2019
HOWARD GUITARS
7 S. MAIN ST. MAGNOLIA, DELAWARE (302)310-2035
GUITARS - PARTS - ACCESSORIES - NECESSITIES HANDMADE CUSTOM INSTRUMENTS A SPECIALTY!
SERVICE, REPAIR & RESTORATION OF
GUITARS BANJOS DULCIMERS MANDOLINS UKELELES
Brian Howard, Luthier
TUES:3-8, WED & THURS;2-6, SAT: 12-4 OR BY APPOINTMENT
Friday, September 27, 2019 . . Folk Hero Finalists 7:00 Last Chance (2018 Winner) . . . . . .page 8 7:20 The Lucious’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 7:40 Bob Barto. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8:00 Rick Hudson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 8:20 Logan Humphrey . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 8:40 Shelley Kelley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 9:20 Last Chance (while votes get tabulated)
•••
Saturday, Sept. 28 • Delmarva Folk Festival
12:00 Folk Hero Contest Winner. . . . . See Above 1:00 Sean Cheezum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .page 10 2:00 Earth Radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 3:00 Sand Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 4:00 Main Stage Front: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Guitar Workshop 5:00 Celtic Harvest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 6:00 Mark Stuart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 7:00 Phyllis Chapell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 8:00 Nathans & Rondstadt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 9:00 Nothin’ But Trouble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 1
President’s Letter
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We need you to join our organization, so ask us for an application at our tent or find one on our web site. Membership entitles you to discounted prices at Delaware Friends of Folk events—we sponsor monthly coffee houses and special concerts. In addition, we hold an end of the year party in December and a pick-in most months. And be sure to browse through the ads in this program. These are all local sponsors who have first-rate goods and services to offer and who support this Festival with their advertising dollars. We also appreciate special support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, Blue Earl Brewing of Smyrna, and Mispillion River Brewing of Milford.
n behalf of the Board and membership of Delaware Friends of Folk, welcome to the 28th annual Delmarva Folk Festival! Weʼre glad youʼre here and we hope you enjoy being at our Festival as much as we enjoy presenting it. We are all here today thanks to Pete Seegerʼs pioneering efforts at putting on what is now called a Folk Festival 60 years ago (Newport started in 1959). We plan this Festival to provide a rich musical tapestry so you can bump into music that you normally wonʼt find on commercial radio or at other local music venues. While we have some returning acts, we are pleased to welcome four acts to our Saturday stage for the first time: Earth Radio and Phyllis Chapell from northern Delaware, Nathans (Philadelphia) and Ronstadt (Cincinnati), and Nashville-based Mark Stuart. Weʼre happy to welcome back Sean Cheezum, Sand Creek, Celtic Harvest, and Nothinʼ but Trouble, all from Delmarva.
Finally a very special thanks to volunteers who came here several times over the summer to mow the entire field: Sean, Gabe, Ray, and Earl are the best! They and others have been preparing this Festival site for 2 months. Without these folksʼ work, youʼd be sitting on greenbrier and stumbling over branches (especially after sundown). You wouldnʼt have known where to park, the paint would still be in the can, you couldnʼt buy anything from vendors, and you couldnʼt hear the music. These and many other fine folks are our volunteers, and this Festival happens because of their work and dedication. If youʼd like to help out next year, see anyone with a staff badge and weʼll sign you up. Itʼs yet another way to enjoy our Festival.
Please make yourself comfortable, enjoy our festival, and do your part to make sure others can do the same. Obviously you are outside, and so are mosquitoes, bees, ticks, spiders, and poison ivy. Weʼve done our best to clear the main Festival area, but if you decide to wander off the beaten path, please be alert, careful, and considerate of your environment. Take only pictures and leave only footprints. And parents–please keep track of your children. We love them all and donʼt want any of them to get lost or hurt in any way. We have a lot of activities planned for them in their own corner of the field.
