Whew. What a weekend. Besides having a great time watching my Mets win the divisional series (as well as enjoying watching the Evil Empire Yankees lose!), it was a busy folk music weekend.

First, the gremlins were having some fun at WFDU over the past week. THE SESSION did not air on Friday due to a problem with our on-air playback system. (I pre-record the show that airs on Friday at noon ET). Then, an interview that I had done with Tom Chapin fell victim to a faulty digital recorder and my own error in not running a protection recording while doing the interview. I apologize to all of our listeners who tuned in to hear Tom, and I apologize to Tom who was so gracious to come down to the studio to play a couple of tunes in the studio and share selections from his new CD. Tom will be appearing this Friday, October 13, at FDU’s Wilson Auditorium (on the Hackensack side of our campus) along with John Dull and Friends. More details on the WFDU website. I will be there to emcee and I look forward to saying hello to those of you who read this article and listen to my shows.

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A good time was had at the Hurdy Gurdy on Saturday night for Guy Davis. Guy gave an exceptional performance that featured a number of selections from his latest CD “Skunkmello” (Red House). I really think Guy is under-rated. His skill on guitar, banjo and harmonica makes him one of the finest practioners of the blues that I have ever been privileged to see perform. As I was watching him on Saturday night, I could not help but think of how Guy is such an important link on the chain. His music has echoes of our past and it is easy to see how the blues influenced other styles of music. Woody Guthrie learned a great deal from blues singers and fashioned their music into his own. Guy Davis shapes the stories and music he heard from his parents and southern grandparents and creates an evening of music that draws you in. If you missed him at the Hurdy Gurdy, he will be appearing at the Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse in White Plains in December.

Speaking of those of you who missed the show at the Hurdy Gurdy – where were you? Our turnout was not as large as we expected for an artist of Guy’s caliber. I worry because I do hear similar stories from other venues in our area – attendance is down.

Living in the NJ/NYC area, we are lucky to have a number of venues that support acoustic music. The Hurdy Gurdy, Outpost in the Burbs, Sanctuary Concerts, Hillside Cafe , Minstrel Coffeehouse, People’s Voice Cafe, Walkabout Clearwater Coffeehouse, Pinewoods and I am sure that I have missed a few – all are wonderful organizations run by volunteers with the intention of presenting quality music to our area. The costs are relatively low when compared to other activities and genres of music that compete for our attention.

Your support is imperative. I would not be hosting two folk music based radio shows if I did not receive support from my listeners. These organizations also depend on your attendance to survive.

The fact that you are reading this note tells me that you have an interest in acoustic music. Our web poll (see the right side of the homepage) shows that some of you attend at least 1 concert a month, often more. For those of you that sit home, I am curious to find out why? Is the cost a factor? Are the venues difficult to get to? Have you had a disagreeable experience at a venue? Do you not care for the artists that are being offered? Is there someone you would like to see perform in this area?

Please take a moment to post a comment. You can leave one anonymously or you can use your name. You can also send me a note in private – wfdutraditions@aol.com .

I hope that we can continue to enjoy some amazing talent right in our own backyard. I know that there are parts of the country that are starving for this type of music. I feel that we are lucky, but I worry that the support is missing. Please tell me that I am wrong!!!