Oak Park Farmer's Market Band

MOVED TO FACEBOOK

2011-11-26T22:07:00.001-06:00

HELLO.

OUR GROUP HAS MOVED TO A FACEBOOK GROUP PAGE. SEE YOU THERE!

Oak Park Farmers Market-01641-fr5-6

2009-06-19T19:48:00.001-05:00

Oak Park Farmers Market-01641-fr5-6
Originally uploaded by Jay E. Wesselink

Found on Flickr. Anybody reckon how old this is?

2009-01-10T11:23:00.003-06:00

ANNOUNCING
The Oak Park Farmer's Market Musicians' Community
http://opfarmersmusic.ning.com/
I have always been concerned that our community of musicians isn't completely represented by a blog. Our group deserves a forum in which everyone may contribute to the various announcement, discussions and happenings that mark our lives together. And a social network is exactly the kind of online forum for that to happen. It's like our own little Facebook or MySpace. But it's ours. Everybody can join. And once you're a member, you can post photos, videos, links, articles, discussions, announcement, etc.

Now that my family, work and travel commitments are preventing me from regularly updating this blog, I want to enlist everybody in the Oak Park Farmer's Market Musicians group as contributors to our online community. This space - Blogger - doesn't offer the tools and resources. But the new space - Ning - does.

So, head on over to http://opfarmersmusic.ning.com/ and give it a shot.

And, please send email to the musicians in our community who may not see this notice here. I'll send out an email blast, but it may not reach everybody. Let's get the word out and keep our community humming ... pickin' and singin', I guess ... online.

2008-12-20T08:11:00.001-06:00

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues - Congress Theater

2008-10-26T12:37:00.001-05:00

Chicago Bluegrass and Blues
Wow, look at the artists lined up for this one-day festival on Sat, Nov 22nd.
The David Grisman Quintet
The Avett Brothers
Lil' Ed & the Blues Imperials
Mike Mangione
and a bunch of others that I've honestly never heard of but probably should have by now.
(At least I'm being honest!)
It's a long day from 12 noon 'til Midnight at the Congress Theater. At $31, the all-day ticket is a bargain. Click the link above for more info.

Look for the Union Label

2008-09-08T09:32:00.000-05:00

Look for the Union Label

A song by Paula Green, music by Malcolm Dodds ©1975, UNITE
Union of Needltrades, Industrial and Textile Employees
(formerly International Ladies' Garment Workers'Union and other unions)

Look for the union label
when you are buying that coat, dress or blouse.

Remember somewhere our union's sewing,
our wages going to feed the kids, and run the house.

We work hard, but who's complaining?
Thanks to the I.L.G. we're paying our way!

So always look for the union label,
it says we're able to make it in the U.S.A.!

Play the MP3 here

2008-08-27T22:42:00.000-05:00

IN MEMORIUM

Alex Joseph Polaski, 18, passed away on August 13, 2008, at Ivinson Memorial Hospital in Laramie, Wyoming, after a brief bout with a stomach virus that developed into pneumonia.

Alex was born in Chicago at Northwestern Hospital on November 17, 1989, and grew up in Oak Park in the Gunderson Historic District. He attended kindergarten and grades 1 through 4 at Ascension School, transferred to Beye School for 5th and 6th grades and then went on to the new Percy Julian Middle School for 7th and 8th grades, graduating in 2004.

While at Beye and Percy Julian, Alex studied clarinet. He played baseball in the Mustang and Bronco leagues during the summer, soccer in the fall and ice hockey during the winters. Alex was also a member of the Cub Scouts while at Ascension and later was in Troop 16 with the Boy Scouts, with which he attended camp-outs at Camp Shin-Go-Beek, explored the Mammoth Caves, and climbed Mt. Rainer during the summer of 2004. He spent time in the summers in Philadelphia where his grandparents lived, often vacationing at Ocean City, New Jersey.

Alex attended Oak Park River Forest High School where his interest in clarinet and saxophone led to his playing in the marching band under the direction of Mr. Scotty Jones. Alex played with the band at the Peach Bowl in 2006. He became known to his friends as "AJ" to some and "Cracker" to others.

Alex developed an interest in cars early in life and it led to his desire to attend Wyotech in Laramie, Wyoming years before his graduation from OPRF in 2008. Before learning to drive, Alex had developed an interest in RC electric and gas cars, racing them at Hobbytown before its closing and at a track in DeKalb, Illinois. He also had a tremendous interest in modern bands and "techno" music, collecting hundreds of CDs and other tunes on his iPod.

Alex had developed a close group of friends, all of whom valued his friendship as part of many close two-way friendships. Many of his friends and some of their parents considered him a great influence in their lives with his ever-present sharp wit, easy infectious smile and willingness to help wherever he was needed.

Upon graduation from OPRF, Alex reached his goal and began attending Wyotech in Laramie, Wyoming in July 2008 after a 12 day European trip that took him to London, Paris and Berlin with his parents. Once at Wyotech, he had begun to take the basic automotive courses until the illness struck him.

All through his short life Alex was known for his passion in all things he did, and he never lost his child-like exuberance and twinkle in his eye. He lived his life dancing on the white lines at the edge of the road and looking like a multi-colored skyrocket along the way! Alex is survived by his parents, Jim and Anne Polaski of Oak Park, and his grandmother, Marjorie Spencer of Westchester, and by his many friends.

Visitation will be at Drechsler Brown and Williams Funeral Home, 203 S. Marion, Oak Park, on Thursday, August 21, from 2-9 pm and the Funeral Mass will be held at Ascension Church, 815 S. East Avenue, Oak Park, on Friday August 22 at 10 am. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the American Lung Association.

Alex's friends have created a Facebook memorial group on which you may write a message.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

2008-08-26T19:04:00.000-05:00

The Archive from Sean Dunne on Vimeo.

