The Columbus Folk Music Society, Inc. – a 501(c)(3) not for profit organization December, 2018
A Different Strummer newsletter
Illustration by Jenny Alberti RJ Cowdery – local WHAT’S INSIDE: RJ Cowdery - local artist artist with national with national acclaim - Jan 26 concert pg. 1 acclaim featured Jan 26 Dec 15 benefit features Rj Cowdery has solidified her don newton & friends Interview by Bill Cohen place in the world of performing with paisha thomaS Pg. 1 singer-songwriters, garnering Bill Cohen: You are from accolades at Mountain Stage CFMS Member Highlight small-town Ohio Appalachia, NewSong, Kerrville, Falcon Ridge, – Michael hale pg. 4 right? Tell us about that and Rocky Mountain Folk Festival, Jan 20 show at Byrne’s and Sisters Folk Festival. She tell us if that has influenced plays a clean guitar, flat picking your music. pub - whinestopper Pg. 5 or strumming, stringing chords R.J. Cowdery: Yes, I am from year end matching together to develop melodies built Belpre, a small town along fund challenge ! pg. 6 like a proverbial brick house and the Ohio river, across the river pours over it all with a voice like from Parkersburg, WV. There announcing New CFMS butter. Her lyrics are sincere and was certainly a lot of Bluegrass newsletter editor plainspoken, inviting you to lean influence, but most of the early beginning in FeB Pg. 6 in hard and come out the other side changed. RJ Cowdery is the Calendar of events pg. 7 See RJ Cowdery – page 2 featured act at Jan 26 coffeehouse. dec 15 benefit features don Newton & friends with special guest paisha thomas Enjoy some good Americana/folk Don Newton and Friends will be music with some seasonal tunes performing. Who are the friends? thrown in the mix on Dec 15 – Two of them are talented sideman 5:30-7:30pm at La Chatelaine in Brian Szuch (who plays about Worthington. Food & bar service available. See Dec 15 Benefit – page 5 contact us at: voicemail 614-470-3963 page 1 A different strummer December, 2018
RJ Cowdery – from page 1 influence was from my family. “finger tip” with medical tape and own. Early on I played covers in We would gather for holidays various trial and error methods. a pub/restaurant in Marietta, OH. and special occasions and there I became an over achiever and I’d sprinkle in an original here and was always singing. Hymns and started my path to making songs there and no one complained so old songs from Hank it kinda grew from there. Williams, The Carter Music has always been a Family, and The Everly calming force for me so Brothers, to name a I think it was only natural few. I spent a lot of time for me to continue to grow in the summer with my as a player and writer. I grandparents, we would went to the Kerrville Folk spend many an evening Festival in 2008 and it was in the porch swing - there where I really made a singing Roy Accuff and connection and I thought old country songs. As I that really I had something got older, I was definitely to offer that was my own. I influenced by the 70’s continue to work really hard singer songwriters - John to be a better listener and Denver, Carole King… writer. Bill: What are your “I’m fortunate to have Bill: Who are the earliest memories of made many friends musician heroes and music, and how did heroines that have you wind up becoming with so many singer- influenced your music? a performer and R.J.: Early on – definitely, songwriter? songwriter peers all of the music from my R.J.: Most of the family. As a teenager memories are from the that inspire and – John Denver, Carole collection of records we King, James Taylor, Cat had. It varied from 50’s, influence me every Stevens, Karen Carpenter, 60’s and 70’s pop and day. Being a part of and many others. As a country to Broadway young adult, Nanci Griffith, musicals. I can remember the folk community is Indigo Girls, Mary Chapin playing the records and Carpenter, and John singing the songs for something that I hold Gorka, These are just hours - usually by myself some of the folks that have in our basement. very dear.” made a huge impact on me as an adult. Today, I’m I started having some – R.J. Cowdery fortunate to have made interest in the guitar as many friends with so many a result of singing and singer-songwriter peers learned to play a little. My guitar that inspire and influence me interest peaked as a result of up and playing them to friends. I every day. Being a part of the folk injuring the middle finger in my left still need my homemade “finger community is something that I hand. I cut the tip of my finger off tip” to play guitar. hold very dear. and was told that I would never I continued playing the guitar and be able to play guitar…. I learned learning other people’s songs Bill: You have won numerous to play by making up my own and eventually started writing my R.J. Cowdery – page 3
