Traditional and Original Folk Music

Kathy Larisch and Carol Songs for Social Justice and Human Rights McComb Kathy and Carol helped organize and played at Anne Feeney Traditional Old Time String Band Based in , Pennsylvania, Anne Feeney the first two Roots Festivals in 1967-1968, then Southwestern-flavored Originals and Favorite Folk Songs is the granddaughter of an intrepid mine workers’ known as the San Diego Folk Festival. At that time Delmer Holland and the organizer, who also used music to carry the message Carolyn Hester they had a best-selling recording on the Elektra label of solidarity to working people. After two decades of Carolyn Hester is an original —one of the small Blue Creek Ramblers and, being from the San Diego area, they were in community activism and regional performances at but determined gang of ragtag, early 1960s folk This group has an authentic sound that was constant demand throughout the state to open for rallies, Feeney took her message on the road. Since singers who cruised the coffee shops and campuses born more than 50 years ago when Delmer and such acts as the New Lost City Ramblers and Bill 1991 she has traveled to the frontlines in 40 states, from Harvard Yard to Bleeker Street, convinced that Leland Holland grew up playing music on neighbor- Monroe. They had played at the Canada, Mexico, Ireland, and Sweden. their music could help change the world. ing farms bordered by Blue Creek near Waverly, in 1965 and seemed to be on their way to a solid Her anthem “Have You Been to Jail for Justice?” The political and musical offspring of Pete Tennessee. As teens, the first cousins often played career together as a duo. However, things got disar- is being performed by Peter, Paul and Mary. Dubbed Seeger, Woody Guthrie and the Weavers, performers with the great old time fiddler and Grand Ole Opry rayed and by the end of the 1960s, Kathy decided to the “minister of culture” to the movements for eco- such as Hester, Bob Dylan, , Tom Paxton, entertainer Arthur Smith. pursue a master of arts degree in the San Francisco nomic and social justice and human rights, Feeney is and Richard Fariña (to name a few) were among the Today string bassist William Moore, and 2004 area. Carol has continued to be an active performer “the best labor singer in North America,” according vanguard of the new music of the 1960s, the first state of Tennessee old time banjo champion 19- and recording artist to the present day. to Utah Phillips. The way she says it is this: “If you’re surging energy of a wave that would eventually year-old Rebekah Weiler complete the band. The Although these two, who started singing togeth- on strike, or in an organizing drive, or doing commu- engulf a generation of American youth. Blue Creek Ramblers have won old time string band er while they were high school students in Vista, nity organizing for women’s rights, the environment, To this day, Hester remains a dynamic force championships in both Kentucky and Tennessee. continued to sing together informally, it’s only recent- human rights, anti-poverty or anti-racist work, I want with a repertoire of Southwestern-flavored originals Noted authority Dr. Charles Wolfe called them “one ly that they have begun to perform together again. to be there.” and long-standing favorites. In addition to her own of the last surviving authentic Tennessee string Their unique blending of autoharp and guitar on old recordings, she has lent her vocals to Nancy bands that call up echoes of barn dances and ballads, songs, and original tunes were Sunday: 1pm, Park Stage; 4pm, Song Swap, Church Griffith’s award-winning CD Other Voices/Other sorghum stir offs. They play with such a drive and unique in the 1960s and they still are today. Social Hall spirit on tunes rarely heard today that if Uncle Dave Rooms and has performed at various folk festivals Saturday: 3pm, Church Sanctuary/ Sunday: noon, Macon could have heard them, he would have across the country and overseas. Park Stage shouted ‘hot dog’ and grabbed his banjo to join in.” Saturday: 1pm, Park Stage/Sunday: 3pm, Park Their CD, Keeping the Tradition Alive, will be avail- Stage; 4pm, Song Swap, Church Social Hall able at their Roots Festival performances. Saturday: 2pm, Hawley Stage; 4pm, Park Stage; 6pm, Song Swap, Church Social Hall

Protest Songs Social Hall from the Early Days of California Radical Guitarist and Vocalist Singer-Songwriter with a Country Influence

