Kate Wolf Music Festival 25th Anniversary Celebration by Yvonne Hendrix

kate wolf music festival 25th anniversary celebration

JUNE 23-26 2022

FAREWELL FESTIVAL So here’s to the ones who have gone before The things they have done their songs and more And here’s to us all who carry it on In the lives that we live and the words of our songs But I’ll be thinking about you old friend… from ‘Thinking About You’ by Kate Wolf

elcome Folks, to this year’s version of the Kate Wolf Music Festival, a twice-delayed 25th anniversary celebration that is now doubling as our Farewell Festival as well. We’re very happy that you‘ve chosen to spend your weekend with us, recharge your batteries and once again join together live and in person to gather and celebrate community; one that once again brings the finest in musical traditions to the wooded hills of Mendocino County. This festival has had a really special run and we are most grateful to anyone and everyone that has played any part in helping to keep the event alive, thriving, and a joyous place to be for so many years. Hopefully, some new event(s) will crop up with their own special recipe that entices folks to gather from near and far to join together in the creation of a yet another beautiful community supported by multiple generations, fabulous music, gorgeous scenery and the desire to join peacefully together in a mutually beneficial atmosphere. In order to make an event such as this happen we have continued to rely on an extensive crew of dedicated staff and volunteers to welcome you to Black Oak Ranch for a weekend of fun and music and help to keep everyone as safe and as happy as possible. We appreciate the work of all these folks, the support of our sponsors, the many talented musicians that have graced all of our stages thru the years, and all of you that have supported our event by choosing to attend once, twice, or for all of the previous 24 festivals prior to this one. As always, we’d like to thank the Black Oak Ranch community for opening their gates to share the peace and magic of this inspiring land. Please do your part by re-

specting their community space, and that of your festival neighbors. What better way to celebrate a true sense of community, and a woman who embodied that spirit in Kate Wolf, than to share time, music, and space in a peaceful, positive, and caring way. Over the years we have found that kindness, gentleness, friendliness, patience, and understanding have proven to be the backbone of this gathering, as an increasingly diverse group of folks have come together to share in this unique experience that so many of us have come to cherish and love. The lyrics from our traditional festival closing song, ‘Give Yourself To Love’, by Kate Wolf, help to describe our shared experience: That what brings us together here has blessed us all today Love has made a circle that holds us all inside Where strangers are as family and loneliness can’t hide

SPONSORS

Produced by Back Roads Productions in association with Cumulus Presents

Sponsored In Part By Lagunitas Frey Vineyards Gowan’s Hopland Tap and Grill Financial Stategies Unlimited Saracina Winery

We hope you enjoy this all too brief moment in time and then proceed to spread the joy shared to others in your own community. And in the words of the great Jimmy Durante, “Make someone happy, make just one someone happy, and you will be happy too.” And remember, when you do leave, please double check to see if all your belongings are with you and make sure to drive home safely! We wish you all the best and hope to share some more joy with you down the road, Happy Trails, Cheers, Back Roads Productions And the Festival Staff

Kate Wolf Music Festival Program Staff Editorial Content Cloud Moss • Bob Barsotti • Danny Scher • Yvonne Hendrix Cover Art Allis Teegarden Graphics & Design Suzanne Wright PROGRAM PRODUCTION AND DESIGN BY NORTH COAST JOURNAL

VENDORS Craft Booths

SAME GREAT SERVICE AND SELECTION! 13400 S. HWY 101, HOPLAND | 44951 HWY 101, LAYTONVILLE

NEW SUMMER HOURS: Mon-Sat 7am-9pm & Sun 8am-8pm

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

• A Hoot & a Holler • Alice Reva Designs • Andromacha Beadworks • Bam Bu • Botanical State of Mind • Celtic Art Studio • Colorburst Studios • Cool Shoes • Dana Blair Designs • Dolma imports • Dom Chi Designs • Enlightened Stones and Designs • Fay Botanicals • Force of Knowledge • Funshine daydreams • Global Good Fair Trade • Global Village Gallery • Gypsy Jenny’s • Halpin Art • HeadHandsHeart • Heartbeat Music • Hemp Hats • Hisel Pottery • Home on The Mountain • Hoof and Horn Leather • In Stone • Intents • Jeeba Jewelry • Juniper Sparrow • Kashi • Kat’s Creations • Kathy Zimmerman Photography • Kendra Grace Designs • Kritter Klips • Lobos Del mar • M. David Mandolins • Malinke Imports • Methok Pema • Michelle’s Art Design • Mostly Sweet Jewelry • Natural Herb Gardens • Nature Speaks • Nobody’s Business • Peace Chain Joe • ProtoPipes • Quest by Magdalena • Ragged Thistle • Rick Turner Guitars • Rowan of the Wood • Royal Restoration • Runningbear Designs • Ryan Teurfs • Saraba African Arts • Sew It Seams • Siskiyou Mountain Girls Fiber Art Collective • Slow Barn Sewing Studio

Red Tail Hawk Stage (Main Stage)

To Leggett

Main Entrance to Site

Utahpia S2 Stage

Zones

MAP

1. 2. 3. 4.

Alder

Points of Interest

S3 Revival Tent

A. Box Office

Will Call, Message Board 1, Phone, Crew Check-In

FA M

ILI

Te n

Totem Pole Showers Riverside Riviera (and Craft Vendors) Fire Crew Fire Circle, Hobo Jungle Camping Central Message Board 3

S. Camp Store Toilets (porta-potties) Water Tank

KREW CAMP

8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Laurel i le

Lost & Found, Message Board 2

Cottonwood

B. Tiki Poles (two) C. Security, ATM, Medical, Ice D. E. F. G. H. K.

Festival Artist Merchandise Craft Vendors, Beer/Wine

Cedar Arlo Hagler Stage

Including Family Camp and Quiet Camp

5. Riverside Campground (Tents Only) 6. Teen Activity Area 7. Music Meadow

Ash

Main Entrance Gate to Site Temporary Parking Day Use Parking Meadowlands Camp Ground

Food Court Alter-Abled Parking/Camping Kids Area Clothing Required Beach Clothing Optional Beach

Madrone Maple

Stages S1. Red Tail Hawk Stage (Main Stage) S2. Utahpia Stage S3. Revival Tent S4. Arlo Stage

Oak To Laytonville

QU IE

Pine

Willow

Craft Booths, cont.

• SolSolutions • Starseed Solargraphics • Swadeshi Leatherworks • The Fiddle Guy • Tres Spa • Wild Oak

Food Booths

• Bombay Station • Cafe Mam • Dee’s Lush Kitchen • Frozen Fantasies • Herbal Junction • India Gourmet • Jams Joy Bungalow • Kalikos Hawaiian Kitchen • Keep Swimming Catering • Pizza Gago • Sankofa • Spiros Gyros

Non-Proﬁt Booths

• Eel River Recovery Project • EPIC • Friends of the Eel River • KMUD • Long Valley Communications • Mendocino County Public Broadcasting • Salmonid Restoration Federation • Trees Foundation

Stroller

• Peace Pops

RULES & INFORMATION Welcome to This Year’s Kate Wolf Music Festival

We’re all here at Black Oak Ranch to enjoy four days of outdoor fun and great music. There will be security people working hard day and night to ensure the safety and well being of all attendees, so please do as they ask. They are here for the benefit of us all. To maximize everyone’s health, safety and fun, please observe the following guidelines:

1) NO FIREWORKS 2) In the music bowl: Smoke (anything) only in the designated areas. General courtesy to all. Everywhere else: No Smoking while Walking (Fire Hazard). 3) Individual gas powered stoves are allowed (after clearing a sixfoot space around your stove). However, NO OTHER FIRES OR OPEN FLAMES OF ANY KIND ARE ALLOWED. NO BBQ’S. 4) We are surrounded by Private Property on ALL sides. Please respect our neighbors’ land and their right to privacy. STAY WITHIN OUR MARKED BOUNDARIES. 5) NO PETS allowed. No Exceptions except Seeing Eye, or other service dogs. 6) No private vending anywhere on-site. Anyone caught selling Alcohol or Drugs, will be ejected and may be subject to arrest. 7) USE LOW BACKED CHAIRS inside concert area and remove all personal belongings from the concert area overnight. The music meadow will re-open at 8:00 am to re-set your chairs. In the line forming overnight at the Music Meadow entrances, you must remain in line with your belongings. Possessions left unaccompanied as place holders will be removed by Security. Plastic tarps are not allowed in the Music Meadow. Each person is allowed to bring up to four seats. Please remember, any empty chair may be occupied by any person until the chair’s owner returns.

