The Rooster's Wife hosts entertainer Christine Lavin as she celebrates of 25 years of songwriting and performing with "My 25th Anniversary Concert: What Was I (EVER!) Thinking?"

This 12th of 13 summer concerts will be presented Sunday, Aug. 1, at the Postmaster's House, 204 E. South St., in downtown Aberdeen. The show begins at 6 p.m., with Charlotte singer-songwriters Amissville as the opening act.

The concert features vintage Lavin, combining signature songs with hilarious stories as she recounts the people, events, near-disasters and minor miracles that have defined her life and music.

Some of these great road stories found their way into her new book, "Cold Pizza for Breakfast: A Mem-wha??"

There were certain songs from the past that Lavin felt had to be in the concert, including "Summer Weddings," "Happy Divorce Day," "Roses From The Wrong Man," "Bald Headed Men" and "The Kind Of Love You Never Recover From."

"I find it very interesting to revisit songs I wrote decades ago," she says. "When I sing 'Summer Weddings,' invariably someone in the audience will tell me, 'I was one of those blushing 30-year-old brides, and we're still together,' or 'I was one of those blushing 30-year-old brides, and that was the biggest mistake of my life.' I'm also finding 'Happy Divorce Day,' a song I recorded 15 years ago, is only now finding its audience."

"The Kind Of Love You Never Recover From" continues to be her most-requested song.

"I never tire of hearing love stories where that song has actually played a crucial part," Lavin says. "My career might be an unusual one, but luckily so many of the songs I have written from my own experience resonate with a lot more people than just me!"

If Lavin dips back to the '80s and '90s for old times' sake, it's clear her latest songs nail American life and foibles squarely on the head. Relationships are still in her sights, but with a decidedly new edge as "Stop Sobbing/She's an Idiot" looks at a doomed marriage from the sidelines.

While "The Air Conditioner" and "The Gold Fish Whisperer" are Lavin at her most whimsical, "Attractive Stupid People" leaves no doubt this songwriter knows what makes the world go round even as she keeps her audiences doubled over with laughter.

Her recently published book starts off with Lavin's hilarious account of opening for Joan Rivers in West Palm Beach. What looks like a career trajectory thunks to the stage floor in a performer's worst nightmare. Lavin then backtracks her story to the beginning to trace her curious and circuitous route to becoming a internationally recognized singer-songwriter. She also touches on dealings and misdealings with record companies, music publishers, concert promoters and clubs.

Yet through it all, Lavin is eternally upbeat and optimistic as she becomes the virtual heart and soul of folk music in New York from the mid-'80s to the present. She concludes the book with a salute to her fellow singer/songwriters in a marvelously comprehensive index of contemporary artists she considers the gold standard of American folk music.

The Rooster's Wife is a nonprofit association created to present the performing arts and arts education to build and sustain community.

To support that idea, the Rooster's Wife works with other local nonprofits, teachers and businesses. The Friends of the Postmaster maintains the house and grounds of the property at 204 E. South St.

Tickets are $8 by cash or check at the gate or may be purchased online at www.theroosterswife.org. Children under 12 are admitted free to introduce them to all kinds of music. Picnics are welcome, and the venue is handicapped accessible.

Performances continue rain or shine, with the rain location the gallery space of Poplar Knight Spot, 114 Knight St., Aberdeen.

For more information, call (910) 944-7502.