Singer, songwriter John Pollard at Ellen Rice Gallery July 17

Delaware singer, songwriter and guitarist John Pollard, founder of the Cole Younger Band, will perform solo at the Ellen Rice Gallery from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, July 17, rain or shine.

The public is invited to bring folding chairs, sit and enjoy Pollard's music, wine, cheese and the art he loves. Songs from two of his most popular CDs among local beachgoers, "Winds of Time" and "My Bethany," will be performed, in addition to songs from a not-yet-released new album and a variety of special requests.

It's Pollard's seventh appearance at the gallery, and he's always enjoyed quite a following, says gallery owner and artist Rice. "People have been asking if he'll come back and we're to glad to be able to accommodate their wishes."

Much of Pollard's music is autobiographical. "My desire," says the musician, "is to relate feelings and emotions to the listener in a way that they may find familiar and appreciate."

Pollard's performances at the gallery stem from a friendship he developed with Rice when he visited her gallery for the release of a painting of a landmark with special significance to him, one of Delaware's World War II Watchtowers in "Winds of Time." (http://www.ellenrice.com/prints/nautical_historic/winds_of_time.php).

"I ended up buying the framed print number one and Ellen agreed to let me use her art for the cover of my CD. I even borrowed her title, 'Winds of Time,' as it was precisely appropriate. I've subsequently acquired many of her beautiful prints over the years, as well as the original pastel, 'Now,' which I am proud to own," Pollard said.

"I try and get to the gallery as often as I can to play and see what Ellen has been up to, as she is a prolific artist, and captures the ocean scenes on canvas as I see them in my mind. I'm looking forward to seeing Ellen and all my friends at the gallery soon."

Pollard has six albums out and has just finished recording "Till the Heavens Fall - The Younger Tunes." The album contains all of Pollard's music about Cole Younger, the James Gang, the Missouri/Kansas Border Wars and the raid on Northfield. "I'm hoping people will enjoy the stories the songs present. I've a bunch of great people playing on this CD, and consider it the best I've done," he noted.

Pollard says the Younger tunes have been a passion of his as far back as he can remember. "Somewhere along the line I became very interested in the events in the life of Cole Younger, which led to my playing regularly in his hometown of Harrisonville, Mo., in the early 2000s with my band, the Cole Younger Band."

He plays solo regularly in the Delaware-Pennsylvania-Maryland area and is currently updating his tour schedule on www.coleyoungerband.com. His CDs are available through www.cdbaby.com and during his performance at the Ellen Rice Gallery.

The Ellen Rice Gallery is located at 103 Atlantic Ave., Ocean View, in the west end of the same building housing Country Wicker, 2.2 miles west of Bethany Beach. For more information, call the gallery at 302-539-3405 or go to www.ellenrice.com.