Welcome, John Kidd, Board Chair Delaware Friends of Folk
We know youʼre here for the music, but thereʼs more than music at our Festival. We have a number of food and craft vendors in the field, so take some time to browse about and help support these folks. Joey Fulkerson will hold a guitar workshop at 4 pm Saturday near the main stage and everyone is welcome. Friends of Folk have a merchandise tent facing the stage, so pay us a visit too. While youʼre there, be sure to pick up a shirt and get a few CDs. Many of our performers are selling their recordings today and this is one of the best ways to support these artists; some trying to make a living at this folk music thing. As a sad side-note, our long-time friend, Festival leader, and merchandise guru, Storm Longhauser, passed way suddenly last winter. We miss him terribly. His quiet wit, thoughtful insights, and work ethic cannot be replaced. He, along with Greg Shrader and Kelly Crumpley are memorialized in newly installed artwork created by Henry Torres.
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Welcome to the Delmarva Folk Festival!!! 1. 2. 3.
We’ll all have fun and to make sure, these rules must be followed:
No glass containers of any kind No pets No open fires - there will be a community bonfire 4. No littering (trash barrels are provided) 5. Children must be supervised 6. Bicycle riding cannot happen in the stage areas, be respectful of pedestrians on paths, your safety is our first concern. 7. Camping in designated areas only - take only pictures, leave only footprints 8. Parking in designated areas only 9. Unsafe horseplay or unacceptable behavior will not be tolerated. If you put yourself or others at risk, you will be escorted off the property. 10. Not responsible for personal injury or loss* 11. No underage drinking on the premises will be tolerated. All coolers are subject to search if you’re not legal to drink in a bar, you won’t be permitted to drink here either. *Disclaimer: Guests/patrons agree to hold Delaware Friends of Folk, vendors, staff, performers, agents, and members of the board harmless from any claims, including, but not limited to theft damage or loss of property and any personal injuries while on this event grounds or during or after arrival and departure.
Saturday Guitar Workshop 4:00
Joey Fulkerson will hold a free guitar workshop near the Main Stage. All are welcome!
Delaware Friends of Folk Board: John Kidd . . . . . . . . . . . Chairman Jan Crumpley . . . . . . . . . Secretary Rob Fox . . . . . . . . . . . . Treasurer Sean Cheezum Jon Patz Tom Hench Giani Siri Mike Miller
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Folk
Hero
Finals
We’ve been doing this since 2007! You can compete, yourself, in 2020!
… But regardless of the rumour and lore surrounding their origins, and under all that beautiful, seakissed artificial hair, exists a group of close friends whose music brightly radiates a spectrum of good vibes and catchy fun. Which is why for this weekend only (and maybe more weekends in the future), they are thrilled to bring to you, the cultivated listener, an eclectic concoction of world music, easy listening and experimental yacht rock designed to nourish your tender emotions and (if time permits) titillate the child within…
Friday 7:20 . . . The Lucious’s HE T making
L U S C I O U S ʻ S began and performing their uniquely entertaining and life affirming brand of music together about eight weeks ago, by most accounts , in a remote, landlocked region somewhere over a rainbow not too far from here…in the idyllic surrounds of historic Hartly, Delaware… … Some say that they first met on a 19th Century houseboat making its voyage down the shores of the Chesapeake Bay… Others say that they were cosmically bound together by a slightly unhealthy fondness for Burt Bacharach and affordable Jamaican shampoos… Thereʼs even another small faction that insists that theyʼre just a disorganized collection of local weirdos and white-collar professionals that first crossed paths in the waiting room of a Polynesian massage parlor…
… but meanwhile, youʼre on Island Time… … So sit back, relax and enjoy The Luscious© sound... responsibly of course… *Want more of T H E L U S C I O U S ʻ S sound?! If so, then check out the new album “Luscious Love Hz”, available via streaming on Itunes/Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon, and Bandcamp.com at www.thelusciouss.bandcamp. com or come take a gander at all the latest L U S C I O U S ʻ S news and goings-on on facebook at www.facebook.com/TheLusciouss **For event booking and other L U S C I O U S ʻ S Frequently Asked Questions, contact Margarita Jeff at thelusciouss@gmail.com
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Friday 7:40 . . . . . . . Bob Barto
Friday 8:00 . . . . . Rick Hudson
Bob
ick Hudson is a sixty-threeR year old singing, songwriting, folk
Barto has enjoyed writing
musician! Performing In numerous venues he is an accomplished musician playing guitar, harmonica, autoharp, and clawhammer banjo. In addition to the hundreds of songs he has learned and collected over the years, Rick enjoys songwriting and sharing them with his audiences. His original songs are reflections on his experiences, and the beauty and humor in life.
