Folkie Haven

CFMS Correction

2010-05-28T03:44:00.000-07:00

CFMS Folkside Coffeehouse is cancelled due to a scheduling conflict.

There will still be entertainment at the book store.

Roger Lehman Sat May 29th 7:00 pm
Roger is a fine singer / songwriter. For 35 years Roger has been performing throughout the U.S. and Canada. Roger has built a reputation as a first rate acoustic guitarist, songwriter and pianist. He has an emotionally charged voice that conveys both the humor and the drama that can be found in his songs.

Music is free, but we will pass the hat. Free parking in rear.

Henry Saint Juste May 29th 8:00 pm
Henry developed a talent for music at a young age. With the support of his family and the help of a good teacher, he as developed a real musical skill.
Please come out and support this young artist.
Music is free, but we will pass the hat.

Goodbye CJ

2010-05-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

CJ our server at Papa Joe's is heading for Texas to be with her husband who is in the Army. A party was held to say goodbye and the place was packed with standing room only. That is how well thought of she is. As well as various gifts she received $420 from a collection.

CJ has been a fixture for the Open Mic from the day we started. Always a shining light the place will be dull without her. As well as being our server she played saxophone regularly with Bob and Ralph fondly known as The Elderly Brothers. Below is a video by Tom Harker of her farewell.

CJ I will miss you more then you know, it has been like having a second daughter around.

A good place to be at the weekend.

"Charlie, Teresa, and Friends". We are filling a slot at Espresso Yourself on the Memorial Day weekend. Here are the details:

Charlie, Teresa, and Friends are playing at Espresso Yourself Music Cafe, 50 W. Olentangy St., Powell, OH, on Saturday, May 29, 2010, at 6:30-8:00 pm. The venue is 15 min from Route 315 and North Broadway (www.espressoyourselfmusiccafe.com). EYMC has a nice stage, sandwiches, coffee, tea, stained glass, comfy leather furniture, and good music. Rumor has it that James Taylor and Carole King are coming to town a day early to check out the Powell scene, so there could even be a star sighting. The usual suspects will be on hand: Charlie Flowers and Teresa Schleifer both on acoustic guitar and vocals, joined by Patrick Casey (djembe, accordion), Maury Falkoff (mandolin, dobro), Renilda Marshall (bass guitar), Rebecca Stansbury (fiddle), and Brian Szuch (electric guitar). Sure hope you can make it!

The Hard Tackers at Walleye Festival

The Hard Tackers will be performing on Saturday at the Port Clinton Walleye Festival up on the Lake. If you are around say hello.

Folk Society Concert

Saturday night at the Book Store. Not sure who is playing but worth a visit.

The Folk Festival for Folkies

2010-05-04T04:28:00.000-07:00

The folk festival for Columbus is here at last.

This coming weekend will be the 14th annual Central Ohio Folk Festival. If you have not been to this event you must give it a try. Not only is it good entertainment but a wonderful learning experience and you get to meet some wonderful people.

Friday May 7, 2010 - Sunday May 9, 2010
at Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park Indian Ridge Area

Sponsored by

The Columbus Folk Music Society, Inc.
Partnering with Metro Parks at Battelle Darby Creek

Saturday Night Concert

Smokin Fez Monkey's The Yellow Room Gang James Keelaghan

Also including

Hank Arbaugh
Abnormal Sines
At Wits End
Doug Berch
Andy Beyer
Breakneck Allstars
Joanie Calem
Ann & Phil Case
Barry Chern
Randy Clepper
Tom Davis
Marge Diamond

Larry Drake
Margie Ellison
Carol Esch
Marion Funk
Vici Gombaski
Grassahol
Halfway Home
Dave Hawkins
Conrade Hinds
Jan Krist
Home Remedy
Michael Hough

Terry C. Keller
Julie McGhee
Rob McNurlin
Jim Miller
Sylvia Miller
Tim O’Conner
Victoria Parks
Kayton Roberts
Butch Ross
Gary & Toni Sager
Rick Savors
Second Wind
Bill Schilling
John Schomburg
Cathy Sheets
Bonnie Shiplet
Linda Sigismondi
Joni Sines
Steven K. Smith
Larry Staats
Steve Stapleton
Shelly Stevens
Tom Stiverson
David Tamulevich
The Answer Ladies
The Barn Doors
The Hard Tackers
Keenan Wade
Matt Watroba
Wild Hares
Barry Weaver
Randall Williams
Barb Withes
Carl Yaffey

Friday Night Meet and Greet

Pot luck and massive jam session.

The Worst Song in the World Competition.

Many Workshops over Saturday and Sunday

Many Free Shows for the general public.

Wednesday 5th May

The Hard Tackers will be at Upper Arlington Library 7PM

Saturday and Sunday 8th and 9th Central Ohio Folk Festival

Loosely Strung
On Friday, May 7, Loosely Strung will invade Cheshire Market - Pizza & Bait Shop between 7 - 10 p.m. Look for the red building at the corner of Africa Rd. & Cheshire Rd. along Alum Creek Reservoir.

Goodby CJ

C J the wonderful server at Papa Joe's Will be leaving for out west.

C Js husband has been stationed in Texas and she will be moving out to join him.
We are having a party
Thursday night 6th May at Papa Joe;s Open Mic in Ashville.
This young lady has been wonderful to the Open Mic crowd and we want to give her a good send off.
Turn up with as many friends as you can. Be early to get a seat.

There will be around 15 plus performers so sign up early.

Sorry Folkies

2010-04-23T04:31:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the fact I have not been posting the blog for some time. Other matters have been taking up my time and I had to make a decision as to what went on the back burner.

If I missed a posting you sent to me I apologise.

Saturday and Sunday is the Viking Festival in Ashville.

This is a not to be missed spectacular. There is lots to do and see, constant entertainment and sights. Proceeds go to the Ashville food bank. If you go take a few cans.

Teresa Schleifer passed on the info below

Charlie, Teresa, and Friends are playing at Areopagitica Books again on Saturday, May 1, 2010, at 7:00-9:00 pm. Here's the lineup: Charlie Flowers and Teresa Schleifer both on guitar and vocals, joined by awesome musicians Patrick Casey (djembe, accordion), Maury Falkoff (mandolin, dobro), Renilda Marshall (bass guitar), Rebecca Stansbury (fiddle), and Brian Szuch (electric guitar). Sure hope you can make it!

This from Avalon Nine

Looking for something fun to do Saturday night?
Check out the lineup at the Grandview Hop: http://www.thegrandviewhop.com/thismonth.htm

Live music everywhere, wine samples, shops, belly dancers, twirling hire hoopers (hey, I've seen this -- pretty amazing) and on & on...

Avalon Nine's 5 piece band will be inside Caribou Coffee from 6:30 to 9pm (just a couple blocks off 5th Ave. on Grandview Ave.). If you like Pink Floyd, Neil Young, 70s and 80s rock and Americana, you'll want to check out our crazy acoustic/electric mix!

Avalon Nine & Friends
Linda Blaine and Dave Clutter
Brian Szuch (electric guitar, dobro)
Rebecca Stansbury (violin)
and Mike Hale (bass)

www.myspace.com/avalonnine

Thanks for supporting live music in Columbus!

Half way through the Prince comes in. WOW I have never rated this fella but I have changed my mind.

Saturday Folk Jam

2010-03-25T05:03:00.000-07:00

Saturday Folk Jam

I managed to get down to the best Bookshop in town on Saturday night for a jam session with the Thursday night crowd. I know that sounds like a contradiction, but it is logical. On Thursday nights there is a regular jam session at Areopagitica Books 3510 N. High Street Columbus Ohio, one I would love to attend, but my commitment to the Ashville Open Mic prevents me. This session was asked to play on Saturday as part of the Bookshop's Saturday entertainment series.

I had a great time and there was a good audience. The Bookshop has built up a good following for their Saturday evening events and this coming Saturday is not to be missed.

Columbus Folk Music Society Monthly Concert and fundraiser for the Festival in May.

It is auction time folkies. I love this event there are always interesting items for sale. I will be at an event in Chilicothi on that day but I will bust a gut to get back in time. Yes I know my dues need to be paid.

March 27
The Folkside Coffeehouse and Live Auction
Featured Performer
Butch Ross
http://www.butchross.com/index1.html
3510 North High Street
Columbus, Ohio 43214

Jam session at 7pm
The auction usually takes up the Open Mic slot at 8pm
Around 9pm is the guest.

Summer is around the corner

Local performers are gearing up for the rush. Make the best of it because the summer will be over before you know it. I have posted a few photo's to remind us what summer means.

Just for fun.

Sorry I can not embed this but it is well worth opening the web site. Volume loud, sit back and find out that getting older does not mean you can not have fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyS61DM1vyU

Storytelling for Folkie Families

2010-03-05T05:45:00.000-08:00

Storytelling for Folkie Families

Sunday is storytelling for the family with Fireside Tales. I can promise you a very enjoyable time with the Storytellers Of Central Ohio. You will hear some of the best storytellers in the country. Yes, not State, Country. That is how good they are. If you have in your mind someone sitting and reading from a book, forget it. These people are storytellers not readers.

The Storytellers Of Central Ohio
are presenting an afternoon of Music and Storytelling for the whole family with six of the best storytellers in Ohio,

Emily Bailey, Sally Crandall, Jim Flanagan, Frank McGarvey, David Austin Sky,

and Larry Staats

with The Hard Tackers Sea Shanty and Sea Songs Crew

March 07, 2010
2:00PM
McCoy Performing Arts Center
100 W. Granville St
New Albany, Oh 43054
Cost: $7/adults, $5/senior citizens, $4/children 12 years and under.
Tickets are available at the door.
For more information call Frank McGarvey at (614) 268-0532.

New and old faces at Ashville.

Friday March 5 at the Cheshire Market on Africa Road

Loosely Strung. See you there folks.

For Fun

And The Winner Is

2010-02-24T04:48:00.000-08:00

John Schomburg wins the third verse challenge.

(Photo: Contestants line up ready to sing their verse)

In a very close contest John edged it to win with the best white trash verse.

A video copy of all the performers will be sent to Fred Eaglesmith. Let's hope he will choose one of the verses to include in the song.

Knowing the fun to come a good audience turned up to cheer the contestants on.

I have to give a special mention to Judy (Extreme left) although a regular this was the first time she had graced the stage at Papa Joe's.

Fireside Tales this Sunday
If you have never been to a Storytellers Of Central Ohio event you are missing out. This one is for families. Get rid of the winter blues, shake off the cabin fever and give it a try. I promise you an entertaining afternoon.

The Storytellers Of Central Ohio are presenting an afternoon of Music and Storytelling
for the whole family with six of the best storytellers in Ohio,

Emily Bailey, Sally Crandall, Jim Flanagan, Frank McGarvey, David Austin Sky, and Larry Staats

with the Hard Tackers Sea Shanty and Sea Songs Team

March 07, 2010
2:00PM
McCoy Performing Arts Center
100 W. Granville St
New Albany, Oh 43054
Cost: $7/adults, $5/senior citizens, $4/children 12 years and under.
Tickets are available at the door.
For more information call Frank McGarvey at (614) 268-0532.
for directions, see http://www.mccoycenterforthearts.com/directions-parking

The video below shows just how much fun you can have with music. You will enjoy the head bobbing demo.

The Central Ohio Folk Festival is not far off. I promise.

2010-02-18T04:43:00.000-08:00

My left little toe tells me that this summer will be a scorcher. (Remember, it was here first) Spring is around the corner and when you are at the Columbus Folk Festival jamming with friends you will forget the snow.

There are still places to go and people to see in the folk music and storytelling world. I have had a few e mails from people saying they are locked in because the snow ploughs have not been through, I had one day locked in myself.

There is a little something right after the video to make you smile.

If you can get out, shake off the cabin fever and have some fun. Here are a few items you may want to keep in mind.

This Saturday 20 Feb

I had this e mail from Dave Rainey of The Rainey's.

Hi guys
I just checked and we have maybe 15 seats or so remaining for our show at JR Hooks in Circleville this weekend. We will do our best to squeeze in as many as possible but it would be a good idea to let us know in advance that you are coming. You can call 740-412-5281 or email americanamusicseries@gmail.com to reserve your seats. OR if you like, respond back to me at this email with the number attending and I will pass along the information. With the weather being what it is, it is possible that some folks with reservations won't show up so if you decide at the last minute you are coming just call me at 614-832-1192 and I will see what we can do. The girls and I are excited about playing this venue and will do our best to make it a good show.
Hope to see you there!
The Raineys

This message from Alan Belasco

Americana Music Series at JR Hooks Café Music Room

An Evening with Death By Banjo

The Americana Music Series continues in downtown Circleville on Saturday evening, February 27 with outstanding acoustic group Death By Banjo. They will perform in the Music Room in the rear of JR Hooks Café, located at 115 Watt Street. The doors will open at 6:00 pm, and the music will begin at 8:00 pm. Advance tickets are available now for $5 by calling (740) 412-5281, or email americanamusicseries@gmail.com. Any seating still available the day of the show can be purchased at the door for $7. Advance dinner reservations for seating between the hours of 6:00 and 7:00 pm in the Music Room can be made by calling (740) 474-2158. Shows can sell out, so call ahead to purchase advance tickets or make dining reservations for any of the upcoming performances.

One for you diary from Alan

Bill Staines is coming to Columbus in March

Thought you may be interested in knowing that Bill Staines, awesome singer-songwriter from New England, will be playing in Columbus on Thursday, March 11, at the Columbus Montessori Education Center on South James Road. I don’t have a lot of details at the moment other than that fact that Becky Ogden, former owner of the Columbus Music Hall, is the person who put this together. Tickets are $18 in advance, $15 for Senior Citizens (not that you would qualify!).

I’m sending this email to a lot of folks, most of whom know of him, but if Bill Staines’ name doesn’t ring a bell, he wrote such great songs as “Roseville Fair,” “River,” “Down the Road,” and “(All God’s Children Got) A Place in the Choir.” He’s left-handed, but when he got his first guitar, he didn’t know that it was set up and strung for a right-handed player. So he taught himself to play upside down and backwards— Last time we saw him in Ohio was a number of years ago in Granville.

There is information available through the Montessori School at 231-3790. Ask for Becky Ogden. She promises to have posters up and around soon.

Please tell your friends! This will be a wonderful evening.

Talent will out.

Summer's almost here ... We're starting to see the deer moving around. Yep, won't be long now!

Snow. What the folk arts are made for.

2010-02-09T07:05:00.000-08:00

OK so the headline is rubbish. I am trying to be positive. Not easy in these weather condition unless you are a snow rabbit or a polar bear. Last Friday night Mo and I walked round to a friends house and we played Wii bowling. Final measurement of the snow when we left at 1am was eight and half inches, measured on top of the table on the deck.

Lots of cancelled events over the last few days and it looks like there may be more with snow Tuesday and Wednesday. We will laugh at this come August.

Ashville Rolls With Laughter

I went to the event in Ashville last week where Jeff Hartley and John Schomburg were the performers. What a night. The place was packed and Jeff and John were on their form. Two hours of non stop laughter. If you get the chance you have to get John S to do his Beatnik impression.

Song writer Challenge

White Trash extra verse. If you have not received the information on this and would like to have a go contact me. I have sent out a copy of the original to most people, but I may have missed some. You do not have to be a song writer to enter, it is just for fun.

The song White Trash by Fred Eaglesmith only has two verses. The challenge is to write a third.
The challenge will take place at the Ashville Open Mic on Thursday 18 February. It will be easy, it is planned in such a way that you only have to sing the verse you write.

If you have not experienced Ashville open mic give it a try. Well worth the journey. Lots of music, banter, leg pulling and friendship.

That Man is at it Again

Who is he?

Bill Cohen

The Event is a concert by Bill Cohen, to benefit the Central Ohio Folk Festival, May 7 - 9 at Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park.

The Valentine Concert, is at Areopagetica Book Store, on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 Bill will be doing songs for Valentines. Get there early, Bill always pulls a good crowd. Because he is good.

A Few Things To Make You Smile On A Cold Day

Tom Paxton

Lots of Folk Activities for Folkies

2010-01-27T11:21:00.000-08:00

It is always nice to have a choice of folk entertainment and there is plenty coming up.

Saturday at the book shop is the Columbus Folk Music Society Monthly concert.

This from Victoria

Don't forget, the Gipson & Fitz Trio with Rachel Frank performs January 30 for the Folkside Coffeehouse. The Gipson & Fitz Trio entertains audiences with an original blend of Bluegrass, Americana, Folk, and Southern Rock. Brant Gipson lends his voice, acoustic guitar, and banjo to an inspiring body of sound consisting of striking lyrics, strong vocals, and bold melodies. Mark Fitzharris adds his unique vocal ability and his exceptional guitar and mandolin playing to create the fully developed sound of Gipson & Fitz. Bassist, Billy Cory has now joined Gipson & Fitz on stage. Whether plucking, slapping or bowing, Billy’s upright bass playing punches through to the heart of the most skeptical music fans. The trio has grown with the ongoing evolution of their genre while maintaining the purity of its roots. The strong songwriting and vocal skills within the group, along with a vigorous passion for the art of music drive the Gipson & Fitz Trio to continually strive for new sounds to please audiences of all ages. They are no strangers to the stage, having appeared in various projects, the most notable of which were “Uncle Sam’s Dream Machine” (www.USDM.com), the “Uptown Elephant Company” and the “Teeny Tucker Band” (www.ttuckerblues.com). As previous members of these groups, they played many different venues in amny states and have shared the stage with legendary artists such as Phil Lesh & Friends, Bob Dylan, Rusted Root, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Bo Diddley Jr., and Buddy Guy.

If you enjoy discovering lively new original tunes and rediscovering classics in a new light then be sure to check out the Gipson & Fitz Trio January 30th at the Folkside Coffeehouse. We will be treated to the fantastic fiddling of Rachel Frank as this trio becomes a quartet for this extra special performance! Doors open at 7PM with the featured performance at 9PM at Areopagitica Bookstore, 3510 N. High Street, Columbus. Suggested Donation is $5, $4 for CFMS members, plus a can of food for the Mid-Ohio Fook Bank.

That night you also have a fund raiser for the Ashville Viking Festival.

You will have Jeff Hartley and John Schomburg performing. They have both been asked to perform their funny material so it should be a good night. This will be at 5 PM at Papa Joe's in Ashville. (You may be able to get back in time to the CFMS Gig)

The same night

A message from: Teresa Schleifer

Charlie, Teresa, and Friends are playing at Espresso Yourself Music Cafe on Saturday, January 30, 2010, at 6:00-8:00 pm. Here's the lineup: Charlie Flowers and Teresa Schleifer both on guitar and vocals, joined by awesome musicians Patrick Casey (djembe, accordion), Maury Falkoff (mandolin, dobro), Renilda Marshall (bass guitar), Rebecca Stansbury (fiddle), and Brian Szuch (electric guitar). Sure hope you can make it!

The next day: A message from Karl

Hi, everybody!

I wanted to let you know that I will be the "featured artist" on WOSU's "Music in Mid-Ohio," this Sunday, January 31. For those of you in Central Ohio, you can listen to Christopher Purdy's Music in Mid-Ohio at 89.7 FM at 6:00 p.m. For those of you outside the area, you can stream the show from www.wosu.org/radio/ Please listen in, and if you're so motivated, support your local public radio station. Big thanks to Eric French and Christopher Purdy!

My CD is now also available through CDBaby, and you can also find downloads there and on other digital music sources, including iTunes. Check it out! www.cdbaby.com/Artist/KarlWohlwend Over the next two weeks, CDBaby will donate $1 from all album sales to charities aiding the victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Please check it out - if you already have my album, I'm sure you can find another recording you will enjoy and help out Mercy Corps and the American Red Cross at the same time.

As always, thanks so much for your continued support!

Karl Wohlwend

For anyone beginning guitar

For you potential drummers

Ashville Open Mic cancelled because of snow

2010-01-06T06:36:00.000-08:00

Ashville Open Mic cancelled because of snow

There will be no open mic this Thursday 7 January because of a forecast of up to 5 inches of snow.

Please let as many people know as possible.

Other Happenings you may find interesting thanks to Larry Staats

Storytelling Open Stage Jan 7
By: Storytellers of Central Ohio
7:00 - 9:00 PM, At: Wild Goose Creative
2491 Summit St. (Just S. of Hudson), Columbus, OH 43202
Info: http://www.socotales.org/speakeasy.jpeg &
http://www.wildgoosecreative.com/Wild_Goose_Creative___Home.html

All Soles Contra Dance Jan 8
First Unitarian Universalist Church
93 W. Weisheimer, Columbus, OH
Instruction for beginners at 7:30 pm, dancing at 8:00
Info: http://Firstuucolumbus.org/AllSoles

Early Music In Columbus Jan 8, 9, 10.
THE EARLY INTERVAL
An English Twelfth Night Celebration 8:00 pm
7:30 pm Pre-concert lecture, Pontifical College Josephinum
7625 N. High Street,Columbus,OH
Info: http://www.earlymusicincolumbus.org/emc/Welcome.html

Six String Concerts Jan 9
Diana Jones and Jonathan Byrd
Columbus Performing Arts Center (Shedd Theater)
Columbus, OH
Info: http://www.sixstring.org/season.asp

Recreational Folk Dancers Mid-Winter Party Jan 9
Every year, the various folk dance groups in Columbus get together for a
party.
All dances will be taught. Expect American Contra, English Country, Scottish
Country, International Folk Dancing, Irish Country Sets, and Welsh Country
Dancing! 7:30-11:00 PM, Clinton Heights Lutheran Church
15 Clinton Heights Ave., Columbus, OH
Info: http://www.recfolkdancers.webs.com/

From the Storytellers of Central Ohio

Thursday evening, come out to our first Speak Easy of the season and the first in our NEW location! We'll start at 7 pm at the Wild Goose Creative, half a block south of Hudson on Summit.

Friday evening, we're joining up at the Shamrock Club at 7:30 (downstairs in the pub and yes, the bar will be serving!) You don't have to be Irish and neither do your stories (we won't even insist you try Guinness). Last time, we heard family tales aplenty from folks who don't think of themselves as storytellers, even if they are...

And last but most certainly NOT least--Saturday morning, our regular monthly meeting at Aeropagitica Bookstore 3510 N. High St., 10:30-12:30. Our speaker will be Emil McVeigh, leading a discussion on SOCO: OUR PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE.

Happy New Folk Year

2010-01-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

Happy New Folk Year

Happy new year one and all. I would think all is back to normal in work and family, the same applying to your Folk entertainment preferences. The days are getting longer now and in a few weeks we will be looking forward to out door festivals with sun, grass, leaves and the sound of music and storytelling on the breeze. For me it will also mean gliding down a river in my kayak casting left and right pulling small mouth bass out with ease as Ken Willis watches in amazement and decides to write another song about it.

Avalon Nine hit the big time

At last the Avalon Nine CD is out and a good one to I promise. Details of there release party are below.

