by Richard Cuccaro
It's 5am, one morning in late July. I will be moving silently through our studio apartment
with a flashlight clenched between my teeth, trying not to wake the still-sleeping wife.
She'll have been up late the night before fixing food for the journey and for the week.
I'll weave groggily into the bathroom and the cellphone on my belt will catch on the spring-lever door
handle and it will twang slightly, causing me to wince. She'll stir, but not wake up.
I'll be up gathering odds and ends to stuff into too many bags for our trip to Falcon Ridge,
where we are vendors and campers as well as festival-goers, needing numerous changes
to deal with heat, cold and rain. Do we have enough batteries? Where are the subscription
forms? Did we get all the flashlights? We will pack the Subaru Forester with more than seems possible,
Passers-by will say as we load, "You can't get all that in there." But we can and we will (there's
always the roof rack) just like last year and the year before that.
Once the vehicle is filled and trussed on top, we'll breathe that first sigh… both relief and release.
The tethers of Manhattan life will pop and let go and we will begin to float free, swinging out into
city traffic and heading northward…up Sixth Avenue. There are two-lane country roads miles
and miles away. They pull at us with growing urgency. Away from steel, concrete and glass.
Away from bodies underground, rushing for trains, weaving and dodging, narrowly avoiding
collision. We'll recognize and feed that hunger for lush leafy green and for low clouds casting
their shadows on rolling hills out past the farms.
All signs point outward. Here we go!
The NJ Folk Project Festival has Cheryl Wheeler and Bob Franke, two of our favorites.
Cheryl's voice has captivated us since we heard her in the early 90's.
Bob's skill as a songwriter is legendary.
May 9 - 11 ~~ NJ Folk Project
Spring Festival
Stillwater, NJ phone 609/426-9064,
www.folkproject.org/Festivals.html
email: FestReg@folkproject.org
• Cheryl Wheeler • Straight Drive • Bob Franke • Sonas
• Peter Fischman & Deb O'Hanlon • Ken Galipeau
• Frank & Hank with Bill (Frank Sole, Henry Nerenberg, & Bill Meyer)
• Avant Gardeners • Peter Blue
Our favorites at Susquehanna would have to include We're About 9,
Terence Martin, Deni Bonet, Joe Jencks, Chris Chandler and Anne Feeney
and The Dreamsicles. Terence will be singing songs from his new CD, Even Trade.
This published poet-turned-songwriter has brought forth another jewel. We can't get
enough of WA9's Brian Gundersdorf and the out-on-the-ledge
characters in his songs. Hey Brian! Where's that new CD? I'll send money! I promise!
May 9 - 11 ~ The 6th Annual Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival
Ramblewood Campground, Darlington, Maryland
mywebpages.comcast.net/smaf2003/smaf.html
• Lynn Frances Anderson • Mack Bailey with Rachel Levy
• Deni Bonet • Dylan Visvikis • Joanne Juskus • SONiA &
disappear fear • Ashland Miller • Christine Havrilla
• Spirit Wing • Stephanie Corby • Dave Crossland
• Joe Jencks • The Dreamsicles • Terence Martin
• Brian Cutean • Ellis • Angie Miller • Anne Feeney
• Doug & Telisha Williams • Kim & Reggie Harris
• Chris Chandler • Someone's Sister • Lenore • Tret Fure
• Elena Higgins • Denice Franke • Amilia K. Spicer
• Dan Warner • Tom Kimmel • We're About 9
• Wishing Chair
The Kennedys will perform at Warwick's "Tribute to Bob Dylan" Festival.
Warwick Winery, is holding its annual Bob Dylan Tribute on Memorial Day weekend.
Gandalph Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams are there for all three days and
The Kennedys are there for two. Rod MacDonald, the best left-of-center
songwriter this side of Dylan himself, is there on Monday.
