Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Happenings

February 2021

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Songwriter-guitarist Bob McCarthy will join February 6 Song & Story Swap via Zoom
Valley artists garner 2020 Just Plain Folks International Awards

Bob McCarthy will join February 6 Song & Story Swap via Zoom

Musician Bob McCarthy will join PVFS Song & Story Swap on Feb 6

Please come share in an evening of music and stories at the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society Song & Story Swap.

Saturday, February 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Due to the ongoing pandemic precautions, this month’s event will be conducted online via Zoom. To register please visit https://pvfs.us/register-for-swap or click the button below:

Register

Viewers may also watch the event via YouTube Livestream beginning at 7pm on February 6.

The featured performer at the February 6 Song & Story Swap will be singer-songwriter and master instrumentalist Bob McCarthy.

New Hampshire-based Bob McCarthy's career has spanned five decades and multiple styles. Cutting his professional teeth in the sixties at the coffeehouses of Greenwich Village, Bob emerged as a widely respected musician's musician. He has been guitar-man for Ireland great Tommy Makem, frequent collaborator with blues harp legend James Montgomery, duet partner with jazz guitarist Larry Coryell, and accompanist to Gospel singer Lillian Buckley. He has played with rock recording artist Andy Pratt and toured as a bandmate with Batteau and Compton, formerly known as the progressive folk group Appaloosa.

Bob McCarthy's songwriting, vocals, and guitar and mandolin work can be heard on his five CDs published by Wandra Music. The roster of luminaries whom he has opened for or shared the stage with is too long to list, but includes Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, The Everly Brothers, Neil Young, Mary Travers, Tim Hardin, Steve Goodman and Mimi Farina.

As Jorma Kaukonen of the Jefferson Airplane has said of Bob McCarthy, "If there were any justice in the world, he would be a well known big dog." Catch him at the February 6 Song and Story Swap.

Learn more about Bob McCarthy at bobmccarthy.net.

This month’s opening round theme is Food This month's opening round theme is 'Food'

Looking ahead to next month, the March 6 Song & Story Swap will feature musician-storyteller and political satirist Charlie King. The theme for the round of sharing will be Home.

The Song & Story Swap is held on the first Saturday of each month, excepting July and August, and is jointly sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society and the Nacul Center. Visit the Folklore Society website at pvfs.us.

The Song & Story Swap is open to the public, free of charge with donations accepted ($5 - $10 is suggested). Donations to the featured performer may be made securely via credit card or Paypal at https://pvfs.us/donate.

People of all ages gather to share stories and songs that are traditional, newly written, or of personal experiences. You can tell, sing, or lead everyone in singing, or request a song or story. Listeners are welcome.

For information contact Paul Kaplan, (413)-687-5002 or visit https://pvfs.us.

Valley artists recognized at 2020 Just Plain Folks Music Awards

Just Plain Folks, a worldwide grassroots music network, has announced the results of its 2020 Music Awards, and the Traditional Folk Album category saw two Pioneer Valley musicians gain a spot on the podium. Greenfield activist songwriter Tom Neilson took first place for Between the Rivers, while Amherst singer-songwriter Richard Berman took third with You're Home now. Tom Neilson's CDs It's a Crime to Tell the Truth and Ain't Gonna Pass also took first and third places in the Political/Social Commentary Album category.