Avalon Nine’s CD release party

Sat., Jan. 9th at 9pm at

Victorian’s Midnight Café

251 W. 5th in Columbus (at 5th & Neil)

Come out for a night of music, celebration & thanks to

friends & family who made “Miss Ohio” possible.

Music by Avalon Nine from 9pm to 12:30 am.

No Cover! CD’s $10

Musical guests include Brian Szuch (electric guitar, dobro, mandolin);

Rebecca Stansbury (violin); Mike Hale (bass); vocalist Linda Rudy;

Singer/songwriter Rj Cowdery; and acoustic duo “Melodic.”

“Miss Ohio” is collection of nine songs reflecting the

life & landscape of Ohio by songwriters such as Gillian Welch,

John Hartford, Rj Cowdery, and Steve Earle and Jeff Hartley (I added that one JL)

www.victoriansmidnightcafe.com/

www.myspace.com/avalonnine

E-mail Linda & Dave (Avalon Nine) at: avalonnine@yahoo.com

♪ ♫ Thanks for supporting live music! ♪ ♫

Death of a pioneer (From the New York Times)

Tim Hart, Folk-Rock Musician, Dies at 61

MADRID (AP) — Tim Hart, a founding member of Steeleye Span, one of the first British folk-rock groups, died Dec. 24 in La Gomera in the Canary Islands, where he had lived since retiring from music. He was 61.

The cause was lung cancer, his daughter, Sally Hart, said.

Mr. Hart first gained fame in a musical partnership with the singer Maddy Prior in 1966. The duo recorded two albums of English folk songs, on which he sang and played guitar, mandolin, dulcimer, banjo and violin.

A few years later Mr. Hart and Ms. Prior joined with the bassist Ashley Hutchings, who had been an original member of the folk-rock band Fairport Convention. At Mr. Hart’s suggestion the band they formed with two other musicians was named Steeleye Span, after a character in a Lincolnshire folk song, “Horkstow Grange.”

Steeleye Span, which recorded its first album in 1970, played a distinctly British brand of folk-rock, more tradition-oriented than the American version being made by Bob Dylan, the Byrds and others. The group had most of its chart success in Britain but gained a loyal following in the United States, especially after touring the country in the mid-1970s as the opening act for Jethro Tull.

Mr. Hart left Steeleye Span in 1983 but performed with the group at a charity concert in 1995. Last year he and Ms. Prior appeared together at a BBC concert in London.

While living on La Gomera, Mr. Hart became active as a photographer. He called the island “my inexhaustible subject” and took the photographs for an English-language guide to La Gomera that he published in 2004.

Mr. Hart is survived by his wife, Connie, and a daughter and son from a previous marriage.

Message from Halfway Home

Happy 2010!!! Are you set to get on with a new year? Halfway Home is getting ready with some exciting new music and lots of chances to play already booked. We are confirmed for more shows in Berlin, Ohio up in Amish country, as well as a return engagement at Clifton opera House in April. We have a couple of gigs at the Shamrock Club in Columbus early in the year, the Central Ohio Folk Festival, as well as summer shows booked for the Newark Mayor's Concert series and a couple of sets at the Ohio State Fair.

We have a few other things still in the works, but it looks like 2010 will be a very busy one for us - lots of chances to see all of you again, and to meet more music fans all over the state.

Of course, as the New Year dawns, there is plenty of reflection on how all of us can improve going forward. For instance, Brian resolves to keep on working on more innovative lead guitar licks and to show up for rehearsals on time. Patti promises to keep bringing her tremendous energy to performances, and to keep everything anyone could possibly need in her van (need a band-aid or corkscrew or a metric socket set - no problem....).

Mike will keep on bringing the sound and light gear and keep it in good working order, but makes no promises on the whole haircut thing. Renilda will keep on holding everything together with her solid bass playing, and will try not to hit anyone with the bass when they get out of line. Which brings us to Patrick......?

He has resolved to not buy any more accordions, but beyond that, there are sooooooo many areas of improvement to be addressed we don't know where to start. Here's your chance to contribute to the improvement of early 21st century civilization. We will welcome and consider any and all resolutions you may suggest for Patrick - whether they concern musical skills, personal hygiene, or any other behavior modifications he may need to make. He won't listen to the rest of the band; we are hoping that he will take seriously some constructive suggestions from people like you who have observed his public behavior. We appreciate any help you can provide.

In the meantime, we are looking forward to seeing all of you sometime soon - you can help us make 2010 the best year yet. (We'll get back to you on the suggestions for Patrick's self improvement... and send out an email or two highlighting a few of the best ideas.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Patti, Renilda, Brian, Mike & Patrick

Halfway Home

Here is one for fun

Have a Folk Arts Christmas

2009-12-22T06:45:00.000-08:00

Have a good Christmas all of you and remember to to do a little for those who may not be so fortunate.

Have a Christmas Smile at the little lad on the right of Ernie Ford

Folk Arts the best thing since sliced bread.

2009-12-16T08:28:00.000-08:00

Folk Arts the best thing since sliced bread.

I am having such a good time I expect to wake up from a dream at any moment. There is nothing better then the friendships made through folk music and the other folk arts. If your interests be music, storytelling or any other of the folk arts then get involved because you will make some of the best friends you have ever had and don't think you have to be a musician or storyteller to get involved.

If you are a regular member of folk audiences then stop and talk to the performers after the show. Get yourself involved with the relevant organizations. Columbus Folk Music Society, Storytellers of Central Ohio are an excellent place to start. The folk arts in Ohio is a big club, you will be amazed at the people number of people you will meet.

One of the best places to start would be Areopagitica Books located at

3510 N. High Street
Columbus
Ohio
areopagiticabooks@rrohio.com

They have something going on all the time CFMS and SOCO meet there, poetry session, jam sessions it is the place to be if you want to get involved in the folk arts and make lots of friends.

Ashville Christmas Party an Absolute Blast

The most people ever, turned up for the Ashville Open Mic Christmas party. The newly painted walls, refurbished lighting, new seating arrangments and repositioned stage were a added extra to the evening. The music and fun were to the fore with twenty performers. Because of the numbers we had to restrict everyone to two songs, but that did not detract from a good time. The challenge this year was to impersonate someone. As you can imagine it was great fun with some very recognisable characters. Go to You Tube and put (englishmanjohn all one word) in search they should be under entered this week in the drop down.

Pennington and the gang out do themselves.

I was unable to get to The Bookshop Saturday night because of a prior engagement, I understand from a reliable individual that it was an amazing show put on by Larry Pennington and a few members of Halfway Home. It was described to me as some of the best music put on at the bookshop. I have always rated Larry as an excellent song writer and performer I am pleased to see he is moving forward in leaps and bounds. Look out for the CD when it comes out. I know there is one on the horizon.

The Hard Tackers in the Columbus Dispatch this Saturday

The Hard Tackers had a visit from two Dispatch reporters at their weekly practice on Tuesday night. Individuals were interviewed lots of photographs, singing and sarcastic remarks. The results should be in the Dispatch this Saturday. Just in time for their Performance at the Bookshop Saturday night.

The music starts at 7:00PM with the Tri village Dulcimers followed by The Hard Tackers at 8:00PM Come along for a good singalong and listen to some new songs they are doing.
Areopagitica Books located at
3510 N. High Street
Columbus
Ohio

Cute or What?

Lots of Folk information for Folkies

2009-12-08T05:41:00.000-08:00

Lots of Folk information for Folkies.

First off is the Ashville Open Mic Christmas party. 7pm Thursday 10 December

Always a big event. There can be up to twenty performers on the sign up sheet and we hate to turn anyone down. In the past we have reduced everyone to two songs so as to get everyone in. This could well be the case again this year.

If you have not been for a while you will notice changes to the room. Still more to be done but much better.

I would advise that you come early. Why? Because this year each performers is being asked to perform at least one song in the style of a well know person. If you want to see John Locke make a fool of himself then be there for 7pm when he will be doing Early Morning Rain by Gorden Lightfoot in the style of Eminem.

We are also hoping there will be a repeat of last years Conga by Joan and Randi.

There will be lots of fun, so do not miss it.

$1000 Ashville talent competition.

The new owners of Papa Joe's are holding a talent competition. Contact Shannon at Papa Joe's at 740-983-6100 for information

I had this message from Jamie Saine of WPA Music

I came across you Folkie Haven blog and know of a band you might be interested in. They\'ll be playing in Kent, Oh on Dec. 13.

WPA is Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Sean Watkins (Nickel Creek) and Luke Bulla (Lyle Lovett, Jerry Douglas Band), transformed to an expandable collection of additional WPA members along the road, as individual band member schedules allow.

The band\'s sound is really one that needs to be heard as it incorporates influences from so many genres. Check out some of the live video on Youtube (on the glenphillipsofficial channel) or listen at www.wpamusic.com to see why the LA Times wrote, \"In songs that pulled equally from country, folk, rock, soul and pop, the group\'s sound was dense and full-bodied yet had a clarity that revealed the deep-seated craftiness of WPA\'s arrangements. As a veteran of any field knows, it takes years of effort to appear this effortless.\"

As I said, WPA will be playing in Kent, OH on Dec. 13 at The Kent Stage. We\'d love to have a write up about the group on Folkie Haven as well as having the show listed on your events calendar.

Go here for a sample http://www.wpamusic.com/

Should you go and see them YES

We found out at the last minute that they were at The Basement in downtown Columbus on Monday night so Dick Plunk and myself went down there.

What a good band and do these gents have fun.

The opening group is a complete contrast to WPA. Caravan of Thieves are astounding in their musical prowess, they do however in their musical brilliance seem to have lost the fact that it is fun. All movements seem to have been choreographed down to the last breath. If you want to see a group that will musically blow you away Caravan of Thieves will do it.

On the other hand if you want to see musical ability and good fun then WPA are a must. Each one of them could do a solo performance and you would be enthralled, put them together and you have a hell of a band. Because of the history of band members they do a wide selection of music from blue grass to folk to light rock. The interaction of the band members came over. They were having a good time and that feeling came over to a small, very knowledgeable, and appreciative audience. I had a great time and would go to hear them again at the drop of a hat.

The Biter Gets Bitten

You may be aware that the big music companies are clamping down on the little guy in that people are being made bankrupt because of legal action being taken for the slightest copyright infringement. The latest is that they have started insisting the some of the web sites showing chords and lyrics be removed.

Well the tables have turned and the big boys stand to be hit for around $6 Billion

Go here for the full story http://www.thestar.com/business/article/735096--geist-record-industry-faces-liability-over-infringement

Do you ever get fed up with kids making you look a fool?

http://www.boncherry.com/blog/2009/09/22/the-real-guitar-hero-sungha-jung/

Another One Bites the Dust

Farewell to an Irish music legend: Liam Clancy, 74, dies in Cork hospital
By Adam Richter
December 04, 2009, 7:46PM
First things first: The late Liam Clancy was NOT a brother of novelist Tom Clancy. The folk singer and onetime member of The Clancy Brothers was, however, a part of the Irish folk music revival in the United States in the late 1960s and '70s. If you go into an Irish-themed bar and see 20- and 30-somethings singing along to the traditional songs, chances are pretty good their parents had Clancy Brothers records on the family stereo growing up.

I sure did. My parents, both of Irish descent and both gigantic folk music fans, had probably every Clancy Brothers (with Tommy Makem) album that existed. Before I knew about Kiss and the Bee Gees, I knew about traditional Irish songs. "Rock 'n' Roll All Night" didn't enter my consciousness until well after "The Rising Of The Moon." I didn't know about "Jive Talkin'" but I did know the legend of "Finnegan's Wake."

According to the Associated Press, Liam and his brothers Tom and Patrick moved to New York in the mid 1950s to pursue acting careers. But it was their recording of old Irish rebel songs that brought them fame. The band played on Ed Sullivan, performed at Carnegie Hall and toured the world before breaking up in 1974.

Were they cheesy? A little bit. Did the Irish folk revival lead to a bunch of cornball imitators? Of course. But the Clancy Brothers also brought their home country's lyric tradition to a mainstream audience and made it possible for later generations to add to the genre. Without them, I wonder if we'd have The Pogues or the Dropkick Murphys.

Unfortunately for my wife and dog, I will probably insist on playing MY old Clancy Brothers records this weekend, in tribute to the last brother.

Here's a clip of Liam Clancy and Tommy Makem performing "Rambles of Spring," a lively little number that appeared on "The Makem and Clancy Collection" back in the 1980s

The Hard Tackers win Sea Shanty prize in Portsmouth Ohio.

Here is a copy of the press release from the Southern Ohio Folk Alliance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SOFA Awards Shantyman Trophy at Local Music Festival

Portsmouth, Ohio - December 6, 2009 - The high point of this year’s Port City Festival of River, Canal and Maritime Music occurred Saturday evening with the presentation of the Festival’s top honor - the Don Sherman Shantyman Cup.

The cup, a perpetual trophy named in honor of Scioto County native, and US Navy veteran, Don Sherman, is awarded to the group, or individual, whose sea shanty performance is judged to best uphold the time-honored traditions of maritime music. This year the coveted Shantyman Cup was awarded to The Hardtackers, a maritime musical group from Columbus, Ohio. Also performing at this year’s Festival were a number of local musicians and shantymen, including Shark Bait and the Irish-themed group Fir Ceoil na Mara.

Sea shanties are the songs used in the days of wind-powered ships to help sailors keep time while working. Totally dependent upon muscle power to work their ships, sea shanties were used by sailors to coordinate their efforts. Typical of work songs, most shanties were “call and response” songs with a “Shantyman” employed to lead the call. A talented Shantyman was a valued and respected member of the ships crew.

“We were really thrilled when a group of the caliber of The Hardtackers asked to participate in this year’s Festival. It really raised the bar for our local shantymen,” observed a spokesperson for SOFA - the Southern Ohio Folk Alliance.

The Festival, sponsored by the Sherman-Kricker Insurance Agency and the Port City Café and Pub, is an annual event presented by SOFA, a performing arts organization dedicated to the preservation and presentation of folk and traditional music in the greater Portsmouth area. Anyone interested in learning more about SOFA is invited to attend one of the group’s meetings, which are held on the second Tuesday of each month, at 7:00pm, at the Port City Café and Pub, 424 Chillicothe Street.

Contact:
John Hogan
sofasongs@yahoo.com
P.O. Box 629
Portsmouth, OH 45662
740-354-2754

We had a goooooood time down in Portsmouth (We arrived home around 2:30am) If you are in Portsmouth you must go to the Port City Cafe and Pub. It is with out doubt the best pub/bar I have been in since arriving in the USA. Note the Trophy????

2009-12-06T07:16:00.000-08:00

Simeon Soul Charger

These gentlemen were passing through Thursday night and called into the Ashville Open Mic and played a set. They are from Lima and on Monday night they are playing at Oldfields on High at 10pm. If you are into self penned rock don't miss them. Everyone at Ashville were very impressed.

http://www.myspace.com/simeonsoulcharger

Try their my space page and visit their web page at http://www.simeonsoulcharger.com/

Keep a Lookout around the start of the week. Last Saturday night The hard Tackers won a prestigious award at the Portsmouth Sea Shanty Festival. Also for information on the Ashville Christmas party. (Not to be missed)

Three Weeks to Folk Christmas

2009-12-01T06:25:00.000-08:00

Photo: Nice to see Larry back after his months working in Florida

Where did the year go?

We may all be asking that question. The older you get the more often you ask the question. Let us see if we can help relieve the problem of what to buy a spouse, friend, brother, sister and anyone else you can think of.

Here are the supposed top eleven folk albums of the year. According to Stereo Subversion.

1. Laura Gibson, Beasts of Seasons
I have a feeling this will inspire some controversy. However, simply put (and played in this case), Laura Gibson has crafted one of the year’s best albums. Beasts of Seasons never sets out to shock, startle, or aggressively grab you; rather it is an exercise in subtleness that succeeds with staggering achievements. From the somber opening of “Shadows on Parade” Gibson’s latest album paints detailed aural portraits composed around the gentle plucking of a nylon stringed guitar and gracefully ragged vocals. A sprinkling of found sounds fills out the album along with dramatic atmospheric swells of sound, and Gibson’s honest and emotive songwriting keeps listeners hanging on every word.

2. Joker’s Daughter, The Last Laugh
If someone told me at the close of last year that one of 2009’s best folk albums would be an album produced by Danger Mouse, I don’t know if I would have believed them. But here we are and the duo of Helena Costas and Danger Mouse has proven to be a superior pairing. Engaging with Arthurian legend, various folk tropes, and pop music inspired studio techniques, this album manages to span various genres while firmly maintaining an anchor in folk music. From the steady groove of the album opener “Worm’s Head” to the whimsical, at times almost carnival-esque “The Goblin’s Run,” The Last Laugh manages to both surprise and impress, while providing the year’s most unexpected collaborations.

3. Port O’Brien, Threadbare
Muting many of their more overt rock aesthetics, Port O’Brien are back with their third full-length installment. Eschewing much of their more light-hearted material, Threadbare explores a much darker and more sobering sound. This latest album sees Port O’Brien expanding their musical vocabulary, especially evident in the swelling dynamics of “Calm Me Down” and the dramatic pairing of vocals and strings on “Next Season”.

4. Alela Diane, To Be Still
At times you almost have to wonder if Alela Diane is directly channeling Joan Baez’ voice, a comparison I’m sure she is already tired of hearing, but a pertinent one none the less. To Be Still, from its opener to the closing “Lady Divine,” is a hauntingly beautiful album. Austere vocals, beautiful arrangements, and an organic and refreshing approach to music define Diane’s most recent effort. “White As Diamonds” aptly displays Diane’s wealth of talent as her vocals lead an inventive approach to the subtle polyrhythms entrenched in the folk medium.

5. Taken By Trees, East of Eden
Taken By Trees, a.k.a. Victoria Bergsman is picking up exactly where she left off with Open Field, that is mixing her unique vocal timbre with astutely arranged song structures and an interesting cover thrown in for good measure. Leaving behind her jolly rendition of “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” Bergsman this time around is giving Animal Collective a bit of a re-vamp (or in this case a de-vamp) bringing a whimsical twist to “My Boys.” The rest of the album reflects the unique recording environment these songs were captured in, with the entire album being recorded in Pakistan.

6. Shelley Short, A Cave, A Canoo
Bringing another dose of her stripped down, bare bones, largely acoustic song treatment, Shelley Short has crafted another gem of an album. Featuring a subtly obscured optimism in her bouncing vocals, Short speaks directly to the listener via her acute narratives and skillful manipulation of vocal melody. There is a quiet, wistful quality to her voice that lends her songs a depth of feeling not easily achieved with minimal accompaniment, and these songs resound with originality and importance.

7. Ah Holly Faml’y, Reservoir
Continuing a fine tradition of folk-influenced artists hailing from Portland, Ah Holly Faml’y bring us a multi-layered album that becomes more rewarding with each listen. Boasting eight gifted musicians, Ah Holly Faml’y composes intricate detail oriented chamber-folk, rich in dynamic expression and aural textures, featuring lilting strings interacting with the breathy vocals of Jeremy Faulkner.

8. A Hawk & A Hacksaw, Delivrance
No one said anything about this being an American folk list, and while A Hawk & A Hacksaw may hail from New Mexico, that is about as American as their music gets. Taking a healthy dose of influence from Eastern European and Baltic music, Delivrance offers a collection of songs driven by truly astounding musicianship with fiddle, accordion, brass, and percussion pursuing breakneck tempos, off-kilter timings and complex melodies, all the while offering a culturally diverse sound.

9. Frank Fairfield, Frank Fairfield
Here is a bit of a new one. Having just released his debut full-length this year, Frank Fairfield comes directly from the folds of days long since past. Only amassing a mere 23 years of life experience, Fairfield plays banjo, guitar, and fiddle with a grace and skill most can only imagine. His repertoire consists entirely of traditional American tunes such as “John Hardy” and “Cumberland Gap” played with an intensity and urgency these songs have not felt in years. A gritty, raw, and authentic representation of American roots music at its best.

10. Vic Chesnutt, At The Cut
Never one to play the complacent or indifferent musician, Vic Chesnutt woefully sighs his way through beautifully simplistic melodies driven by words that could weigh down Atlas himself. This album may strike more than just a few minor chords, but all to astounding and riveting effect. Arrangements sculpt emotions into sounds with the aide of members of Godspeed You! Black Emperor and Fugazi, making this album one of the year’s best regardless of genres.

11. The Dodos- Time To Die
Coming in with the furthest leaning rock flavor, The Dodos skillfully pair daft finger-picking with hypnotic vocal phrases and unrelenting percussion. Time To Die continues to display The Dodos ability to turn well-composed songs into fantastic albums, with each song playing an important role in the album as a whole. It doesn’t hurt that the album was produced by Phil Ek either.

Story Teller Wanted

I am looking for a story teller to share the platform with me in August 2010. About thirty minutes of Columbus/ Ohio history content with a little humor. Contact me on 614 846 9049.

This is a paid gig

A Message from Halfway Home.

OK - glad to see you've all survived that whole Thanksgiving thing. Just think of it as a dress rehearsal for the really prolonged holiday madness with family coming up in December. Maybe we all developed some survival strategies that will serve us well later on this month when coping with relatives you only see once a year. While excessive alcohol consumption is a personal favorite of many, there are some obvious downsides, like the hangovers or those annoying former drinkers who become those self-appointed designated drivers who keep trying to get you to join them at their next self-improvement seminar/pep rally while your trying to judge whether or not you can survive jumping out of a moving car as he slows down for the next light.

But we digress......

If you really want to take a break form the holiday madness we've got a brilliant idea - come to Areopagitica Books (3510 North High St in Clintonville) this coming Saturday (Dec 5th) for an evening of music with Halfway Home. We are playing from 7:00 to 9:00. You will have an evening of music and fun with the band, and if you're a smart shopper you'll buy a bunch of our cd's - they fit very nicely in most stockings and gift baskets. Beyond the obvious choice of a Halfway Home cd, there are shelves full of great book values for you to peruse at Areopagitica. They also have gift certificates available if you can't decide between the crock-pot road-kill cooking recipe book or that nicely bound book of Greek poetry. There truly is something for everyone at Areopagitica, and you get to deal with Doug & Rebecca - two of the finest people you will ever meet.

This is our last gig of 2009. It's been a remarkable year for Halfway Home - we have had lots of opportunities to play for some wonderful music fans, and have made some new friends along the way. Thanks for a great ride in 2009; we're looking forward to more big things in 2010!!!!

See you soon,

Patti, Brian, Mike, Pat & Renilda

ALMOST FORGOT:THERE WILL BE CAKE!!

HALFWAY HOME

The Hard Tackers in Portsmouth Ohio

If you fancy a drive to Portsmouth, around a two hours drive, The Hard Tackers are at the Port City Festival of River, Canal and Maritime Music. A Southern Ohio Folk Alliance event. They are on at 9pm.

January Coffee House From Victoria Parks.

