Dear RockRoots:
I loved the presentation you put on. Before your show, I did not like “western” or jazz or “blues” music. Now, I listen to it everyday on my way to school. I thought Rock and Roll was just people with paint on their face. Now, I love kinds of music, thanks to you.
Sincerely; da’Vion. 2/8/08

New Years Day was a day for commuting back to CT – Rosalie had some interesting mp3’s of adventuresome a Capella groups (one doing The Devil Down in Georgia – twin fiddle parts and all.)

I got the itch to check out the Buttonwood’s Open Mike with Bob Gotta, and it turned out to be a well-attended event. I guess other folks felt the need to get out of the house… Good to see Kent, Rick, Jim, the DOA (Delusions of Adequacy) guys, and a bunch of other familiar faces. It was fun to touch base back in CT, but still these folks are hard to get to sing along at first. That’s how I knew I was back in CT.

Enough playing to last me for a couple of days. Back to cooking, cleaning up after my kids, doing my laundry. Happy New Year!

I had three venues and four sets on Dec. 31st in Bethlehem. I was beat at the end of the day and the start of the new year.

The first set was at The Banana Factory at 1 pm, and nice group of families stopped by, including Chris Martin and his daughter. No sound system, but a small enough space to be fine.

Second set was in the Rotunda at City Hall, where the city elders come to pontificate in the round. It felt like being in the insides of a UFO, though (not that I’ve ever been in one…), and if things started spinning, I would have welcomed the trip…. It was full, with folks on the floor, and wrapped around on three sides. Again, a nice cross-section of families, curious elders and couples. Again, I stretched out with the family favorites (giving ’em what they want…). A band was setting up outside -to play outside- brrr… I’ve done that years ago in Allentown, but that was in only 31 degree weather – not like today with wind chill at 2 degrees.

Third venue was back at Godfrey’s for my annual two sets at 9 pm. Older audience, with some kids sprinkled in. Nice to play my adult stuff, get out my Waldoline, f-hole Martin, and my unique ramblings from the stage. Phantom showed up with his harps, and we jammed. Lots of familiar faces and “stabs from the past”. A great way to finish out the year for me, and pay the mortgage as well.

Home to CT with Rosalie in the morn.

and I headed back to Strong House in Madison for my last caroling session, this time with the seniors. we’re getting to be pretty chummy, so I’ll be coming back of and on over next year. Good exercise for my repertoire, and they like to dance… I can play a waltz, and they waltz! Imagine. Again, John, the 90+ dancing’ fool, was up and at ’em and wanted to dance with every woman. The staff was short (they’re kind of like ‘spotters’ in gym) so he had to sit out the first half hour. Again, it was good to play to folks who like live music and like to sing.

Tuesday was a double header of sorts, with 300 miles on the old car. I headed out from Bethlehem for my 19th annual visit to Culbertson School in Newtown Square, and, as usual, Mr. Cook led the festivities. I was glad we did away with the chairs this year so we have lots of room to boogie. And we did. Nice to see some Phillies World Champion Santa hats, too.

Off to Voorhees, NJ and a RockRoots at Kellman Brown Academy, a small Jewish day school. A little noisy, but considering it was the afternoon before vacation, it was okay. It was nice to see everyone up and dancing at the end. Nick, JJ and Wayne formed the band today, and JJ was the only one with a RR shirt. Rookie!

A long drive home to CT in evening traffic, but not as bad as it could have been. I filled up with gas for $18 in NJ. My Christmas present to myself.

I had the early shift on the last day of Bethlehem’s Christkindlemarkt on a icey, cold morning. Not may folks out, except for twin sisters from Weisenberg ES. We managed to have some fun as a few folks drank hot chocolate and looked at the fine crafts. Checked in with Tom the blacksmith under the bridge. the sun came out and it turned out to be a sunny day. Hurray.

Congrats to Lara on her selection.

The Connecticut Commission on Culture & Tourism has appointed Lara Herscovitch of Durham as Connecticut’s State Troubadour for 2009 and 2010.