2 Banjos, Fiddle + Cello = Mighty Fine Newgrass

2008-07-26T13:36:00.001-05:00

Abigail Washburn and the Sparrow Quartet
Featuring Béla Fleck
With Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee

Saturday, September 13, 2008
7:30 p.m.
Lund Auditorium
Dominican University

For tickets and information: (708) 488-5000 or dom.edu/pac

See a Newsweek online video feature here.

2008-07-24T16:13:00.001-05:00

Jack Swain and Bob Lopardo are performing at 9:30PM as The Righteous Roadrunners & the Broken-Winged Angels Choir (actually, Jack and Bob are the Roadrunners, and they will be accompanied by John Milne and Dean Milano (bass and vocals), who are the Angels); while Jack's daughter is the lead singer and namesake of the 10:30PM act, Roxy Swain.

More info at FitzGeraldsNightclub.com. And remember FitzGeralds is now smoke-free!

Mighty Fine Collection of 78s

2008-07-21T12:57:00.001-05:00

A collector of old-time 78rpm records has digitized 3600+ titles from his collection with more than 2350 posted as MP3s. Check it out here: http://78records.cdbpdx.com/

Make Your Own Guitar Exercises Online

2008-07-13T15:27:00.001-05:00

GuitarCardio.com: Select Your Exercise

With a simple, point-and-click menu, GuitarCardio lets you make finger exercises with tablature and diagrams you can print easily to use anytime. Select the key, choose a scale (major, minor, pentatonic, etc.), which root string to start and difficulty ... Viola! ... you've got a tablature page to print and play.

Now if somebody made one of these for the Dobro!

Skaggs Family Records :: Cadillac Sky

2008-07-12T19:22:00.001-05:00

Click here to stream songs from Cadillac Sky's forthcoming Skagg's Family CD. I stumbled upon this new band on MySpace. They play some mighty fine bluegrass that's steeped in tradition while updating the form with unique arrangements, original harmonic ideas and just plain ol' hot pickin'.

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2008-07-05T11:05:00.002-05:00

Bob Huston sent word of a Sunday Jam Session in Chicago at Independence Park, corner of Irving Park and North Hamlin. See the Google Map below:

View Larger Map

2008-07-01T08:37:00.002-05:00

We start the month with the annual American Music Festival. Henhouse Prowlers play all night in the SideBar on Wednesday. The wonderful New Orleans-based rockabilly/bluegrass duo Jeff & Vida are in the SideBar all night Saturday.

Headliners of note include Chuck Prophet and Pat McLaughlin on Wed, Susan Cowsill, Terry Evans and Tributosaurus as The Allman Brothers on Thu, Paul Thorn on Fri, and Rosie Flores, Joe Ely with Joel Guzman and Robbie Fulks on Sat.

Now, for the rest of the month.

Tue 6/8 is Open Mic in the Club. Fri 7/11 is Jeremy Spencer (pictured above), the original Fleetwood Mac guitarist. Sat 7/12 brings the Americana singer-songwriter Tift Merritt.

Not to be missed! On Thu 7/24 there's a showcase of Spade Kitty Records artists including Roxy Swain (aka Jack's daughter) in her formal debut with their permanent 5-piece lineup.

Also on the bill is The Righteous Roadrunners and the Broken-Winged Angels Choir, featuring Jack "Gunslinger" Swain himself.

Small Time Singers

2008-06-30T21:49:00.001-05:00

Small Time Singers
Originally uploaded by paulmcaleer

It's funny what pops up when you search Flickr for "oak" "park" and "bluegrass." Though I can't agree with the comment about Mary's facial expressions.

Tributosaurus becomes The Allman Bros.

2008-06-30T11:47:00.001-05:00

THURSDAY, JULY 3RD
TRIBUTOSAURUS BECOMES THE ALLMAN BROTHERS
at the Fitzgerald's American Music Festival

6615 Roosevelt Road - Berwyn IL
10:15pm - $25 festival admission
Tickets available at the gate - no advance sales

www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

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SAT, JUNE 28TH (NOT FRIDAY)

2008-06-25T18:33:00.001-05:00

CAN YOU PICK OUT THE GROSSO IN THIS LINE UP?
Jim and Mary's son Adam is performing at Martyr's with his worldbeat ensemble Euforquestra. More info at Euforquestra.com and Martyrslive.com.

RIP

2008-06-17T13:56:00.001-05:00

Utah Phillips - A short jog through a long memory

U. Utah Phillips has passed away in his sleep at 11:30PM PDT on May 23, 2008. Utah has caught the westbound, and I am at a great loss. For myself and my wife Pam, to Joanna and to all Utah's family and friends we express our deepest sympathy. We have lost a truly caring man. - Chris 05/24/08

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Upcoming Tuesdays at Skrine Chops

2008-06-13T15:26:00.001-05:00

Tuesdays at Skrine Chops:

06/17: Matthew Francis Andersen croons his own tunes - www.myspace.com/matthewfrancisandersen
06/24: The Frosting Collaborative: Mark Grzelak (Javelinas) & Laura Lopardo - www.myspace.com/thefrostingcollaborative & www.myspace.com/javelinas
07/01: Hoyle Brothers – www.myspace.com/thehoylebrothers
07/08: The Frosting Collaborative: Mark Grzelak (Javelinas) & Laura Lopardo - www.myspace.com/thefrostingcollaborative & www.myspace.com/javelinas
07/15: The Northside Southpaws - www.myspace.com/northsidesouthpaws
07/22: The Frosting Collaborative: Mark Grzelak (Javelinas) & Laura Lopardo - www.myspace.com/thefrostingcollaborative & www.myspace.com/javelinas
7/29: Holiday House - www.myspace.com/holidayhouse3

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Concerts & Events | Old Town School of Folk Music

2008-06-04T17:20:00.001-05:00

"Few bands have produced instrumental virtuosos who can follow the lead of newgrass icons like Sam Bush, Tony Rice and David Grisman. The Waybacks, on the other hand, feature hot pickers who are destined to become revered new-acousticians" - Acoustic Guitar Magazine

Concerts & Events | Old Town School of Folk Music

Friday, June 20, 2008 | 8:00 PM
Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall :: 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

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Congratulations to Rachel Baiman

2008-05-31T18:37:00.001-05:00

Write Rachel a note of post-graduate well wishes on her MySpace page.

