Mourning the Loss of Writer, Songwriter, Sing Out! Columnist Roger Deitz
Roger Deitz was likely the most meticulous writer I worked with during my 35-plus years editing Sing Out!. His words always chosen carefully, and the flow of each story submitted unfolded like a classic: taking the reader, and this editor, on a voyage curated by a master. Roger was a New Jersey folk-scene pillar: a founding member of the Folk Music Society of Northern New Jersey, a warm and engaging performer (who semi-regularly hosted and performed at the Philadelphia Folk Festival along with many other stages throughout the northeast), a terrific artist with anything that included frets and strings, an occasional songwriter and parodist, and a sharp and observant humorist whose razor sharp wit often belied his gentleness of heart and the army of musicians, fans and loved ones who were all, I’m sure, as convinced as I was that they were his true best friend.
For a little more than 15 years, he contributed the final page to every issue of Sing Out! He always found that perfect edge between gentle and sharp, proud and self-effacing, thoughtful and gut busting … striving to meet the writing of his idols, but ending up always sounding most like himself. I loved getting to read Roger’s submissions, because I always heard his voice and felt the twinkle in his eyes behind those words. (If you want to see what I mean, check out his collection of columns available in our store or the online columns available on the site here.)
Roger suffered a heart attack on December 7th, 2023, and died overnight at home a mere 10 days later. He leaves a hole in the heart of everyone who knew and loved him … but his contributions to the folk music community, especially in New Jersey, are deep and wide. — Mark D. Moss
Mourning the Loss of Pioneering Folk DJ Gene Shay
Our dear friend, mentor, and inspiration Gene Shay succumbed to the COVID-19 Virus at 85 on April 17th, 2020, following several weeks in intensive care in a Philadelphia hospital. Gene loved folk music, the artists who make it, and the fans who loved it with him as much as anyone. What set him apart from most is how much our community loved him back. For more than six decades he taught southeast Pennsylvania audiences all kinds of folk music via his long-running Sunday folk radio program. He was also the face and voice of the Philadelphia Folk Festival (as well as being a co-founder), and served on the boards of several folk music institutions, including Sing Out! We will miss him dearly! (For more details on Gene’s incredible career and life, check out the Philadelphia Inquirer article online.)
Featured Video
DakhaBrakha is a world-music quartet from Kyiv, Ukraine. Reflecting fundamental elements of sound and soul, the Ukrainian «ethnic chaos» band creates a world of unexpected new music. In late February 2022, Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has forced the group to cancel upcoming tours (which was to include a long-awaited return to the U.S.). While we all send our love and support to all the people of Ukraine as well as this terrific quartet, and their efforts to stay free, here is a wonderful “Tiny Desk from Home” concert from NPR & GlobalFest, recorded in January 2021. Beautiful and powerful! Check out their website … check out their Facebook page … or listen to their music on the streamer of your choice!