An all-volunteer group of swell folks in the southern Vermont and New Hampshire borderlands have worked up a radio / TV / internet program featuring local and regional music, spoken word arts, science, and humanities, recorded live during listening events. Like the love child of “The Little Rascals” and “TED Talks” and “Tiny Desk Concerts.” Talented non-locals are also welcome to the stage if they’d like.
In support of Stage 33 Live, a nice Recording King parlor guitar is being raffled off — but this guitar has been signed by legends and legends-in-the-making! 
We’re talking about the likes of Dave Alvin, Billy Bragg, Peter Yarrow, Glyn Johns, Della Mae, Bill Kirchen, David Olney, Tom Russell, and many more. Each of them took pen in hand to sign this guitar in support of Stage 33 Live.
It’s the only one like it in the world. It could be yours.
RAFFLE CHANCES ARE NOW AVAILABLE. One for $5; three For $10; eight for $20. Easiest thing is to do it with plastic through Paypal (you do NOT need a Paypal account).
100% of all money raised helps make Stage 33 Live happen right.
Here’s a list of people who signed this guitar (alphabetically by last name, or band name, or other mysterious quantity).
Dave Alvin: singer-songwriter, guitarist, music producer, and poet. Founding member of the roots-rock band the Blasters, he was the group’s lead guitarist and chief songwriter. He’s been recording and performing as a solo artist since the late ’80s, and did stints with the bands X, The Knitters, The Flesh Eaters, Gun Club, and The Pleasure Barons. Grammy winner. Rolling Stone magazine: “an underrecognized guitar hero.” www.davealvin.net
The Ballroom Thieves are a dynamic trio (guitar, cello, percussion), sometimes described as “a rock band in a folk suit” although that misleads from their breadth. Repeat nominees and frequent winners of Boston Music Awards, including Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Live Artist Of The Year, Folk Artist Of The Year, Americana Artist of the Year, Best Male Vocalist. Keep your eyes and ears on this band. www.ballroomthieves.com
Birds of Chicago is an acclaimed Nashville-based band led by JT Nero and Allison Russell (formerly of acclaimed Canadian roots outfit Po’ Girl). They draw heavily on dynamic gospel tradition, and were called “near perfect Americana” by No Depression. Birds of Chicago have a fervent following. www.birdsofchicago.com
Billy Bragg, the English singer, songwriter, and activist. Although he had previously charted in England, in America his breakout song was Sexuality (1991). His music blends folk, punk, and protest. The estate of Woody Guthrie asked Bragg to set some of Woody’s unrecorded lyrics to music, leading to successful collaborations with Wilco and Natalie Merchant. “I don’t mind being labelled a political songwriter. The thing that troubles me is being dismissed as a political songwriter.” www.billybragg.co.uk
Caravan of Thieves are a theatrical and humorous gypsy swing band known for high energy shows. If Django Reinhardt, the cast of Stomp, and the Beatles had a party at Tim Burton’s house, Caravan of Thieves would be the band they hired. “… a touch of vaudeville, over-the-top theatricality, performance art and an all-but-the-kitchen sink collection of percussion utensils (and a hubcap).” – Huffington Post. www.caravanofthieves.com
Ben Carr is originally from Pennsylvania and relocated to Vermont in 2005 by way of New Orleans. His first love was drums, and he performs with a number of regional New England bands. He is also a passionate ukulele player and advocate; the Ben Carr Music Project is a funky meld of ukulele jazz, prog rock, and drum orchestrations.