8) The “Alter-Abled” section of the bowl is reserved for patrons with various physical needs and/or restrictions and an accompanying helper(s). Due to limitations of this section’s size please respect this space for those folks that will benefit most from its use. 9) No video cameras allowed in the main music bowl. 10) Please use common sense and courtesy when playing music in the camp late at night. Any music (at other than a stage) deemed to be excessively loud after 1:00 am will be asked to have its volume reduced by overnight security. 11) Lost and Found is located at Security Central. 12) RV owners – Generators may only be used to charge your system during daylight hours, starting after 10:00 am. As you wander around day or night, be careful of obstacles, as this campground is a natural woodland area and natural hazards may be present. Please note that camping involves exposure to the elements, nature’s creatures, rough terrain and an absence of artificial lighting. You may, therefore, be exposed to bug bites, sunstroke, your neighbor’s virus, or tripping, especially if you wander about off the designated fire roads, or in the dark. Your entry to the campground constitutes your voluntary and knowing assumption of these and all other risks and your agreement that Back Roads Productions, the owners/lessee/occupiers and others in control of the ranch have no responsibility to you for any injury, loss, or damages you may claim from occurrences during your stay on the property. We recommend the use of a flashlight at all times after dark. Be mindful of the effects of alcohol and drug use; look after your brothers and sisters. Out of concern for those who wish to sleep, please keep the late night noise down. If you are having trouble with any matter you cannot deal with, we would be pleased to assist. We love this land and know that you do too, so be sensitive to Mother Earth. Pick up and take care. If you need to go into town during the festival, please contact Security Central for the best in/out access.

Fire Safety Comes First As you all know California is experiencing extreme fire conditions this year and since we are located in the center of a rural area, it is of utmost importance that everyone pays attention to fire safety while on site at Black Oak Ranch. In order to provide a safe environment for a few thousand campers we have made arrangements with the Myers Flat Volunteer Fire Department to bring their beautiful fire engine here for the weekend so we can have a crew on hand for whatever emergencies come up. In addition we have a contract with the Long Valley Fire Protection District for their assistance in medical and fire emergencies. We also have a small 4x4 Toyota fire tender with a 150 gallon water tank available for quick access all over the festival grounds. If you see a fire, report it immediately to the fire or security crew, or any staff you see. There are a series of red fire barrels located along the main roads near street signposts in the campground. Next to these large barrels

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

are 5 gallon buckets filled with wet burlap sacks. In an emergency these buckets can be carried directly to the fire source and the wet burlap sacks can be thrown on the fire, as well as the water in the bucket. The large barrels are for re-filling the 5 gallon buckets if more water is needed. Please never use these barrels or buckets except in emergencies! It is important that they are in place when they are needed. Let’s all do what we can to make these options never become necessary. The fire policy at Black Oak Ranch is no open flames. This means no candles. No charcoal BBQ’s, but gas cook stoves and gas lanterns are ok when you clear a space all-around of at least 6 feet underneath the stove to prevent sparks from catching fire. No campfires, fireworks, fire juggling, flaming sword swallowing, burning bushes, you get it, NO OPEN FLAMES PERIOD!

Tune into 88.9 Sunset Radio

While onsite at the festival feel free to listen to stage performances, festival information, interviews and archival Utah Phillips material. Stay tuned in!

Solar Charge Station

For those in need, visit our solar cell phone charging station located next to the ATM in the food court.

Showers

This year, with the longtime shower house not available for use, we have made arrangements for an outside shower vendor to come in and set up right near the normal shower house structure. The hours of operation will be from 7 am to 9 pm Thursday thru Sunday of the festival weekend. Showers will be charged at $5 per for a requested average of 5 minutes (there is no timer on the water). Purchase shower vouchers in advance at the bar and artist merchandise booth, and at the showers. Complimentary Dr. Bronner’s soap will be provided.

Festival Etiquette Reminder

Please remember that empty chairs, in any location, may be occupied by any person at any time, until the owner of the chair returns to re-claim it.

Hobo Jungle Campﬁre Nightly

A Kate Wolf Music Festival tradition, the word is out that some of the most touching, funny and creative songs are heard every night around the campfire down by the creek (see site map on page 5) after the main stage ends. Bring your instruments, songs, and your No–Doze for this sing–a–thon of some of the best music you’ll hear—yours! Everyone gets to sing. Some great stories are shared as well. We do ask all attending the Hobo Jungle to remember that some folks like to sleep, and the tent camping area isn’t too far from the fire, so this year when a song comes to a close instead of clapping and hollering your approval, try snapping your fingers, or waving your hands above your head, in quiet appreciation.

Wiﬁ Availability This Year for the Public

Our team has finally been able to figure out providing some availability to the public for some wifi access while at the festival. Access for the public will be provided through a voucher system and can be purchased either at the bar (back of the main music meadow) or at the Artists’ Mercantile booth (audience right, closer to the Main Stage). Each voucher will cost $10 and will supply either 20 minutes of usage time or 2 GB of usage (whichever comes first). On average this will allow one more than ample availability to check emails, post a picture on Instagram or Facebook and maybe make a call or two if you fire up “enable wifi calling”. Access points for obtaining wifi coverage will primarily be around the beer garden, food court and Revival Tent area for the public. Depending on overall usage of the wifi system the daytimes may prove to be less spotty than the night times. Vouchers will only be good for the one phone that is making the purchase and will not be able to be shared or passed along to other devices.

agencies and groups endeavoring to study the creek and it’s inhabitants in order to help in keeping this stream a healthy place for all. In recent years drought has exacerbated the problems facing the flora and fauna along the riparian zone so we are asking everyone to be especially sensitive and watchful when entering and using the creek this weekend. Do not go into the trees and bushes that line the creek, only use the access points we’ve established for entering and exiting. This year’s abundant rainfall has given us a beautifully full creek for swimming and wading. It may be deeper than you remember, so keep an eye out for kids and each other so we can all be safe.

Give Yourself to Love

Clean and sober group, a 12 Step recovery meeting. Saturday and Sunday mornings from 10-11 am at the Fire Circle. All are welcome. Bring a chair and an umbrella if you have one.

Creek Information The creek that runs along the western edge of the festival grounds is called Ten Mile Creek, and is a salmon bearing stream that traditionally sees annual migrations by spawning Steelhead, Chinook, and Coho salmon. The owners of Black Oak Ranch have been working closely with a variety of

olafl ew kast t ic f e s iv mu

wer Good for One Sho

shower voucher showers →

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

GREENING INITIATIVE Deposits on Reusable Cups

n our continuing efforts to present as green a festival as is possible; we will once again be using both reusable and commemorative beer cups. When you go to the beer garden to purchase a beer you have two options. Option I: Purchase a pint of beer for $8 and pay a $2.00 deposit for your reusable plastic cup. When you finish your beer, you can either return the cup for a $1.00 refund, or for a ticket that you can use as your deposit for the next time you want a beer. At the end of the weekend, you can either return the ticket or the cup for a $1.00 refund. Option II: Purchase a 25th Anniversary commemorative Kate Wolf Music Festival tye-dye silicone cup for $10, of which there are two different varieties, and avoid the $2.00 deposit. There is a limited supply of these commemorative cups which you can use all weekend and take home when you leave. The thought behind these options is to provide a clean, healthy alternative to disposable cups. While the operation to wash, dry and re-supply cups to the bar all weekend long comes at a fairly hefty price, we are trying to partially cover this cost by keeping a portion of the deposit. If you would rather re-use your cup all weekend long, there is no additional charge per beer and you can exchange the cup for $1.00 when you want. If you would rather not keep track of your cup all weekend long, you can avail yourself to our deposit/reuse program.

festival site much more dust free than water ever could. Our cleanup crew is adept at sorting through all garbage to remove recyclables from the refuse stream, keeping landfill to a minimum. Many of our crews use bicycles in their efforts to move around the site. We encourage patrons to bring their bikes as well, providing bike racks at the entrances to the music meadow where you can lock it up while enjoying the show. Pedicabs are available for a fee from our friends at Pedicab People Movers who can move you all over the festival grounds as needed. They are located right next to the fire crew camp by the Tiki poles. We offer an online ride share program for those wishing to share car space when coming to the festival too. All of these things add up.

We appreciate your help in trying to make the Kate Wolf Music Festival as green as it can be. Thanks for all of your efforts!

Live your life to the fullest.

Let us be the piece to complete your journey towards financial independence. Ruth R. Petty • Financial Advisor (617) 943-8439 • rrpetty@financialstrategiesunltd.com www.financialstrategiesunltd.com

Securities offered through Securities America, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc. Financial Strategies Unlimited and Securities America are separate entities. CA Insurance License #0B95368

Saving Water, Recycling, Pedal Power Over the years we have looked for ways to stay in the forefront of green festival operations. In our desire to use less water, we have been using a dust suppressant called Dust-off, made from seawater and approved for use by organic farms. This allows us to refrain from using many thousands of gallons of water on our roads and keeps the

Please help us out by using the properly designated receptacles and make sure to check at least 3 times that you have everything packed before you leave the ranch. Let’s all leave it looking like this. Thank You!

