Tony Barrand and I did a concert with local classical pianist, Susan Dedell. The Atwood Family songs that Tony and I have been singing were originally published by Schirmer in 1919 with art song style piano arrangements by Robert Hughes. This was our first time singing the songs with those arrangements. It took a little while to get our heads around the piano part, but we really warmed up to it and hope to get the chance to sing those arrangements with Susan again sometime. Becky is wrapping up her annual Wild Asparagus tour in Oregon as we speak, or at least as I write. Next Sat, Nov. 19, I’ll be doing another solo concert in Montpelier, VT and I am excited to be debuting some more of my songs from Newfoundland and New England. (contact Susan Reid ) As part of that event, I will also do a DADGAD guitar workshop in the afternoon. Becky will be playing her post Thanksgiving dances with Wild Asparagus in Hartford and Norwich, VT. And then I am off to begin the annual Childsplay tour which will begin at Symphony Space in NYC, with more shows in New London, CT, Portland, ME and Boston. Click for more info. Becky and I will play a couple of times in December with our old musical friend, Mark Roberts (flute, banjo, bombard and percussion). It’s always fun to play with Mark and we will do a dance in Brattleboro (Dec 18) and our annual New Year’s Eve concert (also in Brattleboro – have any of you considered moving here?) Tony and I will be recording a segment for the Folk Show on New Hampshire Public Radio. That will probably air Nov 27, but possibly the following week. You can stream that show, if you are interested. I will probably send out one more message before the end of the year. I have a series of solo shows coming up early in January including a trip to Seattle and Anchorage. If you have thoughts on performance possibilities for either my show of Traditional Songs of Newfoundland and New England or for Becky and my duo show, please let us know. And finally, dare I remind you of the impending shopping season? CD shipping will be particularly punctual, so consider (re)visiting our CD page.

All the best, Keith and Becky

Less than a week later, Becky and I were running Family Week for the Country Dance and Song Society at Pinewoods. It is such a privilege and delight to be able to assemble a staff of that size for a week. The music was outstanding and the atmosphere was inspiring. We stayed a second week at Pinewoods for the inaugural Harmony of Song and Dance Week, led by our dear friends, Peter and Mary Alice Amidon. That week was another huge success and it was so great to have an entire week focused on singing.

Becky and I raced from camp to the Champlain Valley Festival in Burlington, VT to perform the music of the Atwood Family with Tony Barrand (see notes to the CD, On the Banks of Coldbrook). That festival has changed forms many times over the years but continues to showcase great folk music. We are grateful to those who continue to make it happen.

Over the years, I have had the pleasure of recording and performing with Hanneke Cassel, the great Scottish fiddle player. Hanneke has a strong connection with many of the thriving Scottish fiddle camps around the world. She was running the Boston Harbor Scottish Fiddle camp this year and I was invited to be on staff. It was a great scene with a fantastic staff. My mother is Scottish and I have always had a special affinity for Scottish music and dance. And I was particularly delighted to be able to bring our son, Aidan, who has been fiddling for almost 6 years and to have him be part of the classes.

Late in August we played Nightingale’s last dance and concert in Peacham, VT. It was an emotional time and was made more emotional by having old friends and fans appear unannounced who had travelled impressive distances to be with us – fans from throughout New England, western New York state, Florida and California. We were very moved. And so we closed what was a big chapter in our musical lives.

We have already been changing gears for the fall. Our weekly classes have begun and I am preparing to debut a solo show that I have been working on for a little while. Becky and I will be doing some duo concerts that we have always enjoyed and we have a couple of shows with Tony Barrand. Becky will be on the road with Wild Asparagus and Keith will be part of the Childsplay east coast tour in December. We hope to have details up on our calendar for all this and more.

All the best,
Keith