J.PLANK Sunday August 16 2026

J.PLANK — Live in the Community
Sunday, August 16th, 2026 | 3:00 PM

~ Calgary House Concerts ~

Location: Brentwood Community Gardens

Jeff Plankenhorn (J. Plank): Three Decades of Musical Excellence

For more than 30 years, Jeff Plankenhorn—known to audiences as J. Plank—has quietly built a reputation as one of North America’s most respected roots musicians. Rather than chasing commercial trends, he has earned his standing through thousands of performances, exceptional musicianship, and the respect of fellow artists across the Americana, folk, blues, country, and roots music communities.

Born in Ohio and raised in Michigan, Jeff’s musical journey began at age ten when his older brother gave him his first guitar. After performing in a variety of bands, his path eventually led him to Memphis, where a chance meeting with legendary Texas songwriter Ray Wylie Hubbard opened the door to Austin’s world-renowned music scene. Austin became his home for nearly two decades and the place where he established himself as one of the city’s most sought-after musicians.

Throughout his career, Jeff has performed and recorded alongside acclaimed artists including Ray Wylie Hubbard, Joe Ely, Ruthie Foster, Eliza Gilkyson, Bob Schneider, Jimmy LaFave, and many others. As both a first-call session musician and touring performer, he became known as the guitarist fellow musicians wanted beside them on stage and in the studio.

While many know him for his remarkable slide guitar work, Jeff’s artistry extends far beyond instrumental virtuosity. He is an accomplished songwriter whose music blends Americana, blues, folk, country, and roots into songs that are deeply human, honest, and emotionally engaging. His performances balance technical brilliance with warmth, humour, and storytelling, creating concerts that feel intimate regardless of the venue.

Jeff is perhaps best known for developing “The Plank,” his signature stand-up lap steel guitar. This innovative instrument combines elements of the dobro and lap steel while allowing him to perform standing, giving him greater freedom of movement and expression. The instrument became so distinctive that it earned him an Austin Music Award for Best Miscellaneous Instrument, along with multiple nominations for Musician of the Year and Best Guitarist.

In recent years, Jeff relocated to Vancouver Island, British Columbia, while continuing an active touring schedule throughout Canada, the United States, Europe, and Japan. His acclaimed albums—including SoulSlide, Alone At Sea, and his 2025 release The Bend—showcase an artist who continues to evolve while remaining true to the roots traditions that have defined his career.

What makes Jeff Plankenhorn especially admired within the music industry is not only his extraordinary musicianship but also his generosity and professionalism. Fellow musicians consistently describe him as a player who serves the song first, bringing taste, restraint, and emotion rather than unnecessary flash. His slide guitar doesn’t simply decorate the music—it becomes another voice within it.

For Calgary House Concerts, welcoming Jeff represents exactly the kind of artist the series was created to present: an internationally respected performer whose reputation has been earned over decades through authenticity, craftsmanship, and an unwavering commitment to live music. Audiences attending his first Calgary House Concert can expect far more than an outstanding guitarist—they’ll experience one of today’s finest roots musicians in an intimate setting where every note, every story, and every song can truly be appreciated

stands out because he’s the real deal — a hard-working touring artist with deep roots, serious musicianship, and that rare ability to make a room feel like it’s part of the show. There’s no shortcut in his story. His lap steel work isn’t “extra”; it’s a signature voice woven directly into the songs, shaping mood and movement with texture, soul, and intention. Every note feels earned.

His songwriting carries a lived-in honesty that doesn’t feel performative — it feels true. The kind of truth that only comes from years of miles, stages, late nights, and long drives between towns. He’s built his career the long way: earning stages, earning audiences, and earning respect — from Texas roots circuits to the wider touring world.

Now based on Vancouver Island, he’s still putting in the miles and delivering every night with the same commitment to craft and connection. He’s not a newcomer chasing attention — he’s a road-tested artist arriving in Calgary for the first time, bringing with him decades of experience, grit, warmth, and genuine musicianship.

This is an opportunity to experience an artist who has earned every stage he steps onto.

Event Details
📅 Sunday, August 16th, 2026
📍 Community location announcement coming soon
⏰ Doors 2:30 PM | Show 3:00 PM
💲 $25 Artist Cover / Pay-What-You-Can
👉 RSVP & Details: calgaryhouseconcerts.ca

As part of our Live in the Community series, this concert reflects what Calgary House Concerts is all about: presenting professional touring artists in welcoming neighbourhood spaces — accessible, attentive, and open to all ages.

Not just a concert.
An afternoon of connection, artistry, and shared experience.

We look forward to seeing you there — and thank you for supporting Live Music in the Community.