Cheryl's Blog …

December 2006
As 2006 comes to and end… I thought this would be the perfect place to start my own “blog” or “travel” section of the website…. so I can keep up with myself and share with you what it is that I have been so privileged to do in the folk community!! I am calling this section “Have Drum, Will Travel”

In my most recent travels, I stayed close to home. I wish to thank Pete and Maura Kennedy for allowing me to sit in on their live radio show on Sunday, Dec. 3rd. It was on Gene Shay’s Folk Show on WXPN right here in Philadelphia. They had courage, I must say….as I sat in with no rehearsal or plans of any sort… away we went!! Boy, there was such a great energy on that stage as well as in the room that night!! I had a blast. Thank you Kennedy’s!!

I must mention some of the highlights for me this year...
It started with the joining of The Audubon Symphony. Nothing like getting back to your roots!! I then got a small glimpse into the world of APAP. What an experience!! Playing with The Dreamsicles, Cary Cooper and Tom Prasada-Rao, are simply the best two people around. What they bring to this community is vital and exciting!

I also recorded with a songwriter and performer named Zoe Mulford. We had only met a little time before, yet here I was in an amazing recording situation. We were in the woods of Virginia recording with one of the best acoustic producers out there, John Jennings (Mary Chapin Carpenter, John Gorka and Tracy Grammer). The session was incredible. It was a wonderful experience recording with John. It was also the beginning of a wonderful friendship and musical collaboration with Zoe.

Moving on to February and The Folk Alliance Conference in Austin, TX...
This was my first time in Austin. I accompanied a few artists throughout the weekend but one highlight for me was playing with Kim and Reggie Harris. Oh boy… no words can explain how I feel about these two. So professional, so musically gifted, so kind. I played music with them all weekend long and this forged a working relationship that yielded other shows throughout the year. So I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

I cannot leave out a very exciting moment for me as I was called up by Peter Yarrow to accompany him as he sang with his daughter, Bethany and her musical partner, Rufus Cappadocia. I have to say, I grew up listening to Peter, Paul and Mary as many did. The records were always in the house… I was always intrigued by the sound, their story. So to be standing next to Peter and accompanying him as he strummed that guitar, and sang those very same melodies and words….well it was a life-long highlight for me and it will never be forgotten. That is what our folk community is all about!!

In March...
As I was to do sound for Tracy Grammer here at Steel City Coffeehouse, I received an email from her saying “Due to family crisis, Jim Henry cannot make it…bring a drum!” So there I was doing sound and running up on stage to accompany one of my very favorite performers, Tracy Grammer! What a thrill, I had had this privilege a few times before, but I felt especially honored to be able to help both her and Jim Henry out during this crazy time. It was a magical night of music by the late, great Dave Carter for those in the room that night.

My musical journey this past year, would not be complete without mentioning the band that helped make it all happen.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen ….Full Frontal Folk!! In April of this past year, they had what can be known as a “farewell show” at The Tin Angel here in Philadelphia. For now, this group is on hiatus as the members pursue family, work and other musical journeys. But for me, I must say, I will miss what they had to bring to this community. A love of traditional folk music, the stories, the beautiful harmonies and of course….THE FUN!! Thanks to Courtney Malley, Wendy Fuhr, Jen Schonwald and Thea Shoulson for allowing me to take the ride of a lifetime with them!!

Let the festival season begin… !!!!
I guess this was the year for me to hit as many of these as I possible could. Susquehanna Folk Festival started it off. Then we moved on to Spring Gulch. Here is where I bring the great Pat Wictor into the mix. I cannot say enough good things about this man. I have been so lucky to be the one he has chosen to accompany him on as many shows as we can make happen. I also accompanied him as he recorded a great new CD called Heaven Is So High… He is so talented, his lap slide guitar playing is like butter, his voice, soothing and his talent for “wictorizing” a song is tremendous. One of those songs on the album was Your Gentle Soul Surrounds Me by my husband and talented song writer, Charles Nolan. It has been so much fun being on a musical journey with Pat and to watch us both grow from our experiences. I thank him and commend him on what he has brought to our community this past year.

In June...
I was given a little taste of the most amazing voice in jazz and folk I have ever seen, Vikki True. Originally from Kentucky, she now hails from The Berkshires. Wowow!! What can I say? I drove out to MA to do a few shows with her and my whole world was turned around. Just a little fix….teasing me!! So now it’s time to make some more of those shows happen.

Another great moment for me this year, was The Falcon Ridge Folk Festival...
...where I did get to play with Vikki True once again as she brought the house down!! There was also Pat Wictor on the Emerging Artist Showcase. And he and I will be touring on The Falcon Ridge Most Wanted Tour along with friends Red Molly and Ellis.

But for me personally, some of the other highlights came unexpectedly as I sat in with many other artists… some as part of the “house band” and some, well….
Helping David Buskin out for a set as his singing partner could not make it. Talk about driving by the seat of your pants!! Then showing up on stage for a workshop and there is Eddie….From Ohio…Eddie himself…on drums…and he says….”take it Cheryl” Holy crap!! I hope someone has a picture of that somewhere!!

But a truly wonderful moment came when Erik Lowen from Lowen and Navarro asked me over and asked if I would sit in on a few songs during a workshop later that day. What an honor, what a thrill and what a moving experience for me. Not a dry eye in the house.

We move onto The New Bedford Folk Festival.
A wonderful festival situated right in the heart of New Bedford, MA. I was there to accompany Pat Wictor as he was chosen to play throughout the festival. I must say, this was a gem of a festival and a true find for both of us!! A few big highlights for us that weekend were being asked as a duo, to accompany Mustard Retreat as well as Eliza Gilkyson.

Now to our very own Philadelphia Folk Festival...
Not a player this year. I was there to support my good friends, Boris Garcia as well as The Guy Mendilow Band.

And, last but not least, NERFA...
My musical journey comes to an end each year as I work in the office for The Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference (NERFA). They call me the voice of NERFA. What an experience this has been. I am truly blessed. I work to help put this conference together under the direction of Dianne Tankle and in doing so, I get to meet and chat with just about everyone coming. They come from all over the country and Canada. And they all wear such different musical hats… as I do, too.

The year also included some great recording time in the studio.
That is one of the things I love to do the most. I will be getting musical credits on the following CDs:
PAT WICTOR: Heaven Is So High…
ZOE MULFORD: Roadside Saints
BORIS GARCIA: Mother’s Finest
SPOOK HANDY: title unknown
GARY PAUL HERMUS: Sid's Gaseteria
CANTOR ALISA BORO: Title unknown
PAM MERING: Title unknown

To recap the year, I must say….it was an amazing year of music for me.
I am blessed to know so many great people in this community. I salute their talent!! I learn from them everyday!! I look forward to 2007, as this surely will be a wonderful year for the folk and acoustic community!!

Return to my current 2007 blog