Duo K, which recently scored its third consecutive nomination as best local band/musician in the Times News Readers’ Choice Awards, has both familiar and new gigs coming up in Jim Thorpe.

The acoustic duo, consisting of husband and wife Leon and Beth Kamowski, plays Thorpe’s 903, Route 903, on Saturday and the Mountain Beer & Wine Festival at Penn’s Peak, Maury Road, on Sept. 27.

Duo K has performed at Thorpe’s since July, shortly after the restaurant’s grand opening, and will mark its debut at the aforementioned festival, formerly known as Wine on the Mountain.

The act, planning a similar set for both shows, likes “to observe the crowd and make a decision then,” Beth said. “We are always prepared with several sets.”

Other upcoming shows include Yenser’s Tree Farm Fall Fest/Jeep Day — a first-time gig — on Oct. 4 and the American Legion in Gilbert, where the duo has performed before, on Oct. 11.

How it began

Leon and Beth started performing as Duo K in May 2023, shortly before the twosome received its first Readers’ Choice nod.

Beth believes Duo K, which performs covers, received strong support out of the gate “mostly because of the variety of music we play. We have over 800 songs from all different genres. When doing a three-hour set, we rarely take a break, which keeps our listeners engaged.”

She and Leon “were shocked when we were nominated. There are so many amazing musicians out there that have far more followers than we do.”

Leon and Beth, born and raised in Nanticoke and Bethlehem, respectively, will celebrate their 39th wedding anniversary in October. The couple has lived in Franklin Township, Lehighton, since 1994.

John Denver “was the greatest inspiration to my husband,” Beth said, adding that Leon began playing guitar and banjo at age 12. Leon, retired from the IBEW Local 375, inspired Beth’s musical path.

“Five years ago, I had the opportunity to start learning,” said Beth, who helps run family business Strohl’s Sanitation Service LLC in Bethlehem. “I began with ukulele and, about three months later, started banjolele. Our four children kept us busy. Once they grew up, I made time to learn.”

The duo, Beth said, “looked forward to Sunday afternoons practicing and learning new music together, and then we did several open mic nights to become comfortable playing in front of a crowd.”

Leon and Beth, who also play harmonica and a suitcase kick drum, respectively, regard country acts the Turnpike Troubadours and Zach Bryan as main influences. Others include Trampled By Turtles, Watchhouse, Old Crow Medicine Show, The SteelDrivers, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Tyler Childers.

Life before Duo K

Prior to forming Duo K, Leon performed solo for about 10 years off and on. Beth “tried to encourage him to play more, but he always would tell me that our family came first.”

The couple’s three daughters, Beth said, “were very involved in dance, along with cheerleading and other school sports,” while the pair’s son “kept us running with baseball spring through fall.”

Coaching their kids’ various activities limited Leon’s live gigs, though when he did perform, he included some original music.

“Leon has written several original pieces,” Beth said. “He thought a lot about releasing albums in the past, but between working full time and raising our children, there had never been enough time.”

Covers regularly appearing in Duo K’s shows include the Troubadours’ “Good Lord Lorrie” and “Gin, Smoke & Lies,” plus Bryan’s “I Remember Everything” and “Something in the Orange.”

When performing, the grandparents of five find it challenging to choose “the correct instruments to portray the song, so we can express it the best to fit our style. We change instruments to give a new sound and different emotional tone.”

Aside from its Readers’ Choice nods, Duo K’s highlights include playing a fall 2024 Penn’s Peak deck party, plus, Beth said, “meeting many wonderful people and making new friends through our music.”

Duo K, making emotional and personal connections through its music, has one goal in mind.

“Bringing folk music,” Beth said, “back to the heart of the people.”