BACHA

The Steel Wheels
2025-05-10 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | The Park Theatre, Jaffrey NH, 19 Main St, Jaffrey, NH, 03452, United States
QUOTES:
“The Steel Wheels are certainly not the first band to use bluegrass music as a springboard to dive into a rainbow of possibilities, but they are certainly among the best that do.” TOM CLARKE: Tahoe Onstage
BIO:
The Steel Wheels have long been at home in the creative space between tradition and innovation, informed by the familiar sounds of the Virginia mountains where the band was formed, but always moving forward with insightful lyrics and an evolving sound. In 2005, Jay Lapp (vocals, guitars, mandolin) and Eric Brubaker (vocals, fiddle) joined lead singer Trent Wagler (guitar, banjo) in forming the band as a vehicle for Wagler’s songwriting. They released several albums under Wagler’s moniker, before officially adopting the The Steel Wheels name with the 2010 release of Red Wing. Quickly staking their claim as independent upstarts in the burgeoning Americana scene, The Steel Wheels followed up this release with three more self-produced albums in the next five years, before joining forces with producer Sam Kassirer for Wild As We Came Here (2017) and Over The Trees (2019). Kevin Garcia (drums, percussion, keys) joined in 2017, bringing a new level of sonic depth and polish to the outfit. Newest member Jeremy Darrow rounds out the rhythm section and grounds the band as they continue to explore deeply rooted yet fresh folk rock sounds. Having gained the experience of thousands of shows, festivals and many miles on the road, the stubbornly independent band has formed deep bonds with each other and the audience that sustains them.
The Steel Wheels have responded to this time of isolation and loss by seeking to connect with their audience in new ways. In 2020, unable to perform their rootsy brand of Americana for crowds in live settings, the musicians turned their creative powers to crafting songs for individuals. Produced in isolation in the band’s home studios, the Everyone a Song albums are part of an ongoing project to collect the personal experiences of fans and forge them into that most enduring, yet ephemeral, format we call “song.” An accompanying podcast, We Made You a Song, explores the stories behind these songs, and the songwriting process itself. While each song was commissioned to honor a specific relationship or event—a birth, a wedding, a memory of home—the emotions evoked are universal.
Nowhere is this shared humanity more evident than at the band’s own Red Wing Roots Music Festival, a weekend-long celebration of music, community, and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. Hosted by The Steel Wheels every summer, the festival provides a space for the band to shine, from their high energy Saturday night main stage set to their afternoon showcase with young Red Wing Academy students. At Sunday’s gospel hour you are as likely to hear Steel Wheels originals or Warren Zevon covers as you are traditional gospel fare. The weekend is rounded out by the beloved tribute set in which the band collaborates with a cadre of fellow artists to honor an influential figure in American music, with past tributes ranging from Dolly Parton to John Prine.
Whether at a joyous summer festival, in their many shows across the country and beyond, or in the studio, The Steel Wheels continue their mission set out over a decade ago; shaking up traditions to see what sticks, telling stories, and joining communities through song. https://www.thesteelwheels.com/bio

Hanneke Cassel and her Band
2025-05-09 19:30 - 21:30 | Second Friday Concerts at First Church Belmont MA, 404 Concord Avenue, Belmont, 02478

John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse – Open Mic Friday 5/9/2025
2025-05-09 18:30 - 21:30 | John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse, Worcester MA, 90 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
Here are the usual IMPORTANT details for JHH Open Mic:
2nd and 4th Fridays (except when noted)
First Unitarian Church, 90 Main St, Worcester, MA
Doors open and performer sign-up at 6:30 p.m.
Performances begin @ 7 p.m.
10 minutes in the limelight- spoken word or music (usually two songs unless you choose to sing American Pie or some sea shanty with fifty verses). Duos or groups are considered one act and CANNOT sign up as single performers too. Wearing a fake moustache will NOT fool us. $3.00 admission for everybody. Performer or spectator. Payable to the lovely lady at the folding card table.
Refreshments & snacks (donation appreciated).
PLEASE enter State Street upper parking lot door. Handicap parking and accessibility at the other side of the church on Court Street by the Courthouse apartments. If you DO park on Court Street only park on the church side of the street or you could get towed. The parking meters on Main Street and State Street require money until 8:00 pm. The meter maids and dudes love to hand out tickets.

Frosted Fireflies
2025-05-09 17:00 - 20:00 | Niagara Coffee Haus, Mills MA, 8 Exchange St, Millis, MA, United States
A live music and auteur photography project inspired with imagery reflecting the austere nature of a corseted society epitomizing empowerment through struggle in the human condition. Post-Folk melancholy with strings attached. Themes of alienation.
Frosted Fireflies will be performing two shows in Millis on May 9th, 2025 at 5pm at Millis Public Library and 7pm at Niagara Coffee Haus. The musical style is post-folk melancholy with violins and guitar. The concert 3 person ensemble are members of “Mowesby and the Northern Flicker” performing songs written by Robert Zammarchi. The library set is free to the public and will feature a photographic visual slides backdrop by Raziel Panic. The Niagara set requests a five dollar donation. Sponsored by the Millis Cultural Council and Middlesex Savings Bank.

