LOCAL MUSIC GROUPS - BANDS -- This web site is maintained by me - Michael Ludgate. I originally started this as a beginner fiddle player who was excited to share everything I learned about folk music with my friends. (more at MySpace.com take a look!) To keep myself and the rest of my musician friends organized I started a music email list and this web page. It has really evolved into more than that. It is a valuable networking resource for the musicians: both beginner and expert, amateur and professional. It really only works if you use the information and stay on the list. It also works better if you help: send me your gigs and other interesting music information and I'll get the word out to the rest of the list. For clarification: I maintain 3 email lists; one each for Customers of Ludgate Farms, another for mostly Folk Music [ Mikes-Music ] and a third for outdoor exercise (Cycle and XC-Ski)... if you want to be on any or all of these email lists just let me know at email Mike Hit reload or refresh every time you visit: this page changes often! [ SUBSCRIBE Mikes-Music ] The music email list generates about 1 email per day ... sometimes more ... sometimes less -:)

This website ... Current Events Home Upcoming Events Forum BB *NEW!* Canaan Jams Mike's Other Jams Dancing Instructors Repair Festivals Annual Local Music CDs Local Bands MP3s  Sheet Music Tune Books Photo Album List-Serves Email Cajun Zydeco Other calendars ... ABC Cafe [MapQuest] Common Ground [MapQuest] Chapter House [MapQuest] Carriage House Cafe [MapQuest] Castaways [MapQuest] Juna's Cafe [ MapQuest ] Lost Dog - Ithaca [ MapQuest ] Maxie's  [ MapQuest ] The Nines [ MapQuest ] Bound for Glory [ CampusMap ] State Theater [ Directions ] Tioga Trails Cafe [MapQuest] Red Newt Cellars [ MapQuest ] Felicia's [ Directions ] The Rongo [MapQuest] The Pourhouse [MapQuest] Cajun Zydeco Corner Ithaca Times Music Ithaca Journal Music Folkstuff Newsletter Back Porch News Folkstuff Events Judy Hyman's Calendar If you are a musician or dancer, however modest or well established,  and you have gigs or other music related items of interest that you want posted here: please email me the info! Most of the info that you see on all these pages here gets to me from you all! Examples: open jams, your gigs, new local CDs, dances, music or dance workshops and so on. -m end google ad

TRES' SWING Tres ' Swing is a exciting trio of highly eclectic musicians that specialize performance in vintage string jazz of the golden era. They are inspired by the French Gypsy and classic American swing music of the 30's and 40's. Tres' swing includes: Dee Specker on violin  & fiddle Some of  Dee's endeavours include  The Jubilee Stringband, Swingsation, bluegrass band Cornerstone and Circle D Nation, whose original acoustic with a country kick Everwest CD she produced along with bandmates Bobby and Doug "Everwest was mixed in Nashville by grammy-winning producer Bil Vorndick and Dee.   Nothing short of virtuoso - Bobby Henrie on guitar. Bobby is a unparalleled multi-instrumentalist, songwriter , vocalist and founder of  the legendary rockabilly swing trio "Bobby Henrie and the Goners". Doug Henrie ,rounds out the trio  on upright alright acoustic bass.  Doug Henrie's credits include the infamous Henrie Brother's Stringband, with which Bobby also performs,  the John Rossbach bluegrass band and most recently the Woody Guthrie tribute tour. The Cotton Mill Girls June 10th Watkins Glen "Debra Chesman, Dannielle Swart and I have a few future performance dates  that need rehearsals, so I want my musical time to be more focused on that right now. Keep an eye out for 'The Cotton Mill Girls' to sing/play in a  town near you! June 10th we will be at the Old Time Fiddle Festival in Watkins Glen, with Joe Crookston as a guest with us". -Trish The Cotton Mill Girls play traditional music about struggles and triumphs throughout our human history of living, loving and working. The music spans decades and centuries from British Isles fiddle tunes American settlers brought with them, right up to more modern folk-style music that seems to be written "in the tradition". You’ll hear three voices, fiddle, guitar, home-made washtub bass and the occasional use of banjo, from a time when music was a participatory event and people had to make their own. They encourage listeners to dance, toe-tap, clap and hum or sing along, but you won’t want to drown out the lovely vocal harmonies! The Cotton Mill Girls take their name from the song recorded by the late Hedy West which describes hard times faced by young women in the early industrial cotton mills. The Cotton Mill Girls sometimes like to have a guest musician and for this performance they will feature Joe Crookston, a multi instrumentalist and award-winning singer/songwriter