Our 9th Annual Festival Issue
Summer's Promise
by Richard Cuccaro
Each year, writing about the summer festival season requires sweeping away some of the refuse of winter. In the dead of winter, my wife Viki and I moved from job to weekend and back.
We fit in various trips to coffeehouses and clubs, mostly seeing favorite performers (Jerry Douglas at The Blue Note) and making, for us, the occasional new discovery (Natalia Zukerman at the Living Room). The warm fields of summer were a vague memory, a wistful idea of some other world.
We took comfort from a book, The Bear Comes Home, by jazz critic Rafi Zabor, about a jazz sax-playing bear. It's fanciful and funny, with zany and insightful observations on both the human and animal condition. It also contains poetic, descriptive passages on the musical creative process. For me, it prompted a retro excursion into some old jazz favorites: Miles, Cannonball and Coltrane.
My eMusic subscription eased my way through the cold months. It allowed me to indulge in a lot of exploration in jazz and blues. In the eMusic trove, I was elated to discover The Best of Howlin' Wolf (without Howlin' Wolf there'd be no Mick Jagger).
Fast forward to late March, 8:45am. Coming up out of the subway at 34th and 8th, I push westward toward 10th Avenue for my 9-to-5. A biting wind pushes back, blowing eastward off the Hudson River. "Ah…" I think, "the 34th Street Wind Tunnel… I thought I was used to this crap." Instead this winter seemed nastier than usual.
Or was it just me, getting older?
Summer seemed a long way off.
Then… April. More treachery. A roller coaster ride, One warm day. Next, a bone-chilling 20-degree temperature drop. The day-by-day lurching back and forth and nobody to sue for whiplash.
Here we are at last, facing May. Seeing some daylight. End-of-tunnel or something like it.
I haven't had to switch from the windbreaker back to the ski coat. Now, seeing 60 degree-plus days on a steady basis, I have an incentive to take a look at what summer promises…
May 8-10 ~~The 8th Annual Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival
Downtown Havre de Grace, MD.
Friday Night event at Vandiver Inn at 301 South Union Avenue, Havre de Grace.
www.susquehannamusicandartsfestival.com
• Bethany & Rufus • Deni Bonet • David Hein • Lara Herscovitch
• SONiA • Tom Kimmel • Terry Kitchen • Mama's Black Sheep
• Howard Markman • Sara Pinkser …and more
Looking toward Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival for our first taste of summer riches, we notice Bethany and Rufus (Yarrow & Cappadocia). If there's any consolation to be found since Rushad Eggleston left Crooked Still, it would have to be any opportunity to hear Rufus Cappadocia. To call his cello playing "expressive" would be an understatement. Bethany, of course, is the daughter of Peter Yarrow and she always does papa proud.
We also want to point out Lara Herscovitch, one of our cover features (Nov '07), a still-rising
talent who is truly someone to watch for.
May 14-17 ~~ 23rd Annual Spring Gulch Folk Festival
Spring Gulch Resort Campground
Address: 475 Lynch Road, New Holland, PA 17557
Phone: 717-354-3100 1-866-864-8524
Email: spring_gulch@mhchomes.com
Spring Gulch: www.springgulch.com
FRIDAY EVENING Pat Wictor • The Whites • James Keelaghan
SATURDAY Family Concert featuring Terri Hendrix • Mustard's Retreat • Songwriting
Workshop with Gene Shay • Shannon Lambert Ryan and Runa • Bob Franke • Dala • Hoots and Hellmouth
SATURDAY EVENING Terri Hendrix • Sierra Hull and Highway 111 • Mike Cross • Debbie Davies
SUNDAY Family Concert Featuring Mike Cross • SONiA • C.J. Chenier and more TBA…
Spring Gulch has slide shaman Pat Wictor. Also, nice to see James Keelaghan down from Canada. While best known for "Cold Missouri Waters," he's a storehouse of great songs. Shannon Lambert-Ryan performs a mix of music both from Celtic nations and this side of the pond, giving their traditional songs a fresh sound. Runa includes the percussive driving force of Cheryl Prashker.
May 23, 24, 25 ~~ 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 23rd • Peter James • Steve DiVenuta • Mighty Girl • Skifflers • Uncle shoehorn • Terence Martin • Aztec Two Step • Reddan Brothers • Professor Louie & The Crowmatix
Sunday, May 24th • Eric Iveresen • Marc Von Em • Project Mercury • Caroline Doctrow • Rod Macdonald • Professor Louie & the Crowmatix • The Kennedys
Monday, May 25th • 12-Joe McKay • Tony Vitello • Tim O'Donohue • E'lissa Jones • Reddan Brothers Band, • Rod MacDonald • The Kennedys • Bill Kirchen
Warwick Valley Winery is worth a trip anytime, just for the setting. See our profile online (November 2006).
