1
Pharis & Jason – The Interview
2
Hannah Shira Naiman – The Interview
3
Lynn Jackson – The Interview
4
Fearing & White – We Came Together
5
Plumhall – Thundercloud – Folk Roots Radio Interview
6
Playlist: Episode 165
7
Lynn Jackson – The Acoustic Sessions
8
Playlist: Episode 164
9
Playlist: Episode 163
10
Review: Kingsville Folk 2014
11
Playlist: Episode 162
12
Green Sky Project – The Interview
13
Tia McGraff – In The Studio
14
Playlist: Episode 161
15
Outdoor Concerts At The Museum
16
Same Latitude As Rome – The Interview
17
Fred Penner – The Interview
18
Mill Race Festival 2014
19
Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk
20
Michele Law – Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2014
21
Playlist: Episode 160
22
Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2014
23
Dennis Johnson – The Interview
24
Episode 159: Union Duke, Matt Andersen & Andy White
25
Cambridge Live Music

Pharis & Jason – The Interview

Pharis & Jason Romero bring their beautiful harmonies and old-time banjo and guitar tunes to Kitchener on Friday September 12 for a show hosted by Folkway Music at the Registry Theatre, Kitchener. They released their recent album, “Long Gone Out West Blues”, in early 2013 to critical acclaim, the album garnering several awards while making it into the top 10 of many end of year ‘Best of’ lists. Long Gone Out West Blues features an array of songs that blend old and new, while telling stories about ageless characters, hard lives, love and loss.  Tickets for the Registry show are $22.60 (includes HST) and available through Eventbrite, or in person at Folkway Music, 22 Dupont Street East, Waterloo ON N2J 2G9, 519-772-0424 (1-855-772-0424). Tickets will also be available at the Door $25 (cash only). The shows starts at 8:00 p.m. (Doors 7:30 p.m.). For more information: pharisandjason.com. Music: “Long Gone Out West Blues” and ‘I Want To Get Lucky” from “Long Gone Out West Blues” (2013, Lula Records).

Hannah Shira Naiman – The Interview

Hannah Shira Naiman will be at the Magnolia Café in Guelph on Thursday September 11 as part of a tour supporting her 2013 album release “Tether My Heart”. Tether My Heart is a gorgeous album of banjo-driven songs, inspired by Ola Belle Reid and Hazel Dickens, with an Appalachian Old-time feel and English / Irish folk ballad stylings thrown into the mix. Hannah’s music has already been critically acclaimed, drawing favourable comparisons with the work of both Gillian Welch and The Be Good Tanyas. At Magnolia, Hannah will be performing with fiddle player Rosalyn Dennett (formerly of Oh My Darling). The show starts at 8:00 p.m. and the cover is just $10. Due to the intimate size of the venue, reservations are recommended. Call 519-766-4663 to reserve. For more information visit hannahshiranaiman.com. Music: Hannah Shira Naiman “Looking For My True Love” and “Little Fox” from “Tether My Heart” (2013, Merriweather Records)

Lynn Jackson – The Interview

Kitchener-based singer-songwriter Lynn Jackson releases her new album (with Chris Boyne), “The Acoustic Sessions” at The Jane Bond in Waterloo on September 7 2014. The show starts at 9:00 p.m. (doors at 8:00 p.m.) and admission is just $10 which also gets you copy of the CD – which is an amazing deal! Lynn will also be in Brantford at the Train Station Coffee House on September 6 and at Borealis in Guelph on September 18. After that she is off on a western tour. We caught up with Lynn at home in Kitchener. Music: “Wintersong” and “Mark The Spot” from “The Acoustic Sessions” (2014, Busted Flat Records)

For more details on the tour dates, check out lynnjackson.net.