Contemporary folk/Americana house concert with Lindsay Straw and Cam Olver
2025-05-04 19:00 - 21:00 | House of Play Houseconcerts, Newton MA, Newton, MA, United States
Come join us for a fun house concert in Newton! Snacks, drinks, and plenty of joy provided. To reserve a seat, you must email us ahead of time with your name and phone number to houseconcertsnewton@gmail.com. Information and address will then be sent to you. $20 minimum donation goes directly to the artists. Doors open at 6:30.
Lindsay Straw

Lindsay Straw is a Boston-based singer, guitarist, and Irish bouzouki player. A Berklee graduate, she blends roots music from both sides of the Atlantic, combining traditional Irish and Scottish influences with American styles. Performing solo and with The New Grown-Ups and The Ivy Leaf, she has three albums and a rich performance history. Known for her unique take on traditional music, she’s celebrated as a reincarnation of legendary trad singers of eras past.
Links:

https://lindsaystraw.com/

Cam Olver

Cam Olver is a Newton-based solo guitarist specializing in fingerstyle. He creates intricate arrangements that seemingly defy the capabilities of one instrument and emulate the lavish construction of a full band. The result is a wonderfully complex music that is easy to listen to and suits any scenario. Cam graduated from Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Performance Recording and Production. His studies were full of varied ensemble experiences, as well as an in depth development of his skills as a guitarist and a solo arranger. He has put these skills to use in his post grad projects including an EP release, numerous covers, and fingerstyle specific competitions such as the 2024 Natasha International Fingerstyle Competition, where he placed in the finals.
Links:
https://camolver.com

Kray Van Kirk
2025-05-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Whale Cove House Concerts, Rockport MA, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
This concert will be indoors at the hosts’ home in Rockport, Mass. and capacity will be limited to 30. The suggested contribution is $20, payable at the door by cash, check, or Venmo. Send email to info@whalecove.org to get more information or to request an invitation.
A fine finger-style guitarist with a precise baritone, Kray Van Kirk has a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska, but he set science aside to write songs, tell stories and summon heroes.
“We are driven by myth and the seasons of the heart,” he says, “and the stories are all true. There is a dark cave inside each of us, and monsters of all kinds lurk there, all the more lethal for being hidden. The quest is to journey inside, render the monsters powerless, find whatever it is that burns at the core of your soul and bring it back into the light. In a world divided it is critical to write songs and tell stories that show absolutely everyone they get to be the hero. Nobody is left behind.”
When he reached Scotland and the Fringe Festival, the Daily Fringe Review wrote “The evening’s act was Kray Van Kirk, whose 12-string guitar and soaring vocals were spellbinding; the Alaskan singer-songwriter, in his Edinburgh debut, was not the reason I arrived early, but was certainly why I stayed late.”
Of this charming, Quixotic and eclectic performer, the Borderline Folk Club in New York wrote that Van Kirk was “what every singer-songwriter should aspire to.”

Rupert Wates
2025-05-04 14:00 - 17:00 | Lakeview Houseconcert Series, Sharon MA, Sharon, MA, United States
Lakeview Houseconcerts in Sharon, MA Presents:

Rupert Wates 2PM Sunday May 4th 2025 Potluck lunch at 1PM
RSVP to info@lakeviewhouseconcerts.org to reserve a seat. You must get an invitation email from me to attend.
For more info about him see rupertwatesmusic.com/
Call 508 528 0026 for questions, please leave a message.
$25 suggested donation in the tip jar but payment is optional. 100% of the donations go directly to the artists. There are no tickets, but please RSVP so I know how many will be here. Join us at 1PM here for a potluck lunch. Bring a dish, we supply drinks and ice cream.
“Truly gripping lyrics with great themes and troubling, witty messages. An inspirational artist” (Leith FM Radio Scotland)
“A new and unique songwriter-musician already in the front ranks by dint of timeless work” (Folk And Acoustic Music Exchange)
Kerrville New Folk Song Finalist 2018
October, 2024 – “What do you say when an excellent professional exceeds your highest expectations? Bravo to an exemplery performance by Rupert. His well timed repartee, with the audience whom he stunned with his songs and his guitar playing, felt warm and inclusive. To have this level of talent in my backyard leaves me in awe. To say I recommend him is a gross understatement.
Ruupert is a professional from start to finish.”
(H. Dahlhauser)

James Keelaghan returns to the Linden Tree in Wakefield
2025-05-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Linden Tree Concerts, Wakefield MA, 120 Chestnut St., Wakefield, MA, 01880, United States
JAMES KEELAGHAN RETURNS TO WAKEFIELD’S LINDEN TREE
SATURDAY, MAY 3 AT 7:30 PM
The Secret Sauce to open.
The final Linden Tree Concerts 40th season welcomes back Canadian singer-songwriter James Keelaghan on Saturday, May 3rd at 7:30 pm. Winners of Linden Tree’s Winter Potpourri, The Secret Sauce trio, will open the show. Reservations are recommended as the popularity of these performers often lead to a sold out show.
James Keelaghan is an award-winning folk singer-songwriter based in Perth, Ontario. Many of the lyrics in his songs display a concern for social problems and justice in society. Called Canada’s finest singer-songwriter by one of the most respected and lauded music journalists of the last 50 years, James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons.This poet laureate of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, intent and intensity, and curiosity.
Fusing his insatiable appetite for finding the next unique storyline Keelaghan also forges his pieces with brilliantly defined craftsmanship and a monogrammed artistic vision, making him one of the most distinctive and readily identifiable voices of not only the Canadian scene, but as a member of the international singer-songwriter community.
Armed with a songbook that has enlightened and enthralled, and been embraced, by audiences around the world, Keelaghan’s life as an artist is one that is a perpetual journey on so many levels. His masterful story telling, over the course of nine recordings, has been part of the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan his share of nominations and awards, and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia. “The necessity to write has always been a double-edged sword.” Keelaghan’s aces have long been a love of language, and history, his skills as a thespian that he acquired at an early age, that explain his ability to make an immediate connection with audiences in a live setting, and an ear for a memorable melody, and harmonies that make those melodies glisten.
Keelaghan’s inspirations can come in many forms, he is always on the lookout for a good story or idea. His sister told him the story that became Kiri’s Piano. It was such an image of a dark chapter in Canadian history, Japanese internment camps in the Second World War. Not only does his deep catalogue include timeless originals like Fires of Calais, Cold Missouri Waters, Jenny Bryce, and Hillcrest Mine, but also he is an interpreter of outside material, a fine example being his gripping take on Gordon Lightfoot’s epic Canadian Railroad Trilogy on the Lighfoot Tribute disc Beautiful and My Blood written with Jez Lowe.
For Keelaghan staying at the top of his game comes down to a very clear rule, “never stop accumulating.” “I want my audiences to know that I am open enough to try new things and push their bounds.” It was Dave Marsh, the award-winning American music critic and historian who not so long ago stated that James Keelaghan is “Canada’s finest songwriter,” and those few but powerful words of praise say it all about an artist who continues to set the bar at a lofty height. James will be presenting old favorites and songs from his newest recordings, so many for him to choose. Keelaghan.com
The Secret Sauce was the top vote getter in Linden Tree’s 2024 Winter Potpourri. Janet Feld, Esther Friedman & Jackie Damsky have joined forces as The Secret Sauce, performing tasty originals & choice covers, with lots of sweet 3-part harmony, plus guitar, mandolin, & violin. They came together over a love of each other’s songs, great friendship, and fun, and that’s how the Secret Sauce rolls!
The Linden Tree Coffeehouse is located in the social hall of the Wakefield Lynnfield United Methodist Church, 273 Vernon Street in Wakefield. There is a parking lot behind the church and it is handicapped accessible. The show begins at 7:30 pm, doors open at 7:00. Homemade baked goods and beverages are available. Tickets are $25 (those under 18 $10) Pay cash or check at the door. Reservations: for preferential seating. 978- 326 7905. www.LindenTreeCoffeehouse.org
STAY TUNED: Wakefield Porch Fest is being scheduled for Sat. Sept 6
Linden Tree Concerts will return in fall 2025 in new location.
Most shows will be on Sunday afternoons at 2 pm.