May 24, 25 & 26 ~ Tribute to Bob Dylan Festival at Warwick Valley Winery
114 Little York Road, Warwick, NY
845-258-4858 www.wvwinery.com
Admission $10.00 in advance, $12 at the door
Saturday, May 24th • Gandalph Murphy & the Slambovian
Circus of Dreams • Professor Louie and the Crowmatix
• Uncle Shoehorn • E'lissa Jones • Patty & Bob • Steve Lane • Evan Teatum
Sunday, May 25th • Gandalph Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
• The Kennedys • John Reddan • Eric Iversen • The Marty Koppel Trio
• Mighty Girl • Tough Mama
Monday, May 26th • Rod MacDonald • The Kennedys
• McMule • Ray Longchamp Band • Reflections
• Project Mercury • Marc Von Em
At Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest, the aura of New Orleans hovers over
Allen Toussaint and The Radiators. For dance trance, there's Donna The Buffalo.
Leroy Thomas and The Zydeco Roadrunners will satisfy that longing for some Lafayette
boogie. For geezers like this author, still jonesing for the 50's, there's Mitch Woods and The Rocket 88's.
May 30-31, June 1 Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest
Sussex County Fairgrounds/Augusta, NJ
www.crawfishfest.com
• Allen Toussaint • The Radiators • Donna The Buffalo
• Mitch Wood • Funky Meters • Tab Benoit • Roddie Romero & the Hub City All Stars
• Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band • Guitar Shorty
• Mitch Woods and The Rocket 88's • Leroy Thomas and The Zydeco Roadrunners
• Little Freddie King • Swingset Mamas • Railroad Earth Bonerama • The Lee Boys
• The Nappy Brown Orchestra • Rosie Ledet & the Zydeco Playboys • Louisiana Red
Jimmy LaFave will be at Kerrville and the Woody Guthrie Festival.
Shown here with Andrew Hardin on lead backup guitar.
As usual, Kerrville, the mecca for singer/songwriters has a mind-boggling array of performers
from all over the United States. We've had nine of them on our cover and have our eye on a
bunch more from this year's list. We'd like to have a chat with four in particular, Michael Smith,
Eric Taylor, Ray Wylie Hubbard and David Olney (said that last year, too). We like Ray Wylie's
attitude when he sings "We're from Texas, so #&#$% you!" Makes me wish I was a Texan too.
The latest jolt we got from Michael Smith was his opus, "Zippy" where the words tumble out
at a pace fast enough to give his tongue a hernia ("Life gets 'zippy' when you stop doin' weed").
David Olney and Eric Taylor teamed up in 2002 for the darkly magnificent Texas Song Theater, a
layered spoken and sung performance that had audiences gasping. Each has songs that leave
other writers' work in the dust.
May 24 - June 10 ~~ 36th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch/Kerrville, TX 830/257-3600
www.kerrvillefolkfestival.com
• Caroline Aiken • Scott Ainslie • Albert & Gage
• David Amram • Austin Lounge Lizards • Band of Heathens
• Sally Barris • Tim Bays • The Belleville Outfit • Rick Beresford
• Blame Sally • Harry Bodine • Bobby Bridger • Chuck Brodsky
• Stephen Bruton • Rufus Cappadocia • Jud Caswell
• Slaid Cleaves • Ronny Cox • Dave Crossland
• Anthony da Costa • Peppino D'Agostino • George Ensle
• Mary Flower • Guy Forsyth • Freebo • Stefan George
• Eliza Gilkyson • Steve Gillette • The Gourds • Tim Grimm
• Nathan Hamilton • Tim Henderson • Terri Hendrix
• Sara Hickman • Ray Wylie Hubbard • Steve James
• Jimmy LaFave • David LaMotte • Sam Lardner & Barcelona
• Zoe Lewis • Bob Livingston • Lost Gonzo Band
• Madcat & Kane • Matt the Electrician • Kathy Mattea
• Jon Michaels • Danielle Miraglia • Anais Mitchell • Tena Moyer
• Beaver Nelson • David Olney • Rob Roy Parnell
• Tom Prasada-Rao • Purly Gates • Joel Rafael • TR Ritchie
• AJ Roach • Rocking Gospel Project • Randy Rogers
• Gayle Ross • Shake Russell • Tom Russell • Don Sanders
• Bob Schneider's Texas Bluegrass Massacre • Small Potatoes
• Michael Smith • Jason Spooner Trio • South Austin Jug Band
• Amilia k Spicer • Noel Paul Stookey • Eric Taylor
• Trout Fishing in America • Twilight Hotel
• Two High String Band • Jon Vezner • Dale Watson
• Kevin Welch • Wheatfield • Pat Wictor • David Wilcox
• Walt Wilkins & the Mystiqueros • Jack Williams • Peter Yarrow • Bethany Yarrow
May 23-25 ~~ GottaGetGon Folk Festival
Saratoga County Fairgrounds/Ballston Spa, NY
www.pickingandsinging.org/GGG_festival2x.htm
email: ggg@capital.net
• Marc Bernier • Liza Constable • Notorious • Woods Tea Company and more…
Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival is steeped in quality. They've got Rhonda Vincent,
who as we've mentioned before, is as talented as she is beautiful. We're betting that
"not just another pretty face" gets said a lot in bluegrass circles. Dry Branch Fire Squad,
who are the yearly hosts for Grey Fox
are playing. We hear the Greencards often while streaming FolkAlley radio, and we like
the sound. It's safe to say that Peter Rowan and Tony Trischka know their respective
way around a fretboard.
