Sat 7/6 @ 9PM
There are very few second acts as superstars for former teen idols. For every Michael Jackson and Justin Timberlake who pulls it off, there are a dozen surviving on touring musicals or playing nostalgia shows for former fans in club-sized venues. Anyone seen Leif Garrett or Bobby Sherman lately — or for that matter, Avril Lavigne?
And then there’s Susan Cowsill, perhaps the least predictable second act ever.
The Cowsills were that peppy family band who served as inspiration for the Partridge Family TV show. They had several huge hits in the late ’60s. Susan was the chubby-faced baby sister who made her debut with the group in 1967 at the age of eight.
The Cowsills stumbled through the ’70s wracked by dissension and family members coming and going and reconfiguring. There’s a recent Showtime documentary, Family Band: The Cowsills Story, that covers it all.
But somehow little Susan emerged in the ’80s, not with superstar success but with serious indie cred.
She sang backup vocals with power-pop icon Dwight Twilley, college rock favorites the Smithereens, and June Carter Cash’s daughter Carlene Carter; performed with the well-regarded indie/Americana band the Continental Drifters; and developed her own songwriting, releasing her first solo album in 2005. She’s sung on albums by underground legends Giant Sand and had Jackson Browne appear on one of her albums. It’s a meaty resume dotted with respected names.
Her own music blends her early pop leanings with her later affinity for American roots music.
She’s currently touring as the Susan Cowsill Duo with her husband, drummer Russ Broussard. They’ll be at the Winchester with acoustic duo Says She opening. Tickets are $12.