I was just curious to see if any braves have ever been to this folk festival in New York, and your opinions on it. This is the first time I've gotten the opportunity to play up there and I'd be lying if I said I recognized any of the other bands playing.
John: I've never been to the festival, but I've met folks who go every year. Most of the performers are well established on the folk/roots circuit:
Dar Williams - a pop star on the coffeehouse singer-songwriter circuit
Arlo Guthrie - duh
Gandalf Murphy & the Slambovian Circus of Dreams - lethargic but intriguing rock poetry with cult status
Glengarry Bhoys - not all boys: Celtic rock from Canada
John Gorka - deep-voiced crooner
Lucy Kaplansky - NYC shrink turned folk-rock diva
Mary Gauthier - raised in Louisiana: gone from jail to haut cuisine to critics favorite songwriter. When she sings slow jukebox country style, it's to die for
Marshall Crenshaw - songwriter with pop-rock twang and a hook: college station hit of the late 80's
Red Molly - young ladies doing the Appalachian old time thing
Richard Shindell - velvet-voiced singer-songwriter (not enough grit for me)
Tracy Grammer - formerly on the road with Dave Carter, who passed away. Excellent singer/songwriter
John - after I blurbed out my list I scrolled further down the page: Jimmy Sturr (I think I spelled that right) is playing. I have never seen him live, but I understand that he is the living king of American polka...so you will not squeeze alone!
Hey Claude,
Unfortunately we're just flying up there for the festival then flying right back. I really wish I could take a few days and travel around the area and see NYC, but our schedule just doesn't permit it.