Teja Gerken & Doug Young Duo

Long-time Bay Area acoustic guitar favorites Teja Gerken and Doug Young are celebrating the release of The Water is Wide, their second album as a duo. Following their acclaimed 2020 album, Duets, of which Acoustic Guitar magazine said it “Represents modern fingerstyle guitar at the highest level,” Teja and Doug are continuing their journey of combining the sonorities of a wide range of guitars (which may include baritone, resonator, 12-string, classical, and standard steel-string instruments) and tunings for a repertoire that includes originals, Celtic tunes, pop and rock classics, a bit of classical, and more.

Teja Gerken has enchanted audiences ever since coming onto the acoustic fingerstyle scene in the late 1990s. Initially influenced by guitarists such as John Renbourn, Michael Hedges, and Leo Kottke, Teja ultimately began weaving together his diverse musical interest into a style that is his own, releasing his debut album, On My Way, in 1999. In the two decades since, Teja has fine-tuned his sets to include original compositions, Celtic traditionals, classical pieces, jazz standards, and some favorite tunes by his fingerstyle guitar peers, several of which are included on 2005’s Postcards. Teja’s latest release is 2024’s Test of Time, the opening track of which, “Vicki's Red Boots,” was a finalist for the 2024 USA Songwriting Competition. Teja is also a co-founder of the music education website Peghead Nation and has written extensively about guitars and guitarists.

Doug Young is the winner of the 2011 International Acoustic Music Awards in the instrumental category. He has released two CDs, Laurel Mill and Closing Time, which feature his solo guitar playing, compositions, and arrangements. Doug has written several best-selling guitar instructional books, he is a contributing editor for Acoustic Guitar magazine, and is in-demand for teaching workshops at guitar events throughout the country.

Tickets are $25 general admission. Children under 12 are free. Advance tickets are available here, or if the show is not sold out, you may purchase your tickets at the door before the show.

Doors open one half hour before show time. We accept cash or Venmo only at the door.

The Back Room is an all-ages, BYOB (for those 21+) space, dedicated to (mostly) acoustic music of all kinds. You are welcome to bring your own food and beverages. The venue is ADA accessible. If you need more information or have any questions, please call us: #510-381-1997.

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Please note: Although masks are no longer required, we strongly encourage their use to keep everyone safe in our intimate space.

Host or Publisher Sam Rudin