May 31-June 3 ~~ Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival
42 Pierce Rd, Preston, CT
(860) 886-1944, www.strawberrypark.net
• Rhonda Vincent • The Grascals • Dry Branch Fire Squad
• Peter Rowan • Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver • Tony Trischka
• The Greencards • Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show
• Laurie Lewis • Dale Ann Bradley • Lonesome River Band
• The Gibson Brothers • Anne & Pete Sibley • Amy Gallatin
The Appel festival this year has a wide range of artists from the more pop/rock
end of the spectrum with The Smithereens and They Might be Giants all the way
to Red Molly and Lucy Kaplansky.
June 7 ~ 20th Annual Appel Farm Arts & Music Festival
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center/Elmer, NJ
www.appelfarm.org 800/394-1211 11:30am - 8pm
• Marc Cohn • They Might Be Giants • Suzanne Vega
• The Smithereens • Vienna Teng • Enter the Haggis
• Lucy Kaplansky • Red Molly • Matt Duke • Christina Courtin
• Alfred James Band • Nicole Reynolds
Lori Mckenna, shown here at one of the last shows at Tim and Lori Blixt's
Cabin Concerts series will be apperaing at Fred Eaglesmith's Roots on the River
For his ninth annual Roots on the River Festival, Fred Eaglesmith has once again
assembled a strong lineup of songwriters. Steve Forbert, Robbie Fulks and Mary Gautier
would make a helluva round robin song swap.
June 5, 6, 7 Roots on The River 2008
The Ninth Annual Fred Eaglesmith Weekend
I-91, Exit 6, Bellows Falls, Vermont
Info: 866-484-3669, www.rootsontheriver.com
• Fred Eaglesmith & The Flying Squirrels • Steve Forbert
• Lori Mckenna • Mark Erelli • Mary Gauthier
• The Bottle Rockets • The Lonesome Brothers • Eilen Jewell • Sarah Borges
• Robbie Fulks • Starline Rhythm Boys • Roger Marin • George's Back Pocket
At Strawberry Park's other festival, Blast From the Bayou, there isn't a clunker in the bunch.
From everything we've heard up to now, Geno Delafose, Beausoleil, Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys
and Chris Ardoin are going to test some dancers' knees. We only heard Chris Ardoin
for the first time a few years ago. He can be absolutely mesmerizing.
June 5, 6, 7, & 8 ~~ Blast From the Bayou at Strawberry Park
Strawberry Park, 42 Pierce Road, Preston, CT 06365
(860) 886-1944, Toll-free: (888) 794-7944, www.strawberrypark.net
• Geno Delafose • Beausoleil • Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys • Chris Ardoin
• The Pine Leaf Boys • Travis Matte• Jesse Lege • Li'l Anne & Hot Cayenne
• Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp • The Radiators • Corey Ledet
In addition to a lot of great music and consciousness-raising, both nature
and the sloop Clearwater form the backdrop for a breathtaking spectacle.
Join us for two great days at Croton Point Park.
David Amram will be joining the line-up this year at beautiful Croton State Park for
Clearwater Festival. A multi-instrumentalist, his long-ago immersion in the beat world
infuses his stage act. It's always an enriching experience.
