Ron Olesko's Folk Music Notebook

Baltimore based singer-songwriter Allison Dietz visits Ron Olesko to share live music in the studios of WFDU-FM.

Sisters Jane and Marion Halliday of the trio Trickster Sister visited the studio of WFDU-FM to share live music with host Ron Olesko. Trickster Sister is proud purveyor of their own special blend of bluegrass and bourbon infused, original, women-powered Americana. This all-women group brings together their diverse talents to create an enticing blend of indie, folk, and bluegrass musical styles, wi...

Singer-songwriter Michael Braunfeld joins host Ron Olesko in the studios of WFDU-FM for a live performance. Michael is, first and foremost, a storyteller. His songs capture the everyday triumphs and struggles of ordinary people.

Singer-songwriter Meghan Cary joins host Ron Olesko in the studio to perform live and share songs from her new CD "Sing Louder". The title track is a call to raise our voices together to make a difference, has become an anthem for the music-loving community.

Andrew Ratshin of UNCLE BONSAI shares songs from the new CD "The Family Feast". Celebrating 36 years together, the acclaimed trio will be making a rare East Coast appearance next Saturday October 14 at the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club at the Fair Lawn Community Center.

The Chapin Sisters, Lily and Abigail Chapin, visit with Ron Olesko to perform live and to discuss the upcoming Hudson West Folk Festival. The Chapin Sister are singing, songwriting sisters known for pristine harmonies and haunting melodies. They’ve been compared to sister-acts of old and Appalachian family groups, yet their original songs and arrangements have a contemporary feel.

Jersey City based singer-songwriter Tim Erbach shares his songs in the the studios of WFDU-FM. Also, a discussion of the upcoming Hudson West Folk Festival, Jersey City's first major folk fest.

Host Ron Olesko welcomes George Mann to the studio. A former union organizer, George's songs cover the past century of labor and social activism, powerful and often funny takes on the staiton of the nation. George shared songs from his recent project "Until You Come Home: Songs for Veterans and Their Kin". The CD is a compliation of songs from various artists and deals with Post Traumatic Stress D...

Host Ron Olesko discusses the future of folk "radio" with the Music Director and co-owner of the website - www.bluesandrootsradio.com. The unique website features roots music programs from across the globe, including Traditions which can be heard on the site every Saturday evening at 6:30pm ET. With terrestrial radio facing changes due to technology, Blues and Roots Radio offers programming that s...

Host Ron Olesko talks with Rick Massimo, author of "I Got A Song: A History of the Newport Folk Festival" (Weslyan University Press). The book offers a history of historic festival, dating back to the original fest in 1959 and after a few sabbaticals, the festival continues to this day.

The iconic protest singer Ramblin' Bob (aka Rob Carlson) visits Ron Olesko to share a new song called "Memo to the Presidentf". To find out more about the music of Rob Carlson, visit his website at www.robcarlsonmusic.com

Host Ron Olesko is joined by the Levins in the WFDU-FM studio. Julia and Ira Levin are a contemporary folk duo offering harmony-driven acoustic music that is warm and uplifting without skating over the complexities of life. The Levins perform live in the studio, sharing new songs and selections from their previous recordings.

Host Ron Olesko chats with music legend Melanie. Melanie talks about her early days as a songwriter/performer and her experience at Woodstock. She also discusses the music industry and her approach to songs and life.

From Ron Olesko's WFDU-FM archives - a 1977 broadcast of an interview with Marjorie Guthrie. The second wife of Woody Guthrie, Marjorie was a major force in perpetuating the music and story of Woody, both during his lifetime and following his passing. She also created an organization that dramatically helped in the research for Huntington's Disease as well as improve patient care and the understan...

The iconic protest singer Ramblin' Bob (aka Rob Carlson) visits Ron Olesko to share a new song called "Republican Blues Again". To find out more about the music of Rob Carlson, visit his website at www.robcarlsonmusic.com

Children's author Susanna Reich joins Ron Olesko to discuss her new book "Stand Up and Sing! Pete Seeger, Folk Music and the Path to Justice". Featuring illustrations by Adam Gustavson, this is the first illustrated biography of Pete Seeger geared toward young readers. Peter's life and struggles are explored, including his battle with the blacklist, the Vietnam War and his efforts to clean up the...

Ron Olesko welcomes Mark Kilianski to the WFDU-FM studio. A versatile guitarist and singer-songwriter with a affinity for old-timey music, Mark is half of he duo Hoot and Holler. Mark shared some of his songs to preview an upcoming solo appearance at Rockwood Music Hall as well as a tour of New England.

Pat Wictor discusses his new CD "It's Absolutely Real: Visions and Versions of Phil Ochs". Pat has created a stunning recording of Phil Ochs songs, reinterpreting a diverse selection of Ochs' music.

The iconic protest singer Ramblin' Bob (aka Rob Carlson) visits Ron Olesko to share a new song called "Fear Itself". To find out more about the music of Rob Carlson, visit his website at www.robcarlsonmusic.com

Social activist/feminist/singer-songwriter Bev Grant joins host Ron Olesko in the studios of WFDU-FM. Bev, one of the founders of the legendary NYC underground band The Human Condition, shares songs from her new CD "It's Personal". Bev performs songs from her new CD which shows her personal side with a mix of folk,jazz, blues and more and a soul stirring cry out for justice.

The Brother Brothers, identical twins Adam and David Moss, visit Ron Olesko in the studios of WFDU-FM to debut their new EP "Tugboats." www.thebrotherbrothersmusic.com

Host Ron Olesko welcomes acclaimed Israeli singer-songwriter and humanitarian David Broza to the studio. David performs live in the studio and discusses the documentary and companion CD "East Jerusalem West Jerusalem", a project that brought Israeli and Palestinian artists together in an East Jerusalem studio for 8 days and nights to record with David and co-producer Steve Earle. The result was co...

Mike and Aleksi Glick visit the studio for a live performance. With their CD "Generations", the father and son duo share a "progressive urban" musical style that blends blues and contemporary singer-songwriting styles. Mike is a veteran of the NYC folk scene who led the the quintet The New Song Project for many years. His son Aleksi is a Peabody Conservatory graduate who is an in-demand freelance...

Ron Olesko talks with Michael Gabriele, the author of "New Jersey Folk Revival Music: History and Tradition"(History Press), a new book that provides a narrative on the evolution, history and traditions of the folk revival in New Jersey - from the colonial days of bawdy tavern revelers and fiddle players; to the folklore and culture of the Pine Barrens; NJ's role in the early days of recording art...

Singer-songwriter Sharon Goldman visits with Ron Olesko in the studios of WFDU-FM to share songs and stories from her new CD "Kol Isha". Sharon is a singer-songwriter whose "intense, insightful, vivid" storytelling is a "clinic in how to paint an indelible picture with the simplest images and symbols." Over several well-received albums, she has combined heartfelt portraits and memorable lyrics wit...