songs all of his life. Besides playing the guitar, he also plays the fiddle, the mandolin, the piano, the concertina and the harmonica.... not all at the same time, though. In the mid seventies and early eighties he toured the country, performing a one-man multi-media presentation for Rick Trow Productions, a company specializing in high school assembly programs. Being alone on the road for up to six months at a time was an inspiration for many of his songs. He performed as a musician for two seasons at Busch Gardens, The Old Country where he developed the character of Cowboy Bob for “The Goodtime
He was born in 1956 in the Horse Creek Valley area of South Carolina. His grandparents were “lint-heads”, a name given to cotton mill workers in the valley. Raised in a religious family, he got his introduction to music through the old Methodist hymnals. At the age of eight Rickʼs parents moved his family to different parts of the deep south finally ending up in Savannah when he was thirteen. During high-school he played at church youth gatherings, school talent shows, and began writing songs. In 1974, Rick left home to attend college in Statesboro at Georgia Southern. There he began to meet musicians, artists, and experience more styles of music including folk, southern-rock, country, and blues.
Country Show.” He eventually settled down and got a real job out of necessity. He is now happily married to Mary Jane and is retired and living in Smyrna, Delaware. Bob was also a 2018 Folk Heroes Finalist.
Rick returned to Savannah after college and began performing in the small bars along the waterfront. It was there he saw a performance
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Delaware and set up residence in Susanʼs Grandfathers old farm house near Leipsic. Rick began to learn the banjo and fiddle and made music friends by joining the Delaware Friends of Folk. Rick now lives on a 300-acre farm on the Delmarva with some thirty barn cats and four dogs. After 50 years of playing music he continues writing, researching and learning any songs that interest him.
by Gove Screvnor and became interested in the diatonic autoharp and began to using it in shows. In 1981, Rick teamed up with Joe Nelson a multi-instrumentalist and began a 15-year partnership
Visit his website at: bluesdog2009wixsite.com/lizardeating-feline.
Friday 8:20 . . . Logan Humphrey
Logan Humphreyʼs music story is one of hard work, dedication, and being in the right place at the right time (because practice is always a good thing.) The early evening of August 17, 2109 saw Logan with a bit of free time, so he decided to get a little piano practice in before diving into a typical college Saturday night. As he swiped his card and opened the door to the Bennett Chapel at
playing bars, dance halls, television and radio shows, and festivals in Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. By the late 1980ʼs Hudson and Nelson had created their own unique style of performing traditional and contemporary folk music. In 1992, they recorded “Plowing Old Ground” a collection of their best work at the time. In 1991, Rick received the Ed Flemming Award at the Florida Old-Time Music Championship for the musician that best exemplifies American Traditional Music. In 1996, Rick and his wife, Susan packed up the dogs, moved to
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Wesley College, he noticed unusual activity in what he thought would be a quiet building.
Friday 8:40 . . .Shelley Kelley helley Kelley is a Delaware S native, and has been known for
What the freshman music major had stumbled upon was Delaware Friends of Folk folks getting ready for the second open mic preliminaries in the 13th Delmarva Folk Heroes contest. Not knowing what was happening, Logan politely asked if it would bother anyone if he went downstairs to practice.
decades as “Michele McCann” a Frontwoman, Musician, Performer, and Radio DJ. In 2017 she married Jim Kelley and is now “Shelley Kelley”. A versatile musician Shelley plays hurdy-gurdy, pennywhistle, French chalumeau (clarinet), Irish bodhran, spoons, guitar, and more. Shelley performed at the Philly Folk Festival (twice), the Cincinnati Celtic Festival (twice), and many solo/duet/trio/band performances at major venues and festivals.
“What do you play?” “Piano. . . What are you guys doing?” (the fateful question, spurred by curiosity) “Setting up for an open mic coffee house. Why donʼt you sign up for a 15 minute slot? You wonʼt bother us at all playing downstairs, but you can play for all of us later if you want.”
Truly a “Delaware Treasure” Shelley Kelley wrote and performs “Silver Queen” an original song recognized as the new anthem for the State of Delaware. She performs with other musicians who play bagpipes, electric fiddle, viola, mandolin, banjo, harp,keyboards, bass, and drums to round out the sound.
“Ummm. . .” (proper hesitation) “Itʼs no problem to push the Steinway center stage—we wouldnʼt even have to mic it. Most everyone who shows up is an amateur. We have a very kind audience.”