Master Class at Val's Halla with Corky Siegel

2008-05-30T21:46:00.001-05:00

Val's Halla :: What's New

May 31 at 3:30 pm we are honored to host a Master Class by the master of all things musical - CORKY SIEGEL. Corky has a new book out called LET YOUR MUSIC SOAR and will come to the Val's halla Stage, ready to critique your talent and help you present it to the world --- a rare opportunity for teachers and students.

Call 708 524 1004 for more info.

Cajun Trio ... Mighty, Mighty Fine!

2008-05-29T10:09:00.001-05:00

Oak Park Farmer's Market Opening Day Kid's Video

2008-05-27T21:25:00.001-05:00

A nice family from Oak Park made a lovely video of the opening day that features several moments of the Farmer's Market musicians performing. Take a look.

Front Row Fanatic Sweepstakes

2008-05-27T15:58:00.001-05:00

The Henderson Crooked Road Series guitar was meticulously handcrafted and includes stunning mother of pearl details. Route 58, the route of The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, as well as depictions of guitars and mandolins are inlaid on the fretboard. Expect to find “Henderson” inlaid in the headstock and in the purfling on the back. Henderson guitars are typically made of Appalachian spruce, rosewood, mahogany, and ebony. Enter now for your chance to win this rare instrument!

Front Row Fanatic Sweepstakes

This sweepstakes is posted by Virginia Is For Lovers (the tourism bureau) and the top two prizes are hand-made guitars, plus a vacation package. I'd say there'd be a better chance of winning for a promotion like this because it's not universally publicized. Sure, you need to give up some private info. But you ought to look at these guitars!

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Mighty Fine Video from Opening Day 2008

2008-05-26T11:35:00.001-05:00

Ain't we got fun?!

2008-05-26T10:43:00.000-05:00

OPENING DAY AT THE FARMER'S MARKET 2008 was MIGHTY FINE INDEED!

2008-05-24T16:59:00.002-05:00

JACK AND BOB AT SKRINE CHOPS
Swain and Lopardo, that is. They're performing this coming Tuesday night at Skrine Chops on Madison Street in Forest Park (west of Harlem, east of Circle). Sets begin at 8:30 pm. Come early for the amazing chops, steaks and sides.

Mighty Fine Concert at Old Town School

2008-05-24T16:52:00.001-05:00

Event Detail Concerts & Events

The Sparrow Quartet features world renowned banjoist, composer Bela Fleck, Grammy-nominated fiddler Casey Driessen, roots/classical cellist Ben Sollee, and the inimitable, unstoppable Abigail Washburn from Uncle Earl. The group became the first artists to tour Tibet and China on a US government sponsored cultural mission. With one foot rooted in the fiery sounds of Appalachia and the other in the Szechuan province, The Sparrow Quartet makes music for the global citizen.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
7:00 PM & 10:00 PM
Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall :: 4544 N Lincoln Ave.
Abigail Washburn & The Sparrow Quartet featuring Bela Fleck, Casey Driessen and Ben Sollee

YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.

2008-05-21T12:18:00.000-05:00

Mighty Fine Boston Band - Crooked Still

2008-05-18T08:11:00.001-05:00

Crooked Still
Meet Crooked Still, the hot young alternative bluegrass group on a mission to bend the boundaries of traditional music. The unlikely combination of banjo, cello, and double-bass drives this low lonesome band, whose captivating vocals and high-wire solos have enraptured audiences all over North America and Ireland since 2001.

--

Hey I just stumbled upon this Boston band while shopping for tunes on eMusic. Their debut album "Shaken by a Low Sound" is filled with traditional American old-time/bluegrass tunes, but the performances are wonderful -- especially the vocals. You know, I've come to the point in my life at which the vocals are everything. And this album is lovely. Comparisons to the neo-roots band Ollabelle and its blend of male-and-female harmonies are unavoidable. Crooked Still brings its own unique instrumentation (including cello) and a Celtic edge.

Hear them on MySpace -- http://myspace.com/crookedstill

The Replays at Ave Ale House

2008-05-17T17:06:00.001-05:00

the Replays

Saturday, May 24, 2008
Avenue Ale House
825 S. Oak Park Ave.
Oak Park
First set at 9:30 PM

Cheaper than the Stones and slightly younger…

BSM Plays the Appalachian Jaw Harp

2008-05-12T08:04:00.001-05:00

2008-05-02T21:57:00.001-05:00

LIMITED OPENING - MAY 24TH
Surprisingly, the Oak Park Farmer's Market is opening early this year. The first weekend will be Sat., May 24th. Save the date.

2008-05-02T21:54:00.001-05:00

2008-05-01T19:06:00.000-05:00

Guitarist - The iPhone Guitar

2008-04-24T14:26:00.001-05:00

Toss that ol' pre-war Martin ... you don't need it anymore! Just pick up your iPhone and get pickin' that good ol' Mountain Dew!

Guitarist - The iPhone Guitar

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A Songwriter Writes About Songwriting

2008-04-19T17:18:00.001-05:00

We Are Emotional Spies - Measure for Measure - Opinion - New York Times Blog

While I was finding my way as a songwriter, a colleague of mine, Ed Sanford, told me something I’ve since found to be very true. Songwriters, he said, are “emotional spies” — little creative crazies creeping around, sneaking in and out of our own emotions, watching, listening and remembering every bit of conversation with friends, family and every stranger we meet.

(Read the rest of the article by clicking the headline link above.)