Page 2 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org A different strummer December , 2018 RJ Cowdery – from page 2 “takeaway” or mood or to leave with, after they’ve song-writing awards. Tell us a message you want audiences heard you perform? little about the process you use to create your R.J.: The absolute best own songs. part of being a performing singer-songwriter is R.J.: For me, my writing “RJ Cowdery is sharing songs with people process is usually driven who have never heard me from living life and being one of the most before who, undoubtedly, an observer. Whatever the at every show, come up subject matter – whether compelling writers to me and say to me that I lived it or someone else I am telling their story and has, I try to incorporate I’ve run across so far somehow peeked inside a little piece of me in the their life for 4 minutes. It’s song. I have to be able this century...though an awesome realization to tell you this story that her songs bear her that we are all so much you believe is true no more alike than we are matter what. Getting there unmistakable stamp, different. Sometimes, takes various forms. I am people cry… It’s always noodling on the they are so well awesome to know that guitar, though, so that can I’ve made an emotional sometimes be the starting concieved that you connection with someone point and set the mood for and I then feel like I have the song. could swear you’ve done my job. Bill: For years, you’ve heard them before, Listen to some of R.J. toured across the country Cowdery here: https:// with your music. Do any sung by a folk legend www.rjcowdery.com/listen performances come to mind as being particularly in Kerrville or at a great . . . or awful ? R.J.: I really try not to writer’s circle at The dwell on the highs and - Don Dixon lows of playing music for Bluebird...” folks who most of the time don’t know me or some Awards . . . Rocky Mountain Folks what I do. Sometimes, the Festival Songwriter expectations might not be Sisters Folk Festival/ Dave Carter Memorial Showcase Finalist the same for me as the (runner up) Hope to see you audience, there’s a heckler, Songwriter Contest January 26! Winner Falcon Ridge Folk or the sound isn’t right, Held at: Columbus or I am not feeling well, Kerrville Folk Festival Festival Emerging Artist Showcase Mennonite Church, 35 I would call these lows. New Folk Winner Oakland Park Ave. The most fun is when I am Wildflower! Music Tucson Folk Festival Open Jam (all welcome) playing and the listeners and Arts Performing Finalist 6-7pm; Open Mic (free are connecting with what I Songwriter Winner Solar Fest Finalist sign up) 7-7:45pm; am doing. Those highs are Community sing 7:45pm; usually a blur. Mountain Stage Telluride Troubadour NewSong Winner Finalist R.J. Cowdery 8pm. Bill: Is there a particular
www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org page 3 A different strummer December, 2018 blues, bluegrass, rock but not strictly true to any of the genre. So CFMS member you can go anywhere with it. I like story songs, ballads, probably too highlight – much. Bill: When we first saw you Interview by Bill Cohen perform in a duo more than 15 michael hale years ago, you were fairly stage- Bill Cohen: Tell us about your Mike: I love supporting the shy and didn’t have a whole lot journey that brought you to the performer. Trying to make the of confidence. Now, you’re a Columbus Folk Music Society. room, or tent sound the best I seasoned professional. How You weren’t always a folk singer, can. It was not a comfort level that did that change take place? so how did you get introduced came easy. My experience was Mike: You [Bill] and Randi were to our group and become so mostly running sound from the the first people from the society active? stage, while playing. to see me perform