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TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring CUISLE MO CHROI

Posted on December 5, 2018 at 2:50 PM Comments comments (0)


               Pat Carey                                                               Cathy McGrath                                                                   Mary Lester 




TUNES BY THE TRACKS is chugging along...right on schedule for a Wednesday, Dec 19th arrival at the library, for our 10th Annual Christmas Concert.
It will be a very special evening.

Your highfalutin holiday hosts, Jim Clare and Allen Hopkins are so proud and pleased to present our co-host Cathy McGrath and the ladies of Cuisle Mo Chroi with their 10th Annual Christmas Concert:



~ CUISLE MO CHROI ~



We're bringing it all back home to the familiar comfort of the Big Room in the library for this anniversary concert.

We look forward all year to this confluence of lovely ladies, performing beautiful traditional songs on a variety of instruments, in ethereal three part harmony.
The Irishness of Cuisle Mo Chroi is unmistakable and irrepressible, even as the music carries us from the Emerald isle to Scotland, across England and France, to the Canadian maritimes, and of course, America. 



Cuisle Mo Chroi is widely loved for their compelling vocals, featuring delightful individual voices and intricate harmonies.  

The ladies also accompany themselves beautifully with an impressive array of instruments.

 


Cathy McGrath plays guitar, penny whistle, and flute.  

Pat Carey adds guitar, ukulele, and mandolin

Mary Lester is on Irish harp and bodhran.


This will be a festive winter evening that we'll long remember everyone...we hope that a holly jolly jumble of Trackers will join us for our 10th Annual Christmas Concert.


~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~ 


Yes indeedy...no holiday gala would be complete without the dulcet tones emanating from our own audience artists.  Words are inadequate to describe the feeling you'll have, when you're subjected to the eclectic effervescence of the Mystery Pickers.

We cordially invite you to give it a try...simply ask Cathy, Allen, or Jim (moi)...and your name will be inscribed in the snow right alongside the hallowed heroes who preceded you.

 

 


  • TUNES BY THE TRACKS Featuring CUISLE MO CHROI
  • Clifton Springs library
  • 4 Railroad Ave, Clifton Springs, NY 14432
  • Wed, Dec 19
  • 7pm - 9pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
  • FREE ($5.00 donation suggested for Feature and refreshements)

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring JIM CLARE & ALLEN HOPKINS

Posted on November 13, 2018 at 10:40 AM Comments comments (0)



                                                                   Jim Clare                                                                                    Allen Hopkins



                                       

TUNES BY THE TRACKS is chuffing up the line, for a Wednesday, Nov 21st arrival at the library.
The lovely and stalwart Cathy McGrath will be hosting the show single handedly, because...you guessed it, Trackers...this is the annual show to Feature:





~ JIM CLARE & ALLEN HOPKINS ~





Jim Clare, https://www.facebook.com/folkiejim" target="_blank">http://https://www.facebook.com/folkiejim  and Allen Hopkins, http://www.allenhopkins.org/ have been abusing folk music for a ridiculously long time...according to Allen's website, he has "30 years of Rochester folk" under his copious belt. Through the years, many folk luminaries have commented vigorously about the boys, yet still they persist.


We really do hope that many of you Trackers will join Allen, me, and our favorite co-host Cathy McGrath, to celebrate the sunset of our 9th year of TUNES BY THE TRACKS.
(Don't fret...Cathy and the ladies of Cuisle Mo Chroi will perform their annual Christmas concert on December 19th...:D)

Naturally with Jim & Allen, you can expect the customary tightly arranged, intricately rehearsed songs in a seamless set that will include old favorites, fan requests, a short hilarious anecdote or two, and perhaps a few original songs.




~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~


Yes indeedy...the second half of the evening will showcase the unique artistry of the notorious Mystery Pickers.

Wanna be a Mystery Picker??  Just ask Cathy, Allen, or Jim...and you will find yerself in the lineup to perform your favorite song, for the most kind and supportive audience you'll ever find anywhere.

