Grand River Folk Arts Society
Acoustic Saturday Nights

 



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The Grand River Folk Arts Society presents
Acoustic Saturday Nights
held in the Wealthy Theater Annex or the Theater itself.
The address is 1130 Wealthy SE just west of Fuller Avenue. Concerts start at 8:00 pm unless otherwise marked.
Ticket Prices: $12 General, $10 Seniors & Students, $9 Members, $3 2-12 year olds.
For other information, please call (616) 246-6468 or (616) 361-9219.
 

2008 - 09 Acoustic Saturday Nights

October 11, 2008     Robin and Linda Williams                         from A Prairie Home Companion

Robin and Linda WilliamsVirginia based Robin and Linda Williams are known for their rich harmonies and original songwriting rooted in the country/bluegrass/gospel tradition. They have gained widespread national prominence on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion," as one half of The Hopeful Gospel Quartet as well as performing in their own right. And they will be right here in Grand Rapids at the Wealthy Theater October 11!
On the web: RobinandLinda.com






















October 18, 2008     Conklin Ceili Band                        Home grown Celtic

Conklin Ceili BandTom Verlin came up to me and said, "Mick, you know how guys go to the woods during deer season, and spend five days together hunting, talking and playing cards?"
      "Yeah", sez I.

        "How would you like to do that, except with music?" sez he.

        "I'm in", sez I.

That's how it all started. We got together in an old cabin in the woods on the weekend after New Year's in 1996 to make music. We have been together ever since.
       Come to the Wealthy Theater Annex for great-hearted music that just begs to be danced to and sung with.
On the web: http://conlinceiligand.com



October 25, 2008 Lee Murdock                            Great Lakes Lore

Lee MurdockLee Murdock has uncovered a boundless body of music and stories in the Great Lakes. There is an amazing timelessness in this music. Great Lakes songs are made of hard word, hard living, ships that go down and ships that come in.

Lee's music is grounded in the work song tradition, from the rugged days of lumberjacks and wooden sailing schooners. Murdock comes alongside with ballads of contemporary commerce and revelry in the grand folk style. His fans have discovered a sweetwater treasure in his songs about the Great Lakes, finding drama and inspiration in the lives of sailors and fishermen, lighthouse keepers, ghosts, shipwrecks, outlaws and everyday heroes.

On the web: http://www.leemurdock.com/


November 8, 2008 Michael P. Smith                                   National Songwriter and Performer

Michael Smith Michael P. Smith wowed the Kerryville Folk Festival again this past summer with his gorgeous songs. Many of us are familiar with “The Dutchman” and his work with Bob Gibson, Anne Hills, Weavermania and a host of others. Michael says, “I feel I was born to write songs.” Hear just what he means for yourself!

On the web: http://www.michaelsmithmusic.com







November 15, 2008 Mustard's Retreat                                    Music to Cure What Ails You

Mustard's RetreatThirty-one years may not seem like such a long time in the life of a human being, a tree, or a folk song.  But in the fickle world of modern music, where pop stars shy of their 21st birthdays often see their careers dumped into oldies bins, thirty-one years is a very long time.

So as David Tamulevich and Michael Hough celebrate their 31st Anniversary as Mustard's Retreat, the same question seemed to burn among aspiring young performers and road-weary old folkies - why you guys? In searching for the answer, one word comes up again and again, the simple word "audience." We have sung and laughed along with Michael and David most of that time. Come on down for wailing good time!

On the web: http://www.mustardsretreat.com/index.html



November 22, 2008 Nobody's Darlin'                                Five Woman String Band

Nobody's Darlin'For celestial women's harmonies, inventive arrangements, humor, hot picking and a deep, abiding love of traditional string band music, no body matches Grand Rapid's own Nobody's Darlin'. Those of us who heard them at the May fund raising concert want to hear them again and the rest of you are in for a wonderful treat!

On the web: http://www.myspace.com/nobodysdarlin









December 13, 2008 Carol Johnson

Carol 
Johnson For more than twenty years, Carol Johnson has delighted and uplifted audiences with her wit, her warmth, her compelling insights and her wonderfully crafted compositions. Her songs sparkle with energy; they encourage us to be good to each other, to ourselves, and to the earth. They celebrate life, and with a healthy bit of humor they also challenge the way we sometimes live it.

