A Season Preview: Peterborough Folk Music

Kicking off on March 9 and wrapping up on June 28 with eight concerts scheduled, Peterborough Folk Music's upcoming season promises something for everyone. "I'm thrilled with the entire season because it's full of performers who are requested often and full of people we love to support. These artists pack the rooms and it's a nice diverse line up, with solos, duos, bands and quintets," says Deb McWethy, president and program director of the Peterborough Folk Music (PFM). The upcoming season includes: Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers on March 9 at 3:00 p.m. in the Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Claudia Schmidt and Sally Rogers have been weaving their voices, dulcimers and guitars together for decades, creating an atmosphere of joy and musical lushness that audiences find so irresistible, they frequently join right in. Starting with their soaring harmonies — "blood harmony" was how one fan described it — fascinating double dulcimer work, the mix of six and 12 string guitars, then brought together with a wide choice of material. "Claudia and Sally used to play at the Folkway, a renowned coffee house in Peterborough and we're excited to open our series with them," says Deb McWethy of PFM. An Evening with Tom Rush accompanied by Seth Glier on March 22 at 7 p.m. at the Park Theatre, Jaffrey "Tom Rush's impact on the American music scene has been profound. He helped shape the folk revival in the '60s and the renaissance of the '80s and '90s, his music having left its stamp on generations of artists. James Taylor told Rolling Stone, "Tom was not only one of my early heroes, but also one of my main influences." Country music star Garth Brooks has credited Rush with being one of his top five musical influences. Rush has long championed emerging artists. His early recordings introduced the world to the work of Joni Mitchell, Jackson Browne and James Taylor, and in more recent years his Club 47® concerts have brought artists such as Nanci Griffith and Shawn Colvin to wider audiences when they were just beginning to build their own reputations. "Seth Glier is a man of many talents. A singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer, he's known for his emotive soundscapes and masterful songwriting. Exposing vulnerability in a deeply courageous way, his work takes you on an impassioned journey of heart and honesty," said Ear Milk. "Tom turned 84 and we're thrilled to have him here this year. He's still at the top of his game," McWethy says. "Seth Glier started in my living room," adds McWethy. Brooks Williams on April 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Cambridge, U.K.-based and Statesboro, Ga.-born guitarist, singer and songwriter Brooks Williams is admired by both listeners and fellow musicians and has been a leading light on the acoustic music scene for three decades. "He was playing Americana before it had been given the name" (CMP). Williams' guitar skills are evident as he effortlessly slides in and out of folk, blues and country. It comes as no surprise he is listed in the Top 100 Acoustic Guitarists. "Brooks played in my living room. He lives in England now and we're thrilled to get him back," says McWethy. Laurie MacAllister on April 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Bass Hall at Monadnock Center In 2024, Laurie MacAllister launched her solo career with a sold-out show at legendary Club Passim. Two decades before, she co-founded the beloved Americana trio Red Molly, touring the U.S. and abroad for 16 years, including appearances at MerleFest, Cayamo and Boston Symphony Hall. Her 2018 self-produced solo album, "The Lies the Poets Tell," was hailed by SiriusXM as "Defining. A curated collection packed with emotional vibrancy." "We're excited to have two musicians who were in Red Molly which was incredibly popular until they broke up during Covid. One is Laurie MacAllister and other one is Molly Venter who will play on July 12," says McWethy. Mark Erelli and His String Quintet on May 3 at 7 p.m. in the Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Mark Erelli, known for his distinctive blend of folk, rock and Americana, joins forces with a world-class string quintet to reimagine his celebrated songs. The result? A cinematic and breathtakingly intimate performance that never fails to leave audiences spellbound. "Mark Erelli with his string quartet (also) played in my living room," adds McWethy. The Steel Wheels on May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Park Theatre in Jaffrey The Steel Wheels have long been at home in the creative space between tradition and innovation, informed by the familiar sounds of the Virginia mountains where the band was formed, but always moving forward with insightful lyrics and an evolving sound. In 2005, Jay Lapp (vocals, guitars, mandolin) and Eric Brubaker (vocals, fiddle) joined lead singer Trent Wagler (guitar, banjo) in forming the band as a vehicle for Wagler's songwriting. They released several albums under Wagler's moniker, before officially adopting the "The Steel Wheels" name with the 2010 release of "Red Wing." "We get lots of requests for Steel Wheels," says McWethy. Andrew Duhon on May 24 at 7 p.m. in the Bass Hall at Monadnock Center Andrew Duhon has a knack for telling the kind of stories that clearly cost the writer something to tell, the kind of honesty that feels noble. Entertaining? Sure, but when a song written by a stranger heals you, even in the smallest way, that's a connection beyond entertainment, and that is the journey Duhon sets out on from his home in Louisiana. "I met Andrew Duhon on the music cruise "Cayamo" in 2016. And I brought him up three summers to play in my living room. I'm going on my eighth music cruise next month," adds McWethy. Catie Curtis with Connor Garvey on June 28 at 7 p.m. in the Bass Hall at Monadnock Center For over 25 years, Catie Curtis toured full-time in the U.S. and Europe, releasing 14 recordings and selling over 250,000 CDs (not to mention streams and downloads). She has recorded for major (EMI Guardian) and independent (Rykodisc, Vanguard and Compass) labels, collaborating with some of the finest musicians and producers in the country. Her songs have been featured in several films and multiple TV shows. Her audience knows she's not afraid to speak up about political issues and to stand up for the LGBTQ community. She's intensely grateful for those years on the road and honored to know that her music has been an integral part of so many people's lives. Connor Garvey will open the show. He is an award-winning singer-songwriter from Portland, Maine, with the amiable presence of an entertainer, the lyrical depth of a poet and the enchantment of a storyteller. Garvey leaves audiences uplifted and inspired through a positive message delivered in a way that proves you can be optimistic and self-aware without being boring. Annual Fund Peterborough Folk Music raises money each year for their annual fund so that the musicians get paid more. "When you buy tickets for a PFM concert, a lot of the money goes right back to the musicians," adds McWethy. "In today's world we are looking for compassion and something to make us happy. Music speaks to the heart and is soothing and we can all relate to it. It takes us away from any upheavals going on in life so we can enjoy the camaraderie of an audience (and) the talents of the performers, and (to) know we are supporting the musicians is huge. It's their livelihood," adds McWethy. PFM concerts taking place after June 1 are: Goodnight Moonshine - Molly Venter (Red Molly) and Eben Pariser (Roosevelt Dime) on July 12; Patchouli and Terra Guitarra on August 8; Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem on September 6; Garnet Rogers on September 20 and The Nields on November 15. For more information and to buy tickets for the upcoming season, visit www.pfmsconcerts.org/. The Monadnock Center for History and Culture is located at 19 Grove St. in Peterborough. The Park Theatre is located at 19 Main St. in Jaffrey.