and I was Michael Hale: When I first I remember my first festival at the way south of shy, more fearful, heard of CFMS (2006), our [sound] board. Those 50 minute anxiety ridden but I wanted to do band (Halfway Home) was sets with 10 minutes to get last it anyway. Those day at Scottie’s playing regularly at Three Cups off, and the next up and running Coffee Housein Worthington with Coffeehouse in Reynoldsburg and with a sound-check, usually on the Larry Ramey and Mary Miller were Cheshire Pizza in Galena. I think fly. I stressed for 50 minutes about nerve-wracking. I memorized the Mittenburg’s, Nancy Bailey, that coming 10. every knick-knack on every shelf, you [Bill] and Randi were some of anything to avoid eye contact. I our audience during those early really don’t know when exactly performances. Nancy Bailey my confidence level changed. pulled me into attending some It certainly helps to be on stage board meetings along the way. with good people that you sometimes fall back on. Now I She was very supportive of just love doing it! Halfway Home so we started playing the Festival almost Bill: Who are your musical annually, along with COFF heroes and heroines, the Benefits the same. Nancy’s people who have influenced enthusiasm for the organization you over the years? was contagious. I hope she Mike: When I started jamming and Fred are looking down with friends in the late 70’s, upon us with smiles that her there was Doc Watson, Dan child (the festival) is growing up Mike Hale at Central Ohio Folk Festival sound board. Fogelberg, Jimmy Buffett, Billie and thriving. Joe Shaver, Jonathan Edwards, Bill: You have worn so many Rodney Crowell, John Prine, Bill: As a singer and “hats” for the Columbus Folk Emmylou Harris, Nitty Gritty Dirt instrumentalist for Halfway Music Society. Many people Band, Eagles, okay I am stopping Home, you specialize in the have seen you in the role of now. You asked. song style that’s now called audio engineer, setting up amps, In those days we only played Americana. How do you speakers, and microphones at for people that were drinking at describe that genre, and what our coffeehouses, concerts, and parties, so we sounded pretty draws you to it? festivals. Why do you enjoy that good to them. In the late 90’s so much? Mike: A little bit of folk, country, I was given a ticket to see Cry
Page 4 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org A different strummer December, 2018 Dec 15 Benefit – from page 2 everything) and Jerry Miller, The show runs from 5:30- whose speciality is the dobro 7:30pm and occurs at La and pedal steel guitar. There Chatelaine located at 627 N. may be a few others as well. High St, Worthington, OH. La There will be special guest, Chatelaine offers a buffet line with Columbus based, singer- sandwiches, full dinners and a songwriter, Paisha Thomas, cabinet display full of delicous whose musical genre range respect and pastries. They also serve alcohol has been coined as big enough appreciation, it is my endeavor and offer a Saturday night special “to staff an entire office.”(Zak Kolesar, to share many favorite songs – Mimosas for $3. Come eat This Week Booster, Sept 20, 2018). of Cheryl Wheeler, John Gorka, early, then sit back and enjoy the Don Newton says of the show, Gillian Welch and RJ. Cowdery show OR eat while you listen. “I have long been in awe of four from their renowned collections. Suggested donation of $10 (there Americana artists that write They are an inspiration to all who will be a jar by the entrance to the and perform with intrigue. With will listen, as I’m sure all of CFMS room). We hope to see you there! is very much aware.”
You’llbyrne’s be in for another musical pub treat on S unday,show Jan 20, from S2-4p.m.un, That’s Janwhen Whinestopper 20 will be the featured act at Byrne’s Pub, 1248 W. Third Ave in Grandview Heights for another concert. All donations go to support the 2019 Central Ohio Folk Festival. Whinestopper is a Columbus based band noted for its unique mix of genres including folk, ballads, songs of the swing era, and sing-along favorites. The band name aptly reflects the sentiments of the band and those who listen. Members are: Pat Casey (accordion), Renilda Marshall (bass), Charlie Flowers & Teresa Schleifer (guitars). All band members sing (often at the same time too).