who, like the Cotton Mill Girls, likes to play old time music in his spare time. http://www.jimharpermusic.com/cottonmillgirls/ Pamela Goddard's new CD is out: As Time Draws Near available at Ludgate Farms "These traditional songs, gathered from many sources, water my roots. Many of these songs, collected in the mountains of Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky, are well known. Other songs, collected in the mountains of New England and New York State, are less well known. All of the songs reach back to an older Anglo/Celtic source and have developed richly wherever they have flowed. I am proud to be part of this stream of music." [ more: Pam's Web Site ] [A writer and dance caller, traditionally influenced a capella singer Pamela Goddard lives in Ithaca, NY. For the past 30 years she's learned traditional songs from both sides of the Atlantic and is now focusing on the songs of New York State and New England.] Kitchen Chair [ CD Review Ithaca Times ] Jennifer and Gail are 2 of the most popular instructors at Clarion Folk College held in Clarion, PA every May. From the Clarion website: "Kitchen Chair has attended every Folk College since the beginning, and now we welcome them back as staff! Based in Ithaca NY, the duo of Jennifer Dotson on fiddle and Gail Blake on guitar plays for contradances all over the eastern U.S. Their speciality is rhythmic, neo-pan-Celtic fiddle tunes that make you want to dance." This CD will be on sale at Ludgate Farms New Album from Traonach ... "Macintosh Jon" traditional Irish Music made in Ithaca ...  This wonderful recording is on sale at Ludgate Farms. Some history... From Traonach's first album: "About the name Traonach ("TRAY-knock") Traonach is the Gaelic term for the corncrake, a reclusive and entirely inoffensive bird formerly common throughout Europe, Central Asia, and Northern Africa. In Ireland its gentle, evocative call (although it is quite raucous at night) was once as familiar as the cuckoo's, but modern farming developments (particularly the increased use of machine harvesters) have brought the traonach to the brink of extinction; it is a very rare class of creature in most of Europe and even Ireland today. The Traonach has been celebrated in Irish mythology. It is shown intertwined with a heron in the sixth-century Book of Kells; in the stamps of numerous countries from the Ukraine to Ireland, and in print or song by the likes of Flann O'Brien, Archie Fisher, the Pogues, and Silly Wizard. We all liked the name and the rural association (for this music is of a famously rural cast) but when we heard that Felix McGowan's nickname for the youthful Ed was "The Corncrake," the vote was unanimous." Turtle United CD is out! The new CD is now on sale at Ludgate Farms! Turtle United of Rochester, NY was formed in late 2003 by four young people of varied musical backgrounds united by a love of contradancing and contradance music. The band plays traditional and original fiddle tunes as  well as some unusual covers of Rusted Root and Ani Difranco among others. Always fun and danceable, the mood of the Turtles can be funky, dreamy, silly, rocking, slinky, and everything in between! Turtle United of Rochester, NY was formed in late 2003 by four young people of varied musical backgrounds united by a love of contradancing and contradance music. The band plays traditional and original fiddle tunes as  well as some unusual covers of Rusted Root and Ani Difranco among others. Always fun and danceable, the mood of the Turtles can be funky, dreamy, silly, rocking, slinky, and everything in between! Contranella ... John Wobus from Contranella has been playing with us Monday and Wednesday nights and has shared a couple tunes his daughter Megan (Turtle United and Contanella) wrote:  Killooleet Waltz and Bird's Refrain. They have more music available on the Contranella website. UpSouth "UpSouth is an old time string band from Ithaca, New York. We play music that became popular in the southern Appalachian mountains from around 1920 - 1940, mixing in some elements of today's celtic, bluegrass, and northern square & contra-dance music. Left to right in the picture are Mac Benford with his 5-string banjo, Randi Beckmann, our piano player, Jim Reidy with his banjo-uke and John Hoffmann with his fiddle. It's dark because it's winter and we are about to play a dance at Close Hall, across the street from from the 'J-Ville Jazzy Jumble' in Jacksonville, NY. We're available for festivals, concerts, dances, weddings, and parties in the Ithaca area and beyond. Please give us a jingle." Rabble Rousers: Old-Time stringband, playing originals and traditional southern old-time music.  