There are a lot of great acts to celebrate Dylanfest. We hope Peter James brings his hubcap resonator, even if he doesn't play it. We were used to seeing Peter as a promoter, so the burly baritone we finally heard coming out of that beard was a pleasant surprise for a lot of us. It should be a lot of fun to see what Terence Martin, Aztec Two-Step, The Kennedys and Rod MacDonald do with Dylan material. We've heard what Bill Kirchen does with the one guitar and the entire history of rock n' roll in one number. Whatever he does with five decades of Dylan should be both enlightening and entertaining.
May 29, 30 &31 ~~ Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest
Sussex County Fairgrounds/Augusta, NJ
• Big Sam's Funky Nation • Bonerama (John Boutte with Paul Sanchez) • JJ Grey & Mofro
• Terrance Simien & The Zydeco Experience • Assembly of Dust • Guitar Shorty • Eric Lindell
• Papa Grows Funk • Pine Leaf Boys • Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys • Jesse Lege' and Bayou Brew • Summer Rae McLaughlan • Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue • The Radiators • Marcia Ball • Tab Benoit • Benjy Davis Project • Janiva Magness • Jeffery Broussard & The Creole Cowboys • Matt Angus Thing with Anthony Morgan's Inspirational Choir of Harlem
At Michael Arnone's Crawfish Fest, they'll be shuffling and shakin'. Between the zydeco of Terrence Simien and the Cajun of Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys, everybody better bring extra t-shirts. It's gonna get funky!
May 21 - June 7 ~~ 37th Annual Kerrville Folk Festival
Quiet Valley Ranch/Kerrville, TX 830/257-3600
• Ken Gaines • Susan Gibson • Joe Jencks • The Hudsons • Kevin Welch Folk Brothers: Jack Hardy & David Massengill • TR Ritchie • Amilia k Spicer • John Wort Hannam • Austin Lounge Lizards • Peter Yarrow • Claudia Nygaard • Billy Jonas • Jimmy LaFave • Guy Forsyth • Jaime Michaels • Berkley Hart • SONiA & disappear fear • Drew Nelson • Walt & Tina Wilkins • Band of Heathens • Elizabeth Wills • David Llewellyn • Cliff Eberhardt • Madcat & Kane • Shelley King • Tom Prasada-Rao • Cary Cooper • Jon Vezner • Jagoda • RJ Cowdery • David Llewellyn • Drew Nelson • Devon Sproul • Bob Cheevers • George Ensle • Tim Henderson • Brian Kalinec • Steve Gillette • Rich DelGrosso • Ellis Paul • Trout Fishing in America • The Limeliters • The Belleville Outfit • KC Clifford • Johnsmith • Kent Finlay • Terri Hendrix • Bruce Robison • Bob Cheevers • Butch Morgan • Zoe Lewis • Blame Sally • Ray Wylie Hubbard • BettySoo • KC Clifford • Karen Mal • Chris O'Brien • Hans York • Jon Emery & Art Blondin • Danny Britt • Shelley King • Albert & Gage • The Siekers • Michael Smith • Jack Williams • David Roth • Shake Russell Trio • Tish Hinojosa • Norton Buffalo & Friends • Michael Hearne & SXSW • Kevin Connolly • Jonathan Byrd • The Border Blasters Rhythm Angels • Ray Bonneville • Charlie A'Court Amelia Curran • Dave Gunning • Rose Cousins • Ruthie Foster • Patrice Pike • Ron Hynes • Robby Hecht and more…
At Kerrville, there's the usual army of talented performers over the 17-day song orgy. Ray Wylie Hubbard, a Texan, should feel right at home. His vocals contain a glottal flip, a sort of a built-in yodel, and his songs tell fascinating stories. He might sing "Screw You, We're from Texas" and it might be directed straight at someone like me, but he makes me glad we're both American. Austinite Jimmy LaFave should be just a comfortable. The Folk Brothers, Jack Hardy and David Massengill, will add a Northeast flavor, as will Cliff Eberhardt. Cliff brings an arch humor and insider stories to share around the campfire. Any campfire with Michael Smith, Ruthie Foster or Ray Bonneville in attendance will heat up in a hurry.