The Gipson & Fitz Trio with Rachel Frank performs January 30 for the Folkside Coffeehouse. The Gipson & Fitz Trio entertains audiences with an original blend of Bluegrass, Americana, Folk, and Southern Rock. Brant Gipson lends his voice, acoustic guitar, and banjo to an inspiring body of sound consisting of striking lyrics, strong vocals, and bold melodies. Mark Fitzharris adds his unique vocal ability and his exceptional guitar and mandolin playing to create the fully developed sound of Gipson & Fitz. Bassist, Billy Cory has now joined Gipson & Fitz on stage. Whether plucking, slapping or bowing, Billy’s upright bass playing punches through to the heart of the most skeptical music fans. The trio has grown with the ongoing evolution of their genre while maintaining the purity of its roots. The strong songwriting and vocal skills within the group, along with a vigorous passion for the art of music drive the Gipson & Fitz Trio to continually strive for new sounds to please audiences of all ages. They are no strangers to the stage, having appeared in various projects, the most notable of which were “Uncle Sam’s Dream Machine” (www.USDM.com), the “Uptown Elephant Company” and the “Teeny Tucker Band” (www.ttuckerblues.com). As previous members of these groups, they played many different venues in amny states and have shared the stage with legendary artists such as Phil Lesh & Friends, Bob Dylan, Rusted Root, B.B. King, Koko Taylor, Bo Diddley Jr., and Buddy Guy.

If you enjoy discovering lively new original tunes and rediscovering classics in a new light then be sure to check out the Gipson & Fitz Trio January 30th at the Folkside Coffeehouse. We will be treated to the fantastic fiddling of Rachel Frank as this trio becomes a quartet for this extra special performance! Doors open at 7PM with the featured performance at 9PM at Areopagitica Bookstore, 3510 N. High Street, Columbus. Suggested Donation is $5, $4 for CFMS members, plus a can of food for the Mid-Ohio Fook Bank.

Bass Players. Can You Do This?

Free to Folkies or anyone else

2009-11-19T19:17:00.000-08:00

Two piano's free to a good home.

Donald and Linda Hartley have two piano's both need to be tuned.

One is a player it needs new rollers. 740 983 9124

Go at it folks.

Ashville Open Mic Closes.

There will be no Open Mic on 26 November

The Christmas Party will be on 10 December

No Open Mic on 24 December.

Don't Miss the Rainey's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

21 November This Saturday

At Papa Joe's

Ashville Cover Charge $5

The Rainey's have to be seen to be believed, not only good music but good fun. Not since Adam was a boy have there been such talent.

If you do not say WOW after hearing them I will by you a pint.

Folk Iformation for Folkies

2009-11-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

Telabration
Saturday 21 November

This is a fantastic event, if you have not been I suggest you give it a try. This event is one of those that make you smile and make you think, plus wonderful entertainment.

An International Evening of Storytelling For Grownups
7:30 By Storytellers of Central Ohio (SOCO)
At the Ohio Historical Center Auditorium
(Just off of I-71 on 17th Avenue (exit 111) Columbus, OH)
Info: Frank at (614) 268-0532 or http://www.socotales.org/

CFMS board meeting 24 November.
7:30 PM, Areopagitica Bookstore, 3510 N. High Street, Columbus, OH
(If you would like to be more active, or would just
like to see behind the scenes, come on out)

Message from Larry Staats

This is now off the ground and you can join in.

People:
A short time ago, I sent out an email about our new venture to spread the word with a Yahoo (Interest) Group. This is a web site where people with a shared interest can interact, get to know each other, and stay informed about the subject of their interest. A Yahoo Group gives you instant access to: (1) Shared message archives; (2) Photos and photo albums; (3) Event calendars; and (4) Member polls and shared links. Hopefully this Interest Group Web Site will allow CFMS members and other interested persons to communicate more easily.

Several people, fifty, have signed on to out Yahoo Interest Group. So, if you haven't, go to
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/Columbus_Folk_Music_Society/
and click on "Join this Group". If you don't see messages coming in from the Columbus_Folk_Music_Society Yahoo Group right away, check your spam/junk folders and change your settings to allow email from " @yahoogroups.com " .

Larry Staats

Here is an interesting video.

http://www.amoeba.com/live-shows/videos/rodrigo-y-gabriela.html

Ashville Open Mic escapes another closure.

2009-11-09T05:11:00.000-08:00

Ashville Open Mic escapes another closure.

Over the last four years Ashville Open Mic has seen six owners and three venues and with new owners at Papa Joe's we survive once again. We were told to expect structural alterations and new paint. The new owners are not new to the industry and plan big changes.

1960’s Coffeehouse To Benefit Food Pantries

If you have been before you do not have to be told how good this event is. I have lost count of how many times I have been and I will be there again this year. It is becoming a regular end of year meeting place for folkies. This is for a very good cause so turn up and have a good time plus helping people less fortunate then yourself.

Civil rights sit-ins. Bell-bottoms. Anti-war marches. Student Power. Afros. Mini-skirts. Hippies. Riots. Space flights. The generation gap.

Those hallmarks of the turbulent 1960’s will be rekindled Friday November 13 at this year’s annual “Spirit of the ‘60’s Coffeehouse”:

Friday November 13 7:30 p.m.

The show begins at 7:30 p.m. in the church basement, but get there early for a good seat.

Bill Cohen will lead a candlelit, musical, year-by-year journey through the era, with live folksongs, “news reports” of sixties happenings, displays of anti-war buttons and posters, and far-out sixties fashions.

Bill will also challenge the audience with sixties trivia questions, and he’ll award prizes (with a 1960’s theme).

Proceeds from the suggested $10 donations will go to the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. Refreshments will be available at no extra charge. Free parking is also available in the lots just South and West of the church.

The program is suitable for ADULTS and MATURE TEENS.

It’s the 24th year of sixties coffeehouses for Bill. He’s performed the show more than a hundred times now at colleges, churches, synagogues, conferences, high schools, and middle schools across Ohio and beyond.

For more information, call Bill at (614) 263-3851. Or go to www.spiritofthe1960s.com

Tellabration Time is Here.
This is a fantastic event folks.

Be a friend. Bring a friend to Tellabration. We are back
at the Ohio Historical Center Auditorium, courtesy of
Melanie Pratt and the SOCO members who have
volunteered their time at OHS. We have an outstanding
slate of tellers. Adele Browne, Beverly Comer, Michael
Kasony-O'Malley: Veronica Fenney-Okafor, John
Gardiner, Greg & Natalie Wittmann, Anthony Gibbs and
Hank on music. The doors will open at 7:00 and the
stories will begin at 7:30 on Saturday, November 21,
2009.

John McCutcheon

John McCutcheon – A Fund Raiser For Buckeye Forest Council – November 15, 2009
“That’s my goal. If you can recognize yourself in my songs, then I’ve done my job.” –J. McCutcheon

If you missed the opportunity to hear John McCutcheon when he traveled with Holly Near last year for the Sing Out The Vote concerts you have another chance Sunday November 15th. He will perform in a concert benefitting Buckeye Forest Council, when his musical stories of hope will fill the evening in energizing ways that must be experienced in person.

McCutcheon’s songs sing of the nation’s heritage. His words channel the conscience of our people into streams of poetry and melody. He writes about subjects small and great, from a child’s haircut to freedom and human dignity – issues equally eternal and enduring. Think of McCutcheon as an incarnation of Pete Seeger and Mr. Rogers, Will Rogers and Bruce Springsteen, and above all Everyman, righteously passionate and impishly playful, blessed with gifts as a songwriter, historian, musician and storyteller that have won him international praise.

John McCutcheon has been described by the Washington Post as “folk music’s rustic renaissance man.” An award-winning singer, songwriter, composer, teacher, archivist, activist, author and poet, perhaps among his greatest gifts is to bring listeners together, including those who might not otherwise share common generational or political ground. “This notion of telling stories of ordinary people who have done great things, and carrying those stories from one place to another, of telling people ‘this is where I’ve been, these are the stories I can bring you,’ is the heart of what I do,” McCutcheon sums up. “That’s my goal. If you can recognize yourself in my songs, then I’ve done my job.”

Hear John’s music at: http://folkmusic.com/mp3s/

When:
Sunday November 15th
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30)
Ticket pricing: $20.00
Tax-deductible donations above this level will be gratefully accepted

Where:
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Columbus
93 West Weisheimer
Columbus, OH 43214
Map link: http://www.firstuucolumbus.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=127

To Purchase tickets
Call David Maywhoor at 614-487-9290 (o), (614) 738-0100 (c) or e-mail:david@buckeyeforestcouncil.org

In the Athens area please call Heather Cantino at 740-594-3338

Columbus based Global Gallery a non-profit, volunteer operated, marketplace in the Short North that promotes fair-trade and cultural awareness has agreed to sell tickets for the John McCutcheon Concert through their stores. For addresses, hours and contact info see below.

http://www.globalgalleryonline.org/

682 N. High St.
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone/Fax: 614/621-1744
info@glblgllry.com
M-Th 11-6
Fri-Sat 11-8
Sun 1-5

148 Easton Town Center,
Columbus, Ohio
Phone: 614/478-8007
(on the first floor of Easton Station Mall)
M-Th 10-9
Fri-Sat 10-10
Sun 12-6

Clintonville
3535 N. High St.
Columbus, Ohio 43214
Phone: 614/262-5535
Sun-Sat 7am-9pm

Hear John’s music at: http://folkmusic.com/mp3s/

Folk Blog Calendar.

The calendar will no longer be updated. I had two replies to my request as to should it be continued.

I will endeavour to put items on the main blog as they come in.

Don Pedi Plays UK

Virtuoso Dulcimer Musician Don Pedi Plays UK
Media Contact: Whitney Hale, (859) 257-1754, x229
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 3, 2009) − Virtuoso dulcimer player Don Pedi is the next artist to perform as part of "Appalachia in the Bluegrass," a concert series that explores traditional music in the Appalachian region. Pedi's free public concert is scheduled for noon Friday, Nov. 6, at the Niles Gallery, located in the University of Kentucky's Lucille C. Little Fine Arts Library and Learning Center.

Pedi, a native of Massachusetts, came from a musical family. His early musical influences included his grandfather, who played guitar, mandolin and banjo; an uncle, who was a professional singer and musician; and his father, another gifted singer. Pedi became involved with Boston's folk music scene in the early 1960s, but, it was a 1964 performance by Mimi and Richard Farina that would peak his interest in the dulcimer.

"The sound of the dulcimer proved most alluring," said Pedi, who, by 1968, was playing the dulcimer. Pedi counts traditional musicians Frank Proffitt, Doc Watson, Mississippi John Hurt and Almeda Riddle as influences on his musical taste.

A meeting with North Carolina musicians Tad Wright and Keith Zimmerman while living in Colorado in the early 1970s influenced Pedi to visit the musicians' home state. Once Pedi saw the North Carolina mountains, he has said he knew he found home. Pedi, who resides on a little farm in the mountains of Madison County, N.C., believes the area rich in traditional music and customs is where he belongs.

Considered a pioneer of the dulcimer, Pedi's music has broken new ground and cleared the path for other musicians. He is even credited by many with helping the dulcimer gain acceptance as an instrument suited for traditional Southern Dance music, as many old-time musicians felt the dulcimer was better suited as a piece of art hung on a wall.

Pedi's dulcimer playing earned him much recognition over the years. He won the first music contest he entered at Fiddler's Grove in North Carolina, as well as several that followed, which led to contest organizers declaring him a "Master Dulcimer Player" and removing him from future competition. He retired from competition with more than 30 first place awards. Pedi has also received a "Most Outstanding Performer" award at Asheville's Mountain Dance and Folk Festival and the Bascom Lamar Lunsford Award for "significant contributions" in Mountain Music.

Watch video of Don Pedi performing "Walk With Me" at the Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering 2008 on YouTube.

The "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concert series, presented by UK's John Jacob Niles Center for American Music, showcases a diverse selection of traditional musical expression. This series focuses on the many faces of indigenous American folk music, celebrating its roots in old-time music. All "Appalachia in the Bluegrass" concerts take place in the gallery of the Niles Center in the Little Fine Arts Library on UK's central campus. Niles Gallery concerts are scheduled on Fridays at noon and are free and open to the public.

Folk calendar help

2009-10-28T06:07:00.000-07:00

Photo( Eric in reflection. Taken at the Espresso Yourself Cafe in Powell.)

Is the gig calendar working.

The calendar takes a lot of time to compile. I would like to find out if you regard it as useful and important to this blog. There are around 90 subscribers to this blog and it would be worth the effort to keep the calendar going if around 40 to 50 people used the calendar. It may be that you would prefer to see the gigs on the blog itself. To help me solve this could you please e mail me and say what your preferences are. John@AnEnglishmanAbroad.com or post a comment on the blog.
Photo(Dave Rainey. He can do better with a guitar then a cue.)

CFMS Coffee House 31 October

This is the place to be on the last Saturday of the month through the winter. Good company, good jam session and good guests. What could be better.

CFMS’S Folkside Coffeehouse
Areopagitica Bookstore
3510 North High St., Columbus, OH
7:00-8:00 pm, Jam Session, Socialize & Setup
8:00 - 9:00 Open Stage
9:00-11:00 pm Featured Performer(s)
Bob Sauls and Marian Funk

Join in the fun

Why not go along to the CFMS board meeting and sit in. Your skills would be welcome and you may find you want to be more involved.

CFMS Board Meeting
7:30 Areopagitica Bookstore
3510 N. High Street, Columbus, OH

Food and Music

If you want somewhere to eat on Friday then consider listening to Loosely Strung at the Cheshire market. This is a great little place where the food is home cooking and very good. Loosely Strung are not bad either. The fact that I get my bait there when I fish up that way has nothing to do with it.

Loosely Strung will be playing at the Cheshire Market, Bait Store & Pizza Place this Friday, October 30, from 7 - 10 p.m. You'll find it on the east side of Alum Creek Reservoir, at the intersection of Africa Rd. & Cheshire Rd. Be sure to observe the rule posted on the back door, "No bait buckets in restaurant."

If you have never heard Jackie's tongue-in-cheek jingle about the Cheshire Market, there's a line, "and if you shoot one, you can check your deer . . . Here!" That's not true; it is not a deer hunting check station. However, when I was passing by the market a few weeks ago, I saw a deer loaded onto a pick-up truck in the parking lot. Maybe people really do listen to what Jackie has to say?!?!? That's the scariest thing I could imagine for Halloween!

Hope to see you soon!
Dan

Do you think these work?

http://ibored.com/2009/05/coolest-guitars/

Free Piano/Song Concert with Bill Cohen

2009-10-22T20:02:00.000-07:00

Free Piano/Song Concert with Bill Cohen

Please join me Saturday October 24th at 7 p.m. as we welcome the new piano to the Areopagitica Book Store’s cozy “back room.” That’s at near Oakland Park.

To celebrate its arrival, I’ll play and sing some classic (not classical) piano tunes. So far, the eclectic song list includes tunes made famous by folks like the Eagles, Bette Midler, Harry Belafonte, Judy Garland, the Beatles, Dan Fogelburg, the Everly Brothers, and even Jiminy Cricket.

To keep the spotlight on the new piano, we’ll also play a bit of “piano trivia.” Light refreshments will be served, and we’ll have a couple of surprises for you. The evening will end by 9 p.m. so you can go out for that pizza you’ll probably be craving.

It’s a totally free concert, but we’ll have a tip jar out, in case you feel like contributing to what we think is a darn good cause: helping send my wife Randi to the Dominican Republic for 10 days of volunteering with the International Medical Alliance. As she did last December, Randi will once again be serving as an interpreter, helping a team of volunteer doctors, nurses, and medical students as they provide rare medical care to impoverished Spanish-speaking villagers.

And, back to that new piano. It’s a generous donation to the Columbus Folk Music Society from Ann Fisher and her family. Now that they no longer need it, the piano will be available to accompany the growing myriad of special events at the book store. They include poetry readings, the monthly Columbus Folk Music Society Coffeehouse, the regular Saturday night mini-concerts sponsored by book store owners Rebecca and Doug Rutledge, a newly-relocated Thursday night musical jam session, and even dramas and musicals put on by the new Columbus Civic Theater.

This is fun

Folk information for folkies

2009-10-15T06:21:00.000-07:00

Marathon Music

Sunday is the Columbus marathon and CFMS will be there to help the runners along. For some years now the CFMS has supported the marathon by providing musicians to play for the runners. We have a slot open if anyone would like to take it. You can have a 30 to 45 minute spot and sing to your hearts content. Contact me for information.

Photo Mike Powers
Once again sound is being provided by Mike Powers, the master of the digital reverb. Performers include At Whits End, The Hollow Bodies and John Locke. We will be playing from 9am until 12pm. The location is below. Make sure you are there early because the roads will be blocked off.

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=8dj&resnum=0&q=Campus+Loop+Rd+%26+Vernon+Tharp+Rd&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=Campus+Loop+Rd+%26+Vernon+Tharp+St,+Columbus,+OH+43210&gl=us&ei=pv-_Sv-CNIKV8Aap4_GUCA&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1

Ken Parker Guitars

Here is an article on Ken Parker guitars. A very nice looking axe, but how does it sound. Anyone know? http://guitarless.com/2009/10/ken-parker-archtops/

Tellabration

If you want hear some of the best storytellers on Ohio, Tellabration is the place to be.

AN INTERNATIONAL EVENING OF
STORYTELLING FOR GROWNUPS
WILL BE HELD AT
THE OHIO HISTORICAL CENTER
AUDITORIUM
NOVEMBER 21, 2009
DOOR OPENS AT 7:00 PM
PERFORMANCES START AT 7:30
$7.00/adults, $5.00/seniors, students &
SOCO members; $4.00/under 12 years
For more Information please call:
Frank at (614) 268-0532
www.socotales.org
For this event, a grownup is considered someone who can
comprehend and appreciate a 90 minute concert of
diverse and entertaining stories
Storytellers of Central Ohio is a non-profit organization.
This program is presented in arrangement with the National Storytelling
Network

Give the Schomburgs a week and they will be doing this.

A message from Halfway Home

Time to fire up the ol' van and Brian's race car and head up to visit our friends at the Honky Tonk House in Streetsboro, Ohio this coming Saturday.

The genial host, Jay, and hostess, Tammy, are going to present Halfway Home at one of their Honky Tonk House Concerts on Sat. Oct. 17th, and you're invited !!! What's this HTHC thing all about? Well, picture a Super Bowl potluck party with lots of good food, cold beverages, and fun people - except instead of the ball game, you get a live music show instead - in Jay & Tammy's house.

There is an admission charge, the amount of which totally escapes me right now, and the cash collected goes to the band - now that's a noble cause if we ever heard of one. Actually it's $10 per person and since it's a potluck, you might want to bring some Doritos, Oreos, or a nice pie - we had cake last week.

We know we have some friends in northeastern Ohio, and here's a chance to see the band in a very intimate and casual atmosphere, and to meet some pretty hardcore music fans in the bargain. We played at the Honky Tonk House last year, and it was a very knowledgeable and receptive audience - and they still didn't ride us out of town on a rail.

The address is 1025 Montclair Drive - Streetsboro Oh. 44241. Last year we mapquested it and found the place on the first try, so you should give that a shot. The garage door opens at 7:00, and music starts at 8:00.

Hey, even if you live in Columbus, and missed us last weekend at the bookstore, gas up the car and come on up - we'll be glad to see your smilin' faces, and Jay and Tammy will treat you like long lost rich relatives.

Call 330-626-2961 to let them know you're coming, and to clear up any questions about directions.......this is going to be a real nice time !!!

Hope to see you soon,

Renilda, Patti, Pat, Brian, & Mike

HALFWAY HOME

Saturday 17 Oct at the Book Shop

A chance to hear the new songs that The Hard Tackers have been working on. If you want a good sing along they will be performing at 7pm. They will be followed by Second Wind a very good multi instrumental duo who are very good. They do some very nice interpretation of a good selection of songs.

Areopagitica Books
3510 N. High Street
Columbus
Ohio

Photo: The Hard Tackers

Winter folk music for Folkies

2009-10-08T06:58:00.000-07:00

Winter folk music for Folkies

As winter comes on we are not going to be short of music and storytelling. Let us try and do a cross pollination. Let the Music Folkies go to the up coming storytelling event Tellabration and the Storytellers go to a Folk Society Concert evening at the Bookshop. Everyone could then see how much in common we have and have a good time at each others event.

(Photo) Spot Yours Truly 25 years ago

Guitars Galore

If there is a guitar you have never seen a photo of and you would like to see what it looks like go here. http://www.chicagomusicexchange.com/ You could spend a lot of time and money in this place.

Spider Capo

When you have purchased that expensive guitar and you want to get technical here is the capo to do it. http://www.spidercapo.com/

So you think you are a drummer?

Try this http://www.themaninblue.com/experiment/JS-909/

A message from Halfway Home

Oh baby, it's cold outside - at least too cold to schedule live music performances after sundown. So, Doug and Rebecca at Areopagitica Books - located at 3510 N. High St in Clintonville - have graciously given our little band of wayward musicians a place to play this coming Saturday evening.

Halfway Home will be playing music in a real building with walls, doors and a roof. We've had a great time playing outdoor festivals and concerts for the past few months, but now it's time to put on our shoes and act like civilized people again. Can we pull this transformation off? Can we actually play without worrying about the threat of rain and wind?

Why not join us this coming Saturday evening at 7:00 pm and see for your own self if we can make it happen. Areopagitica has been one of our favorite places to play for the past couple of years, and we're happy to be asked back......apparently Doug and Rebecca have forgotten some previous manifestations of minor character flaws and/or judgment lapses exhibited by certain band members in public at their establishment. The good folks at Areopagitica have an amazing eclectic selection of books, so be sure to come early (or stay late) and buy a book or two.

Admission is free, but there will be a tip "container" prominently displayed where you can contribute to our continued delinquency. Please buy some books with a large denomination bill (say a $50 or a $100 bill) and then throw your change in the tip jar.

Here's the kicker - besides some pretty decent music, we have just been informed that there will be CAKE !!!!! That's getting to be sort of a tradition when we play at the bookstore, we always manage to bring a really big, and really good cake. Rebecca says the sugar buzz inspires the audience and is good for business. Truth is, we just like cake.

So pack up the kids and some friends and bring them out this coming Saturday evening for a really good time at Areopagitica Bookstore with Halfway Home, and a really big cake!!!!

See you soon,

Patti, Renilda, Pat. Mike & Brian

HALFWAY HOME

Message From Frank McGarvey

Storytelling Meeting
I am sorry but I am unable to put out the newsletter before the Meeting, which is this Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009. it is still at 10:30 in the Aeropegitca Bookstore, 3510 N. High, one and a half blocks north of East North Broadway.
It promises to be a great meeting. Come and tell about your experiences with graveyards, Ghosts, Haints and Spooks.

