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Matthew Skoller & Bill Sims Jr. www.matthewskoller.com http://www.heritagebluesorchestra.com
Two masters of the BLUES!! Both Grammy-nominated artists!
Don't miss this opportunity to hear The Blues played like it was meant to be heard.
 MATTHEW SKOLLER is one of Chicago's most respected harp blowers and blues bandleaders. For the past 20 years he has played in all of Chicago's heaviest showcase venues and toured much of the world with his super tight ensembles. Deeply rooted in the tradition of the Chicago blues elders with whom he worked and studied, Skoller has developed a unique style that conjures the past while being firmly planted in the present. His blues wardrobe clothes a range of original songs whose subject matter comments on many of the issues and realities of life during this age of technology, information and upheaval. Skoller, known for his fiery and engaging performances, combines passionate harp playing and singing with original song writing and prodigious production skills. He has self produced 4 of his cd's and the critically acclaimed, award winning Let's Talk About Love by Lurrie Bell. BILL SIMS JR. - Born and raised by a sharecropping family in rural Georgia, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Bill Sims Jr. is an internationally respected master of the blues. He began playing piano at age four and by fourteen he was playing professionally in a rhythm and blues group. Most recently, Mr. Sims, as a member of the Heritage Blues Orchestra, has been nominated for a GRAMMY award for their album "And Still I Rise" in the category of Best Blues Album 2012. The group has also been nominated for two Blues Music Awards 2013 for Best Album and Best Traditional Blues Album. A Warner Bros. recording artist, Mr. Sims is also an accomplished musical director and has lent his talents to many theater and film productions in New York and the United States. His film credits include Lackawanna Blues, Miss Ruby's House, American Gangster, and the recent Cadillac Records. He was also the subject of a critically acclaimed PBS documentary, An American Love Story, in 1999. Mr. Sims currently lives in NYC where he mentors a new generation of blues and roots musicians.
Bob Amos & Catamount Crossing featuring Sarah Amos http://www.bobamos.com
  SINGOUT! magazine reviewer John Lupton has called BOB AMOS “one of the most consistently interesting and intelligent songwriters in Americana music.” Bob’s musical influences are varied and his songs contain elements of folk, rock, bluegrass, celtic, blues, country, pop and rock-a-billy. From 1988-2003 Bob was the lead singer, guitarist and guiding force behind the internationally known bluegrass band Front Range, which recorded 8 CDs, including 5 for famed acoustic indie label SUGAR HILL RECORDS. Front Range toured throughout America and Europe, and received heavy airplay on Acoustic, Americana and Bluegrass radio stations.
Atlantic Crossing http://www.atlanticcrossingvt.com
Whether rocking the dance floor at a New England contra dance hall, or painting for a rapt concert audience a musical interpretation of local history, or striking a perfectly joyous note at a wedding celebration, ATLANTIC CROSSING have, for over a decade and a half, been a favorite band in Vermont. Their music, the traditional music of New England, is rooted deeply in the Celtic British Isles and in French & Maritime Canada, and their arrangements reveal a profound love of these traditions, together with a high level of creativity and emotional expression, all washed down with a healthy dose of fun.
Atlantic Crossing are among a small number of musicians currently bringing to life the locally archived field recordings of traditional ballads, made by Helen Hartness Flanders in the early-mid 20th Century. And their own compositions, whether ballads which relate aspects of local historical events or dance tunes which are destined to become new classics, spring forth effortlessly, inspired and informed by immersion in the traditions.
With a reputation as an in-demand contra dance band, Atlantic Crossing have toured widely in the US and beyond, and have played at many of the major dance series as well as at festivals and dance weekends nationwide.
Since 2000 they have been listed on Vermont Arts Council's juried register of the state's best artists, and in 2007 their exploration of the history of the Champlain Valley through music earned them a designation of American Masterpiece Artists in a (now discontinued) program of the VAC and Vermont Folklife Center.
Guthrie's Ghost
In 2012, three Hudson Valley folk performing entities came together to celebrate Woody Guthrie's centennial year and found a chemistry that propelled them to reunite and continue making music together.