Lara is a charismatic singer-songwriter whose original music is a skillful blend of acoustic/folk, pop, Latin, jazz, and blues. Most of her songs are written in English, but some are in Spanish, and one is in Luganda (one of the languages spoken in Uganda). She has traveled extensively (Latin America, Asia and Africa) and has a deep appreciation for and understanding of the importance of cultural diversity and global issues. Herscovitch has released four solo CDs. Her third CD Juror Number 13, is “among the best folk releases of the year and possibly many years past” (Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange). She has performed in a variety of settings in Connecticut and throughout the Northeast including schools, universities, libraries, community centers, coffee houses, hospitals, senior centers, folk festivals, songwriting contests, and others.

Lara Herscovitch was recommended by a panel of music professionals including Pierce Campbell, 2007 and 2008 State Troubadour, and Aubrey Atwater Donnelley, a Rhode Island-based award-winning folk musician. Applicants were reviewed based on their musical and songwriting ability, professional accomplishment in the field of music, and experience with diverse audiences.

About the State Troubadour

The State Troubadour, established in 1991, functions as an ambassador of music and song to encourage cultural literacy and promote the State of Connecticut. Duties include a minimum of three events each year at the request of CCT to promote Connecticut in song. As a member of CCT’s Directory of Performing Artists, the State Troubadour can be booked for concerts and school appearances through the Arts Presentation program.

I traveled off to Princeton for a corporate holiday party, with the emphasis on the families. I followed the gingerbread man decorations, so we had a ball in the Ball Room at the Hyatt.

I met Vlad and his family, who emigrated from Romania. He asked if I ever heard of the Red Clay Ramblers. Whoa! That was a stab from the past. The Ramblers played at Godfrey’s many times, especially in the early years. Vlad mentioned he got to see then in concert in Romania, and it was one of the best shows her ever saw. Small world.

A long drive back to CT through semi-snow/freezing rain. Phew….

Sunday was a nice afternoon in the Rotunda at Bethlehem City Hall. I shared the rug with LV Storytellers Larry, Charles and Mary, and a nice crowd of kids, moms and dads, grandparents and general elders came by and we sang and danced in the halls of power!

That morning, I read the local Morning Call and there I was as one of the features in the arts section., Best Bets. I liked the lead quote, “Dave Fry, who is nearly as constant as the Moravian star…” NIce, but I can’t quite figure that one out. I mentioned it to the audience, and Larry said, “It means you’re old.” I guess that’s it…..

I trekked back to Croton, NY for a birthday party for two brothers, Will (6 years old) and Sean (4 years old), up on the hills over looking the Hudson. We stirred it up, and made a raucous noise, which a good thing, sometimes. Thanks…. Off to PA.

The lads and I had a short jump from PA to western NJ and a nice 2,3 grade school. I recognized Mrs. Kelly from a residency I did for her sister school, Spruce Run, back in 2003. Keven got the cold, so JJ sat in again on drums. The kids were delightful and responsive, and teachers had a good time, too. It was a long drive back to CT though, into the teeth of NJ/NY/CT traffic.

Staying at home and fighting off this cold…. Made my own homemade turkey soup, one of the benefits of hosting Thanksgiving dinner!

A chilly Sunday night at Godfrey’s, where I was to emcee the open mike. This cold’s got me low so I played the opener and handed off to Leon. I mentioned that Ron and I had discussed how the “two song open mike” in CT really gets your chops together, and how one has to hit the stage “on”. I related how Ron benefited from that practice when he played at the CT Blues Championships. Viva la open mike!

Saturday brought me back to Macungie, the Great Bear Swamp, and Brookside Country Club. Two brunch sittings, with kids all dressed in their holiday best, with young girls trying out their swirls in their fancy dresses. I’m glad to come back there and be part of their family holiday gatherings. I have a cold, but it was manageable. Back to GD’s for rest.

I hung around to complete the schmooze tour on Monday at the LV Music Awards shindig in Allentown. I was up for folkie, but lost to someone much younger than I. So it goes. But I checked in with Phil Stahl, The Broz, Jackie Tice, Jeff, Susan and Jon Parks, Dave Howell, Craig Thatcher, and various other friends. Can’t take the crowds, though so I headed out early. Home in the morning.

What a busy day – getting my Christmas tunes off the ground in style. I started out at St John’s in Allentown for their Advent breakfast, headed over to Cristkindlemarkt for two hours at the food court. that was fun, with several families hanging out and singing together with me. I brought the bag o’ instrruments and, at times, I seemed to be playing in a construction zone. Good though.