Pete Seeger will be in attendance as usual. This was a banner year for Seeger-lovers.
The 2007 film, The Power of Song, gave us all a more complete picture of his courage,
his strength and his fierce independence. Our friends, Fred Gillen and Matt Turk, Seeger
and Guthrie acolytes will be performing as a duo and with Hope Machine. They'll be
appearing on both the main stage and at their perennial haunt, The Circle of Song.
Mike and Ruthy are Michael Merenda and Ruth Ungar Merenda. After seven years
with The Mammals, they're doing some touring on their own. We're very excited to
see what they've been doing musically. This, in addition to their becoming new parents.
Can we see the baby? We liked Kevin So & Midnight Snack at this festival last year
and we're glad to see that he's back.
June 21 & 22 ~ Clearwater Music and Environmental Festival
The Great Hudson River Revival
Croton Point Park, in Westchester County, NY
Main Stages
• David Amram • The Big Band Sound • The Bluerunners
• Steve Charney • Cheres • The Earth Tones • Entrain
• The Felice Brothers • Gandalf Murphy & The Slambovian Circus of Dreams
• Gillen and Turk • Kenny Young and the Eggplants
• Sean Madden • MacTalla Mór • Magpie • Laurie & Ira McIntosh
• Pamela Means • Mike & Ruthy • Roland Mousaa
• R. Carlos Nakai • Alix Olson • Pistolera • Evan Pritchard
• Raging Grannies • Pete Seeger • Skatalites
• The Sleepy Hollow String Band • Kevin So & Midnight Snack
• Strangelings • Artie and Happy Traum • Uncle Rock
• Cheryl Wheeler
Circle of Gospel
• The Six of Us • Just Voices • The Higher Ground Band
Story Grove
• Robin Bady • Bairbre McCarthy • Catherine Conant • Peter Cook
• Jonathan Heiles • Linda Humes • Queen Nur • Alix Olson • John Porcino
• Evan Pritchard • Storycrafters
Circle of Song
• Dan Berger • Jan Christensen • The Dirty Stay Out Skifflers
• Dan Einbender • Gillen and Turk • Hope Machine
• Mel and Vinnie • Donna Nestler • Rick Nestler • Sarah Underhil
At Old Songs, there are some people we got acquainted with from New Bedford's Summerfest
-- Le Vent du Nord and April Verch. Can't get enough of those Canadians! Others we like
include Andy Irvine, Joe Jencks and Scott Ainslie. Scott is a walking
encyclopedia of the blues and his voice is a thing of wonder. His
playing is multifaceted and virtuosic.
June 27 - 29 ~~ Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance
Altamont, NY [P.O. Box 466/ Voorheesville, NY 12186,
phone: 518/765-2815, fax 518/765-4193,
email: oldsongs@oldsongs.org]
• Le Vent du Nord • Si Kahn • Andy Irvine • Christopher Shaw
• Chuck & Albert • April Verch • Lee Murdock • Galitcha
• Joe Jencks • Liz Carroll & John Doyle • Walt Michael & Co.
• Scott Ainslie • Robert B. Jones • Priscilla Herdman
• Marge Bruchac & Justin Kennick • Sparky & Rhonda Rucker
• Dan Duggan • Andrew & Noah Van Norstrand
• Matt Watroba • Pipeline • Peter & Mary Alice Amidon
• Michael Cooney • Ira Bernstein & Riley Baugus • Groovemama • Ruth Pelham • Ron Gordon & the Festival Jug Band
• Rosie's Ready Mix • Morrison Bros. Band • Bob Nicholson
• Dan Berggren • John Kirk & Trish Miller • Peggy Lynn
• Bill Spence • Toby Stover • George Ward • George Wilson
• Great Groove Band, more
Like a north wind, Canadian Ken Whitely blew the room
away at the 2007 Northeast Folk Alliance Conference.
He'll be performing at the Mariposa Folk Festival
At Mariposa, we're not surprised to see Ken Whitely. We saw him for the first time
at the 2007 Northeast Folk Alliance Conference. He blew the room away at the
formal showcases. It amazes and gratifies us to see that Ronnie Hawkins is still playing.
