FOFF - Friends of Florida Folk

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Sara Hickman has general avails for the area for both the folk and children’s show.
Sara Hickman    Hear audio samples at: http://www.myspace.com/sarahick
Amanda Shaw   Hear audio samples at:http://www.myspace.com/officialamandashaw
Sara Hickman Children's Show
Super Pal Universe Hear audio samples at:http://www.superpaluniverse.com
Joe Ferry & The Big Ska Band
Hear audio samples at: http://www.myspace.com/joeferrymusic

Agency Sites:
http://www.dahanagency.com
http://www.charliedahan.com
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Jimmy Crowley has been a central figure in the Irish folkscene since the enthusiastic reception of his debut album The Boys of Fairhill in 1977. With his band Stokers Lodge their mission was to present the street ballads of Cork city complimented by the ornate folk songs of the rural hinterland of Cork and Kerry in an exciting orchestration of uileann pipes, concertina, autoharp, harmonium, mandolin, bouzouki and guitar in their  native accent.The second album, Camphouse Ballads hurtled the band into the vortex of the folk scene; they were now performing at folk festivals and making  tv appearances  in Ireland, Britain and America .Both albums were produced by Micheál Ó Dómhnaill of the Bothy Band. Like Chris Twomey of Stokers Lodge, Micheál was a seminal influence in Jimmy’s musical education. Every Jimmy Crowley album after the demise of Stokers Lodge in the middle eighties has been imbued with an excitment and autonomy; has challenged conventions and has been totally different from it’s predessesor. Somethings Never Change, an eclectic, electric experiment featuring some of the most creative musicians in Ireland: Declan Sinnott, Keith Mc Donald and Christy Moore of Moving Hearts was applauded and voted album of the year by rock critic, Bill Graham.Jimmy’s new band, The Electic Band released a reggae version of the Cork ballad, The Boys of Fairhill which went into the pop charts. In between recording and writing his own songs, Crowley found time to taste the rich Gaelic hinterland of his native provence of Munster learning his profession as a bard and falling in love with the Irish language.The songs he learned in the Irish speaking parts of Munster found a hearth in his first Irish language album, Jimí Mo Mhíle Stór, produced by Dónal Lunny for Gael Linn records. There followed a bitter-sweet amalgam of caustic urban ballads and sentimental parlour songs which Crowley had began to endorse. The album simply called,Jimmy Crowley for K-tel records was produced by Declan Sinnott.Crowley’s fascination with the theatre and in particular musical drama culminated in the ballad opera, Red Patriots.Set against the backdrop of Mao Tse Tung’s cultural and social policies,it’s the story of an apprentice musician who falls for a revolutionary girl.Actual events such as the mob-incited burning of the Marxist bookshop in Cork city  in the early seventies induce fierce realism. The play  was well received and ran successfully at the Triskil Arts Centre in Cork City. By now Jimmy Crowley had established himself not just as a traditon bearer, ethnographer and Gaelic language enthusiast but also as a stylish songwriter. His song about the sailing ship Asgard, My Love is a Tall Ship, was adopted as an athem for sailors everywhere and was used in the documentary film on the Tall Ships’ Race made by the National Television Station in Ireland. The eponomous album that followed presented all original songs couched in small string orchestra ,subtle rhythm section and songwriter Dave Murphy’s piano skills.Her Excelency, Mary Robinson was the subject of the quazi-bassanova style skit, Mrs President which finally proclaimed to those who pidgeon-holed Crowley as being the “voice of Cork” and nothing else,that there was much more to this man. Depressed at the demise of the Irish language and Celtic traditions and the endorsement by the Irish government of cultural globalisation, Crowley began work on his Celtic Utopian novel, Hy Brazil. Its the story of a new resurrgence and autonomy set slightly in the future; exorting Plato’s Rule of the Wise and it’s a poetical,didactic dismissal of everything the Celtic Tiger stands for. There followed his first live solo album, Uncorked and the establishment of his own record company, Freestate Records. The Coast of Malibar endorsed both his love for the  sea and sailing and his affection for the double-string instruments like bouzouki, mando-cello, dordán, mandola and mandolin. Jimmy is joined here by an old friend, Tríona Ní Dhómhnaill of the Bothy Band .His new album, Irish Eyes, is a swing-jazz reverential treatment of old John Mc Cormack,Bing Crosby and Flanaghan Brothers Irish-American sentimental songs which Crowley feels are part ot the legitimate legacy of Irish song. Here he breathes fresh life into old chesnuts like Danny Boy and When Irish Eyes are Smiling and displays creditable crooning skills. Almost all of Crowley’s older vinyl albums have now been digitally remastered and Freestate present an excellent catalogue of his albums.Jimmy now lives in Dunedin,near Clearwater, Florida.

