going in the future.”

Ahead of Maharry’s set, open mic performances included Ripley members Ruth Calderwood and her son David Calderwood singing “The Billboard Song” in what was quite possibly one of the most entertaining duets yet at The Parsonage.

“This is a little ditty that Mother taught us growing up,” David explained. “I thought maybe it was a ‘Ruth original’ … She can’t remember anything behind it. … Turns out it’s not a Ruth original … Some of the versions date back to the 1920s. … It’s a semi-Ruth original.”

“Doctors prove that babies shouldn’t smoke ’til they are three/People over 35, take baths in Lipton Tea/Oh, you can make America a better place today/Just buy a record of this song and throw it far away,” the Calderwoods sang, much to the amusement of the audience.

Following a brief break to allow time for hors d’oeuvres, Maharry then kicked off his hourlong set just as the sun was setting. With an acoustic guitar and collection of harmonicas, he performed a compilation of folk-rock hits including some by Bob Dylan, The Eagles, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young.

Ruth Calderwood, left, and her son David Calderwood perform "The Billboard Song" during the Wednesday, Sept. 18 open mic night at The Parsonage in Traer. PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

His rendition of “Bye Bye Love” – made famous by The Everly Brothers in 1957 – proved an audience favorite. The song’s sharp, punchy opening and multiple interludes were the perfect showcase for Maharry’s talented guitar playing.

Amid the roar of farm trucks passing by the church’s east side which faces Hwy 63 and an A/C condenser loudly humming nearby, Maharry took short breaks every few songs to speak to his listeners. During one such pause, he thanked Coppoc for inviting him and for starting up the venue; he marveled at being able to perform like he was in small town Traer, Iowa.

“There’s a lot of towns of this size where you wouldn’t have anything like this. This is a really cool event.”

In addition to being a more than proficient guitar player, Maharry soared on the harmonica, while his mournful vocals seemed to slide into the dark night like molasses.

“I am a writer by profession,” he said as he rounded the concert’s halfway mark before performing a couple of original songs including one he wrote nearly a decade ago after reading the 1957 novel “On the Road” by Jack Kerouac.

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

“I’m growing up. I’m moving on. Doing what I’m supposed to do,” Maharry sang, confidently. “The life that I was looking for I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”

After performing “You Got It” by Roy Orbison – which he dedicated to his fiancee Erinn Studer who was in the audience – Maharry took a couple requests before ending the evening with Neil Young’s “My My, Hey Hey (Out of the Blue).” Of all the songs he performed that evening, this was probably his tour de force – allowing his skill on both guitar and harmonica to shine.

“Hey hey, my my/Rock and roll can never die,” Maharry sang in his mellow tenor vocals.

Although Young was referencing Elvis Presely with the lyric, “The king is gone, but he’s not forgotten,” the words easily could have been interpreted that evening as a nod to Jesus Christ in light of the venue.

As Maharry piped away on the harmonica and Young’s song gradually fell away ‘into the black,’ The Parsonage’s brick walls and nearby church exterior glowed brightly in the firelight.

PHOTOS BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER AND SOREN M. PETERSON

The Parsonage’s final open mic night of the season is set for Wednesday, Oct. 23, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and will feature Uncle Chuck whom Coppoc describes as a “Cedar Valley legend.”

For more information, refer to the event’s Facebook page.

For all things Catfish Murphy including Maharry’s solo gigs, follow the band on Facebook, or refer to the band’s website: https://catfishmurphy.com.