Beth DeSombre
2025-05-03 19:30 - 21:30 | Off the Common Coffeehouse, Bridgewater MA, 50 School St, Bridgewater, MA, 02324, United States

Paul Rishell and Annie Raines Concert Saturday May 3, 2025
2025-05-03 19:00 - 21:15 | South Shore Folk Music Club, Duxbury MA, 842 Tremont St, Duxbury, MA, 02332, United States
Handy Award Winners, Country Blues guitar and harmonica masters Paul Rishell and Annie Raines are celebrating +30 years as a working team. They’ve recorded 6 albums together, including the award-winning Moving to the Country. They have performed and recorded with John Sebastian, Susan Tedeschi, Pinetop Perkins, opened for Ray Charles, Dr. John, and Little Feat and performed on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and A Prairie Home Companion. In 50 years as a performer, historian, and torchbearer of the country blues tradition, Paul Rishell teaches the techniques required to do justice to the originals while sharing meeting iconic pre-war blues legends Son House, Johnny Shines and Sonny Terry. Annie Raines’ harmonica virtuosity has been lauded by top players James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite and Pinetop Perkins. With over 11 years as Country Blues Visiting Artists in Berklee College of Music’s American Roots Music Program, Rishell & Raines continue to entertain and educate audiences with traditional and original songs at festivals and clubs all over the world. “W.C. Handy Award-winners Rishell & Raines are rousing interpreters of country blues, the original acoustic style that gave birth to electric blues, R&B, and rock. While their guitar, harmonica, and vocals are roiling, muscular, and masterful, their shows are down home-friendly and fun-loving.” —Scott Alarik, BOSTON GLOBE

Mark Erelli and His String Quintet
2025-05-03 19:00 - 21:00 | Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, Peterborough NH, 19 Grove St, Peterborough, NH, 03458, United States
QUOTES
“Mark Erelli + His String Quintet put on a performance that effortlessly reaches across seemingly disparate demographics, blurring the boundaries between popular and classical music audiences.”
“Erelli’s evocative lyrics and soulful vocals are elevated by the lush, dynamic interplay of the quintet.”
“Whether he’s wielding a pen or a Telecaster, Mark Erelli’s music welcomes the casual listener, and richly rewards those who choose to dig deeper.”

ABOUT
Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Mark Erelli, known for his distinctive blend of folk, rock, and Americana, joins forces with a world-class string quintet to reimagine his celebrated songs. The result? A cinematic and breathtakingly intimate performance that never fails to leave audiences spellbound.
Erelli’s string quintet is helmed by double bassist Zachariah Hickman (Ray Lamontagne, Josh Ritter) and Annie Bartlett on viola (ROSIN, Hank Wonder). The reinterpretations of songs from throughout his catalogue present him in an expansive, visionary light, allowing Erelli’s voice to shine like never before.
A live album highlighting this extraordinary collaboration, recorded during the group’s July 20, 2024 performance at the Shalin Liu Performance Center, is due for release on April 16, 2025. Recorded live in front of a packed hall, the evening was a masterclass in musicianship. Erelli’s evocative lyrics and soulful vocals are elevated by the lush, dynamic interplay of the quintet.

More about Mark Erelli
Highlights from Erelli’s career include 13 solo albums; three records with his bluegrass band Barnstar!; sideman stints accompanying Marc Cohn, Paula Cole, and Josh Ritter; and a pair of records he produced for GRAMMY-winning songwriter Lori McKenna. Recent support dates include shows with Watchhouse, Amy Helm, Lori McKenna, and John Hiatt.
In the summer of 2020, Erelli faced a profound personal challenge when he was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a degenerative eye disease. This diagnosis raised questions about how his diminishing eyesight might affect his songwriting and creative insight. These concerns and his quest for creative expression are central themes in his newest album, Lay Your Darkness Down.
Lay Your Darkness Down follows his 2020 album Blindsided, which received high praise from Rolling Stone Country, Associated Press, NPR, The Boston Globe, and other notable outlets. Folk Alley encourages people to “listen close; there’s sure to be something in there to break your heart a split second before it leads you straight to grace.” Whether he’s wielding a pen or a Telecaster, Mark Erelli’s music welcomes the casual listener, and richly rewards those who choose to dig deeper.

