GRFAS Concert 06- 07 Preview

Concerts are held at Grace Bible College
1011 Aldon SW, Wyoming, MI in Baker Auditorium, a stand-alone building
on the right as you enter the college campus. Concerts start at 8:00 pm unless otherwise marked. Ticket Prices: $10 General, $8 Seniors & Students, $7 Members, $3 2-12 year olds.
For directions, admission prices, and any other information, please call (616) 246-6468
or (616) 361-9219. Past concerts are listed at the end of the page.

October 14	Ralston Bowles It’s hard to find many musicians in Grand Rapids' folk and rock scene who don't know Ralston Bowles by his first name, who don't recognize his prodigious songwriting talent, and they never miss his performances. Ralston will continue the tradition with his unique, hard-hitting take on life in the modern age. Listen for cuts from “Carwreck Conversations” on WYCE and in the show. Learn more about my favorite songwriter at www.ralstonbowles.com
October 21	Fergus O'Bryne/Jim Payne Together, this band represents the finest in Newfoundland traditional song and instrumental music. Their repertoire includes rousing sea shanties and work songs, poignant ballads, comic ditties, folk tales and recitations, and powerhouse jigs, reels, polkas and singles on a variety of instruments. Here’s the buzz from Newfoundland: “Jim Payne is one of the province’s best songwriters and Fergus O’Byrne is our most recognizable voice.” Check them out on the web at www.singsong.nfld.com/bios/biocbs.html
October 28	Bruce Holmes with Sue Fink Bruce Holmes looks at our human foibles with a clear eye, no illusions and a loving sense of humor. As his newest release explains in its title, “Life’s an Intelligence Test.” Join us for the final exam. Rumor has it that the test is pass/fail and you can do your studying at www.brucetholmes.com. Bruce assures me it’s an open notes test. Many of Sue Fink’s songs fall into the "quirky genre," if there is such a thing. She has been compared favorably to Christine Lavin (in fact, she has a bit part on Ms. Lavin’s newest CD, “Folk Zinger”), but Sue writes more serious songs as well. She incorporates humor, whimsy, sorrow, and hope in a variety of musical styles. But whether singing of sorrow or absurdity, Sue treats the listener to clever, meaningful lyrics and sing-along tunes. Sue Fink will sing that she is “a damsel in distress,” but she is helpless like a fox. She will be sharing that title song from her CD and many others. Prepare to charge to her rescue. See her web site at www.suefink.com
November 11	Gordon Bok Gordon Bok grew up around the boatyards of Camden, Maine, and worked on many different boats from fishing boats to passenger schooners to yachts, on his own coast and others. As he sailed, he learned songs and ballads of the sea and the schooners and the fishes and fishermen. Later he sang of mythical sea folk, seals and selkies who came to him in dreams and legends. His songs and stories keep me entranced. Join us and find out why. For more background and samples, see his website, www.gordonbok.com
November 18	Cooper/Nelson/Early “Strong, old music” is what Phil Cooper, Margaret Nelson and Kate Early call their offering and it most assuredly is. What seems at first like a measured stateliness soon becomes tender, then passionate, as these stalwarts of the Anglo-Irish folk tradition work their magic. Phil's guitar playing is subtly powerful--harplike at times--and a perfect match for Margaret's shimmery, intimate vocals and Kate’s celestial harmonizing. Join us as we welcome our friends for a very special evening. They have a web site: www.coopernelsonearly.com
November 25	Double billing: Harmony & Grits and Patricia Pettinga & Bill Willging Harmony & Grits is the kind of down home, hearty musical meal that leaves you satisfied and ready for a hard day’s anything. Mom told you to always eat right, and Kelly and her friends will be serving the best. Patricia Pettinga mixes folk, blues, and original music with wit, wisdom, and warmth. From serious social commentary to silly sing-alongs, she draws listeners in with her versatile voice and skillful guitar and Autoharp accompaniment. Add husband Bill Willging’s harmonies and inspired guitar playing, and the pleasure is more than doubled by delightful, complementary arrangements. Patty and Bill always keep me on the edge of my seat with their engaging show. See Patty and Bill’s website at www.patriciapettinga.com
December 9	Garnet Rogers Garnet Rogers is a charismatic performer and singer with a powerful physical presence - close to six and a half feet tall - with a voice to match. His smooth baritone voice with incredible range and thoughtful, dramatic phrasing delivers his songs straight to your heart. As memorable as his songs, his over-the-top humor and lightning-quick wit moves his audience from tears to laughter and back again. Garnet keeps growing and evolving and pushes the folk envelope a bit. We’re in for some new sounds! For more information, surf to www.garnetrogers.com
December 16	22nd Annual GRFAS Christmas Concert with the Blue Water Ramblers We all had so much fun singing the traditional carols last year that we're going to sing them all again! Please join Banjo-Jim and Bear and our guest artists as we start the holidays the best way: Singing and sharing music with out friends. Look for Frosty, Santa, the Clausettes, guest artists and holiday tomfoolery. We’ll end the evening with an old fashioned carol sing, so bring your best voice. See where we’re rambling at http://bluewaterramblers.com
January 13	Open Mic Night Host Al Exoo will introduce you to old friends and new friends who love to share their talent. And YOU are invited to bring your song, story, dance or performance to share. Email Al at eidexoo@sbcglobal.net for details and to place yourself on the schedule.
January 20	andi & i Andi and Al Tauber have an amazing touch with the songs they sing. They don’t just sing songs. They craft and caress musical productions, creating them brand new each time they perform. Supporting the sweet vocalizing with guitar techniques like you’ve never seen, And & I will have us mesmerized. I invite you to check out their website, http://www.andiandi.com/, and enjoy learning about them. As Andi writes, “Most of our lives center around our work with Emmaus Ministries (“Stories from the Streets”), andi and i gigs, and involvement with Living Water Community Church, where we are members. (We both help facilitate worship every 4-5 weeks, and Al leads the worship band.) In addition, Andi gives piano lessons, and Al teaches guitar.” These are peripatetic people performers!