Frank Mcgarvey
Storyteller
Storytellers of Central Ohio
2780 Atwood Ter
Columbus Oh 43211-1170
(614) 268-0532
email: frankmcgarvey@sbcglobal.net
http://www.frankmcgarveystoryteller.com/

Be Scared to Death

I will be Storytelling on Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 at Oakland Nursery Delaware from 12 pm until 3 pm come along for free food, hot drinks, pumpkin painting and music from Loosely Strung. I will lay down money that they will do The Battle of New Orleans when they see me walk down the path

Message from Larry Staats

Storytellers:

Saturday October 10th is the SOCO membership meeting at 10:30 AM and the Worthington Fall Festival on the SE Green in Old Worthington. Last year some of us went to the Fall Festival, in the afternoon, and told some stories and advertised SOCO. If you are able and willing to appear at the festival and do the same this year, let me know as soon as you can at the above email address. Thanks.

Here are some of the details, etc.:

1) Time: 1:30 until we're through;

2) Info: More information about the Fall Festival:
http://www.owba.net/fall_festival.htm
(This info is really for 2009 not 2008)

3) Parking: You may have to park two or three blocks away from the Village Green, so be prepared;

4) Outside: This is an outside event, so, if it is raining, there won't be anyone there;

5) Map & Picture: See the attached PDF files.

Thanks again.

Larry Staats

A Folk event ends and a Folk Event begins.

2009-09-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

A Folk Event ends and a Folk Event begins.

I managed to get to the jam session at the Worthington farmers market last Saturday. There was an excellent turn out, people everywhere and money going into the tip jar. Larry Staats has done a superb job with this jam session and he and the regulars deserve a pat on the back for there efforts. October 10th will be the last session for this year so get yourself along and have some fun.

(Photo) Roll your sleeves up and get ready for the winter events.

As the Worthington jam session comes to a close the CFMS concerts begin. I know there are a number of people signed up for this blog who are not members of CFMS (Columbus Folk Music Society) so I will explain.

Starting in September the CFMS have their monthly concerts. It is the last Saturday of the month and there is something for all of us.

7pm is the start of the jam session, 8pm is the open mic and at 9pm is the guest artist. If you have never been I would recommend you give it a try. Apart from good entertainment you get the chance to meet like minded people, chat and have fun.

Suggested entrance is $5 for non members and $4 for members. Refreshments are available and you get the chance to brows all the books.

(Photo) You never know who will be there.

This month

7:00-8:00 pm
Jam Session, Socialize & Setup
8:00 - 9:00
Open Stage
9:00-11:00 pm

Featured Performer(s)
Jerry Rockwell
Saturday September, 26, 2009

Areopagitica Books
3510 N. High Street
Columbus, OH 43214

Tellabration is on the horizon.

Just a reminder that members of The Storytellers of Central Ohio have a chance to vote for the tellers at this years Tellabration. get your votes in folks.

With Halloween on the horizon there will be scary stories in abundance at various venues. Let me know where you are so that I can tell one and all.

(Photo) This scared me.

Birds Know Music

Try this for a wow moment.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2009/09/this-clip-is-proof-that-birds-are-secretly-composers/

Strung Up At The Zoo

2009-09-16T11:55:00.000-07:00

Loosely Strong will be playing the Zoo this Saturday at the Jack Hanna's Fall Festival. It will be nice to see this crowd behind bars. Do not feed them. See the Gig Calender for details. They will be playing so long they will be changing their name to Tightly Strung. I understand one of the reasons they got the gig was because Dan offered to clean out the Elephants. What he may not know is that he has to do it with a mustard spoon.

Don't miss this event folks

Another good night at the Bookshop.
Sept 19, 2009, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

Teresa Schleifer, Charlie Flowers, and Friends (Pat Casey, Maury Falkoff, Renilda Marshall, Rebecca Stansbury, Brian Szuch)

Areopagitica Books
3510 North High St
Columbus, OH

Here is a nice tune for you.

Or something Heavy

Fokies for Folk Music

2009-09-09T07:47:00.000-07:00

Folkies for Folk Music

Folk music lives on through the lives of seven men with nothing else to do.

The Hard Tackers hit You Tube with a vengeance. And nothing happens!!! Below is a sample

There are 7 on there not including the ones from the Viking Festival. Give us your support and view them and rate. Thanks for your help.

CFMS new season is about to start.

The Following from
Victoria Parks
CFMS Coffeehouse Bookings

Saturday September 26 the Columbus Folk Music Society opens the 2010 Folkside Coffeehouse season with the Master of the Mountain Dulcimer, Jerry Rockwell at Areopagitica Books in Clintonville. An accomplished player, recording artist, teacher, and custom builder of the Mountain Dulcimer, Jerry Rockwell has long been a national and international advocate for this unique American Instrument. Doors open 7PM Showtime 8PM. Suggested Donation of $5, $4 CFMS members. Please remember to bring a can of food for the Central Ohio Food Bank. Seating is limited. Contact CFMS at 614-470-3963 for more information, or on the web at www (dot) cfms (hyphen) inc (dot) org.

***

The Columbus Folk Music Society is delighted to bring back Jerry Rockwell to the Folkside Coffeehouse after several years. Since last he appeared for a CFMS audience he has toured Iceland among other places on the globe, and has been playing writing, teaching mountain duclimer. Jerry Rockwell is one of a handful of folk musicians who, since about 1970, have been national and international advocates for the mountain dulcimer. He is an accomplished player, teacher, and custom builder of this American folk instrument. His currently available recordings are Favorite American Folktunes (CD with extra Roots Project tracks recorded in 2000 featuring mostly solos on historic mountain dulcimers), The Blackbird and the Beggarman (CD produced by Pete Sutherland originally for the Wizmak label in 1994), and "too dark to work, too light for candles," a 2008 recording of original improvisations around mesmerizing, circular modal chord progressions, using acoustic and electric dulcimers as well as guitar and synth. Jerry concentrated on music theory and composition at Ohio State University. He lives and works in the Appalachian foothills of southeast Ohio, and regularly teaches mountain dulcimer at workshops across the country.

Watch the Blurred Right Hand

Last Call to Folkies

2009-08-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

Last Call to Folkies
Photo: Where we started four years ago.
I need your photo's. Thursday the 3 September will be the forth birthday of the Ashville Open Stage. Send me photo's of you or your partner from years gone by. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A PERFORMER. IF YOU HAVE BEEN A MEMBER OF THE AUDIENCE WE WOULD LIKE A PHOTO YOU.

Photo: Where we are now.

The photo's will be put on a loop and shown on a screen all night during the party. I have a few already, but I could do with some more.

E mail yours to me please.

Jam Session Moving

A reminder that the best Jam Session in Columbus is moving.

In last weeks blog (Scroll Down) I told you about the jam at the Mannaechor moving to Aeropagetica. I had the Following From Al this week.

Tomorrow night (Thursday Night 27th) is the last night of our Mannaechor venue. ...... We'll be playing at the Aeropagetica ( sic) thanks to the diligent efforts of Terry Keller and starting there on sept. 3rd . Same time 7 until 10 p.m.on Thursdays.

If you are into Jam Sessions this is the one to go to.

Best of luck in your new venue.

Winter Coming On

The usual slowing down of gigs at this time of year points towards the coming of winter. Still some good days left, but it is on its way.

Thank you all for sending the information about your gigs throughout the summer. We have seen the calendar full of ace venues to see local talent. Keep the information coming.

Pot Luck and Jam

This Sunday is the CFMS picnic. A chance to get together with your music friends and chat, eat and sing.

CFMS Potluck/Jam
2:00 pm, 1768 Hightower Drive, Columbus, OH
Info: Chris & Linda Boles, csbevolve@gmail.com
or 614-766-2382

You do not have to be a member of CFMS to attend. Non members are welcome.

Areopagitica Bookstore
Saturday 29th
Terry C. Keller & Friends, 7:00 PM
3510 N. High Street, Columbus, OH

If I was not booked to go somewhere else I would go. Terry is a great writer and performer.

Sign Up for this Blog on the right.

So you think you have the goods.

Try this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMnwOZA0DQk

The skill of some people.

Folk Jam on the move for Folkies

2009-08-19T06:03:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Jam Session in Columbus to Move.

This is a great Jam Session, I have been only once because of my commitment at Ashville Open Mic on the same night, but I can tell you it is not to be missed if you are into Jam sessions. Al and the rest of the organizers are doing a fantastic job. Once again The Book Shop is coming to the fore.

The following from Larry Staats.

Another of our Local Jam Sessions is the Maennerchor/Westerville Jam Session
currently occurring at the Columbus Mennerchor, 966 South High Street, Columbus, OH from
about 7:00 to 10:00 PM each Thursday evening. Starting the first Thursday in September, the
Jam will be switched to the Areopageticia Bookstore, at 3510 North High Street, Columbus,
OH, also from about 7:00 to 10:00 PM.
This Jam Session has been going for about ten years. It first started in a coffee shop
in Westerville. One Thursday we showed up and the coffee shop was closed. So, we went next
door to a pizza shop and asked if we could play there. We were accepted and played there for
sometime until the pizza shop was sold. The new owner didn’t want us so we moved about one
block away to the basement of a former church which was then a tea shop. The tea shop went
out of business and we moved upstairs. Ultimately the tea shop was sold to a Martial Arts
group and we had to move again. For a short time we played at a real estate office on North
High Street and then moved to the Columbus Mennerchor. Now the move is to the
Areopageticia Bookstore.
For more information contact Al Balasco at abelasco@columbus.rr.com or Carroll
Cleek at ccleek@columbus.rr.com

Check out the calendar for a full list of what is on.
Keep sending the information.

Thank you to all the people who send me information. Please do not be offended if I do not use what you send. The usual reason is that it has already been covered. Just keep sending. I always try to give the by line so people get credit for the work they do. A good example is Larry Staats, that man puts in a lot of time and energy for music and dance and it should be recognised.

Ashville Open Mic Birthday Party September 3rd

Email your old photo's in advance of the party. Any that show you in days gone by. Ed the Viking is going to put them on a loop and we will have them rotating on the big TV screen for all to see.

I am also looking for volunteers for a sketch. Let me know.

Below are a number of video's to make you smile or gasp in amazement.

Historic Week for Folkies.

2009-08-04T06:40:00.000-07:00

Historic Week For Folkies.

Click the link below for an article on the 50th Newport Folk Festival.

http://www.boston.com/ae/music/articles/2009/08/03/new_and_old_celebrate_50_years_of_folk_at_newport/

The 90th birthday celebrations for Pete Seeger were on WOSU television the other night, the DVD would be worth buying. It was a great show.

NPR are giving a free folk sampler CD, here is some information.

http://www.ihopeyourearsbleed.com/2009/08/02/npr-gives-away-12-song-folk-sampler/k-sampler/

So you think you are having a dance party on your own.

The information above is a good example of what this blog is about. Help spread the word about this blog. Pass it on to your music friends and encourage them to sign up. The more people signed up the better it is for all of us.

All performers out there, tell your mailing list about this blog and ask them to sign up. It will take a short amount of time, but would help so much in promoting this blog and it's contents.

Birthday Party.

September 3rd will be the 4th birthday of the now Ashville Open Stage. We will have our usual birthday party with all the normal stupidity. Book the date now and bring along your party piece.

New Comers to Ashville Open Stage

Dublin Irish Festival

2009-07-29T07:09:00.000-07:00

The Dublin Festival is the biggest thing to happen this week. If you do not count The Rainey's at Papa Joe's in Ashville.

Three days of music, storytelling, dance and many other events of interest. If you think you have no interest in Irish culture, you would be wrong. There is so much to do there has got to be something to suit you.

If you want to say hello to me I will be Storytelling on the Wee Folks stage at 6:00pm and on Saturday on the Spoken Word stage at 4:00pm Storytelling for the grown ups.

http://www.dublinirishfestival.org/ for more information.

Photo's

I have a few photo's of new comers to Ashville, but I am having transfer problems. As soon as I fix the problem I will put them on.

I have a number of music related video's a couple of them below. I try to embed them but it is not always possible. If there is a link just click on it.

This one is of The Hard Tackers who had a great time on Saturday night at the Bookshop in Clintonville and at Espresso Yourself Cafe in Powell
on Tuesday night.

Gazebo Gatherings

The Gazebo Gatherings start this Sunday in the park at Ashville and will continue each Sunday until September 6. See the calendar for details.

Here are a couple of video's.

http://www.daveandthomas.net/2009/07/13/naked-viking-folk-song/

Good Bad and Ugly. Look out for the whistle collapse.
I could not see Tom Harker.

via videosift.com

Video's photo's and news for Folk people

2009-07-22T07:55:00.000-07:00

Video's photo's and news for Folk people

Here you go Folks, the first official photo of The Hard Tackers. They will be appearing Saturday night 25 July 2009

at
Areopagitica Books 3510 N. High Street Clintonville Ohio 614-268-5094 at 7pm

A wicked looking bunch of Jack Tars to avoid in any dark harbour.

Come on down to the bookshop and sing along to the songs of the sea.

On a lighter note watch this video for a touch of class.

Any of you with a Gibson Guitar? Is it a fake? Find out in the here.
http://www.gibson.com/en-us/Lifestyle/Features/CounterfeitGibsons/

Jam Session

There is a regular jam session at the Worthington Market on Saturday mornings. Larry Staats is IC. Having been there I can tell you it is a good time.

Bexley Music on Main

Friday 24 July at Starbucks on Main St Bexley will be worth a visit. If you have not seen the Hollow Bodies this is your chance. A group of 60s groupies pumping out Rock and Roll. Great Fun. The event starts at 7pm with yours truly opening at 7pm and the Hollow Bodies on at 8pm until 9pm.

See you there.

Keep the information coming in and sign up for this blog if you have not done so.

It is easy, all you need is an e mail and a password, enter it in the Google e mail option on the left panel.

The more people we get in touch with the more that will become involved in Folk Music, That means more Bums on Seats.

Folk Yard Sale For Folkies

2009-07-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

Bargin of a Lifetime

The Central Ohio Folk Festival yard sale is this coming Saturday 18 July. Not only can you find bargains, but there will be a jam session as well. If you want to participate just turn up with an instrument and some money, you never know you may find the bargain of a lifetime.

Once again Chas has opened her house to the event and a big thank you goes to her.

The event is from 9:00 - 5:00. at
146 W. Weisheimer Rd.
in Clintonville about 6 blocks north of Henderson Rd. and about 6 blocks south of Morse Rd., west of High Street.

It is still not to late for items for sale. Try to get them there on Friday evening.

This is a fund raiser for the Festival so we need to turn out in force.

So you think you can play guitar?

Get a load of these guitar wonders. This link will take you to all of them.

http://www.acesandeighths.com/8ball_6.html

Ohio's Biggest Festival is around the corner.

Friday 31 July is the first day of the Dublin Irish Festival it runs on through 1st and 2nd of August. Some of the best performers from around the world will be there, if you have not been give it a try, you will be amazed. There are specials on Friday and Sunday if money is tight or you just want a sampler. The good thing is because the festival is so large you can plan your time there on the web site. http://www.dublinirishfestival.org/

There are a number of local performers there as well as the imports from around the world. From dance to folk to folk rock, it is all there on the 7 different music stages, 65 acts 240 performances.

A visit to the web site and a look at the map will show you just how big this event is.

Photo: Local band Knot Fibb'n a firm favorite at the Dublin Festival. (OK so I am bias. The good looking fella on the bodhran is my Brother in Law)

Don't mess with singer song writers

2009-07-08T07:14:00.000-07:00

I remember Tom Paxton doing a similar song, but it was well before video.

In theses days of instant communication companies can not afford to treat customers in any way but good.

It would be nice if this went viral. Pass it on.

Ashville Open Mic Returns Thursday Night.

Following the lay off because of 4 July celebrations Ashville Open Stage will return this Thursday 9 July.

Message from Knot Fibb'n

Hi Fibb'n Fans!

First, a big "t'anks!" to the folks at the Fraze Pavilion in Kettering. We had a lovely time playing for you there...the Fraze is one of our favorite venues! No one melted, or even spontaneously combusted due to the heat, for which we are forever grateful!

Continuing our summer outdoor party, Knot Fibb'n is traveling to Versailles this Friday, July 10. No silly, not the grand French chateau where Marie Antoinette suggested everyone have dessert, but the Village of Versailles, Ohio -- located north of I-70 and west of I-75 in Darke County (or Co. Darke, if you're speakin' Irish). The Darke County Center for the Arts has presented an Artist series featuring outstanding performers for the past 30 years. We're very happy to get involved with the DCCA, and hope to have a fun crowd joining us Friday night. Show starts at 7pm, and the locale is the Fountain Square gazebo across the street from the Inn at Versailles, 21 W. Main Street downtown. We'll be jiggin' & jawin', and just having a good ol' time -- check out http://www.darkejournal.com/ for more info.

Hope to see you soon!

There is a lot going on in Bexley this month plus other events keep an eye on the calendar. Here is a sample from Mike Hale.

Message from Mike Hale

All right, here it is, get some rest! I've managed to plan your whole music week-end. And it's all ‘FREE'! All you have to do is show up.

Friday, July 10 in Bexley, Mayor John Brennan's Main St. Merchant Music Festival runs from 7-9 PM in front of Starbucks, 2450 E Main St.
At 7, the Hollow Bodies (with John Schomberg & Mike Powers) a 3 piece rock/pop band will take you back in time to the 50's and 60's.

Then at 8, Patti Ramsey & Mike Hale (both of Halfway Home) will present their particular slant on mix of country, bluegrass, folk, blues, rock and American roots music. Being much younger than the Hollow Bodies their music will be the 60's and later.
For more information, contact the mayor's office at 559-4210.FREE

Saturday, July 11, in Clintonville at Areopagitica Books (3510 North High St), from 7-9 PM, Teresa Schleifer and Charlie Flowers will be performing a blend of folk, blues & swing. This should be a wonderful show!
They are being supported by ‘We Will Play For Food' (Areo House Band) comprised of Brian Szuch, Maury Falkoff, Rebecca Stansbury and Mike Hale.
For more info call 614-268-5094. Also 'FREE' but Donations accepted for artists.

Sunday, July 12, 7 PM in Worthinton at the Village Green, Northwest quadrant of 161/High St. at 7 PM, Halfway Home will be playing the Worthington Family Concert on the Green. Bring folding chair or a picnic basket!
For more info call 436-2743.

Again All Free, kid friendly musical events so I hope to see you at one or all of them!
Mike
The calendar if full of information, there is no excuse to have nothing to go to.

Sad News

Dick Plunks father has been taken ill and is not expected to live. Please keep Dick and his family in your thoughts, I will keep you posted.

No Ashville Open Mic For Folkies

2009-06-30T05:46:00.000-07:00

No Ashville Open Mic For Folkies

Due to lots of activity for 4 July celebrations the general conscientious was that we not hold the Ashville Open Mic this Thursday 2 July. Please pass this on to as many people as you can.

We will resume as normal (Normal us ??????) on Thursday 9 July

So You think you can play guitar

Happy Forth of July Folks

Folk Music in abundance for Folkies

2009-06-25T07:25:00.000-07:00

Folk Music in abundance for Folkies

Things are hotting up and not just the temperature.

A message from Half Way Home

Tornado sirens, heavy rain, church bells, a 37 semi-truck convoy driving by, blowing their air horns at the crowd - and a brief acoustic "encore" performance for a group of lady Harley riders after microphones and most of the instruments were packed away........all in a night's work for the Halfway Home band. Last Friday night up in Berlin was one of the more memorable - and enjoyable gigs we've played.

How do we top that evening? Easy, we pack up and head to Waynesville, Ohio this weekend for the Appalachian Mountain Music Festival. This festival is always one of the highlights of our summer. We get to play with lots of wonderful musicians in endless jam sessions, and play a couple of sets on one of the stages.

We are playing Saturday, June 27th, at 6:20pm on the Rocky Top stage, and again on Sunday at 1:40pm on the Rocky Top stage. Kevin and Shannon Maloney will no doubt be running sound for that stage and they make us sound like we know what we're doing. It's always a pleasure to work with good sound crews and great MC's at this festival - and always a blast to hang out with many of the friends we have made down in Southwestern Ohio over the past few years.

Bring an instrument and a lawn chair and join in the fun. Come out and meet some of the nicest folks in Ohio at the Appalachian Mountain Music Festival. There will be continuous music on two stages, and gospel music on Sunday, an old time fiddle contest, great food provided by local organizations, and a good time waiting for you in Waynesville this weekend.

For directions, ticket prices, and a detailed schedule of events for the festival, just Google "Appalachian Mountain Music Festival Waynesville".

Hope to see you there,

Renilda, Patti, Mike, Pat & Brian
HALFWAY HOME

Message from John Schomburg

It's summer and there's more folk events than you can shake a stick at!
Several of Central Ohio's favorite folk will be performing next weekend in Waynesville, Ohio. This is the descendent of the old Caesar's Creek Appalachian Music Festival. Names you might recognize would be Halfway Home, Anne and Phil Case, and The Wild Hares.
Thanks
John S

Message from Dave Rainey

Hi Folks
The long wait is over! Helen is back for some summer gigs and we will be kicking things off this Saturday June 27 at 8 pm at Papa Joe's Restaurant in Ashville. We are looking forward to playing some of your favorite tunes as well as some new stuff and some things from the vault that we haven't hauled out for a while. It should be a blast. For added excitement this Saturday is also Rocco's birthday so come on out listen to some great music, enjoy some good food and drinks and celebrate Helen's return and Rocco's birthday with us.
The show starts at 8 and we encourage you to come early for a good seat, we hope to fill the place! Thanks for your support and hope to see you Saturday. Papa Joe's is at 20 Cromley St in Ashville (43103). Call 740-983-6100 for information.
Thanks
Dave, Rock, Wes and Helen

ps: please forward this to anyone you know who likes great music and wants to have a good time!

Message from Eric at the Music Cafe Powell

John, I have some great players coming still in June.

June 27th, 6:15 Steve Hensley- Solo Acoustic
9 Ryan Wilkens - Solo Acoustic
10 Bob Lyons - Solo Acoustic

June 28th 2-4 PM Sunday Picken, Larry Schick leads a 2 hr Bluegrass jam

Coming in July from Nashville July 12th- Brian Ashley Jones $10 2-4 PM, pre-show reception 1-2 PM

Peace

Eric Ahlteen
Espresso Yourself Music Cafe
614-436-7100 http://www.espressoyourselfmusiccafe.com/

Message from Nancy Baily

Three Creeks Festival Saturday 27 June Music starts at 11:30am until 2:00pm

Enter at the main entrance on Bixby Rd, there is a good map on their web site, just Google Three Creeks Metro Park.

The line up for the festival.

Bill Cohen

Joanie Calem

The Hard Tackers

Hank Arbaugh

Larry Drake

(Photo: Chris of The Hard Tackers)

Folk Music Action

2009-06-17T05:41:00.000-07:00

Sorry for not keeping in touch but the photo's below say why. I had a few days kayaking and fishing with singer song writer Ken Willis and around thirty others. There was representation from West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan and all parts of Ohio. In the evening the guitars and the beer came out around the camp fire and we had good time, despite the weather on the first few days.

Ken was the organizer and he did an extraordinary job. Imagine trying to arrange for people to go to places they have never been before, do the float and have a vehicle waiting for them five hours later.

