Ron Olesko's Folk Music Notebook

Host Ron Olesko sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriters TOM PAXTON and JOHN McCUTCHEON to discuss and share songs from their album "Together". Tom and John also share stories about songwriting and give their views on the contemporary folk scene.

Catherine Miles and Jay Mafale visit with host Ron Olesko to discuss their latest album "Be Brave" and share their thoughts on creating music since the pandemic.

Singer-songwriter Stella Prince (www.stellaprincemusic.com)returns to Traditions to update us on her latest songs and projects. Since her last visit with host Ron Olesko two years ago, Stella has moved to Nashville and created a new all-female singer-songwriter showcase series at a local venue, which she is now taking on the road to New York City and London. Stella also shares some of her latest s...

Pete and Maura Kennedy (www.kennedysmusic.com)visit with host Ron Olesko to share songs from their new album "Headwinds", their first studio album of original songs in five years. The Kennedys discuss creating music during the pandemic and now being able to tour again.

Swedish born singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik (www.sofiatalvik.com) visits with host Ron Olesko to discuss her new album "Center of the Universe" and to share stories about life as a touring artist on two continents.

Host **Ron Olesko** welcomes **Allan Pepper**, co-founder of the legendary Greenwich Village club _The Bottom Line_. Allan shares music from a new CD featuring a concert given by **Jorma Kaukonen** at _The Bottom Line._

Ron Olesko shares a conversation with vocalist Betina Hershey and multi-instrumentalist Nick Russo of the band THE SCOOCHES, discussing and sharing songs from their just-released 'LIFT YOU UP,’ the celebrated group’s third full-length album. The Queens-based band, formerly known as Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, raise their voices, their instruments, their consciousness, with an eclectic meltin...

Ron Olesko visits with the duo Robinson and Rohe (Liam Robinson and Jean Rohe) to discuss their new album "Into the Night".

Ron Olesko welcomes Annie Bartholomew to the show from her home in Juneau, Alaska. Annie has released her debut album "Sisters of White Chapel"

Ron Olesko visits with The Rough and Tumble, the duo featuring Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, about their latest album "Only This Far". (www.theroughandtumble.com)

Host Ron Olesko visits with folksinger/educator and co-founder of Godfrey Daniels, Dave Fry (www.davefrymusic.com). Dave discusses his new book _Welcome to Godfrey Daniels_ and the history of the iconic venue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Rik Palieri (www.rikpalieri.com) sits down with host Ron Olesko to share songs from his forthcoming album "Hands of Time" and to talk about his 50th anniversary as a performing artist.

Reggie Garrett visits with Ron Olesko to discuss his new album "York's Lament and Other Stories" an album that has been in the making Reggie’s entire life. Reggie takes us on an odyssey exploring various aspects of Black life in America. In keeping with his expansive approach to music, much of the subject matter and musical styles step outside genres usually associated with contemporary Black musi...

rish singer-songwriter Karan Casey has been blazing a trail for over 25 years. A lover of ballads, love songs and searing versions of social justice songs, fond of a good yarn, she has toured the world making deep connections with her audience connecting via Ireland’s past but crucially repositioning women and songs in a universal and a modern setting. Karan and Ron discuss and share songs from he...

Host Ron Oleskov isits with singer-songwriter Ben Bedford to discuss Ben's new album "Valley of Stars". The acclaimed Illinois native's new album is his sixth studio release and developed thematically as Ben was dealing with some difficult personal issues.

English poet, performer, creator of folk song parodies and other "thingees", passed away at the age of 75 on January 14. 2023. Les, born in Manchester, England, had relocated to Bwlchgwyn, near Wrexham in northern Wales in the mid 200s. Les, who also authored more than 70 books and released 20 albums, visited with Ron Olesko on the WFDU show "Traditions" back in 2004 on one of his last visits to t...

Terre Roche, a founding member of the acclaimed trio The Roches, discusses her new book and digital album "Kin Ya See That Sun". Features recordings, the first time being played on radio, of live performances of Terre and her late sister Maggie doing arrangements of songs they did when they were teenagers traveling around the country to play on the college coffee house circuit. Host Ron Olesko and...

Ron Olesko talks with singer-songwriter, luthier and radio host John Dillon(www.hoperoadmusic.com) about his new album "Hope Road: From Addiction to Recovery." Through story and song, John tells the story of his own addiction to drugs and alcohol and his road to recovery.

Hubby Jenkins (www. HubbyJenkins.com) visits with host Ron Olesko in advance of an upcoming appearance at the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club (www.hurdygurdyfolk.org). Hubby discusses his love for old-time music, his work with the Carolina Chocolate Drops and more

Joe Jencks (www.joejencks.com)visits with host Ron Olesko on Traditions, heard on WFDU-FM and www. FolkMusicNotebook.com. Joe discusses his new album "The Coming of the Years", a musical journey inspired by Joe's exploration of family history and heritage from Ireland.

Peter Mulvey joins host Ron Olesko to discuss the new CD "Love is the Only Thing", the new album from Peter Mulvey and Sista Strings. Aired on WFDU-FM and www. FolkMusicNotebook.com on August 21, 2022.

Ron Olesko sits down with singer-songwriter Fred Arcoleo to discuss Fred's new album "We are Mighty: Sustenance for the Struggle"

Ron Olesko welcomes Happy Traum to TRADITIONS. Happy discusses and shares music from his new album "There's a Bright Side Somewhere"

Nora Brown joins Ron Olesko to discuss her new album "Long Time To Be Gone" (Jalopy Records) A 16 year old rising star, Nora plays old-time traditional music with a particular interest in eastern Kentucky and Tennessee banjo playing. Along with the banjo and guitar she also sings traditional unaccompanied ballads from southeast Appalachia and beyond. She has played at numerous venues and festivals...

Deidre McCalla(www.deidremccalla.com) joins host Ron Olesko to discuss her new album "Endless Grace". This is Deidre's fifth independently released album, her first since 2003. Originally from New York City, she has been a performing singer-songwriter for nearly five decades as she continues to create powerful performances that are honest and uplifting.