“Master of Ceremonies” Poor “Howard” Stith poorhowardstith.com

Poor Howard’s 12-string guitar has the solid, propulsive groove of a steady-moving freight train; and he has the uncanny way of singing classic blues tunes as if their hard-luck stories were happening today. In his care, old songs never seem old, but timeless, personal, pulsing with knowable human emotions. His own songs nestle beside them as if they grew up together.

…His Droll patter, outrageous jokes, tall tales, and bald-faced lies felt as if they grew from the same rich folk soil that the songs did. Somehow, he delivers it all — ancient blues, modern ballad, and wild-eyed pun — in a way that makes you think you’re just sitting around his kitchen table, passing a jug and whiling away an easy Saturday night.

— Scott Alarik, Principal folk music writer of the “Boston Globe” Author, “Deep Community: Adventures in the Modern Folk Underground.

Neil Lawrence raggmopprecords.com

Performing 11:15AM – 11:45AM / 4:15PM – 4:45PM downstairs

Singer/songwriter Neil Lawrence, originally from Burlington, VT, is a fresh voice in the Boston alt-country scene, and he takes the genre in a folky, atmospheric direction reminiscent of Bon Iver and Radiohead. Currently Neil fronts the Boston band “Nowhere Lights.” Previously Neil was in the Mulligrubs, and released a solo EP in 2008. Neil is also a member of local Boston bands “Michael Murray & Tsoysli” and “Summer Villains.”

Phil Henry philhenryband.com/wordpress

Performing 11:50AM – 12:20PM

Phil Henry is an award-winning singer-songwriter and music educator in Rutland, Vermont. He sings original, contemporary folk songs in coffeehouses, festivals, and house concerts across the Northeast. He has showcased on national stages such as the Kerrville Folk Festival and the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, and has won top honors in songwriting contests at the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival and Vermont’s SolarFest. He has opened for folk notables such as Vance Gilbert, Rachel Bissex, and Cliff Eberhardt.

Phil’s new CD, Robots and Romance, is a collection of twelve “short films” in song, inspired by the dramatic stories found at drive-in movie theaters. Each song takes the perspective of a different character in a compelling personal narrative—a desperate man attempts a bank robbery, an amateur radio DJ holds his community together during Hurricane Katrina, a group of miners struggle to survive in a cave-in.

Susan Levine susanjlevine.com

Performing 12:30PM – 1:00PM

Songwriter and North Shore resident Susan Levine draws stories from the roadside of a life full of contrasts. A traveler, a waitress in Santa Fe, an actress in New York, a Harvard graduate, a music therapist, a mother, Susan chronicles the emotional and physical landscapes of the in-between — the haves and have-nots, the loved and the abandoned, the sad and the hopeful. A finalist in the 2008 Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk Competition (TX), the 2005 International Songwriting Competition, the 2004 Rocky Mountain Folks Fest (CO), the 2004 Rose Garden Coffeehouse Performing Songwriter Competition (MA) (NY), she is described by Marilyn Rea Beyer (WUMB fm) as “a smart writer with a warm voice that can send chills down your spine.” Her most recent cd, Atlas, produced and recorded by Tom Eaton in Newburyport, MA, went to #8 on the International Folk DJ charts, and was praised by Metronome Magazine as “a gorgeous slice of Americana” and by the Boston Herald as “that rare album where a whole mind and heart is revealed.”

OldJack myspace.com/oldjack

Performing 1:10PM – 1:40PM

Over the course of the 90’s, Dan "Goodwood" Nicklin developed a solid reputation as a rock and hip-hop producer and engineer, quietly hiding his own talents as a soulful vocalist and songwriter with a penchant for gritty, heartfelt rock tunes along the lines of such greats as Joe Cocker, The Black Crowes and Stereophonics. In the winter of 2004, Nicklin brought together an all-star cast of comrades in his home studio to record a new Christmas song for family and friends. This effort would lay the groundwork for what would, years later, become OldJack.