A R T I S T

E V E

ARLO

RED TAIL HAWK

Forest Stage

Thursday

12:00pm 3:40pm 5:35pm 7:45pm 9:55pm

BOWL OPENS AT NOON BILLY PRINE & THE PRINE TIME BAND GREG BROWN IRIS DEMENT DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE GILMORE

4:20pm 6:05pm 8:05pm 10:15pm

BERKLEY HART THE TWO TRACKS AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT POOR MAN’S WHISKEY

Friday

Meadow Stage

12:00pm 1:50pm 3:55pm 5:55pm 8:20pm 10:35pm

BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET OLD BLIND DOGS MARCIA BALL DARLENE LOVE ANI DIFRANCO PLAYING FOR CHANGE

12:30pm

KATE WOLF SONG SET with PMW, AJ Lee & Blue Summit, Phil Salazar & The Kinfolk, Jimbo Scott, David Jacobs-Strain & Bob Beach, Dayan Kai, Alice Howe & Freebo, Keith Greeninger, The Two Tracks, Sam Chase, Berkley Hart IN-THE-ROUND with Greg Brown & Mary Gauthier IN-THE-ROUND with Jorma Kaukonen, Chris Smither & Charlie Musselwhite IN-THE-ROUND with Dave Alvin, Laurie Lewis, Jimmie Dale Gilmore CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE TIM BLUHM & THE COFFIS BROTHERS

2:25pm 4:30pm 6:50pm

Saturday

8:50pm 11:15pm 11:45am 1:50pm 3:50pm 6:00pm 8:15pm 10:45pm

CARRIE RODRIGUEZ THE BLUES BROADS HOT TUNA ACOUSTIC RANKY TANKY & MS. LISA FISCHER TAJ MAHAL LEFTOVER SALMON

12:15pm 2:15pm 4:20pm 6:30pm 9:00pm 11:45pm

Sunday

10:50am

12:55pm 2:50pm 4:55pm 7:05pm 9:20pm 11:00pm

KATE WOLF SONG SET with multiple performers (Laurie Lewis, Old Blind Dogs, Cris Williamson, Barbara Higbie, Rita Hosking, Nina Gerber, John Craigie, Guthrie Girls, Lucy Kaplansky, Kathy Kallick) MADELEINE PEYROUX BRUCE COCKBURN THE WOOD BROTHERS CALEXICO RUTHIE FOSTER CLOSING SONG - ‘Give Yourself To Love’ led by Ruthie Foster

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

11:30am 1:25pm 3:30pm 5:30pm 7:40pm

JOHN CRAIGIE RUTH MOODY IN-THE-ROUND with Bruce Cockburn & Ruthie Foster TIM O’BRIEN BAND IN-THE-ROUND with Cris Williamson, Tom Paxton, Lucy Kaplansky PLAYING FOR CHANGE

DAYAN KAI TRIO RAINBOW GIRLS CRIS WILLIAMSON (with Barbara Higbie, Vicki Randle, Julie Wolf) TOM PAXTON & THE DON JUANS GUTHRIE GIRLS

N T

S C H E D U L E REVIVAL TENT

UTAHPIA

Riverside Stage

Back of Meadow Stage

Sign-ups @ 1:00 pmfor Open Mic (1:30-3:30) ALICE HOWE & FREEBO KATE WOLF SING-ALONG with Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd MARY GAUTHIER MAMAJOWALI

4:45pm 6:50pm 9:05pm 11:15pm

JIMBO SCOTT & LATE FOR THE TRAIN DAVID JACOBS-STRAIN & BOB BEACH BERKLEY HART AND ALICE HOWE & FREEBO TIM BLUHM & COFFIS BROTHERS

TOMMY PRINE DARLENE LOVE INTERVIEW/TALK JIMBO SCOTT & LATE FOR THE TRAIN TIM O’BRIEN BAND DAYAN KAI, JOE CRAVEN, DAVID JACOBS STRAIN (Jac-Kai-Joe — Spontaneous Combustion) AN UNTRADITIONAL REVIVAL with The Sam Chase & Friends

12:55pm 3:00pm 5:00pm 7:15pm 9:35pm 11:30pm

MAMAJOWALI THE TWO TRACKS AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT BEAUSOLEIL MARCIA BALL POOR MAN’S WHISKEY - Allman Brothers Tribute Set (when Red Tail Hawk stage ends)

10:20am 12:50pm 2:50pm 4:50pm 7:10pm 9:30pm

UKULELE JAM CIRCLE (10:20-11:35) THE BLACK FEATHERS PHIL SALAZAR & THE KINFOLK RITA HOSKING LAURIE LEWIS, KATHY KALLICK & NINA GERBER JOHN CRAIGIE & COFFIS BROS. (Tom Petty Tribute Set)

12:50pm

KATE WOLF SONG SET IN-THE-ROUND with Don Coffin, Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd, Paul Kamm & Eleanore MacDonald GUTHRIE GIRLS CARRIE RODRIGUEZ CHRIS SMITHER OLD BLIND DOGS THE SAM CHASE & THE UNTRADITIONAL (when Red Tail Hawk stage ends)

9:45am

MR. MUSIC & THE LOVE CHOIR Gospel Sing-a-long (9:45-11:15) IN-THE-ROUND with Paul Kamm & Eleanore MacDonald, Nina Gerber, Keith Greeninger, Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd IN-THE-ROUND with Ramblin’ Jack Elliott & Sarah Lee Guthrie CHRIS WEBSTER & NINA GERBER LUCY KAPLANSKY JOHN CRAIGIE & FRIENDS

1:00pm 4:45pm 6:50pm 9:00pm 11:05pm 12:55pm 3:20pm 5:00pm 7:15pm 9:25pm 11:45pm

12:00pm 1:55pm 4:00pm 6:00pm 8:10pm

2:55pm 5:00pm 7:15pm 9:35pm 11:30pm

12:00pm 2:00pm 4:00pm 6:10pm 8:20pm

PHIL SALAZAR & THE KINFOLK THE BLACK FEATHERS RUTH MOODY HILLS TO HOLLERS KEITH GREENINGER & DAYAN KAI

NOTE: All set times and performers are subject to change

Friday

Thursday

BACK OF MUSIC MEADOW 12:30pm TAI-CHI with Bob Klein (long form – all levels welcome) 1:35pm

HATHA YOGA with Devorah Blum (all levels welcome)

8:20am TAI-CHI with Bob Klein (long form – all levels welcome) 9:30am HATHA YOGA with Devorah Blum (all levels welcome)

Saturday

10:40am PILATES with Roxann Matthews (all levels welcome)

8:20am TAI-CHI with Bob Klein (long form – all levels welcome) 9:30am HATHA YOGA with Devorah Blum (all levels welcome)

Sunday

10:40am PILATES with Roxann Matthews (all levels welcome)

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

8:20am TAI-CHI with Bob Klein (long form – all levels welcome) 9:30am HATHA YOGA with Devorah Blum (all levels welcome)

Thursday

10 am – 12 pm

ARTS & CRAFTS (also: milo fun, storybooks, board games) KIDS OPEN MIC HAY BALE SLIDE

3 pm – 5 pm 5 pm – 6 pm

MAKE YOUR OWN TIE-DYE CIRCUS NATURE

Friday

9 am – 12 pm 12 pm – 1 pm 1 pm – 1:45 pm 2 pm – 3 pm 2 pm – 4 pm 3 pm – 4 pm 3 pm – 5 pm

ARTS & CRAFTS HAY BALE SLIDE MUSIC KIDS OPEN MIC FACE PAINTING CIRCUS NATURE ARTS & CRAFTS, FINGERNAIL AND TOENAIL PAINTING

4:30 pm – 5 pm 5:30 – 6 pm 6 pm – 7 pm

CAPTAIN ENCOURAGEMENT STORYTELLING with Mark Dyken HAY BALE SLIDE

Saturday

9 am – 11 am 9:30 am – 10:30 am 11 am – 12 pm 12 pm – 1 pm 1:30 pm – 2:15 pm 2 pm – 4 pm 3 pm – 4 pm

ARTS & CRAFTS KIDS OPEN MIC CIRCUS NATURE HAY BALE SLIDE CAPTAIN ENCOURAGEMENT FACE PAINTING CIRCUS NATURE

4 pm – 6 pm 5 pm – 5:30 pm 5:30 pm – 7 pm

MAKE YOUR OWN TIE DYE MUSIC HAY BALE SLIDE

Sunday

KID-ZONE ACTIVITY & ENTERTAINMENT SCEHDULE

9 am – 11 am 10 am – 12 pm 10 am – 11 am – 11:30 am – 12:30 pm 1 pm – 2 pm 2 pm – 4 pm 3:30 pm – 4 pm 4 pm – 5:30 pm

ARTS & CRAFTS FACE PAINTING KIDS OPEN MIC CIRCUS NATURE HAY BALE SLIDE FACE PAINTING MUSIC HAY BALE SLIDE

11 am – 12 pm 12 pm – 1 pm

hay bale slide, photo by tim conrad

Performing Performing ArtistsArtists AJ LEE & BLUE SUMMIT Pure, beautiful American music. Soaring harmonies, top notch picking and strumming as well as a healthy respect and reverence for the classic country, bluegrass and folk music of the past all add up to a band who are masters of the genre.