May 22-24 ~~ GottaGetGon Folk Festival
Saratoga County Fairgrounds/Ballston Spa, NY
www.pickingandsinging.org/GGG_festival2x.htm
email: ggg@capital.net
• Del Rey • Alexander Mitchell Band • Debra Cowan
• Jean Rohe with Liam Robinson and more…
Ukelele master Del Rey is headlining GottaGetGon. This instrument is hot and getting hotter these days. Del plays a uke that's made like a National steel guitar, with inlays on the fretboard. It's a gorgeous instrument and she plays the living daylights out of it.
May 29 - 31 ~~ Fifth Annual Mountain Jam
Hunter Mountain, NY www.mountainjam.com
• Gov't Mule • Allman Brothers Band • Michael Franti & Spearhead • Umphrey's McGee • Coheed & Cambria • The Derek Trucks Band • The Hold Steady • BK3 Featuring Bill Kreutzmann • Martin Sexton
• Richie Havens • Girl Talk • Gomez • Gene Ween Band • Tea Leaf Green • Railroad Earth • Jackie Greene • John Medeski • Karl Denson's Tiny Universe • Porter Batiste Stoltz • Brett Dennen • Eric Krasno & Chapter 2 • The Lee Boys • Marco Benevento Trio • Rhett Miller • U-Melt • Alberta Cross • Macpodz • The Brew • Black Taxi • Joey Eppard • The Trapps • BuzzUniverse • Stoney Clove Lane • Pimps of Joytime • Machan • Hot Day at the Zoo • Joe Pug • Jennie Arnau • The Movement
The Fifth Annual Mountain Jam has a whole lot of Trucks, both in the Allman Brothers Band and in the Derek Trucks Band. Derek plays in both. His father Butch, of course is a member of the Allmans.
We only recently discovered Derek (tch, tch -- my bad; Yikes! What an oversight!). We've downloaded two albums off of trusty eMusic and will get more wherever we can. He's a monster on both electric and acoustic. Mostly bluesy, sometimes the sound veers off into jazz and it sounds like hearing Jeff Beck again, for the first time, with a few new twists and turns. Martin Sexton will provide the vocal pyrotechnics. Things get a bit more laid back when Californian Brett Dennen plays that folk/pop we've been hearing everywhere we tune in or stream our music these days. We suspect that with the line-up we see here, attendees will swear they can feel Hunter Mountain shake.
May 28-31 ~~ Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival
42 Pierce Rd, Preston, CT
(860) 886-1944
www.strawberrypark.net/bluegrass.htm
• Rhonda Vincent & The Rage • Lonesome River Band • Dale Ann Bradley • Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper • The Gibson Brothers • Dry Branch Fire Squad • The Greencards •Jonathan Edwards • Kenny & Amanda Smith • Danny Paisley & The Southern Grass • The Kruger Brothers • Josh Williams Band • Amy Gallatin • The Farewell Drifters • The Boston Boys • Girl Howdy • The Kennedys • Red Molly • Tracy Grammer
At Strawberry Park Bluegrass Festival, we see a great cross-section of singer/songwriters and straight-up bluegrass. The Kennedys, Red Molly, the Greencards and Tracy Grammer actually provide some of both and Rhonda Vincent gives us a full dose of the high lonesome.
June 7 ~~ With a Little Help from My Friends
An Outdoor Music And Arts Celebration To Benefit The Appel Farm
Rising Young Artist Camp Scholarship Fund
Appel Farm Arts & Music Center/Elmer, NJ www.appelfarm.org 800/394-1211 2pm - 6pm
• Guy Davis • Vance Gilbert • John Gorka • The Guggenheim Grotto • The Neilds • Livingston Taylor
• Jeffrey Gaines • Grey Eye Glances • Gillian Grassie • The Kennedys • Phil Roy
The one-day benefit for Appel Farm "With a Little Help from My Friends” supplants the actual festival this year. On hand to lend a hand are some old friends, The Kennedys and Vance Gilbert (start laughter now -- avoid the last-minute rush). John Gorka can be expected to include both humor and poignancy in his repertoire (does anyone ever get tired of hearing John? We don't).