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring CONNIE DEMING

Posted on October 24, 2018 at 10:05 AM Comments comments (0)


                                                                               Connie Deming


TUNES BY THE TRACKS is wending its way through the glorious autumn Finger Lakes countryside, for a Wednesday, Nov 7 arrival at Clifton Springs library.
Your wholly wholesome hosts, Jim Clare, Cathy McGrath, and Allen Hopkins are happily thrilled to welcome a good friend and lovely lady as Feature:



~ CONNIE DEMING ~


Connie Deming, https://www.facebook.com/connie.deming.9" target="_blank">http://https://www.facebook.com/connie.deming.9  is a celebrated singer songwriter, branded by Rochester NY's music critic, Jeff Spevak "the best pure singer in the city, a performer with Joni Mitchell clarity and electricity." Her recent CD, "Fly," is her 8th recording of original material and second project recorded in Dingle, Ireland with acclaimed guitarist, Gerry O'Beirne. Mother of a young man with autism, Connie captivates hearts in a uniquely deep way with her stories and exquisitely crafted songs.

Connie is so open and unassuming, that us Trackers like her instantly, and when she sings, it's just natural, to fall in love with Connie Deming.
It's gonna be a warm, wonderful evening, so get them leaves raked and piled, and we'll see yez at the library on Nov 7th.


~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~

You bet...the gallant gaggle of musical mayhem will commence after the break, and yet again, we'll be overwhelmingly underwhelmed by the stupendous things that our intrepid pickers do to music.
If you want to give it a try...it's easy as pie...just let Cathy, Allen, or Jim (moi) know, and we'll include you among the stalwarts who have become such an integral part of our evenings.

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring DA VINES

Posted on October 9, 2018 at 9:25 AM Comments comments (0)
       Alex Vine                                                                                                        Fred Vine



TUNES BY THE TRACKS is just over the horizon, and she'll pull into Clifton Springs library, on Wednesday, Oct 17th.
Your herbalicious hosts, Jim Clare, Cathy McGrath, and Allen Hopkins are more than pleased to welcome back our favorite father and son Feature:




~ DA VINES ~ 


Fred and Alex Vine, https://www.facebook.com/davines99/" target="_blank">http//www.facebook.com/davines99/ , have that special synergy that only seems to appear in a father-son combo.
Their unique sound and diverse repertoire incorporates Americana, Blues, Folk, Rock, Jazz and original compositions, and Fred and Alex play them all with style and panache.

Fred Vine is one of the best known Blues singers and acoustic guitarists in Upstate NY. 
A master of Piedmont finger-style and Delta bottleneck slide guitar, Fred is an outstanding traditional Blues player, who effortlessly segues into dazzling arrangements of Jazz, Ragtime and original tunes. In 2015, Fred was a featured artist in Geva Theater's presentation, "Journey to the Son: A Celebration of Son House", with John Mooney and recent Rochester Music Hall of Fame inductee Joe Beard. With a career spanning more than four decades, Fred has shared the stage with Muddy Waters, John Hammond Jr., Leon Russell, Dave Van Ronk and many others.

A multi-instrumentalist, the son also rises.
Alex Vine plays guitar, bass, mandolin and percussion. He also writes his own songs and has a unique singing style. In addition to performing with his father, Alex is a student majoring in music performance at Monroe Community College studying classical and jazz guitar as well as music theory. Alex plays with the honors jazz combo under Professor John Nyerges. Alex is also a founding member of the blues rock group, Access Indigo as well as the hip-hop fusion group known as Pine Needle Soul.

Their voices and musical visions blend with easy wit and rock solid musicianship, DA VINES are sure to entertain.


~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~ 


The second half of the evening is sure to be another whizz banger, with an effervescent gaggle of musicians...some of whom have just shared a stage with Paul Prestopino...stepping insouciantly into the limelight to flaunt the incredible style we've all learned to endure.


Wanna be a Mystery Picker??
Just advise Cathy, Allen, or Jim (moi), and you too, will instantaneously become known throughout the land.



  • TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring DA VINES
  • Clifton Springs library,
  • 4 Railroad Ave, Clifton Springs, NY 14432
  • Wed, Oct 17
  • 7pm - 9pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
  • FREE ($5.00 donation suggested for Feature and refreshments)

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring PAUL PRESTOPINO

Posted on September 21, 2018 at 10:15 AM Comments comments (0)


                      Paul Prestopino and some other guy



TUNES BY THE TRACKS is inbound for a Wednesday, Oct 3 arrival at the Clifton Springs library.
Your habitually hospitable hosts, Jim Clare, Cathy McGrath, and Allen Hopkins are thrilled, excited, and pleased to welcome a genuine Folk legend as Feature:



~ PAUL PRESTOPINO ~



Paul, https://www.facebook.com/paul.prestopino" target="_blank">http://https://www.facebook.com/paul.prestopino is the guy we all know, but never knew we knew.

Paul is not just a fashion plate who sets the style for male sartorial elegance, he is the consummate sideman. Paul has provided the instrumental highlights on just about every stringed instrument that has showcased the records from the Folk royaty of our generation. When we listen to the iconic records from The Kingston Trio, Tom Paxton, John Denver, Chad Mitchell Trio, Peter, Paul & Mary, Murray McGlachlan, Spanky McFarlane, Judy Collins...and many other folkie favorites with names too fierce to mention...the lead instrument and the hook that lingers in our ears, is often Paul Prestopino.

Here are some of Paul's recording credits, to tantalize us Trackers:
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/paul-prestopino-mn0000377808/credits" target="_blank">https://www.allmusic.com/artist/paul-prestopino-mn0000377808/credits

...and the icing on the cake...Paul is an all round great guy with wonderful stories to tell, accompanied by one of the instruments that he played on the records we have in our collection, by Noel Stookey, or John Denver, or Chad Mitchell.
I really urge all you Trackers to get to this show. It's gonna be a very special, one of a kind evening, truly destined to be a treasure that all of us will cherish.


~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~ 
The best kept secret in folk music, will step once again into the limelight. They just keep getting better every time...and thank goodness for that...


  • TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring PAUL PRESTOPINO
  • Clifton Springs library, https://www.facebook.com/cliftonspringslibrary/" target="_blank">http/www.facebook.com/cliftonspringslibrary/
  • 4 Railroad Ave, Clifton Springs, NY 14424
  • Wed, Oct 3
  • 7pm - 9pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
  • FREE ($10.00 donation suggested for Feature and refreshments)

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring ANDY COHEN

Posted on September 9, 2018 at 4:25 PM Comments comments (0)

                                                                                              Andy Cohen



TUNES BY THE TRACKS is whinin' low, and inbound for a Wednesday, Sep 19
arrival at Clifton Springs library.
Your always amenable hosts, Jim Clare, Cathy McGrath, and Allen Hopkins are delighted to welcome a new Tunes By the Tracks artist, with an old soul as our Feature:


~ ANDY COHEN ~




Andy, http://www.andycohenmusic.com/ has followed a long and winding road, on his musical journey and he's still rambling...
In his words:
"What I do mostly anymore, is a sort of Country Blues 101. It’s broader than that, of course, covering material from before the twenties to about the fifties, and ranging over the several states to which Memphis is adjacent. I grew up during the Sixties Revival in Massachusetts, but I’m a Southern boy at heart. I made a point of acquainting myself with all the blues players I could, on record and in person. In my shows, I do material by Reverend Davis, John Hurt, Big Bill, Gus Cannon, Frank Stokes, Memphis Minnie, Bukka White, Barbecue Bob, Charlie Patton, Ted Bogan, Henry Spaulding, and any of a hundred other blues people."

"People down here are serious about religion, and when they sing, you know they believe it. Street corner Gospel and spiritual players from a dozen different forms of Black and white worship add richness and gravity to Southern music. I do my best with it…"

"Being something of a picker, I’ve studied Reverend Gary Davis’ repertoire extensively. He was from western South Carolina, but lived in several places in North Carolina before coming to New York, finally and permanently. I regard him enough of a guru that I’ve issued one CD of his sacred songs and produced a tribute album to him. 

THE DOLCEOLA: A major purveyor of what historians call the ‘Social’ Gospel (think of Dr. King) was Washington Phillips. He made 78s back in the twenties, playing on a pair of zither-form contraptions called Celestephones. I play his music and a good deal more on a Schroeder-sized grand piano called a Dolceola, made in 1905. Carry it everywhere with me, wouldn’t leave home without it."


