Friday, October 25, 2024 @ 6:00 PM

Tim’s musical journey began at an old player piano with his grandmother Ruth Cosgrove.  At the age of 9 he discovered the acoustic guitar and it has been a part of his life since.  Inspired by the songwriters of the 1970s, Tim was inspired by the likes of John Denver, Gordon Lightfoot and Harry Chapin. Songwriting and performing were the natural next steps and Tim continues to pursue those passions today.  

During live performances Tim invites you into his space and tells stories of people and places. This is evident in his works such as The Day the Rumors Came True, a haunting tale of the infamous Johnstown Flood of 1889, Cambria Bells, a song of the rise and fall of the steel industry in a small immigrant town, and Waterman, a story about the crab and oyster fishermen of the Chesapeake Bay.

He has shared the stage with some well know artists on the contemporary folk circuit, including Bill Danoff, David Mallet, Tom May, Tom Russel, Cliff Eberhart, and Michael McNevin.   You can catch him on XM and public radio across the country as well as Spotify, Apple Music and most streaming services.  In the past, Tim has performed on ABC’s Good Morning America, and the Fox News Channel’s Morning Show.

I write about nouns,” Tim joked during an interview on National Public Radio. “I take my inspiration from people that I’ve met, and the places that I’ve been. I’m humbled by the fact that people come out to listen to the stories and songs that I have to share. Live music has brought many people of many cultures together over the years; I’m proud to be a part of that ongoing tradition.

In addition to his own live performances around the region, Tim serves as the Programing Director for the Arcadia Theater, to bring a variety of other artists to the Johnstown region.  He is often joined by his wife Courtney Custer in live performances on the bass, cello or violin. 

Barbara Laslo’s passion for the arts has always been a part of her life, and it has continued to grow throughout her life. She graduated from McKeesport High School, and then went on to Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA, graduating with a degree in Business. She taught at Clairton High School and then went on to Greater Johnstown School District, where she got to work with the late Art Supervisor M. Josephine Paul. During that time, Barbara earned her permanent teaching certificate from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. She eventually went on to work for seventeen years at Vo-Tech, and then Cambria County Community College, now Penn Highlands Community College, teaching medical and legal courses. When Barbara left the Community College, she had four grandchildren, and it was time for her to be available to help with them.

Barbara met her husband, Elmer Laslo, at Geneva College, and they married in August of 1971. After starting their family, she began getting more and more involved in the community as a volunteer and advocate for the arts. She was involved with the Pink Ribbon Ball for many years, the Johnstown Symphony Orchestra Auxiliary where she has Co-Chaired the Fashion Show fundraiser for many years among other initiatives, and the Johnstown Area Heritage Association, in particular with the Flood City Music Festival. In addition to family, work, and volunteering, Barbara has been dedicated to church and sharing her love of God by teaching Sunday School and Bible School, along with serving as the Communion Assistant and Lector at Christ Lutheran Church.

Nevertheless, the most important part of Barbara’s life has been her husband and the beautiful life they built together, as he gave so much joy to her and this community. Before his passing in 2023, Elmer had spread his love for volunteering onto Barbara, his children and grandchildren. Recently, this legacy of support has continued with their sponsorship of the Barbara & Elmer Laslo Cultural Heritage initiative to allow Pennsylvania artists to display their wonderful work at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, with an equally wonderful opening reception experience.

Barbara plans to continue to provide funds and time to the Arts Center, so that it can flourish well into the future, as the arts have always been important to her. Elmer really supported the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, along with so many other worthy organizations, and he encouraged Barbara to be actively involved as well. Over the years, she has volunteered for many nonprofits and organizations, including the Arts Center in many capacities.