ALICE HOWE & FREEBO “When these two get together, prepare yourself for an extraordinary evening of song and smiles, and maybe a tear or two. Powerful songwriting combined with mesmerizing vocals, outstanding musicianship and a palpable camaraderie make for an experience unsurpassed on the contemporary acoustic scene!” — Ron Olesko, Folk Music Notebook, WFDU-FM Alice Howe and Freebo present a unique study in contrasts, bringing together a venerable music icon and a talented newcomer. Each a compelling performer, they both lead and support each other in their well-crafted songs with flawless harmonies and tasteful instrumentation. A rising voice in modern folk, singer and songwriter Alice Howe AJ Lee & Blue Summit Alisa Fineman & Kimball Hurd

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

offers a modern love letter to 60s and 70s folk and timeless blues. Freebo is a genuine folk, rock, and blues icon who, after over 40 years of recording and touring with many of the great artists of our time is regarded as one of the most gifted singer-songwriters of today. A multi award winner and finalist in numerous songwriting contests, Freebo was also recognized as the ‘Best Folk Artist 2007’ by the Los Angeles Music Awards.

ALISA FINEMAN & KIMBALL HURD “Fresh folk, rock, pop duo with gorgeous harmonies, exquisite blend of acoustic instruments and insightful lyrics that speak directly to the heart. Alisa and Kimball replenish the world with beauty on every level and are good medicine for the soul.” — Monterey County Weekly Monterey Bay-based and long-time favorites in the San Francisco Bay area and at our Festival, Alisa and Kimball have earned national acclaim for their songwriting and world music repertoire. Known for her ‘deep, emotional singing voice,’ Alisa’s background in sacred music adds a compelling world music compoAlice Howe & Freebo

nent to this duo’s lush repertoire. She is perfectly complemented by multi-instrumentalist and singer songwriter Kimball Hurd, best known for his role in City Folk. His instrumental prowess adds dimension to the duo’s performances with vocal harmonies and an array of tasteful musical accents on guitar, mandolin, mandola, dobro, banjo and slide guitar. Their appreciation for the ordinary miracles of everyday infuses their songs, which sing to a sense of place, possibility, and deeper meaning in all of us.

ANI DIFRANCO “DiFranco has always been an emblem of progress.” — The Guardian With more than 20 recorded albums of original music and countless collaborations with legends such as Prince, Bruce Cockburn, and Dar Williams, Ani DiFranco’s catalog is expansive. Both DiFranco and her music can be described as punk, honest, powerful, unapologetic, and at times, even jarring. The transcendent new album from Ani Di Franco, Revolutionary Love, marks the latest proof of one of her most powerful gifts as an artist: a rare ability to give voice to our deepest frusAni DiFranco

Artists Continued J trations and tensions, on both a personal and political level.

BEAUSOLEIL AVEC MICHAEL DOUCET “They play music that’s honest to the bone!” — Allen Touissant They are the first Cajun band to win a GRAMMY with “L’amour Ou La Folie” followed by a second GRAMMY in 2010 for “Live at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival”, as well as many other accolades, including twelve GRAMMY nominations. For the past 45 years, BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet has been making some of the most potent and popular Cajun music on the planet. Born out of the rich Acadian ancestry of its members and created and driven by bandleader Michael Doucet’s spellbinding fiddle playing and soulful vocals, BeauSoleil is notorious for bringing even the most staid audience to its feet.

BERKLEY HART For the last two decades, Jeff Berkley and Calman Hart have been entertaining audiences with their natural down-home BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet Berkley Hart

humor and masterfully crafted songs. In 2018, they celebrated their 20th anniversary with a live performance of their debut album, “Wreck ‘N Sow”. The album was a critical success out of the box, winning the San Diego Music Award for Best Local Recording and helping Berkley Hart take home the coveted Best New Artist trophy as well. SLAMM magazine said of it, “Sometimes an album surfaces that is so emotionally and musically authentic that it crumbles resistance to its genre.” Their reputation for performances that are “emotionally and musically authentic” is well deserved.

BILLY PRINE & THE PRINE TIME BAND Billy Prine is a natural-born storyteller just like his late, great brother John Prine was a natural-born songwriter. John was a great communicator of the human experience whittled down to the best words. His big, little brother, owner of a rich, booming voice yet full of subtleness, is one of the finest orators you’ll ever hear — also choosing just the right turn of phrase. During these concerts

Billy Prine & The Prine Time Band

celebrating John’s life in song, Billy will tell stories about or surrounding some of John’s most beloved songs before leading his band through his version of John’s timeless masterpieces.

THE BLACK FEATHERS “Once in a blue moon, the whole soars far above the sum of its parts. That’s what happens when The Black Feathers perform live.” — Black Mountain News, North Carolina The ability to write songs that are both modern and ancient is a rare thing. The product of an arcane art of weaving in traditional influences so thoroughly that they become the warp and weft of fresh creations. The Black Feathers, made up of Ray Hughes and Sian Chandler, are two such talents. They first became aware of the magic between them while collaborating on several musical projects, becoming The Black Feathers and life partners in 2012. Americana, Folk, and Acoustic Indie Rock sensibilities coexist comfortably in their musical world, with Hughes’ guitar work buoying the kind of harmonies often

The Black Feathers

Performing Artists only heard in family bands. Their music quickly draws the interest of listeners, but it is the stage chemistry that will keep them riveted.

THE BLUES BROADS Dorothy Morrison, Tracy Nelson, Annie Sampson and Angela Strehli, all highly regarded vocalists in their own rights, have joined forces as The Blues Broads. Reflecting more than two centuries of collective experience in blues, country, gospel and rock, the awesome aggregation is nothing less than a roots music “super group” of the first order. Each artist gives the audience a taste of their individual specialty, and then combine voices in ways that make The Blues Broads far more than the sum of its parts. They are backed by some of the best musicians in the business, Gary Vogensen, guitar, Steve Ehrmann, bass, Mike Emerson, keyboards, and Paul Revelli, on drums.

BRUCE COCKBURN As a guitarist, he is considered among the world’s best. ‘The New York Times’ called Cockburn a “virtuoso on guitar,” while ‘Acoustic Guitar’ magazine placed The Blues Broads Bruce Cockburn

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

him in the esteemed company of Andrés Segovia, Bill Frisell and Django Reinhardt. One of Canada’s finest artists, Bruce Cockburn has enjoyed an illustrious career shaped by politics, spirituality, and musical diversity. His remarkable journey has seen him embrace folk, jazz, rock, and worldbeat styles while traveling to such far-flung places as Guatemala, Mali, Mozambique, and Nepal, and writing memorable songs about his ever-expanding world of wonders. “My job,” he explains, “is to try and trap the spirit of things in the scratches of pen on paper and the pulling of notes out of metal.”

CALEXICO Praised by NPR for their “sprawling, cross-cultural indie rock,” Calexico has spent the better part of the past three decades exploring the dusty musical borderlands of the American Southwest, crafting singular, cinematic songs as mysterious and magnificent as the arid desert landscapes that inspired them. The Washington Post hailed the band’s live show as “near-flawless,” while The Chicago Tribune lauded the “vibrant “energy and “compelling conviction “of their performances,

Calexico

and WNYC marveled at the group’s ability to both “roar like Sonic Youth [and] whisper like Elliott Smith “onstage.

CARRIE RODRIGUEZ “She’s the trifecta for me — beautiful singer, soulful songwriter, and kick-ass fiddler.” — author Brené Brown Carrie Rodriguez, a singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, finds beauty in the cross-pollination of diverse traditions. A passionate performer, she effortlessly melds fiery fiddle playing, electrifying vocals and a fresh interpretation of new and classic songs with an “Ameri-Chicana” attitude. Her newest project found her switching roles from performer to composer/lyricist of an original musical.

CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE “Legendary is an overused term, but it’s also the only word that suits this heavyweight blues harpist.” — Time Out New York Fifty years of nonstop touring, performing, and recording have reaped huge rewards including a 2019 GRAMMY Nominee for NO MERCY IN THIS LAND with

Carrie Rodriguez

Artists Continued J Ben Harper; 33-time Blues Music Award Winner; and many-time Living Blues Award Winner, to name a few. Charlie Musselwhite is living proof that great music only gets better with age. This man cut his (musical) teeth alongside Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf and everyone on the South side of Chicago in the early 1960’s. Thank your lucky stars that he is still with us telling the truth with a voice and harp tone like no other.