In 2009, OldJack is a big, bold, boisterous rock force to be reckoned with. Bringing up to 9 members to the stage at each show, the band features members and ex-members of such Boston notables as The Luxury, The Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra, Ms. Pigeon and The Halogens, featuring Hammond organ, a twin-guitar attack and the staple of any great soul-rock band — a lovely and talented backing vocal section (all present and ex-URO members).

An OldJack show feels like a family affair as talent overflows creating a sound that is huge, psychedelic, rocking and sincere. OldJack brings you home, sets you up on the couch with a nice hot drink, and tells you stories you won’t forget!

• Dan Nicklin (vox)
• Jason Dunn (from The Luxury, guitar)
• Jason Meeker (from Ms. Pigeon, drums)
• Derek Feeney (guitar)
• Ryan Peters (from The Halogens, bass)
• Kelly Davis, Stephanie Pothier and Christie Bealieu (from the Ultrasonic Rock Orchestra, backing vocals)
• Larry Luddecke (The Sidewinders, Skyhook, hammond organ)

The Accident That Led Me To The World theaccidentthatledmetotheworld.com

Performing 1:50PM – 2:20PM

The Accident That Led Me To The World is an all-acoustic, non-percussive chamber folk trio from Massachusetts. The name was derived from a song that band member Mark Mandeville (guitar, banjo, vocals) wrote called “The Accident That Led Me To The World,” which he then elaborated into the concept of an allegorical narrative involving a boy who sails away to an island to be alone. From this concept sprung an entire album’s worth of songs, and Mandeville incorporated Raianne Richards (guitar, clarinet, vocals) and Zack Ciras (upright bass) to flesh out the material.

The result was the eponymous 2006 debut released on Nobody’s Favorite Records, an angular, concise mixture of bluegrass picking, sea chantey sing-a-longs, and folk singer-songwriting. This release was followed by 2008’s The Island Gospel, more expansive, more focused, and more lyrical than its predecessor, and which also travels a more country-driven direction. The Island Gospel also continues the allegorical narrative concept that was begun on the first album, and both albums feature artwork which illustrates the narrative.”

Erik Hartley erikhartley.com

Performing 2:50PM – 3:20PM

The songwriting of Erik Hartley is intriguingly different than most. He often expresses a type of cynical optimism at the sour end of a relationship. From this mindset he creates powerful music and complex lyricism, illustrating scornful stories that maintain a conflicting romantic atmosphere. It becomes an auditory contradiction of emotion that illustrates the confusion we can all feel. The music blends those emotions into something real and tangible that allows the listener to immerse themselves into their own perspective of each story.

You can hear the Detroit influences of Motown, blues, and funk in all of Erik’s melodies despite their more traditional categorization as a rock band. And while every song has its own reflection of these genres, the essence of songwriters from the 1960’s and 70’s is always present in both the music and lyrics.

Erik has been developing his individual style for years, but has grown in the past few with the addition of other gifted musicians. And through blistered hands, broken strings and battered guitars, the he now reaches an ever-growing audience to countries across the world.

Bonnie Bishop (Featured Poet)

Performing 3:30PM – 3:50PM

Bonnie Bishops poetry celebrates resilience and beauty in such diverse arenas as the natural world, urban teens, memory, and the making of art. Her first book, Local Habitation, was recently published by Every Other Thursday Press. Her work has appeared in English Journal, Larcom Review, Hanging Loose, Diner, and elsewhere. Look out for her new book of Poetry “Local Habitation” in a bookstore near you.