Ross Altman Appalachian Folk Songs Los Californios Jocelyn Celaya Roy Ruiz Clayton A self-described Curt Bouterse (Vykki Mende Gray, Janet Martini, Although she is Roy Ruiz “singer-songfight- Peter Dubois, David Swarens) only 22 years old, Clayton is a Curt Bouterse has been er,” Ross Altman For more Jocelyn Celaya multi-tal- a staple at the Roots keeps up with the than a has traveled the ented pot- Festivals every year times with topical decade, San world performing ter, artist, since the first festival songs that reflect Diego- music that musician, was held in 1967. Old the great tradi- based Los encompasses and song- time Appalachian folk- tions of the genre Californios many styles. writer. As a songs with fret popularized by have been Originally from performer Woody Guthrie, , , less banjo, hammered dulcimer, auto- researching Piedmont, Oklahoma, and currently at many of and Tom Paxton. Altman has been a regu- harp, plucked dulcimer, and Vietnamese and interpreting the music of Spanish residing in San Diego, Celaya first picked the Roots Festivals, he has also provided lar at the Adams Avenue Roots Festival as mouth harp (upon which he plays and Mexican California, focusing on the up her father’s guitar at the age of 14 and illustrations for the Roots Festival well as other Southern Californian folk Southern mountain dance tunes) are his nineteenth century and the days when began teaching herself to play. Her family posters over the years. Clayton is one of venues for years. specialties. California was part of Spain and then was strapped financially so Celaya played those guys who writes songs with lyrics Sunday: 2pm, Park Stage; 4pm, Song Swap, Saturday: noon, Park Stage; 4pm, Song Mexico. This sweet, melodic music was publicly to earn money to help out. Her that are compelling. played for dancing and singing at festive Church Social Hall Swap, Church Social Hall/Sunday: 11am, performing was so well received that she Saturday: 11am, Hawley Stage; 7pm, Song Park Stage gatherings hosted by the Spanish and was soon able to afford lessons with Swap, Church Social Hall/Sunday: 1pm, Anti-Folk Music Mexican settlers or Californios, who ran acclaimed guitarist Edgar Cruz. She also Hawley Stage Roy Acuff Songs Cindy Lee Berryhill cattle on huge ranchos during their hey- studied flamenco, finger picking, and day in the 1830s and 1840s. Working classical guitar, as well as authentic Texas Bluesman Cindy Lee Berryhill Wayne Brandon and from primary sources, including Gregorian chants. At 15 she was per- is an acoustic Clark Powell Tomcat Courtney Californio testimonials, travellers’ forming in Oklahoma coffee houses. Her singer-songwriter, Wayne Tomcat Courtney, accounts, and the early sound recordings first solo album, Mosaic Jungle, was a grassroots cult Brandon, who hails from of Spanish-speaking Californians made recorded in 2001 and features classical heroine, and a the west- Waco, Texas, by Charles Fletcher Lummis almost a compositions and flamenco as well as wisecracking lyri- ern broke into blues century ago, the group endeavors to original songs. Celaya’s audience has cist, all rolled into world’s music as a tap recreate the sound of serenade and fan- included the Queen of England’s royal one, said the biggest dancer in a T- dango from the days before California entourage. This past January she was Union-Tribune’s Roy Acuff Bone Walker became a state. one of the youngest guitarists to be Chris Nixon. As fan, sings show back in the awarded and honored as a Lifetime unconventional and inspired as any per- Acuff songs about as well as anyone Saturday: 6pm, Hawley Stage/Sunday: 3pm, ’40s. Courtney Honoree Member of the Association of former in America, she spearheaded the except for Acuff himself. Clark Powell, Hawley Stage has been respon- Finger Style Guitarists. influential anti-folk movement in New who plays guitar and five-string banjo, sible for giving many young San Diego York City in the late 1980s and has also lends his Bashful Brother Oswald- Saturday: 3pm, Hawley Stage; 6pm, Park musicians a chance to play in his bands. released albums on labels big sounding dobro steel guitar to give this Stage His style of Texas blues, with influences (Rhino/Capitol) and small(Griffith Park duo its unique flavor. ranging from Lightnin’ Hopkins to Muddy Records). She will be joined by percus- Saturday: 3pm, Song Swap, Church Social Waters and B.B. King to his original men- sionist extraordinaire Randy Hoffman and Hall; 7pm, Park Stage/Sunday: 4pm, Church tor T-Bone, continues to bring down the bassist vocalist Marcia Claire. Sanctuary house.