Current projects include: Michele McCann Band; Shelley Kelley Band, Twice Daily (McCann & Jim Kelley), Slyte of Hand, No Stringz Attached, and The Original Chesapeake Bayou Brothers with Sister “Chelle.
“Well-l-l-l-l-l, OK” So he signed up for the 7:45 slot and played to a very appreciative crowd. Weʼre glad he did and hope you are too. Logan is from Newark, Del., and lists John Legend, Stevie Wonder, and J. Cole as favorites.
Shelley Kelley has performed concerts with national recording artists including Maggie Sansone, John Spillane, Ken Kolodner, Robin Bullock, and John Skelton. Shelley is a WVUD 91.3 Radio
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Resume Writer, and Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (LinkedIn), and Certified Coach for Job & Career Transitions, Michele is also a Speaker and Lecturer at universities, national conferences, and local events.
DJ in Newark since 2000 actively promoting Delaware musical artists. She wholeheartedly supports the arts in Delaware, and was on the
Currently she is also the Director of Communication and Messaging at Eco Plastic Products of Delaware, a nonprofit that diverts and recycles Delawareʼs plastic into consumer products lauded by companies, schools, organizations, and private individuals. In her spare time, Shelley is an organic gardener that grows as much of her own food as possible.
Friday 9:20 . . . . .Last Chance Last Chance, the musical duo of Jack Scott (vocals, banjo, guitar) and Ingrid Rosenback (vocals, fiddle, harmonica), is thrilled and honored to host the 2019 Folk Hero contest. After winning the 2018 contest, the duo had an exciting musical year, including an appearance in August at the 2019 Philadelphia Folk Festival. The group performs exclusively original music. Their unique, contemporary sound emanates from Ingridʼs classical training and Jackʼs songwriting rooted in traditional folk music.
Newark Arts Alliance Board of Directors for 15 years. She is on Facebook as “Shelley Kelley Band.” A spitfire of information and positive energy, Michele has been writing résumés professionally since 1990. At the helm of CareerPro, Inc. in Newark, Delaware, Michele has guided her clientsʼ careers into leadership, directorship, and C-Suite levels. Additionally, she has assisted many of them to launch their own entrepreneurial ventures. Her clients range from entry-level, to professional and executive levels. A
National
Ingrid, a University of Delaware graduate who lived and worked in Delaware for many years, met Jack when he was searching for a fiddle player to join him in Whirled Peas, a Wilmington based band in which Jack & Ingrid still play every week.
Award-Winning
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They formed Last Chance in 2012 and play extensively throughout the Delaware Valley at festivals, blues clubs, coffeehouses, senior centers, and other locales. Theyʼve played at the Music School of Delaware (where Ingrid taught violin for several years), the Philadelphia Folk Festival, S u z a n n e R o b e r t s Th eat e r, Lansdowne Folk Club, Jamieʼs House of Music, and Philadelphiaʼs Hard Rock Café, among many others. They regularly participate in WXPNʼs Musicians on Call program, bringing live music to patientsʼ bedsides, and theyʼve raised money for charitable causes through benefit concerts.
Came to Play” (2013). Their songs have received radio play on Philadelphia area stations and on college and community stations throughout the country. www.lastchanceband.org
Last Chance has released three CDs: “Claiming the Sky” (2018), “Endless Flight” (2016) and “We
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Delaware Friends of Folk. 9
Saturday Delmarva Folk Festival Saturday 1:00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sean Cheezum bout 15 years ago, armed with a A 6-string guitar and a head full of
so familiar. Now
songs, Sean Cheezum struck out from his Trappe, MD home. Now his journey has finally brought him back home to his Eastern Shore roots. Well known to the East Coast folk scene, Sean has rejuvenated his down-home acoustic playing with a new bluegrass flavor. His latest EP, his 3rd, weaves tales of his travels and homecomings, personal growth, and love of simple living. “Less is more seems to be my songwriting approach lately. Iʼm focused on writing just plain good music rather than seeing how many notes I can cram into a measure. I have a more stable life now and my music is definitely reflecting that.” Not a believer in genre limitations, he draws inspiration from the most unlikely places painting a picture with his music that is unique yet all
living
near Ridgely, Maryland, Sean describes himself as a “student of life, a humble c r a f t s m a n and musician. Traveler. Hike, bike, climb, pick, shift, carve, read, learn, turn, burn, experience, strum, love and create. Lifeʼs a garden man, dig it.” Sean was a finalist in our first Delmarva Folk Heroes contest in 2007.