Eric Royer / Royer’s One Man Band guitarmachine.com

Performing 3:50PM – 4:30PM

Eric Royer has been appearing as Royer’s One Man Band, performing bluegrass and old-time country music at festivals, bars, schools, parties, churches, in subway stations and on the street since 1994. Royer has performed all across the United States and has done several tours in Europe. He has shared the bill with everything from punk bands to quiet folk acts and performs regularly on the streets of Boston, being received well by a very diverse audience. His one-man band’s unique sound is arranged using 5-string banjo, dobro, harmonica, vocals, kazoo, and his home made one-of-a-kind foot controlled “Guitar Machine” (bass and acoustic guitar), all played at the same time.

Royer was winner of Best Folk Act in the 2004 Boston Music Awards for his band The Resophonics and has recorded and played banjo with many musicians including The Sacred Shakers, The Eric Royer Band, The Tim Gearan Band, Session Americana, The Smalls, Dan Fram, Dave Foley, David Rovics, Jimmy Ryan, Stone Mountain Live, Alister Mook, Kris Delmhorst, The Resonars, Barely Bipedal, and Sam Reid and The Riot Act.

Intermission

4:30PM – 5:00PM

Chasing Blue chasingblueband.com

Performing 5:00PM – 5:30PM

Members of Chasing Blue met in a Berklee College of Music bluegrass ensemble in the fall of 2008. After a successful end-of-semester-performance, appearing as ‘Slim Wallet and the No Dough Boys’, Chasing Blue decided to change names and continue playing together. Chasing Blue plays a mix of original and traditional material with unique arrangements and hard-driving style. Bluegrass influences include the Nashville Bluegrass Band, The Lonesome River Band, Tim O’Brien and The Infamous Stringdusters. Original material includes strong instrumentals, and memorable songs with honest lyrical ideas. Chasing Blue has played venues including The Cantab Lounge, Cambridge MA, Showcase Stage at the Joe Val Bluegrass Festival, Showcased at the 2009 IBMA’s, Nashville, and been a main stage artist for Worcester, MA’s stART on the Street Festival.

Allysen Callery allysencallery.com

Performing 5:40PM – 6:10PM

Allysen Callery’s debut studio album “Hopey” was chosen one of the “Top Local CDs of 2007” by The Providence Phoenix who wrote: “Fragile picking and a haunting delivery reverberate with the ghosts of British folk like the hybrid, conjoined spirit of Sandy Denny and Nick Drake.” In 2009 she was nominated Best Female Vocals by the same publication. Her second album will be released February 13th, 2010. She lives in Bristol, RI with her husband & daughter.

Doug Kwartler dougmusic.com

Performing 6:20PM – 6:50PM

Doug Kwartler is a songwriter, performer and producer who recently relocated to Boston from the New York City area where he regularly plays top venues such as: The Living Room, The Mercury Lounge, Cornelia St. Cafe, The Trash Bar and more.

Doug’s song “Mars” was recently featured on the TNT drama Dark Blue. This past July 2009, Doug’s song “Dreamcatcher” was prominently featured on the #1 rated soap opera The Young and the Restless.Doug’s last record, All Sides, was played on over 50 radio stations across the country, placing it squarely on the Americana radio charts. The record featured a cover of Bruce Hornsby’s “On the Western Skyline” which Bruce himself heard and then thanked Doug during a phone call for the “revitalization of the song.”Over the last 10 years Doug has also become a respected producer / recording engineer in the New York area, working out of his own Hollow Body Studios. Look for his new studio to open in the Boston area soon.Look for a new record this coming summer 2010.

Thea Hopkins w/guitarist Lloyd Thayer theahopkins.com

Performing 7:00PM – 7:30PM

Acclaimed Boston singer-songwriter Thea Hopkins calls her music American Short Story Folk: concise, striking narratives, they tell of American romance and tragedy in modern terms. She is as inspired by great short story writers as she is by songwriters. Her new Americana/Folk CD, “Chickasaw”, released in late 2007, it reached the U.S. Folk- DJ list of Top Albums, and has received airplay on Americana and folk radio programs in Europe. Folk icons Peter, Paul & Mary, (who recorded her song “Jesus Is On The Wire” in 2004) described Hopkins as “one of the most literate, poetic and emotionally moving of the new singer-songwriters to arrive on the scene in the last few years.”