Way back in the 50's, we got off on a rockabilly single, "40 Days," as recorded by
Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks. The Hawks later became The Band and we all know
how that turned out. One of our favorite Canadians is Jory Nash. He was our cover
story in April of 2004. We haven't seen him in a while. Hope he comes south soon!
July 4-6 ~~ Mariposa Folk Festival
Tudhope Park/Orillia, ON, Canada
http://www.mariposafolk.com/signpost.php?dest=home
• Joel Plaskett • Hayden • Taj Mahal • The Creaking Tree String Quartette
• David Ross Macdonald • George Hewison
• Holmes Hooke • Lucy Wainwright-Roche • James Gordon
• Jessica Rhaye • Pork Belly Futures feat. Paul Quarrington
• The Foggy Hogtown Boys • Yves Lambert et le Bebert Orchestra • Ronnie Hawkins • Sarah Harmer
• Connie Kaldor • John Gorka • The Sultans of String
• Annie Gallup • Cheryl Wheeler • Harry Manx • Jory Nash
• Ken Whiteley • Loudon Wainwright III • Nathan Rogers, more
This year, we're going to have to get out of the starting blocks a day early for the
New Bedford Summerfest. We'll have to hit the road at 6am on Thursday, July 3rd
to avoid the holiday traffic. Due to the tight festival scheduling, we missed our trip up
Cape Cod last year. I hope we can reinstate that little tradition. Red Molly has a new CD out,
Love and Other Tragedies. We've missed a bunch of their gigs lately and will be eager
to see them perform the new stuff. Richard Shindell will always be a shining example
of what a contemporary singer/songwriter can be. His songs are a complete mix of
topical, introspective and romantic material, and he's always growing. Here's Ruthy
and Mike again (bonus!) and Chris Smither is back, too. With David Jacobs-Strain,
Lucy Kaplansky and The Kennedys playing, we'll be doing some
serious hopping between the
multitude of outdoor canopies and the Whaling Museum.
July 4-6 ~~ New Bedford Summerfest
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford, Mass.
508/997-5231 www.barrel-of-music.com
• Bearfoot • Benoit Bourque • Laura Cortese • Ramblin' Jack Elliott • Finest Kind • Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul
• David Jacobs-Strain • Lucy Kaplansky • The Kennedys
• Malinky • Sara Milonovich & Greg Anderson • Bruce Molsky • PJ Wright & Dave Pegg • Red Molly • Richard Shindell
• Candida Rose, Ruthy & Mike • Chris Smither • Art Tebbetts
• Gareth Turner, Brooks Williams • Women in Docs
• Natalia Zukerman …and more
The Great Blue Heron Music Festival looks to be a terrific
celebration of roots music. Donna the Buffalo is the first sign.
The Avett Brothers and Entrain look to
keep the electricity flowing. This place is going to be shaking.
July 4-6 ~ 17th Annual Great Blue Heron Music Festival
Sherman, NY greatblueheron.com/index.html
P.O. Box 791/ Jamestown, NY
email: gbhfest@netsync.net]
• Donna the Buffalo • The Avett Brothers • Entrain • Slo-Mo
• The Town Pants• The Sim Redmond Band • Preston Frank w/Buffalo Zydeco
• Big Leg Emma • Five2
• Jim Donovan & Drum the Ecstatic • The Believers
• The Talk-to-Me's • Professor Louie & the Crowmatix
• Tiger Maple Stringband • Fisher • Smackdab
• Dirty Mountain Band • Old Dawg Bluegrass • Evil City String Band •
Yankee Zydeco • The Bogarts • Pine Ridge, more
At the 11th Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, the line-up is always first rate.
Jimmy LaFave, who we've learned sits on the board of this festival, makes what
should be a mandatory appearance. We don't know anyone who does Woody better.
How's that album of Woody interpretations coming, Jimmy? (Kidding-- that's got to
be one long haul.) Judy Collins is a welcome addition and John Gorka always
brings a lot of heart. The eloquence of "Writing in the Margins" is typical of his work.