Sean is also an active member of the Delaware Friends of Folk Board. Over the summer, he and several others have managed to mow and maintain the big field for parking, kidʼs activities, and vending. Sean was recently married to Laura Shaw, who is in the process of taking over our online presence. h t t p s : / / w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / seancheezum
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Saturday 2:00. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earth Radio arth Radio is an “upbeat E supersonic folk-rock” band from
Philadelphia Folk Festival, and David Brombergʼs Big Noise Music Festival. The group includes Jani Duerr on vocals and guitar, Joanna Osborne on vocals, bass player Jay Jolly and Dan Lord driving the beat on drums.
northern Delaware. The group is fronted by Jani Duerr who won the 2009 Delmarva Folk heroes contest. He then hosted that event in 2010, the last time he was on our stage.
Earth Radio released their debut EP on October 19th, 2018, and celebrated with a raucous release show at Wilmingtonʼs 1984. The EP was recorded at Retro City and was produced by Sam Nobles. It features the talent of several regional favorites including Hoochi Coochi, Tweed, Pet Cheetah, and Sarah Koon.
Earth Radio is a high-energy, USDA certified organic, grass-fed, cage-free, Delaware-bred indiefolk band. Blending together the unique spirits of two folk singers, a funky bassist, and a jazz-rooted drummer, their music uplifts the heart, awakens the spirit, and makes the body groove. Born in July of 2017 in Newark, Delaware, they have already grown a strong local following, playing shows like Camp Jam in the Pines, the
https://www.earthradioband.com/
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Saturday 3:00. . . . . Sand Creek and Creekʼs music is a mix of S contemporary folk, blues, bluegrass,
better, heʼll be able to perform with his usual vim and vigor, and the rest of the band are happy heʼll join us again. As always, members drift in and out of the band, so along with Lonnie on vocals and guitar, todayʼs version features John Kidd, Bob Hamel, Mike Miller, Dave Cotulas, and hopefully Jan Crumpley.
country, and rock. Warm, intimate, funny, original songs, together with well-chosen covers, spirited playing, and melt-in-your-mouth harmonies have marked the band since the beginning. Lonnie Field=s songs are a mix of humor and satire from real life. Some of his songs will hit close to home and others will take you far away. All are sure to give you a new way to look at the world.
John jumped in the Creek around 1998 and hasnʼt crawled out since. He adds harmonica, vocals, and percussion. Bob has been keeping the band on the beat playing the bass spot for the past 11 years. On guitar and vocals, Mike comes to Sand Creek with a long music history. A self-taught musician and songwriter, heʼs brought a few of his own compositions to the band. In 2011, Mike was awarded an Emerging Artist Fellowship from the Delaware Division of the Arts. Dave has been in so many bands that heʼs lost count and weʼre glad to have him back on acoustic and electric guitar. Jan has been a semiregular for years, contributing flute, accordion, and harmony vocals. She had a nasty fall earlier this month and we hope sheʼll able to join us for a few songs.
Sand Creek, in one form or another, has been making music since 1978. Along with Lonnie, great songs, players, singers, and friends have been the constants. This group, with all of its changes, has always been the interpreter of Lonnie=s songs. Due to painful cramps in his left hand and other problems, Lonnie had to sit out last yearʼs set. But HEʼS BACK! Feeling much
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Saturday 5:00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Celtic Harvest Ocean, including original material, Celtic Harvest has made many people sing, laugh and enjoy the music of people who really know how to have a good time.
