CREDIT: MIKE BEAUCHAMP

Windsor's folk songstress Allison Brown returns to London tonight at the APK, performing with friends Will Gillespie and Uncle Dan Henshall as they raise money to fuel their pilgrimage south to Nashville, Tennessee.

Collectively, the group has a deep musical history; each a seasoned musician in their own right, the three friends have honed their show together over numerous gigs and past road trips — particularly Brown and Henshall, who've spent a lot of time together on the road.

“Dan and I play together quite regularly, he and I did a tour all the way out to Winnipeg and back,” Brown said fondly. “We've done a lot of touring together. He backs me up as a mandolin player, and he's really talented. I'm glad to get to play with Dan whenever I can.”

Who better to road trip across America with? Following their gigs tonight and tomorrow they make for the border and head south, eager to arrive in Nashville and make the most out of their time in the city networking and appearing at as many open mic events that they can.

“I thought it might be a good time to go, I'm told things start to wake up again in Nashville around this time of the year,” Brown laughed. “It's definitely a hub, and one of the bigger places you can go for any music, not just country or roots music. There's a lot going on down there, it's going to be fun.”

Despite a performing history of better than 20 years, this trip to Nashville is the first for Brown, who had originally looked at having the trip back in November. Brown has a collection of tour dates around the province upon her return.

For more on Allison Brown, visit her online at allisonbrown.ca or follow along on Twitter @allisoncbrown for stories and photos from the road.

Tonight's gig at the APK (347 Clarence St.) represents Brown's return to London after close to a year. Doors open at 9 pm and admission is only $5. The trio also perform a pay-what-you-can gig tomorrow night at the FM Lounge in Windsor.

Allison Brown from Graeme Bachiu on Vimeo.