Darin Trass - Fiddle, Steve Selin - Banjo, Jason Zorn - Guitar, Bret LeBleu - Bass. Their new CD "Rat Race" is on sale at Ludgate Farms. Five2: Ithaca-based trio comprised of Uniit (of Sim Redmond Band) and sisters Charisse and Yvette Lucente, incorporate folk, country and jazz influences  into their own unique  blend of acoustic sounds heavy with harmony.  Spiced with elements derived from their shared heritage of Latin roots, performaces include songs in Spanish.  Five2 can also be heard singing with Kevin Kinsella of John Brown's Body. Lost Country... Your favorite local traditional country band.... Lost Country is Bob Champion, Rich Hallet, Charlie, Jim Reidy, and Steve Selin.  Lost Country plays old  country standards from the likes of Uncle Dave Macon, Hank Williams, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Bob Dylan... The Story of Hog-Tie Sessions The Hog-Tie Sessions formed 10 years ago to serve up a concoction of Traditional Celtic/Bluegrass soup full of spicy humor for their audiences. Over the years the Hog's have expanded their repertoire to include many original songs and tunes which are now adding further fun and flavor to their live shows. All of the musicians are extremely versatile and virtuosic, playing with a feverish passion and flair while adding a heavy dose of silliness within and without the musical confines. They are a special treat for all who have the privilege to see them. The Hog-Tie Sessions have performed on Bound for Glory; ( North America 's longest running broadcast of acoustic music) and have headlined the legendary Black Mountain Folk Festival in North Carolina . They have performed extensively across New York State in clubs and festivals and have been a staple of the regional contra dancing circuit. If the Hog's play in your town, you can be sure that the audience will show their appreciation with gut busting laughs and foot stomping maniacal dancing. Aaron Windsor ... MP3: Aaron Windsor playing "Silent Night" on guitar at Canaan Rd November 2003. ~1.8 MB Joe Crookston Joe Crookston’s music and song writing is deeply rooted in the grand celebration of life, death, ancestry and the interconnectedness of us all. Born and raised in rural Ohio, with Hungarian musical blood in his veins, he inherited his love of music and song from his late mother, an extremely prolific gospel singer/songwriter and accordion polka wizard. His music draws from his rural Ohio roots and exudes a remarkable inter generational, universal, and timeless quality. His keen musicianship as guitarist, claw hammer banjo player, fiddler, singer and songwriter fuse quirky contemporary stylings with age old traditional and old-time elements reaching across demographics and generations and into the human spirit. Lyrically, he sites  Michelangelo creating David when he say's... "I simply chisel away all the unnecessary words and musical clutter that aren't "the song" and strive to present my music in the purest, most distilled way I can.  Simplicity and silence have incredible power in this cluttered world." His latest release "Fall Down as the Rain", was chosen by Performing Songwriter Magazine as a 2004 “TOP 12 Do It Yourself” independent recording, and two of his songs (including the title track of his latest CD “Fall Down as the Rain”) recently won runner-up in the folk category in the prestigious National John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Joe's music continues to fill the airwaves of public radio stations across the US, and his music has been featured on National Public Radio's "All Songs Considered", as well as Minnesota Public Radio's Morning Show.  He has shared music festival stages with the likes of Livingston Taylor, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, and Tim Reynolds. "Fall Down as the Rain", was named “Best Folk Recording for March 2004” by Seattle’s KBCS radio.  It is a beautiful exploration of the cycles of life, death, and the awesomeness of being alive. "Go see this man perform".... his audience rapport and playful stage presence is intense, mesmerizing, and refreshingly dynamic. Off the Wagon Band ... Tioga Trails Cafe Friday July 8th http://www.myspace.com/offthewagonband http://www.tiogatrailscafe.com/default.htm Off the Wagon started as an acoustic hodgepodge, mainly consisting of former members of two long-defunct groups, SSBA and Pine Junction. We have gone through many configurations, finally arriving at this current lineup. While gone are the banjos, mandolins, and one Telecaster, we retain the love for the classics and enjoy placing our own spin on familiar tunes. You never know what you'll get at an OTW show. It could be a night full of mellow acoustic country tunes, or if the beer is flowing just right, a show full of hard-rockin', wall shakin' rock'n'roll. Most often, its a mix of the two. We hail from Central New York. Two members, Ted and Jesse, live in Cortland, Kevin