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The Pleasant Family Old Time String Band consists of five members who play the "old time" music that formed the roots of today's bluegrass music. Although the members are not related, and not always pleasant, we are friends keeping alive the tradition of the family band.  We come together from various parts of Central Florida ranging from Orlando to Clearwater to Bradenton.  Our credits include the Florida Old Time Music Championship (first place in 2005), the Florida State Fair in Cracker Country now in our fourth year, a private concert for former President Jimmy Carter, and a range of venues including library concerts, town festivals, trailer parks, farmer's markets.  We have even played for a wedding but so far no funerals.  Our recorded repertoire consists of nearly 60 tunes, vocal and instrumental, on three CD's.   You can learn more about us and hear some samples of our music on our web site: www.thepleasantfamily.com. 
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Hi Folks,
Ireland's No. 1 Ballad and Folk Group (8 Gold Albums), "The Dublin City Ramblers" and the legendary Southern Rockers, "The Winters Brothers Band" have decided to join forces to present an amazing and unique duel cultural concert presentation. "THE HERITAGE CONCERT." Since American Country Music and Southern Rock and Roll evolved from Irish Music the two bands decided to tell this historic tale in a 2 1/2 to 3 hour concert. The format is as follows: 
Set one: "Dublin City Ramblers" perform 45 minutes of Irish Music and stories. 
Set two: "The Winters Brothers Band" perform 45 minutes of Southern Rock and Roll and tell stories about their music and the influence Irish Music had on them.
Set three: Both bands on stage alternating songs and stories (45 to 60 minutes). Both bands play a couple of each others songs in their own style.
www.dublincityramblers.com. www.wintersbrothersband.com.  
Anyone interested in booking this unique cultural experience please contact me.
John Ryan, Manager
"Dublin City Ramblers" 
407 252 6403 (U.S. Cell)
www.dublincityramblers.com

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Mountain Brew--Andy Burr on guitar, harmonica, and vocals; Sara Burr on mandolin (or as a trio with fiddle or a full band with bass and drums). Specializing in Americana music--folk, bluegrass, country, Cajun--but can also include mellow pop and rock standards, reggae, and Irish/Celtic.  Many performances at Central Florida nightclubs and at events statewide--  including 3 years seasonally at Cypress Gardens
and 4 years of holiday shows at Silver Springs. Performed 3 shows daily at the South Florida Fair in West Palm Beach Jan. 23- Feb 1, 2009;  recently played at Art Festivals or community events in Maitland, Lake Mary, Winter Park, Dade City, Winter Garden, Eustis, and Ocala. Please visit the website--www.MountainBrew.net --for past and present schedule and to hear music samples.

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The Porchdogs--two to five members specializing since 1992 inLouisiana Cajun and zydeco, plus bluegrass, country, folk, and standards. Many corporate and theme park engagements; booked nearly every day the past 10 years during Bike Week and Biketoberfest at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach; booked all 12 days 5 of the past 7 years at the Florida State Fair in Tampa.

www.porchdogs.net,www.theporchdogs.com
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` The Village Folk Revival

Ron, Dick, & Rick

Folk, Bluegrass, Folk Rock, and Irish Music from it’s heyday to today.  The Village Folk Revival covers the folk music scene from The Kingston Trio to John Denver, from Woody Guthrie to James Taylor.  Irish, Scotch, and English music is also included from The Clancy Brothers, to Christy Moore, to The High Kings.

With a mix of vocal harmonies and a variety of instruments, The Village Folk Revival brings a unique style to the standards and contemporaries alike while throwing in a smattering of humor for good measure.

If you are in need of a group to play for your Resort, Club, Convention, Festival, Social Gathering, Party, or Whatever. The Village Folk Revival will meet your needs and exceed you expectations.

For booking information contact Ron Hite at 352-259-4479 (H), 352-454-6223 (C), This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ,

or visit our web page at: www.villagefolk.net

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STEVE STERNBERG – BARRELHOUSE
& NEO-CLASSICAL PIANIST

“Talented, eclectic and absolutely fun.  What an impressive performer!”

Sally Anderson, House Concert Presenter

Tallahasee, Florida pianist and composer Steve Sternberg will capture you with his energetic, playful and moving piano music.  He plays the old obscure covers and his contemporary originals.  You'll hear boogie-woogie from the 20'and 30's and ragtime, as well as original blues, pop and classical.  In 2002 Sternberg won a Best New Florida Song award with his "Apalachicola Blues."

As a solo artist Steve Sternberg has been entertaining audiences from ages 3 to 103 throughout Florida since 1989.  He is loved for his versatility and for his upbeat, informative rapport with his listeners.  By popular demand Steve has been a regular performer at the Florida Folk Festival, the nation’s largest and oldest folk fest, for eight years.  In the past few years Sternberg has performed in house concerts in Tallahassee, Gainesville, Jacksonville, Tampa, Winter Haven and Boca Raton.

Sternberg has released three CDs.  His compositions “Apalachicola Blues” and  “Forgotten Coast Blues” are part of the soundtrack for the documentary “Apalachicola, Our Town” which aired on WFSU-TV in 2004 in the Tallahassee area.  ON WFSU’s local music series “Outloud,” the shows featuring Steve’s solo work and his duo with singer Mollie Lynne get regular airings as some of the most popular shows.

Please check out www.stevesternberg.com to view his active playing schedule, photos, to hear music samples and more.  Steve is open for bookings across Florida on Fridays through Sundays.  At the venue he prefers a good baby grand or upright, but can bring his keyboard if necessary.   Contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 850-893-4219 or 850-320-0010(cell).

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Richard Brobst is a singer/songwriter whose latest cd--MIGHT BE TODAY--has just been released by KMA Records in Nashville. Richards lyrics are a combination of Americana, folk and country. Keith Bradford, from The Nashville Broadcasting Radio Network, called them "Americountry." One of Richard's songs, "Sometimes the Moon," recently ranked in the Soundclick top 100. To sample Richard's cd, you can go to Soundclicks.com/Richard Brobst. Richard is available for house parties and special events.  Ph. (941) 475-4300 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

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