The Cadleys at Harmony on the Green in Lexington (singer-songwriter Mel opening)
2025-05-03 07:30 - 21:30 | Harmony on the Green Coffeehouse Lexington MA, 1912 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA, United States
The Cadleys will close out Harmony on the Green’s third season. They have entertained audiences throughout Upstate New York and New England with their powerful mix of traditional bluegrass and “new acoustic” a la Alison Krauss. They offer live performances with hair-raising harmony singing, and virtuoso musicianship.
Mel is a singer-songwriter creates music steeped with soul and rock ’n roll. Her singing is reminiscent of Miranda Lambert, Bonnie Raitt, and Stevie Nicks. Her healing voice & poetic lyrical work has been praised by audiences. Mel has done collaborations with electronic producers that have been likened to the stylings of Maggie Rogers. She has shared stages with Matt Hartke (a Billboard Top 40 Platinum-Selling Songwriter), Troy Ramey and more.
Harmony on the Green has free parking, including ADA parking in our back lot. Our building is accessible from our front door with an elevator up to our Clark Hall to your left as you enter. We have single user accessible bathrooms. Light refreshments are served in our intimate hall. Tickets are $25 or pay-what-you-can, and will be available at the door, and on our website closer to concert date.

Heather Maloney
2025-05-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Me&Thee, Marblehead MA, 28 Mugford St, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
Massachusetts-based “writer song-singer” Heather Maloney headlines at the Me&Thee on Friday, May 2 at 8pm. Maloney found music in the midst of three years at a meditation center, honing a sound moored in days of silent reflection and reverence for storytellers like Joni, Rilke, Ken Burns, and the anonymous authors of Zen parables. While she eventually traded the quiet, structured life of a yogi for the kinetic life of a touring musician, the core of her songwriting has remained centered around the same curiosity about our inner world and the desire to articulate it through storytelling.

Roslindale Open Mike
2025-04-28 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-04-14 19:00 - 21:00 | Online
A semi-monthly virtual open mike sponsored by Roslindale Open Mike. Watch on YouTube.
Performers are welcome! Visit Roslindale Open Mike for more information.

Progressive folk duo Aaron Nathans and Michael G. Ronstadt in Wakefield
2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:30 | Temple Emmanuel, 120 Chestnut St, Wakefield, MA, 01880, United States
Linden Tree Concerts with Temple Emmanuel presents
Aaron Nathans and Michael G. Ronstadt in concert, Progressive Folk. SUNDAY, April 27th at 2 pm
NOTE ADDRESS: 120 Chestnut St. Wakefield, MA 01880
Linden Tree Concerts with Temple Emmanuel of Wakefield invite area folks to hear live in person the folk duo. Aaron Nathans and Michael G. Ronstadt on Sunday afternoon at 2 pm on April 27th. The concert will be held at Temple Emmanuel at 120 Chestnut St. Wakefield, MA 01880, a wonderful chance to experience their music in a small intimate setting.
Cello-guitar songwriting duo Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt never lose their capacity to surprise. This progressive folk act combines uninhibited musical creativity and mastery with accessible story songs and an oddball sense of humor. Audiences will see and hear things done with a cello they never thought possible, meandering stories as captivating as the music, and hook-filled story songs that you’ll remember long after the lights come up. Guitarist/vocalist Nathans, from the Philadelphia area, is an award-winning leader in the Philly songwriting community. Cellist/vocalist Ronstadt, nephew of Linda Ronstadt, is a Cincinnati-based cello bandleader, teacher, touring artist, and much in-demand studio sideman.
Guitarist/vocalist Aaron Nathans, from the Philadelphia area, is an award-winning leader in the Philly songwriting community. Aaron Nathans is a Philadelphia-based alternative folk music singer, songwriter and recording artist with a distinct sound, due in large part to a combination of rhythmic acoustic guitar, wide-ranging baritone vocals and beautiful melodies that you won’t soon forget. When pairing that with talented songwriting that touches on everyday life and easily connects with audiences, you’ll see why Aaron is someone you won’t want to miss.
Aaron, a 2024 Kerrville New Folk Finalist, has a unique brand of storytelling. He writes about things no one else has written about before—like a song about male bonding between a guy and his barber. Or the onslaught of the outside world upon a new parent. Surely somebody’s written that song, right? Ok, find it.
Aaron describes his songs as, “wild-mind, bittersweet acoustic music.” This doesn’t mean somber. It means you’re in for a treat whether you’re watching Aaron at a live show or tuning in to his extensive Spotify and YouTube playlists. He creates an unforgettable listening experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seat.
Cellist/vocalist Ronstadt, nephew of Linda Ronstadt, is a Cincinnati-based cello bandleader, teacher, songwriter, and touring artist. Musician Michael G. Ronstadt has traversed a wide range of musical styles from singer-songwriter, folk, jazz, classical, Americana to new age. Ronstadt displays genre-blending explorations on cello and guitar in complement to thought-provoking lyrics, as well as instrumental work. In addition to his solo and group recordings with Ronstadt Brothers, Trotta & Ronstadt, Serenity Fisher & The Cardboard Hearts, Aaron Nathans & Michael G. Ronstadt, he is a much sought-after studio musician, who has appeared on more than 200 albums in the last 20 years. Michael has recorded in studios across the United States, Germany, & North Wales (UK). He has appeared in performances at numerous folk festivals.
Hello World! Their recent recording is nothing like anything you have heard. Aaron & Michael transport us out of these uncertain times and into stories of the past and future, building a dream world on a foundation of lush cellos and otherworldly acoustic stringed instruments.
This collection of songs reflects a changed world and a closer focus on the things that matter: Kindness. Empathy. Appreciating the simple pleasures of life. Reinventing ourselves. And preserving our stories during our short time here on earth.
“The duo never disappoints. Everything is well-disciplined & engaging. There’s salt & there’s sugar… Entertaining? Absolutely.” – Americana Highways
To reserve tickets, call Temple Emmanuel at 781-245-1886 and select option 5. Tickets for adults $25 and under 18 $10. Cash or check will be accepted at the door. Doors open at 1:30, show will begin at 2. Temple is wheelchair accessible.
Temple Emmanuel is located at 120 Chestnut St. Wakefield, MA 01880. WakefieldTemple.org. All are welcome, a community event.