A recent check of the web site turned up new information. Ellis Paul will indeed be
making his annual appearance and the New York area's own wunderkind,
Anthony da Costa will also join in remembering Woody. We know, from his work
with The Hope Machine, how good he is at it.
July 9 - 13 ~~ Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
Okemah, OK http://www.woodyguthrie.com
• Judy Collins • Jimmy LaFave • Amy Speace • Joel Rafael
• John Gorka • Bob Childers • Don Conoscenti
• Sara Hickman • Sam Baker • Romi Mayes • David & Adam Amram
• Ellis Paul • Anthony da Costa, more
The Grey Fox Festival looks to be one helluva party. With Tim O'Brien there,
it's a great time to be having the Hot Rize 30th Anniversary Reunion.
Our eyes are popping as we read the names. Let's see… David Grisman,
Sam Bush, Del McCoury, Jerry Douglas, Bill Keith, Uncle Earl…
Yep, this is the big one up here, every year. One of our new faves,
the Red Stick Ramblers mix bluegrass and Cajun. Big Sandy & The Flyrite Boys
are here to give us our rockabilly fix. Since, in its new location, the festival
has been moved another hour away from us, this one is going to take some
pondering. It's closer to Albany, now. We usually go up for mainly just Saturday.
We'll have to wait to see that schedule (available online the first week of July,
they say). It just might be worth it.
July 17-20 ~ Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival
The Walsh Farm, 1 Poultney Road, Oak Hill, NY
www.greyfoxbluegrass.com
Hosted as always by Dry Branch Fire Squad
• Dry Branch Fire Squad and featuring • Hot Rize 30th Anniversary Reunion
• David Grisman Blugrass Experience• Sam Bush Band • Del McCoury Band
• Red Knuckles & The Trailblazers • Jerry Douglas Band • Sparrow Quartet
• Tim O'Brien • The Grascals • The Gibson Brothers
• Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper • Uncle Earl
• Dailey & Vincent Band • Danny Paisley & Southern Grass
• The Infamous Stringdusters • The Greencards • The Wilders
• Steep Canyon Rangers • The Steeldrivers • Chatham County Line
• Adrienne Young & Little Sadie • Gravity • Bill Keith
• Big Sandy & The Flyrite Boys • Red Stick Ramblers
• Kindling Stone • John Kirk & Trish Miller • Fiddlestyx
plus many more TBA
It gets like this every year at Falcon Ridge when the audience sings along
at tribute (Beatles, Dylan, Guthrie) sets.
Brad Yoder and Joe Crookston teamed up last year at the
Acoustic Live showcases at our booth at Falcon Ridge.
The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival is where we're really in our element.
We're on-site a day early. After setting up the tent and canopy, we'll get
dinner in Great Barrington, then hit the hay early. The following morning,
we set about the serious business of getting our booth ready. We'll also get
some flyers out about the Acoustic Live showcases held in front of our booth.
This year, so far, we have -- Thursday:: Phil Henry, Cadence Carroll;
Friday: Susan Kane, WA9 duo (Brian & Katie),Charles Nolan, Aaron Nathans,
Rick Snyder, My Dad's Truck, Marc Douglas Berardo; Saturday: Phil Minissale,
Scott Seltzer Meg Braun, Greg Klyma, Lara Herscovitch, Anthony da Costa and
Sunday: My Dad's Truck & Friends- Gospel show and Midway March, Michael Berkowitz.
This year, the Falcon Ridge most wanted from the Friday emerging artists features
the aforementioned wunderkind, Anthony da Costa (he's already tired of that, I'm sure.
Last time, I promise, A! After all, you're 17 now!). There's also Joe Crookston,
Randall Williams and Lindsay Mac. Of course we're thrilled to see all the big guns:
Dar Williams, Vance Gilbert , Eliza Gilkyson, Chris Smither, Martin Sexton and
Patty Larkin. David Massengill and Jack Hardy will be performing together.
That's a long-overdue treat. Red Molly is back (Back? They're all over the place,
touring behind the new album. We couldn't be happier for them. And us.)
Since Abbie Gardner is a member of the trio, she can team up with Anthony to
play songs from their brand new CD together, Bad Nights - Better Days.
I gotta be careful --If it's possible to wear out an iPod, this batch of songs may do it.