June 11-14 ~~ Roots on The River 2009
The 10th Annual Fred Eaglesmith Weekend
I-91, Exit 6, Bellows Falls, Vermont
Info: 866-484-3669, www.rootsontheriver.com
• Fred Eaglesmith • Sonny Landreth • Chris Smither • Junior Brown • Bottle Rockets • Hayes Carll • Jeffrey Foucault • Sweetback Sisters • Broken Blossom • Roger Marin Band • Red Molly • Caroline Herring • Josh Maiocco • Ninja Monkey • Spike Dog Tooth
At Roots on the River, Fred Eaglesmith manages to bring in monster talent every year. This year's theme must be "Guitar Heaven." Headliners include Sonny Landreth, Chris Smither and Junior Brown. Red Molly is here, still on their world domination tour, conquering the planet one festival at a time. The Bottle Rockets have a punked-up rockabilly sound that brings to mind Gene Vincent and the Ramones in a blender. It works for me.
June 4-7 ~~ 13th Annual 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/cajun_zydeco.htm
• Geno Delafose • Pine Leaf Boys • Steve Riley & The Mamou Playboys • Jesse Lege
• Li'l Anne & Hot Cayenne • Brian Jack • Feufollet • Dennis Stroughmatt & Creole Stomp
• RedLine Zydeco • The Subdudes • The Iguanas
Blast from the Bayou at Strawberry Park lives up to its name. Louisiana in the house, for sure.
The Subdudes, from New Orleans are an easy-rockin' group that raise audience spirits. Lil' Anne
and Hot Cayenne are a high voltage zydeco band that brings the party with them wherever they go.
We already know how high Steve Riley sets the bar for Cajun music. The Iguanas, also from
New Orleans can combine elements of jazz and Latin music.
June 20 & 21 ~~ Clearwater Music and Environmental Festival
The Great Hudson River Revival
Croton Point Park, in Westchester County, NY
• Susan Tedeschi • Arlo Guthrie • Richie Havens • Old Crow Medicine Show • The Persuasions
• Alejandro Escovedo • Pete Seeger • A.C. Newman • Elvis Perkins in Dearland • Dr. Dog • Allison Moorer
• Tao Rodriguez-Seeger • Cornmeal • Jay Ungar and Molly Mason • Mike & Ruthy • Jennie Arnau
• Sleepy Hollow String Band • MacTalla Mór • Work 'o The Weavers • The Dirty Stay Out Skifflers
• Dan Einbender • Gillen & Turk • Hope Machine • Evy Mayer • Rick Nestler • Melissa • Ortquist
• Sarah Underhill & Friends • Stout • Linda Richards • Sol "Roundman" Weber • Dog on Fleas
• The Kids From Room 12 • Roger the Jesterr • Elizabeth Mitchell & You Are My Flowerr
• Kenny Young & the Eggplants• Rik Palieri • Something to Say Cafér • Baba Jamal Koram
• Louise Omoto Kessel • Storycrafters • Walkabout Clearwater Chorus More artists to be announced...
Clearwater Festival will be a highlight for Pete Seeger's 90th year on the planet. We'll miss the big party at Madison Square Garden, so we're glad we make it to both days of Clearwater every year. This festival might represent Pete's crowning achievement in spurring the cleanup of the Hudson River. The line-up is pretty spectacular.
Pete, as always, will be performing, leading the audience in those epic sing-alongs. Groups that celebrate Pete's philosophical and political bent will be there, like Work 'o the Weavers and Hope Machine. Old Crow Medicine Show has an old-timey, bluegrassy sound and they're not afraid to tackle social themes. Richie Havens has been here a few times before and casts his mystical, humanist net over the proceedings
Blues icon Susan Tedeschi will add some electricity to the occasion. We don't know if Alejandro Escovedo will be strapping on his telecaster for his appearance here, but we've seen him play acoustic before and it's still a major event when he steps onto any stage. We believe that this will be the first appearance for Steve Earle's wife, Allison Moorer.
We suspect her political leaning must be left-of-center, considering who's she's married to. Steve himself would be a natural for Clearwater, but we don't want to know what his asking price is these days. Of course, Arlo Guthrie fits in here, hand-in-glove, seeing as how his old man, Woody, is kind of the North Star for all this folk music stuff.
June 20 ~~ Southern Shore Music Festival
Carmel Green, Cumberland County Fairgrounds, 3001 Carmel Road, Millville, NJ
www.southernshoremusicfestival.com
• Arlo Guthrie • Eilen Jewell • Hoots & Hellmouth • 61 North • Nora Whitakker • Nik Everett more to come…
We see that Arlo is also going to show up at the Southern Shore Music Festival. He'll probably seem pretty laid-back compared to Hoots and Hellmouth. There aren't too many folk groups with that kind of energy. This is as close as folk gets to punk.