Sunday Night was at Allentown’s Symphony Hall for the resurrection of the LV Christmas Concert, produced by Miriam Huertas and Mike Krisukas. A great time to reconnect with my musical buds like Blackwater (the celtic group), Zen for Primates, Darlene Finelli, The Mayor Don Cunningham, Mo’s drum group, Hub Willson (photographer), and others. I emceed the opening quarter of the show, and played two songs in the second half. It’s so nice to play the big stage once in a while – even though I can’t see the audience.

Kim and I were in charge of entertaining the Wilson clan at our house, so I did the turkey, several pies, the stuffiing, and other small entree’s. Food and space for 14! Wow. Yum.

My friend Bill George from Touchstone Theater in Bethlehem held a developmental session of guitarists tellin their own special stories about Martin guitars. We videoed the session, and perhaps a stage production of some sort will come out of it. I travelled down from CT with Ron anthony and Stan Sullivan, and met with Jackie Tice, Mary Faith Rhodes, Tim Ferrell and others. It was a good time of sharing, and fun to hang out in the ride to and fro with Stan and Ron.

We found our way through the first snow squall of the season back to Allentown’s middle school in New Jersey. Classic old assembly hall. 5th and 6th boogied, and 7th and 8th did, too (eventually). Nice to be back.

Ah, yes. Back in CT. I did a new gig down in Clinton, CT this morning for a new elder center – Peregrines – with a nice twist – elders and the kids from the day care across the street. A nice mix. The older folks enjoyed the energy of the kids and brightened everyone’s day. A good thing.

I headed up to Roaring Brooks’ Open Mike with Ron Anthony. Anne’s goodies, good friends and some fine music. I got up early and did Barrelhouse first ( I decided I’d be serious, for a change.) during the ‘lead’ I called on ron to play the last part of the lead, actually inviting the audience to IMAGINE Ron’s lead. Ron actually chimed in, in real time, from the back of the room. Wow… the powers of suggestion….

I followed with my medley of Black Jack County Chain that weaves that song (a very powerful song I learned from Doc Watson) and Jerusalem Ridge and some nifty chordal stuff I threw in as filler. It’s a nice piece a bunch of friends commented on it. As Ron said, I gotta play this serious stuff too. Yup.

Another interesting moment happened in the set before me, Dave Hull was playing a nice instrumental when a lady’s cell phone went off on a somewhat jazzy chord. It actually fit. It went off again, amazingly at the same place in the song. Wow….

Train Wreck had a new song celebrating “Obama, He’s the Champ” with the old tune “The Lady is a Tramp”. nice. Off to Pa tomorrow and a RockRoots in Allentown, NJ on Friday morning.

I headed up Rt. 209 through PA into NY’s Catskill Maountains for the annual gathering of folkies – North East Region Folk Alliance. This was the first year that Family Music is a part of the folk scene (duh…), so Patricia Shih led the way for this showcase and two workshops later in the weekend.

So, I had a 10 minute set amongst Magpie, Two of a Kind, Jennie Avila, John Flynn, Jay Mankita. Various venues, booking agents, curious folkies and the third grade from a local school. Big stage and lights (I actually wanted to be out on the floor with the kids…). 10 minutes….

I was struck that every one of the acts was good and engaging, but of the same energy. sing alongs, hand movements, humor…. good stuff, but I decided to break the mold, the devil that I am. I walked out on stage with my guitar (I said I only needed it to blend in with the crowd), put it down and did “Shark” and “Peanut Butter and Jelly”, both notoriously lacking in instrumentation, but intensively third grade. It was a hoot.

I got some very nice feedback from random people, including some interesting reflection from some of the younger songwriters/performers as to how good it was. It was a good experience.

I stayed for a Family Music Workshop for venues who want to include performers like me. Tomm Chapin, John McCutcheon, Two of a Kind, Patricia Shih, and the Vanavers were on the panel, so it was preaching to the choir for me, but it was good to catch up with Tom, however so briefly, and these fellow spirits.

I did get to say hello to friends there, from my many days booking Godfrey Daniels, and they truly remain my friends. Anne Hills, Mark Moss, Jack Hardy, Cindy Mangsen and Steve Gillette, Freebo, Chris Thomas from Martin, also the ole gang from GD’s: Patti, Ramona, Terry, Dave, Scott and Ray. Lots of “‘ with many other familiar faces.

I couldn’t really afford to stay for the weekend, so I left around 3 pm into Friday Traffic in NY and CT. Smart….