Saturday: 3pm, Beer Garden; 7pm, Hawley Traditional Dance Music and Parlor Songs Sunday: 4pm & 5pm, Beer Garden Stage/Sunday: 2pm, Song Swap, Church Mexican Roots Music Formed in 1998 by French guitarists Singer-Songwriter before the invention of bluegrass. Traditional Music from Ireland Patrick Berrogain and Alain Cola, Hot Gregory Page Clark Powell provides the instrumen- Los Fabulocos Club of San Diego perpetuates the tradi- tal direction to this group with his soulful Siamsa Gael Ceili Musician/song- tion of jazz manouche or Gypsy Jazz, and Dobro style, fashioned after the late The Siamsa Gael writer and pro- is the only band of its kind in San Diego. Bashful Brother Oswald, the man who Ceili band (pro- ducer Gregory After hearing this infectious music it is gave Roy Acuff’s band its unique sound nounced Sheem- Page was born in easy to understand why this style is in the 1930s and 1940s. Powell has been sha Gale Kay-lee) London, England growing in popularity here and abroad. playing in local country bands for 40 presents the traditional melodies of to a musical As one writer aptly wrote, “It is the music years and backed up Rose at a live KSON Ireland played in the old style. family. As a I hear in my happiest dreams.” radio broadcast of Wayne Rice’s The band’s existence and main source teenager, he Drawing from the spirited repertoire Bluegrass Anniversary Show in 2004. of inspiration can be attributed to a attended Trinity of legendary Gypsy Jazz guitarist Django Rose’s husband, Larry, played mandolin Dublin man named Dave Page. An College of Music where he studied classi- Reinhardt, as well as timeless standards on that show and has played in all of his accomplished Irish piper, he played in the cal guitar and composition. At the age of With 75 years of combined playing expe- and original compositions, Hot Club of wife’s bands since they were married 38 original Siamsa Gael Ceili Band during 16, Page moved to Southern California rience, Los Fabulocos are able to play it San Diego performs regularly in years ago. Bob Pearson is a veteran of the early 1930s. He moved to San Diego where he began tirelessly writing and all. Whether it’s Rancheras, Tex-Mex, Southern California as a trio as well as a the New Smokies and has been playing in the mid-1970s where he met current recording his own brand of music. As the Cumbias, Zydeco, or good old fashioned quartet using violin or accordion. with the Roses for several years on both band members John Tuohy (uilleann years passed, Page not only worked on rock ‘n’ roll, Los Fabulocos can satisfy In addition to club dates, concerts and guitar and bass in a local bluegrass band. pipes), Ian Law (flute), and Judy Lipnick his own projects but also began to work every musical craving. Former members private parties, they have appeared on Fiddle playing for the troupe is handled (fiddle), teaching them his music and with an eclectic array of artists, including of the Blazers Manny Gonzalez on guitar television, radio, and at festivals through- by Don Hickox, a veteran of many local eventually passing his pipes on to John. Jason Mraz, John Doe, Jewel, Tom and Bajo Sexto, Jesus Cuevas on accor- out Southern California. bands all the way back to Mother Dave Page’s influence can be clearly Brosseau, Steve Poltz, and A.J. Croce. dion, and Mike Molina on drum join Grundy’s Possum Hunters in the 1970s. heard in the band’s repertoire and style. Saturday: 6pm & 7pm, Beer Garden His collaboration and friendship with James Barrios on bass to form a true The newest member of this group, but Saturday: 2pm & 5pm, Church Sanctuary Croce enticed him to join Croce’s label roots experience. Norwegian Folk Music hardly new to traditional hillbilly music, is Seedling Records and to release his Cowboy & Train Songs Sunday: 2pm & 3pm, Beer Garden bass player Dave Avery, a retired police Lora Lee debut CD, Love Made Me Drunk. It is a detective from Ohio who moved to San (Walt Original and Grassroots Folk Songs Originally edu- rare gift to be able to convey the emo- Trails and Rails Diego five years ago and was quickly Richards and Paula Strong) cated in clas- tional depth that Page has delivered on assimilated into the local acoustic music Patty Hall sical violin, his newest album and there is an inde- scene. He is also the perfect anchor for Patty Hall began Lora Lee has scribable sense when listening to his Tanya Rose and the Buffalo Chip Kickers, to teach herself enjoyed play- music that you have uncovered a secret. whose passion is to play hillbilly music to play the ing the tradi- banjo, guitar, Saturday: 5pm, Song Swap, Church Social both old and new. tional folk Hall; 7pm, Church Sanctuary/Sunday: 3pm, and autoharp as Saturday: 2pm, Park Stage; 5pm, Song Swap, music of Church Social Hall a teenager. She Norway on the Church Social Hall/Sunday: 2pm, Hawley