lives in Ithaca, and Sean in Binghamton. We converge at a local bar or barn party to provide our current and future friends an excuse to drink and dance the night away. Come see for yourself! the "New Henry Ford Model-T Old-time String Band" ... !!! Will be Performing at the Danby Fun Day on Saturday July 16th in the parade. The parade starts at 11:00 am in the Village of Danby (a ways out past Ithaca College ... yeah that Danby!) This all new band features some of our finest local acoustic musicians: Steve Selin, Joe Crookston(in photo), Gay Garrison, Peter Fraissinet and Tod Sukontarak. Carpe Diva Carpe Diva is Bill Garrison's newly formed local band with Vikki Armstrong, Nancy Spero, Roxanne Sullivan, and special guest Laura Taylor on guitar. Djug Django as D'Accord Monday Nights at Les Ducs Square Deal Below is a photograph of the band. From left to right: Marie Shaver (our newest member) on bass; Tom Quigley on mandolin, guitar, vocals; Jim Pritchard on guitar and vocals; and R.J. Siegers (a.k.a., Banjo Boris) on banjo and vocals. Square Deal is a group of four musicians from the Southern Tier who perform energetic folk and bluegrass tunes with wonderful vocal harmonies and soaring instrumentals. More information about Square Deal Dr Q. and Banjo Boris 'Dr Q. and Banjo Boris' together release the power of the combination of guitar and banjo in an torrential outpouring of song. More information about 'Dr. Q and Banjo Boris' can be found [ here ]  Wild Rose (and the Thorns): Wild Rose (and the Thorns) is a band that plays old-time, celtic, and eastern European music (plus a sprinkling of a few other varieties of style) for contra dances and concert performances. Wild Rose is a 4-piece combo consisting of (from left to right) Tom Quigley (keyboards), Amy Shapiro (fiddle), allen lutins (whistle, clarinet, percussions -- please note that allen intentionally does not use capital letters in his name)  and Beth Hogan (guitar). They play a mixture of tunes, celtic, old-time, and eastern european, that are fun to dance to. The ‘Susquehanna River Basin Band’ The ‘Susquehanna River Basin Band’ will play two gigs at the Newark Valley Apple Festival, sponsored by the Newark Valley Historical Society, to be held at the Bement-Billings Farm, Route 38, Newark Valley, NY. 'Susquehanna River Basin Band' plays a fun mix of folk and traditional tunes. String Band Central String Band Central’ will play at the Newark Valley Apple Festival, sponsored by the Newark Valley Historical Society, to be held at the Bement-Billings Farm, Route 38, Newark Valley, NY.  Saturday, October 1 1pm – 3pm From a broad repertoire of Appalachian/ Celtic/New England fiddle tunes and standard bluegrass folk songs, 'String Band Central' provides a traditional, colorful, and varied musical experience. New Moon American folk, celtic folk and delta blues. New Moon is: Gary Kline - guitar, mandolin, banjo, penny whistle. Jim Murphy - hammered dulcimer, washtub bass, washboard. Greg Grodem - guitar. John Murphy - harmonica, drum NeidFyre http://www.myspace.com/neidfyre http://www.neidfyre.com/home.htm Who is NeidFyre? The woman behind NeidFyre is, Mel Ginsberg-Stevens. A Long Island transplant living in Upstate New York, She's been enamoured of Celtic music for longer than she can remember. She began playing the violin in the 4th grade, and has been singing since she was a baby. She's sung with different people in different incarnations of groups since 2000, but in 2002 decided to take things into her own hands and began performing as a solo artist. The end result of these endeavors are two CD's: Duck Feet Waddling, a NeidFyre solo venture, and Tapestry of Dreams, recorded as Gryphon Moon; a joint project with harper Trudy Moon. Both projects were recorded at Pyramid Sound Studio in Ithaca, NY. New CD from Crow Marley available at Ludgate Farms Crow's latest release "many hands" is now available. Crow is an environmental, feminist, funk, folk, fusion artist. She resides in the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York. Crow's background in music is over 30 years and counting. She is the mom of four, granny of two and recently the focus of some folks attention because of the music she writes, plays and sings. Crow has studied classical, plectrum and experimental guitar techniques most of her adult life. She has also taught guitar and music theory for many years. Before deciding to perform professionally, Crow earned an English/Creative Writing degree in 1992 (focus Poetry, graduated with honors as an 'older student') from Wells, a small women's college in upstate New York. Crow's guitar playing is highly technical, she practices rigorously and over the past 10 years has developed her own style of using the guitar as an extension of her work in the field of art.

