Click the URL below to listen to Episode 3. (December 2007)
http://michiganfolklive.podcastpeople.com/posts/15461
Hi. I'm Steven Johnson from Michigan Folk Live. I'd like to welcome you to another MichiganFolkLive podcast. This i series of podcasts presented by Michigan Folk Live, features both National touring acts and local Michigan Artists. With this podcast we are going focus primarily on artists who are touring Michigan in December 2007.
John Gorka
This first artist has been a long time favorite of mine. I’ve been fortunate to see him perform several times, and each time was a treat. So you can imagine my excitement when I learned he would be participating in this month’s podcast. John Gorka is a New Jersey born Folk singer who cut his teeth in the coffeehouses and listening rooms of Pennsylvania Boston and New York.
A winner of the Prestige “New Folk” award at the Kerrville Folk Festival. His music is thoughtful, full of humor, nuance, puns and double entendre.
Johns Gorka will be appearing on Friday Dec 7 at The Ark in Ann Arbor and on Saturday Dec 8 at the Howmet Playhouse in Whitehall, MI. Check the concert calendar at www.michiganfolklive.com for details.
Here is John Gorka performing “Road of Good Intentions” from his most recent studio release “Writing in the Margins”.
The Ragbirds
The Ragbirds are a talented 5-piece group out of the Ypsilanti area that combine World rhythms and instrumentation into more familiar folk and roots music genres. Much of their folk sound is infused with African, Cuban, or Reggae influences.
The Ragbirds will be appearing Sat December 1st at Bells Eccentric Café in Kalamazoo, MI. on Friday December 7th at Rubbles in Mt Pleasant. On Saturday December 8th at the Farmfest Benefit Concert in Gaylord. On Sunday December 9th they will perform at the “Sending Santa to New Orleans Benefit” concert at the Traverse City Opera House. And lastly they will be performing on
Saturday, December 15th at Mickey Finns in Toledo, Ohio.
Here is Erin Zindle and the Ragbirds performing “How Can I Say?” from their CD Wanderlove.
Drew Nelson, Grand Rapids.
This Michigan Artist, Drew Nelson, recently released his first full length CD “Immigrant Son” and has just completed a tour where he played some of the finest folk venues in the East and South.
On Sunday December 2nd Drew will be a Guest Host at Wealthy Theatre, Grand Rapid. On Friday December 7th, Drew Nelson will be opening for John Gorka at The Ark in Ann Arbor, MI. On Saturday December 8th, Drew will be opening for John Gorka at the Howmet Playhouse Whitehall, MI. On Sunday December 16, Drew will perform at the Carrick House Concerts in Clarkston MI, which will be simulcast by the Internet radio program “Folk It!” from Ann Arbor. On Saturday December 22nd Drew will appear at One Trick Pony in Grand Rapids MI.
Here is Drew Nelson performing “Fragile” a song written by another Michigan Songwriter Ralston Bowles.
Billy Brandt
Billy Brandt has spent decades in the music business as a band member and supporting other artists. Now he has stepped into the spotlight as a singer songwriter for the first time in his long musical career. He has released a great new CD and is promoting it with 15 Michigan December Concert appearances.
Billy Brandt is appearing on Dec 4th, 11th, and 18th at the South Lyon Hotel. On Dec 8th, and 29th at Goodnite Gracies in Ann Arbor, and on Dec 12th, 22nd, and 30th at the Oak City Grille in Royal Oak.
Here is Billy Brandt from the CD titled “The Mission Band” performing the title song.
Click on the Picture below to go to Billy's Paypal and order his CD.
Annie and Rod Capps, Chelsea MI.
Husband and Wife Duo Annie and Rod Capps put out a wonderful new release in 2007 titled “In This Town”. You have 3 opportunities to catch the Capps in December. On Sunday December 2nd at the Wealthy Theatre in Grand Rapids, they will be performing at a benefit concert for WYCE 88.1. On Saturday December 8th The Capps will open for Lucy Kaplansky at The Ark in Ann Arbor. Sunday, December 16th they will be back at the Ark as part of the 6th Annual Ann Arbor Musicians for Peace a Benefit concert for Michigan Peaceworks (michiganpeaceworks.org). Saturday January 19 they will appear at
MAMA's Coffeehouse in Bloomfield Hills, MI. That so is a double bill with The Milroys. Mama's is held at the Birmingham Unitarian Church at Woodward and Lone Pine Rd.
Here is Annie and Rod Capps performing “Back in 75” from their latest CD “In This Town”.
Angela Predhomme
This South East Michigan performer is starting to gain recognition with both her song writing and performances. She has written two Song of the Year runner ups and received a Best Female Vocals and Track of the Day recognition from Garageband.com
She has two Michigan December concert appearances. Friday December 7th at
The Coffee Beanery in Berkley and Friday December 14th at Gimmicks Bar and Grill in Midland. Here is Angela Predhomme performing Transparent Eyes.