Buddy Miller, donated thousands of volunteer which created hours to our group. Why? What another long list do you get out of it? of artists they Mike: Board member since 2008, were involved sorry Bill, 5 terms [president], with. I must sound at festivals, benefits back up to the and fundraisers since 2008, mid-80’s to Coffeehouse mostly the last 5 include SKO years. I’d like to say it keeps me & SKB, plus 4 young, nah! It does make me smile guys writing in though! Mike Hale (left) with band, Halfway Home. Nashville for a solid 20 years: Cry Cry (Richard Shindell, Lucy Thom Schuyler, Kaplansky and Dar Williams). Their Fred Knobloch, Paul Overstreet album was mostly covers written and Craig Bickhardt. They are my by some of their music heroes. story songs! Those led me to Cliff Eberhardt, Bill: As a member of the CFMS James Keelaghan, Robert Earle board, a former CFMS president Keen. The opener for that concert (two terms?), sound engineer, was Julie Miller, an incredible and performer, you have song-writer, and her husband,
www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org page 5 A different strummer December, 2018 click the DONATE A 100% match for your cfms button. by Bill Cohen Last year’s donation by Dec 31 ! challenge prompted members to Editor’s Note: A generous about contributions above and contribute $640, so the CFMS benefactor has once again beyond our usual membership took in a total of more than offered to match all donations charges. The deadline for this offer $1,140. given to CFMS before Dec 31, is the end of the year, late night on up to $500. Meaning. . . December 31st. Remember that CFMS is officially a 501-C-3 charitable organization. Give $25 now to the Columbus You can simply send in a check That means that donations to Folk Music Society, and somebody and make a notation that it’s a it may be tax-deductible, if you else is going to donate ANOTHER donation for the 100% match. itemize. Of course, you should $25. That’s the gist of a 100% Snail mail it to: CFMS 2018 consult a knowledgeable tax match that, for the third year in Challenge, P.O. Box 20735, preparation expert or become a row, an anonymous CFMS Columbus Ohio 43220. one yourself to understand how a supporter is offering. If its easier, the CFMS now charitable contribution to CFMS You give $10, and he or she will has a donation option on might save you money on your give $10. You give $50, and he its website where you can bottom-line tax bill. or she will give $50. Get it? The make donations via PayPal. As the 2019 Central Ohio Folk matching money will continue The link is: https://www. Festival is in full swing, your until the grand total of individual columbusfolkmusicsociety. donations now will really help. donations hits $500. We’re talking org/contact-donate.html. Just
Photos from recent concert at Run the Race center 2in the Hilltop. x The concert featured The Ark Band and a pre-concert drumming event.
New CFMS newsletter editor takes over with February A quick note to let you know, due to the holiday season, we 2019 issue will not be putting together a Starting in February, Pete Insabella will be taking over the monthly newsletter for January. Look production and layout of the CFMS newsletter. He welcomes articles, for our February issue in late suggestions, or bits of information! Please e-mail Pete at: January. [email protected] or [email protected]. Outgoing The Staff of “A Different newsletter editor, Diane Boston, wishes to thank those who have so Strummer” wish you and yours faithfully supported the newsletter over the years, including reading its the best during the upcoming contents! Please offer a thank you to Pete next time you see him for holidays! taking on this new responsibility. Page 6 www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org A different strummer December, 2018