June 26 - 28 ~~ Old Songs Festival of Traditional Music & Dance
Altamont, NY www.oldsongs.org
[P.O. Box 466/ Voorheesville, NY 12186, phone: 518/765-2815, fax 518/765-4193, email: oldsongs@oldsongs.org
• Peggy Seeger • Bill Harley • Josh White Jr. • Christine Lavin • Jez Lowe & Kate Bramley • Vanaver Caravan • Steve Gillette & Cindy Mangsen • Reveillons! • Lea Gilmore • Galitcha • Toby Walker • Louis Killen • Lissa Schneckenburger • Lou & Peter Berryman • John Roberts & Tony Barrand • Bua • Michael Cooney • Bill Smith & Don Woodcock • Peter & Mary Alice Amidon • Asterisk • Double Decker String Band • Festival Jug Band • The Flying Garbanzos
• Groovemama • Elizabeth LaPrelle • Jimmy & Ada McCown
• Nanne & Ankie & the Hudson Crew • Red Hen • George Ward • Roger the Jester • Paul Rosenberg • Steve Zakon-Anderson • Bill Spence • Jake Thomas
Some of the people showing up at Old Songs used to be regulars at Fox Hollow back in the 70's. The old Beers Family spirit still lives on. Louis Killen and Michael Cooney, for example.
Sea chantey master Lou Killen seemed as if he was middle-aged back then. We wonder what he's like today. Michael exuded mischievous good humor back then, so he'll fit right in with Christine Lavin who's been known to add a humorous song (or several dozen) to her repertoire. John Roberts and Tony Barrand would sing those wacky English folk ditties back then and here they are, still doing it.
There's no Johnny Shines or Reverend Gary Davis, but modern blues master Toby Walker is here to carry the torch onward into the 21st century.
July 3-5 ~~ Mariposa Folk Festival
Tudhope Park/Orillia, ON, Canada
• Buffy Sainte Marie • The Proclaimers • Luke Doucet • Le Vent du Nord • Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies) • The Skydiggers • Guy Davis • The Dixie Flyers • Valdy • Nancy White • April Verch • Ken Whitely • The Good Lovelies • Royal Wood • Jenn Grant • Ron Douglas • Sheesham & Douglas • Steph Dunn • The John Henrys • The Fugitives • Great Wooden Trio • The Brights • Flashlight Radio • Steppin' in It • Shout Sister Shout
Buffy Sainte Marie is one of the headliners at Mariposa this year. We saw her a couple of years ago at Clearwater, still looking young and bursting with energy. She was born in Canada but raised in Maine after being orphaned and adopted. We're sure the Canadians have welcomed her back many times. Multi-instrumentalist Ken Whitely was a hit at the Northeast Folk Alliance Conference a couple of years ago, another of those wonderful discoveries we get to make at NERFA when these folks venture south of the border. April Verch is one of those dazzling fiddlers from the Ontario area. She combines clogging and fiddling, the way many other Canadian fiddlers do. It's one of those favorite summer treats. Guy Davis is one of the American acts that they sneak in for a little balance, I guess, because we let so many of their guys come down and play here. Guy's blues seem to get grittier every time I hear him.
July 3-5 ~~ New Bedford Summerfest
New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
New Bedford, Mass.
508/997-5231 www.barrel-of-music.com
• Roy Book Binder • Benoit Bourque • Susie Burke & Dave Surrette
• Bua • Ronny Cox • Dala • Antje Duvekot • Stacy Earle & Mark Stuart • Cliff Eberhardt • Jonathan Edwards Trio • The English Men • Tim Erikson • Stephen Fearing • Bob Franke • Gadelle • John Gorka • Livio Guardi & Wilson Montou • The Kennedys • Louis Killen
• Claire Lynch • Lovell Sisters • Harry Manx • Danielle Miraglia • Maria Muldaur • Peter Mulvey • Ellis Paul • Red Hen • Red Molly • Le Reveillons! • Claudia Russell & Bruce Kaplan • Richard Shindell • Art Tebbetts • Daniel & Luc Thonon …and more
This year's New Bedford Summerfest has that same stellar mix of trad and modern folk, but also contains a bit of Falcon Ridge flavor with John Gorka, Cliff Eberhardt, Richard Shindell, Red Molly and The Kennedys on the bill. There is still, however, French Canadian Benoit Bourque, a bear of a man, who combines accordion with dance. He'll play his instrument while sitting down and his feet tapping out a rhythm. Then he'll get up and dance around the stage while the rest of his group plays accompaniment. At the Celtic extravaganza which closes Summerfest, Benoit will encourage audeince members to join him on stage and dance, no matter how amateurish they might appear. It's great fun. Antje Duvekot will be bringing her youthfully defiant songwriter's viewpoint (see our feature in the online archives - June '06) Danielle Miraglia is a strong young player whose songs have a blues/pop feel. Always a great festival, there'll no doubt be fireworks both on stage and in the sky over the harbor.