2008-04-18T11:58:00.000-05:00

OPEN MIC MOLLY MALONE'S - IRISH PUB
The long-lost Open Mic at Molly's has quietly restarted. It begins at 9:00 pm every Sunday Night. And it's hosted by Laura Lopardo and her partner, Jamie.

Officially, it's listed as follows on the Molly Malone's MySpace page:
Open Mic w/ Jamie and Jim
7652 W. Madison Ave., NO COVER

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Doc Watson Black Mountain Rag

2008-04-17T11:32:00.001-05:00

Black Mountain Rag on YouTube

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UNBELIEVABLE SHOW OF THE NEW CENTURY !!!

2008-04-14T12:28:00.001-05:00

Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 8 pm
Charlie Louvin of the Louvin Brothers
Heartland Cafe CHICAGO, Illinois - www.myspace.com/heartofrogerspark

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My Good Friend Ben's Music Video

2008-04-11T12:56:00.001-05:00

Ben Arnold is a singer-songwriter on Ropeadope Records. This music video was filmed in Rittenhouse Square in Center City Philadelphia. My middle school was on the southwestern corner of the park. Ben and I attended high school together at Creative & Performing Arts at Broad & Spruce Streets.

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The American Beauty Project

2008-04-08T07:43:00.001-05:00

Saturday, April 19 - 7:30 pm
Tickets $43 / $33
Dominican University Performing Arts Center
Box Office 708-488-5000 or www.dom.edu/pac
Lund Auditorium, 7900 W Division, River Forest
Hear streaming audio on their Web site.

2008-03-29T16:05:00.001-05:00

Chatham County Line: IV: Pitchfork Record Review

"IV is the most rewarding offering from Chatham County Line to date. It's a little bit bigger and a little more elaborate than its predecessors, but it's an incremental step toward something more expansive. It still retains the best elements of the band's music-- its separation from the moment. This music isn't a product of its era, but nor is it married to a bygone one. It's essentially timeless, both in terms of era and when I find I can listen to it. That's a quality any band would be happy to claim."
- Pitchforkmedia.com Record Review 03-18-2008

Another great album from one of the new wave of young (under-30) string bands plying the back roads of Americana. CCL are functionally a bluegrass unit - guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and double bass. But their music reflects their youth and diverse musical interests, but they never veer into the "newgrass"-cum-jazzesque fusion of the 70s generation. It's hard to pin a label on 'em. But the music's mighty fine!

BLUEGRASS MIDWEST - NOW!

2008-03-29T15:13:00.001-05:00

For further festival information, VISIT THE WEB SITE call 217-243-3159 or email info@bluegrassmidwest.com.

Special Saturday Morning Open Stage & Showcase - 10:30 a.m.

Saturday Afternoon 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Separate Area - Workshops for acoustic Instruments - Adults & Youth.

Weekend Jamming Rooms - $5.00 Pass or Concert Ticket Required

2008-03-29T11:27:00.002-05:00

Mighty Fine Fiddler Alert! St. Pat's Day at FitzGerald's!

2008-03-16T11:11:00.001-05:00

April Verch - When you see
twenty-seven year old April Verch perform, the first thing that strikes
you is the pure energy that infuses her fiddle playing and stepdancing.
Infused with both Canadian and Appalachian influences, her fiddle
playing and vocals are a sweet mix of old and new. Award-winning
fiddler, step dancing expert and vocalist April Verch brings new
meaning to the word multi-tasking. A winner of both the Canadian Grand
Masters Fiddle and Open Fiddle Championships.

• In the Club: 8pm and
10pm (2 sets) aprilverch.com

St. Patrick's Day Festival at FitzGerald's

On Monday, March 17th, when most clubs, bars and restaurants have had their fill of Irish partying from the weekend before, FitzGerald’s will open its backyard tent and club to host its own “féile” (festival) with non-stop music, food and dancing beginning at 2pm.

Next Gen of Chicago Singer-Songwriters

2008-03-16T11:07:00.001-05:00

Where and when will we meet (and hear) the next Steve Goodman? Obviously, never. But there are new singers and songwriters cropping up among the under-30 generation who are carrying on. Many of them are mighty fine. To wit, Chicago Farmer. Check out his song "The Village" on his MySpace page. Mighty fine indeed.

MySpace.com - Chicago Farmer - CHICAGO, Illinois - Folk - www.myspace.com/codydiekhoff

About Chicago Farmer Cody is a folk-singers folk-singer and a poets poet. He was born and bred in Delavan IL, population 25, surrounded by the endless skies of the American Midwest. Before moving to Chicago in 2003, Cody tried his hand at sessions in Nashville and carefully hewed and tested his art in college town bars and honky-tonks around the Midwest.

He now plays regularly in the city and its not uncommon to see whole rooms full of strangers erupt and sing along to the choruses of his songs on their first listen (Ive seen it happen). Codys voice is powerful and gritty, emotionally piercing while subtly imbuing additional layers of meaning and poignancy in his lyrical delivery. His song-writing is deeply rooted in the American Folk tradition and all of its grit but with a post Dylan sense of wit, perspicacity and that certain savior-faire.

2008-03-13T08:00:00.001-05:00

The Fiddle Club of the World (Chicago Chapter) : Fiddle Club of the World

The Fiddle Club of the World (Chicago Chapter) kicks off its inaugural season with a series of three monthly meetings that will each offer an unplugged concert by a featured guest musician. The concert will be followed by a jam session for club members with the featured guest. Several tunes from the upcoming meeting’s guest will be posted a month ahead of time on this website (http://oldtownschool.org/connect/fiddleclub/) under the category “Tunes” linked on the right sidebar.