F
or 25 years, Celtic Harvest has been Central DelawareĘźs Celtic band. Playing songs and dance tunes from both sides of the Atlantic
SOUL MATE
Kara Maloney (443) 904-4831 kara@lovefromargentina.com Visit her booth today, she’s selling herbs for making soothing drinks 13
Saturday 6:00. . . . . . Mark Stuart ark Stuart has spent 2019 doing M what he has always done. He toured
portion of the show. Just ask Jason Ringenberg, Ray Wylie Hubbard, or Jimmy LaFave.
full-time as a musical artist, bringing his years of experience to the stage. Onstage, his focus is on the songs he has penned and recorded, delivered
One can find Mark Stuart on any given night in a small theater, coffeehouse, house concert, festival stage, club, church auditorium, etc giving it his all. Aside from that, he could be instructing at a guitar clinic, songwriting workshop, or playing on someoneʼs recording session. As co-owner of Gearle Records he has produced or co-produced many albums. Stuartʼs career has repeatedly taken him to all of the USA, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom, and, has spanned several decades. This is Markʼs first appearance on any Friends of Folk stage.
with a soulful singing voice and highly memorable guitar playing. After many years on the Americana/ Folk circuit, Mark has cultivated a very rounded performance. His show consists of storytelling, flashy guitar “chops”, and songs that seem to draw from his rock, blues, country, and folk music roots. Mostly, this artist from Tennessee has toured solo or in a notable duo with his wife (“Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart”). There were stints along the way as a sideman though (Steve Forbert, Freddy Fender, Steve Earle, Joan Baez). If placed on the bill with a contemporary artist he is usually asked to play guitar on their
markstuart.net Delaware Friends of Folk is thankful for the grant from Kent County Fund for the Arts to fund our Winter Concert Series in the Old State House in conjunction with First State Heritage Parks (see back cover for listings)
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Saturday 7:00. . Phyllis Chapell hyllis Chapell has spent her life P developing a universal musical
musicians adding their own unique voices to the project.
style singing “world songs.” Her repertoire includes songs in 13 languages from Brazil, Latin America, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, as well as American folk, jazz, and popular music. She also has a repertoire of award-winning original songs.
She has performed at the Friends of Folk coffee house several times, and also played the Old State House, always as a solo artist. Today Phyllis will be accompanied by Steve Jewett on percussion, guitar, and mandolin. Steve is also a capable guitarist/ singer, doing country, blues, folk, rock, and the occasional raga on sitar.
Phyllis was named one of the top 521 jazz vocalists of all time by Scott Yanow (DownBeat, Jazz Times, AllMusicGuide) in his book, “The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide” published by Hal Leonard. She has performed in concert as a solo artist and with her ensemble, Phyllis Chapell & SIORA, in the U.S., Latin America, Brazil, and Europe. In addition to CDs with SIORA, she has recorded 2 solo CDs called “World Songs” and “Voice in Flight”...and a project produced by Emmy Award-winning producer/ composer Rodney Whittenberg, her 2015 release “Naked World”. This CD features Phyllis on vocals and guitar, and an array of gifted
Phyllis is a performing member of the organization c a l l e d ARTolerance ( w w w . ARTolerance. org), whose mission is to advance the role of the arts in dialogues, transcend communication boundaries, and explore common ground through performances, events, conferences and workshops. This organization is led by famed Philadelphia Orchestra cellist, Udi Bar-David. https://www.facebook.com/pg/ siorajazz/photos/?tab=photos_ albums
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Saturday 8:00. .Nathans & Rondstadt
With their much-anticipated second
and namesake, the great Michael J. Ronstadt, died.
album, “Hang On for the Ride,” the dynamic cello-guitar duo of Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt push the boundaries of folk music with a creative, adventurous, and wildly enjoyable new work. Their previous album, “Crooked Fiddle,” was a surprise favorite among folk music fans. The album fused nostalgia, emotion and musical virtuosity, alongside songs that got stuck in your head in the best way. Most im por tantly, the music was authentic— sparse, brilliant and honest.
The resulting album is a portrait of contrasts, darkness and light: young love, ghostly photographs of old friends long gone, and the urge to run away to find peace and safety. Nathans & Ronstadt venture into lyrical corners other songwriters would never dare: peanut allergies, or climate change rendered as a hallucinogenic carousel ride. The Queen classic “Another One Bites the Dust” is recast as a jazzy murder ballad. The title track talks of hanging on through tough times. And the leadoff song, by the elder Ronstadt, is a vision of making oneʼs way through the snowy North, as seen through sun-kissed Southwestern eyes.
