October 2021 to May 2022
The Dulcimer Boys
October 8, 2021
Cliff Cole (the king), Norm Williams, and Rob Yoder play both varieties of dulcimers, as well as other string instruments creating beautiful harmonies, especially with Rob's dynamic bass.
The Dulcimer Boys Norm Williams (vocals, mountain dulcimer, banjo, guitar, and ukulele), Cliff Cole (hammered dulcimer, guitar, and percussion), and Rob Yoder (vocals, guitar, banjo, concertina, mountain dulcimer, and bodhrán). Norm, a member of the Old-Time and Gospel group, Wayfarers & Company, joins two members of the traditional music group DayBreak to form this harmonious offshoot.
Linda Russell
November 12, 2021
Linda Russell - For many ears, the OFFICIAL folk singer of the National Park Service in New York City. A real folkie with a variety of string instruments, with sing-alongs, and clap-alongs, like Jean Ritchie.
Mixing music with history comes naturally to Linda. She grew up in the Wisconsin countryside where she went to a one-room school. Her Mom was a church organist and her Dad the local historian. On family vacations, the Russells followed a trail of history, visiting Civil War battlefields, pioneer villages, and waterways of voyageurs. History was tangible on these journeys and Linda was captivated. Singing came easily to Linda, and she credits her mother with instilling in her the pure joy of singing and the passion she feels for all types of music.
Dave Fry
December 10, 2021
Dave Fry - founder, owner, and performer at Godfrey Daniels in Bethlehem, PA, playing guitar plus, and well known for kids (of all ages) music, CD's, PBS, etc., and a wry sense of humor.
Dave Fry has been playing folk, bluegrass, rock and roll, and more for decades in the Lehigh Valley. Known widely as an engaging family folk performer, his adult material extends to both original and obscure tunes, all with his unique twist of humor. He has four CDs out, several PBS-TV presentations, and founded Godfrey Daniels, the legendary folk club in Bethlehem in 1976. He is a deft finger-picking and flat-picking guitarist. He also plays mandolin and banjo.
Russ Rentler
January 14, 2022
In 2016, Russ retired from medical practice. This has finally allowed him to pursue his life-long dream and passion of performing original and traditional music. He counts Bob Dylan, John McCutcheon and Walt Michaels as major influences in his style. His live performances are a mix of folk, Celtic and blues-inspired tunes with multiple instrument changes interspersed with his off-beat humor and wry observations about life that keep the audiences coming back for more. (As well as for free medical advice!)
Jay Smar
February 11, 2022
Guitar, banjo, fiddle, vocals, and flat-footed dance, Jay serves his audience an acoustic buffet of traditional American and original folk ol’ time mountain music, bluegrass, and gospel tunes as well as coal mining songs of Northeast PA preceded by the origin. A world expert on coal mining songs (and stories), having done music for a film on the Welsh connection, plus a few tours in Scotland, he plays fiddle and banjo, (just like John Hartford), and has performed at the Mauch Chunk Opera House many times.
Berks Fiddle Fest Champions
March 11, 2022
Featuring
Serafina Salvaterra and Margaret Young
Don Sinetti
April 8, 2022
Don Sinetti - The banjo playing, sea shanty singing entertainer from Mystic Seaport, CT, an expert on sailor's songs and stories. A LIVELY singer/musician, who'll get you in the mood.
With folk songs ranging from sea shanties to haunting whaling ballads and Appalachian instrumentals, Don draws his audience into his music with rollicking chorus songs, accompanying his singing with a 5-string banjo, concertina, and bones mostly rooted in the British Isles, Canada, and the United States. He is The sea shanty singer at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut!
Travis Wetzel Trio
May 13, 2022
First Grand Champion of the Lyons Fiddle Festival, now plays often on the Grand Ole Opry; added to his fiddle and mandolin, will be bluegrass banjo and upright bass, with terrific harmonies, don't miss the "Mad Fiddler"!
Travis Wetzel is a dynamic musician, songwriter, and vocalist. His music has many folds including bluegrass, jazz, swing, Celtic, Klezmer, Native American, gospel, country, and classical. He is the lead fiddler/violinist on countless recording projects ranging from country to rock and has often performed at the Grand Ole Opry. He has performed and recorded with artists such as Bill Monroe, Jesse McReynolds, Bill Harrell, Del McCoury, Doyle Lawson, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Fortune, John Schneider, and David Frizzell. Jazz legend Stephane Grappelli invited Travis to perform the Rogers and Hart classic, Where or When at Kutztown University with him.