St Patrick's Day Gig

2008-03-10T08:16:00.001-05:00

An Evening of Traditional Irish Music
featuring Devin Shepherd, Theresa Shine and Bob Locke
with special guests including Mary K and Bob Lopardo, Mary and Jim Grosso plus Jack Swain

Sat., March 15, 8:00 pm
Philander's
1110 Pleasant Street, Oak Park
In the Carleton Hotel

2008-03-08T07:47:00.004-06:00

World Music Festival
To benefit the Music for Life Foundation providing instrumental music scholarships to needy students in Chicago and the Western Suburbs - www.musicforlifefoundation.org.

Indian, Balkan and American Folk Music by

Sandalwood Sitar Ensemble (Sitar)
Cavatina Duo (Guitar and Flute)
Farmer's Market Band (American Folk)
and more!

with Guest MC Scott Thomas, WFMT radio personality

Saturday, March 15th
First United Church, 848 Lake Street, Oak Park (click for Google Map)
7:00 - 9:30 pm
Tickets available at the door: $15/person and $45/family
Information - 708 488 9280

Last Minute Concert Notice

2008-03-08T07:42:00.001-06:00

Event Detail Concerts & Events

Carrie Newcomer is a multi-faceted singer-songwriter, storyteller, and activist who does not believe in having any one label stuck on her artistry. "Carrie is a touchstone of authenticity in an image-driven, media-defined musical world. She is a beautiful singer and songwriter, and deeply refreshing." –Rosanne Cash

Sunday, March 9th at 7:00pm in the Maurer Concert Hall of the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave. $20 ($18 for OTS members); $16 seniors and kids. Box Office: 773-728-6000 or Tix.com

2008-03-08T06:13:00.000-06:00

Lincoln Elementary School's PTO is raising money to plant an inner-courtyard garden in honor of Marie Fegan, the longtime kindergarten teacher who passed away last year. OPFMB washboard, Dobro and kitchen sink picker Miguel Gonzalez is playing drums and singing with THE MEN FROM DAD. Food is by WISHBONE. Fitzgerald's is smoke free. And the cause is worthy.

Banjo + Orchestra Concert

2008-02-26T21:40:00.001-06:00

Concert With Northside
College Prep Orchestra

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 7:30PM in
Chicago

This a very special concert featuring the
Chamber Orchestra of Chicago's premier fine arts high school
performing a selection of Miles' works for banjo and
orchestra.

Program will include the Firefly
Sonata, Movements 1 and 3, as well as the Prelude to the
Yellowird Concerto.

North Side College Prep High School, 5501
N. Kedzie, Chicago. Orchestra is under the direction of Leo Park.
Orchestration by Margaret James.

ADMISSION IS FREE

Long Gone Lonesome Boys at FitzGerald's

2008-02-19T08:37:00.001-06:00

MySpace.com - Long Gone Lonesome Boys

The LONG GONE LONESOME BOYS are John Milne, a California native, and Patrick Penney, a Georgia boy. They sound like brothers when they sing their beautiful alt-country songs together. If you like drinkin' songs, cheatin' songs, and great harmony singing you'll love these guys. Backing them up on mandolin/steel guitar are Chicago native Pat Keiner who also chimes in with wonderful tenor harmonies, Chicagoan Leslie Walle-Santos on drums, and Wisconsinite Jesse Woelfel on upright and electric bass.

Some friends from the FitzGerald's scene are playing there this Thursday, FEB 21. If you're not otherwise occupied, please try to stop by. FitzGerald's is now Smoke Free!

Borders Live at 01: Patty Griffin

2008-02-14T07:55:00.001-06:00

"A distillation of bare-bones vocals and delicately sketched musical accompaniment, Patty Griffin's Children Running Through bears witness to a child's clear-eyed joy."

This is very nice. A live in-store performance from Borders Store #01 in Ann Arbor, MI. It's part of a series featuring acoustic and un-plugged songwriters; and it's free on the Web.

Borders Live at 01: Patty Griffin

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Group-Singing - Pete Seeger - Rise Up Singing - New York Times

2008-02-11T20:37:00.001-06:00

Amateur group-singing has been around forever, of course, at bars, churches, schools, camps and stadiums. Community sings like the one in East Lansing are pitched halfway between the ritual of the campfire singalong and the self-conscious American folk-music movement of the 20th century.

Group-Singing - Pete Seeger - Rise Up Singing - New York Times

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2008-02-04T17:32:00.000-06:00

Heather writes in - "On the afternoon of Sunday Feb 17th, Sunny Side Up will be playing at Fitzgerald's. Come out and support bluegrass music in the west suburbs. Kids are welcome. Bring the whole family, it will be a great show!"

And I say, "Mighty fine!"

2008-02-02T15:51:00.001-06:00

Greg Reish - Old Time Strings

A concert of American crime songs, including songs about some of America’s most notorious bad guys (and gals). Friday, February 15, 2008, 7:30 p.m., in Roosevelt University's historic Ganz Hall, 430 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago (in the Auditorum Theatre Building). Free admission.

2008-01-13T01:32:00.000-06:00

Mighty Fine Jam Session ...

2008-01-12T20:21:00.001-06:00

TRAD FEST at THE OLD TOWN SCHOOL - OPEN HOUSE

Friday, January 25, 2008 6:30 PM at the Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall, 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Trad Fest Open House with Foghorn Stringband, Carolina Chocolate Drops and Garry Harrison & The New Mules. Foghorn Stringband, Carolina Chocolate Drops, and Garry Harrison &
The New Mules will host banjo and fiddle round-robins, square dancing
in two rooms, and open jam sessions throughout the School.

Tickets $5 Box Office: 773.728.6000 Tickets available online at Tix.com.