Deidre McCalla and Joe Jencks
2025-04-26 19:30 - 22:00 | Old Sloop Presents, Rockport MA, 12 School St, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
Advance tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for those age 18 and under. Visit oldslooppresents.org, John Tarr Store in Rockport, or The Bookstore of Gloucester. The suggested contribution at the door is $25 for adults, $5 for those age 18 and under, and $50 for families.
Tickets and more information
Deidre McCalla – a Black woman, mother, lesbian, feminist – has long been in the forefront of Black musicians expanding the understanding of how Black folk can do folk. She learned at an early age that life begins with an acoustic guitar, and her songwriting reveals an unyieldingly honest perspective expressed with a lyric touch that relentlessly celebrates the power and diversity of the human spirit.
Sing Out! praises Deidre as one of our generation’s most important singer-songwriters and The Austin-American Statesmen describes her as a highly distinctive voice in a crowded field of contemporary folk music. With five independent albums to her credit, Deidre McCalla has touched audiences from Maui to Maine, church basements and college coffeehouses to Carnegie Hall.In 2023 Deidre’s song Shoulder To The Wheel won the 19th Annual International Acoustic Music Award for Best Folk/Americana/Roots song.
Joe Jencks is an 25-year veteran of the international folk circuit, an award-winning songwriter, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart, soul, groove and grit. Having penned several #1 Folksongs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor, Jencks was also co-founder of the harmony trio, Brother Sun. From Festivals like Falcon Ridge, Kerrville, Mariposa, and Old Songs, to venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, Jencks has enthralled diverse audiences with his approachable style. Joe is noted for his unique merging of musical beauty, social consciousness, and spiritual exploration. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel.
“The spirit of Folk music is people working together. Joe is a fantastic singer who carries on the traditions.” ~ Pete Seeger

Christine Lavin
2025-04-26 19:30 - 21:30 | New Song, Bedford MA, 10 Mudge Way, Bedford, MA, 01730, United States
Called “wildly entertaining” by The New Yorker, “the unsung heroine of the latter-day folk movement” by Janis Ian and “a fresh kick in the pants!” by the late Paul Newman, Christine Lavin performs throughout the US, Canada and beyond. She is known for her sense of humor and her songs range from poignant observations about love, history and science to gentle mocking of cultural trends. She has won five ASCAP Composer Awards, The Kate Wolf Memorial Award, and Album of The Year from the National Association of Independent Record Distributors. Her 26th solo album, Drum School Droput, will be released later this year.

Laurie MacAllister of Red Molly
2025-04-26 19:00 - 21:00 | Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, Peterborough NH, 19 Grove St, Peterborough, NH, 03458, United States
We are thrilled to bring Laurie MacAllister, of Red Molly, to Peterborough on her 1st solo tour.
QUOTES
“Is Laurie MacAllister seeking perfection? Whether she is or not, her latest album “The Lies the Poets Tell” is defining—a curated collection of songs packed with emotional vibrancy.”
-Mary Sue Twohy, Program Director, SiriusXM Satellite Radio
“Ms. MacAllister wholly inhabits these songs [on her album “The Things I Choose to Do”]. In each, as subtly as a chameleon, she convincingly takes on the persona’s skin. Her commitment to the magic of this material has her, quite simply, singing her heart out.”
-Barnes & Noble
BIO
In 2024, Laurie MacAllister launched her solo career with a sold-out show at legendary Club Passim. Two decades before, she co-founded the beloved Americana trio Red Molly, touring the US and abroad for 16 years, including appearances at MerleFest, Cayamo, and Boston Symphony Hall. Along the way, Laurie was tapped to sing the iconic Folgers Coffee jingle in a national TV commercial. Her 2018 self-produced solo album “The Lies the Poets Tell” was hailed by SiriusXM as “Defining. A curated collection packed with emotional vibrancy.” Laurie’s Solo Debut Tour 2025 includes headlining shows throughout the Northeast.
Laurie MacAllister held a quiet dream of being a singer since she was a very young girl. Her voice finally came alive years later when, on a dare, she was convinced to sing spontaneously for a crowd in New York City, in Washington Square Park. A career began in that very moment. Laurie began with a steady stream of nights on open mic stages around NYC, and then landed a regular Monday night gig at the The Grey Dog’s Coffee in the West Village. She released her first album of ten original songs called “These Old Clothes” soon afterward. In 2000, she discovered a passion for harmony singing while touring the country with folk luminary Cliff Eberhardt. Eberhardt produced Laurie’s next solo album, “The Things I Choose To Do”, which was first released independently, and then picked up by Barnes & Noble and re-released on their label.
In 2004, at a campsite at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, Laurie began making music with her campmates, weaving their voices together in harmony. In an impromptu and magical moment, the Americana trio Red Molly was born. With a focus on beautiful songs, soaring harmonies, and a deep relationship with their fans (who dubbed themselves RedHeads), the band quickly became the darlings of the folk/Americana scene. Prior to the 2020 pandemic, Red Molly shared their voices around the country—and the world—for 16 years, playing 100 shows annually in front of thousands of fans, frequently selling out venues, and releasing seven acclaimed albums.
Along the way, in 2010, Laurie’s voice was featured in a national television commercial for Folgers Coffee.
In 2018, Laurie produced and released a new solo album called “The Lies the Poets Tell”, a collection of some her most beloved songs. The album features duets with six male vocalists, including the late Americana master Jimmy LaFave. Laurie has composed and sung harmony parts on dozens of recordings, including those by Cliff Eberhardt, Susan Werner, and Ellis Paul.
She’s also taught singing and stage performance around the country, including at the Swannanoa Gathering, Folk Alliance International, Targhee Music Camp, and the New England Songwriters Retreat.
In May 2024, Laurie happily announced the next big leap forward in her life as a singer and entertainer—headlining solo shows! Kicking it off in style, her debut solo concert will take place at legendary folk music venue Club Passim, on November 16 in Cambridge MA.
Laurie’s powerful yet delicate voice stretches octaves, warm and romantic one moment, playful and irreverent the next. One song at a time, one show at a time, over the course of more than two adventuresome decades, Laurie has turned her quiet dream into a joyous reality.
https://www.lauriemacallister.net/about