CHRIS SMITHER “Smither is an American original — a product of the musical melting pot and one of the absolute best singer-songwriters in the world.” — Associated Press Honing a synthesis of folk and blues for 50 years, Smither is truly an American original. Reviewers and fans from around the world, including Rolling Stone and The New York Times, agree that Chris continues to be a profound songwriter, a blistering guitarist, and intense performer as he draws deeply from the blues, American folk music, modern poets, and humanist philosophers.

Charlie Musselwhite Chris Smither

The Coffis Brothers

THE COFFIS BROTHERS

en’s music,” music created, performed, and marketed specifically to women. Today, that recording, The Changer and the Changed, remains one of the best-selling independent releases of all time.

“The Coffis Brothers mix a blend of folk, country and rock with the intensity of personal lyrics into a gritty and often tender harmony of sound… a show that delivers one part Avett Brothers and onepart early Neil Young for a full night of dancing and fun.” — Santa Cruz Weekly

DARLENE LOVE “She’s a one woman all of sound!” — Bruce Springsteen

This is pure roots rock, focused on melody, harmony, rhythm, and mood. There are echoes of The Byrds, Tom Petty and The Jayhawks, and from years of touring, they have honed their sound into shimmering, high-energy rock and roll.

CRIS WILLIAMSON Decades before indie labels were the norm, and years before women had any real access to the industry, Cris Williamson was busy changing the face of popular music. In 1975, the twenty-something former schoolteacher recorded The Changer And The Changed, for her brainchild, Olivia Records. the first woman-owned woman-focused record company. Her music and voice quickly became the soundtrack of a movement and was the cornerstone of what would become known as “womDarlene Love

Rolling Stone Magazine has proclaimed Darlene Love to be “one of the greatest singers of all time” and that certainly rings true, but perhaps Paul Shaffer says it even more concisely: “Darlene Love is Rock N’ Roll!” — which was made official when she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Bette Midler, a great fan of her work. Through the years, Darlene Love continues to captivate audiences worldwide with her warm, gracious stage presence and superb performances.

DAVE ALVIN & JIMMIE DALE GILMORE WITH THE GUILTY ONES Dave Alvin from Downey and Jimmie Dale Gilmore from Lubbock have been filling canvases with music of the American

Cris Williamson Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore

Performing Artists West for decades. Alvin is a Strat-packing, wild blues Blaster. He formed a roots rock band with his brother Phil in 1978 before Dave peeled off to go his own way in 1986. He’s been part of the bands X, The Knitters, and The Flesh Eaters, and tours relentlessly with his own band, The Guilty Ones. Gilmore is the old Flatlander from the Great High Plains, acknowledging his first group, the folk country trio formed in Lubbock 1972 with Joe Ely and Butch Hancock, who continue performing and recording today. In addition to The Flatlanders and an extended solo career, he has been part of several ensembles including The Hub City Movers and The Wronglers with Warren Hellman.

DAVID JACOBS-STRAIN AND BOB BEACH “David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach blew me away last summer at Swannanoa. As we say at home, they “knocked my hat in the creek.” I can’t envision the audience that could fail to take to them from the first chord and to the last. Hear them yourself as soon as you can.” — Tom Paxton David Jacobs-Strain is a fierce slide David Jacobs-Strain and Bob Beach

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guitar player, and a song poet from Oregon. He is known for both his virtuosity and spirit of emotional abandon. David displays a range that ties him to his own generation and to guitar-slinger troubadours like Robert Johnson and Jackson Browne. “I try to make art that you can dance to, but I love that darker place, where in my mind, Skip James, Nick Drake, and maybe Elliot Smith blur together.” Bob Beach’s career has spanned more than 45 years. With his roots in blues, rock and folk, his innate feel for the music transcends genre, and can be integrated into everything from hip hop to bluegrass to kids’ cabaret and more.

DAYAN KAI Most recently (June 2019), Dayan released solo album “To Be Free” (engineered by Keith Greeninger) that highlights his rich vocals and sublime acoustic guitar. Dayan Kai’s golden spirit and deep insight into the human condition combined with his virtuoso musicality and soulful voice make him a beloved singer/ songwriter and top-notch band member. His words, wisdom, humor, and talent deeply touch crowds across the world. Dayan Kai

DON COFFIN Don was raised in an Italian/Irish household in Petaluma, California. He has been performing music for international audiences since the late 60s. From 1971 to 1978, he recorded and toured with his wife, songwriter Kate Wolf. In the 80s, he toured Europe with The Eclecticatz, an acoustic trio playing Celtic, Cowboy, Country, and Swing. Since then, he has continued to play Irish, Italian, Bluegrass and Country music.

GREG BROWN Greg Brown is a folk hero who flies below the radar. He’s been making his own brand of acoustic music for 30 years, attracting a loyal audience, and selling out shows wherever he goes. Brown emerged in the 1980s as a staple on the public-radio show A Prairie Home Companion. He released his breakthrough album, Iowa Waltz, in 1981. The recording garnered instant acclaim. “As sweet as a watermelon on a hot summer afternoon, and as beautifully simple as a dusty country road,” music critic David Freedlander opined. Over the years, the 68-year-old musician Don Coffin Greg Brown

Artists Continued J Joshua Zucker. With soaring harmonies, fierce percussion and blazing double fiddles, Hills to Hollers kindles the fires of connection and celebrates the past and the future of our profound musical heritage.

has become one of the greatest folk acts of his generation.

GUTHRIE GIRLS Sisters, Cathy, and Sarah Lee Guthrie come from a long line of American Folk Heritage. They are the daughters of Arlo and granddaughters of Woody; music has been an undeniable force in their lives. Both having long–standing careers on their own for over 20 years; Cathy has achieved critical acclaim for her works with Folk Uke and Sarah Lee has made several albums and toured extensively with her former partner.

HOT TUNA (ACOUSTIC) “Hot Tuna is a Psychedelic-Blues Institution” — Rolling Stone Magazine

HILLS TO HOLLERS Super-group, Hills to Hollers, explores the rich history and intertwined roots of the African-American and white musical traditions of the American south. Vicki Randle, a former member of Mavis Staples’ band, and “Tonight Show” fame, joins Laurie Lewis, 2- time bluegrass female vocalist of the year, Barbara Higbie, a Bammy and Glama award winning multi-instrumentalist/singer, and topnotch bassist/vocalist

Guthrie Girls

Guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and bassist Jack Casady are without question in the discussion about who are among the greatest musicians; each has distinguished himself by developing a style that is easy to pick out and that others often try to imitate. For over 50 years Hot Tuna has brought a wealth of emotions to their music through deep perceptions and tremendous talent. Jorma and Jack perform with a well-honed and solid power — always in the groove from years of experience and mutual inspiration. Started as a side project during their Jefferson Airplane days, the constant, the very definition of Hot Tuna, has always been Jorma Kaukonen

Hills to Hollers Hot Tuna

and Jack Casady. The two boyhood pals have never wavered in one of the most enduring friendships in Rock history.

IRIS DEMENT Iris DeMent is an acclaimed singer/ songwriter whose 1992 debut Infamous Angel was hailed by Rolling Stone as “an essential album of the 90’s”. Combining elements of folk, gospel and country, her rich lyrical landscapes and captivating music have earned two Grammy nominations and the respect of many of her peers such as John Prine, Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell. NPR has called her “one of the great voices in contemporary popular music” and The Boston Globe heralded her 2012 album Sing The Delta to be a “work of rare, unvarnished grace and power...”. In 2017, The Americana Music Association honored Iris with their Trailblazer Award, recognizing a singular artist who forged her own uncompromising path.

Iris Dement

Performing Artists

JIMBO SCOTT & LATE FOR THE TRAIN

dazzling soloist, his virtuosity matched by his ability to swing.” — Paste Magazine

“Jimbo Scott is the real deal!! His baritone vocals take you to the streets of Greenwich Village, to the hills of Scotland, down South through Memphis and back again to his hometown of Oakland, California. Dave Van Ronk meets Reverend Gary Davis, a modern folk singer with a revolutionary spirit and a heart of gold.” — Josh Brough of Poor Man’s Whiskey

A 35-year veteran in the biz, Joe Craven first captured the wide-eyed stare of many fans in the ’90s as the astonishing percussionist and multi-instrumentalist of the David Grisman Quintet. Craven approaches his craft with an insider’s knowledge and adoration while masterfully re-imagining and re-composing existing music with newfound relevance. He’s an award-winning educator, artist and actor, and his oeuvre covers a huge range of musical genres and artistic inspirations.

