Local Legends Series: The Nitpickers and Amz

We're kicking off our monthly Local Legends Series with a double feature: the Nitpickers and Amz! These two talented acts have been rocking the Cedar Valley for a while now and we can't wait to catch them both in concert. This event is open for in person and virtual audiences!

About Amz

Amz , of Waterloo -- otherwise known by her alter ego Amie Rivers -- will get us going at 7pm and will set the stage for a terrific evening of music making. She's  been playing and writing songs since she was three years old, when she wrote a song on piano  about her favorite characters on Sesame Street.

She's branched out to guitar and gotten a little better on piano since then, but still writes original songs about the important things in life. Her previous bands were the bluegrass outfit The Comfort Kings and alt-pop group The Costanzas, with four albums of original music, mostly written by Amz, between them. She spent a few months of the pandemic playing a regular Facebook Live gig on Sundays of all requests to stay sharp, and is getting ready to record a solo album of all-new original music, some of which she'll play tonight.

About The Nitpickers

The Nitpickers will close out our show at 8pm and will show off an impressive blend of blues and rock and roll. The band was started by singer/guitarist Harold Connelly almost two decades ago.  The band played everywhere but became particularly well-known in the area for playing AT rest homes, care facilities and retirement estates. 

As the group matured, Harold added new talent in 2016 with Steven Surles and in 2017 with Aaron Narigon, Amy Boevers, and Rod Holke-Farnham).  As individuals, the group enjoy(ed) careers as members of the Hawkeye Community College faculty.  Although Harold retired in the spring of 2021, he still helps book the band at many of the area's care facilities, Bremer County fair, this years Cattle Congress, and much more.

The Local Legends Series is a monthly concert series where your favorite hometown acts will take to the Great Hall stage and perform concerts for a hybrid audience who attend in-person or virtually. This programming is fun, fresh, and bold. The Local Legends Series breaks the traditional mold for programming you might expect to see at the Gallagher Bluedorn. What sweetens the experience even more is that you know you're supporting local by attending a Local Legends show.