Clay Canfield, Nashville TN
This veteran Nashville Artist writes and records that reflect the Texas and Kansas prairies he grew up on. He is a talented writer, guitarist, vocalist and performer who has written for and backed some of Nashville’s most prominent stars for 30 plus years. He is a true American original who left home at 18 with his guitar, cowboy boots and a sack of clothes and found work in the folk clubs of Greenwich Village. I was lucky to catch his recent appearance at Ann Arbor’s Black Crystal Café. He is as warm and genuine as he is talented.
Here is Clay Canfield performing “Over and Over” from his “Whitehouse sessions” CD.
Matt Watroba Fenton, MI
To most people in Southeast Michigan this next voice is the voice of Folk Music. Matt Watroba is the host of the popular WDET radio program, “Folks Like Us”. He also is a very talented songwriter and performer. He recently released a new CD titled Jukebox Folk. The CD celebrates the golden age of country music. Think Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, George Jones, Bob Wills, or Jimmie Rodgers.
On Saturday, December 1, as part of the 35th Annual Noel Night at Midtown Detroit's University Cultural Center Area Detroit, Matt performs at Avalon International Breads at 7:00 p.m. On Sunday, December 2nd Matt will be performing at the Focus:HOPE Holiday Music Festival. This annual fundraiser will be featuring Ortheia Barnes, Barbara Bredius, Ron Coden, Charlie Latimer, Chuck Mitchell, Mustard's Retreat, David Reske, Matt Watroba, Robert Jones, Josh White Jr. and more. On Saturday, December 8th, Matt Watroba will perform at the Red Comma Café held at Congregational Church of Birmingham in Bloomfield Hills. Matt will be opening for Don White.
Here is Matt Watroba performing a song he penned, “The Jukebox Taught Me Everything I Know” from his wonderful new CD Jukebox Folk.
Robert Marr Fenton, MI
This artist is a really wonderful songwriter, the type who makes my job difficult in selecting a single track. After much reflection I finally chose this one. Listen carefully to “Could you Forgive?”
That was Robert Marr performing “Could you Forgive?”
Robert has two upcoming concerts. On Friday, December 14 at the SLUM City Coffee house in Oxford, Robert Marr will be performing in a charity event featuring several regional performers. Also on Saturday, January 19th Robert will be performing for the Flint Folk Music Society. He will be sharing the stage with the very talented Hannah Fralick.
Lesley-Anne Graham
This next young musician is currently at work on her first record and is building a solid fan-base in the Metro-Detroit area. She has performed in New York City, Ontario, and the West Indies. Lesley-Anne Graham has also performed in many Metro-Detroit area venues, including Foran's Irish Pub, Xhedo's Café, and the Blue Note Café.
Here is Lesley-Anne performing a yet unnamed tune from her record that is currently in production.
You can hear more of Lesley-Anne Graham at this URL
http://www.myspace.com/lesleyannegraham
The Milroys
This Michigan duo were the winners of a 2006 MERLEFEST/CHRIS AUSTIN Songwriting award. Former winners include Gillian Welch, Tift Merrit, Adrienne Young, and Martha Scanlon.
They have just return from a very successful European tour playing to packed houses. Their debut CD was recorded and mixed by John Keane who produced R.E.M. and Uncle Tupelo in Athens, GA.
The Milroys will be performing at the GRAND RIVER FOLK ARTS SOCIETY at GRACE COLLEGE in Wyoming, MI. On January 19 at MAMA's Coffeehouse
Bloomfield Hills, MI. This concert is a double bill with Annie & Rod Capps. Mama's is held at the Birmingham Unitarian Church at Woodward and Lone Pine Rd.
Here are The Milroys performing Silver Bullet from their self-titled CD.
John Gorka
I’m so pleased to have John Gorka on this month’s program and he has such a volume of work that I’m going to break an unwritten rule and feature a second song from John this month. Remember John Gorka has two Michigan December concert appearances and be sure to check the MichiganFolkLive website for details. I’m going to dedicate this song to the people of Novi, Northville, Plymouth, Rochester, and Brighton who have seen such a dramatic change in their communities in the last few years. Here is John Gorka performing “Hoses in the Fields" from his CD “Jack's Crows”.
The Hummingbirds
Three time Detroit Music Award winners for 2007, Country Duo The Hummingbirds are creating a buzz. They call their sound "electro-coustic" with Stephen Grant Wood laying down the lead with electric telecaster while songwriter, Rachel Lynn lays down the rhythm with her acoustic guitar. They have 9 December Concert performances.
You can catch them Friday December 7 Brandon's Landing in Ortonville. On Monday December 10th they will open for Back Forty at The Ark in Ann Arbor.
On Saturday 22nd, they will be appearing at The Cellar Door Lounge in Farmington and on Saturday 29th they will perform at Dick O' Dow's Irish Pub in Birmingham.
Be sure to check the MichiganFolkLive.com Concert calendar for details on all their appearances.
Here are The Hummingbirds performing “Coffee Kisses” from their self-titled CD.
Patty Griffin
These is one of my favorite songwriters, has been for a long time. And she just keeps churning out beautiful songs. But when a songwriter friend challenged her to write a happy song she sat down a produced the following tune. I think it’s a good tune to close out the show with and leave everyone on an upbeat. Her is Patty Griffin doing “Heavenly Days”.
Thank you to all the talented Artists who particpated in our podcast!
We are not worthy!!
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