October 11

Joel Mabus
Michigan singer-songwriter, blues and traditional

Are you "Hopelessly Midwestern"? Got the "Duct Tape Blues"? Or maybe you’re looking for "Amnesty" or "The Naked Truth"? Joel Mabus can help! He wrote all those songs and dozens more, and he’ll be singing a whole concert’s worth. Mabus is a master of every style of roots music, from traditional blues and fiddle tunes to contemporary topical songs, and he knows his way around a banjo or guitar or fiddle as well as any performer alive.  www.joelmabus.com

October 18

Jim Payne and Fergus O’Byrne
A rare treat from Newfoundland! Award winners Jim Payne and Fergus O’Byrne sing the traditional songs of Atlantic Canada, as well as new songs composed in the tradition, a cappella and with guitar, banjo, accordion, concertina, mandolin, bodhran, and pennywhistles. Let them take you aboard a fishing boat or out on an offshore oil rig, follow them into the forest with the lumberjacks, and enjoy hearty vocals and straightforward arrangements that let the songs themselves shine. If we’re really lucky, Payne will show off his storytelling skills as well. They’ve toured Europe, Australia, and Japan as well as North America, and you’ll be glad they came to Grand Rapids!  www.singsong.nfld.com

October 25

Eileen McGann
Canadian singer-songwriter, Eileen McGann is widely acclaimed as one of the best contemporary Canadian songwriters, as well as one of the finest Celtic traditional singers anywhere.  Her songs paint pictures, tell stories and poke fun at life's absurdities.  While clearly connected to the Celtic tradition, her songs also tackle the challenges and contradictions of modern life, the journeys of the human spirit, and the beauty and fragility of the Canadian wilderness.  Her choice of traditional material ranges from ancient ballads to rollicking songs of love and adventure.   www.eileenmcgann.com

November 8

Mayor and James
British singer-songwriters Simon Mayor & Hilary James are highly talented, modest, witty, amusing and very self-effacing.  Simon's mandolin playing has been described as "truly remarkable, with his technique on both guitar and violin not too far behind."  
Hilary is a lass with a voice like an angel who also plays double bass and rhythm guitar. Quintessentially English, however offering something for everyone, easily crossing the great musical divides from Celtic ballads to blues and Berlioz.  www.mandolin.co.uk

November 15

Anne Hills
As a singer and songwriter, Hills has carved a distinct niche by performing contemporary folk songs in a stunning voice ... Experimenting with country, blues and jazz techniques, she brings a fresh vision to many of the finest folk songs being written today.  www.annehills.com

November 22

Vered Hankin
Vered Hankin is an internationally acclaimed storyteller who has been named "the leading storyteller of her generation."  Co-sponsored by the Jewish Arts Council of Grand Rapids, she brings an incredible amount of energy and intensity to her performances.  Listen spellbound as she weaves stories appropriate for both young and old.  You will quickly discover why her CD has received the Gold Award from the National Parenting Publications. www.veredhankin.com

November 29

Cathy Barton and Dave Para
Dave Para and Cathy Barton Cathy and Dave have made it their life's mission to search out the traditional music from their home state of Missouri.  With music and unique stories founded in the lore of the Ozarks, Mark Twain, and the Jesse James Gang.  Take a broad slice through history; add some wonderful harmonies, banjo, dulcimers, guitar, and fiddle - and an enchanted evening a waits.  Veterans of the Mississippi Riverboat shows, this talented team travels the country sharing history through their music to students.  They have played with the Grandpa Jones.  Bring the kids; it may just help with that history assignment. www.bartonpara.com

December 13

Blue Water Ramblers Christmas Party
Our favorite pickin’ quartet with holiday music from around the world.  Banjo-Jim Foerch and Bear Berends are back with Tom DeVries and California Dan Lynn to sing in the Christmas season. Expect carols from around the region, across the country, and around the world, along with surprise guests and lots of family-friendly fun. Bring the kids!  www.bluewaterramblers.com

January 10

The Cantrells
Emily and Al Cantrell produce a kind of acoustic country music – a blend of folk, bluegrass, old time, western swing, and whatever else suits their fancy and her soaring voice.  Al’s fabulous fiddling and mandolin work back her up, while Emily writes most of the songs.  http://thecantrellsmusic.tripod.com/thecantrells/ 
 

January 17

Robert Jones & Matt Watroba
Before the Rev. Robert Jones was called to pastor his congregation last year, he was Detroit’s pre-eminent bluesman. Now he combines that love of the blues with gospel music. When he gets together with "community singer" Matt Watroba, they can trace the whole history of American folk music, black and white.  www.mattwatroba.com, www.robertbjones.com

January 24

Puck Faire
Named after the longest-running festival in Ireland, this Michigan quartet will fill you with Celtic sounds played on everything from harp to bagpipes. You won’t need green beer to get in the mood, but you might want to arrive before the dancers take all the good seats!
www.puckfaire.com

January 31

Tim Grimm
If you love the land, Tim Grimm’s songs will touch your soul. He left a successful acting career in Los Angeles to sink new roots in the soil of his Indiana farm. Expect heartfelt original ballads about the American family farm and the people who keep it alive. All this, and a beautiful voice, too!  www.timgrimm.com

February 14

True Blue Bluegrass Band
Does the grass grow blue around the San Francisco Bay? Find out with this quartet. Guitarist Del Williams has been playing for 39 years, starting in a band with his dad. Ed Neff (tenor lead) is known to Northern California bluegrass fans as the premier traditional fiddler and mandolin stylist. Bluesy, syncopated banjo rhythms are Avram Siegel’s specialty. Allison Fisher anchors True Blue on bass. If you like traditional bluegrass, you’ll love this band!  www.truebluegrass.com

