Featured: “Vance Gilbert gives title track “Best Friends” [by Kid Pan Alley] a keen perspective, when written as only children can see friendship”

Featured: “Vance Gilbert gives title track “Best Friends” [by Kid Pan Alley] a keen perspective, when written as only children can see friendship”

Nov 5, 2019

“For 20 years, Kid Pan Alley (KPA) has been engaging with school children to make original music of their creation. As founder Paul Reisler explains, “This program keeps children intensely engaged as they work together to write their own song – both music and lyrics.”

Technology is at the forefront in “I Forgot To Charge My Phone Today” featuring Lea Morris. Robbie Schaefer takes lead in the hard rocking “My Shadow Leads a Double Life.” And veteran storyteller Bill Harley discusses the lack of business for a youthful entrepreneur who has a “Sister For Sale.” And it doesn’t take Google Translate to understand the meaning of “La Vida Es Bella,” the closing track with Sonia De Los Santos.

Bossy parents (versus bossy kids) highlights Silly Bus on “Who Decided.” Lisa Loeb contributes her level-headed take on the fanciful “I’ve Got An Apple Pie in My Book Bag.” And Vance Gilbert gives title track “Best Friends” a keen perspective, when written as only children can see friendship.

It’s doubtful that modern children (or even kids from 20 years ago) would understand the “tin pan alley” origin of the name for the Kid Pan Alley project. But the goal remains the same and “Best Friends” delivers another solid collection of kid-friendly, kid-generated, and kid-centric songs from KPA.

“Best Friends” is available from Kid Pan Alley’s page on CDBABY, Amazon, and Apple Music.”

By Jeffrey Cohen

Vance is playing in Philadelphia on November 11th at World Cafe Live at 8pm

Ticket information

11/22 Vance Gilbert “Good Good Man” Pre-Release Performance at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia

11/22 Vance Gilbert “Good Good Man” Pre-Release Performance at World Cafe Live, Philadelphia

Oct 31, 2019

“If Joni Mitchell and Richie Havens had a love child, with Rodney Dangerfield as the midwife, the results might be something close to the great Vance Gilbert“, says Richmond Magazine.
Born and raised in the Philadelphia area, Vance started out hoping to be a jazz singer, and then discovered his affinity for the storytelling sensibilities of acoustic folk music. Word spread like wildfire about Gilbert’s stage-owning singing and playing, and Shawn Colvin invited him to be special guest on her 1992 Fat City tour where he took much of America by storm and by surprise. “With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god..” wrote the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Noted not only for being the ever consummate performer, Gilbert has recorded 14 albums, including 5 for Philo/Rounder Records.  Along with being opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, and Southside Johnny, the mid 2000’s found Gilbert opening 140+ shows for comedian George Carlin. Most recently he’s the opener of choice for Paul Reiser, the Milk Carton Kids, and the Subdudes, along with his own busy acoustic music touring schedule.
Considered by many to be an integral part of the national folk scene, his soon to be released record Good, Good Man (January 20, 2020) features an eclectic roster of musical types including rocker Mike Posner, Celtic harpist Aine Minough, bluesman Chris Smither, and Al Green’s organist Stacey Wade. He even has a tune on a Grammy Nominated children’s album. How rounded is that?
Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artists Showcase Announcement!

Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artists Showcase Announcement!

Jul 6, 2018

ANNOUNCING this year’s completed and CONFIRMED slate of Grassy Hill Emerging Artist Showcase performers at Falcon Ridge, here is the complete list in alphabetical order.

5j Barrow – Kerhonkson NY * Amy Kucharik – Somerville MA * Andrew Delaney – Arlington TX
Ari & Mia – Jamaica Plain MA * Burns and Kristy – Ithaca NY * Carolann Solebello – Brooklyn NY
Dan Santos – Glendale MA * Devan Tracy – Washington DC * EFRAT – Woodbridge NJ
Eliza Novella – Milton NY * Emerald Rae – Ashburnham MA * Ian Flanigan – Saugerties NY
Jude Roberts – Woodstock NY * Justin Farren – Sacramento CA * Katherine Rondeau – Burlington Twp NJ
Kyle Donovan – Hygiene CO * Kyle Hancharick – Warwick NY * Mike Laureanno – Providence RI
Nicolas Emden – Brookline MA * Oliver the Crow – Nashville TN * Orly Bendavid – Brooklyn NY
Quarter Horse – Selden NY * Rupert Wates – NYC * Sam Luke Chase – Braintree MA

Congrats to all 24 who will appear in our Friday Aug 3 showcase on mainstage from noon to 4:30P.
We hope to hear from 3 others in the future who were not able to accept this year’s invitation to showcase, AMISTAT from Melbourne Australia, Jaime Harris from Austin TX, and Swearingen & Kelli from Brentwood TN.

REMINDER – Planning to buy a 3 day ticket OR to VOLUNTEER this year, advance price deadline on tickets is July 10, just a few days away. Go to http://falconridgefolk.com/tickets/ for more info and ordering.

Still want to volunteer – Barbara, our Vol Coordinator says we still have open positions. Some crews have closed, but a few still need people. Go to www.falconridgevolunteers.com, there is a sign-up form, a list of crews with openings & what each crew does.

Volunteering is certainly NOT for everyone. All festivals need their paying attendee support for sure. That support pays for the gas in the tank so to speak but the volunteers ARE the gas in the tank that make it go. They are the life blood as well as the beating heart of any fest like FRFF. Any of our volunteers will tell you this inner circle part of the community is a very special place to be, it does mean several hrs work and likely missing some dancing, singing listening so check it out first. And for those of you still planning to sign up, please do it now. It makes it so much easier if we have a full crew earlier rather than later.

That’s it for now, feel free to Email me anytime at FalcRidge@aol.com

You can sign up or UNSIGN UP for this e-newsletter anytime as well by going to http://ten.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/announcements

We look forward to seeing you on the hill this summer! 32 days to GATES OPEN! Thanks, Anne

Anne Saunders
Artistic & Publicity Director – Falcon Ridge Folk Festival
30 years of Folk Music & Dance in the Berkshires
Aug 3, 4 & 5, 2018 – Pre-Fest Tastings Thu Aug 2
on Dodds Farm – 44 County Rd 7D, Hillsdale, NY
www.FalconRidgeFolk.com

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