Stage soon began Hardanger fid- Afro-Brazilian Folk Music writing and per- dle for the Traditional French Cajun Music forming her Angela Patuá Without trains, the American interior past 25 years. Afro-Brazilian would not have opened up when it did own songs and An ornate San Diego Cajun eventually folksinger, gui- and our country's history would have instrument, tarist, and per- Playboys been quite different. Without trains, the enrolled in the the fiddle has eight strings instead of the folklore gradu- cussionist Angela cowboy as we envision him would not violin’s four. Lora’s repertoire consists of Patuá got exist. The railhead at Abilene was one ate program at UCLA. After earning her folk music from a variety of regions of degree, she moved to Nashville to work involved in show destination for long cattle drives that Norway. She performs both in concert business in the helped create the legend of the American at the Country Music Hall of Fame, where and for dancers at Balboa Park’s House she taught banjo workshops, hosted mid-’70s while cowboy. Movies embellished that legend of Norway events, Sons of Norway working for a cir- and gave us many of the images we still women’s songwriting seminars, pro- lodges, and ethnic Norwegian weddings. duced historical country music record- cus company called Circo Real de sing about, in songs that a lot of us grew Lora plays with Kriss Larson’s eight- Bengala. Moving to Rio de Janeiro in up with. ings, and continued performing. piece Scandia Gammaldans Band for Hall’s music blends it all together in a 1986 to pursue an acting career, Patuá Walt Richards and Paula Strong, as Scandinavian dance parties in Orange The San Diego Cajun Playboys have been fusion of old-timey tunes, funky girl also sang backup for Caruza and Flavio the acoustic duo Trails and Rails, have a County. She is a charter member of the keeping Cajun French music going blues, upbeat kids’ songs, and topical Venturine, among other local artists. In large repertoire of cowboy and train Hardanger Fiddle Association of America, strong in Southern California with a full ballads, spiked with a little commentary 1991, Angela Patuá moved to the U.S., songs, along with standard folk, old time and encourages interest in the repertoire of traditional Cajun language and lots of good humor. touring New Orleans’ club scene, and songs and instrumentals. New cowboy, Hardanger fiddle wherever she goes. moving to Miami in 1995. Singing in dif- music. train and folk songs continue to be writ- Saturday: 11am, Beer Garden; 7pm, Song Saturday: noon, Hawley Stage/Sunday: 11am, ferent Brazilian native dialects, Along with original members Jon ten to this day. Old and new, Trails & Swap, Church Social Hall/ Sunday: 4pm, Park Hawley Stage Portuguese and English, Patuá’s debut Grant (accordion, fiddle) and Bill Riddell Rails enjoys them all. Stage (guitar), the group features South recording, Brasil Bantu, was released by Saturday: 4pm, Song Swap, Church Social Old Time Music and Fiddle Tunes Louisiana-born Joel Breaux (accordion, Delta Blues independent label Out There. In 1999, Hall; 6pm, Church Sanctuary/Sunday, 3pm, Monroe Avenue String readers of Miami’s New Times voted her fiddle) from Loreauville (pop. 860), and Church Sanctuary Robin Henkel Band Best Latin Singer. In 2001, her EP The Greg Rasberry (triangle) from Iota and Robin Henkel’s Force of the Sun was released. Crowley, Louisiana. Folk and Blues music ranges from Sunday: noon & 1pm, Beer Garden primitive, Saturday: 1pm, Beer Garden/Sunday: 2pm, Anna Troy Song Swap, Church Social Hall Mississippi Delta Traditional Italian Music Although only 22 years old, Anna blues and the Traditional Portuguese Music urban Chicago San Diego Mandolin Troy has already sound to Texas- Portuguese Mandolin Orchestra Ensemble experienced the style western Duo All of the members of the San Diego tantalizing intensi- ty of life as a swing and beyond. The Portuguese Mandolin Duo’s reper- Orchestra Ensemble are also members of major label artist An amazing blues toire consists of ballads, fados, and folk- the San Diego Mandolin Orchestra, sev- yet still enjoys the slide guitarist, Robin has been playing The Monroe Avenue String Band is an lore of Portugal. Sal Freitas, who began eral of them for decades. Specializing in simplicity of being music since the 1960s, both as a solo act old-time string band that plays mostly playing mandolin as a child 67 years ago, traditional Italian tunes, the quintet is led an artist on a local and as a contributing band member. traditional fiddle tunes. Each member of has performed in Portugal, Mexico, and by Ted Scafidi on first mandolin, who is level. With just her A seasoned veteran and winner of the trio brings a different background to Canada and is also a member of a jazz concert master of the San Diego voice and guitar, she