Roberta B. Schwartz, in The Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange wrote that “Thea Hopkins possesses a voice and style that are so unique and brilliant that you wonder why the rest of the world has not yet caught on.”

MAVERICK, Britain’s top country music magazine, gave Hopkins’ CD a 4 star review in the August, 2008 issue: “Brave songwriting by a woman who knows the importance and power of words… Hopkins has the lyrical talent to create startling images in the mind.”

Americana-UK raved: “This is folk as it should be: dark tales, poetry and protest.”

Closer to home, The Quincy Patriot Ledger described “Chickasaw” as “12 tracks of meticulously conceived, hauntingly realized and beautifully-sung narratives.”

Outrageous Fortune outrageousfortune.org

Performing 7:40PM – 8:10PM

Outrageous Fortune are a Boston-based jug band. The trio features Chris Welles on guitar, Rod Thomas on harmonica and Dan Dick on jug, bass and banjo. Chris taught himself to play finger-style guitar as a teenager by wearing grooves in his country blues records. He was inspired by latter-day legends like Ry Cooder and Spider John Koerner, who re-interpret roots material with funky rhythmic energy and sophistication. He performed solo in the ‘80s at New England clubs such as The Press Room in Portsmouth, and the Back Room at the Idler in Cambridge. Rod picked up the harmonica after hearing ‘Room to Move’ by John Mayall playing on his older brother’s stereo. Soon he was playing in blues and rock bands in the central New York area stealing licks from Mayall, Sonny Terry, and Magic Dick of the J. Geils Band. He took a break from the “harp” in college to sing, tour, and record with the a cappella group the Colgate Thirteen, but picked it up again after migrating to the Boston area in the mid 80s. Rod and Chris met when the girlfriend they were both seeing got her Tuesdays and Thursdays mixed up (Rod was the Tuesday man and Chris was the Thursday man). After the police left, they decided to ditch the girlfriend and have been friends ever since. Dan Dick got into folk music early, bringing his Burl Ives Songbook to his first grade show-and-tell and announcing that he planned to be a folk singer. In middle school he took up guitar and French horn, then electric bass, and many more instruments since. Jug playing is a recent obsession, combining groovy bass lines with exhilarating whole-body vibration and near-hyperventilation. Dan met Rod at the Jug playing workshop he gave at the 2006 New England Folk Festival and started playing with Outrageous Fortune in the spring of 2008.

The Gobshites gobshites.com

Performing 8:20PM – 8:50PM

The Gobshites — The Only Folk ’N’ Irish Band That Matters! The Gobshites are an acoustic Irish themed folk-rock band in the style of The Pogues.Their line up includes Vocals, Guitar, Fiddle, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, Tin Whistle, Bouzouki and Accordion. You may have seen them in the South Boston Saint Patrick’s Day Parade or heard them on the Don Imus Radio Show. They’ve played The Shamrock Fest in DC, The Providence Fleadh, multiple Harpoon Brewery Festivals, Irish 2000 in Albany and The Irish Cultural Center’s in Canton’s Irish Festival.

Painter Mark Grundig (Featured Artist) bostonartist.com

Mark Grundig is an artist and muralist who specializes in the decorative arts. His abilities include: Trompe L’oeil, wall and ceiling Murals, Faux Finishing and Furniture Painting. For the most part he is self-taught but is constantly learning new skills through trial and error and through professional classes. In 2001 he studied for a semester in Amsterdam where his mural work decorated a couple of coffee shops such as the Blue Velvet and the Greenhouse Cafe. Mark also studied at the Museum School in Boston. His canvas work is a broad spectrum of characters, musicians, and colorful landscapes. Aside from painting, he also writes short fables. These fables often are referenced in many of his paintings.

The Statue Factory thestatuefactory.com