2008-01-06T14:20:00.001-06:00

Mother Maybelle Recalls The Bristol Sessions

2008-01-05T21:45:00.001-06:00

2007-12-25T16:55:00.000-06:00

A Mighty Fine Merry Xmas (or belated Hannukah ... or Kwanzaa)
I got the 2 + 3 volume from the Old Town School's four-part collection of folk music standards from Santa (masquerading as my wife, Nancy). It's phenomenal. A real treat. Get them all for a friend or loved one. Here are the best deals:

- Buy all four volumes on good old-fashioned compact discs (Disc 1, Discs 2+3 set and Disc 4) directly from Chicago's own Bloodshot Records for $30. (Trust me, you'll want the liner notes, which you won't get if you download from Amazon or iTunes; and if you buy the CDs from Amazon, you'll pay way more than $30 for all four.).
- Download the Disc 4 bonus tracks from Amazon.com for only .99¢ each - that's cuts 21 through 36. (The various advertisements and even the Bloodshot web site claim these bonus tracks are only on iTunes. But I found 'em on Amazon.com, where you can download the individual tracks in MP3 format versus iTunes' proprietary AAC format.)

God bless the Old Town School. So, buy their new CDs to express your support.

Mighty Fine Historical Recordings on CD

2007-11-27T08:23:00.001-06:00

Dust-to-Digital : About Us

Dust-to-Digital was started in February 1999 by Lance Ledbetter, a radio disc jockey at WRAS — the student-run voice of Georgia State University. Having been recently introduced to vintage 78 rpm records by the reissue of the Anthology of American Folk Music in 1997, Ledbetter decided to set out on a search for rare gospel recordings.

Four and a half years later, Goodbye, Babylon was released. The six CD box set was accompanied by a 200 page book and hand-packed with raw cotton in a wooden box. The response from music fans around the world was astounding, and Dust-to-Digital followed up the gospel set with Where Will You Be Christmas Day? in 2004.

Mighty Funky World Beat

2007-11-26T20:14:00.001-06:00

Adam Grosso's band Euforquestra will be performing at Martyrs this Friday, November 30. They will play from 9:00 to 10:00pm, and be followed by Bumpus and Garaj Mahal, featuring the jazz guitarist Fareed Haque in a "jam band" quartet.

Martyrs is at 3855 N. Lincoln in Chicago (between Addison and Irving Park). The kitchen opens at 6:00, so think about going early for dinner.

Mighty Fine Concerts at The Old Town School

2007-11-22T08:12:00.001-06:00

2008 Concerts at the Old Town School
Click the link for details. There's the Trad Fest Open House in late January with Foghorn Stringband and the Carolina Chocolate Drops. Also concerts with the singer-songwriter/producer Joe Henry, the New Orleans pianist/composer Allen Toussaint, the Celtic Fiddle Fest, the David Grisman Quintet, Cowboy Junkies with special guest Mary Gauthier and, among many more amazing shows, the ukelele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro with guests Sarah Lee Guthrie (Arlo's girl) & Johnny Irion (whose recently released solo CD is very, very good).

The Bluegrass Blog is Mighty Fine

2007-11-11T09:50:00.001-06:00

Yet another good ... some would say great ... bluegrass music site.

Mighty Fine Americana Music Site

2007-11-11T09:37:00.001-06:00

Since first launching the OPFMB blog site, I have noticed the number of "Americana Roots" music sites have blossomed across the Net. Check this one out.

2007-11-11T09:34:00.001-06:00

Americana Roots : Merle Haggard - The Bluegrass Sessions
"Surrounding himself with some of the best musicians in the business (Marty Stuart on mandolin, Carl Jackson on guitar, Rob Ickes on resophonic guitar, Charlie Cushman on banjo, Aubrey Haynie fiddle and Ben Isaacs on bass) as he runs through 12 songs – three new songs, two covers and seven Haggard classics receiving the bluegrass treatment."

Curious? Read the rest by clicking the link. Americana Roots is a great site. Try it, you'll like it.

Upcoming Mighty Fine Jam Session

2007-11-02T08:10:00.001-05:00

The Django Jam continues each second Friday of the month. Come check it out next Friday, November 9th, 7:00 pm, at the Zen Community of Oak Park - Empty Sound Temple, 163 N. Humphrey Ave. in Oak Park (1/2 block north of Lake St., 1 block west of Austin Blvd).

If you have any questions, call Bob Althouse at 708-445-1651.

Mighty Fine Upcoming Shows ...

2007-11-01T08:35:00.001-05:00

Charlie Louvin
The surviving Louvin brother released his first studio recording in a long, long time last year. This is perhaps our last chance to see this living legend in performance.

Sunday, Dec 16. $20.
Schubas, 3159 N Southport Ave, 773-525-2508
www.schubas.com

--

John Prine with Iris Dement
Favorite son. Esteemed songwriter. Cancer survivor. Maywood's own. Angel from Montgomery. Need I say more?

Friday, Feb 8, 2008. $49.50 - $59.50.
Chicago Theater

--

Sones de Mexico
Like any large nation, Mexico boasts regional folk music forms that differ in style and substance. Unfortunately, here in the States we tend to generalize, which robs us of distinguishing between them. The Mexican Son (the word son means almost literally "song") is, generally, a southern folk form native to Guadalajara and vicinity.

Friday, Nov 23. $12.
Fitzgerald's

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Ralph Stanley and his Clinch Mountain Boys
See my notes below. Opening act, the Henhouse Prowlers (pictured above), are a group of Chicagoans who play with conviction and respect for the Appalachian tradition, yet they're never stale. Let's call them unconventional traditionalists. Listen to a track on their MySpace page.

Thursday, Nov 25 at 8pm. $25.
Fitzgerald's
www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com

2007-10-29T09:05:00.000-05:00

Ralph Stanley & his Clinch Mountain Boys at Fitzgerald's
Thu., Nov. 15th, 8pm, $25 with The Henhouse Prowlers
"After 55 years in the business, Ralph Stanley is still the best banjo picker and tenor singer in bluegrass music. As a recording artist, he has performed on more than 170 albums, tapes, and CDs. Ralph's played throughout the United States and in many foreign lands, too, including several tours of Japan. In addition to the many honors Ralph has received as a bluegrass musician, including membership on the Grand Ole Opry, he is also a Shriner, a member of the Primitive Baptist Universalist Church, and active in his local community, having served on the Dickenson County School Board."

