Anyone not familiar with the music of Bill Staines is in for a special treat.
Last Dance Productions is pleased to welcome Bill Staines to one of the great listening rooms in town, the New England Folk Music Archives. The event takes place on on Wednesday, July 17th at 7pm. We’ll have a conversation with Bill recording his thoughts about the Folk Scene in New England over the past years that will be deposited into our growing oral history collection.
After the conversation we’ll be treated to a performance by Bill Staines.
For more than forty years, Bill Staines has traveled back and forth across North America, singing his songs and delighting audiences at festivals, folksong societies, colleges, concerts, clubs, and coffeehouses. A New England native, Bill became involved with the Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960′s and for a time, emceed the Sunday Hootenanny at the legendary Club 47 in Cambridge. Bill quickly became a popular performer in the Boston area. From the time in 1971 when a reviewer from the Boston Phoenix stated that he was “simply Boston’s best performer”, Bill has continually appeared on folk music radio listener polls as one of the top all time favorite folk artists. Now, well into his fifth decade as a folk performer, he has gained an international reputation as a gifted songwriter and performer.
The Cambridge Historical Society and the New England Folk Music Archives announce an evening of conversation and music at the Cambridge Historical Society, November 21, 2013.
At 6:00pm, a lively conversation between former WUMB program director Brian Quinn and Lorraine and Bennett Hammond will discuss and explore the rich history of folk music around the greater Boston area. This conversation will be recorded and deposited into The New England Folk Music Archives’ growing oral history collection.
Following the conversation, Lorraine and Bennett will perform traditional and original compositions on guitar, dulcimer, and harp, drawing on a long folk tradition.
Suggested donation for this event is $10 at the door, however additional support would be greatly appreciated to help the Cambridge Historical Society and The New England Folk Music Archives continue their important work in the community.
Lorraine and Bennett Hammond play and sing in perfect complement: blending their instruments with consummate skill, they create a new voice for music that ranges in style from classical through Celtic, blues and contemporary. The joy they take in their music is contagious, and their flair for tailoring their selection of songs and tunes for individual audiences lends a lively freshness to each performance.
Brian Quinn spent over 20 years managing all aspects of public radio station WUMB in Boston, recognized as the nation’s premiere station for folk and acoustic music. For most of these years he served as the station’s program director. Brian also was instrumental in planning and overseeing the annual Boston Folk Festival, which annually drew thousands of participants to the University of Massachusetts. He has several years of experience producing events on The Boston Common, Copley Square, Sanders Theater and The Somerville Theater.
•The Cambridge Historical Society
Venue Address: 159 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA 02138
Venue Web Site: http://www.cambridgehistory.org/
Cambridge Historical Society Phone: (617) 547-4252
The New England Folk Music Archives
Promoter Address: 319 Hurley St. #3, Cambridge, MA 02141
Promoter Website: http://www.newenglandfolkmusic.org
Info Phone: 508-789-7611 (Brian Quinn)
Time Line
5:30 pm Doors open
6:00 Oral History with Lorraine and Bennett Hammond
7:00 Concert
Lorraine and Bennett Hammond
Patio Records presents The Healing Garden Concert, a live celebration to raise funds for the creation of a magnificent Healing Garden at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, MA. Featuring Mile Twelve, J.P. Cormier w/ Bill Elliott and introducing Kelly Hill w/ Scott Neubert.
Mile Twelve
Although their sound is rooted in traditional bluegrass, Mile Twelve surveys a broader landscape on their newest album, City on a Hill. All five band members bring their own influences and observations into the music, resulting in a project that feels contemporary, thoughtfully crafted, and relevant. Produced by Bryan Sutton and engineered by Ben Surratt, City on a Hill follows significant recognition from the bluegrass community, including three IBMA Momentum Awards. With members based in Boston and Nashville, the lineup includes David Benedict (mandolin), Catherine “BB” Bowness (banjo), Bronwyn Keith-Hynes (fiddle), Evan Murphy (acoustic guitar, lead vocals), and Nate Sabat (bass, lead vocals).
J.P. Cormier
At the age of 5, JP began teaching himself to play the guitar. At 9, he won his first guitar competition against 30 other players 4 times his age. By his mid teens, he was playing a variety of stringed instruments, including the fiddle, mandolin and banjo. He recorded his first album of bluegrass instrumentals at 16, which led to 10 years of living and performing in the US. His time there included many memorable nights at the Grand Ole Opry with artists such as Waylon Jennings, Marty Stuart, Earl Scruggs, Bill Monroe, Charlie Louvin and Vince Gill.
Since returning to Canada, JP has released over a dozen award-winning albums. His impressive body of work has earned him a loyal fan base and multiple award nominations and wins. He continues to dazzle and delight audiences while performing 250 shows a year
Kelly Hill
Kelly Hill was born and raised in Waltham, Massachusetts. She began performing at an early age and continued to hone her acting skill throughout her high school and college years graduating from Brandeis University with a degree in Theater Arts.
After taking a break from performing for a number of years and raising two amazing boys, Kelly began thinking about the next chapter in her life. Her good friend Terry Eagan suggested they do an album together. Terry introduced her to Scott Neubert and the three of them embarked on her first album.
Find out about more great shows here.