inspires audiences Best Blues Album at the 2000 San Diego the circle, which makes for creative and folklore group that performs at an Mandolin Orchestra and whose individual with the purity of her songs and the Music Awards, he has participated in arrangements and a lot of fun. Chris annual festival in Massachusetts. Freitas accomplishments include performing complexity of her guitar playing. numerous blues festivals. He is also a Clarke, originally from east Virginia and is also a member of the San Diego with the San Diego Symphony. Other Encompassing aspects of folk, blues, and guitar teacher at the legendary Blue influenced by area musicians who played Orchestra Ensemble and a longtime members include Sal Freitas on second pop, her music is deep and affecting. Guitar, where he has been giving lessons traditional music and country blues, member of the San Diego Mandolin mandolin, Bill Goldschneider on octave to students who are eager to learn from leads the group on mandolin, guitar, and Orchestra. Paul DaRosa is a proficient mandolin, Karen Dempsey on guitar, and Saturday: 5pm, Hawley Stage/Sunday: noon, the legend himself. assorted gizmos. Sarah on fiddle, feet, player of acoustic, lead, and bass guitar. Burch Erle on bass. Hawley Stage; 2pm, Song Swap, Church and vino, and Darren on guitar, mandolin, Social Hall Saturday: 5pm, Park Stage; 7pm, Song Swap, His other gigs have included playing lead Saturday: noon, Beer Garden; 4pm, Hawley and spirits round out the group. Church Social Hall/Sunday: 11am, Beer guitar for “Os Navigadores” and playing Stage Appalachian Songs and Ballads Garden Saturday: 3pm, Park Stage; 6pm, Song Swap, acoustic guitar for “Ze Duarte” while Church Social Hall: 8pm, Beer Garden touring Europe when he was just a Americana/Acoustic Roots Music Mimi Wright Folk Songs and Country Ballads teenager. The Portuguese Mandolin Duo Mimi Wright, San Old Time Country, Bluegrass, and Folk Music 7th Day Buskers Martin Henry also performs for a variety of functions in Diego’s own Martin Henry is an excellent folk-country The Neverly Brothers the Portuguese community of Point songcatcher, singer-guitarist-fiddler who was a near Loma, including the week-long obser- sings old moun- regular at these festivals back in the vance of the Holy Ghost Feast. tain songs, most- 1970s. Having come to San Diego in the Saturday: 1pm, Hawley Stage; 2pm, Beer ly unaccompa- late 1960s with the Navy, he stayed Garden nied, sometimes around to become a mainstay of the with autoharp, Old Time Hillbilly Music group of excellent musicians (that includ- and always with spirit and a touch of ed Tom Waits and Ray Bierl) who got Tanya Rose and the wonder. If there’s an unusual variant of an old time song to be found, Mimi will their start at the old Heritage coffeehouse Buffalo Chip Kickers in Mission Beach. Henry played at the The 7th Day Buskers is an acoustic roots find it. Her Rocking Chair Concerts are Since being San Diego Folk Festivals from 1969 band who are a Sunday morning staple always bright moments. dragged out of through 1987. He currently works at the at the Hillcrest Farmers Market. It was Saturday: 2pm, Church Social Hall; 4pm Song retirement in the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park and has here that the band formed one by one Swap, Church Social Hall year 2000 by recently become active in music again. Mark Merrell, a transplant from the after Shawn P. Rohlf opened up his banjo Lou Curtiss, Midwest, and native Californian Steve case and started busking (an old Saturday: 4pm, Church Sanctuary; 5pm, Song Tanya Rose has Roche mix old-time country, bluegrass, European word for performing on the Swap, Church Social Hall done many solo Americana, and folk music to play an street) several years ago. Their huge gigs at the Roots Gypsy Jazz eclectic mix of traditional tunes as well repertoire of original and traditional Festivals, but as to interpret obscure covers from a material covers a wide range of styles, Hot Club of San Diego these days likes wide range of artists. including bluegrass, folk, country, Irish, playing with the full sound of a band. A When the duo aren’t performing at and blues. The Buskers are Robin Henkel veteran of the coffeehouse scene during either the Adams Avenue Roots Festival on dobro; Melissa Harley on fiddle; Ken the “Great Folk Scare” of the 1960s, or the Adams Avenue Street Fair, they Dow on bass; and Rohlf on banjo, guitar, Rose rounded up a few friends from manage the Beer Garden and its stage, harmonica, and vocals. enjoying the chance to meet a variety of those days for the current version of the Saturday: 3pm, Song Swap, Church Social musicians and folk heroes. Chip Kickers. The group plays a diverse brand of old time hillbilly music, includ- Hall; 4pm, Beer Garden Saturday: 5pm, Beer Garden ing 1940s’ honky tonk and country music