Lots of great music planned for the show.  We’ll hear from singer/songwriters like Peter Mulvey, Jeffrey Foucalt and Sarah Harmer. 

Jonathan Edwards has a new CD out.  It’s a nice compilation of tunes recorded live in Holland.  We’ll listen to a little of that.

The good folks at the IBMA in Nashville sent some discs this week of the live performances from the 2009 IBMA music awards. The awards took place this past August at the Ryman Auditorium.  There’s a real nice jam with a dream team of bluegrass pickers - Sturart Duncan on fiddle, Rob Ikes on dobro,  Ronnie McCury on Mandolin, Jim Mills on banjo, and Brian Sutton on guitar.  Everyone of these pickers is multi-year award winner. 

We’ll hear from some regional performers like Kate Maguire and Michael Arthur.  Tunes from Martin Simpson, Jonatha Brook, Richard Thompson, Leftover Salmon, Beoga and a whole lot more.

Hope you can listen in. .....and let us know what you want to hear!

...and remember, we’re in the middle of our Fall Pledge Drive.  Why not become a member and help us reach our goal.

Thanks,
Art Wachter

I love the new Saturday Night Edition, coming from a family of music lovers originally based in Chicago, this format reminds me a lot of the WFMT Midnight Special that was a family favorite.

I like the idea of expanding the “Folk” genre out to include artists who aren’t strictly bluegrass or acoustic. The genre is really wide open these days and I’ve been lucky to have been exposed to so many great artists over the years. Through my parents who are avid music lovers (as well as having worked in and around the Chicago music scene) and even my own son who is a musician as well, I’ve been blessed to always have multiple genre’s of music to listen to and explore.

But no matter what, my absolute love is American Folk music which includes so many styles, instruments and subjects.  I did notice Saturday afternoon that a dear friend was being played: “Lee Murdock” A fellow Illinois native and Elburn, Illinois resident. My family has known Lee and his brilliant wife Joann for years. Joann and I were actually members of a “Morris Dance” troupe in the Fox Valley area some decades ago. My partner, Dawn Deppe, heard Lee’s voice and called me at home to tune it in…it was very exciting to hear a familiar voice!

I’d love to add my two cents with suggestions or ideas if necessary. I was really happy to find WPSU had such a great format to include a Folk Show in their schedule, when we first moved to the area. It made my transition here much smoother.

Thanks very much, Justine.  We really do appreciate your comments and suggestions.  Keep them coming.

Best,
Art