Jon Pousette-Dart Acoustic Duo
2025-04-25 20:00 - 22:00 | Me&Thee, Marblehead MA, 28 Mugford St, Marblehead, MA, 01945, United States
Jon Pousette-Dart, best known as an American Classic and Folk Rock songwriter, musician, and performing artist, returns to the Me&Thee on Friday, April 25 at 8pm. Growing up in Suffern, NY in a household of artists (including his father, grandfather, and sister), he separated himself by picking up a guitar at the age of 10 and mapping out a life in music before he ever attended a little league game. Since then, it’s been a long and well-traveled road in the world of music.

John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse – Open Mic - Friday 4/25/2025
2025-04-25 18:30 - 21:30 | John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse, Worcester MA, 90 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
Here are the usual IMPORTANT details for JHH Open Mic:
2nd and 4th Fridays (except when noted)
First Unitarian Church, 90 Main St, Worcester, MA
Doors open and performer sign-up at 6:30 p.m.
Performances begin @ 7 p.m.
10 minutes in the limelight- spoken word or music (usually two songs unless you choose to sing American Pie or some sea shanty with fifty verses). Duos or groups are considered one act and CANNOT sign up as single performers too. Wearing a fake moustache will NOT fool us. $3.00 admission for everybody. Performer or spectator. Payable to the lovely lady at the folding card table.
Refreshments & snacks (donation appreciated).
PLEASE enter State Street upper parking lot door. Handicap parking and accessibility at the other side of the church on Court Street by the Courthouse apartments. If you DO park on Court Street only park on the church side of the street or you could get towed. The parking meters on Main Street and State Street require money until 8:00 pm. The meter maids and dudes love to hand out tickets.
We are recording the performances. We intend on starting a NEW YouTube site in the future and would like to post selective performances. If you DO NOT want your video online please inform the JHH volunteer (Bob) recording with the smart phone at the center table.
Excellent alcohol-free venue for people from their teens and upward to perform in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.
Come to perform or just listen. The JHH crew is looking forward to seeing you! John Henry’s Hammer – It’s that traditional coffee house feel without the (cough!) cigarette smoke.

Danielle Miraglia - April 19, 2025
2025-04-19 19:30 - 22:00 | Rose Garden Coffeehouse, Mansfield MA, 17 West St, Mansfield, MA, 02048, United States
Showtime: 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7.

Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson and an infectious stomp-box rhythm with tunes ranging from heart-felt to socially conscious that will move both your heart and hips. Her latest “Bright Shining Stars” debuted at #15 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Cascade Blues Association calls it “… tough as rawhide, but smooth as blended whiskey.” Released Oct 2020 with Vizztone Label Group, it’s a solo acoustic folk/blues record that highlights the one-woman-band live sound she’s honed over the years, featuring guest appearances by talented friends Laurence Scudder, Peter Parcek and Richard “Rosy” Rosenblatt. It includes originals as well as a collection of songs she’s been covering at live shows over the years, paying homage to influences like Big Bill Broonzy, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and more, plus the title track “Bright Shining Stars,” written by her husband, Tom Bianchi.
“Americana and blues practitioner Danielle Miraglia wisely avoids fuss and clutter on her latest album, Bright Shining Stars. Fingerpicking and strumming on acoustic guitar are central to her sound, with percussion frequently provided by the infectious stomp of her foot. Three of the 11 tracks here are solo recordings, reinforcing a truism that the artist frequently has proven on Boston-area stages: A charming voice and fluid guitar prowess are all an artist needs to keep a listener rapt.” – Bobby Reed, Downbeat Magazine
“Straddling the line where folk/roots meets rock/blues, Miraglia has a voice that can go from a raspy come-hither purr to an Etta James-esque powerhouse belt, although she may be best known for her lead thumb — a heavy, thumping strike on her Gibson that’s backdrop percussion in itself.” – Lauren Daley – The Boston Globe
“Danielle Miraglia is like a musical butterfly who’s been granted unlimited creative metamorphoses. Even her musical chrysalis stage was a surprise emergence. Unlike so many Boston artists who attended one of the city’s many music schools, Miraglia went to Emerson College, graduating with a creative writing degree. Though she owned an acoustic guitar she seldom played anywhere but at home, she hadn’t given any thought to making a career as a singer-songwriter until one fateful night at the famous, now-defunct Kendall Cafe. She went to an open mic at the Kendall just to watch and absorb. It didn’t take long for it to register with her: “I thought, ‘That’s what I want to do: Get on stage to do my storytelling that way.’” Voila!
Her evolution as a songwriter and performer since then has been remarkable. She quickly won great acclaim and a faithful national and regional following after beginning as a “folk-blues” picker, and it’s a persona she still skillfully embraces in solo shows, but to hear her musical storytelling with such a fine backing band as the satirically named Glory Junkies (Laurence Scudder, viola; Erik White, guitar; Chris Anzalone, drums; and Jim Larkin, bass) is an entirely different dimension. That soul of a creative writer thrives in a vast range of musical styles. Danielle now rocks an electric guitar with equal aplomb, and all with a rocking and soulful energy that pays homage to top influences such as Janis Joplin, Prince and the Stones. No matter how Danielle Miraglia’s stories unfold on stage, they are a joy to hear.
She and the Glory Junkies wowed the sellout crowd during their live-stream taping at the Fallout Shelter, playing tunes from the band’s second album, “All My Heroes Are Ghosts ” — now billed under the moniker “Danielle M & the Glory Junkies (sparing DJs the quandary of the pronunciation of her last name). Those stories she dreamt of telling musically on stage are now like butterflies of their own.” – Nate Dow – https://asheardhere.com/
“Danielle is a dynamic and captivating musician; her rich soulful voice and blues guitar mastery resonate in a performance both rare and unforgettable.”
– Paul Patchel, State Street Blues Festival – Media, PA
“The genius of Glory Junkies is that Miraglia successfully pokes fun at a proverbial “selfie nation,” while also fully owning that tendency. Glory Junkies offers up deeply narrative lyricism and carefully crafted compositions…Glory Junkies boasts a song about reality TV, and one (the title track) that pokes fun at immortalizing one’s own image. Others stray into more personal territory, hitting close to home on Miraglia’s family dynamic, but the concept of the album remains a mainstay throughout.” – Liz Rowley, BestNewBands
Danielle has toured and played major venues across the United States and beyond, shining in both the Folk and Blues circuits including New York State Blues Festival, New Bedford Summerfest, The Narrows Center for the Arts (Fall River, MA), The Birchmere (Alexandria, VA), The Ramshead (Annapolis, MD), Sellersville Theater (Sellersville, PA) and the list goes on….
She has opened for Buddy Guy, George Thorogood, Joan Osborne, John Oates, Colin Hay, John Mayall, Johnny Winter, Bettye Lavette, John Hammond Jr., Sonny Landreth, Robert Cray, Rodney Crowell and performed side stages at events with The Black Crowes, Mary J Blige, The Indigo Girls and many more.

