MARSHFIELD -- Wisconsin author, musician and storyteller Michael Perry will bring his blend of music, humor and personal stories to the LuCille Tack Center for the Arts in Spencer on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Perry and his band, The Long Beds, will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. for an evening featuring songs, stories and the humor that has become a familiar part of Perry's work.
Perry, who lives in Wisconsin, has spent years combining his writing and music with storytelling. During a recent interview, he discussed his approach to performing, his band and the importance of not taking himself too seriously.
“I was raised by people who’d never let you get too big-headed,” Perry said. “Never let you get too deep into your own ego.”
Perry said humor became a natural way to keep that perspective, and it continues to influence both his writing and performances.
“I try to write with all my heart and try to make it heartfelt and beautiful,” he said. “But then in between, we're probably going to tell a funny story or joke around, because we just can't take ourselves too seriously.”
That balance carries over into his work with The Long Beds.
Perry said the musicians who perform with him bring years of experience and expertise to the group. While musical talent is important, he said there is another quality that matters when putting together a band.
“You gotta be good in the van,” Perry said.
The band can spend long hours traveling together to performances, sometimes with several people packed into the vehicle. Perry said being able to get along, joke around and carry on conversations about everything from everyday subjects to existential questions makes the time on the road enjoyable.
The Long Beds generally perform about 10 to 15 shows a year, with Perry also spending considerable time on the road for solo performances and speaking engagements.
Musically, Perry described the band's sound as having a country feel while incorporating darker and more evocative elements. The music is built around acoustic guitar, with other musicians adding their own styles and instruments.
Perry said he appreciates the musicians around him and recognizes the years they have spent developing their craft.
“I write them, I sing them. I know my chords, but the people around me have studied the craft of music all their life, and I acknowledge that,” he said.
Rather than trying to dominate the stage, Perry said he enjoys stepping back during instrumental sections and allowing the other musicians to showcase their abilities.
“One of my favorite things is to step back during the solo session and just let them show you why they're on stage and not me,” he said.
Perry also cited singer-songwriter Greg Brown as one of his major Midwestern musical influences. He said Brown's songwriting had a significant impact on him as a writer before he began writing songs himself.
In addition to music, Perry regularly appears at book readings, speaking engagements and other events. His presentations often feature humorous stories drawn from his books and his life.
Perry's speaking work has taken him to farm groups, medical organizations, EMS and firefighting groups, libraries and corporate events. His background includes growing up on a farm, earning a nursing degree and working for years as an EMT and first responder. He continues to serve as a first responder with his local fire department.
Perry described his speaking appearances as falling somewhere between a book reading and stand-up comedy.
“I just tell stories from my life and from the books, and they're mostly humorous,” he said.
For Perry, the goal is to make his performances welcoming to a broad audience.
“We're very much a boots and blue jeans sort of people,” he said.
That approach is also reflected in The Long Beds' performances, which Perry said are designed to be approachable whether audience members come for the music, the stories, the literature or simply a good laugh.
The Long Beds' upcoming performance at the LuCille Tack Center for the Arts, 400 N. School St., Spencer, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24.
Perry said audiences can expect an evening of songs, stories and humor — and, most importantly, a chance to spend time together.
“It's a real experience,” Perry said. “It's just us having a nice evening with folks and everybody leaves smiling.”
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