2007-10-29T08:52:00.000-05:00

O Brother Buy My Dobro!

Regal RD 75 Square Neck Resonator guitar (aka Dobro): Solid mahogany back and sides, solid spruce top, bone nut, spider bridge, spun cone, maple saddle, solid headstock with excellent tuners, includes a Stevens(R) steel and finger picks, plus a gig bag. It's only limitation (in my view) is that it's a 24.75" scale, making it a wee bit narrower at the nut and teeny bit shorter end to end.

I bought this guitar brand new at The Old Town School's Different Strummer for $350 plus $45 for the bag and this 'n' that for the picks 'n' steel. Plus tax.

You get it all for merely $150.

This guitar is no longer in production. If you want to try it, visit Musicopia on Roosevelt Road west of Oak Park Ave. Or drop me an email - miggonz@sbcglobal.net

2007-10-29T08:12:00.001-05:00

Country star Porter Wagoner dies at 80 - Yahoo! News
Porter Wagoner was known for a string of country hits in the '60s, perennial appearances at the Grand Ole Opry in his trademark rhinestone suits, and for launching the career of Dolly Parton.

2007-10-28T21:31:00.001-05:00

WASHBURN MANDOLIN PROTO - Solid Wood
Reply to: sale-462457661@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-10-28, 7:55PM CDT
This is a mint condition Washburn prototype mandolin. Is has Solid Flamed Maple back and sides and a Solid Spruce top along with maple binding. Great sounding Mando. Email with any questions, tunetime@earthlink.net.

2007-10-07T23:34:00.001-05:00

SNOCAP
"Artists: Get a SNOCAP MyStore!

* Sell your music on MySpace and beyond
* Easily upload your music
* Set your own prices
* Monitor your sales on a daily basis
* It's your music - you keep all the rights
* Only $30 per year (the first year is FREE)"

Click to see some major artists who are using SNOCAP, a diy Net music store app you add to your MySpace or other personal music page online.

Jack Swain Showcase Performace - Don't Miss This!

2007-10-05T07:23:00.001-05:00

Thursday 10/25, 8:00pm, at Fitzgerald's
6615 W. Roosevelt Road, Berwyn

Spade Kitty Records night at Fitzgerald's! Two bands - Trakan and The Red Plastic Buddha - will do a very special suburban label showcase as a pre-release show. Also on the bill are local sensations Jack Swain and Alex Mizicko and friends.

More info at FitzgeraldsNightclub.com

2007-10-04T06:51:00.001-05:00

Amazon.com: Raising Sand: MP3 Downloads: Robert Plant and Alison Krauss
To be released on Oct 23, "Raising Sand" is a complete album that blends two distinctive voices from totally different strains of popular music. Led Zeppelin's Robert Plant is a high-voiced screamer who's mellowed through the years. Yet he retains the edgy timbre befitting his "Hammer of the Gods" upbringing. Alison Krauss needs no introduction. She possesses the purest soprano in bluegrass, country and beyond. Absolute beauty, she has.

On the ballads their voices blend wonderfully in a strangely-new-yet-familiar way. But the rock-tinged tracks are just okay. When they invoke Mountain Soul, it's blessed harmony.

Check out the Amazon.com download system. It's a new online music store with MP3s formatted at twice the audio quality of iTunes. Buy only the tracks that suit your taste. Or take the whole album for $8.99, a considerable discount from the plastic disc.

2007-09-30T21:54:00.000-05:00

Innovative UK guitarist Richard Thompson performs a solo acoustic number in this parlor video from his controversial new(ish) CD "Sweet Warrior" on Amazon.com.

2007-09-18T21:53:00.001-05:00

Go see Loudon Wainwright before the current political situation makes you want to end it all!

Loudon Wainwright III with special guest Lucy Roche

Saturday, September 22, 2007
7:00 PM & 10:00 PM
Gary and Laura Maurer Concert Hall :: 4544 N Lincoln Ave.

Jorma Kaukonen and Friends perform "Operator" from American Beauty

2007-09-11T18:06:00.001-05:00

Though this video is seven minutes long, there's a wonderful minute or two with Jorma in which he describes the quirky, creative and innovative approach to traditional American songcraft that makes the Dead's old-time songs both interesting and attractive to old-time pickers.

Mighty Fine Old Town School Gala

2007-09-08T19:18:00.001-05:00

50 Years In Chicago | Concerts & Events – Old Town School

Join in celebrating the Old Town School's 50th Anniversary -- and help provide vital support for the School's education, scholarship, performance and outreach programs -- with this once-in-a-lifetime concert at the historic Auditorium Theatre.

Oak Park Arms Update

2007-09-03T20:15:00.001-05:00

Bob Lopardo reports that performances are continuing on a once-a-month-ish basis at the Oak Park Arms. The next date is Sat, Sep 15th. Music begins at 9:00 am and continues through about noon.

2007-08-27T07:41:00.001-05:00

carolinachocolatedrops.com

The Carolina Chocolate Drops are a group of young African-American stringband musicians that have come to together to play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music in Carolinas’ piedmont. Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson both hail from the green hills of the North Carolina Piedmont while Dom Flemons is native to sunny Arizona.

Mike Casey on the Radio

2007-08-21T07:01:00.001-05:00

Tune in to 88.9 FM for Bluegrass Deluxe
Mike Casey hosts a mighty fine radio show dedicated to great acoustic music. Broadcasting from Triton College in River Grove to your electronic receiver. Request a tune by calling 708-583-3110.

2007-08-06T21:20:00.001-05:00

An evening of songs from Carl Sandburg’s landmark 1927 folksong collection, The American Songbag. The selections, some familiar and others obscure, some humorous and others haunting, will be sung and played in authentic styles of the 1920s and 1930s and accompanied by historical commentary.