Tret Fure
2025-04-19 19:30 - 22:00 | New Moon Coffeehouse, Haverhill MA, 16 Ashland St, Haverhill, MA, 01830, United States
Seventeen albums and 50 years later, Tret still delivers songs of love in her vibrant style. A real winner!
New Moon concerts take place in the meeting room of the Haverhill UU Church at 15 Kenoza Avenue. Enter by the back door off the parking lot. Reserve seats at the New Moon website www.newmooncoffeehouse.org. Pay CASH ONLY when the doors open at 6:30. General admission. Building is wheelchair accessible. Save some cash for our famous homemade desserts. For more info, go to www.tretfure.com or call 617-327-0542

North Reading Community Coffeehouse April, 2025 Showcase
2025-04-19 18:30 - 21:30 | North Reading Community Coffeehouse, North Reading MA, 147 Park St, North Reading, MA, 01864, United States
The North Reading Community Coffeehouse is proud to present its April, 2025 Showcase. The performers are Jay “Singing Spirit” Cunningham, The Fretbenders featuring Dee and Bob Kordas, Chris Murray and Andrew Sexton. We have a group of very talented musicians this month with a nice variety of music which will make for a very entertaining show. Each performer will do about a 30 minute set.The event is free but donations will be gratefully accepted and we will be offering refreshments with all the proceeds going to the Friends of the Flint Memorial Library in North Reading with whom we will be doing these concerts in conjunction with, to help support the library.

The event will also be livestreamed on the North Reading Community Coffeehouse Facebook page and on the YouTube channel the following day!
We are located in the Activity Room of the Flint Memorial Library at 147 Park Street in North Reading. There is plenty of free parking. We start at 6:30. Please come, sit back, relax and listen to some terrific music! If you have any questions, please contact Art Grossman at NRCoffeehouse@gmail.com.

Friday Folk Coffeehouse Presents the Cooke Family Singers on 4/18!
2025-04-18 19:30 - 21:30 | Friday Folk Coffeehouse, Dedham MA, 670 High St, Dedham, MA, 02026, United States
Friday Folk Coffeehouse at First Church Dedham
670 High Street, Dedham, MA
(781) 326-7463
Contact: Geoff Tegnell
First Church Friday Folk Coffeehouse presents its 8th concert of the 2024-2025 season featuring the Cooke Family Singers at First Church and Parish Dedham 670 High Street, Dedham on Friday, April 18, 2025 at 7:30 pm in the Auditorium. There will be refreshments for purchase. Tickets are $15 and are available online at Folk Coffeehouse | dedhamuu and at the door. Doors open at 7:00 pm.
The Cooke Family Singers is comprised of family members Frances, Ruth, and George, plus an ever-changing and unpredictable set of special guests that can range from their 8-year-old niece to lifelong musician friends. Their sets are constructed and tailored to each performance venue, so they can range from an intimate trio with acoustic guitar to a full band. Vocal duties rotate throughout the performance as our goal is a variety of styles and textures. Cooke Family Singers sets will feature George’s original songs, which tend to be humorous and slightly cynical takes on the foibles of our everyday lives. Some examples are the song “I Didn’t Know that You Owned This Road” about driving in Boston or “I’m Going to be a Park Ranger”, which is a wistful fantasy about a job change. Cooke Family Singers’ other songs are curated covers that feature Ruth and Frances’ tight harmonies and can range from Lake St. Dive to Johnny Cash to songs from the musical “Hamilton”. They perform at porch fests and other musical events in the Northeast. During the pandemic, the Singers did a biweekly series of online “hootenanny’s” that were broadcast on Facebook. The Cooke Family Singers felt it was a small way to try to build some sense of community during a very difficult time. They are looking forward to participating in the Friday Folk Coffeehouse Series on Fri, April 18, 2024. Their music can be found on George’s Bandcamp site: https://georgecooke.bandcamp.com/.
First Church and Parish Dedham Unitarian Universalist was first gathered in 1638 and is located in Dedham Center at 670 High Street. Its lively music program includes choir at Sunday services, the Parish Players theater troupe, and First Friday Jazz & Classical Concerts, in addition to our Friday Folk Coffeehouse events.