Accompanying herself on guitar, piano and banjo, and with a hearty dose of audience participation, Carol has warmed hearts and lifted spirits of countless thousands through her delightful recordings and personable presentations.

On the web: http://www.caroljohnsonmusic.com/







December 20, 2008 Blue Water Ramblers Christmas Concert

Blue Water RamblersThe Blue Water Ramblers are excited to sing the songs of the season at the 24th annual GRFAS Christmas concert. From Frosty to the blues, from Silent Night to Rudolf, they invite to you harmonize on all our favorite holiday melodies. Merry Christmas!

On the web: http://www.bluewaterramblers.com







January 10, 2009 Open Mic Night                   GRFAS Members Share Their Music

Dust off that old guitar, tune up your banjo and get those pipes in full voice. Bill G. will MC an evening of our folk society’s best kept secrets! Bring your best two songs and give it a shot. There are only so many slots so call in soon.

You'll be surprised who you'll see, and what you'll hear. Admission $5.

Call ahead: 616 723-7189 or email: mailto:wmgroot@chartermi.net.



January 17, 2009 The Kastles                        Songs from Sailing

The KastlesTom and Chris Kastle are merchant-adventurers, who regularly sail out, by ship as well as by van, on voyages of trade and discovery. Their eyes and their ears are keen and discerning, and it must be a short and routine voyage that does not yield a new and glittering treasure. As singer-songwriters and storytellers, they aren't content just to acquire jewels of beauty and insight, they're driven to shape and polish, to create an ingenious setting that displays their discoveries to best advantage. They have been internationally acclaimed for their lush harmonies, varied instrumentation (primarily guitar, octave mandolin, concertina and whistles) and captivating stories in live performance as well as on their recorded works. 

On the web: http://www.kastles.net/






January 24, 2009 David Mosher                     Guitar, Fiddle and Mandolin Virtuoso

David MosherAnd he sings like an angel! David writes very singable songs on any topic he chooses and supports his musical musings and stories with flawless playing on his instruments. This is a performer who does everything right!

On the web: http://www.mp3.com/artist/david-mosher/summary/



January 31, 2009 Grand Rapids Songwriters Alliance                         Our own Songwrights.

The Grand Rapids SongwritersAlliance is support and resource forum for West Michigan's talented songwriters. We'll enjoy a depth and range of talent. In the meantime, though, if you have a couple compositions needing to be heard, meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at Schuler’s Books & Music, 3165 Alpine Avenue, Walker, MI. 6:30 to 10:00 pm. Participants are welcome to play 2 original songs for fun or critique.

On the web: http://www.worldcrossing.com/WebX?expand@@.1de21b80


February 14, 2009 Lou and Peter Berryman                    Love with Humor

Lou and Peter BerrymanLou and Peter Berryman's off-kilter harmonies backed by accordian and guitar deliver some of the best lyric zingers you never expected about love. If you love to laugh or laugh at love or love someone who does, you'll get the sweetest Valentine treat imaginable.

On the web: http://members.aol.com/berrymanp/



February 21, 2009 Sonas                       Celtic Music

SonasTina, Amy and Margie play Cape Breton-style Irish/Scottish tunes on fiddles, keyboard and foot percussion to give the music a modern sound and drive that respects the deep roots of the tradition. “Sonas still holds true to the Cape Breton style, playing traditional Irish/Scottish tunes, but is still growing, expanding and exploring all Celtic music. Their tunes are upbeat, foot-stomping reels and jigs, yet they add a gentle, delicate tone to the airs they play.”

On the web: http://www.myspace.com/sonasfiddlers



February 28, 2009 Hawks and Owls                        West Michigan's Finest Traditional String Band

Hawks and OwlsLong time friend and mentor Bruce Ling describes his tight combo this way: Hawks and Owls present “the acoustic evolution of rural American music. Founded in 1997, we perform for music festivals, dances, private parties, and corporate functions in styles from country blues, bluegrass, early swing, Appalachian fiddle, and ballads.” We'll be tapping our toes to the beat, marveling at the intricate, tasteful arrangements of traditional favorites and enjoying original compositions that extend the genre.