But for two artists who believe in challenging themselves, making the same album twice was out of the question. For a follow-up project, they would channel the immediacy of their live shows, which are always exciting events. They would push themselves musically, with complex orchestral arrangements that sound deceptively simple. And in keeping with their commitment to honesty, the music would reflect the challenging times during which it was made. The recording of this project paused last summer when Michaelʼs father
Michael, who hails from his famous Arizona family, now lives in Cincinnati, where he is a sought-after cello teacher and mentor. He is also a member of the Ronstadt Brothers (formerly Ronstadt Generations) and Serenity Fisher & The Cardboard Hearts, and also works with Craig
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Bickhardt and David Trotta. Aaron lives with his family in greater Philly. He also performs solo and, along with Avi Wisnia, founded and leads the Philly Songwriters Circle, a song critique group. He has been a Kerrville New Folk finalist.
Delaware Friends of Folk is a nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the cause of folk music and folk musicians in our area. We stage coffee houses, concerts, and monthly pick-ins where people gather to play music together. This program is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com
Nathans & Ronstadt were named Best of Philly Folk Fest by Philly CityPaper in 2015. Michael Tearson of SingOut! Magazine wrote of “Crooked Fiddle”: “This is an engaging, warm and intimate collaboration between songwriter Aaron Nathans and songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Michael G. Ronstadt... Throughout the songs are stirring and they leave you thinking. A thoroughly satisfying and stimulating effort.” http://nathansandronstadt.com/ media/
folkalliance.org
INTERNATIONAL
FOLK MUSIC AND DANCE ALLIANCE
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Saturday 9:00. . . . . . . Nothin’ But Trouble The band Nothinʼ but Trouble is W actually no trouble at all. In fact this
will take the Festival stage and perform a rare acoustic set. While folk music (usually) doesnʼt reject electric guitars, Joey and Chris are both skilled enough to be able to leave their Strat and Tele at home and effortlessly move to the sort of guitar that originally played the blues.
band is so versatile and talented you never get board or tired of seeing them play. If you have to put them in a category, they are an Americana original Blues band. Two lead guitar players Chris McAfee and Joey Fulkerson with a tight rhythm section Steve Taylor on Bass and Bruce Benson on drums make up NBT. All four of the members sing and write their own music. The only way to describe them—they just flat out play and play very good!!!
NBT is a guitar-driven Americana original blues band sure to keep your feet moving. NBT is touring regionally at festivals and venues, check out the Calendar for upcoming events near you!
For the first time since 2011, NBT
www.nothinbuttroubleband.com
(302) 672-0293 phoenixrehab.com With PHOENIX, you don’t have to work towards your wellness goals alone. Because your life should be free of pain and filled with the activities you love, we offer a variety of rehabilitative services to help you treat or prevent injuries and disabilities. Our services are personalized to fit your needs and ultimately help you feel like you again.
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We miss you, Storm Longhauser
D o v e r
•
D e l m a r
Friends of Folk Members get 20% Off Guitar Strings! 19
Thank You Wesley College for accommodating Delaware Friends of Folk for the past 20 years!
Once in a while you get shown the light, in the strangest of places if you look at it right. -Robert Hunter (1941-2019)
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Delaware Friends of Folk Monthly
Coffee House Series Held at the Wesley College Chapel Located on the corner of W. Division & N. Bradford Streets Usually the Third Saturday Each Month Music Starts at 7:30 p.m. • Fresh Ground Coffee • Fresh Baked Cookies We bring top regional acts to Dover for the best cheap date in town! Information & pricing for each Coffee House: Call (302) 827-FOLK or look up Delfolk.org
• October 19 - Honey Badgers, Steffi & Tim open • November 16 - Butter Queen Sister, Rick & Tom opening
& Old State House Winter Concert Series Second Fridays FREE Held inside the Old State House on the Green Dover, Delaware • October 11, 2019— Katherine Rondeau with Eric Lambert
• December 7 - Holiday Open Mic
• November 8, 2019— Lori Citro
• January 18—Bruce Anthony
• December 13, 2019— Grey Fox Band
• February 15—Bob Beach and Paul Wilkinson • March 21—Celtic Harvest, Sand Creek opens (Delfolk benefit) • April 18—Charlie Zahm w/ Tad Marks
• January 10, 2020— CoroAllegro • February 14, 2020— Ronn McFarlane • March 13, 2020— Joey Fulkerson
This series has FREE admission with a generous grant from Kent County Fund for the Arts This program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. http://arts.delaware.gov
See you next year October 2-3, 2020