Songwriter feels at home in Sisters

Martyn Joseph has spent a lot of time in Sisters over the past couple of years. First invited to the Sisters Folk Festival in 2010, he proved such a hit that organizers invited him back as the 2011 "encore performer."

Now he's returning again for the second in the Sisters Folk Festival's Winter Concert Series, set for Friday, February 10, at the Sisters High School Auditorium.

Joseph arrived in the area on Tuesday.

"I get to spend time off in one of my favorite places," he told The Nugget on Monday. "I've made so many good friends and I feel very much at home there."

The natural beauty is attractive, Joseph allows, but there's something else that pulls the singer back to the area.

"You get a sense of community, I suppose," he said.

Joseph brings with him a career spanning over 30 albums, his latest the critically acclaimed "Under Lemonade Skies."

With a deep well of song to draw from, Joseph doesn't hit the stage with a set list. There will definitely be some new material.

"I've got some new songs that I've written since I was last in Sisters," he noted.

Beyond that, Joseph can't say.

"Things happen during the gig and you tend to feed on that," he said. "Sisters is such a welcoming place and I'm sure it's going to be a heartwarming night and I'm really looking forward to doing it."

To purchase tickets visit http://www.sistersfolkfestival.org/tickets or call the festival office during regular business hours at 541-549-4979. Tickets are also available at Paulina Springs Books in Sisters and Redmond and FootZone in Bend. The price for each show is $15/adult for advance tickets and $10/student, $20/adults at the door. Shows start at 7 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m.

On Thursday, March 8, the series concludes with Red Molly.

For more information on the 2012 Winter Concert Series visit www.

sistersfolkfestival.org/wcs, or call 541-549-4979.