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March 21, 2003Bill Staines attracts folk devoteesMusician has been performing in area since 1994ByRecord-Eagle staff writer A funny thing happens when Bill Staines comes to town: fans who buy tickets to his concerts often walk away after as his friends. "His annual visit becomes, in essence, a family reunion," said local concert promoter Seamus Shinners. Northern Michigan's love affair with Staines began in 1994, when Shinners convinced the singer-songwriter to christen the now-defunct folk series at the Cedar Tavern, for years one of the most popular places in Leelanau County for live music. Staines stuck around after his set to play backup guitar for Third Coast, the tavern's unofficial house band, and the rest is history. Staines will make what has come to be his annual tour in the region March 27-29, when he'll perform in three venues. And this time around, his friends in Third Coast - now called New Third Coast - will play backup. Shows begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Elk Rapids Town Hall and at 8 p.m. Friday, March 28, at Rhonda's Wharfside Restaurant in Frankfort. Staines also will present a free solo show for children and their families at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 29, at the Traverse Area District Library. The 45-minute program is recommended for children ages 4-10. Like the title character of his award-winning family album, Staines has been a happy wanderer for more than 30 years, playing festivals, folk song societies, colleges, concerts, clubs and coffeehouses all over North America. Traveling with his cowboy hat, Martin guitar and a growing collection of songs about home, love, work and life, he has become a legend of contemporary folk music. Staines' original songs, which recall the landscapes and characters he's known, have been published in songbooks and recorded by other musicians including Maken and Clancy, Nanci Griffith, Mason Williams, Grandpa Jones, Priscilla Herdman and Jerry Jeff Walker. Many, like "River," "Roseville Fair" and "A Place in the Choir," are modern standards and have taken their place beside the well-worn songs of folk tradition. "It is probably safe to say that nearly every local folk singer knows at least one Bill Staines tune," said Shinners. A native New Englander, Staines became involved with the Boston-Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960s. Winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival's 1975 national yodeling championship, Staines has recorded 22 albums. He has appeared on National Public Radio's "A Prairie Home Companion," "Mountain Stage" and "The Good Evening Show" and has hosted programming on PBS and network television. Tickets for his northern Michigan performances with New Third Coast - Pat Niemisto, Chris Skellenger and John Kumjian - are $11 in advance and $13 at the door. Tickets for the Frankfort show are at Rhonda's Wharfside Restaurant, Frankfort Bookstore, East Shore Market in Beulah and Stacey's Flower Shop in Manistee. Tickets for the Elk Rapids show are at New Moon Records and Oryana Food Coop in Traverse City and Stuff and Such and The Corner Druggist in Elk Rapids. For more information, call 352-5300 or 941-1035. | |
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