Bayou Road Krewe New local Cajun band! When you picture the hot and steamy dance halls of southwest Louisiana, filled with the irresistable beat of high energy 2-steps and sultry waltzes, that’s the music that Bayou Road Krewe will bring to you. The Krewe features the twin fiddles of Susi Mills and Steve Selin, capturing the unique double fiddle styles of the Cajun masters as well as the new breed of Louisiana fiddlers. On guitar is Tom Gath, who’s rockin’ rhythm style drives the melody under the fiddle leads, and Susi’s sweet and powerful French vocals. The dancers will never want to leave the dance floor with the Krewe’s rhythm masters, Joe Damiano on bass and Bill King on drums. They bring years of experience with all genres of music to round out this seasoned band of performers. Other Krewe members Ellen Selin (with Hickory!) or Sally Freund may also join in on triangle. So if you can’t get all the way to Louisiana on I -10, the Bayou Road Krewe can bring the music and feel of Louisiana to you! http://www.bayouhighway.com/roadkrewe/ The Sodbusters at ABC Cafe Friday April 20th 9:30 pm Nate, Joel, Kate and Mike G These guys need a name for their band ... WAIT !! They got a name: It's The Sodbusters !! but anyway you know who they are. They are the late night blue grass jammers who met each other at various Canaan Big Jams.  They are the ones who keep the party going til the wee hours ... swing by the the ABC for some kick butt high energy bluegrass! :-) Nate Clark (mandolin), Joel Frank (guitar), Kate Ballantine (fiddle) and Mike Greenberg (resonator slide guitar "Dobro") .......... NOTE: This gig is listed under Mike's name on the ABC web site becase he booked the time slot weeks ago! The band is brand new and they are great fun! The Sodbusters are a high-energy string band born out of late night Jam-sessions combining elements of bluegrass, gypsy-jazz, swing and folk music into an infectious and exciting sound all their own. Mandolin player Nate Clark overheard Joel Frank playing a Norman Blake tune on an old Martin in a music shop way back in the summer of 2003, and have been playing together ever since. In 2005, They teamed up with a trained classical violinist-turned gypsy rogue named Kate Ballantine. Mutual friends introduced the trio to the newest member of the band, Mike Greenberg, who plays the dobro like the love child of Jerry Douglas and Taj Mahal. Together, they're adding a new and fresh sound to Ithaca's diverse music scene. Counting to Zero Friday Feb 10th, at 10:00 pm at The Rongovian Embassy And now our website is up and running. You can find us at www.countingtozero.org Counting to Zero is so much fun. With good humor and strong vocals, Jordan Bokor Warner and Sophia Smith-Savedoff amuse and provoke audiences into having a good time.  Each writes unique songs in the general folk tradition, while experimenting with different themes, instruments, and harmonies.  In short, they joyfully defy categorization.  Counting to Zero has performed at community fairs and cafes in the Ithaca area and is beginning to draw a sizeable fan base on and off the Cornell campus. The Lonesome Sisters ... http://lonesomesisters.com/index.html The Lonesome Sisters, Sarah Hawker and Debra Clifford, are known for their hard hitting high harmonies and their love of singing about tragedy and heartache in all its forms. They have performed at venues such as the Newport Folk Festival and the Kaufman Center, Merkin Hall in NYC, and played with Jesse Winchester, The Levon Helm Band, Hazel Dickens, Alice Gerrard, Laurie Lewis, Dudley Connell, Marshall Wilborn, Tony Trischka, and Barry Mitterhoff. They were also selected to perform in Fall 2005 for juried showcases at the 2005 Western Arts Alliance in Albuquerque NM, and at the Performing Arts Exchange in Memphis, Tennessee. At Merlefest 2004 they performed and won best country song in the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest for Sarah's song, "Forgiveness." There were 894 entries. Sarah's original song "Going Home Shoes" was included in the