Ron Olesko's Folk Music Notebook

Stella Prince visits with Ron Olesko to discuss and share songs from her latest EP "Dear Future Me". “No one sings like Stella Prince,” says Grammy-winning producer and steel guitarist Steve Fishell (Dolly Parton, John Prine, Mavis Staples). “I was transported the first time I heard her and I bet you will be too.” Self-produced, Stella recorded a handful of songs for her Dear Future Me EP live at the legendary Sound Stage Studios where she worked with Fishell. Described by Nashville Scene as the artist “carrying the banner for a new generation of folk musicians”, Stella’s goal is to bring folk music to a new generation, describing her sound as “Gen Z Folk”. She recently made history as the youngest performer at this year’s Tin Pan South.

Phil Dodgers, a London-based singer and acoustic guitarist with the band The Men They Couldn't Hang visits with Ron Olesko to discuss and share songs from his new album "Far Rockaway: The Songs of Phil Ochs", recorded with John Kettle(Merry Hell).The album presents 11 songs which particularly resonated with Phil Dodgers on one level or another. It’s a mixture of politically themed and some of Och’s more personal or introspective songs - ones that Phil Ochs,perhaps, less widely known for. Originally aired on WFDU-FM and www.FolkMusicNotebook.com on April 14, 2024

Magpie, Terry Leonine and Greg Artzner, visit with Ron Olesko to discuss and share songs from their new album "Endless River". The album release celebrated their 50th anniversary as a performing duo. Since 1973, Terry and Greg have brought their unique sound and remarkable versatility to audiences everywhere, featuring traditional and vintage Americana to contemporary and stirring original compositions. Originally aired on WFDU-FM and www.FolkMusicNotebook.com on April 7, 2024

Jillian Matundan visits with Ron Olesko to discuss and share songs from her debut full-length album "Singing to the Moon". Jillian is an award-winning, multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter. Her music and style are a blend of her favorite acoustic, rock, indie, and folk influences and inspirations. She continues to win audiences with her deft and percussive guitar style, soothing vocals, and a warm, funny, unassuming stage presence. Originally aired on WFDU-FM and www.FolkMusicNotebook.com on March 10, 2024.

Singer-songwriter Christine Lavin visits with host Ron Olesko to discuss "The Seasons Project", a compilation of 80 songs and 63 artists celebrating the seasons of the year and more.

Host Ron Olesko visits with South African born singer-songwriter Sharon Katz who will share songs from the new album "For You" by Sharon Katz and the Peace Train. Take everything you love about South African rhythms and choirs; mix in some Cuban magic; add a dose of Philly jazz; tackle issues of love, loss, and adversity; and you get the latest album from global activists Sharon Katz & The Peace Train

Buffalo born and bred singer-songwriter Davey O. (www.daveyo.com) visits with host Ron Olesko to share songs from his new EP "Some Days". Davey O. has been described by Buffalo News critic Jeff Miers as having "a journalist’s eye for detail and poet’s ear for the well-turned observation". Embarking on a twenty year journey that has resulted in a collection of justly-earned, highly introspective songs, Davey crafts pure Americana that is not of the social and political consciousness, but drawn from the deep well of experience and human emotion - no hackneyed story lines, no insincere polish, just an unflinching poet's look at life.

Host Ron Olesko sits down with acclaimed singer-songwriters TOM PAXTON and JOHN McCUTCHEON to discuss and share songs from their album "Together". Tom and John also share stories about songwriting and give their views on the contemporary folk scene.

Catherine Miles and Jay Mafale visit with host Ron Olesko to discuss their latest album "Be Brave" and share their thoughts on creating music since the pandemic.

Singer-songwriter Stella Prince (www.stellaprincemusic.com)returns to Traditions to update us on her latest songs and projects. Since her last visit with host Ron Olesko two years ago, Stella has moved to Nashville and created a new all-female singer-songwriter showcase series at a local venue, which she is now taking on the road to New York City and London. Stella also shares some of her latest songs.

Pete and Maura Kennedy (www.kennedysmusic.com)visit with host Ron Olesko to share songs from their new album "Headwinds", their first studio album of original songs in five years. The Kennedys discuss creating music during the pandemic and now being able to tour again.

Swedish born singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik (www.sofiatalvik.com) visits with host Ron Olesko to discuss her new album "Center of the Universe" and to share stories about life as a touring artist on two continents.

Host **Ron Olesko** welcomes **Allan Pepper**, co-founder of the legendary Greenwich Village club _The Bottom Line_. Allan shares music from a new CD featuring a concert given by **Jorma Kaukonen** at _The Bottom Line._

Ron Olesko shares a conversation with vocalist Betina Hershey and multi-instrumentalist Nick Russo of the band THE SCOOCHES, discussing and sharing songs from their just-released 'LIFT YOU UP,’ the celebrated group’s third full-length album. The Queens-based band, formerly known as Banjo Nickaru & Western Scooches, raise their voices, their instruments, their consciousness, with an eclectic melting pot of original music inspired by world folk traditions, global Americana, New Orleans verve and the unfettered exuberance of the 1920s.

Ron Olesko visits with the duo Robinson and Rohe (Liam Robinson and Jean Rohe) to discuss their new album "Into the Night".

Ron Olesko welcomes Annie Bartholomew to the show from her home in Juneau, Alaska. Annie has released her debut album "Sisters of White Chapel"

Ron Olesko visits with The Rough and Tumble, the duo featuring Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, about their latest album "Only This Far". (www.theroughandtumble.com)

Host Ron Olesko visits with folksinger/educator and co-founder of Godfrey Daniels, Dave Fry (www.davefrymusic.com). Dave discusses his new book _Welcome to Godfrey Daniels_ and the history of the iconic venue in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.

Rik Palieri (www.rikpalieri.com) sits down with host Ron Olesko to share songs from his forthcoming album "Hands of Time" and to talk about his 50th anniversary as a performing artist.

Reggie Garrett visits with Ron Olesko to discuss his new album "York's Lament and Other Stories" an album that has been in the making Reggie’s entire life. Reggie takes us on an odyssey exploring various aspects of Black life in America. In keeping with his expansive approach to music, much of the subject matter and musical styles step outside genres usually associated with contemporary Black music. Reggie has been performing throughout the U.S. and Canada for a number of years. Based in Seattle, Washington he performs mostly original songs mixed with pop covers and more traditional style folk ballads. He is the purveyor of a unique urban strain of (mostly) acoustic music incorporating a number of diverse influences, including: Folk, Latin rhythms, Blues, Gospel, Celtic, Rock, Jazz and more. The result is a musical blend that has excited and touched audiences throughout the U.S. and Canada.