A message from Larry Staats
People:

This Sat., June 20, is the Worthington, OH, Arts Festival, on the Green at the intersection of Rt. 161 & Rt. 23, in the center of Old Worthington. Some of you will remember that last summer we played music on the South East Green at the Farmer's Market and various festivals in Worthington to have a good time and also to raise a little money for the Society. We will start doing the same thing again starting on Saturday July 11th.

However, the Arts Festival, on June 20th, is another opportunity to jam and also collect a little money for CFMS. Chris Boles (614-766-2382) will be there with the "Tip Jug" to start around 10:00 am. So, come on out and play, have a good time and support Folk Music all at the same time. For this event only, we'll have to play at the benches on the North end of the South East Green. A place to park might be at the Griswold Center, just North of the Green on the West Side of High Street/Rt. 23. Keep up the good work.

A Message from Tom Nagel

Folks--please pass this along to the CFMS and Maennerchor folks. I don't have all the email addresses.

This weekend is the Washboard Festival in Logan Ohio---a Festival that not only tolerates but celebrates a form of alleged music with which I am afflicted.

I am writing to see if any or all of y'all are interested in forming an impromptu kamikaze jug band and crashing the festival.

Anyone who is interested, email back to me; leave your phone number as well.

Just for a laugh.
(After three attempts to embed this I will give you the link.)

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1910028

Here is the line up for the Three Creeks Metro Park Festival.

Not the order of play, but the line up.

Bill Cohen -
Joanie Calem -
Larry Drake -
Hardtackers -
Hank Arbaugh -

Lots of Information for Folkies

2009-06-04T08:11:00.000-07:00

A message from Bill Cohen
(This is what this Blog is all about)

WANTED --- YOUR original song lyrics

Do you have some good, original, simple lyrics that need music to make them into a song?

Let me give it a try. I’ve got a lot of melodies and chords in my head that are in need of words.

I’m looking for words/poems that have a fairly simple rhyme scheme and a regular rhythm.. For example, four lines with the 2nd and 4th lines rhyming. Verse, chorus, verse, chorus, verse chorus. Perhaps a bridge in there somewhere. It doesn’t need to be exactly that, but you know what I’m talking about.

My melodies and chords are simple, catchy, and memorable. And I can help produce original songs that could be played with accompaniment on either guitar or piano.

I’d love the chance to see what we could create --- together.

Just e-mail me your words, and I’ll see what I can come up with. We’ve got nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

If you don’t like the tunes I write for your lyrics, you’re under no obligation. You can just throw my stuff away and hire a professional music producer instead. I hear Phil Spector has plenty of time on his hands these days.

Bill cohen

billcohen@columbus.rr.com

263-3851

Message From Nancy Cline Bailey

Jill Snyder used to be a naturalist at Battelle-Darby Creek, but is now head naturalist at Three Creeks. She has asked us if we could do some music at her Three Creeks Fest. The date is June 27th. She would like to have music from 11:30-2:30 if possible.

This is almost booked, but if you are interested contact Nancy.

Message from Mike Hale

Festival Video's available.

http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=COFF2009&view=videos

This takes you to a search page with all of the videos listed. Is this what you need? My site is ‘COFF2009’.

Mike

Here is a good video.
I stood for a long time and listened to Grand Pa Elliot when I was down in New Orleans.

Sorry it is a url there was no way I could embed it.

http://gizmodo.com/5231112/best-video-ive-seen-today-will-make-you-smile

Folk Fun for the Weekend

2009-05-28T06:49:00.000-07:00

See you Saturday night at the book shop

Ashville Drugs Raid No Folkies Involved.

2009-05-25T16:18:00.000-07:00

You may have seen that there was a drug rain in Ashville last Thursday night. The Open Stage was not involved although sound man Dave Rainey, (Soon to be appearing at the Columbus Folk Music Society Coffee House at the book shop with daughter Megan and Jen.) was interviewed on television and asked his opinion. Dave being recognised as the unofficial mayor of Ashville supported the police action and stated that the good people of Ashville were there in the beginning and will still be the ones left when the dregs of society have left. He is now know as Dave the walking sound bite.

It led to an interesting night. Lots of banter back and forth along with songs about drugs. Here are a few photos just to give you and idea of the interesting and fun things that happened.

Here is the toad worn by Jeff Hartley to carry his pics etc in. There is a sad toad story behind it that only Jeff can tell.

Donna played what I though she said was a Macedonian guitar. A very interesting instrument with 5 strings. This I was told was the original head design for the modern electric guitar. There is some very nice inlay that the photos do not do justice to.

First time at Ashville for Tess who is an excellent singer song writer. Her performance thrilled the audience.

Another newcomer to Ashville was Dan. He writes some very good instrumentals and is usually accompanied with his wife on vocals, for this evening she was in the audience looking after the grandchild.

Part of the Thursday night audience show their appreciation.

The Rainey's are at the Coffee House at the book shop on Saturday night. There will also be an open mic spot by the Hard Tackers Shanty Team. If you have no idea what a shanty is them Saturday is the time to find out.

This is the last coffee house until the Fall. Keep a lookout for the outside venues that will come up through the summer.

Keep the gig dates and article coming, I have had some good comments about the information that is available, there have also been comments posted on the blog itself. Feel free to post good or bad comments. It helps to keep the blog in the right direction.

Folk Music Good Times For Folkies

2009-05-14T06:00:00.000-07:00

Folk Music Good Times For Folkies

Something is going on besides the good weather coming. Following a very well attended Central Ohio Folk Festival the calendar is filling up very quickly. If music be the food of love, play folk music.

It was so nice to see Jacque Morgan out and about again after a long lay off. She was a surprise visitor to the Ashville Open Stage last week and it was a pity we could not persuade her to perform. Jacque is a long time singer song writer and has written some very good songs. She is a frequent visitor to Nashville and has become friends with some of the best writers.

While we are on the subject of Open Stage I hear that the Open Stage at the Espresso Yourself in Powell is going from strength to strength. Dick Plunk who is now running the evening tells me they have been having some very good audiences. I always enjoy my visits there and would recommend it to everyone.

The Hard Tackers on the lookout.

The Hard Tackers Shanty Team have now built up a decent set list and are looking for local free gigs to hone their chops. Book them now, or you will not be able to when they take off and are doing radio, TV, Carnegie hall, the Royal Albert Hall and the Columbus Folk Music Society Coffee House. www.hardtackers.wetpaint.com Guitar Players Treat Go here for some of the best acoustic guitar players.

Mid-Ohio Foodbank benefit.

A message from KNOT FIBB'N Hello -

Just a quick note to thank everyone that came out Saturday night to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank benefit. Before the show even started, we had many seats filled, and from 6:30 to the end it was standing room only! The bands were all extraordinary, as were the sound, facilities, and donated raffle items. We raised well over $3,000, and several folks have suggested this be an annual event - so stay tuned!

If you missed out, you can still donate. Send contributions to:

Claire Badger

Mid-Ohio Foodbank

1625 W Mount St

Columbus, OH 43223

Please include a note that your donation is to go to the Central Ohio Celtic Musicians Fighting Against Hunger. Let's see if how much more money we can raise!

An incentive: for every $1 you send in, MOFB can buy $8 worth of groceries. A $20 donation therefore purchases $160 worth of food for a family in dire need. You can make a tremendous difference with even a small donation. And 36% of the population served by MOFB and its subsidiaries goes to CHILDREN. A recent report stated that, in Ohio, almost 1 out of 4 children are in need of food. You can help them right now by donating.

A special shout out to some folks that were tremendous help:

Ann Fisher, Boyce Lancaster, and Chris Konik - they kept us entertained and informed betwixt and between the amazing musical acts.

Ladies of Longford, Halfway Home, Changeling, folks from Yankee Celtic Consort and Drowsy Lads, as well as my own bandmates from Knot Fibb'n; wow - what talent we have in Central Ohio!

Molly Byrne and Tammy Dearing for volunteering for the committee and allowing me to torture them for months with questions and requests.

Frank Doyle, Tony and all the staff and officers at the Shamrock Club. They donated the space, and I'm quite grateful.

Murt Byrne for tearin' it up on the sound board and making the bands sound absolutely fabulous, as well as Pat Fallon for assisting with equipment set up.

Tim O'Neill for donating his amazing visual talents and designing a most worthy poster.

Mary Wood, Gary Dearing, Ashton Dearing, Diana Navy, Judy Fasone and Stuart Brand for volunteering time and muscle.

All of the donors (see attached list if you'd like to frequent their business/services!).

All the folks that came out and lent their heart, money and energy (and perhaps a few brain cells) to an amazing cause.

And lastly, anyone I forgot to mention that made the evening so magical!

Hope to see you next year at the event. In the meantime, if you're on Facebook, join the group Central Ohio Celtic Musicians Fighting Against Hunger to stay updated on what's going on, discussions, etc. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=88871449746&ref=nf

Blessings to you and yours. May those reading this never need the services we're trying to help.

Beth

Beth, Tim, Renilda & Karl KNOT FIBB'N Acoustic Celtic With a Kick! www.knotfibbn.com

Folk Festival Photo's

2009-05-04T10:13:00.000-07:00

Folk Festival Photo's
I am turning this edition of the folk blog to photo's of the 2009 Central Ohio Folk Festival. If you missed it you lucked out.

Fun For Folkies but not Folk Music

2009-04-28T13:25:00.000-07:00

This should bring a smile to your face. Not Folk but worth a look

The Festival is this weekend

The Central Ohio Folk Festival will open the gates at Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park

Check Out

www.central_ohio_folk_festival.org

Headlining this year are:

MUSTARD’S RETREAT, BUTCH ROSS, MATT WATROBA,

KITTY DONOHUE

Not forgetting:
Hank Arbaugh
Abnormal Sines
At Wits End
Andy Beyer
Joanie Calem
Ann and Phil Case
Barry Chern
Randy Clepper
Marge Diamond
Larry Drake
Margie Ellison
Marion Funk
Vici Gombaski
Grace Adele Quartet
Grassahol
Great Mad Hoax
Halfway Home
Dave Hawkins
Beth Hicks
Conrade Hinds
Terry C. Keller
Julie McGhee
Rob McNurlin
Northern Cross
Jim Miller
Sylvia Miller
Mustard's Retreat
Tim O'Conner
Jerry Rockwell
Rick Savors
Bill Schilling
John Schomburg
Cathy Silver Sheets
Linda Sigismondi
Joni Sines
Steven K. Smith
Smokin' Fez Monkeys
Larry Staats
Steve Stapleton
Shelly Stevens
Jim Stone
Brian Szuch
The Rounders
The Yellow Room Gang
Keenan Wade
Wild Hares
Barry Weaver
Carl Yaffey

Workshops galore, food, entertainment good friends, what could be better?

The answer is

The Worst Song in the World Competition on Friday night at the meet and greet.

The best argument for the arts you will hear or read.

2009-04-21T06:12:00.000-07:00

(Scroll down for other news the first article is long)

The best argument for the arts you will ever hear or read.

Below was sent to me separately by Bill Cohen and Mike Hale. It must have been a superb presentation to listen to. It is long but well worth the time to read it.

Welcome address to freshman parents at Boston Conservatory, given by Karl Paulnack, pianist and director of music division at Boston Conservatory.

"One of my parents' deepest fears, I suspect, is that society would not properly value me as a musician, that I wouldn't be appreciated. I had very good grades in high school, I was good in science and math, and they imagined that as a doctor or a research chemist or an engineer, I might be more appreciated than I would be as a musician. I still remember my mother's remark when I announced my decision to apply to music school-she said, "you're WASTING your SAT scores." On some level, I think, my parents were not sure themselves what the value of music was, what its purpose was. And they LOVED music, they listened to classical music all the time. They just weren't really clear about its function. So let me talk about that a little bit, because we live in a society that puts music in the "arts and entertainment" section of the newspaper, and serious music, the kind your kids are about to engage in, has absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with entertainment, in fact it's the opposite of entertainment. Let me talk a little bit about music, and how it works.

The first people to understand how music really works were the ancient Greeks. And this is going to fascinate you; the Greeks said that music and astronomy were two sides of the same coin. Astronomy was seen as the study of relationships between observable, permanent, external objects, and music was seen as the study of relationships between invisible, internal, hidden objects. Music has a way of finding the big, invisible moving pieces inside our hearts and souls and helping us figure out the position of things inside us. Let me give you some examples of how this works.

One of the most profound musical compositions of all time is the Quartet for the End of Time written by French composer Olivier Messiaen in 1940. Messiaen was 31 years old when France entered the war against Nazi Germany. He was captured by the Germans in June of 1940, sent across Germany in a cattle car and imprisoned in a concentration camp.

He was fortunate to find a sympathetic prison guard who gave him paper and a place to compose. There were three other musicians in the camp, a cellist, a violinist, and a clarinetist, and Messiaen wrote his quartet with these specific players in mind. It was performed in January 1941 for four thousand prisoners and guards in the prison camp. Today it is one of the most famous masterworks in the repertoire.

Given what we have since learned about life in the concentration camps, why would anyone in his right mind waste time and energy writing or playing music? There was barely enough energy on a good day to find food and water, to avoid a beating, to stay warm, to escape torture - why would anyone bother with music? And yet - from the camps, we have poetry, we have music, we have visual art; it wasn't just this one fanatic Messiaen; many, many people created
art. Why? Well, in a place where people are only focused on survival, on the bare necessities, the obvious conclusion is that art must be, somehow, essential for life. The camps were without money, without hope, without commerce, without recreation, without basic respect, but they were not without art. Art is part of survival; art is part of the human spirit, an unquenchable expression of who we are. Art is one of the ways in which we say, "I am alive, and my life has meaning."

On September 12, 2001 I was a resident of Manhattan. That morning I reached a new understanding of my art and its relationship to the world. I sat down at the piano that morning at 10 AM to practice as was my daily routine; I did it by force of habit, without thinking about it. I lifted the cover on the keyboard, and opened my music, and put my hands on the keys and took my hands off the keys. And I sat there and thought, does this even matter? Isn't this completely irrelevant? Playing the piano right now, given what happened in this city yesterday, seems silly, absurd, irreverent, pointless. Why am I here? What place has a musician in this moment in time? Who needs a piano player right now? I was completely lost.

And then I, along with the rest of New York, went through the journey of getting through that week. I did not play the piano that day, and in fact I contemplated briefly whether I would ever want to play the piano again. And then I observed how we got through the day.

At least in my neighborhood, we didn't shoot hoops or play Scrabble. We didn't play cards to pass the time, we didn't watch TV, we didn't shop, we most certainly did not go to the mall. The first organized activity that I saw in New York, that same day, was singing. People sang. People sang around fire houses, people sang "We Shall Overcome". Lots of people sang America the Beautiful. The first organized public event that I remember was the Brahms Requiem, later that week, at Lincoln Center, with the New York Philharmonic. The first organized public expression of grief, our first communal response to that historic event, was a concert. That was the beginning of a sense that life might go on. The US Military secured the airspace, but recovery was led by the arts, and by music in particular, that very night.

From these two experiences, I have come to understand that music is not part of "arts and entertainment" as the newspaper section would have us believe. It's not a luxury, a lavish thing that we fund from leftovers of our budgets, not a plaything or an amusement or a pass time. Music is a basic need of human survival. Music is one of the ways we make sense of our lives, one of the ways in which we express feelings when we have no words, a way for us to understand things with our hearts when we can't with our minds.

Some of you may know Samuel Barber's heart wrenchingly beautiful piece Adagio for Strings. If you don't know it by that name, then some of you may know it as the background music which accompanied the Oliver Stone movie

Platoon, a film about the Vietnam War. If you know that piece of music either way, you know it has the ability to crack your heart open like a walnut; it can make you cry over sadness you didn't know you had. Music can slip beneath our conscious reality to get at what's really going on inside us the way a good therapist does.

I bet that you have never been to a wedding where there was absolutely no music. There might have been only a little music, there might have been some really bad music, but I bet you there was some music. And something very predictable happens at weddings - people get all pent up with all kinds of emotions, and then there's some musical moment where the action of the wedding stops and someone sings or plays the flute or something. And even if the music is lame, even if the quality isn't good, predictably 30 or 40 percent of the people who are going to cry at a wedding, cry a couple of moments after the music starts. Why? The Greeks. Music allows us to move around those big invisible pieces of ourselves and rearrange our insides so that we can express what we feel even when we can't talk about it. Can you imagine watching Indiana Jones or Superman or Star Wars with the dialogue but no music? What is it about the music swelling up at just the right moment in ET so that all the softies in the audience start crying at exactly the same moment? I guarantee you if you showed the movie with the music stripped out, it wouldn't happen that way. The Greeks: Music is the understanding of the relationship between invisible internal objects.

I'll give you one more example, the story of the most important concert of my life. I must tell you I have played a little less than a thousand concerts in my life so far. I have played in places that I thought were important. I like playing in Carnegie Hall; I enjoyed playing in Paris; it made me very happy to please the critics in St. Petersburg. I have played for people I thought were important; music critics of major newspapers, foreign heads of state. The most important concert of my entire life took place in a nursing home in Fargo, ND, about 4 years ago.
I was playing with a very dear friend of mine who is a violinist. We began, as we often do, with Aaron Copland's Sonata, which was written during World War II and dedicated to a young friend of Copland's, a young pilot who was shot down during the war. Now we often talk to our audiences about the pieces we are going to play rather than providing them with written program notes. But in this case, because we began the concert with this piece, we decided to talk about the piece later in the program and to just come out and play the music without explanation.

Midway through the piece, an elderly man seated in a wheelchair near the front of the concert hall began to weep. This man, whom I later met, was clearly a soldier-even in his 70's, it was clear from his buzz-cut hair, square jaw and general demeanor that he had spent a good deal of his life in the military. I thought it a little bit odd that someone would be moved to tears by that particular movement of that particular piece, but it wasn't the first time I've heard crying in a concert and we went on with the concert and finished the piece.

When we came out to play the next piece on the program, we decided to talk about both the first and second pieces, and we described the circumstances in which the Copland was written and mentioned its dedication to a downed pilot. The man in the front of the audience became so disturbed that he had to leave the auditorium. I honestly figured that we would not see him again, but he did come backstage afterwards, tears and all, to explain himself.

What he told us was this: "During World War II, I was a pilot, and I was in an aerial combat situation where one of my team's planes was hit. I watched my friend bail out, and watched his parachute open, but the Japanese planes which had engaged us returned and machine gunned across the parachute chords so as to separate the parachute from the pilot, and I watched my friend drop away into the ocean, realizing that he was lost. I have not thought about this for many years, but during that first piece of music you played, this memory returned to me so vividly that it was as though I was reliving it. I didn't understand why this was happening, why now, but then when you came out to explain that this piece of music was written to commemorate a lost pilot, it was a little more than I could handle. How does the music do that?

How did it find those feelings and those memories in me?"
Remember the Greeks: music is the study of invisible relationships between internal objects. This concert in Fargo was the most important work I have ever done. For me to play for this old soldier and help him connect, somehow, with Aaron Copland, and to connect their memories of their lost friends, to help him remember and mourn his friend, this is my work. This is why music matters.

What follows is part of the talk I will give to this year's freshman class when I welcome them a few days from now. The responsibility I will charge your sons and daughters with is this:
"If we were a medical school, and you were here as a med student practicing
appendectomies, you'd take your work very seriously because you would imagine
that some night at two AM someone is going to waltz into your emergency room and
you're going to have to save their life. Well, my friends, someday at 8 PM someone is going to walk into your concert hall and bring you a mind that is confused, a heart that is overwhelmed, a soul that is weary. Whether they go out whole again will depend partly on how well you do your craft.

You're not here to become an entertainer, and you don't have to sell yourself. The truth is you don't have anything to sell; being a musician isn't about dispensing a product, like selling used Chevies. I'm not an entertainer; I'm a lot closer to a paramedic, a firefighter, a rescue worker. You're here to become a sort of therapist for the human soul, a spiritual version of a chiropractor, physical therapist, someone who works with our insides to see if they get things to line up, to see if we can come into harmony with ourselves and be healthy and happy and well.
Frankly, ladies and gentlemen, I expect you not only to master music; I expect you to save the planet. If there is a future wave of wellness on this planet, of harmony, of peace, of an end to war, of mutual understanding, of equality, of fairness, I don't expect it will come from a government, a military force or a corporation. I no longer even expect it to come from the religions of the world, which together seem to have brought us as much war as they have peace. If there is a future of peace for humankind, if there is to be an understanding of how these invisible, internal things should fit together, I expect it will come from the artists, because that's what we do. As in the concentration camp and the evening of 9/11, the artists are the ones who might be able to help us with our internal, invisible lives."

A message from Half way Home.

We want to thank everyone who came out to the Central Ohio Folk Festival fund raiser a couple of weeks back. It was a really nice crowd - and it was a real gas sharing the music making with our friends from At Wit's End and Knot Fibb'n.

There will be more about the folk festival in a week or so - we've got a little bit of business to take care of coming up this week. On Friday, April 24th, Halfway Home will be performing for the Westerville Fourth Friday event. We'll be at the corner of State and Home Street. That's pretty much at the north end of downtown Westerville. There's plenty of free parking in lots behind buildings on the west side of State Street.

We have seen other folks play at this location for past events. The sponsors put out some tables and folding chairs, and the stage is actually just a chunk of parking lot there on the corner. There are lots of shops and food vendors up and down State s Street - in other words, plenty of reasons to show up for this event, and maybe give Halfway Home a listen.

We will be playing some new stuff, and some old favorites, and in general getting used to playing music outside again. When you're dealing with an event like this the most critical factor is the weather. Maybe if you've got a goat out in the back shed that you're not using anymore, you can get some friends together and sacrifice it to appease the weather gods. We'd sure appreciate it, and the Downtown Westerville folks will be happy with you too.

Music starts @ 6:00 and ends at 9:00 - come out and buy a bag of popcorn, or some cotton candy - and then ask Brian if you can hold his guitar. It'll be fun!!!

See you soon,

Patti, Renilda, Mike, Pat & Brian

A good penny turns up

We knew we had lost a few followers when we left the Stagecoach in such a hurry so it was nice to have one of the lost sheep turn up at Ashville Open Mic on Thursday. Greg was a welcome sight after all this time, returning with his stunning writing and his amazing voice. Welcome back Greg.

Photo: Greg

The Hard Tackers to be on Television

Four members of the Hard Tackers Shanty Team will be appearing on the Fox News morning show this Thursday morning between 7am and 9am. Johnny Delereto will be doing his morning segment about the Viking Festival that is on this weekend in Ashville. The Hard Tackers who will be performing at the Festival have been asked to be on the show. Unfortunately only four of the seven can make it, but we will still have a good time.

If you have not been to the Viking Festival give it a try. Well worth the trip. Below is information sent out by Dave Rainey that will give you an idea of what's on.

Hi All,
This weekend marks the 6th annual Ashville Viking Fest in the Ashville Village Park on Walnut St.
If you have not been here before I guarantee you it is worth the trip. We feature entertainment, re enactors, merchants, great food and loads of fun, Here are some examples

We bring in a 40 ft replica Viking Ship that we sail on the Scioto River in Columbus on Friday

This year we feature Live Jousting Demonstrations (REAL HORSES, REAL KNIGHTS IN ARMOR !)