July 3-5 ~~ 18th 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 • Rusted Root • The Horse Flies • The Town Pants • N-Dias • Slo-Mo • Rasta Rafiki • Sim Redmond Band • Bombadil • The Steve Johnson Band • Li'l Anne & Hot Cayenne
• The Believers • Rising Sun & The Gunpoets • John and Mary & The Valkyries • Pine Ridge • Alison Pipitone • The Woodbox Gang • Jim Donovan • The Talk-to-Me's • Buffalo Zydeco• Tiger Maple Stringband • The Bogarts • Smackdab • Who You Are • Blue Sky Mission Club • Ken Hardley • King Rail • Chad Crumm & Friends
The Great Blue Heron Music Festival is definitely a "shake your groove thang" affair. The first three names, Donna the Buffalo, Rusted Root and The Horse Flies all generate a bone-rattling bounce impulse in festival-goers. All the way down the list we see opportunities for terpsichorean revelery.
July 8 - 12 ~~ Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
Okemah, OK www.woodyguthrie.com
• Jimmy LaFave • Sam Baker • Jon Vezner • Audrey Auld • Ronny Elliott • Don Conoscenti • Mark Erelli • Joel Rafael • John Flynn • Nancy Apple • Tony Lee Thomas • Sarah Lee Guthrie ~ Johnny Irion • John Gorka • David Amram • Red Dirt Rangers • Larry Long
• Fiddlin' Pete • Andrea Parodi • Ellis Paul • Steppin' In It • Annie Guthrie • Ramsey Midwood • Terri Hendrix with Lloyd Maines • Jack Hardy • Jonatha Brooke • Butch Hancock • Rob McNurlin
Jimmy LaFave headlines annual The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, and we assume he's still on its board of directors. As it should be. He epitomizes Woody's aspirations. Granddaughter Sarah Lee Guthrie and her husband Johnny Irion will join other followers of the dream. John Flynn, Mark Erelli, Ellis Paul and John Gorka. One of the greatest of the left-wing dreamers, grandmaster songsmith Jack Hardy is on board. His brand of biting wit rivals the namesake himself.
July 16-19 ~~ 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 (host band all four days) • Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder • Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives • David Bromberg Quartet • Del McCoury Band • Tim O'Brien Band • Peter Rowan's Bluegrass Band • The Steeldrivers • Mountain Heart
• Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum • Claire Lynch Band • Gibson Brothers • The Waybacks • The Kruger Brothers • Crooked Still • Boston Boys • Footworks • Red Stick Ramblers • Pete & Joan Wernick with Don Rigsby • Josh Williams Band • the Lee Boys • Sarah Jarosz
• Sierra Hull • Farewell Drifters • The Maybelles • John Kirk & Trish Miller • FIddlestyx • Bill Keith • Pete Wernick's Bluegrass Jam Camp • Brian Wicklund
It's a shame for us that Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival moved so far upstate. We used to do one full Saturday and part of Sunday, but can't do that at this distance from NYC. This is the grand lallapalooza of bluegrass festivals in the northeast.
The line-up is always mind-boggling: The Del McCoury Band always seems to be here. Tim O'Brien as well. You could probably alternate these two over and over and come away satisfied. But wait, there's more… (no, we're not selling a set of knives on TV) Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder, Marty Stuart & his Fabulous Superlatives and
The David Bromberg Quartet. We first saw The Waybacks at Falcon Ridge a bunch of years ago. These days they get all plugged in and cover Led Zepplin, bluegrass style… and it's good! We don't see the Red Stick Ramblers in the line-up at Rhythm and Roots this year, so we're doubly disappointed we won't see them here.