February 21

Paul and Win Grace
Paul and Win Grace have played music together for 29 years… and it shows. His guitar, Appalachian-style fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica and her piano, accordion, and Autoharp back sweet vocal harmonies. Whether they’re singing traditional down-home favorites or current singer-songwriter tunes, expect upbeat songs and happy endings.  www.gracefamilymusic.com

February 28

Lou and Peter Berryman
Christine Lavin calls Lou and Peter Berryman “the funniest thing on four legs.” Peter’s extraordinary use of the English language is unmatched by any other contemporary songwriter. And is there something inherently funny about the accordion? You’ll think so when you’ve heard Lou pump out a song or two on her stomach Steinway. Ponder the mysteries of “The Red Kimono” and try to imagine life with the critters that missed Noah’s Ark! But don’t plan anything too strenuous for tomorrow. Your sides will ache.   www.louandpeter.com

March 13

Siúcra
Siúcra is pronounced 'shoo-kruh', and it means 'sugar' in Irish. Siúcra is Beth Leachman (lead vocals, bodhran), Shannon Heaton (Irish flute, whistles, vocals), and Matthew Heaton (guitar, vocals). Formed in 1998, they play a sweet mix of Irish traditional songs and tunes. Danny Carnahan from Acoustic Guitar wrote, "Siúcra is full of hot musicianship, confidence, and unstoppable energy."  With a very Siúcra spin on old and new traditional tunes -- gorgeous melodies, great backing, strong arrangements and exuberant performances. (Did you catch their pun?) Be sure to catch them March 13. It will be very sweet! www.siucra.net

March 20

Potato Moon
Our Grand Rapids heartland shines brightly in the soulful harmonies of Potato Moon. Ben Stancil, Andy Weber, Jane Stancil, Laura Stancil and Phil Stancil bring a contemporary perspective to the eternal sounds of folk, bluegrass, gospel, and honky-tonk. Potato Moon is the new generation of American roots music. The group blends four part harmonies with the intrinsic sound of acoustic instruments for a textured sound that is unique and enticing for music lovers of all ages.  www.potatomoon.org

March 27

Bill Staines
Bill Staines weaves a magical blend of wit and gentle humor into his performances. His music is a slice of Americana, reflecting with the same ease, his feelings about the prairie people of the Midwest or the adventurers of the Yukon. Interspersed between the original songs we all have come to sing as our own, Bill also includes songs ranging from traditional folk tunes to more contemporary country ballads and delights in having the audience participate in many of the numbers. He may even do a yodeling tune or two- having won the National Yodeling Championship in 1975 at the Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville Texas.  www.acousticmusic.com/staines

April 10

Mike Adams Band
Mike Adams and his band of pickers - Bryan Stidham on fiddle and vocals, Dave Russell on banjo and vocals and J.R. Duty on bass - will heat up the GRFAS stage on April 10 with down home bluegrass and modern compositions of their own. These boys had been picking in a number of bands for the last 20 years until Mike brought them together in 2002. It's an irresistible combination that works- hard driving picking, tight harmonies and a warm, engaging stage presence. Join us for bluegrass the way it was meant to be with the Mike Adams Band.  www.mikeadamsband.com

April 17

The Reedy Buzzards
Old-time Appalachian and gospel, specialize in the tight and lovely harmonies of the great family bands of the past, from the Carter Family to the Everly Brothers. Their shows combine a fresh take on classic country heartbreakers, "brother" songs, blazing guitar and mandolin picking, and gospel music. They present their songs with the driving acoustic rhythms.  www.reedybuzzards.com

April 24

Ruth Bloomquist
Singer and songwriter, Ruth Bloomquist brings to her music the joy and heartbreak of life. Her rich alto voice takes you wherever she wants to take you and shows you just what she wants you to see.  Ruth and her bass player husband Max were founding members of the popular West Michigan folk band Amaryllis.  www.ruthbloomquist.com
 

May 8

Fun(d) Raiser with the Blue Water Ramblers

Traditional American folk music  with special guests Ralston Bowles and Rachael Davis  Wow – how’s this for a lineup? The traditional folk sounds of the Blue Water Ramblers… warm, contemporary acoustic music from triple-Jammy-winning singer-songwriter Ralston Bowles… and the sweet and astonishing vocal gymnastics of Rachael Davis! 

Banjo-Jim Foerch and Bear Berends enjoy a fresh outlook with California Dan Lynn and Tom DeVries and their vast bluegrass experience. Ralston, in turn, cornered the Jammy market with a hat trick at WYCE’s latest p.j. party. How can you be a Best New Artist with over a quarter of a century of experience? Easy – wait until your sound has matured and all of West Michigan is waiting for your first CD! There’s a definite spiritual trend in Ralston’s songwriting that warms the heart and sets the mind to meditating. 

Rachael doesn’t have quite a quarter-century of experience yet, but then she’s not a quarter of a century old! She has been performing since the age of two, however, and she’s passed the two-decade mark. What does she do? What doesn’t she do! Her original songs are often bluesy or jazzy, taking advantage of a sweet voice of incredible range; but she’s just as likely to pick up her banjo and pick out an old traditional tune. www.bluewaterramblers.com   www.ralstonbowles.com   www.rachaelbdavis.com

May 14
(Friday night)

Tish Hinojosa

Hinojosa is a Mexican-American singer, songwriter and acoustic guitarist who deftly blends styles of music: folk, country, pop, conjunto and more.  She has carved her niche in Spanish-language music, favoring a roots-oriented sound which honors her cultural heritage.  It's hard to wait until May to hear Tish, so in the meantime check out her website at http://www.mundotish.com