A favorite in the Bay Area’s esteemed house concert scene and folk venues, Jimbo combines the influences of his birthplace of Memphis, TN and his lifelong home in the San Francisco Bay Area, His songs evoke traditions of Tennessee country and bluegrass, Oakland soul and sepia toned California landscapes and life-scapes. Like a spinning mirror, Jimbo’s music casts reflections around the room, flashing from honest self-deprecation to cinematic retrospectives on our part in shaping our communities

JOE CRAVEN “Joe Craven’s playing will make your jaw drop in wonder and amazement. He’s a Jimbo Scott & Late For The Train Joe Craven

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

JOHN CRAIGIE “…the lovechild of John Prine and Mitch Hedberg with a vagabond troubadour edge.” — The Stranger Renowned for his eloquent Americana style, engaging live shows, and off-thecuff clever observations, John Craigie carries on the legacy of classic folk singers while blazing a trail of his own. Hailed as a “Modern-Day Troubadour” in the style of Woody Guthrie and Ramblin’ Jack Elliot, Craigie has travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe.

John Craigie

Captivating anecdotes from the road have endeared Craigie to the devoted fans he has earned, song by song, show by show, since 2009. Craigie shares his clever observations and humorous stories with a score of smoked-out soul, tender folk, and American songbook eloquence.

JORMA KAUKONEN “A pioneer of San Francisco psychedelia, Jorma Kaukonen is a bona fide graybeard folk swami. He mostly lays back, a master in situ, unfurling melodies and savoring every note.” — Rolling Stone Magazine In a career that has already spanned a half-century, Jorma Kaukonen has been one of the most highly respected interpreters of American roots music, blues, and rock. A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a Grammy recipient, Jorma was at the forefront of popular rock and roll, one of the founders of the San Francisco sound and a progenitor of Psychedelic Rock. He is a founding member of two legendary bands, Jefferson Airplane and the still-touring Hot Tuna. Jorma Kaukonen is a music legend and one of the finest singer-songwriters in his field.

Jorma Kaukonen

Kathy Kallick Keith Greeninger

Artists Continued J

KATHY KALLICK “Jaw-dropping awesome!!!” is how the Delaware Valley Bluegrass Festival describes the KKB. The band looks forward to proving them right at every show and with every spin! Kathy Kallick’s exceptional career includes winning a Grammy and two IBMA Awards, receiving a Lifetime Membership from the California Bluegrass Association, co-founding the internationally acclaimed Good Ol’ Persons, and collaborating with the country’s top acoustic musicians. The Kathy Kallick Band has nearly as much fun as the audience when performing, and their presentation — ranging from electrifying to humorous to bittersweet to soulful — is always inclusive and satisfying.

KEITH GREENINGER “Keith Greeninger is that rare performer for whom people lean forward in their seats, absorbing every note and every word. They just don’t come any more authentic…” — Trinity Tribal Keith Greeninger is a seasoned troubadour, award-winning songwriter, and captivating performer. As a solo artist, Laurie Lewis Leftover Salmon

and with his own band, he has toured the national Folk and Americana circuit extensively for the last three decades. His masterfully crafted songs and warm distinctive vocals have earned him the top songwriting awards at the Telluride Blue Grass Festival, The Kerrville, Napa Valley, and Rocky Mountain Folk Festivals.

LAURIE LEWIS “Her voice is a rare combination of grit and grace, strength and delicacy. Her stories always ring true.” — Linda Ronstadt Laurie Lewis is an inspiration and a ground-breaker — across genres, across geography and across gender barriers. Laurie has shown us how a woman can blend into any part of the classic bluegrass singing trio, and she showed us how a great voice could move fluidly between bluegrass and other types of music. She showed us how a female fiddler could emulate the strength and grit of the early bluegrass musicians. She has shown how a Californian can appeal to traditional bluegrass audiences, as well as winning acclaim in the worlds of Americana and folk music.

LEFTOVER SALMON Few bands stick around for 30 years. Even fewer bands leave a legacy that marks them as a truly special, once-inlifetime type band. And no band has done all that and had as much fun as Leftover Salmon. Since their earliest days as a forward thinking, progressive bluegrass band who had the guts to add drums to the mix and who were unafraid to stir in any number of highly combustible styles into their ever-evolving sound, and pioneers of the modern jamband scene. Leftover Salmon has been a crucial link in keeping the traditional music of the past alive, simultaneously pushing that sound forward with their own weirdly unique style.

LUCY KAPLANSKY “Lucy Kaplansky is a truly gifted performer with a bag full of enchanting songs.” — The New Yorker “New York songwriter Lucy Kaplansky is becoming the troubadour laureate of modern Folk.” — The Boston Globe Lucy has been playing for live audiences since she was a teen. She received her doctorate in Clinical Psychology and

Lucy Kaplansky

Performing Artists worked at a NY hospital for the mentally ill as well as having her own private practice. But music has always been in her blood and she began performing again. In 1994 Red House Records released her first album The Tide to rave reviews. She left her psychiatry practice to pursue music full time. Her career has been spectacular. She has released seven solo albums on Red Street Records and has done innumerable live shows all across America. She collaborated with Richard Shindell and Dar Williams to form the group Cry Cry Cry.

MADELEINE PEYROUX Madeleine Peyroux’s extraordinary journey is one of music industry’s most compelling. Thirty years after her formative busking days Peyroux is the proud curator of nine beguiling albums and an accomplished performer with sell out worldwide tours under her belt. Her atmospheric version of Serge Gainsborough’s La Javanaise was used in the soundtrack of Oscar Winner The Shape of Water and her countless accolades include the coveted BBC International Artist Of The Year honor. Peyroux continues to Madeleine Peyroux

Mamajowali Marcia Ball

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

challenge the confines of jazz, venturing into the fertile fields of contemporary music with unfading curiosity.

MAMAJOWALI Mamajowali features three veteran musicians — one from Mali, West Africa and two from the United States — that have found common ground in a new and unique sound. Interweaving two continents and three uniquely different musical sensibilities, their cultural and instrumental blend of kamale ngoni (hunter’s harp), six string guitar, percussion, fiddle, mandolin and singing is traditional, innovative and uncommon — all at the same time. Mamajowali overlays West African and Latin American music with old time Americana and spirited originals with hoppin’ high energy grooves and tons of improvisational trialogue. A sound you’ve never heard — “Afromericana!”

MARCIA BALL “Fifty years have passed in a flash,” says pianist, songwriter, and vocalist Marcia Ball. Ball, the 2018 Texas State Musician Of The Year, has won worldwide fame and

countless fans for her ability to ignite a full-scale roadhouse party every time she takes the stage. Born in Orange, Texas and raised in Vinton, Louisiana, her Acadian heritage and a lifetime of absorbing Gulf Coast rhythm and blues is evident in her original songs and the classics she chooses to cover. This has made her a one-of-a-kind favorite with music lovers all over the world.

MARY GAUTHIER “With songwriting as powerful as hers, there’s no need to go looking for qualifiers. She’s a unique, intrinsically valuable musical voice. And there’s never a surplus of those.” — Randy Lewis, LA Times The Associated Press named Mary Gauthier as one of the best songwriters of her generation. Her most recent release in 2018, Rifles & Rosary Beads (a collection of songs co-written with wounded veterans) was nominated at the 61st GRAMMY Awards (2019) for Best Folk Album. The record was also nominated for Album of the Year by the Americana Music Association and named Album of Mary Gauthier Nina Gerber

Artists Continued J the Year by Folk Alliance International. That same year, Mary was crowned the title of International Artist of the Year by The Americana Association UK.

NINA GERBER “Impeccable taste... Subtle six-string brilliance.” — East Bay Express A fixture on the West Coast folk and acoustic music scene, Gerber is rarely in the spotlight because she doesn’t sing, but those who know her, know her as the pre-eminent accompanist for folk, acoustic, and Americana artists touring California. Enough can’t be said about how valuable Nina Gerber is to so many acoustic music projects in the area … Yet to put herself in the spotlight she deserves, Gerber has evolved from the late Kate Wolf’s accompanist into an accomplished arranger and producer and a ubiquitous side woman.

OLD BLIND DOGS “The skill, talent and verve with which they played, belied their laddishness and the crowd responded with thunderous

Old Blind Dogs

applause. Folk is the new rock and roll.” — Evening News “The Old Blind Dogs play with a compelling energy and intoxicating rhythm,” says The Scotsman, “...as players and audience seem to share a wild ecstasy of emotion.” Since forming in Scotland in 1992, ‘The Dogs’ have stood on the cutting edge of the Scots roots revival. The band has developed its own trademark style with an energetic mix of songs and tunes. Dynamic percussion, polished vocals, soaring fiddle and stirring pipes fuel the delicately phrased melodies and traditional songs.

PAUL KAMM & ELEANORE MACDONALD “The way you can make hard things beautiful and beautiful things even more so seems to reach inside me to a place I can’t quite describe and say…See, there really is hope.” — Che Greenwood KVMR fm Modern folk musicians Paul Kamm and Eleanore MacDonald, from Nevada City, CA., have been writing and

Paul Kamm & Eleanore MacDonald

performing original, contemporary folk music for 39 years. A blend of contemporary and traditional styles, their music is graced by exquisite harmony, compelling songwriting, deceptively simple arrangements and intricate guitar work… all embraced by great heart.