 David Bernz, is a two-time Grammy award winning producer for Pete Seeger and a seasoned folk performer in his own right, as well as with the quartet "Work o' the Weavers." His son Jacob Bernz is one of the valley's up-and-coming young songwriters and a charter member of Hudson River Sloop Clearwater's performance group Power of Song. They now perform together as a father-son duo. www.folkmusiclives.com  "Hope Machine" consisting of Fred Gillen, Jr. and Steve Kirkman have been singing Woody Guthrie songs and penning new songs in a modern Guthrie trajectory since coming together in 2003 for a hootenanny hosted by Woody's granddaughter Anna Canoni. Their debut CD released in 2006/2007 received airplay all over the East Coast and their follow-up CD "Big Green Hope Machine" has gotten great reviews and airplay all over the world. In 2011, International Folk Alliance featured their original sing "Peace Rant" on their compilation CD. Hope machine is always evolving, but the message of the songs they write or choose to sing is one of hope, peace and freedom. They encourage people to sing along at every show and welcome many guest performers to share their stages. Though they sing many of their own songs these days, they remain an "offocial" program of the Woody Guthrie Foundation and carry Woody's message wherever they go, that we are all hoping machines. www.hopemachine.com
 Amy Fradon is a singer, actor, dancer, therapist and teacher with over 25 years of experience. She has toured in the US and abroad and has over 14 albums and CDs to her credit as a solo artist and as part of the duo "Amy Fradon and Leslie Ritter" and with the Vanaver Caravan, a nationally recognized dance company whose Pastures of Plenty show celebrates Woody's music in song and dance. Amy got her start in acting and dancing as part of the national touring company of the Broadway hit Pumpboys and Dinettes, but soon became immersed in the 1980s music scene in Woodstock, NY and began her career as a singer with the encouragement of veteran performers such as Happy and Artie Traum, Robbie Dupree, Rick Danko of The Band, Livingston Taylor and Orleans. She's been singing and writing songs and amazing listeners with her leather-lunged vocals ever since. www.amyfradon.com
In the summer of 2012, these three performing entities set out together to tour various locations in New York and New England to honor Woody's 100 year mark. They quickly discovered three things - that touring together was fun - that you don't let David pick the restaurants - and that their musical styles and sensibilities were complementary and mutually supportive. Whether singing all together, or stepping back to allow one member the spotlight, Guthrie' Ghost seeks to engage, involve and uplift the audience, and to bring them on a musical journey back to the time some of Woody's songs were first written, and forward to address some of the pressing issues of our own era. In 2013, Guthrie's Ghost will also be celebrating the contribution of the legendary folk artist Pete Seeger.
On Friday night, August 16, the Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is proud to present Gutherie's Ghost
Annie And The Hedonists www.annieandthehedonists.com
Acoustic Blues, Vintage Jazz & Swing, & Folk Roots Americana
 The Band: Anni
e Rosen on lead vocals; Jonny Rosen on guitar and vocals; Peter Davis on clarinet, tenor guitar, piano, and vocals; and Don Young on bass and vocals"Flawless, seemingly effortless playing and singing. Once again, Annie And The Hedonists transport us back to an age when heartache, boozing, and all sorts of romantic mayhem seems like one big stylish adventure. On their new album, Woman Be Wise, Annie struts right to the heart of each sassy, nostalgic song and gives us a piece of her mind in a voice that sits comfortably alongside the greats of the American jazz tradition. The album is packed with flawless, seemingly effortless playing and singing."--- Sarah Craig, Manager, Caffe Lena
"Jazz, blues, country, folk, bluegrass...it's all here. Annie Rosen's versatile, vintage-tinged voice is the perfect match for the Hedonists' ace musicianship."---Albany Times Union
On Saturday night, August 17, the Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is proud to present Annie And The Hedonists
Carl Jones http://dittyville.com/about.html
 Carl Jones started playing guitar and writing songs when he was ten years old, inspired by seeing Roy Rogers picking and singing on television. He played bluegrass music in college and started attending many festivals, where he began what was to become a life-long pursuit of learning traditional fiddle music and making up "ditties". This led to a study of the banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and various styles of guitar. Eventually he toured as a multi-instrumentalist with James Bryan along with Norman and Nancy Blake as The Rising Fawn String Ensemble.
In the past decade, Carl has been part of a singing duo with Beverly Smith and taught at many music camps around the country and abroad. He has had songs recorded by The Nashville Bluegrass Band, Kate Campbell, Rickie Simpkins, and others.
He has also been touring occasionally as part of The Haints String Band (Jason and Pharis Romero with Erynn Marshall) and occasionally gets to join in with Bruce Greene and Don Pedi as they meander through some great old Kentucky tunes. In 2011 he is excited to be playing many shows with James Bryan once again and recently completed their second CD - Cricket's Lullaby.
Will Mentor
Will Mentor is a contra and square dance caller from Northern Vermont known for his clear teaching, upbeat wit, and relaxed stage presence. He loves to choreograph contra gatherings with a variety of dances and tempos that at times surprise and always delight, all the while keeping intact his guiding principle as a caller: "It's about the dancers!"