Fall 2004 Sing Out!Magazine Marcy Prochaska ... [ CD Review Ithaca Times ] Hammered dulcimer artist Marcy Prochaska has completed a new album of instrumental Christmas music. Recorded at Electric Wilburland, What Child Is This? features hammered dulcimer with guitar, recorder, bowed psaltery, and fiddle. Some of the pieces are familiar, such as "Silent Night" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," while others are new, like "Fallen," or less well-known, like "The Lord at First Did Adam Make." Together, these tunes tell a broad story of Christmas, looking back to the Fall in Eden that Christmas promises to redeem, and looking forward to Easter when that promise was fulfilled. Bill Gregg Bill Gregg was born in Ithaca in upstate New York and plays a dozen musical  instruments. He began performing jazz and popular music on keyboards at age 12 After stints in rock bands, the navy and college he began performing and singing folk music. Bill went on to play with (among others) the Crystal City Stringband and the Wild Turkey Stringband and worked for many years as half of the duo Double Eagle with banjo/guitar player Sharon Bortnick. Double Eagle’s performances included Bill Knowlton’s Bluegrass Ramble TV and radio shows, Miller Court (now Chevrolet Court) at the New York State Fair, bluegrass and folk festivals, including many years at the now sadly defunct Thomas Homestead Festival. Bill also performed solo gigs, showcasing his abilities on autoharp, guitar, banjo and fiddle. He also worked as a string instrument instructor both privately and on the staff of the Trumansburg (NY) Conservatory of Fine Arts. Mockin'bird ... Greg jams with us Monday nights on the Commons and occasionally on Wednesdays. Melissa plays with us occasionally on Monday nights on the Commons. From their website: Who Are We? We play contra medleys that mix old standards from the northeast and the south with the occasional tune from other parts of the world. We also play waltzes, schottishes, polkas, and hambos from Scandinavia. Why Mockin'bird? The mockingbird mimics the songs of other birds and many other sounds. Seemed like a good name for a band with southern ingredients and spice from around the world. Steve Ellner (accordion) is a professor in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Cornell. He has played for contra and international folk dancing since 1978, when he joined the Wild Balkan Band of Ithaca. From 1982-2000, Steve lived in Tennessee and North Carolina, where he played in Hudson Bay and other bands that performed throughout the southeast and midwest. Melissa Kacalanos (percussion, whistle, hurdy-gurdy) is a freelance belly-dance and music teacher. She also plays in Jiggermeister, which has just released a CD, and is working on a solo CD of her own. [Jiggermeister CD is available at Ludgate Farms] Greg Lawler (guitar, mandolin) is a professor of Mathematics at Cornell. He comes to us from North Carolina, where he played in Magnolia Klezmer and the Balkan band Kudzustvo. He also sings in the multicultural chorus Voices. Bob Wyttenbach (electric cello) is a senior research associate in Neurobiology & Behavior at Cornell. He also plays acoustic cello in the Cornell Klezmer Ensemble. Wild Rose Wild Rose is a 4-piece combo consisting of Amy Shapiro on fiddle, Beth Hogan on guitar, Allen Lutins on clarinet and whistle, and Tom Quigley on keyboard and bass. They play a mixture of tunes, celtic, old-time, and eastern european, that are fun to dance to. "They were playing at Tioga Trails Cafe": This cafe has been hosting a lot of nice music lately. There is contra dance music there about once per month ... Mangrove Green, Purple Valley and Wild Rose play there on occasion. Map to Tioga Trails Cafe. The Horseflies "Once the Horse Flies start buzzing around your brain, it's no small matter to swat them away. The Ithaca, NY-based sextet makes a hypnotic hum that gets inside your head. On their second album "Gravity Dance" the Horse Flies splice their folk roots to an art-rock sensibility and oddball