PHIL SALAZAR & THE KIN FOLK A Living Legend of California Bluegrass From Bach to Bluegrass and everything in between. Phil has been a performer since the day he was born when he crawled around the stage of his father’s symphony. He has been playing violin at the age of 5. At 14 he began to play blues and rock fiddle, rebelling against his classical roots. In 1984, Phil started The Phil Salazar Band. Over the last 35 years, the band has become like family and is now called Phil Salazar and the Kin Folk. They have recorded 7 albums, two for the legendary Flying Fish Records. Due to their incredible acoustic diversity, they have become fan favorites at concerts and festivals up and down the West Coast

Phil Salazar & The Kin Folk

Performing Artists

PLAYING FOR CHANGE Playing For Change (PFC) is a unique fusion of influences and talents, the band currently consists of 11 musicians from 10 countries, carrying music from the streets to the stage to the hearts of people. PFC is a multimedia movement created to inspire, connect, and bring peace to the world through music. The idea for this project arose from a common belief that music has the power to break down boundaries and overcome distances between people. Playing For Change’s first single “Stand By Me” began with a Santa Monica street performer named Roger Ridley; they recorded Ridley’s live public performance and then traveled the world recording more and more musicians to collaborate on the track. Today, the video has over 125 million views on YouTube alone.

POOR MAN’S WHISKEY “The Bay Area’s outlaw music bards bring a reputation for high-energy live shows and an incomparable fusion of folk, punk, rock, and disco to stages.” — Hopmonk Tavern, Sebastopol Poor Man’s Whiskey (PMW) has been growing exponentially in the past 5 years Playing For Change Poor Man’s Whiskey

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

selling out venues across the country such as the legendary Fillmore in SF. PMW will certainly delight those interested in a foot-stompin good time. They have evolved into a ragged, spontaneous beast pulling from equally deep wells of story-telling originals, expertly crafted covers and zany on-stage shenanigans.

RAINBOW GIRLS “...with soaring harmonies and a slew of instruments they share and swap throughout their set, the ladies of Rainbow Girls pump out original after original of your favorite new songs, whether it be acoustic or electric.” — Reverbnation Rainbow Girls are an eclectic folk trio hailing from the golden countryside just north of California’s Bay Area. Vanessa May, Erin Chapin, and Caitlin Gowdey seamlessly combine soul-touching harmonies, varitextured instrumentals, and poignant lyrical content into a beautiful sonic tapestry. Throughout their performance, voices are paired with an ever-changing amalgamation of acoustic and slide guitar, keys, upright bass, harmonica, and an array of vocal techniques creating an engaging and often emotionally moving live show.

Rainbow Girls

RAMBLIN’ JACK ELLIOTT “Nobody I know—and I mean nobody— has covered more ground and made more friends and sung more songs than the fellow you’re about to meet right now. He’s got a song and a friend for every mile behind him. Say hello to my good buddy, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott.” — Johnny Cash Ramblin’ Jack is a two-time GRAMMY winner, National Medal Of Arts recipient, and in 2016, received a Folk Alliance Lifetime Achievement Award. Featured in the recent Rolling Thunder Revue film by Martin Scorcese and also in the early 2019 PBS release of the Woody Guthrie All Star Tribute Concert Center, Ramblin’ Jack is an icon of American roots and folk music. He is one of the last true links to the great folk traditions of this country, with over 40 albums under his belt, he is considered one of the country’s legendary foundations of folk music.

RANKY TANKY & MS. LISA FISCHER RANKY TANKY have achieved many firsts for South Carolina’s West African-rooted Gullah community since their formation, earning yet another milestone at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards by taking home the Best Regional Roots Album prize for their sophoRamblin’ Jack Elliott

Artists Continued J more release, “Good Time.” We’re thrilled that gifted singer Ms. Lisa Fischer is returning to the festival and performing with Ranky Tanky. Ms. Fischer’s performances are so enriching, so exciting, so transcendent that you want more. With remarkable vocal range and vocabulary, Fischer can sing soul, jazz, rock, gospel, pop, folk and classical with equal facility and authority.

RITA HOSKING Rita’s style of country-folk has been lauded for story and sense of place, and her performances praised with capturing the audience. Honors include winner of the 2008 Dave Carter Memorial Songwriting Contest at the Sisters Folk Festival, finalist in the 2009 Telluride Music Festival Troubadour Contest, and honors in the International Songwriting Contest and West Coast Songwriters’ Association. “This California girl comes by her mountain music sensibility with true authenticity, with original songs deeply rooted in her family’s frontier experience,” (Dan Ruby, FestivalPreview.com) and Rita’s fans call her “the real deal.” A descendant of Cornish miners who sang in the mines, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice. Ranky Tanky Ms. Lisa Fischer

Rita Hosking

RUTH MOODY “...as musically enticing as a ripe, red pomegranate.” — Vintage Guitar Although best known for her work with The Wailin’ Jennys, Ruth is an artist of exceptional depth and grace in her own right. Critics have lauded her ethereal vocals, impressive multi-instrumentalism, and insightful songwriting. Written with a maturity and wisdom that belies her age, her songs are timeless, universal, and exquisitely crafted, all sung with an intimacy and honesty that is unmistakably hers.

RUTHIE FOSTER “There’s no denying the power of Foster’s monstrous voice...” — Paste Magazine Vocal powerhouse Ruthie Foster is the recipient of seven Blues Music Awards, three Austin Music Awards, the Grand Prix du Disque award from the Académie Charles-Cros in France, a Living Blues Critics’ Award for Female Blues Artist of the Year, and the title of an “inspiring American Artist” as a United States Artists 2018 Fellow. Described by Rolling Stone as “pure magic to watch and hear,” her vocal talent was elevated in worship services at her community church. Drawing influence Ruth Moody

from legendary acts like Mavis Staples and Aretha Franklin, Foster developed a unique sound unable to be contained within a single genre. That uniqueness echoes a common theme in Ruthie’s life and career — marching to the beat of her own drum.

THE SAM CHASE & THE UNTRADITIONAL “The singer is the kind of guy you want to have a beer with, maybe invite him to your wedding; I bet he would have the place roaring in less than two shakes of a lamb’s tail. A very sincere, genuine roar...” — Danny Sebahar — The Pops

The Sam Chase & The Untraditional hails from San Francisco, California. This juggernaut of a band blends rock n roll with folk music while maintaining the sensibilities and attitudes that come from growing up on a healthy diet of punk rock. The leader of the band is The Sam Chase himself, a natural storyteller with a voice that sounds as if it has weathered many an epic tale. With boot stomping orchestration and lyrics that have been immortalized on the tattooed skin of their fans, The Sam Chase & The Untraditional doesn’t mess around. These are the warriors we need in these troubled times.

Ruthie Foster The Sam Chase & the Untraditional

Performing Artists

SARAH LEE GUTHRIE American folksinger Sarah Lee Guthrie has a family legacy with deep musical roots. Granddaughter of Woody, daughter of Arlo, her lineage is undeniable. But if you close your eyes and forget that her last name is synonymous with the river-legacy of a widening current of American folk music, you’d still be drawn to the clarity and soul behind her voice. There is a gentle urgency to her interpretations of the songs she sings and the classic music of her heritage. It flows from the continuity of her family, her vital artistic life today and the river of songs that have guided her to where she now stands.

tally to three wins and 14 nominations, and underscored his undiminished relevance more than 50 years after his solo debut. Blues Hall of Fame membership, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association, and other honors punctuate his résumé. Over his five-decade career, Mahal has freely embraced influences from jazz and country as well as Caribbean and African traditions, creating a wealth of recordings that runs the gamut of styles and approaches.

TIM BLUHM

Taj is a towering musical figure — a legend who transcended the blues not by leaving them behind, but by revealing their magnificent scope to the world. A 2017 Grammy win for TajMo, Taj’s collaboration with Keb’ Mo’, brought his Grammy

Bluhm began his musical journey while studying at Chico State, where he co-founded the now-iconic Mother Hips, a group the San Francisco Chronicle has hailed as “one of the Bay Area’s most beloved live outfits.” Ever curious and wildly prolific, Bluhm simultaneously released a slew of his own solo and collaborative projects on the side. He toured for years as music director with Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers, teamed up with The Grateful Dead’s Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann among others, and opened Mission Bells Studio with fellow California favorite Jackie Greene and engineer Dave Simon-Baker.

