Mark Stevenson grew up in a small town in central Indiana. He knows the small-town type and appreciates the particular brand of strange that comes along with that.
So naturally he felt a connection to the work of noted Callaway County folk artist Jesse Howard. Stevenson, also an artist as well as a paper conservationist, came across one of Howard's famous signs and was inspired.
Instead of emulating Howard's signs, though, Stevenson decided to build on the work in his own way: Through song. The folk and bluegrass enthusiast is bringing songs inspired by Howard's work, as well as some of his other tunes, to Arris' Pizza at 7 p.m. Thursday. Admission to the event is $10.