lyrics to make a grand, quirkily appealing leap from acoustic to electric eccentricity. ..."Gravity Dance" offers 12 compelling songs-- something like Neil Young jamming with minimalist master Philip Glass and reggae legend Bob Marley." -- Ken McIntyre, The Washington Times Many of the Horse Flies CDs and the new Boy With a Fish CD are available at Ludgate Farms [ title list ] Goatboy   with Judy Hyman, Richie Stearns, Jeff Claus, Steve Selin, Rick Hansen, and Ben Gould ... Gigs .... http://www.judyhyman.com/dates.html Many of the Horse Flies CDs and the new Boy With a Fish CD are available at Ludgate Farms [ title list ] Boy With a Fish ... not really acoustic .. but local and interesting -:) http://www.boywithafish.com/ "If you have an affinity for quirky Americana with a hauntingly powerful electric shiver, you should seek out Boy with a Fish's gripping new album, Birds Fly Backwards. ...Claus sings in a reedy plea that sounds like a keening hybrid of Freedy Johnston and David Byrne, while the band ...offers a dustily expansive soundtrack of melodic melancholy, airily suggesting the electric pop texture of Talking Heads and the authentic crackle of 16 Horsepower. From the shimmering opening strains of "Sometimes," with all the noir-ish menace of a Stan Ridgway short story/song ("Losing hair since I was twelve/and I think my car wants to hurt me/I can see it standing there/It's unsettling me..."), Boy with a Fish makes a deep impact with the simplest instrumentation and the sparsest arrangement. Birds Fly Backwards is compelling." -- Amplifier Magazine Purple Valley Band ... The Purple Valley plays dancing blues, swing and rockabilly at Remember this is the only band in the area that you can see and hear that is made up of a sensational high schooler, an information technology specialist, an optician, a therapist, and a librarian!! John lives on Canaan Road and jams with us occasionally. "A good time dance band that plays blues, rock, swing and rockabilly. We love to play for dancers such as those in the Ithaca Area who are collectively known as the Ithaca Swing Dance Network. We also love to play for weddings, private parties, benefits, and wherever people get together to have fun dancing to live music." -- John Saylor's Band Phil and Carrie ... PHIL SHAPIRO  is a folksinger and guitarist, and CARRIE SHORE is a fiddle player, and a fine singer and harmonizer as well.  Together they offer an unusual and delightful program of American folk music, old and new.   No, they're not singer-songwriters.  They're not soft rock contemporary acoustic performers.  No, they're not grinding a political ax.  PHIL SHAPIRO AND CARRIE SHORE are American folk musicians, and proud of it. Phil lives around the corner from us -- he and Carrie have been known to pop in on a jam now and then.......... Bayou Highway is a dynamic, high energy musical duo that specializes in the traditional Cajun dance music of Southwest Louisiana. This new duo has been playing for the past year in restaurants, clubs and for summer concerts and festivals. Susi Mills has been playing Cajun fiddle for 10 years with the Cajun band Cri du Bayou. Tom Gath has been rockin’ central New York on guitar with The band Muddy Dove for 15 years, creating a devoted following of dancers and revelers that follow their music. A Lady of Song Linda Wiley "For a Living History performance; wearing one of my own creations, I invite my audience to join me on my "balcony" somewhere in the South. The people in the audience are, of course, my dear friends who have come to visit during the tragic 1860's. Based on true stories from 1860's diaries and letters, I talk about my family, those gone to war, life at home, and more. I do this in "first person" character. The stories are interspersed with songs of the period appropriate to the story just told. I may sing traditional Civil War such as "Southern Soldier Boy", maybe something Irish - "Oh, Danny Boy", or break into the classical "Panis Angelicus". Some Stephen Foster or Robert Burns - certainly!"  -Linda W Tod S. plays with Linda and her husband Carlisle often, I had the good fortune to jam with them once.. very talented couple. -Mike L June Apple ... June Apple at ABC Cafe again in February .... "June Apple" is Marty Blodgett and Tod Sukontarak with Linda Wiley and Carlisle Wiley. Tod plays mandolin, Marty on banjo, wash tub bass, accordian and fiddle, Carlisle on fiddle and Linda on guitar with occasional vocals. June Apple does roots music: blues, rags and old-time tunes and songs  and  contra and square dance tunes of course. Ms Marty and the SGB at the ABC Cafe Saturday Feb 4th 9:30 pm Ms Marty and the SGB will be played the Bethel Grove dance ffom 8:00 pm until 11:00 pm on Friday and at ABC on Saturday.  The ABC gig starts at 9:30 and there is no cover. I do know that this band represents some awesome local musical talent!! -m Ms Marty is; Marty Blodgett - fiddle, Jess Youngquest - guitar, Joe Crum - bass, Tod Sukontarak - mandolin and Charlie Mayer - accordion Revision CD Release "What It Is" Castaways ... [ CD Review Ithaca Times ] On the way home from the Square Dance come check out this;  Revision is having a CD release performance at Castaways. Who is Revision? I know two of these Ithaca College music graduates from the Ithaca Music Academy. Both of my kids take lessons from JP the keyboard player - he is enthusiastic as a teacher and as a performer. These guys love what they do. They just got back from a two week tour down south and are eager to show their local fans their latest CD! -m Here is a clip about their last album .... "Nick Bullock (guitar/vocals), Jason Pratt (bass/vocals) and Devon Reehl (drums) started jamming in spring of 1999 and in the fall of 2001 they had built a respectable local following. It was then that they met Jon Petronzio (keys/vocals) who was an instant fit. With a new texture added to the music, they began work on their completely original, self produced album "Broken Art"." .....  [ more ] Wild Rose ... Wild Rose is a 4-piece combo consisting of (from left to right) Tom Quigley (keyboards), Amy Shapiro (fiddle), allen lutins (whistle, clarinet, percussions -- please note that allen intentionally does not use capital letters in his name)  and Beth Hogan (guitar). They play a mixture of tunes, celtic, old-time, and eastern european, that are fun to dance to. Square Deal On Saturday 3/12, 8:00 - 10:30 pm, Square Deal plays at La Tazza CoffeeHouse, 39 S. Washington St. on the SouthSide of Binghamton. The phone number there is 607-723-6990. Square Deal is a group of three musicians from the Southern Tier who perform energetic folk and bluegrass tunes with wonderful vocal harmonies and soaring instrumentals. More information about Square Deal can be found on the web at: http://home.stny.rr.com/squaredeal/square_deal.htm. The Grey Sky Boys is John Hoffmann on fiddle, Randi Beckmann on keyboard, Jim Reidy on banjo uke, Harley Campbell on bass, Annie Cambell on snare drum, Stephan Senders on banjo and Jurg Butler on guitar.. and if Jeff Lang wasn't in Mexico he would be playing too - on guitar/banjo/fiddle. Bound to Ride is Rick Manning on Fiddle  and Mandolin, Dana Paul on Bass, Tim Wallbridge on Guitar  and Gerrit Vyn on Banjo. The Evil City Trio is: Ben Gould - bass Rich Hallett - dobro Steve Selin - fiddle, banjo Contradictions The Contradictions is Rick Manning on fiddle and mandolin, Tom Hodgson on guitar, and Dave Davies on bass and vocals and Laurie Hart on fiddle. They offer an eclectic mix of fiddle tunes and songs from American and European traditions. Their hot rhythms and fiddle harmonies are ideal for contradances, swing dances, English country dances, concerts, weddings and festivals. Formed in 1990, the Contradictions' repertoire ranges from lively Irish jigs and French Canadian reels to enchanting Venezuelan waltzes, slick bluegrass tunes and 1930s swing standards, all designed to get your hands clapping and feet dancing. The Contradictions can add percussion, clarinet and/or a dance caller on request.

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