summer@LAVA

Called “one of the finest pure musicians in folkdom” by the Boston Globe, Tracy Grammer is a writer, actor, musician and singer known in folk circles for her soothing vocals, spirited fiddle, entertaining stories, and punchy, intricate guitar work. A one-time member of Joan Baez’s band, she has traveled throughout North America, Europe, and Japan playing her own songs and those of her favorite writers, while also paying tribute to beloved songwriter Dave Carter, with whom she performed and recorded from 1996 until his sudden death in 2002. She lives in Greenfield, Mass.

Jim Henry is an accomplished songwriter and one of folk and Americana’s go-to instrumentalists, who spent three-years as a member of Grammy-winner Mary Chapin Carpenter’s band. He hosted the PRO-TIPS for MUSICIANS podcast and published 50 PRO-TIPS FOR MUSICIANS in 2019. With an arsenal that includes acoustic/electric guitars, Dobro, and mandolin, Henry adds whatever the songs require – be that rich, ambient textures or sparkling solos – all with a mystifying ease. He lives in Shutesbury, Mass.

The Tracy Grammer & Jim Henry duo is synonymous with impeccable musicianship, tight harmonies, a diverse repertoire, and the kind of musical chemistry and humorous banter you’d expect from musicians who have been playing together for 20 years. A typical show includes original songs by each artist, instrumentals, creatively reimagined cover songs, and highlights from Dave Carter’s award-winning catalog.

Learn more about Tracy Grammer at http://www.tracygrammer.com
Learn more about Jim Henry at http://www.jimhenry.net

Eirnín (EJ) is a 23 year old, nonbinary musician who has been singing as long as they can remember, and playing guitar since the 2019 quarantine. While they have an affinity for folk music, they play anything from that to indie to the occasional pop song.

Farley String Band will entertain with rousing old-time fiddle tunes, jigs, reels, airs, and beautiful slow waltzes.

All together they play an impressive assortment of instruments including hammer dulcimer, accordion, bodhran, bones and MORE!

The Farley String Band consists of nine local musicians playing traditional folk and fiddle tunes with many of those tunes originally coming from Ireland and Scotland. The principal instruments are violin, guitar, banjo, hammered dulcimer, accordion, mandolin, recorder and bodhran. Some of the members play multiple instruments including harmonica, penny whistle and bones.

The group began about seven years ago when Harry Sharbaugh and Wes Green got together regularly to play old time music, Wes on banjo and Harry on hammered dulcimer. Later, Harry’s wife Sue joined in with her accordion, as did their friend, Steve Winters on guitar. The group began performing publicly after Shirley Tripp (violin) and Alfred Barten (mandolin, tenor banjo) joined the group. Since then other members have been added.

Members include:
Harry Sharbaugh (hammered dulcimer, recorder, harmonica)
Sue Sharbaugh (accordion)
Wes Green (clawhammer banjo)
Steve Winters (guitar)
Shirley Tripp (violin)
Lisa Cornish (violin)
Alfred Barten (mandolin, tenor banjo)
Doug Selwyn (flute)
Robert Lord (Bodhran, pennywhistle, harmonica, bones)

Musician Michael Nix presents “Memory Hoard,” a multimedia presentation incorporating video, recordings, photos and readings from 1983 to 2023. “Memory Hoard” explores Nix’s wide range of creative work as a composer, guitarist, banjoist and writer.

Michael Nix performs on classical guitar, Banjar, banjo and mandolin, throughout the United States and Asia; has recorded for the PBS series, “American Experience,” several independent documentaries and numerous CD projects; and his compositions are performed internationally. His music has been heard on “Weekend Edition” and other NPR programs. His new solo Banjar album of compositions and commissions, Aperçu was released on PARMA Recordings Big Round Records.

A banjo innovator, Nix designed the Banjar; a modern seven nylon string banjo combining elements of the five-string banjo and classical guitar; bringing the classic finger-style banjo of the late 1800’s into the twenty-first century. His instrumentals, songs and compositions draw from classic finger style banjo and guitar, infused with folk, jazz and world music traditions.

Joe Graveline picked up the guitar in 1964 and by 1966 was playing with a number of local established acts. Joe toured up and down the east coast and Canada playing as much as 200 nights a year sharing the stage with many world class musicians including Johnny Winter, Chuck Barry, Albert King, The Cars, and many others. In 1985 he got off the road to start a business and be with his family. Joe’s song writing is story driven with his life experience being the inspiration. His original music is melodic and often moody accompanied with a guitar style which expands and challenges folk, pop, and the blues. Joe’s guitar playing starts to tell the story even before he starts to sing the first lyric. Joe says the guitar is ever expanding not unlike the universe which offered up the star dust that created the wood and steel that make up his guitar.

Joining Joe is musical artist and poet, Nina Gross. Nina grew up in the Hudson Valley in a musical home and community that valued the arts. As a child, Nina was drawn to the viola for its depth, finding it to be an expressive instrument that can sing to the soul, much as the human voice. Nina teaches classical music locally and you may see her performing poetry at open mics. Nina especially enjoys the immediacy of improvisation. “If I center myself at the core of the music and the lyric, breathing in that space, I can engage with my heart and ear, allowing it to move through me in an open exploration.”

“I find a great affinity with Joe. Working with Joe these past few year has been real pleasure.”