We have Camel rides (who else has camel rides?)

We are presenting the North American premiere of a documentary about Viking Life on Saturday night

We have musicians, magicians, belly dancers, actors, jugglers, sea shanty singers and much more

We have lots of reenactors demonstrating everything for battle techniques to wire weaving and leather work.

We have over 40 merchants selling tons of great stuff!

We have great food: TURKEY LEGS, BREAD BOWL SOUPS, BRATS, PORK CHOPS, CHICKEN TENDERS, SANDWICHES. (OUR FESTIVAL HAS A REPUTATION FOR VERY HIGH QUALITY FOOD!)

Best of All; ADMISSION IS FREE!!! (please bring a can good for the food pantry if you wish)

You can't beat the fun at this place. We are very family friendly so bring all the kids and have a great time in Ashville

Saturday and Sunday 10 am- 5 pm April 25 and 26

Please check out http://www.ashvillevikingfest.com/ for more details

Stop and see me in the food hall (shelter house)
Hope to see you there

Dave Rainey

Lots going on for Folk music and Folkies

2009-04-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

Lots going on for Folk music and Folkies

There is so much happening, or happened I am not sure where to start. What about a lesson in not judging a book by the cover. Watch this video and be amazed. Sit back turn you speakers up and get a load of this.
I can not embed this video as that facility has been taken of this video on Youtube so you will have to click on the url. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Storytelling Event

I know that a few of you out there have never been to a Storytelling event. You have your own reasons, but I would like to suggest that you give it a try. Let's admit it, it has to be better the watch television.

April 15
Storytelling Open Stage
By: Storytellers of Central Ohio
Guest Teller: Mary Hamilton
7:30 pm, Columbus Maennerchor
966 S. High St., Columbus, OH

More information on the calendar.

What could be better? A nice pint, a meal and some good stories.

(Photo): Kathy Jo of the Storytellers of Central Ohio.

Katy Wumpus Hits Ashville

Katy Wumpus (Not sure of the spelling) paid a visit to Ashville Thursday night and blew the place away. Mike Powers sacrificed his set to allow them extra songs and what a good decision that was. The result was that Connie the owner of Papa Joe's Ashville booked them for May 8 for a 4 hour gig. (Photo): Katy Wumpus

For Bluegrass fans

I had this message from Dave Rainey.

East Wind Bluegrass
with special guest Dave Rainey

featuring
Paul King, Guitar
Wayne Rayburn, Banjo
Jay White, Mandolin
Amy White, Upright Bass
Aaron Triplett, guitar

An evening of Old Grass, New Grass and Some Other Stuff

Friday April 17th
7 pm
Papa Joe's Pizza
20 Cromley St
Ashville
740-983-6100

John, This should be some real fun stuff, good pickin' and good people
Thanks.

The Folk Festival is only a few weeks away.

Book Your Tickets Now.

Don't miss the Friday Night Meet and Greet, a massive jam session, lots of food, and the worst song in the world competition. Meet old friend and make new ones. Call Nancy Baily NOW. 614-267-4128

Special Plug for a Special Folkie

2009-04-09T06:31:00.000-07:00

Special Plug for a Special Folkie.

Mike Hale a Cajun Blue member will be familiar to many of you. You may also have seen him in Halfway home. You may also have seen him as part of a duo with Larry Raemy. You may also have seen him behind the sound board at various events.

Not only did he work all last Saturday afternoon and evening getting ready and doing sound for the Folk Festival Fund Raiser, but he also turned up on Sunday morning to run sound for The Hard Tackers at the opening of the Santa Maria. People like Mike Hale are the backbone of the folk movement, I just want to ask you that the next time you see mike Hale pat him on the back and say "Thanks Mike"

You can also support him Saturday night 11April at the Book Shop. See below.

Cajun Blue

Hello music lovers and all around culture junkies - it's Cajun Blue here,
with great news for all of you craving the happy sounds of Louisiana swamp
music right here in Central Ohio. Thanks to a loophole in the State of
Ohio's mandatory sentencing laws, and one really slick attorney, all of the
members of Cajun Blue will be available for a show at the Areopagitica
Bookstore on the evening of Saturday, April 11th - at 7:00pm. The bookstore
is located at 3510 North High St. in Clintonville.

Cajun Blue was pretty happy with the turnout at Areopagitica a few weeks
back, and we had a great time playing for, and visiting with, an energetic
and appreciative group of folks - including the store owner, Doug Rutledge,
who was celebrating his "25th" birthday that evening. The only minor flaw in
the whole evening was the failure on the part of audience members to come up
with something for Powerful Pierre to give up for Lent. As of right now,
he's still struggling to figure out something to "retroactively" give up -
before Lent's over for another year. We want to thank everyone for their
suggestions - we think it very important the Pierre makes every effort to
become a better person.

Cajun Blue has been working on new songs for everyone's listening and toe
tapping pleasure. Bassist Mike Whited is steadfastly sticking to his refusal
to sing a solo. Our lead guitar/mandolin/resonator guitar player, Maury, has
given up putting cups of coffee on his amplifier during sound check. Rhythm
guitarist/vocalist, Mike Hale is taking an on-line course in French so he can
sing harmonies with our outstanding lead vocalist, the mysterious Josephine.
In the meantime, our fiddler, Rachel Frank, is being fitted for several
masks and disguises so that her association with Cajun Blue doesn't
interfere with her pursuit of legitimate employment in the music field when
she graduates in June. Powerful Pierre is just glad to be a free man on the
11th of April.

All of us will be thrilled to see your smiling face at the Areopagitica
Bookstore. Bring a friend (or two or seven) and help us have a little fun
with some Cajun/Zydeco music. Come early to browse the amazing selection of
books that the store has - at really great prices.

Admission is free, but the usual and customary tip vat (that's bigger than a
tip jar) will be set out. All proceeds this for this gig will go to help
defray the cost of Rachel's disguises - after damage fees from a gig at a
recent private party are covered.

See you on the 11th !!!!!

Cajun Blue
Josie, Rachel, Maury, MIke 1, Mike 2, and Pat

Grand Prize for Folkies.

2009-04-06T06:49:00.000-07:00

Grand Prize for Folkies.

An amazing prize (in Folk terms) for the best comment and answer to who is in this photo. All answers must be in the comments section at the bottom of this post.

It is not the first correct answer. It is the answer and best comment.

Benifit Concert a great success.

The Mittenburgs did a fantastic job for Saturday nights benefit concert for the folk festival in May. Excellent performances by all three bands and well a organised concert. If anyone has photo's they can send me that would be nice.

Opening of the Santa Maria Sunday 5 April.

What a great time. The first gig of the soon to be world famous Shanty Team. The Hard Tackers.

A receptive audience who sang along in the glorious sunshine enjoyed the session had a great time.

We will be back with the Santa Maria for Columbus day with what we are hoping will be a practical demonstration of how a shanty was used on board ship.

Watch this space.

Message from Charley Hummel

Pontones' Music Store, 3911 Broadway in Grove City has changed hands and has asked me to help get an every Wednesday night open jam going. Our first meeting was last Wednesday and we had about 12 pickers.

Here is a video from Ken Willis

And you thought you ate vegetables

Not to be missed information for Folk Music people.

2009-03-30T13:18:00.000-07:00

Not to be missed information for Folk Music people.

There are two special events coming up this weekend. Your support would be welcome. The concert is to raise money for the Folk Festival in May.

A benefit for the CENTRAL OHIIO FOLK FESTIIVAL

Saturday April 4

Headliners:

At Wits End

Halfway Home

Knot Fibbin

Sponsored by the Columbus Folk Music Society

• Doors open at 6:30 pm
• Music begins at 7 pm
• Tickets are a suggested donation of $10 at the Door
• Refreshments are available for purchase in the downstairs pub
Contact Art or Sharon Mittenbergs for
further information at:
614-491-0437
Rbaron49@aol.com
Saturday,, April 4,, 2009
SHAMROCK CLUB 60 West Castle Road, Columbus, OH 43207

Chance of a life time!

Be at the first gig of

The Hard Tackers.

More information at http://www.hardtackers.wetpaint.com/

Central Ohio's very own Shanty Team.

They will be performing sea shanties and sea song at the opening of the Santa Maria on the Scioto down town Sunday 5 April at 12:30pm.

The music is free. Sit in the amphitheater and relax or sing along.

THE BOB KIRBY SCHOLARSHIP IN TRADITIONAL MUSIC, 2009
Traditional folk music represents a significant part of the American heritage. It is our goal to perpetuate interest in this music. The recipient of this award will have an opportunity to learn about the folk music tradition, make music of his or her own, and have fun with people who like to do the same.

HISTORY: Bob Kirby was a member and firm friend of The Columbus Folk Music Society, Inc., the Shamrock Club, and The Dublin Irish Festival. Bob supported traditional music in central Ohio and believed in the importance of honoring and preserving musical traditions.

In harmony with our mission, The Columbus Folk Music Society, Inc., established The Bob Kirby Scholarship In Traditional Music in his memory.
PURPOSE: To assist young musicians from the central Ohio area by offering opportunities:
To enhance his/her musical skills;
To pursue a greater knowledge of, and appreciation for, traditional music; and
To offer performance opportunities
POLICIES:
Fund Management: The fund will be managed by the Treasurer of The Columbus Folk Music Society, Inc., who will produce a report to the Board of Trustees monthly.

The scholarship will be awarded annually.
Application Process

Requirements for applying:
The young musician must be 8-17 years of age
Full time student in grades 3-12
The young musician must demonstrate a sincere interest in traditional music, by submitting a letter of explanation of his/her specific goals as they apply to the specific type of music, and/or the instrument played. The voice qualifies as an instrument.
A brief oral interview and/or presentation will be required of the applicants at the committee’s discretion.
BENEFITS PROVIDED BY THE SCHOLARSHIP:
• Access to all activities at The Central Ohio Folk Festival, held the first weekend of May, including two free tickets to the evening concert.
• Two Free meals at the Festival food service per day.
• Six lessons with a member of CFMS who offers instruction in a traditional
instrument of the student’s choice.
• One year membership in CFMS for the family.
• One year free admission to The Folkside Coffee House for two.
Disclaimer:

The nature of the award and the criteria are subject to change at the discretion of
the Scholarship Committee.

Important Weekend for Folkies and Folk Music.

2009-03-26T05:32:00.000-07:00

Important Weekend for Folkies and Folk Music.

There will be bargains and excellent entertainment at the bookshop on Saturday night for the CFMS coffee house.

Saturday night is the Live Auction, the completion of the silent auction to raise money for the Central Ohio Folk Festival in May.

There are always lots of very good items including musical instruments that are not to be missed. Following the auction are the one and only Mustard's Retreat. Mustard's Retreat have been big supporters of the Festival over the years and are very popular.

For this event you need to be there early, or you will be standing at the rear, I kid you not. Provision is being made for a speaker to be installed in the front of house so people who can not get in the concert room can hear.

The Bob Kirby Scholarship In Traditional Music, 2009

Any young musicians out there who are interested in this scholarship there will be information available at the Coffee House on Saturday night.

Contact the Secretary for information

Larry Dougherty614-261-9579Email: Larry01@gmail.com

Home Truths From Halfway Home

And so it begins...2009 is getting off the ground "in earnest" for Halfway Home in just a few short days. Saturday April 4th, to be precise, is a date the band has been looking forward to through the past few months of snow and ice and cold weather. Rehearsals have continued to be fun, and despite various members' having to deal with an increasingly senile and habitually inattentive accordion player, we've gotten a bunch of work done.

All of which brings us to Saturday, April 4th. Halfway Home will be sharing the stage with two of our favorite bands - At Wit's End, and Knot Fibb'n. The location for this joyous musical evening is the Shamrock Club, located at 60 West Castle Rd. in Columbus. The event is a fundraiser for the Central Ohio Folk Festival. There will be more about the festival as the time draws near - we will tell you that the festival will be happening on May 1st through May 3rd at Battelle Darby Creek Metro Park.

So, the deal is that it takes a good bit of cash to make a festival happen, and one of the ways they raise that money is by having a bit of a "preview" of some of the festival performers a few weeks in advance. This being a fundraiser, there is a suggested donation of $10.00 at the door - and all proceeds go directly to the festival itself.

Doors open at 6:30, music starts @ 7:00 and runs until @ 10:00 or 10:30. There is plenty of free parking, and the Shamrock Club Pub is open downstairs - so there will be refreshments available throughout the evening.

We're really happy to be doing this show with At Wit's End and our pals from Knot Fibb'n. Fred, Pam & Char (At Wit's End) do some wonderful songs, and it's fun to see the chemistry between the members - two of whom are charming and refined, one of whom plays guitar very well.

Knot Fibb'n is a very talented Celtic group - and they've been together going on 12 years. We let them use Renilda (our bass player) to play accordion in their band. Beth Hicks, Tim O'Neill, and our favorite recording engineer - Karl Wohlwend round out the personnel in Knot Fibb'n.

Come on out and support the Central Ohio Folk Festival, listen to some fine tunes, go down to the pub for a cold beverage, and be ready to have a good time. We've got a few new songs, as well as some of your favorites from past seasons and we can't wait to play for you.

See you soon,

Patti, Renilda, Brian, Mike & Pat

HALFWAY HOME

Foot Notes

There is now a Shanty Team in town.

The Hard Tackers will be playing their first gig in April. Watch this space.

Look out for an interesting article from Bill Cohen next week.

Yet another concert not to be missed, information next week.

It's all happening folks.

New Open Stage For Folkies

2009-03-24T14:29:00.000-07:00

New Open Stage For Folkies

Just for one night Friday 3 April to see what sort of Response there is so go along and support it.

WELDON’S
Acoustic Open Stage w/Host Dan Rossi (Spirit of the Wind CD highlights at www.myspace.com/mryodaproductions)

7:00 p.m. Friday, April 3, 2009
Weldon’s Ice Cream Parlor

309 West 6th Ave.
Lancaster, Ohio 43130
740-689-2663

Sign- Up for 15 minute time slot

The Book Shop Tonight

2009-03-21T08:24:00.001-07:00

OK - we know the constant changes in the weather are making everyone just a little nuts, and losing that hour of sleep last weekend has a lot of otherwise balances folks a little bit on edge.

How's a body supposed to cope? Your 401k isn't worth enough to get you through the White Castle drive thru, your new health insurance plan just upped the co-pay on your tranquilizer prescription to like $85.00 for two weeks worth of pills, and you're thinkin' about enlisting in the Coast Guard because you can't afford gas to drive to the damn sea shore this summer.

Wait - before you jump in front of that bus, or sign the paper at the Coast Guard recruiting station, please consider that there is something good to look forward to!!!! Actually, my friend, something great to look forward to on Saturday, March 21st at Areopagitica Books up in Clintonville.

Doug and Rebecca have gone and done it again - they've arranged for a wonderful evening of musical entertainment that is guaranteed to make you smile - and maybe even tap your foot, and sing along. They have booked the duo of Larry Ramey and Mike Hale to blow you away with some awesome songs, great harmonies, and some pretty fair pickin' on various stringed instruments. These guys are terrific - their chemistry that has come from several years of playing and singing together is sure to leave you wanting more.

And more, you shall have. That same evening will also include a set by a veteran singer/songwriter from Columbus, who needs very little introduction to local music fans. Terry C Keller will be playing a bunch of his amazing original songs, and the occasional cover of an old standard or two. This gentleman is the "real deal" as a songwriter and performer - great chops on the guitar, and a warm and engaging stage presence that gains him new fans every time he plays.
So there you have it - a surefire cure for what ails ya', and if you're already feeling good, your smile will be a whole lot bigger by the end of the evening.

The music begins at 7:00pm, and runs to around 9:00 or thereabouts. Admission is free, be let us gently remind you that there will be a receptacle of some sort put out in a discrete location into which tips for the performers may be deposited by appreciative audience members.

Speaking of appreciation, we need to say a quick word about the Areopagitica Bookstore (located at 3510 North High Street) - and the continuing support of live folk music, poetry readings, and theatre productions that these great people are providing. It has become a really active cultural resource in the Clintonville area, and is very deserving of your support and patronage. Come to the show early and browse their selection of books - you do remember books, don't you? Their collection is sure to have something of interest for just about everyone, and their prices can't be beat. If you sign up for their email list while you're there, you will get occasional reminders about the various events going on there, and get the occasional coupon for a discount on their already reasonably priced books.

Come out on Saturday, March 21st for some wonderful music, and take home a book or two - it'll make your family think you're real smart.

The Book Shop Tonight

2009-03-21T08:24:00.000-07:00

Folkies Have You Got Rhythm?

2009-03-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

Folkies Have You Got Rhythm?

If this does not give you a lift for the day then there is no hope.

SOCO Meeting

A very interesting and informative meeting of the Storytellers of Central Ohio last Saturday. As we were coming into the week of St Paddys day the subject was The Irish. Tales, stories, jokes, limericks, definitions, a couple of hours of good fun and information, all wrapped in lots of laughter. It is not until you hear tellers who have done their research and have a wealth of information that you realise how little you know.

This is a very friendly and welcoming group, if you would like to know more about SOCO then visit their web site at http://www.socotales.org/ meetings and events are all available there.

Musicians Needed

Saturday May 16 and Sunday May 17 from 2:30pm until 5:00pm An hour for each performer if we can get enough.

It is an arts type event with the profits going to a local Green Charity. Anyone interested please contact me.

The Raineys This Saturday Night At Papa Joe's

If you intend to go to Ashville to see the Raineys go early for a seat. They are expecting over 60 people. If you have not been to a Raineys concert them go to this one. Excellent musicianship, stunning voices and very funny.

Papa Joe's Cromley St Ashville.

Some interesting Folk Events for Folkies

2009-03-10T11:47:00.000-07:00

Some interesting Folk Events for Folkies
(Look out for the festival information coming soon)

Mountain State Storytelling Institute?

What is the Mountain State Storytelling Institute?

The Institute is a two-day conference featuring scholars and storytelling professionals. The intent of this institute is to provide academic, professional and personal development for those interested in storytelling as scholarship, art, a teaching tool, and a profession or an avocation. Workshops will feature members of the West Virginia Storytelling Guild, FSU and WVU Faculty, and FSU Students. Fairmont State University, FSU’s Frank and Jane Gabor West Virginia Folklife Center and the WV Storytelling Guild are committed to the use of storytelling to preserve Appalachian culture.
How can I participate?
Registration
Participation is limited to 100. Please register early! You may register by completing the included form or by contacting Susan Bailey at sbailey@fairmontstate.edu or by calling 304-367-4203. Adults may save $5 by registering by March 1, 2009.
Fees
$50 for adults/$35 for students

For more information contact:
Dr. Francene Kirk
304-367-4170
fkirk@fairmontstate.ed

Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling

From: karin@storynet.orgSubj: Brimstone Award for Applied Storytelling

Applications are now open for the 2010 Brimstone Award, a $5,000 grant available to NSN members with an innovative, service-oriented project.

Taking its name from brimstone, the elusive element medieval chemists believed would transform base metals into gold, this award focuses on the transformational properties of storytelling, and aims to increase understanding of the ways storytelling can promote change in individuals and communities.

The grant will support a model storytelling project that is service-oriented, based in a community or organization, and to some extent replicable in other places and situations. It is our hope that projects receiving this award will have impact beyond their own communities, organizations, or clients, inspiring excellence in applied storytelling work and communicating to new audiences the humanitarian possibilities of storytelling. Note: In keeping with the intent of the Brimstone Award, the Award will not normally fund honoraria for performances, storytelling festivals, travel, or the purchase of equipment.

For full details about the award including criteria and application go to http://www.storynet.org/programs/grants/brimstone.html.

Preliminary Application deadline is May 1, 2009.

The Brimstone Award has funded some extraordinary projects (see website for descriptions). We look forward to 2010 selections and wish you the best of luck!

Have a Terrific Tuesday,
Karin Hensley, NSN Event and Grant Coordinator on behalf of The Brimstone Award Committee
In the last post I wrote about song writers coming into there own in bad times.

Here is one submitted by Tom the Ukulele Man

Folkies come into their own with folk music.

2009-03-04T06:00:00.000-08:00

Folkies come into their own with folk music.

Now is the time for song writers to come into their own. I was returning home from Powell last night (Tuesday 3rd March) from a very good night at The Expresso Yourself Music Cafe open stage and I thought about Billy Brags "Come Back Woody Guthrie" and thought of how socially conscious song writers come into their own in such times as these. Any of you song writers out there who come up with any and post them on My Space etc let me know and I will put them in here.

Good web sites for musicians and song writers.

http://www.8notes.com/ is a good place to get all types of music information. Scroll down to Folk and look around.

Another plug for my favorite web based radio station http://www.pandora.com/ you choose what you want to listen to by creating your own stations.

https://www.finalemusic.com/ The place for song writers. A free music writing software that will help all musicians.

http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ Another excellent free recording software.

If you have some web sites you use let me have them so we can share.

A laugh for us all in bad times

What do you say to a banjo player in a three-piece suit?
"Will the defendant please rise?"

What did the guitarist do when his teacher told him to turn his amplifier on?
He caressed it softly and told it that he loved it.

How many bass players does it take to change a light bulb?
None. They let the keyboard player do it with his left hand.
Don't bother. Just leave it out--no one will notice.
One, but the guitarist has to show him first.
Six: one to change it, and the other five to fight off the lead guitarists who are hogging the light.

What's a accordion good for?
Learning how to fold a map.

Why do bagpipe players walk while they play?
To get away from the noise.

What's the difference between an Appalachian dulcimer and a hammered dulcimer?
A hammered dulcimer burns hotter; an Appalachian dulcimer burns longer.

Keep hitting, plucking, scraping or blowing it makes the world sound better.

Cajun Explosion for Folk Followers

2009-02-20T13:03:00.000-08:00

Cajun Blue Start life.

If you want a new experience then go to the Bookshop on Saturday night for Cajun Blue.

This message from Mike Hale

Attention culture lovers - whether you're ready or not, a new Cajun band is hitting the ground running this Saturday night at (where else?) -Areopagitica Bookstore in Clintonville. Cajun Blue has been out a few times over the past 4 or 5 months, mostly at semi - private functions. This Saturday night they are being turned loose on the general public at Areopagitica - and you really don't want to miss this.The personnel include singer Josie Gonot - (who actually speaks French and sings a lot of the Cajun songs in French), bass player with attitude, Mike Whited, from right around the corner in Clintonville, and Maury Falkoff on mandolin, electric guitar and resonator guitar. Maury builds instruments,and will be playing a resonator guitar he recently built in his workshop.Josie and Mike and Maury all represent the finest qualities available in the human species. They are truly good and decent and talented people.The dark underbelly of the human condition is also well represented by two refugees from Halfway Home - Pat Casey on accordion & vocals and Mike Haleon guitar and vocals. Rounding out the lineup is a truly fine fiddler named Rachel Frank. She apparently comes from a good home, is classically trained on the violin, and does not have a criminal record. Well, come to think of it - maybe she has served time, but Josie never got around to asking her..Anyway, this Cajun/Zydeco music from Louisiana is great fun to listen to, or even to dance along with. It's energetic and the best part is - you won't understand a thing Josie is singing. It'll be like opera without the funny costumes. Cajun Blue does a few songs in English to keep Mike Whited and Maury from getting too confused, Pat and Mike Hale don't pay attention to the songs anyway - even the ones they are singing, and Rachel will be mostly just praying that nobody she knows catches her playing with this seriously disturbed collection of individuals. So if you're looking for a night of great fun and lively music, please come out to Areopagitica at 3510 North High Street. And while you're there, please take a moment or twenty to check out the amazing selection of books - it's a bookstore after all.Music starts at 7:00 and runs to @ 9:00 - admission is free, but there's this whopping big tip jar at the back of the room......See you on Saturday!!!!

