Chicago Farmer, Pat Ferguson

press release: Chicago Farmer, Bloomington, Illinois’ Cody Diekhoff writes with a depth and tenacity that those familiar with the likes of Arlo Guthrie and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott will appreciate. A story-teller at heart, Diekhoff probes the human condition to get at the grubby underbelly of modern Midwestern life.

Having grown up in central Illinois among farmers and factory workers, many of Diekoff’s songs are autobiographical in nature. He explores issues like job loss, depression, and a divided nation through a focused lens, fine-tuning each song into a narrative so precise it can’t help but leave behind filaments of hope and joy in its wake.

Adam Dawson of No Depression writes of Chicago Farmer’s latest release Midwest Side Stories, “The songs are covered to the elbows in dirt from the fields and smell of the sweaty factory floors. If the Midwest is looking for a voice, the search is over.”

Based in Madison, Pat Ferguson has been a professional touring musician for 15 years, spending his early years as one of the founders and lead guitarists for the nationally touring “Smokin’ Bandits” and now as a renowned solo performer. 

In a decade and a half of touring, Pat has shared the stage and performed with Grammy Award winners, Country Music and Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame members, and countless other world-class musicians including Merle Haggard, Little Feat, Dr. John, Jason Isbell, Todd Snider, Jazz Mandolin Project, and many more.

Chicago Farmer will be performing at The Stoughton Opera House with guest Pat Ferguson on Friday, October 20 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets at the Stoughton Opera House Box Office during regular business hours, order by phone at (608) 877-4400 or online at www.stoughtonoperahouse.com. Tickets $22.