Sarah Lee Guthrie Taj Mahal

Tim Bluhm

TAJ MAHAL “Like ancient culture the people are as much a part of the performance as the music. Live communication through music, oh yeah, it’s right up there with oxygen!” — Taj Mahal

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

TIM O’BRIEN BAND After many years navigating the outskirts of bluegrass and acoustic music, Tim O’Brien’s dusky, unmistakable vocal timbre and instrumental stylings have this time landed him with two feet squarely back in bluegrass. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, Grammy winning singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Tim O’Brien grew up singing in church and school, and after seeing Doc Watson on TV, became a lifelong devotee of old time and bluegrass music. Over the years, Tim has released 15 solo CD’s, as well as collaborations with his sister Mollie O’Brien, songwriter Darrell Scott, and noted old time musician Dirk Powell. Tim O’Brien Band is a return to where it all started for Tim — as a guitarist. As audiences can attest, Tim’s elastic yet menacingly groovy guitar playing is as pivotal to his sound as his mandolin.

TOM PAXTON & THE DON JUANS Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and folk icon, Tom Paxton, teams up with the Grammy winning singer/songwriter duo The Don Juans — Don Henry & Jon Vezner. Collectively, their songs have been covered by: Harry Belafonte, Tim O’Brien Band Tom Paxton & The Don Juans

John Mellencamp, Miranda Lambert, Neil Diamond, Ray Charles, Nancy Griffith, Judy Collins, Pete Seeger, Janis Ian, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Faith Hill, B.J. Thomas, Blake Shelton, Peter, Paul & Mary and Bob Dylan... just to name a few! Within days of writing and playing together, they knew they were onto something. Now they’re taking it on the road!

TOMMY PRINE Tommy Prine picked up a guitar at age 10 and started picking melodies. Though he has crafted his own unique sound over the years, he learned from observing one of the best. He is the son of the late legendary multi-Grammy award-winning artist, John Prine. The watermark of Tommy’s sound comes from his unique finger-picking style combined with soul-stirring songwriting. His songs pull inspiration from childhood adventures in the creek with his big brother, to losing his father at the beginning of the pandemic, falling in love, and everything in between.

THE TWO TRACKS “Vibrant harmonies and a knack for writing eager, infectious melodies guarantee them an ability to lock on to their lisTommy Prine The Two Tracks

teners without any hesitation whatsoever... The Two Tracks’ music serves as a reminder that the ability to tap tradition can pay off with a sound that’s still contemporary in its delivery and insightful in its conception.” — Country Standard Time The Two Tracks write songs with heartfelt emotion, and lyrics that speak to the listener with honesty, conviction, and integrity. Based out of Wyoming, they’ve begun touring nationally on the success of their Postcard Town album produced by Will Kimbrough and recorded at the Grammy winning Butcher Shoppe Studio in Nashville. Their harmony-rich songs often add cello to a solid groove, creating a unique ambiance that’s all their own.

CHRIS WEBSTER “Chris Webster’s voice is wondrous — deeply expressive and full of everything from the sensual to the spiritual. She doesn’t so much sing a song as bring it to life.” — Oakland Tribune Chris Webster is a soul singer beyond genre. In the course of recording over 20 albums on her own and with others, she has drawn equally from classic R&B thumpers and gospel-grass prayers, from rockabilly rave-ups and singer/songwriter

Artists Continued J confessions. Webster’s work is rooted in the classic American tension between a yearning for transcendence and a lusty connection to the here-and-now.

THE WOOD BROTHERS Dubbed “masters of soulful folk” by Paste, The Wood Brothers formed after brothers Chris and Oliver Wood pursued separate musical careers for 15 years. Chris already had a huge following for his work with Medeski Martin & Wood, while Oliver toured with Tinsley Ellis before releasing a half-dozen albums with his band King Johnson. The brothers released their debut on legendary label Blue Note in 2006 and went on to join Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists for two more albums. In 2016, the band recorded Live At The Barn at Levon Helm’s famed Woodstock Barn, where the sold-out performance showcased the singularly eclectic and electrifying performance style that’s earned them devoted legions of fans. The band’s sixth album, One Drop of Truth, got a Grammy Award nomination for “Best Americana Album.” The band’s unique “atmospheric and spiritual” sound led STL Blues to announce that. “The Wood Brothers are to Mississippi John Hurt as Mofro is to Son House.”

Chris Webster The Wood Brothers

TRIB

Grandpa Elliott Given Elliott Small’s (Grandpa Elliott) upbringing, most would have given up, resorted to drugs, or crime. Grandpa Elliott did none of the above. Born in New Orleans to an unhappy family, he fell in love with the harmonica by listening to his professional musician uncle, and was influenced by his mother who mostly listened to classical music. Combining his love of harmonica with dance, that he learned by watching Fred Astaire on late night movies, he was performing on New Orleans street corners at a very young age. As he grew up, age 6, his mother moved to New York City where he danced on Broadway at night, and performed on New York City street corners by day. His mother got involved in a very difficult relationship, resulting in her death by the man they were living with. Grandpa (also billed “The Harmonica King”) was sent back to New Orleans to live with his grandmother where he once again took up residence as a street performer in the French Quarter on the same corner where he was performing earlier. After losing his eyesight to glaucoma, he helped launch a project, Playing for Change, dedicated to promoting international unity through music, which involved recording street performers around the world. The Playing for Change project eventually became the band, Playing for Change. He never had a beer, or did drugs. He once said the only thing he ever smoked was the exhaust from cars passing by his street performance. We lost him at age 77. Grandpa Elliot performed twice with the band at the Kate Wolf Music Festival, with the last time being in 2015.

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival

UTES

John Prine John Prine wrote songs so good that we’ll have to break his thumbs. — Kris Kristofferson John Prine’s music and lyrics were thoughtful, provocative, political, and humorous. Born in Paradise, Kentucky but raised in a suburb of Chicago, Marywood, Illinois, John was surrounded by music. His father, William, loved Hank Williams, Jr., Roy Acuff, and Ernest Tubb. At age 14, John learned to play guitar and broaden his country music horizons from his older brother, David. He then attended Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music. After returning from the US Army while serving as a mechanic in Germany in the late 1960’s, he became a mailman by day, while writing and singing songs as a hobby at night in the Chicago folk club scene. John Prine is proof that you never know who is in the audience. One night, early in his career, he was performing at an open microphone event at Chicago’s Fifth Peg, and the Chicago Sun-Times critic, Roger Ebert, was in the audience. After Ebert’s review was published, his popularity grew, he became a fixture on the Chicago folk scene, and he left his day job. While performing in New York City’s The Bottom Line, as Kris Kristofferson’s opening act, Bob Dylan appeared unannounced backing him on harmonica, and Jerry Wexler of Atlantic Records heard and signed him the next day. He went on to become one of the most influential songwriters of his generation, and has been called the Mark Twain of Songwriting. His songs have been recorded by The Highwaymen, Bonnie Raitt, John Denver, Tanya Tucker, and others. He was a fighter, with a sense of humor, until the end, having beat cancer and a successful heart stent implant. We lost him at age 73 due to Covid. During his lifetime he was nominated for 13 Grammy’s, won four, plus a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Artist of the Year, Song of the Year “Summer’s End”, Album of the Year “The Tree of Forgiveness”, and was posthumously named Poet Laureate of Illinois. He performed at the Kate Wolf Music Festival two times, his last in 2017.

TRIBUTES

Nanci Griffith Nanci Griffith’s writing and performing was such a perfect blend of folk and country music, that she often described it as “folkabilly”. By the time she was 12 years old, she was already writing songs and performing in Austin clubs, her family having moved from San Antonio several years earlier. As in life, often a performance, or performer can change one’s path. In Nanci’s case it was Loretta Lynn. Though Nanci listened to Odetta’s records for hours on end, it was when she first heard Loretta and realized that she was, at that time, the only guitar-playing woman who wrote her own songs. Loretta Lynn became Nanci’s inspiration. After graduating from the University of Texas, she became a kindergarten teacher by day, and performer by night. Playing alongside Lucinda Williams, Lyle Lovett and Jimmie Dale Gilmore gave her the confidence she could do what she cherished. In 1978 she released the first of four folk albums, and toured constantly. But like many artists, it was actually others who gave her name recognition by performing Nanci’s written material, including Kathy Mattea’s first Top 10 Hit, “Love at the Five and Dime”. She had many musical detours throughout her life including a move to Nashville’s Music Row in 1985, where she spent the rest of her life. After her successful Top 30 Country Albums of “Little Love Affairs” and “Lone Star”, she expanded her folkabilly career to include the use of drum machines and synthesizers enlisting members of U2, Counting Crows, and Mark Knopfler, all to reach pop-music fans. The music was a bigger hit in Ireland where she played with the Chieftains, than it was in the United States where she played with the surviving members of Buddy Holly’s band, the Crickets. Returning to her folk roots in 1994, her album “Other Voices, Other Rooms” won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Folk Album. Subsequently she was awarded a Lifetime Americana Trailblazer Award by the Americana Muisca Association. She performed at two Kate Wolf Music Festivals. In 1993, at age 39, she told Rolling Stone magazine what motivated her: “Longevity, I guess that’s the brass ring for me. I still want to hear my music coming back to me when I’m 65.” She made it to 68.

2021 Kate Wolf Music Festival