Ron Olesko's Folk Music Notebook

John McCutcheon discusses his new CD "To Everyone in All the World: A Celebration of Pete Seeger". In honor of the 100th anniversary of Pete's birth, John's new CD pays tribute to his friend and mentor with help from a diverse group of John's friends including the bluegrass strings of of Hot Rize, the Cajun soul of Beausoleil, the stunning harmonies of Canada’s Finest Kind, the lush alto of Nicara...

Toronto based singer-songwriter Shawna Caspi (www.shawnacaspi.com) visited the WFDU-FM studio to share some of her award winning songs and chat about life on the road for a touring artist. Shawna performed her song "Not So Silent" which was selected for the Silver Award in the “Folk Acoustic” category of the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest, presented by the Songwriters’ Association of Washington. Origin...

Mara Levine (www.maralevine.com)visits the studio to discuss her new CD and share samples of the 2019 release. Called "one of the best singers of her generation" by Christine Lavin, folksinger and jewelry designer Mara Levine, like a skilled gem cutter, selects songs with inherent beauty, examines them carefully, then crafts and polishes them to a glittering brilliance. On her third album, FACETS...

Joanie Madden, founder and leader of Cherish the Ladies, joins host Ron Olesko to talk about the group's new CD "Heart of the Home". The 17th recording from Cherish the Ladies finds them traveling back to Ireland to record with artists such as Nathan Carter, Mollie O'Riorden, Kate Purcell and more. Joanie also tells us about the groups upcoming holiday tour and future plans.

Mya Byrne (www.myabyrne.com)chats with Ron Olesko and shares some of her new songs. The interview was recorded on November 10, 2018 at the Northeast Regional Folk Alliance conference (NERFA) in Stamford, CT. From San Francisco by way of NYC, Mya Byrne is a poet, award-winning performing songwriter, and activist. A proud trans woman, she established her solo folk-Americana career in 2012 after year...

Katherine Rondeau and special guest Eric Lambert drop in the studio following the 2018 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference to share some live music and give us a sneak preview of songs from her upcoming CD.

Grace Morrison and her band (www.gracemorrison.com) drops in the studio following the 2018 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference to share some live music.

Joe Rollin Porter (www.joerollinporter.com) visits the studio following the 2018 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference to share some live music.

House of Hamill (Rose Baldino & Brian Buchanan - www.houseofhamill.com ) drop in the studio following the 2018 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference to share some live music.

Katherine Rondeau (www.katherinerondeau.com) and special guest Eric Lambert (www.ericlambert.com) drop in the studio following the 2018 Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference to share some live music and give us a sneak preview of songs from her upcoming CD.

Tom Chapin returns to the WFDU studios to perform a number of story songs that gives insight into his family and life in music.

Singer-songwriter Carolann Solebello(www.carolannsolebello.com) visits the studio along with fellow singer-songwriter Joe Iadanza (www.joeiadanza.com), who also produced Carolann's latest CD "Shiver". The duo perform songs from the CD and Joe debuts a powerful original song as well. Carolann iis a performing songwriter born and bred in New York City. Best known to folk audiences as a founding memb...

Freebo (www.freebomusic.com) and Alice Howe (www.alicehowe) visit the studio to perform their songs and engage in a lively conversation about the craft of songwriting and the folk music community.

The Whispering Tree perform live in the WFDU studios. The duo of Eleanor Kleiner and Elie Brangbour share some live music as well as songs from their brand new CD "Invisible Forces". "Invisible Forces", the fourth recording by the fiercely independent twosome, was self-produced, fan-funded and recorded at Elie and Eleanor’s home studio in Beacon, NY and at Old Soul Studio in Catskill, NY. The albu...

Singer-songwriter Terry Kitchen with special guest Mara Levine performed live in the WFDU studio. They shared some live songs off from Terry's recent CD "The Quiet Place" and Mara also performed one of Terry's songs that she has recorded for her upcoming CD.

The duo Gathering Sparks (Eve Goldberg & Jane Lewis) join host Ron Olesko for a live performance in the studio. From Southern Ontario, the folk/roots duo embraces folk, pop, blues and gospel influences tastefully played on acoustic guitar, piano, accordion, and ukulele.

The Everly Set, Sean Altman and Jack Skuller, visit the studio to perform Everly Brother's classics and some rare gems from the duos influential career.

Singer/Songwriter/Activist George Mann visits the studios of WFDU-FM to pay tribute to Bruce "Utah" Phillips as the 10th anniversary of his passing approaches. George shares memories of his friend and mentor.

Ron Olesko welcomes Washington D.C. based singer-songwriter (and former WFDU-FM radio host!) Michelle Murray back to perform songs live in the studio and to share recordings from her new EP This Life, My Life. www.michellemurraymusic.com

A report on the unveiling ceremony of the Pete Seeger statue at the Puffin Cultural Forum in Teaneck, NJ on May 5, 2018. Featuring excerpts from remarks given by sculptor Gary Sussman; Neal Rosenstein, Vice President of the Puffin Foundation; Gladys Rosenstein, Executive Director of the Puffin Foundation; and music from David and Jakob Bernz. This report was broadcast on TRADITIONS heard on WFDU-F...

Nick Russo of the band Banjo Nickrau & Western Scooches visits with Ron Olesko to discuss the group's new CD "Get Us Out of Fearland". Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches performs eclectic mix of country, bluegrass, western swing, rockabilly, blues, traditional jazz, dixieland, old-time music, folk, roots music & Americana.

Happy Traum (www.happytraum.com) discusses his lifelong experiences in the folk revival with host Ron Olesko. Happy shares stories about his experiences in the blossoming folk scene in 1950s Greenwich Village, Bob Dylan, the Woodstock Community, his late brother Artie and much more. (Photo by Brian Johnson)

TOM CHAPIN (www.tomchapin.com) and bandmate MICHAEL MARK join host Ron Olesko in the studio for a live performance and a preview of Tom's latest CD "At The Turning Point", a live concert recorded at the Turning Point in Piermont, New York in December 2017. The CD features Tom along with Michael Mark and Jon Cobert as they celebrate their celebrate 30th anniversary of sharing the stage together and...

Pennsylvania-based Pennsylvania based singer-songwriter and guitarist Antonio Andrade (www.lifeshakes.com) joins host Ron Olesko in the studios of WFDU-FM. Accompanying himself on acoustic guitar and harmonica, he delivers an engaging brand of "rockin’ folk" and routinely captivates audiences with his spirited live performances. Antonio visits Ron to share songs from his latest CD "Something Happe...

Singer-songwriter Martin Swinger (www.martinswinger.com) joined host Ron Olesko in the studio for a live performance and to share songs from his forthcoming CD "Living Things". Socially conscious, thought provoking and surprizingly entertaining, Martin is celebrated for his fluid voice and engaging delivery. He’s recorded 5 CD’s, won local and national songwriting awards, is a repeat performer at...