July 26~29 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
44 County Road 7D, Hillsdale, NY www.falconridgefolk.com
Dodds Farm, just off Route 22 north of Hillsdale
• Anthony Da Costa • Beth Molaro • Bill Evans Soulgrass
• Chris Smither • The Clayfoot Strutters • Crooked Still
• Culver Griffin & Country Spice • Dar Williams • Eddie From Ohio
• Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul • Eliza Gilkyson • Falcon Ridge House Band
• The Farewell Drifters• The Folk Brothers - David Massengill & Jack Hardy
• Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams
• George Marshall with Wild Asparagus • Guy Mendilow Band
• The Horse Flies • The Ivy Vine Players • Janis Ian
• Jason Spooner Trio • Joe Crookston • Jim & Madeline Christensen
• John Gorka • Kathryn Wedderburn • Lowen & Navarro • Lori McKenna
• Lindsay Mac • Martin Sexton • Mortal Beasts & Deities • Nerissa & Katryna Nields
• Nightingale • Patti O'Brien Melita • Patti O & the Hip Hooligans
• Patty Larkin • Paul Rosenberg • Railroad Earth • Ralph Sweet • Randall Williams
• Red Molly • Roger the Jester • The Sevens • The Storycrafters • The Strangelings
• Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience • Tracy Grammer
• The Walker Family • Vance Gilbert
The Newport Folk Festival has a penchant for big names. We see here,
The Black Crowes, Cat Power, the Cowboy Junkies, She & Him (Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward)
and Jakob Dylan. Dylan… where have I heard that name …?
It's especially gratifying then, to see them giving a slot to Richard Julian,
who we've known from the first song swap we attended at the Fast Folk Cafe
back in 1994. His brilliance had our jaws hitting the floor even back then.
August 1 - 3 ~ Dunkin' Donuts Newport Folk Festival
Newport, RI [phone 401/847-3700]
http://www.festivalproductions. net/newportfolk/index.php
• The Black Crowes • Cat Power • Stephen & Damian Marley
• Cowboy Junkies • Jim James (My Morning Jacket)
• She & Him (feat. Zooey Deschanel & M. Ward) • Jakob Dylan
• Willy Mason • The Felice Brothers • Jesca Hoop
• Jimmy Buffett • Levon Helm • Gillian Welch
• The Avett Brothers • Calexico • Brandi Carlile • Kaki King
• Over The Rhine • Jake Shimabukuro • Kate Taylor
• Richard Julian • Additional artists to be added
The Annual Folk Festival in Huntington is a one-day affair.
We love the down-home comfortable feel of it. We'll go into
town for dinner after the afternoon jam, then return for
Gathering Time and Christine Lavin, the fairy godmother
of contemporary folkies (she's given so many boosts to
emerging singer/songwriters that a brand of coffee should
bear her name). Christine is always hilarious. This will be a fun evening.
August 2 ~ Second Annual Huntington Folk Festival
Heckscher Park, Huntington, NY fmshny.org
Chapin Rainbow Stage at Heckscher Park
4pm Open Jam and Sing-along
8:30pm Featured performer Christine Lavin
Opener: Gathering Time (Glen Roethel, Stuart Markus, and Hillary Foxsong)
Steve Earle, who will be playing Philly, is shown here during a musical
interlude at an interview at the 92nd St. Y in NYC
The Philadelphia Folk Festival has one of our all-time favorites, Steve Earle.
This is, as a rule, another Saturday treat for us. However if Steve is scheduled
for Sunday, we're gonna have to change our plans. We'll be eager to hear
his lovely wife, Allison Moorer, both solo and we hope, providing backing
vocals for Steve. Local heroes Anthony daCosta and Red Molly will be here
and so will David Massengill. We thought Kathy Mattea was more country
than folk, but then, the lines have blurred a lot over the years. There's no doubt
about Janis Ian and Judy Collins. Folk doesn't get any classier than these two.
I can't be sure, but I think that Tom Paxton performed at the first Philly festival
I attended back in 1964. It's great to see him still getting it done.