Save the Date . . . Welcome The Saturday Music Jam at Saturday, Dec 15, 5:30- to Our Worthington Farmer’s Market 7:30pm: Don Newton & Friends New and 9:30-11:30am – at the Shops at with special guest Paisha Returning Worthington Mall (location of the Thomas (festival benefit)at: market & jam during winter). The La Chatelaine, 627 N. High St, Members jam is back in location next to Worthington, OH. Suggested Michael Barrie children’s area. All are welcome. donation $10. Hear songs of Lynn & Gordon Belcher (NEW) Consider bringing a chair. John Gorka, Cheryl Wheeler, James & Martha Bowling Gillian Welch and more and some 1st & 3rd Thursdays, Dec 6 & Mary Finney (NEW) seasonal tunes as well. 20, 1:30-2:30pm: Jam at Wesley Karen Fries Glen (Special Care Unit) – 5155 N Gayla Foote Sunday, Jan 20, 2-4pm: Robin Frees High St, Columbus. Contact Mike at: Byrne’s Pub, Whinestopper Maxine Gilgoff (NEW) at: [email protected] for more 1248 W. Third Ave, Columbus Steve & Doris Ing info or to be put on the e-list. (Grandview Hts). Central Ohio Folk Suzanne Koebel Festival benefit;free will donation. 2nd & 4th Wednesdays, Dec 12 Bob Lipetz & 26, 2-3pm: Jam at Laurels of Hear folk, ballads, and songs from Cheryl Lubow Worthington (Memory Care Unit) the swing era. Pat Marida – 1030 N. High St., Worthington. Saturday, Jan 26, 8pm: RJ Renilda Marshall / Pat Casey Contact Mike at: mikezajano@aol. Cowdery (Part of Americana/ (Sponsor level) com for more info or to be put on Folk Concert Series) at Thom & Jan McCain (Sponsor the e-mail list. FolkSide Coffeehouse: level) 6pm – Open Jam (all welcome); Art & Sharon Mittenbergs 7-7:45pm – Open Mic (free sign up); Don and Jennie Newton 7:45-8pm – Community Sing Pam Temple & Michele Murphy 8pm – RJ Cowdery. Held at: Bobbie Pruiksma the Columbus Mennonite Church, Shelbi Ann Rhein 35 Oakland Park Avenue, Cols. Betsy Salt Suggested donation: $10; students Beth Scherer & CFMS members $7; under 12 Denny & Karen Stephens free. Handicap accessible. Bring a Margaret Swisher can of food for our local pantry. Lowell Webb & Pam Montgomery Barbara Westerviller (NEW) following our own Anita Wolverton Saturday, Dec 8: 7-10pm, Friday, Dec 21: 7-9pm, Bohemian Highway and Free Avalon Nine Acoustic Band, Grassahol: Byrnes Pub, 1248 Beer and Chicken Coalition. Java Central Coffee House, 20 West 3rd Ave, Grandview Hts. No Co-bill at First UU Church, 93 W S. State St, Westerville, OH. No cover. Weisheimer Rd, Columbus, OH. cover, tips appreciated. Free will donation at door. Friday, Dec 28: 8-11pm, Saturday, Dec 15: 10:00am. Halfway Home: Tara Hall, 274 Friday, Jan 25: 7pm. Bohemian at Rambling House, Joanie Calem, Seeds of Caring, E Innis Ave, Cols, OH. No cover, Highway Intergenerational Sing Along, tips appreciated. 310 E Hudson St, Columbus, Wesley Glen, Columbus, OH OH. $5 cover. Saturday, Jan 19: 7pm. www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org page 7 The Columbus Folk Music Society P.O. Box 20735 Columbus, OH 43220
Next Issue in February
We’re on the web! www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE COLUMBUS FOLK MUSIC SOCIETY !"#$%&''''''''''''''' (&)*+&,$-&#.&#/01&&&(&)*+&2"34&5.6&+.6$& 7"+$819%&''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''& :;;6$11%&''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''&<0#=&''''''''''''''&>#"#$&''''&?0@&''''''& A/.,$&8!"=9%&&'''''''''''''''''''''&8BC$D9%&''''''''''''''''''''''&&8<$EE9%&'''''''''''''''''''''& BF+"0E&";;6$118$19&805&"&/.G1$/.E;&H&2",;&+$+2$61/0@9%&''''''''''''''''''''''I&'''''''''''''''''I&&&&&&&& '''''''''''''''''''I&''''''''''''''''''''& J$+2$61/0@&6$,$-"E1&"6$&;G$&",,G"EE=&.,&>$@#$+2$6&KL#/D&
! &),;0C0;G"E&MNL& ! &>@.,1.6&MTLL& ! &V$1W&AE$"1$&3.,#"3#&+$&6$X"6;0,X& C.EG,#$$6&.@@.6#G,0#0$1&-0#/0,&#/$& ! &O.G1$/.E;&MNP& ! &A"#6.,&MNLL& .6X",0Y"#0.,D ! &Q",;&J$+2$61/0@&MNP& ! &>0EC$6&MNPL& ! &R..;&S60$,;&MPL& ! &R.E;&8U05$&J$+2$69&MPLL&
For credit card transactions, visit CFMS website at: https://www.columbusfolkmusicsociety.org/member-application.html Membership amounts may be tax-deductible.
Please send completed form and payment to: In an effort to be both fiscally and environmentally responsible, we will The Columbus Folk Music Society send a full-color, interactive newsletter via e-mail unless you request a hard copy be mailed to you. P.O. Box 20735, Columbus, OH 43220 ______I prefer a hard copy via regular U.S. mail )&$,Z.=&#/$&",,G"E&<$,#6"E&[/0.&S.E4&S$1#0C"E&8$"6E=&J"=9%&&U.#1&&&P&&&\&&&K&&&N&&&T&&7.#&&&&&8@E$"1$&3063E$&.,$9