~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~


Of course...the second half of the evening will be festooned with music from our highly self-regarded gang of intrepid artists, who step boldy into the limelight, to perform one of their best songs.
We invite newbies to give it a go. To perform for a very supportive crowd, you need only buttonhole Cathy, Allen, or Jim (moi), and yer in like Flynn.

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring REBECCA COLLEEN

Posted on August 26, 2018 at 8:15 AM Comments comments (0)


                         Rebecca Colleen



TUNES BY THE TRACKS is right on schedule, for a Wednesday, Sep 5th arrival at Clifton Springs library. 
Your happening hosts, Jim Clare, Cathy McGrath, and Allen Hopkins are excited and pleased to welcome back our returning Feature:



~ REBECCA COLLEEN ~



Rebecca Colleen, http://www.rebeccacolleen.com/  Just yesterday, she was the cute and precocious little girl, with the big red guitar and the grown-up voice, who could front a Bluegrass Band at the drop of a downbeat.  Well now, Becky has completed her studies at Hobart and William Smith, and she's embarked on developing a new career, in addition to the music business. 

Not to worry...Becky is still playing shows with the Chore Lads, and expanding her own considerable solo repertoire. 
We're still in her plans, and we really look forward to seeing Rebeca, hearing some favorites, and perhaps being introduced to some new songs from this lovely and talented young lady. 





~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~

Their fan base has exploded into double figures, so of course, we anticpate a wholly huge hoohah for the second half of the evening, when these scalawags take the stage.

Wanna be a Mystery Picker??  ...just buttonhole Cathy, Allen, or moi (me)...and slam bam...ala kazaam...there you is...!!


 

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring JIM KIMBALL & MITZIE COLLINS

Posted on August 6, 2018 at 10:35 AM Comments comments (0)



NOTE: struggling to get Jim and Mitzie's photos to behave...please hold yer breath for corrections


TUNES BY THE TRACKS is hurtling down the rails, for a Wednesday, Aug 15th arrival at Clifton Springs library.
Your hampered hosts, Jim Clare, and Allen Hopkins, will struggle gamely to keep us on track, while Cathy McGrath lolls by a lake on vacation someplace.
We're pleased and priveleged to host regional folk icons as our Feature:



~ JIM KIMBALL & MITZIE COLLINS ~ 



Jim KImball, https://www.geneseo.edu/music/kimball" target="_blank">http://www.geneseo.edu/music/kimball  Lecturer in Music at SUNY Geneseo, Jim is a scholar of American musical traditions, especially the fiddle and dance music of the Northeast US. Outside the classroom, where he teaches everything from ethnomusicology to American and world popular music, Jim is a multi-instrumentalist on strings and winds, a noted dance caller, and organizer of the Geneseo String Band, combining college and community musicians to play traditional dance tunes. For decades Jim and his band have hosted regular square dances at the college, and his students have become award-winning composers, professional touring acoustic musicians, and preservers of traditional music and folk arts


Mitzie Collins, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitzie_Collins" target="_blank">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitzie_Collins is a singer, collector and presenter of traditional music; she has been a radio host, a record company owner, a world-wide ambassador of the hammered dulcimer, and an organizer of community musical educatioWen through the Eastman School of Music. Mitzie has released over a dozen recordings of instrumental music, featuring her dulcimer, and also other traditional musicians from the Rochester area; styles have ranged from Christmas carols, Irish dance tunes, New York State fiddling, to “world music” featuring Middle Eastern instruments combined with Caribbean steel drumming, and Mitzie’s dulcimer. Currently she performs as a soloist, with other musical friends in a variety of ensembles, and as leader of the Striking Strings hammered dulcimer orchestra.



~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~


Lest you think they're resting on their laurels after their triumphant showcase last week...the second half of the evening, will herald the regurgitation of the inimitable MYSTERY PICKERS...a test of talent and courage, as performers step into the spotlight to serve up their best song, in what might be called a "micro-set".
We invite newbies to give it a go.
Just let Cathy, Allen, or Jim (moi) know...and we'll gleefully insert you into the rota.


  • TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring JIM KIMBALL & MITZIE COLLINS
  • Clifton Springs library
  • 4 Railroad Ave, Clifton Springs, NY 14432
  • Wed, Aug 15
  • 7pm - 9pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
  • FREE ($5.00 donation suggested for Feature and refreshments)

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring MYSTERY PICKER SHOW

Posted on July 27, 2018 at 11:20 AM Comments comments (0)



TUNES BY THE TRACKS, is headed back to the library, for a Wednesday, Aug 1 arrival.
Your habitually hospitable hosts Jim Clare, Cathy McGrath, and Allen Hopkins are pleased as lunch, to welcome a special annual Feature:


~ MYSTERY PICKER SHOW ~


Yes indeedy, THE MYSTERY PICKERS...that motley crew of loyal luminaries, who delights us every time with their performances, are an integral part of Tunes By the Tracks, and we love 'em. This is their special night.

LAURI PARKHURST -  banjo pickin’ to delight us all, we’ve watched Lauri honing her craft, and we've cheered her progress, and we're gonna do it next week one more time.

RALPH & DAWN - Ralph Minervino's Irish whistles and Dawn Felice Jenkins' fiddle blend to make sweet Celtic tunes that can make you tap your toes, or just sit back and smile. 

DAVID IANNI - David is such a fine fingerstyle guitarist, that it comes as a pleasant surprise, when he begins to sing. His gentle voice is a sweet accomplice in stealing our hearts with his great songs.

DAVID NIXON - our resident master of acapella, David's deep repertoire of songs, never fails to include some that we discover we've known all our lives, and we find ourselves singing along on the choruses.

BETH SLEBODA - Beth is certain to offer an eclectic...not to say eccentric...set, drawn from her quiver full of traditional and original songs always elicits a smile, and often an invitation to join right in.

VAL & GREG - this band sprang to life in the hallowed halls of TUNES BY THE TRACKS, so we take a proprietary interest, in the delightful progress of Val "Fingers" Fowler & Greg "Thumper" Franklin...these lads are good, and they keep getting gooder, with every performance.

DAVE NORTH - I think everyone who has ever seen him, is a Dave North fan. A fine musician and a delicious singer, Dave is the consummate entertainer.  He connects immediately to his audience, and he gets us laughing and crying with a bottomless repertoire of Irish, English, and American traditional songs, that always leave us wanting more.

We hope all you Trackers will join us for this show, to show our MYSTERY PICKERS how much we enjoy their talents and appreicate their support.

  • TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring THE MYSTERY PICKERS
  • Clifton Springs library
  • 4 Railroad Ave, Clifton Springs, NY 14432
  • Wed, Aug 1
  • 7pm - 9pm (doors open at 6:30pm)
  • FREE ($5.00 donation suggested for TBTT)

TUNES BY THE TRACKS, Featuring LOREN BARRIGAR

Posted on July 17, 2018 at 8:05 AM Comments comments (0)

                                                                       Loren Barrigar 




TUNES BY THE TRACKS is full steam ahead for a Wednesday, July 25 arrival at Clifton Springs library.
Your wholly wholesome hosts, Jim Clare, Cathy McGrath, and Allen Hopkins, are super pleased and over excited to welcome back a huge Tracker favorite as Feature...the gittar kid from Elbridge:




~ LOREN BARRIGAR ~



Loren Barrigar, https://www.facebook.com/loren.barrigar" target="_blank">http//www.facebook.com/loren.barrigar
We met Loren a few years back, as half of the International Guitar Duo, with Mark Mazengarb, and it was love at first listen. As us Trackers got to know Loren, right up close and personal...we marveled as he conjured effortless magic from his guitar, and his warm, engaging personality, made us like him even more.
Loren is a master guitarist, who precociously played "Yakety Axe" on stage at the Ryman Auditorium with the immortal Chet Atkins, when he was only 6 years old...Loren, not Chet.
Like the fine tone wood instruments he plays, Loren only improves with time. If you haven't seen Loren as a solo yet, yer in for a special treat.



~ THE MYSTERY PICKERS ~ 


This exciting portion of the evening, defies explanation. An eclectic collection of intrepids steps boldly into the limelight, to stupify us Trackers with music that dazzles, amuses, beguiles, and mystifies.
Wanna try...??  Easy peasy...just buttonhole Cathy, Allen, or Jim (moi), and yer career as a Mystery Picker is launched.

 

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