Two Way Street Coffee House--Pete Norman

On Friday, October 23rd, Two Way Street Coffee House Friday Night Concert Series presents Pete Norman.

Pete Norman was born at a time in which his father was employed as the strong man for the “Norman Valpurdy Circus and Sideshow”. The elder Norman’s brute strength and flair for show business, coupled with the similarity in names (believe it or not), assured “Powerful Pierre”, as he was then known, a relationship with Mr. Valpurdy that proved both long and profitable for both men.

Young Peter felt his calling at an early age. Every waking moment was spent at the training, both mental and physical, that was needed to be a top-notch sideshow strong man. But a freak accident involving a dumbbell and a trained seal, combined with a cheap Sears and Roebuck banjo left to him by a balloon ascensionist uncle changed Pete’s life forever.  The ensuing years were spent in the study of banjoists, blues players, and songwriters, both traditional and contemporary.

Pete has spent the last forty-five years in search of the perfect folk song. While he has accumulated, from various traditional sources, a strange and wonderful collection of songs and tunes, the ultimate has yet to be found. To use Pete’s own words though, “The pursuit of happiness is ninety-nine percent older ships in the Isles of Guffaw.”  He rests comfortably in his central Minnesota home, plays his instruments, sings songs, keeps a mighty tidy house, cooks gourmet meals, and occasionally performs music on the side, but mostly sitting or standing.

You may access the livestream on www.twowaystreet.org or on our Facebook page or YouTube channel.