Cajun Blue

Any Green People Out There?

I have a friend who is looking for musicians on the 16 and 17 May. Any one interested in giving some time to a worthy cause contact me.

Shanty Session

The CFMS has been asked to do a shanty session down town in the spring.

Anyone like to have a go contact me. It is a one off but who knows what will happen

I have lots of information coming in about events in the spring. I will post as the time comes. The more information you send the better it is.

Keep pluckin and yabin

From one group of Folkies to another.

2009-02-13T05:58:00.000-08:00

From one group of Folkies to another.

Sorry if things seemed to be a little slow the last week but there is good reason. I have been in Florida. I spent some time with some folkie friends from the past. In fact nearly forty years in the past. Andy Brownlie and George Galagher were the two people who started me off in folk music so many years ago. It was new years eve 1970 when it was suggested a group of us go to a Folk Club. I had no clue what a Folk Club was, but being me, I was up for anything. After twenty minutes I was hooked. I have to say it was one of the best things I have ever done in my life. Folk music has given me years of pleasure and countless friends. The photo on the right proves five men can look after themselves. New friends gained on the trip are Dave and Francis front left and right.

Andy and I met in Las Vegas three years ago while he was over here on vacation, he has since bought a house in Orlando and came over with George and two other friends for a golf vacation.

For a sample of their work go here:

http://www.madjocksandenglishmen.co.uk/# Andy is front left George is front right. These are the two people to blame for my being involved the music scene.

News and Events

Here is a note from Half Way Home

Here's hoping you've all thawed out for the moment - but don't put those coats and sweaters too far back in the closet yet - it's still February!!!

I'm sure many of you think that Halfway Home probably heads to Florida in the winter to eat grapes on a beach and mindlessly fritter away our millions of dollars......but you'd be confusing us with someone else entirely.

Actually, we have been very busy over the past couple of months working on new material for our shows this spring and summer, and keeping the "marketing" effort going to make sure we have shows to play. The results of those efforts are starting to take form - if you check out our 2009 calendar on our website, http://www.halfway-home.com/, you will see that we are looking to put a few miles on the various vans, jalopies, race cars, mopeds and roller skates that we will use to get to gigs this year.

Besides the usual rehearsing and brainstorming that happens with us this time if year, we have been fairly busy with other musical projects. Renilda is resting up for the annual St. Patrick's Day madness that happens for Knot Fibb'n. Brian has been doing some "guest" guitar work for Grace Adelle, and The Great Mad Hoax - as well as with our pals Dave & Linda in Avalon 9. In his spare time, Brian has also been producing a CD for singer/songwriter Larry Pennington. Mike and Pat have played on a few cuts of that CD, which is being recorded by Karl Wohlwend - the talented engineer who recorded our CD "Better Days". Mike and Pat are also working in a new Cajun band called Cajun Blue - because there are seven nights in a week and if you're not rehearsing music somewhere, you might get bored.....or sleep, or something silly and healthy like that.

The bottom line is - we're really getting pumped for another season of the fun and joy that comes when we get to play music with people we enjoy, for people we enjoy. That's where you come into the picture, and you make the effort entirely worthwhile. Please take a moment to check out the 2009 schedule, we're looking forward to getting started and seeing all of you real soon.

We'll be in touch,

Patti, Renilda, Mike, Pat and Brian

HALFWAY HOME

A message from Larry Staats

People: If you have any pictures of the 2007 or 2008 Central Ohio Folk Festival, you might send me a few. We are preparing to put some of those two years up on the Festival Web Page. Thanks. cfmsstaats@gmail.com

The Story Box Project

There is a lot of information on the Story Box Project. I will do a separate blog on the subject. Keep a look out.

This Weekend.

Yes it is Valentines Day on Saturday and look what is happening at the Book Shop
Love's Many FacesFree Valentine Night ConcertBill Cohen will sing and strum love songs from the past several decades, songs made famous by folks like John Denver, Simon and Garfunkle, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, Jimmy Buffet, Tom Paxton, and Peter, Paul and Mary, songs about all the things love can bring--laughter, tears, joy, pain, betrayal, longing, ecstasy, and even children.
Plus fun and laughs with trivia questions about famous and infamous couples and love songs.
It's a free and informal concert. Bill will accept tips and forward them to the Central Ohio Folk Music Society for its next annual Festival May 1-3.

Light refreshments will be served, too.

Lots more on the Calendar keep the information coming.

This Blog

Please pass this blog on to your friends who may be interested. http://www.folkiehaven.blogspot.com/

There are many people out there who are not aware of what is going on in the folk music scene. We need to spread the word.

Please take some time to help me out by getting your contacts to sign up.

Performers

By getting your supporter to sign up you will increase the numbers turning up at your gigs. More people will know about more performers. Your gigs go on the calendar, the information you send me goes on the blog. Look at the message above from Half Way Home. By sending me this they are contacting more people.

I do this for the love of folk music and storytelling, I do not get paid. (I have been asked how much I get) I enjoy doing it, let's expand it. Can you imagine the what would happen to attendance at events if we had a thousand people signed up? A thousand is peanuts. There are 1.6 million in Columbus alone, a good percentage of them would be interested if they new about us.

Folk Action for Folkies (Or lack of it)

2009-02-04T06:49:00.000-08:00

Folk Action for Folkies (Or lack of it)

The last week or so has been hectic and I have not done all the things I wanted to. I will be away for a few days and that always creates problems.

I will be out of State from 6 Feb until the 10 Feb. Mo will be taking phone messages, e mail I will still be receiving. I just want to make sure people do not think I am ignoring them.

Important Information

Saturday 7 February is the rearanged CFMS Concert from January

Below is the information from Victoria Parks who is the booking agent for the society. I can recomend RJ. She has a very pleasing voice and writes wonderful music.

Who was the winner of the 2007 Mountain Stage NewSong Contest— the 2008 Falcon Ridge Emerging Artist ? The same Central Ohio native who walked away as the 2008 Kerrville New Folk Artist. Rj Cowdery, songwriter of much recent celebratory status has been all the while right under our noses here in Central Ohio. She hasn't spent as much time here lately though. She has been hitting the road. She didn't just get to where she is overnight. No one knows this better than Rj Cowdery. With her great determination, gifts, and maturity that only time can bring, Cowdery has been out in recent years paying her dues touring and releasing amazing recordings. and who benefits? We all do.
If you want to catch her performance you can either chase her around as she tours the country, gaining momentum, OR, you can experience her perform live right here in Columbus this coming Saturday, February 7th at the Columbus Folk Music Society's Folkside Coffeehouse at Areopagitica Books in Columbus. Showtime is 9PM but get there at 8 PM to meet, greet and maybe have an opportunity to perform yourself if you get there even earlier.
Cowdery released Bernie's Daughter (1992), years and years ago when she was a fountain of raw talent and already extremely mature as a songwriter. Ms. Cowdery has heaped on the polish since then and has grown into a songwriter of remarkable lyrical maturity while her melodies and arrangements are even more fresh and compelling. Cowdery reveals exceptional maturity as a songwriter and a person with her recent offering.
It's been a LONG time to wait for another CD from this fine songwriter but it was worth the wait. Last year Cowdery released One More Door (2008) which features the song Saving for Love, about love and anger and how love is a much better investment! Log onto rjcowdery dot com and take a listen. I am certain you will decide to hear this fine performing songwriter live this coming Saturday when you can pick up your own cherished copy of One More Door. You better catch her this weekend because next weekend Rj's off to the North American Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis where she will steal the show. Good luck Rj.
Showtime is 8 PM. Suggested donation $5 at the door, CFMS members, $4. If you can please bring a can of food for the Central Ohio Food Bank. Go to http://www.cfms-inc.org/ or call 614-268-5094 for more info. Areopagitica Books is located at 3510 N. High St. in Clintonville, just North of East North Broadway. Oh, and please, join the Society, it doesn't cost much and there are many benefits for the whole family. Don't forget to mark your calendar for the Central Ohio Folk Festival this coming May 1, 2 and 3. On the 28th of Fenraury, Changeling warms us up for St. Paddy's Day with cookin Celtic music for the February 28 Folkside Coffeehouse when our CFMS Silent Auction begins. Then On March 28th MUSTARD's RETREAT graces the stage for the Folkside's annual live auction fundraiser! You heard me right, Mustard's Retreat with David Tamulevich and Michael Smith all the way from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Don't miss these other great shows.

Here are a couple of young lads who come to the Ashville Open Stage.

Cold and Snow Bound Folkies

2009-01-30T13:00:00.000-08:00

The good thing about this weather is that all our gardens look the same.

Many of you will have seen my postings about the Viking Festival in Ashville, well they have started the fundraising for this years festival and if you would like to take a trip down RT 23 to South Bloomfield you could have some fun and help the festival. The Raineys and Bob Ford are your entertainment and it will be a good night.

An extra photo of the Rainey's because they are such a talented family.

An explosive night when I celebrated my birthday and became a citizen

There were 16 performers for the open mic on the night of my birthday and it seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves. Go to http://www.englishmsnjohn.com to see an edited video of the night and don't miss Tom's Queen sketch and Dicks song for me. You may have to scroll down for those.

Keep warm and dry

Folk Fame for Folkies

2009-01-17T06:13:00.001-08:00

Folk Fame for Folkies

If you can get involved in the opportunities below please do do.

This from Linda Blain

WOSU is working on a documentary called Columbus Neighborhoods and they are looking for musicians to play in the background. You have to submit some songs to Mary Rathke (# below). …Good luck, my friends!

Be a part of history“Columbus Neighborhoods” is a series of six documentaries being produced through 2012 by WOSU Public Media. Local musicians are invited to submit their original music and be a part of the soundtrack for this groundbreaking project. Contact the documentary’s producer Mary Rathke at (614) 292-9678 for more information on how you can be part of this documentary.

This from Joanie Calem

Hey John, is there a way to do something with this here:

The campaign has spread in exciting ways. Marie Goonan, an activist in Melbourne, Australia, suggested that May 3, 2009, Pete’s 90th birthday, be designated as “For Pete’s Sake, Sing!” with concerts coordinated around the world. She is producing a concert in Melbourne, another is being planned in Copenhagen, Denmark, and several are planned in the US of A. Big production is not the issue: just imagine what a thrill it would be to know that thousands of people around the world are coming together on one day to join voices for peace, justice, the environment, and honor to a model of personal integrity.
Here are a few things that must be done, they are by no means everything:
Organize a group at your home or local folk club. Let me know where and when and I will have flyers and bumper stickers available for your group.

Joanie (read below for full details!
Dear Friends,
We DO have NEWS! Barbara Lee, Congressional Representative from the 9th District, California, has agreed to carry the nomination of Pete Seeger for the Nobel Peace Prize.
They want us to supply specific examples of how Pete participated in work for Peace, social justice, and environmental movements. Send any data you have even if it seems small in consideration to what most of us know of Pete’s long and committed work.
The deadline for the letter of nomination is Feb 1st, so they need data within the next few day, indeed the next few hours. Send to:
Pete Seeger Nomination
Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-09)
1301 Clay St., Ste. 1000-N
Oakland, CA 94612
510-763-0370 ext. 16
510-763-6538 (fax)
Wayne dointern23.ca09@mail.house.gov
The petition has grown to over 21 thousand signatures. Go to our web site at http://www.nobelprize4pete.org/ to see what moving and sincere comments people have made about how Pete opened their consciousness in so many ways. I want to keep this petition open until the end of the year so that the final document will be sent to the Smithsonian Institution, or where ever Pete’s archives will eventually be housed, as a document for posterity.
That again brings me to emphasis that this campaign is not to make a hero of Pete. It has to do with creativity and community. Its meaning has to do with understanding that the arts are not frivolity, not a means to fame or entertainment, but for deepening the meaning of civilization. The “music biz” has distorted our interpretation of culture and this campaign is one effort to correct it!
The campaign has spread in exciting ways. Marie Goonan, an activist in Melbourne, Australia, suggested that May 3, 2009, Pete’s 90th birthday, be designated as “For Pete’s Sake, Sing!” with concerts coordinated around the world. She is producing a concert in Melbourne, another is being planned in Copenhagen, Denmark, and several are planned in the US of A. Big production is not the issue: just imagine what a thrill it would be to know that thousands of people around the world are coming together on one day to join voices for peace, justice, the environment, and honor to a model of personal integrity.
Here are a few things that must be done, they are by no means everything

Organize a group at your home or local folk club. Let me know where and when and I will have flyers and bumper stickers available for your group.
Money to support the concert series may be available from our fiscal sponsor. Send me a budget of what you think you need for reasonable help. I will see what I can do. We also need contributions of money to help pay for computer workers. Tell people to send whatever they can afford.
Join the song-writing contest. Write a song that in some way relates to the qualities that Pete has helped us realize. By Feb. 14th, lovers’ day, send me a copy of the lyrics, a melody line, a tape or CD of the song, and $1 bill. The nobelprize4pete committee will select their favorite song, the winner will get all the money collected, and publication of the song for For Pete’s Sake, Sing!
Go on Craig’s List and write an announcement about the campaign, the concert series, and the song-writing contest to post in your area. Those postings expire after 7 days so you will have to mark your calendar to renew it as often as you can.
Buy bumper stickers. They are $2 ea. $5 for 3, $30 for 20. You can pay for them via our website through PayPal or by check, payable to “Kendra Alexander Foundation”, memo "Nobel Prize for Pete Campaign" to: Kendra Alexander Foundation, 6422 Irwin Ct., Oakland, CA 94609-1123

Folk Music and Folkie News

2009-01-14T06:37:00.000-08:00

Folk Music and Folkie News

Fee or no fee that is the question? I have just turned down a storytelling gig because they wanted me to Tell for free. This was not a charity, but a local business organization. I was then asked if I knew someone who would do it for free. The answer was a definite, NO.

Charity aside. Doing gigs for free demeans you skills and the art you are involved in. It means there is no value in what you are doing.

The argument that it is an opportunity to practise your skills will not hold water. There are many places where you can practise your skills, new material etc. Charity events, promote the arts events, Open mics, The Columbus Folk Music society events, jams, to name the obvious ones. Espresso Yourself Music Cafe in Powell is a wonderful place to hone your skills and try out new material. If you are playing for tips you are getting paid.

Not to long ago I was booked by a school to do a storytelling session, a week later they called to cancel as they had found someone to do it for free. I have no idea who did the gig, but they obviously were not very good, or they would have been confident enough to charge a fee.

I have no doubt the above may offend some people. If so let is have your comments as to why you think otherwise.

A Good Example of Giging for a Charity Event.

The Viking Festival is held each year in Ashville. If you have not been then you must, it is a wonderful experience. Thousands of people, hundreds of stands and events, lots to do.

Here is one of the fund raising events.

Columbus Arts Festival

Go to their web site for detailed information.

THE COLUMBUS ARTS FESTIVAL, JUNE 5, 6, & 7, 2009: In its 48th year, the Columbus Arts Festival is recognized as one of the top visual arts festivals in the country. The Artists' Market consists of hundreds of juried artists from across the United States, as well as a few international artists. Quality food and beverages, hands-on arts activities for the entire family, exhibitions of local student artwork, and two major performance areas round out Columbus' favorite outdoor summer event. Approximately 250,000 people attend each year. The Festival Performance Committee will review all CDs submitted. You will hear from us no later than March 27 if you are selected to perform. If you would like your materials returned, you must enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope. You may also pick up your materials between April 13 and April 24, 2009 at our offices. Note that your materials will NOT be available after this date. Please submit ONLY the required materials – photos and articles are not necessary. Supply a separate CD for each application/group.

INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

■ Demo: CD with at least 3 songs (NO cassette tapes!)
■ List of past and upcoming performances
■ Background /biographical information
■ Technical requirements/stage set-up

Please complete this form and return with the materials outlined above
by 5 p.m. Friday, January 16 to:

Performance Committee = Columbus Arts Festival
l 100 East Broad Street, Suite 2250 l Columbus, OH 43215

A Message From The Moops

Dear Fans:
Since the creation of http://beta.blogger.com/www.moopscrap.com, the Moops have gained a much more efficient method of staying in touch with our followers. We have transferred your e-mail addresses to our new domain. You will now receive regular announcements from this new address.
While you are at it, please feel free to check out http://beta.blogger.com/www.moopscrap.com. The site will keep you posted of live shows, new recordings, and will give you access to purchasing much Moops merchandise, including stickers, t-shirts, and both CD's, "Smells like the Moops" and "Dressed for Failure." By the way, we accept PayPal.
Thank you,
the Moops

Back to the Folk grind for Folkies.

2009-01-09T06:49:00.000-08:00

Back to the Folk grind for Folkies.

Now all the partying and celebrations are over we go into normal life and look forward to some good folk arts entertainment in the year to come.

I have two very important messages so please keep the following in mind.

Columbus Folk Music Society

The January Coffee House will be on February 7th. I know that is a contradiction, but there is a reason. On the last Saturday in January there is a special event at the bookshop. See the calendar.

The guest on the 7 January is R J Cowdery a young lady with an amazing voice and superb self penned songs.

The evening starts with a jam session at 7pm and open mic at 8pm followed by the guest at 9pm. An evening of outstanding value.

Storytellers of Central Ohio.

The Storytellers start their winter Speak Easy on January 21.

A wonderful night of Storytelling each month at the Maennerchor on S High St. If you have never been to a Storytelling event then this is your chance to hear some of the best Tellers in Ohio. Information below. See the calendar for future events.

Speak Easy is in the Rathskeller of the Columbus Maennerchor located at 966 South High St. They have lots of parking and a great bar with beer and other libations as well as a menu featuring great German dinners. We will be gathering the third Wednesday of each month until May. Each month you will hear a different featured teller for the first 30 to 40 minutes. After that, we invite anyone who has an 8 to 10 minute story to sign up and tell. The Speak Easy audience is always encouraging and interested. Don't be shy. Give it a try. Take A Look At This Lineup of Great Tellers
January 21-Granny Sue Holstein Granny Sue comes to us from West Virginia where she has been telling stories from Boston to Bellingham for a good many years. For the past three years she has been a performer for the WV State Parks summer Performance series. Take a look at www.wvstorytellers.org to learn more about this excellent teller.

A message from Ed Smith worth a special mention.

Six String is bringing in a couple of fine folk acts from our near-Ohio region next Friday. Consider giving a plug for this on your blog in the coming week.
I enjoy Folkie Haven whenever I find time to read it.
STEPPIN' IN IT with ELLERY
Friday, January 16th
Columbus Performing Arts Center
8:00pm (doors open 7:30)
$15 advance, $18 door
Under 18 yrs just $5
tickets:
http://www.sixstring.org/
or call (614) 470-FOLK
Steppin' In It is a band out of Lansing, MI with roots in country blues, folk and maybe a dash of cajun spices. Most of their music, however, is original. They are: Josh Davis (songwriter/vocals/guitar), Dominic Suchyta (upright bass), Joe Wilson (steel guitar/Dobro/trombone), and Andy Wilson (harmonica/trumpet/cajun accordion). They've appeared on national programs like public radio's Mountain Stage and have toured pretty much everywhere, but I think this is their first time in Columbus.
I saw these guys years ago at the Woody Guthrie Folk Festival. They put on a helluva show.
http://beta.blogger.com/www.SteppinInIt.com
http://beta.blogger.com/www.MySpace.com/SteppinInIt
The opening act, Ellery, are husband and wife duo Justin and Tasha Golden apparently have origins in Cincinnati.
I haven't heard them before. They have lots of samples online though including a free "holiday" ep download. They have a folk/pop sound with Tasha on vocals and Justin providing instrumental backing.
http://beta.blogger.com/www.ElleryMusic.com
http://beta.blogger.com/www.MySpace.com/ElleryMusic
tickets:
http://www.sixstring.org/
or call (614) 470-FOLK
Thanks,
Ed

Avalon Nine

Happy New Year, Live Music Presenters and Fans!
Think of Avalon Nine in 2009!
Just a reminder that our acoustic duo (Avalon Nine) donates up to 12 concerts a year to non-profits and community arts events.
Want to get your organization in on a 1 to 4 hour concert for your fundraiser or non-profit event?Book early, and if we don't already have a freebie scheduled that month, you're in!
Qualifying non-profits include animal welfare, arts, education, environmental and peace efforts, and public radio fundraisers. We're open to others--can't hurt to ask. Even if you miss out on our monthly freebie, we still offer big discounts to non-profits.
We play a rocky mix of retro and Americana that fits a lot of venues, is upbeat and fun for all ages. We have a great song list (150+ songs) and can go from easy/mellow to a rocky party mix to fit your event. See our web page at:or www.myspace.com/avalonnine

How To Promote Yourself Seminar.

Sorry to say this is now off. Thank You to the people who e mailed me to confirm a booking, but there were not enough to justify it. If the people who said verbally they wanted to attend had confirmed by e mail as they said they would we would have had plenty. Perhaps at another time.

A Message from that work machine Nancy Baley

Happy New Year to all!

Just a reminder that our second steering committee meeting is this coming Sunday, January 11 at 2:00 at the bookstore. Please try to make it--there are many things to talk about. I promise to keep discussion efficient and brief so we can have our Sunday evenings to ourselves. (Famous last words!).

I will try to get an agenda to you before the meeting, but I'm not promising--I have two new twin great grandsons and I'm distracted!

Try not to slip and slide too much1

Nancy

A message from Me.

Please help me promote the following by passing the information on to any friends who may be interested. I am trying very hard to create a central place for the passing of information by working on this blog. It is a labor of love because I enjoy the friendship we all bring to each other. I know there are others out there who would find this blog and other places on line of interest if they new about them.

Please help me by doing a little promotion for me and pass on the following links.

http://folkiehaven.blogspot.com/

This blog

http://www.openstage.wetpaint.com/

The web site of Ashville Open Mic

You Tube and enter Englishmanjohn (One word)

For videos of Ashville Open Mic performers.

A good start to the music year for Folkies

2009-01-01T08:25:00.000-08:00

A good start to the music year for Folkies

(Do not miss the video at the bottom of the blog)

Just a few things going on at the start of the year. Make a promise to attend more live music in 2009.

I hope you all had a good New Year event. I got home after the morning paper had been delivered, so I assume I had a good night. Tonight (Friday)I get to start all over again at another party. It sure is a hard life.

