On September 26, 2026, the Bad Buffalo Listening Room in Alden, NY hosted an intimate evening of independent Country and Americana music featuring singer-songwriter Addison Johnson accompanied by special guest Chris Welch. For fans of authentic, narrative-driven roots music, the performance offered a masterclass in stripping a song down to its rawest, most compelling elements.
The Bad Buffalo Listening Room provided the perfect backdrop for the performance. True to its name, the venue prioritized an attentive, quiet atmosphere, completely free from the typical ambient noise of a rowdy bar. This respectful environment allowed every lyric, and acoustic guitar strum, resonate clearly throughout the room.
Chris Welch from Jackson, Missouri took the stage first to showcase songs from his most recent album, Mississippi Gold, The Clarksdale Collection, which was released earlier this year. His solo set set up a powerful, soulful tone for the night, delivering a rich layer of acoustic guitar sound and depth that captivated the audience from the very first note. Welch completely captivated the audience by pairing his performance with raw, compelling real-life stories that inspired his heartfelt music, setting a deeply personal and soulful tone for the night.

Next up was Addison Johnson taking the spotlight, Johnson treated the intimate crowd to a set of some very powerful acoustic guitar driven tracks from his recent summer album, The State I'm In, which was released on June 26, 2026. He shared incredibly detailed, fascinating and entertaining backstories before his numbers, giving the audience an immersive look into his writing process and showing exactly why he is regarded as a one of the best songwriters in the independent country scene.
Both artists shined as premier storytellers. The captivating narratives behind their Americana/Country songs built a deep, personal connection with the room, making each song hit with maximum emotional feeling and impact.
The night of music felt less like a standard concert and more like an exclusive, living-room guitar pull. The audience was highly engaged, hanging onto every meaningful lyric from every song start to finish.
This performance proved why independent roots music thrives in dedicated listening spaces. Driven by sharp songwriting, excellent musicianship, and a deeply authentic presentation, Addison Johnson and Chris Welch delivered an unforgettable night of music that stayed with the crowd long after the final chord faded.
Special thanks to the Bad Buffalo Listening Room.