Gualala Arts Sea Tones Series presents singer/songwriter Libby Kirkpatrick on Friday, January 23 at 7:30 p.m. Under the genre of folk and contemporary music, Kirkpatrickâs sound is embedded in her acoustic guitar and lingering voice. Her wide vocal range and soulful lyrics have been applauded by critics and treasured by her audiences. Concert tickets can be purchased at the Arts Center or the Dolphin Gallery for $10.

Libby Kirkpatrickâs musical roots began in Philadelphia when she took to the piano at age three. It wasnât until her mid-teens that she would pick up an acoustic guitar, falling under the spell of Neil Young, Joni Mitchell and other influential artists of that era. Libby wrote her first group of original songs during an overseas stay÷the cultures of Thailand, India and Ireland serving as a backdrop. These songs were the first of many to travel along with her as she later cruised the jam band circuit into the southwest, northeast and the west coast.

A current resident of Austin, Texas, Libby released her third album entitled "Goodnight Venus" in October of 2003. She has been praised for her songwriting, and honored as a finalist and runner-up in the 2002 John Lennon Songwriting Competition. In 2002âs Lady Six String songwriting competition, she was again honored as a finalist and won the 1999 Telluride Bluegrass Festival "Troubadour" Award for songwriting and vocals.