January 27	Tim Grimm Tim is a musical storyteller, whether writing of his own journey back to the land, describing those who never left it, or honoring those who came before. Rich with descriptive details, these are songs sung with warmth and intimacy, recognizing the inextinguishable national romance with the idea of the family farm and the realities of the vanishing landscape of rural America. Learn more at www.timgrimm.com
February 10	Kinsfolk Local folk legend Al Exoo is bringing all his Kinsfolk out for an evening of American and international folk songs. We’re looking forward to Al’s rich baritone, a tapestry of harmonies, some hot picking from Doc Probes, delectable digital dexterity from Rachael and maybe even some special guests from the north country. To keep abreast of all the family events, see www.kinsfolk.org
February 17	Drew Nelson & Co Drew Nelson’s songs are facile in poetry, tactile in tone. They’re simple, direct expressions via mere melody and a mittful of guitar chords. Such is Drew’s gift – the ability to extract spirit and soul from the jumble of modern life, and turn it into music. And he picks real good and sings real pretty, so be there! Learn all about this favorite son at www.drewnelson.net
February 24	Martha Scanlan Having the good fortune of growing up in a family that cherishes music, Martha was raised with music as an interwoven component of life, inseparable from the things in life that the heart loves most. Perhaps that is why her music feels right at home in the hills of East Tennessee, with its rich musical heritage so entwined in the landscape and hearts of its people. Her soulful, distinctive voice rings with a timeless authenticity and her original songs seem to spring from the same well. We’re in for a treat. Follow her and the Reeltime Travelers at www.reeltimetravelers.com/about.php
March 10	Cathie Ryan Irish American Cathie Ryan, with her crystalline vocals and insightful songwriting, is an original and distinctive voice in Celtic music. Since her acclaimed seven year tenure as lead singer of Cherish the Ladies, the Detroit born Ryan has established herself as one of Celtic Music’s most popular and enduring singer-songwriters. Her web site is www.cathieryan.com
March 17	Jack Williams South Carolinian Jack Williams is a guitarist, a singer, a songwriter, a storyteller and above all an entertainer. Among acoustic guitarists he is near-legendary. He prefers touring “under the radar”, playing concerts, large and small, week in, week out, from the sheer love of music and performing and now we are to be treated to his authentic brand of southern American music. Find out more on his web site: www.jackwilliamsmusic.com
March 24	Bill Staines We love Bill! And he’s swinging through Michigan to intrigue and delight us once again. Follow the travels of the godfather of singer-songwriter-folk music at www.acousticmusic.com/staines/
March 31	Matt Watroba Detroit son Matt Watroba is well known for his “Folks Like Us” radio show. He has wowed crowds from many stages across Michigan and will have us singing, laughing and even thinking this last day of March. From heartfelt arrangement of old songs to his ever-so-tuneful and incisive comments on American life, Matt will be here for us. He has a web site at www.folkslikeus.org/watroba/home.htm
April 14	Finest Kind Finest Kind was formed in Ottawa, Canada, in 1991 by Ian Robb, Ann Downey, and Shelley Posen. Ian, originally from London, England, is renowned as one of North America's most gifted performers of British folksong, a concertina player extraordinaire, charter member of Toronto's Friends of Fiddler's Green, and composer of folk standards such as "The Old Rose and Crown." Ann, who hails from the southwestern U.S., plays guitar, banjo, and bass, and has performed in bands playing old-time and cowboy music, bluegrass, klezmer, jazz, and swing in North America and Europe. Shelley, a professional folklorist from Toronto, is a versatile singer and multi instrumentalist who has spent a lifetime researching, teaching, writing about, performing, and sometimes composing songs. This reviewer is looking forward to hearing Shelley and his pals sing all the songs I’ve ‘borrowed’ from them. If their harmony was any closer they wouldn’t be allowed to do it in public! Their web site: www.finestkind.ca/finekind.html
April 21	Reedy Buzzards The Reedy Buzzards 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 irresistible, driving, acoustic rhythms. Read about them and hear a sample at www.bluejaylivemusic.com/ReedyBuzzards/reedybuzzards.html.
April 28	Brian Peters Brian Peters is a performer of traditional folk music who combines a high level of skill on three different instruments with a great voice and an energetic stage presence. He's a leading English squeezebox player, doubling on melodeon (button accordion) and anglo concertina, a fine guitarist well-versed in open tunings, and a passionate singer who believes strongly in the power and relevance of the old songs and bases his set around them. He specializes in the great ballads of the British Isles and includes the best new songs and his own compositions. To whet your appetite surf to www.harbourtownrecords.com/peters.html
May 12	5th Annual GRFAS Benefit Concert This year Mustard's Retreat and the Blue Water Ramblers will delight your musical senses, tickle your funny bones and flat out entertain you as we gather together to support our favorite folk music organization. Follow David and Michael’s retreat back and forth across the country at www.mustardsretreat.com. You can keep up with Banjo-Jim, Bear and the rest of the Ramblers at http://bluewaterramblers.com.
Tentative Dance Schedule	7-Oct Dance 4-Nov Dance 2-Dec Dance 6-Jan Dance 3-Feb Dance 3-Mar Dance 7-Apr Dance 5-May Dance

2006 - 2007 GRFAS Concerts Preview

2006 - 2007 GRFAS Concerts
Preview