July 23~26 ~~ Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
44 County Road 7D, Hillsdale, NY
Dodds Farm, just off Route 22 north of Hillsdale
• Janis Ian • Susan Werner • Cliff Eberhardt • Ellis Paul • Lisa Haley & the Zydecats • Dan Navarro • The Refugees • Dala • Stonehoney • Jon Vezner • Nerissa & Katryna Nields • The Clayfoot Strutters • Wild Asparagus • Kathy Mattea • Girlyman, Hickory Project • Eileen Ivers & Immigrant Soul • Ryan Montbleau Band • Gandalf Murphy • Doc Scanlon • Bob Malone • Lucy Wainwright Roche • Pamela Means • Folk Arts Quartet • Mecca Bodega • Kim & Reggie Harris w/ Magpie • Tracy Grammer • John Flynn • Oneside, many others
The audience at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival got more than their money's worth on Sunday last year. We battled a near- tornado with 75-mile-an-hour winds. Inside of an hour it made a mess of things
and cut short the last few acts, but it was still a hell of a show (see the clips on Youtube). Once in a lifetime, we're hoping. Falcon Ridge promoters Anne Saunders and Howard "Bub" Randall overcame the financial hit and are back with a strong line-up. Janis Ian is a headliner and Acoustic Live is slated to run a cover story on her for July. We'll have plenty of copies on hand. Janis will be joined by Susan Werner, Cliff Eberhardt and Ellis Paul for the Friday night song swap. Sparks will fly that evening. Eileen Ivers ran a post-storm impromptu song circle near the workshop stage last year. We're eager to see her again this year, all plugged in and ready to go.
The Acoustic Live booth will once again be the scene of its own daily showcases every afternoon.
So far the line-up looks like this…
Thursday: Phil Henry
Friday: Susan Kane, Charles Nolan, Cadence Carroll, Paul Sachs, Lara Herscovitch
Saturday: Jud Caswell, Paul Sachs, Carolann Solobello, Mark Allen Berube, Lucky 13,
Anthony da Costa, Angelo M, Loretta Hagen
Sunday: My Dad's Truck, Scott Seltzer …and more to come!
July 23-26 ~~ Gathering of the Vibes
Seaside Park, Sound View Drive, Bridgeport, CT (203) 908-3030 www.gatheringofthevibes.com
• Crosby, Stills & Nash • Bob Weir & Ratdog • Levon Helm Band • moe • Buddy Guy • George Clinton & P-Funk • Guster • State Radio • Keller Williams & MDS • Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
• Assembly of Dust • Dark Star Orchestra • Deep Banana Blackout • Donna Jean Godchaux Band • Harlem Gospel Choir • JJ Grey and Mofro • John Brown's Body • King For a Day • Lettuce • Max Creek• Perpetual Groove • Ryan Montbleau Band • Strangefolk
It's been a long time since I was a resident of the town I was born in, Bridgeport Conn., so it may be forgiven if I didn't know about The Gathering of the Vibes, now in its 10th year of existence. It was founded elsewhere, and had come to Bridgeport for two years in 1999-2000. The festival moved again when Seaside Park underwent renovation. Returning here in 2007, doing the math, that makes it its 5th year at the park, a stone's throw from my old alma mater, The University of Bridgeport. Created as a tribute to The Grateful Dead, it's no surprise that Bob Weir & Ratdog will perform. Donna Jean Godchaux, a former vocalist for the Dead, will also be there with her band. Donna's lead guitarist Jeff Mattson was formerly with Dead tribute band, The Zen Tricksters. There'll be a lot of nostalgia surrounding this event, with Crosby Still and Nash, the Levon Helm Band and Buddy Guy performing.
August 1-2 ~~ George Wein's [Newport] Folk Festival 50
Fort Adams State Park, Newport, RI
• Pete Seeger • The Decemberists • Arlo Guthrie • Fleet Foxes • Joan Baez • Neko Case • Billy Bragg • Campbell Brothers • The Avett Brothers • Josh Ritter • Gillian Welch • Judy Collins • Del McCoury • Iron & Wine • Joe Pug • Tao Rodriguez Seeger • Balfa Toujours • Elvis Perkins in Dearland • Tim Eriksen & Shape Note Singers • Langhorne Slim • Ben Kweller and Low Anthem …and more
Due to a loss of sponsorship (I'll never drink coffee at Dunkin' Donuts again -- or eat one), The "Newport" Folk Festival almost disappeared. However, it's founder, George Wein refuses to let it sink into the coffee cup of oblivion. Taking the reins, he is holding it together on his own. Thus, The George Wein Festival 50 (denoting 50 years). Alumnus in attendance will be Pete Seeger, Joan Baez and Judy Collins. They'll be joined by relative newbies, Iron and Wine, Josh Ritter, Gillian Welch and Neko Case. Pete's grandson Tao Rodriquez Seeger is starting to gain wider recognition as a solo performer, now that The Mammals have apparently disbanded. Arlo Guthrie will help keep the link to the roots intact.
