RagTag For the People
Book Value … Here is a present to the folk music community in honor of Pete Seeger’s Birthday (May 3, 1919 – January 27, 2014). A PDF version of my book – for free! More “RagTags” than you can shake … Continue reading →
Roger Deitz
For more than 40 years, Roger has contributed a wealth of columns, feature stories, and reviews to Frets, Acoustic Guitar, Fast Folk, Billboard, and Sing Out! among others. His humor column "RagTag" has graced the last page of Sing Out! magazine since 1995. Roger serves on the Sing Out! advisory board and is a founding member of Folk Alliance International. He has hosted and performed at musical venues of all sizes, including many main stage appearances at The Philadelphia Folk Festival. He is a recipient of the 2012 New Jersey Folk Festival's Lifetime Achievement Award.
No Harmony, No Foul
Not to sound Santa-monious, but last Christmas Eve, I could swear I heard banjo music coming from the parlor. A few nifty fiddle tunes, the “Cumberland Mountain Bear Chase,” and a hearty rendition of “Jingle Bells.” See, along with cookies … Continue reading →
Unsung Hero – Simple Gifts
This story is about two old, dear friends. One friend was animated with a touch of fuss and feathers, and so much talent. The other, a tad more wooden; comprised of mother of pearl and abalone inlay, some nickel silver … Continue reading →
Having a Bad Spell
Astonished was I. No, make that surprised beyond belief when I saw what Judith Zweiman and Paul Lubniewski posted on Facebook. It was an old club announcement from City Folk Nights at the The Sun Mountain Café promoting the schedule … Continue reading →
Losing a Big Gamble
If one did not look too closely at the text of the proceedings of The Flagler County Commission’s misguided attempt to discredit Florida’s renowned troubadour and storyteller, one might surmise we had found ourselves entangled in the narrative of one … Continue reading →
The Old Texas Misstep
Introduction The folks at Frets magazine taught me a valuable lesson back in the 1980s; they taught me that writing can be a dangerous vocation. This is particularly the case in the Lone Star State where I learned that carrying … Continue reading →
Silent Tribute
As if there wasn’t enough on my mind, the big show drew nigh. I arrived at the festival’s motel hospitality suite that August of 1989, dropped off my instruments and went to my car for a backpack. Within minutes, Philadelphia … Continue reading →
Primary Care Musician
Let’s imagine the existence of a country where there’s no music. No, make that where there is music, but only a small percentage of the population can afford to listen to music, due to a patchwork of archaic laws, political … Continue reading →
Unfinished Business
The weekend prior to Pete Seeger’s passing at the age of 94, an ironic, and in retrospect, provocative call came from Oscar Brand. This before I had any knowledge of Pete’s illness. “Hello Roger, this is Oscar. I’m calling to … Continue reading →
Frog in the Throat
Thinking about the musical question “Did you ever wake up with bullfrogs on your mind?,” the response for me is a “yes.” With deference to David Bromberg’s fine rendition of “Bullfrog Blues” (the one I first heard), I Rana come … Continue reading →