Fearing & White – We Came Together

Fearing & White, the great collaboration between Stephen Fearing and Andy White, will be back in Ontario in September for a few shows to promote their second album “Tea & Confidences”. Coming up after an outstanding performance at the Hillside Festival, they are definitely well worth checking out in concert. As usual, sidesman extraordinaire Gary Craig (Blackie and The Rodeo Kings, Bruce Cockburn, Tom Cochrane) will be sitting in on drums. They will be at Neat, Burnstown (Sep 12), Aeolian Hall London (Sep 13), The Acoustic Grill Picton (Sep 14), The eBar Guelph (Sep 16), The Moonshine Café Oakville (Sep 17), Hugh’s Room Toronto (Sep 18), Black Sheep Inn, Wakefield QC (Sep 19) and The Pearl Company, Hamilton (Sep 21). For more information, visit  fearingandwhite.com. Check out the new single, “We Came Together” from Tea & Confidences (2014, Lowdenproud Records)

Plumhall – Thundercloud – Folk Roots Radio Interview

Plumhall are Michelle Plum and Nick Hall. They come from West Yorkshire in England and they’ve just released a great debut album of moody British Americana entitled “Thundercloud”.

Michelle is a former member of Chumbawamba, Waking the Witch and The Accidental Tourists. Nick has been a member of the Hall Brothers band nearly all his life. Together as Plumhall they have supported Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls of The Wonderstuff, as well as State Of The Union, Andy White and Henry Priestman. They also recently performed with multi-instrumentalist, and former member of Bob Dylan’s tour band, Larry Campbell at the BBC Radio 2 award-winning folk club The Black Swan in York England. We caught up with them at home in Bradford. For more information visit: plumhall.co.uk. Music: Plumhall, “Let Me Sleep” and “Exit From The Light” from Thundercloud (2014, Proper Distribution).

Playlist: Episode 165

It was good to be back in the studio on August 30 (Episode 165) after another weekend away, this time for the Eaglewood Folk Festival. No interviews this week, just lots of music, including some great new stuff. There was also a very healthy dose of Canadian content.

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Lynn Jackson – The Acoustic Sessions

Kitchener-based singer-songwriter Lynn Jackson releases her new album (with Chris Boyne), “The Acoustic Sessions” on September 7 2014 at The Jane Bond in Waterloo. Admission is just $10 for the show which also gets you copy of the CD, which is an amazing deal. Special guests include Joe Dunn, Scott Fitzpatrick, Andy Miller, Steve Wood and Wendy Wright. Opening set on the night will be by Ottawa’s Slo Tom.

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Playlist: Episode 164

One of the best things about heading off to another summer music festival is knowing that you have the perfect fill-in to keep your studio chair warm. DJ MacDee sat in for me while I was at the Eaglewood Folk Festival on August 23 (Episode 164) You enjoyed DJ MacDee on Folk Roots Radio. Now enjoy his playlist!

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Playlist: Episode 163

It was good to be back in the studio after a wonderful weekend at the Kingsville Folk Music Festival. On August 16 (Episode 163) we decided that an all music show was in order – lots of it new, however we still found time for our mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

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Review: Kingsville Folk 2014

I’m just back from Kingsville and thought it might be fun to talk about the first ever Kingsville Folk Music Festival. It was a blast. If you want to know why, you’d better read on!

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Playlist: Episode 162

I was away at the first ever Kingsville Folk Music Festival on August 9 (Episode 162). DJ MacDee once again stepped up to keep Folk Roots Radio rolling along. I hope you enjoyed the show. Now enjoy his playlist!

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Green Sky Project – The Interview

Bulgarian-born, classically-trained guitarist Anton Apostolov will be bringing his Green Sky Project to the first Kingsville Folk Festival taking place in in Lakeside Park, Kingsville from August 8-10 2014. Featuring Apostolov alongside  Naghmeh Farahmand on percussion, Jacek Karlowski on tamboura, Hasheel Lodhia on bansuri and Sunjun Park on piano, the Green Sky Project fuse together folk, classical and jazz themes using Balkan, Iranian and Indian traditional music as their primary source of inspiration. The sound they produce together is beautiful, especially on the fabulous Star In A Jar. We caught up with Anton Apostolov at home in Toronto. For more information, visit greenskyproject.com. Music: Green Sky Project “Connection” and “Star In A Jar” from “Star In A Jar” (2013, Self).