August 1~~4th Annual Huntington Folk Festival
Chapin Rainbow Stage at Heckscher Park, Huntington, NY
Prime Avenue and Main Street (Route 25A) fmshny.org
FREE Presented by the Huntington Arts Council and the Folk Music Society of Huntington 3pm until late evening Attendees are advised to bring chairs or blankets.
Afternoon: open jam session, instrumental workshops and unplugged music showcases.
8:30pm concert: Peter Rowan, with The Rowan Brothers opening and and backing Peter.
The Fourth Annual Huntington Folk Festival is a small, cozy one-day affair at Hecksher Park in Huntington, Long Island. This small jewel of a park boasts a rolling lawn with a gazebo; a professional stage fronted by an audience-friendly grassy slope; and a beautiful pond, just right for a romantic evening stroll. A great family event, it includes an afternoon jam that should pull in a lot of strong local talent -- and there's plenty to be had on "The Island." The workshops and showcases round out the afternoon activities. A strong family vibe pervades the evening performance, too. Peter Rowan will be joined by brothers Chris and Lorin, who will open before acting as Peter's band.
August 14-16 ~~ 48th Annual Philadelphia Folk Festival
Old Poole Farm Schwenksville, PA www.folkfest.org
• Adrien Reju • Alela Diane • Boris Garcia • Caravan of Thieves • Chris Kasper • Del McCoury Band • Ellis Paul • Enter The Haggis • Erik Mongrain • Frog Holler • Gene Shay • Iron and Wine • Joe Pug
• Justin Townes Earle • Langhorne Slim • Marissa Nadler • Rebirth Brass Band • Sara Hickman • Slo-Mo featuring Mic Wrecka • Sonny Landreth • The Low Anthem • The Folk Brothers • Tom Rush • Tony Trischka • Wissahickon Chicken Shack • Women in Docs
• Works Progress Administration • Zach Djanikian … more tba
We'll take off for the Philadelphia Folk Festival at around eight on Saturday morning, for our annual one-day jaunt, hoping to avoid the crush of beach traffic. We should arrive at around 11am, in time to get parked and set up for the noon workshops. We don't have the schedule yet, but we're hoping to see Steve's son, Justin Townes Earle, whose latest CD, Midnight at the Movies, kicks major butt. We haven't seen Tom Rush in a while and it'd be nice to "feel that Rush" again. A Saturday night mainstage performance by Sonny Landreth would be nice, too, but we might just be asking for too much. We'll take a stroll through the Philly campground to se if there are any new and zanier themes this year. We know we're going to meet a whole lot of friends there, the way we do every year.
Since she lives close by, photographer Jayne Toohey of the Naked Folk Calendar will be there to give us a big hug (no clothes will be removed by anyone at this time).
Sep. 4 - 6 ~~ 12th Annual Rhythm & Roots Festival
Ninigret Park, 4813 Old Post Rd, Rt 1 Charlestown, RI www.rhythmandroots.com 888/855-6940
• Great Big Sea • Hot Tuna • Asleep at the Wheel • Jerry Douglas Band • Steve Riley & the Mamou Playboys • Tab Benoit • Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88s • The Lee Boys • Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band • The Duhks • Cedric Watson • Papa Mali • The Travelin' McCourys • Corey Ledet • Big Sandy & the Flyrite Boys • The Nouveau Honkies • Eilen Jewell • Ed Poullard & Preston Frank •
• Magnolia • Li'l Anne and Hot Cayenne • Hot Tamale Brass Band …more TBA.
We are extremely excited to see that Jerry Douglas will be performing at Rhythm & Roots Festival this year.
He and his group do so many things so well, as we found out at The Blue Note in NYC this last winter.
There's a whole lot of Jerry on the iPod, but there's nothing like seeing him in person. Hot Tuna is a plus also. We never got to meet Jorma after featuring him in January of '08. When he sits down to sign post-performance autographs, it's going to give us a chance to say hello. We'll have a few copies of the Jorma issue on hand to show how much we care. We're curious to know what prompted the formation of The Travelin' McCourys, with Ron McCoury on mandolin and Rob McCoury on banjo. Refugees from their father's band? There are so many permutations, side projects and offshoots of bands nowadays. Apparently this collaboration will introduce new elements, including jazz. They're touring with The Lee Boys, also at R&R, a "sacred steel" group from Miami. These guys play some monster pedal steel licks. Of course, it's hard to picture R&R without Steve Riley and the Mamou Playboys. The dance floors will be busy while Steve is on stage.
This will end both our summer and our annual festival romp. We hope our readers reap all that the summer promises We'll be looking for you out on the festival trail!