On the web: http://www.hawksandowls.com/HOcover_page.htm






March 14, 2009 Bill Bynum                       Traditional Country, Up to Date

Bill BynumAlthough a Detroit native, Bill Bynum's musical roots are deep in the South. His parents migrated from the West Memphis, Arkansas area to Michigan's steel industry in the 1940's, bringing, like many, their love for bluegrass and country music. Bill and his four siblings grew up listening to artists like Johnny Cash and Buck Owens on Detroit's country radio station, "The Big D", through an old AM radio. Bill's songs both traditional and original have a sound that's at once as comfortable as your favorite pair of old jeans and as fresh as a blade of new grass,

On the web: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=169279109


March 21, 2009       Jill Jack and Billy Brandt

Jill Jack has dominated Detroit’s folk/rock scene for the past decade. A woman with a strong drive and ambition, Jill has a voice with a distinct timbre that sets her apart – each year and each album, her voice becomes more clearly defined as uniquely her own. Her genre-jumping sound doesn't slide easily into any one format and keeps her free to write and sing what she wants, the way she wants, to create her own sound. "I am a folk artist and I'm proud of that. The luxury I have with writing my music is that it can't be boxed into one genre ... it has the freedom to blur the lines from folk, country, rock, a little blues, etc., to form a great melting pot of pure Americana music." Billy Brandt is a guitar virtuoso, great singer and writer in his own right and performs frequently with Jill.

>On the web: http://www.jilljack.com/ and http://www.myspace.com/billybrandtmusic



March 28, 2009 Bill Staines                  Our Favorite, the Singer's Singer

Bill StainesWe clamor to Bill's annual spring visit to Grand Rapids and no wonder. His songs are timeless, his style as personable as your best friend and his shows leave us better people. Add to that the fact that he has his own entry in Wikipedia! ()

Welcome back to your West Michigan home, Bill. We're looking forward to your visit!

On the web: http://www.acousticmusic.com/staines/






April 11, 2009 Karisa Wilson & Josh Rose                                      Two Powerhouse Writers and Performers Join Up

It's musical alchemy. Read the next two paragraphs, mix gently and vigorously, simmer, stew, bake and cook up a powerhouse entertainment experience!

Josh RosePushing the boundaries between folk, pop, and roots music, Josh Rose has never been big on labels. Growing up in the sparsely populated and culturally deprived Upper Peninsula of Michigan almost forced him to forge a musical identity all his own. Since moving to Grand Rapids, Josh decided to strike a new path in the local singer songwriter scene, but also celebrate the exceptional tradition that is already here. Josh has blazed ahead on this path with songs that stick with you and seep into your subconscious like the lingering April snows of his youth. Yet with all the questions and all of the labels, what his music boils down to is a thought: sometimes edgy, sometimes collective, and sometimes romantic.

On the web: http://www.josh-rose.com




Karisa WilsonForged in the disciplined fires of her classical violin training, Karisa Wilson's musicianship has blossomed into a rich and beautiful flower of sound. After releasing her debut album 'Little Girl' to a sold out Wealthy Theater in August 2007, she went on to bring home the 2008 WYCE 'Best New Artist', as well as the coveted 'Album of the Year' Jammie awards. She presents a soulful blend of blues, latiny jazz and folk tones woven together in her unique Karisa fashion.

On the web: http://www.karisawilson.com/


April 18, 2009 Josh White, Jr.                      National Expositor of American Music

Josh White, Jr.Josh White, Jr. performs secular, folk/blues, pop and jazz as a vocalist, guitarist and songwriter. He is an actor, adult and children's concert performer and recording artist, teacher and social activist. His music is beautiful, his performance style is irresistable and his message is strong. Josh is is real deal!

On the web: http://www.joshwhitejr.com/bio.html










April 25, 2009 Annual Fund Raising Concert with the Blue Water Ramblers

Blue Water RamblersOur friends, the Blue Water Ramblers, jumped at the chance to host our 7th fund raiser. They will share the stage with a guest to be announced. Watch this space for details.

On the web: http://www.bluewaterramblers.com




 

  

Subject to change

Last update: June 2008
web copy editor-in-chief: Banjo-Jim@BlueWaterRamblers.com
Subject to change


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