Join Will on Friday, August 16th in the evening as he spins his magic to the amazing music of Atlantic Crossing, and again on Saturday, August 17th, Will makes the old Peacham Gym come alive as he calls a family dance to music played by The Irregulars - an extraordinary band of young players. The Irregulars https://www.facebook.com/Irregularsband/info
 The Irregulars is a talented and popular group of young, traditional musicians based in Shelburne, Vermont. These six high school students have been playing together since 2007 under the mentorship of Vermont music legend, Pete Sutherland. Their repertoire features traditional fiddle tunes from New England, Cape Breton, Quebec, Ireland, Scotland, and Appalachia, as well as some of their own exciting compositions and distinctive arrangements. The band’s high spirits, tight harmonies, and driving contra dance tunes delight both listeners and dancers.The Irregulars earned first place in the Young Traditions Vermont music competition held in Burlington in 2011; they have made multiple appearances at the Champlain Valley Folk Festival, the New World Festival in Randolph, and the famous “Dance Flurry” festival in Saratoga Springs, NY. They entertain regularly at contra dances, benefit concerts, and other musical events around the region. Their first CD (Waiting for Wisdom) was released in the spring of 2013.
The Irregulars are: Laura Harris (accordion and banjo), Dana Hartshorn (keyboard), McKinley James (cello), Christopher Krag (fiddle), Eileen O’Grady (fiddle), and Oliver Scanlon (mandolin and fiddle). On Saturday, August 17, the Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is proud to present The Irregulars Chickweed https://www.facebook.com/chickweedvt
 Linda Warnaar- guitar
Fran Forim -upright bass
Abby Maier Johnson - percussion.
Original songs (plus a few covers)-
Don't miss this spicy, upbeat folk, with jazz/blues and Latin sounds mixed in, featuring unique 3-part harmonies. On Saturday, August 17, the Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is proud to present Chickweed
 In his own words: I was born and raised in Cabot, Vermont where I grew up surrounded by music and art. I began playing guitar when I was about 7 years old, learning from my Dad and family friends. My parents are both artists. My mother Mary has made her living as a Wood Cut Artist. In 2010 I began working on large scale murals in public and private spaces, including the Snack Bar on South Congress Ave in Austin, the 30th Street Apartment building near the Crown & Anchor in Austin, and the Jewish Academy in North Austin. I also painted a mural on the ceiling of a bedroom in a private residence in Austin. I am enjoying working large scale in public places. I especially enjoy meeting and talking to different people while I am working, a wholly different experience from working alone in my studio/home space which I enjoy for other reasons, like being able to make a cup of tea while I am working!! I plan on continuing to work large scale on public projects!! You can visit the mural section of this website for more information.
In addition to creating art, my greatest love is writing songs and performing. You can listen to my music here and also see some videos of recent performances. I have been simultaneously working on art and music over the last 15 years. I enjoy playing solo or with other musicians in Austin. In particular, I have had the pleasure of playing music with Jeff Johnston for many years. Jeff and I played together in the Orange Mothers in the 1990s and early 2000s. Jeff plays a myriad of instruments including bass guitar, saw, xylophone and he sings on the telephone!! I am interested in playing listening rooms such as the Cactus Cafe or Flipnotics in Austin or playing house concerts.
On Saturday, August 17, the Peacham Acoustic Music Festival is proud to present Ethan Azarian
Alan Greenleaf and The Doctor http://www.alangreenleaf.com/
Alan Greenleaf lives on the farm he has worked for a good part of his life in Northern Vermont. His songs are inspired by his life on his farm and the people and countryside around him. They are a report of events, people, feelings, and observations of his life experiences, with a great deal of poetic license. Living in Vermont, the weather and seasons play a significant part in his stories. Musically, he draws on many American traditions. Alan will be performing with "The Doctor", piano player Jonathan Kaplan who brings his keyboard magic to the show. Alan and The Doctor perform regularly throughout the North country. The Bayley Hazen Boys
The Bayley-Hazen Boys take you on a rollicking ride from the hills of northern Vermont down through Americana to the southern Appalachians. Combining their fresh interpretation of time-tested traditional material with a wealth of original songs, these musical veterans blend soulful ballads, tight vocal harmonies, and hard driving instrumental work into a sound evoking the spirit of the early Stanley Brothers and Bill and Charlie Monroe. The Bayley-Hazen Boys feature Gary Darling on mandolin, Chris Cruger on bass and Steve Wright on guitar and five string banjo. The Bayley-Hazen Boys are as authentic as their namesake - the military road constructed during the Revolutionary War from Newbury to Lowell. With an energetic and entertaining stage presence, the “Boys” add a fun element to any show. Historical stories and yarns about musicians (famous or not) provide the background to their music. Explanations of the creation of the original songs are fascinating to listen to. Audiences large and intimate, young and old will love the interaction with the band. Gary, Chris and Steve founded the well-known bluegrass group “Gopher Broke Bluegrass”. Gopher Broke recorded three albums, appeared at festivals, public and private performances throughout New England (and beyond) from 1999 to 2009, and were recognized as “one of Vermont’s genuine artistic treasures” by Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. The Bayley-Hazen Boys continue this level of professionalism with their distinctive old-time bluegrass mountain music, a style becoming increasingly scarce today. |
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