Kate McNally's blog

Summer is officially here, so I can now slide into summer music mode. It might mean a visit to the Old Songs Festival in Altamont, New York on the weekend of the 27th, 28th, 29th to see Le Vent du Nord, Si Kahn, Debra Cowan or one of my true favorites, Priscilla Herdman. They feature 8 stages plus in-depth classes, an instrument exchange and an opportunity to join in shape-note and choral singing and contra dancing, too.

The Folk Show Folk Show was an incredible evening of music and laughter with three of the folk community's finest. Vance Gilbert dazzled us with his sparkling red shoes and his warm wit and soulful tones. Vance's voice carries with such strength that I believe he could have done a whole show without a mic. And then, there's his heart...Vance Gilbert has a heart so big, none of us want for care. He's a true friend to many according to Cliff Eberhardt another shining star of The Folk Show Folk Show.

I visited an after school program last week in Winchester. I said, "Earth Day is just around the corner...who can tell me what Earth Day is?" A little boy, maybe about 6 years old, raised his hand wildly.

Vance Gilbert brought his Standard poodle, Roscoe by the station today. The dog started to sneeze during one song, but I don’t think you could hear it on the air. I have to tell you something about Vance. His records just don’t do him justice. A studio gig doesn’t do it either. Put him on a stage and his energy consumes the whole room. He’s got more power than a record or a studio can hold. Come see him at the Colonial Theater or anywhere U.S.A. and see for yourself. He and his voice tower over an audience.

Folk music is alive and well in New Hampshire!!! We had a great response during our fund drive during the Folk Show. Thank you!

I got to play cuts from the Grammy nominated albums by Levon Helm and Jim Lauderdale on the show this week. When the Grammy Awards were posted I was a little disappointed because much of the music posted in the folk and bluegrass categories hadn't even reached my desk. I usually receive music from all the independent artists, but I never received the latest from Steve Earle, Tom Waits, Jim Lauderdale, Levon Helm, Peter Case, or Charlie Louvin. It happens every year, actually. Somehow we get overlooked.

I stopped in to my favorite coffee shop in Keene last week. Michael, the barista, handed me an envelope. Either I drink a lot of coffee, I thought, or people just know my routine….The envelope contained a cd with a note from Tim, who has something to do with the Common Ground Country Fair in Windsor, Maine held in September. "Uncommon Kinship" by Free Seedlings, turned out to be pretty good.

Garnet Rogers stopped by recently. It was great to see him. He hasn’t really been touring a whole lot since he and his wife Gail were in a pretty bad car accident. Gail is still recovering from her injuries.