August 17-19 47th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival
Old Poole Farm Schwenksville, PA www.folkfest.org
• Al Stewart • Allison Moorer • Amy Speace • Anthony daCosta
• Bearfoot • BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet • Ben Arnold
• Chris Pureka • Compadres • Craig Bickhardt • David Dye
• David Massengill • Eilen Jewell • Ellis • Espers
• Felice Brothers • Gene Shay • Give and Take Jugglers
• Great Big Sea • Groovemama • Helen Leicht • Hezekiah Jones
• Hoots and Hellmouth • Jack Rose • Jake Shimabukuro
• Janis Ian • Judy Collins • Kathy Mattea • Kathy O'Connell
• Kenny White • Kimya Dawson • LisaBeth Weber and Maggie Marshall
• Lucy Wainwright Roche • Nicole Reynolds
• Red Molly • Ryan • Montbleau • Samuel James • Sisters 3
• Stephen Cohen and the Talk Talk Band • Stephen Kellogg & the Sixers
• Steve Earle • Tempest • Terrance Simien
• The Baird Sisters • The Lee Boys • The Refugees
• The Strangelings • Tin Bird Choir • Tom Paxton
• Trout Fishing in America • Vanaver Caravan • Vinx
Our annual Labor Day weekend trek out to the Rhythm & Roots Festival
is one that I look forward to all year. We love the combination of more
electric acts like the Robert Cray Band, Marcia Ball, Donna The Buffalo
and smaller, acoustic performers (we've seen Paul Geremia, Tom Russell
and Slaid Cleaves here). The Waybacks would fall in this category.
Although more acoustic, their skill set is off the charts. Since the schedule
isn't complete, we aren't sure who the other more acoustic acts are.
We're looking forward too, to all that Cajun food.
Aug. 29 - 31 11th Annual Rhythm & Roots Festival
Ninigret Park, 4813 Old Post Rd, Rt 1 Charlestown, RI
www.rhythmandroots.com 888/855-6940
• The Pine Leaf Boys (Host band) • Keb Mo Band
• Robert Cray Band • Marcia Ball & Friends
• Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys • Donna The Buffalo
• Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks • Johnny Nicholas & The Texas All Stars
• Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas • The Gourds
• The Waybacks • The Red Stick Ramblers
• Great American Taxi, w/ Vince Herman of Leftover Salmon
• Curley Taylor & Zydeco Trouble • Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun
• Scythian • Ed Poullard, Preston Frank, Corey Ledet & their Zydeco Friends
And many more TBA
At the Boston Folk Festival this year, we're glad to see up-and comers
like Chris O'Brien, Emily Elbert and Danielle Miraglia (loved her at
Huntington last year). There are also, endless possibilities for humor.
God knows we need it. Cliff Eberhardt and John Gorka are old friends.
It would be fun to see them onstage together. They toured with Christine Lavin's
Winter's Night shows and brought the house down. We're not sure how
things are scheduled, though. On the subject of wry humor, we're betting
that Susan Werner will be bringing in a sizable portion. Buskin and Batteau are a
welcome blast from the past. When he gets on a roll, there aren't too many
people funnier than David Buskin, also a member of the comedic folk act Modern Man.
Sept 13 & 14 Boston Folk Festival
Umass Boston Morrissey Boulevard, South Boston/Dorchester
(617) 287- 6911 www.bostonfolkfestival.org
• David Buskin and Robin Batteau • Henry Butler
• Jud Caswell • Cliff Eberhardt • Emily Elbert • Eliza Gilkyson
• John Gorka • Eilen Jewell • Annie Lynch and The Beekeepers
• Kathy Mattea • Andrew McKnight • Danielle Miraglia
• Chris O'Brien • Jason Spooner Trio • Susan Werner
Free Concerts in New York City
Our good friend, Randy Shannon, recently sent us an update about
the free shows happening around New York City. We owe our listings
of the line-up at Celebrate Brooklyn to him. When Central Park's Summerstage
and Lincoln Center's Roots of American Music get their line-ups together,
we'll be heading over to www.freeconcertsnyc.com, to get them.
We suggest you do the same.
For now, hope to see you out in some country setting.
If you pass by an overloaded gold-colored Subaru with New York plates
on some back road near a festival, give a honk and a wave!