The Honey Badgers
2025-04-13 15:00 - 17:00 | Whale Cove House Concerts, Rockport MA, Rockport, MA, 01966, United States
This concert will be indoors at the hosts’ home in Rockport, Mass. and capacity will be limited to 30. The suggested contribution is $20, payable at the door by cash, check, or Venmo. Send email to info@whalecove.org to get more information or to request an invitation.
The Honey Badgers are a folk/Americana duo who are known for their intense, sparkling harmonies, their honest lyrics and melodies, and their undeniable onstage chemistry. Weaving their voices together with Michael’s driving guitar and Erin’s wistful violin, they spin stories and songs about finding yourself, finding each other, and finding your way in the world. They were voted #1 “Most Wanted” at Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist Showcase 2023 and recently won Susquehanna Folk Festival’s Emerging Artist Showcase 2024. Their new album “The Earth Turns and So Do We”, released 6/20/2024, was #15 on the July 2024 FAI Folk Radio Chart.

Lisa Sheldon / Rick Drost - Split Bill - Concert
2025-04-12 19:00 - 21:15 | South Shore Folk Music Club, Duxbury MA, 842 Tremont St, Duxbury, MA, 02332, United States
Lisa Sheldon’s debut album Lost and Found, coming out in June, shows her gift for discovering something new in the familiar. She writes about the ‘wild ride’ of life with keen insight and playful humor, serving up truth with the wry wink of the eye. Her warm sound is always honest and compelling and her guitar skills are a delight. Lisa Sheldon will be joined by Richard Brech (Natural Born Fools) on percussion.
Songwriter Rick Drost, writes and sings songs with depth and heart, songs worth re-listening to, as they convey a long love of classical music, natural wonders and poetry. His writing took early inspiration from Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen; his recent influences include Vance Gilbert and David Wilcox. Rick’s CD ‘Turning the World’, which a reviewer called “a true folk album with a universal style,” charted on the Folk DJ list in its first month and continues to garner airplay from across America to New Zealand. You can learn more about Rick Drost at https://www.rickdrostsongs.com before we showcase him at South Shore Folk Music Club (SSFMC).

Rachel Sumner and Traveling Light
2025-04-11 19:30 - 21:30 | Second Friday Concerts at First Church Belmont MA, 404 Concord Avenue, Belmont, 02478

Brooks Williams
2025-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Bass Hall at Monadnock Center, Peterborough NH, 19 Grove St, Peterborough, NH, 03458, United States
QUOTES:
“A lovely player, a lovely singer and a great writer. The real thing.” (Martin Simpson)
“Surely one of the finest acoustic musicians in the UK!” (Kontra Concerts)

BIO:
Cambridge UK-based, Statesboro, Georgia US-born guitarist, singer and songwriter Brooks Williams is admired by both listeners and fellow musicians, and has been a leading light on the acoustic music scene for three decades. “He was playing Americana before it had been given the name” (CMP).
Brooks Williams’ guitar skills are evident as he effortlessly slides in and out of folk, blues and country. It comes as no surprise he is listed in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists.
He wraps that guitar playing around songs with rich narratives about gold prospectors, guitar players, motorcycle riders, golden palominos and ne’er-do-wells, and sings them with a voice you ‘melt into.’
Born in Statesboro, Georgia USA, Williams moved to Boston at the height of that city’s burgeoning singer-songwriter scene. In the early 1990s, he did his apprenticeship in the bars and clubs in New York and New England and cut his teeth supporting artists like Shawn Colvin, Chris Smither, Rory Block, Leo Kottke, Odetta, Billy Bragg and Taj Mahal.
His first album, North From Statesboro, caught the attention of The Washington Post and National Public Radio, which set the ball rolling and Williams never looked back. People took notice and acoustic music radio played him from the very beginning, including WUMB-FM in Boston, where Williams is one of their Top 100 Artists Of All-Time.
In subsequent years he has released a staggering 33 recordings in 34 years for labels like Green Linnet Records, Solid Air Records, Signature Sounds and Reveal, including Diamond Days, which At The Barrier calls a “stunning collection from chocolate-voiced, guitar maestro, Brooks Williams.”
Never one to shy away from the road, the list of venues and festivals Brooks Williams has played is staggering. Newport, Winnipeg, Cropredy, Cambridge, Philadelphia, are but a few of many.
Alongside his solo shows, Brooks Williams regularly performs with a host of fellow-musicians.
One such collaboration is his duo with fiddler Aaron Catlow. With three albums under their belt (Ghost Owl, short-listed 2021 Instrumental Album Of The Year, Ready For The Times, and Greens And Blues), AmericanaUK says the duo is “live music at its best.”
Over the years other collaborations include singer-songwriter Boo Hewerdine (they’ve recorded four albums under the name State Of The Union), banjoist Dan Walsh, singer Sloan Wainwright, bluesman Hans Theessink, and the late-great singer-songwriter Rab Noakes (with whom Williams recorded Should We Tell Him: Songs By Don Everly).
Brooks Williams is “quite simply one of the most unassuming, natural performers on the circuit, and his easy, relaxed manner conceals the greatest level of true expertise.” (Fatea)

John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse – Open Mic - Friday 4/11/2025
2025-04-11 18:30 - 21:30 | John Henry’s Hammer Coffeehouse, Worcester MA, 90 Main St, Worcester, MA, 01608, United States