Friday, September 7, 2007, 7:30 pm, at Historic Pleasant Home,
217 S. Home Avenue, Oak Park, IL. Showtime TBA. Tickets are $12
in advance, $15 at the door. For more information call 708-524-0963.

2007-08-03T15:52:00.001-05:00

Django Jam
The Zen Community celebrates the Gypsy Jazz tradition once a month by hosting a jazz jam session. All muscians and instruments are welcome. Everyone is welcome to join in - bring along some food and something to drink and enjoy yourself.

Some of the standards in this genre to practice are: Bossa Dorado, Daphne, Dark Eyes, Djangology, Django's Castle, Douce Ambiance, Minor Blues, Minor Swing, Swing Gitan, Swing 39, Swing 42, Swing 85. And there are still many others such as: After Your Gone, All of Me, Avalon, I Can't Give you Anything, It Don't Mean a Thing, Lady be Good, Limehouse Blues, Lulu Swing, Ma Premiere Guitare, Nuages, Out of Nowhere, Rose Room, Sweet Georgia Brown, Sweet Sue.

For more information, call 708.445.1651

Django Jam Dates:
Aug 10, Sept. 14, Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14

2007-07-31T19:23:00.000-05:00

Everybody check out Greg's newly re-designed Web site at www.OldTimeStrings.com and let him know if you think it's mighty fine or what, listen to a four tracks from the Ganz Hall Recital (which will soon be released on CD) ... or just say "Hi."

2007-07-30T20:55:00.000-05:00

Mike Casey - Elementary Fiddling

For beginners, intermediates and even advanced fiddlers, OPFMB co-founder Mike Casey presents his original method for violin technique including more than 30 fiddle tunes and much more. Click the link above for details and an online order form. Or call Mike Casey Music directly by dialing 708 780 0332.

Definitive performance or what?

2007-07-30T20:45:00.001-05:00

Jimmy Martin - 1994 - Freeborn Man

2007-07-30T20:42:00.001-05:00

Whew! Now you can certainly see and hear why this man was and still is a true legend.

Mighty Fine Concert in Evanston

2007-07-30T20:35:00.001-05:00

Bluegrass Legends Concerts are produced in cooperation with the American Legion Music Hall of Evanston. The 2006 Fall series marks [ its ] 8th year of presenting the nation’s top acoustic bluegrass talent and folk-roots opening acts in an all-ages, non-smoking concert setting for families.

Seating is limited as the concerts are designed to be intimate and personal. Everyone is encouraged meet the performers and learn about our rich American musical heritage.

Mighty Fine (and Long) List of Fests

2007-07-30T20:29:00.001-05:00

Bluegrass Festivals

This list just keeps on going and going and going. It's got great links. But it fails to accurately list the home state of each listing (they're arranged by date).

On Tyme: I'll Be No Stranger There

2007-07-30T20:18:00.001-05:00

I found this link from the NIBA.org site - that's the Northern Illinois Bluegrass Association.

2007-07-26T08:23:00.001-05:00

+ = Mighty Fine World Record!
Old Town School World's Largest Music Lesson - August 7th, 2007

The Old Town School of Folk Music is poised to enter the Guinness Book of World Records! Guitar players of every level are welcome to join the Old Town School guitar faculty at the Welles Park Gazebo to learn basic chords and play two songs in full unison.

The current record holder for the world's largest music lesson involved 539 participants being taught to play the harmonica by Roland van Straaten at Camlog Biotechnologies Congress in Montreux, Switzerland on May 12, 2006. We're hoping to register 2,000 participants (not that we have anything against the Swiss, but let's beat them good).

Check in at 6pm for a lesson starting promptly at 7:30pm.

The first 1000 registered participants are automatically entered in a drawing to win a beautiful Martin 00X1 guitar, accessories, and a free Old Town School group class! (drawing will be held immediately following the lesson. Must be present to win.)

Powered by ScribeFire.

Early notice: Mighty Fine Carter Family Tribute Concert

2007-07-26T08:16:00.001-05:00

Event Detail Concerts & Events

The swansong of the Secret Country series [ at the Old Town School ] is an all-star celebration of the weird and wonderful music of the Carter Family. A.P. (whose 114th birthday falls December 15), Sara, and Maybelle gave country music a canon ("Wildwood Flower," "Wabash Cannonball," "Keep On The Sunnyside," just for starters), and their timeless recordings, hard with the stoicism of poor Southern Baptists but sparkling with crystalline melody and sly syncopation, both revere and reimagine the folk music of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Those two poles will guide new interpretations by Danny Barnes, Joy White, Casey Driessen, Kelly Hogan, Bill Kirchen, Scott Ligon, Robbie Fulks, and a secret guest TBA. Carter Family biographer Charles Hirshberg will be on hand to provide historical color.

2007-07-12T17:36:00.000-05:00

July 13-14, 2007
Jim and Mary will be performing with the Grosso Family Band at Camp Euforia in Lone Tree, Iowa. They'll be doing a one hour set at 3:00pm on Saturday.
Click here for details and directions

2007-07-07T14:20:00.001-05:00

Event Detail Concerts & Events
Here's a mighty fine double bill. Ollabelle is a New York-based roots-folk-gospel band with multiple lead vocalists and string band instrumentalists.

They take their name from Ola Belle Reed, the great West Virginia songwriter/banjoist who wrote, among many, "High on a Mountain." Ollabelle the band is also known for one particular member, Amy Helm, whose dad is vocalist/drummer/mandolinist Levon Helm of The Band.

The warm up act, King Wilkie, is much more of a straight-up string band playing Bluegrass with an old time tilt. They're from Virginia, they wear suits, they play at Merlefest and they've released at least one superb CD. This show is on August 10th. Advance tickets are on sale via The Old Town School and the usual outlets.