The Moops 2 Jan

In 2006, the Moops held a CD release show when their debut, "Dressed For Failure," came out.In 2007, they gave an iTunes celebration performance when their music became available for paid download.The Moops kick off 2009 with a Multi-Media Release Show on January 2 at the Hot Spot Tavern on 5171 Sinclair Road in Columbus. This marks not only the release of second CD "Smells like the Moops," but it's availability on iTunes and the launch of the new website, http://www.moopscrap.com/.The show starts at 10:00 PM with no opening act. Cover is free. There will be plenty of Moops Crap on hand, including CD's, T-shirts, and stickers.Tentatively, songs from "Smells like the Moops" are set to air on CD 101's "Front Stage 101" on or around January 2.

The Frogwhompers 2 Jan

This from Sandy Vitek

"The New Vinton County Frogwhompers Marching, Singing, Strumming and Plucking Society (we always wanted to be a big name band) " were a well known bluegrass group down in Athens County back in the 70s. For samples of their music go to http://cdbaby.com/cd/frogwhompers

Frogwhompers - Forgotten But Not Gone -
this Saturday, January 2, 2009. The three fellows, Charlie Lewis,
Jimmy Prouty and Terry Douds will present a concert of favorites on
Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. at our local community center, the
Federal Valley Resource Center. Located in the charming old Rome
Canaan School on St Rt 329 in Stewart, Ohio, the center provides
rental space for local artists & organizations, as well as a senior
center, weekly health screenings, etc.
Forgotten But Not Gone appears as part of the monthly Music Concert
Series, which actually features not only local musicians, but other
performance artists as well, each first Saturday of the month. A
donation of $5.00 is requested.

Sweet Sixteen 3 Jan

Sweet Sixteen returns with a special appearance this Saturday January 3rd at 8 pm at Papa Joe's in Ashville.
20 Cromley St.
Helen returns from Philadelphia for the holidays and teams up with Rocco, Dave and Wes to bring more great Jazz, Swing and Latin classics. This will probably be the last performance for the group until the summer season so we hope to see you there. Come early for a good seat and some great food and drinks

Vinegar Hill 9 Jan

Will be at the Shamrock Club Columbus Ohio Off Rt23 south of down town.

They will perform from 8pm until 11pm. If you like Irish music then do not miss them.

I like this band a lot and will do my best to be there.

Just For A Laugh

This will bring a smile to your face and a tear to your eye. They say love is blind but I think it is tone deaf as well.

Happy Folk Arts New Year Folkies

2008-12-30T21:10:00.000-08:00

Happy Folk Arts New Year Folkies

Yes it is that time of year again. We have all moved up the ladder of life and now venture into the unknown that is 2009.

I wish you all the very best and may your troubles be little ones and you success be big ones. Go forward to more music and storytelling in 2009.

Thank you to all who have supported this blog and thank you for the kind words. It takes time to gather all the material and enter it and I try to keep it interesting. My aim is to promote the folk arts and keep people in touch with what is going on. Please feel free to send information for the blog and the calendar.

A special thank you to the loyal supporters of the Ashville Open Mic. You are wonderful people and I am proud to call you friends. I have to give a special mention to one person who is the backbone of Thursday nights. Dave Rainey our sound man is one in a million and my job would be so much harder if not for him. Thanks Dave, you are one hell of a fella.

You Tube

Lots of new videos to see thanks to Tom the Ukulele Man. He has all sorts of stuff on his site. Go to You Tube and enter Englishmanjohn (All one word) in the search to see the fun.

To Moms Everywhere

This is for you.
Revel would love this. I hope.

The Hair Cells

Have an EP out on
http://www.thehaircells.com/music.html

Alex is back in the east of the State so if anyone needs to get hold of him go to. http://www.myspace.com/thehaircells

Alex and Zac do some good music.

John Schonburg sent me a video of these guys. How is this for a voice?

It is now 1am and it is new years eve. Time for bed said Zebadie to Doogle (English joke)

A Merry Folk Christmas to Folkies

2008-12-24T06:23:00.000-08:00

A Merry Folk Christmas to Folkies

There are many things going on in the folk world over the holiday so if you want a break from the hustle and bustle take a look at the calendar and in this blog.

The Hair Cells have a new EP out on My Space (Photo Right)

EP is available at http://www.thehaircells.com/music.html and
it is at the very top of the page.

The Moops have their second CD out. To obtain a copy, please check out http://www.moopscrap.com/ for ordering information.

Here is a Christmas song from Tom the Ukulele Man

Arepagitica Books is hosting a Folk Music Jam Session on Saturday, December 27th. So please bring your instruments and your ears. The music is always great and everyone has a wonderful time. The music starts at 7pm. There is no charge. Free parking in the rear.

The Friday after Christmas, December 26, Poets and Writers Guild will offer an Open Mike for the entire evening, so please come by and share your lyrical accomplishments. Poetry starts at 7:30. There is no charge, but we will pass the hat, and don't forget there is free parking in the rear.

Karl Wohlwend

Of Knot Fibbn gets a good review of his new Peoples Amp that is now in production.

Premier Guitar Magazine has reviewed The People's Amplifier

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/Issue/2009/Jan/Peoples_Amp_Review.aspx

It is nice to see someone local getting credit.

Bob Kirby Memorial Service

A message from Bobs Family

I am so sorry to tell all of you this. My Dad, Bob Kirby, passed away December 20th at 4:45 pm. He became very ill and his body just couldn't take anymore. Our family has lost a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, mentor, and friend. He will be sadly missed by all. With the holiday in a few days we have decided to wait until Saturday December 27th to celebrate his life. We will gather at the Shamrock Club of Columbus at 1:00pm for a service. After the service we would like everyone to join us in the pub to honor him in Irish style.
Please enjoy your holiday and give your family and friends lots of hugs and hold them dear to your heart.
Thank you all for your concern and prayers.
If you listen quietly you may be able to hear the bagpipes in his honor.

Karen and the entire Kirby Family.

A sad time for Local Folkies and for Folk Music.

2008-12-21T07:39:00.000-08:00

A sad time for Local Folkies and for Folk Music.

It is with deep sorrow I inform you that Bob Kirby passed away On Saturday.

Bob will be missed by many many people both as a friend and as a supporter of Folk Music. He along with Billie could always be seen at the Dublin Irish Festival the Columbus Folk Music Festival and at the Shamrock Club working to support the music and Irish heritage he so loved.

Bob and I would meet often at various events and as soon as we set eyes on each other he would start joking with me about being English and throwing friendly insults my way. We laughed plenty because that was how Bob was. We would also discus the places we had both visited in Ireland and how well that country was doing now. He was very proud of his Irish heritage and rightly so.

I will miss his smiling face as he passed you a drink from behind Kirby's Irish Bar in his basement, a place where wonderful music was played by some of the best musicians in the area. I will miss the jokes he would send me by e mail and the e mail conversations we would have about the politics of the day.

Bob you were one of the best and I am very sad. I have tears rolling down my cheeks, but I remember the good time we had old pal.
You will never be forgotten.

Please keep Billie and the family in your thoughts.
I will post service information as I get it.

Please feel free to express your thoughts in the comments section below this post.

A good collection of Folk Music for Folkies

2008-12-19T07:16:00.000-08:00

A good collection of Folk Music for Folkies

The Columbus Folk Music Society has just about the best collection of folk music web sites you could find.

Go here. http://www.cfms-inc.org/ and click on Online Traditional Music Collections in the left panel.

This is just one good reason to join the CFMS. Information made available to you, add to that the people you meet plus monthly concerts and you have an organization you need to be a member of. (Photo: CFMS Folk Festival jam session)

Sad News From Britain

This from The Guardian news paper.

Legendary folk musician Davy Graham passed away on Monday. He was 68. Graham's manager Mark Pavey told the Guardian: "He was diagnosed with lung cancer only weeks ago and suffered a seizure at his home at around 3.30pm yesterday."
The guitarist was noted for his role in the 1960s folk revival, and his impeccable acoustic style influenced everyone from Bert Jansch to Paul Simon. Born to a Guyanese mother and a Scottish father, Graham took up the guitar in his teens and was later discovered by blues musician Alexis Korner. Korner once wrote that Graham was "a genuinely gifted guitarist who, rightly, refuses to let himself be fenced into one field of music."
His debut release in 1962, the EP 3/4 AD, contained his most famous composition, Anji. Inspired by his girlfriend at the time, the song took on a life of its own (hence the varied spellings of its title) as it was covered by many artists, including Simon and Garfunkle on their 1966 album Sound of Silence.
Graham is credited with touching on a wide range of influences in his music, particularly jazz and blues, as well as elements from a wider world of sounds, such as Indian or Arabic, that were not particularly well-known at the time.
Pavey said there would be a private funeral held for Graham this week and a public memorial service is being planned for January. Further details of the service will be posted on Davy Graham's website.

Alex leaves Columbus.

One of Ashville Open Mics strongest supporters is returning home to the east of the State following the end of his internship here in Columbus. Alex Niemiec is young singer song writer of immense talent who was given a good send off at the Open Mic Christmas Party. We all wish him well and look forward to seeing him again at some time in the future. I will be posting some of his work in the near future. Photo: Alex

There was lots of fun and laughter at the Ashville Open Mic Christmas Party last night. The thirteen performers showed their versatility and all did something special. There were re written carols, 60 jokes in 60 seconds, special Christmas songs. (I use the term Christmas songs with some doubt). The moment of the night was when our server CJ played Sax. There was the biggest cheer you could imagine. Hidden talent has our CJ. This young lady has endeared herself to the audience with her hard work and cheerful ways.

Yours truly got hit hard as you may imagine. I was sitting down playing concertina and Ken Willis started it by come to the stage with a cup, placed it by my feet and dropped money in saying "Merry Christmas old timer" or words to that effect. There then followed a stream of people coming to the stage to put money in the cup. I just lost it and spent the next few minutes trying to sing and play through tears of laughter. Tom the Ukulele Man has some of it on video if it comes out OK I will post it.

We are supposed to end at 9:00pm we finally got out of there at 10:30pm One heck of a good time.

Folkie Presents for a Folk Christmas

2008-12-16T08:27:00.000-08:00

Folkie Presents for a Folk Christmas

Only a few days left to get that music for a friend or dear one. Or may be an instrument. If you are getting a gift card beware. Make sure the company you purchase from will not be going out of business after the holiday. There is a list going around that tells you the companies that are in danger. Take care.

Thursday is the Ashville Open Mic Christmas party starting at 7pm be early for a seat. Parties are normally full.

Lots of good food at low prices, good drink and good service.

If you want to see me make a fool of myself (Who said "What again") come along. You will see the first playing of my concertina this side of the pond. I have not played for fifteen years and it has been a struggle to get back into it. It should be a laugh if nothing else.

Visit the new web site at http://www.openstage.wetpaint.com/

Reminders: If you have played at the Open Mic let me have your short bio. See the web site for examples.

A number of people have expressed a wish to take part in the free How To Promote Yourself seminar. Please make sure you e mail me, or you will not be counted.

Bob Kirby

From Mike Hale

Bob’s condition is still critical. Doctors had been lessening the ventilator and his sedation but, on Friday, had to increase again. I wish I had some better news! They aren’t allowing visitors in to Bob’s room but cards can be sent to their home.

Bob’s daughter is staying with Billie and I’m sure that hospital food is one of the leading causes of hospitalization so I wondered if we can get some food brought in for them. If you can do something and don’t know how to contact them then please call or email me and I will help facilitate.

And as always, Please keep the whole Kirby Family in your thoughts and prayers!

Message From Halfway Home

Howdy, I mean Ho! Ho! Ho!

Where did that year go? 2008 is pretty much back there in the rear view
mirror, and there were some pretty memorable events that won't fade from our
collective memory any time soon.
We started the year with the news that Patti was going to be out for a while
with neck surgery and did some gigs early in the spring without her amazing
energy and vocals. We missed her a lot, and are really happy she's back and
singing her heart out - "as good as new". We saw a lot of old friends and
made some new ones - including the good folks in Metamora, Indiana who want
us back to help close the festivities on Saturday evening and Sunday
afternoon at their festival over Labor Day weekend in 2009. We'll be back in
Waynesville for the Appalachian Mountain Music Festival in June, and really
can't wait to work with John Noftzger and the Maloney brothers again. We
will hopefully be involved again this year with the Central Ohio Folk
Festival as well.

2008 was the year of the violent windstorm in Berlin, Ohio that nearly blew
us and our instruments down Rt. 62 back in May. It was also the year we met
a truly generous and gracious couple - Jay & Tammy Johnson up in
Streetsboro, Ohio. They host the Honky Tonk House Concert series, and have
some of the most receptive and knowledgeable music fans a band could ever
play for. We got on the radio up in Akron - the Honky Tonk House Concert was
recorded and played on 91.3 "The Summit" by Tom Ball.

We're on You Tube - check out some of the videos on our website, and by
virtue of having covered Cheryl Wheeler's "Gandhi Buddha" on our cd - Better
Days, we have the cd listed and reviewed on her website
http://www.cherylwheeler.com/ . Just go to the Albums section, and look us up.

A lot of good things have happened, and are continuing to happen because we
have been lucky enough to have friends like you support our music. And
speaking of friends, there are no better friends to the folk music scene in
Columbus than Rebecca and Doug Rutledge at Areopagitica books in
Clintonville. Their warm hospitality to musicians and music fans is one of
the reasons we love playing there. The acoustics in their "back room" make
playing and listening there a real joy. We're very happy to let you know
that we are playing there this coming Saturday, December 10, at 7:00 pm.
Take a break from the hectic holiday rush, and stop by for a couple hours of
music next Saturday evening - and while you're at it - take a few moments to
browse through their amazing selection of books. You'll be sure to find
something there that would make a special gift, at a reasonable price.

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays - we're looking forward to seeing you at
Areopagitica next Saturday (Dec 20th) from 7-9 PM. They are located at 3510
North High St - just north of East North Broadway. We have it on good
authority that there will be cake!!!!!

See you there,

Patti, Mike, Brian, Renilda & Pat

HALFWAY HOME

The Peoples Amp

Just in case you are not aware of The Peoples Amp I suggest you take a look and listen. Made by local Folk/Rock/classical, guitarist Karl Wohlwend it sound superb and at a very good price.

I've added some stuff to the website for The People's Amp....check it
out and let me know what you think. I'll be updating the dBMusic
Production site before the end of the year, too, so keep your eyes
peeled.
Karl Wohlwend
http://www.peoplesamp.com/

Bookshop Concert.

Saturday night at the Bookshop was a very pleasant evening with Larry Pennington. A most enjoyable performance of Larry's own songs introduced with humor resulted in a good time for a packed house.

Areopagitica Bookshop is such a good venue for this type of event and the owners make every effort to make it a good experience.

Folk Party for Folkies

2008-12-12T08:21:00.000-08:00

Folk Party for Folkies

It is that time again. Party Time.

The Ashville Open Mic Christmas Party is on Thursday 18 December at Papa Joe's in down town Ashville. visit the Ashville Open Mic web site http://www.ashvilleopenstage.wetpaint.com/ for information if you have not been before.

Make sure you have a Christmas song in your set if you are performing. If you have the word, snow, ice, cold or any such word, that means it is a Christmas song.

Tom the Ukulele Man has promised something unusual and rare. (That scares the bajeebers out of me)

This will also be the last regular night for Alex. He has been a strong supporter during his year stay on Columbus and he will be missed. Alex is a very good singer song writer and his laid back performances will always be welcome on his occasional return in the future.

Photo:Alex

I am sure we will think of an appropriate send off. (He He He He)

Come early to ensure a seat.

Interesting web site

Here is an interesting web site if you want to sharpen up your guitar skills.

http://bluesandjazzguitar.blogspot.com/

Espresso Yourself Jumping with Performers.

The Open Mic on Tuesday nights at the Espresso Yourself Music Cafe is advancing in leaps and bounds. Another packed house last Tuesday night was a wonder to behold. This place is so ideal for performers and audience, you have to go if you have not already done so. Your host Eric is a nice friendly guy who loves his music and is an excellent performer in his own right.

Parting Shot

Photo: John Schomburg as a young man

Folk Icon not to well

2008-12-09T06:43:00.000-08:00

Folk Icon not to well

Some of you will be aware the Bob Kirby is not to well and in hospital. I received the following from Mike Hale.

I heard just heard that Bob Kirby is in Riverside Hospital. He had hurt his knee but started having breathing problems on Thanksgiving Day. On Sat., Nov 29, Billie took him to Riverside. They have not been able to determine the nature of the illness. He has worsened and has been put on a ventilator and placed in a medically-induced coma. They have done this to keep him stable until they can find out the problem.

Please give Billie your support and keep Bob and Billie in your prayers!

Mike

I then received an e mail from Bobs daughter.

This note is to let you know that Bob Kirby, my dad, is in the hospital. I am sorry to inform you in this manner but he has so many friends that care that I could not begin to call all of you to request your prayers. He has been in the hospital since Nov. 29th with an unknown type of pneumonia that has caused problems leading to the need for him to be placed on a ventilator. He is stable with this assistance but could use your prayers. Mom and I will know more after further test results are released on Dec. 8th. Please keep us in your hearts and prayers and we will let you know when all is better. We understand that some of you would love to help and come to the hospital but right now it is better for him to rest.

The Kirby Family

p.s. If you have Dad on your email list for forwards I would greatly appreciate if you would temporarily suspend forwarding messages since it is very hard to go through them and determine which are important and which are just for fun.
Thank you,
Karen

Bob is one of the first people I met when I came to Columbus and I knew we would get on because he started to make jokes about me being English from the moment we met. He is a big supporter of the Dublin Irish Festival and always works for the Columbus Folk Music Society Festival.

Get well soon Bob my thoughts are with you.

You have got to love bureaucracy, NOT

Free How To Promote Yourself or Band Seminar.

Last call for this free event I will run if there are enough takers.

You may think you know how to promote yourself, but there is always more to learn. This seminar will show how to get more gigs if you are just starting off, or if you are an established band.

E mail me and I will put you on the list and let you know the date and venue.

http://www.AnEnglishmanAbroad.com

Information Required

I would like to put a small amount of information on the new Ashville Open Mic web site about anyone who has been to the open mic since the Stagecoach days. If you are one of those people please reply to the information requested below. For examples of the first couple go to http://openstage.wetpaint.com/ then click on Ashville open mic visitors and players, to the left of the home page.

Feel free to look around the web site. Please join as others have started to. I will soon be creating a page for performers to advertise for gigs. This page will only be for people who have performed at the Open Mic in all or any of its forms.

Pass this on to whom ever you like. There are definite advantages in coming to the Ashville Open Mic.

Name

Are you a

Performer. Solo, duo, group etc

Singer song writer

Member of the audience

Area in which you live (Worthington, Dublin, etc)

Comments about the open mic (Good or Bad)

The Following from Larry Staats for information.

Dear Storytelling People

Below is partial list of books I have for sale. Please contact me off list and I will send you an additional list of over 100 books of storytelling and related interest.

Shipping is $4 for 1st book and $1 for each additional book, or $8.00 max. (Books shipped only in USA). If you only want to order one or two paperbacks, I could modify shipping cost.

Many books are in very good or brand new condition. Symbols (H) Hardcover, (LB) Library Book. Your satisfaction on the condition of the books you order is important. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact me by email or phone.

Andy Fraenkel (near Wheeling, WV)
304 845 6840 / afraenk@aol.com / www.sacredvoices.com

*Storyteller’s Startup Book, MacDonald $8
*Let’s Make A Memory, G. Gaither & S. Dobson $5
*The Storyteller's Guide, Bill Mooney & David Holt $15
*The Storyteller’s Goddess, Carolyn M. Edwards $6
*The Search for the Beloved, Jean Houston $7
*Women Who Run With the Wolves, Estes (H) $6, (and large paperback) $4
*Every Child A Storyteller: A Handbook of Ideas, Kinghorn & Pelton $12
*A Civil War Treasury of Tales, Legends & Folklore, B.A. Botkin (H - 1960) $12
*Treasury Of Western Folklore, B.A. Botkin $10
*Awakening the Hidden Storyteller, Robin Moore $8
*The Spirituality Of Imperfection: Storytelling & the Search for Meaning, E. Kurtz & K. Ketcham $7
*It Happened In America: True Stories From the 50 States, Lila Perl $6
*Kitchen Table Wisdom – Stories That Heal (NY Times Bestseller) Rachel Ramen $5
*Self, Struggle & Change: Family Conflict Stories in Genesis, Norman Cohen (H) $5
*In The Beginning: Creation Stories From Around the World, Virginia Hamilton (H) $8
*Miss Lea’s Bible Stories For Children, Rosemary Lea (H) $7
*Story Hours With Puppets & Other Props, William Painter (H –LB) $3
*Over The Lip of the World: Storytellers of Madagascar, McElroy $4
*The Ordinary & The Fabulous: Intro to Myths, Legends, Fairy Tales, Elizabeth Cook (H-LB) $5
*Folktales From Around The World, Jane Yolan $7
*Folklore Genres, Dan Ben-Amos (H) $5
*Keepers of the Animals, Michael Caduto & Joseph Bruchac $10
*Tell Me A Tale, Joseph Bruchac (H) $6
*Celtic Tales of the Strange, Joanne Asala $3
*Great Folk Tales of Old Ireland, Mary McGarry (H) $5
*By Loch and By Lin, Sorche Nic Loedhas (H – LB - 1969) $8
*Johnny Appleseed, Eleanor Adkins (H-1943) $8
*Legends of Paul Bunyon, Harold Felton (H- 1947) $12
*Pecos Bill: Greatest Cowboy of All Time, J.C. Bowman (H-LB - 1967) $8
*Indian Myths & Legends (India), K.E. Sullivan $6
*Jack Always Seeks His Fortune, Donald Davis $7
*Hebrew Myths Robert Graves & R. Patai (H-1963) $20
*Invisible Kingdoms: Jewish Tales Of Angels, Spirits & Demons, H. Schwartz (H) $7
*The Spotted Pony – A Collection of Hanukkah Stories, Eric Kimmel H $7
*Jim Henson’s The Storyetller, Anthony Minghella $8
*Folk Tales From Russia, Donal Mackenzie (H – Reprint from 1916) $6
*Folk Tales From Bohemia, Adolf Wenig (H – Reprint from 1923) $6
*East of the Sun & West of the Moon & Other Tales, Asbjornsen & Moe (H-LB- 1966) $12

And my stuff:

For the holiday season my book and CD below are only $7 each (usually $10)
*The Fish Who Wouldn’t Stop Growing & Other Wisdom Stories Of Ancient India– $7
*Sacred Voices (CD) – stories and poems from sacred traditions, w/music $7

*Rime of the Ancient Mariner – my telling for grades 5 and up and includes some of Coleridge’s original text sprinkled throughout (booklet) $4
*The Magic Horn And Other Tales Of Enchantment (booklet of six tales for grades 3 and up) $4A couple of years back I received a WV Artist Fellowship Award in children’s literature in part for these two booklets.