Tia McGraff – In The Studio

Port Dover based singer-songwriter Tia McGraff has been described as having a voice stolen from angels. The internationally-renowned recording artist shares her passion for music with her stage (and life) partner Colorado native, Tommy Parham. Together, they engage their audiences with an electrifying, yet honest and heart-moving, musical experience. Tia will be gracing the stage at the first Kingsville Folk Music Festival, August 8-10 2014. Tia McGraff joined us for a chat and a few songs with musical partner Tommy Parham on August 2 2014. For more information visit tiamcgraff.com

Tia McGraff, Break These Chains from Break These Chains (2014, Bandana Records) CDN
Tia McGraff with Tommy Parham, Abigail (Live in the Studio)
Tia McGraff, Reckonin’ from Break These Chains (2014, Bandana Records) CDN
Tia McGraff with Tommy Parham, Move The Smoke Away (Live in the Studio)
Tia McGraff, Between The Bed And The Door from Break These Chains (2014, Bandana Records) CDN

Playlist: Episode 161

Folk Roots Radio on August 2 2014 (Episode 161) focused on the inaugural Kingsville Folk Music Festival (August 8-10) and featured interviews with Peter Boyer (from Same Latitude As Rome) and Fred Penner as well as an in-studio appearance by Tia McGraff.

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Outdoor Concerts At The Museum

Each Thursday during August head out to the Wellington County Museum & Archives in Aboyne (located between Elora and Fergus) for an outdoor concert.

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Same Latitude As Rome – The Interview

Southern Ontario based folk group Same Latitude As Rome released “1812”, their most ambitious project to date, a suite of original songs to commemorate the Bicentennial of the War of 1812, in 2012. They are now getting set to release its follow-up “Early Days” – which is expected this Fall. And, they will also be performing at the inaugural Kingsville Folk Festival, August 8-10 2014. The current line-up features Peter Boyer on acoustic guitar and vocals, Anneke McCabe on percussion and vocals) with JK Gulley (guitar/mandolin) and Besnik Yzeiri (violin). For more information, visit samelatitudeasrome.com. We caught up with Peter Boyer at home in Fergus. Music: Same Latitude As Rome, “Better Days Will Come” and “Song For Louis Riel” from forthcoming album “Early Days”.

Fred Penner – The Interview

Veteran of the North American folk circuit and renowned children’s entertainer Fred Penner will be playing the inaugural Kingsville Folk Festival from August 8-10 2014. With more than forty years of experience, and twelve albums and counting, to his name, Fred is a giant of the children’s music scene who, like all great entertainers, is able to engage adults just as effectively. Whatever he is working on – whether its recording, performing or television, Fred’s touchstone philosophy remains: “Never underestimate your ability to make a difference in the life of a child”. We caught up with him on the road in Toronto. For more information visit fredpenner.com. Music: Fred Penner “Sandwiches” and “The Cat Came Back” from “Collections” (1989, CDL Records).

Mill Race Festival 2014

The 22 Annual Mill Race Festival of Traditional Folk Music takes place this weekend, August 1-3 2014, in downtown Cambridge (Galt). This free festival is patterned after European festivals whereby the day’s events are held on numerous outdoor stages in the town core. Traditional forms of folk music and dance are the festival’s theme, with emphasis placed upon the various cultures present in Cambridge and surrounding area. Arts, crafts, and an excellent choice of food and refreshments are also available at the festival site and from the many fine eating establishments in downtown Cambridge. The festival funs Friday 7 – 11 p.m., Saturday 1 – 11 p.m. & Sunday 1 – 10 p.m. For more information, visit millracefolksociety.com.

Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk

Lauren Mann has been delighting audiences with her folk-pop since 2008. After making the decision that gigging as much as possible was the thing to do, she formed a band with some fellow travellers and hit the open road. Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk released their second album “Over Land and Sea” in 2013. They gained national attention this year as winners of the very popular CBC Searchlight competition. They will be in the Guelph area on August 2 2014 for a show at the Eden Mills Community Hall. Tickets are $30 for adults, and $10 for students and available at the Bookshelf in Guelph or by contacting Kathie Lamie at 519-501-3550. The show starts at 8:00 p.m. (doors at 7:30 p.m.). We caught up with Lauren Mann on the road between Thunder Bay and Sault Set Marie. For more information visit laurenmannmusic.com. Music: Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk, “I Lost Myself” and “Over Land And Sea” from “Over Land and Sea” (2012, Wanderer)

Michele Law – Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2014

The inaugural Kingsville Folk Music Festival takes place from August 8-10 2014 in Lakeside Park, Kingsville. The festival will feature four day-time stages, a dedicated children’s area and an evening main stage. With a broad mandate to feature acoustic roots music of all types and 50% Canadian content, it promises to be a great weekend for anyone who loves folk music. And, with a line-up that features Bruce Cockburn, Valdy, Jane Siberry and David Francey among others, it’s clear that they intend to hit the ground running. To learn more about this wonderful new festival, we reached artistic director Michele Law earlier this week. For more information visit kingsvillefolkfest.org. Music: Bruce Cockburn, “Call Me Rose” from “Small Source Of Comfort” (True North, 2011); David Francey, “Pandora’s Box” from “So Say We All” (Red House, 2013)

Playlist: Episode 160

Folk Roots Radio on July 26 2014 (Episode 160) featured interviews with Lauren Mann from Lauren Mann And The Fairly Odd Folk and slide guitarist Dennis Johnson alongside the usual music mix.

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Kingsville Folk Music Festival 2014

There’s a new kid on the folk festival circuit – Kingsville. The first Kingsville Folk Music Festival takes place from August 8-10 2014 in Lakeside Park, Kingsville. The festival will feature four day-time stages, a dedicated children’s area “The Family Stomping Ground” and an evening main stage. With a broad mandate to feature acoustic roots music of all types and 50% Canadian content, it promises to be a great weekend for anyone who loves folk music. Check out the accompanying video to see the stellar line-up they’ve pulled together for their inaugural year. For more information visit kingsvillefolkfest.org.

Dennis Johnson – The Interview

Slide guitarist Dennis Johnson is creating quite the stir with his second album “Slide Avenue”, the follow up to “Slide Show”. Slide Avenue moves effortlessly between genres, from Blues to New Orleans Jazz to Rock to Swing, as it takes you on a ride that stays with you long after the album has finished. Featuring three Robert Johnson reinterpretations alongside a slew of Dennis Johnson originals it’s an album with so many standout tracks its hard to pick one though “She Looks Good”, featuring some outstanding fiddle from Joe Craven, deserves special mention. California based Johnson has a mission to take the slide guitar to points unknown; we’ve no doubt he’ll get there – Slide Avenue definitely delivers. We reached Dennis Johnson at home in California. Music: Dennis Johnson, “She’s So Good” and “Phonograph Blues” from “Slide Avenue” (2014, Self).

Episode 159: Union Duke, Matt Andersen & Andy White

Folk Roots Radio on July 19 2014 (Episode 159) featured interviews with Union Duke, Matt Andersen and Andy White. As usual we found time to play some great, new – and not so new, music plus the obligatory mystery theme and guilty pleasure.

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Cambridge Live Music

Cambridge Live Music is a new group that’s come together to promote live music, of any genre, publicly available in Cambridge Ontario. They’re run by volunteers and funded by donations. They’re looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are passionate about live music and interested in helping out with their website, social media, photography, videography or festival set up. If you can help them out, get in touch at [email protected]. Sounds like a great way to indulge your own interest while helping the group strengthen its promotional efforts to support local and predominantly independent musicians. I think that’s what they call a win-win-win.

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