Joe Crookston is a folk singer and songwriter, painter, lap slide player, fiddler, and storyteller. His first label album was chosen by Performing Songwriter Magazine as one of the top 12 self-produced independent recordings that year, and it was featured on NPR’s All Songs Considered, The Midnight Special, and Folkscene. His second album was chosen as Album of the Year by the International Folk Alliance. His shows are mystical, historical, humorous, and vivid. www.joecrookston.com
The Defibs for short. CBGB meets the Grand Ole Opry, pioneers in the Brooklyn country music scene. PopMatters called them “a drunken square dance on speed.” But don’t be fooled: the musicianship is first rate. Their indie honky-tonk truckerpunk is unmistakable. Get this: The Defibulators’ Songbook has been published by Mel Bay Publications. www.thedefibulators.com
Della Mae, the acclaimed bluegrass / folk / soul / old-time supergroup went on hiatus after six years of exhaustive touring and shortly after signing this guitar. It appears that they may be regrouping. The Nashville-based all-woman string band were IBMA’s Emerging Artists of the Year in 2013, Grammy nominees in 2014, and one of Rolling Stone’s “10 bands to watch for in 2015.” www.dellamae.com
Bobby Dove is an emerging alt-country singer / songwriter from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She’s shared stages with Justin Townes Earle, JD McPherson, Mary Gauthier, and others. Comparisons to Hank Williams have been made. She’ll still play grueling five-hour bar gigs in her hometown, even though she’s also played the Americana Music Festival in Nashville. That says something good about her connection to the music. www.bobbydove.com
Dan Foster, of York, UK, has a passion for the fiddle music of Ireland. He studied under master musicians Eileen O’Brien, Derek Hickey, and others at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance; and attained his Bachelor of Music degree with honors at The International Centre for Music, Newcastle University before relocating to the USA. He has a vast repertoire of jigs, reels, hornpipes, and slip-jigs, but also gigs in other styles when opportunities come along. www.danfosterfiddle.com
Lara Herscovitch is a singer-songwriter-poet, performer, and advocate. Her contemporary folk has blues, pop, and jazz flavors; authenticity, integrity, humor, and heart. Sound Waves Magazine said: “songwriting at its best… musical timing, memorable melodies, and compelling lyrics.” She is a past State Troubadour of Connecticut. She holds a BA in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts and a MSW in Policy from the University of Connecticut. www.laraherscovitch.com
Hungrytown has toured tirelessly and globally for more than a decade. The UK loves them particularly. The folk duo writes songs “that sound as timeless as any traditional songs” (Northern Sky, UK) that feature “remarkable… instrumental embellishment” (No Depression) and “gorgeous vocal harmonies” (Folk and Roots, UK). Hungrytown’s music has appeared on several domestic television shows, including Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, IFC’s Portlandia, and Netflix’s Lady Dynamite. www.hungrytown.net
Glyn Johns was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He was the producer or engineer of many of rock’s classic albums by such artists as The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, The Eagles, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt, The Band, Fairport Convention, Humble Pie, Small Faces, The Clash, and a ton more. Heck, he was up there running sound for The Beatles on the rooftop that time. ‘Nuff said? Dude is walking history – and just the nicest guy besides. www.glynjohns.com
Bill Kirchen, founder of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, who are on Rolling Stone’s Best 100 Albums of All Time. He’s still all about that great blood-and-guts honky tonk rockabilly Western swing. He saw Dylan go electric at Newport ’65, then caught The Lovin’ Spoonful at the Night Owl in NYC, and it “ruined me for normal work.” Bill’s pretty sure that he’s the only person to have, in a single year, stood on stage and played with both Ralph Stanley and Elvis Costello. www.billkirchen.com
Greg Klyma is a Gen X old-school populist troubadour and storyteller, keeping the American folk tradition alive through a lens of classic country, classic rock, and classic singer-songwriter. He traveled the folk circuit across the country for years, finally settling on Boston as home base. www.klyma.com
Lula Wiles is rooted in both traditional folk and modern songcraft. The three members swap instruments, songwriting, and fronting duties. Onstage, they gather around a single microphone, the way it used to be done. They were selected as Official Showcase Artists for the 2016 Folk Alliance International conference. No Depression predicts Lula Wiles “will be a huge force on the Americana scene for years to come.” www.lulawiles.com
Roger Marin has been playing Alternative Garage Roots for a long time; first as a teen alongside his roaming country music artist father, then several years of nonstop world touring with both Fred Eaglesmith and Willie P Bennett, before lighting out on his own. He’s worked with acts like Willie Nelson, Adam Caroll, Junior Brown, Del McCoury, Hayes Carll, and Delbert McClinton. His songwriting and stage performance are engaging and brimming with zest for life. www.rogermarin.com
The Meadows Brothers, Ian and Dustin, powerfully blend stripped down rock, country, blues, and folk with only a couple acoustic guitars, a harmonica, and incredible pipes. They took the stage while both were still in high school, and since then have logged tens of thousands of road miles, written a pile of songs, and are winning a fast-growing base of hardcore fans. www.meadowsbrothers.com
The Milkhouse Heaters are dear friends and neighbors of Stage 33 Live. We love them for their unwavering support of our community. It’s also cool that in a previous life they shared stages with The Black Crowes, Corey Glover, Fuel, Feeder, and Hum. And they’re on comps with G. Love & Special Sauce, Jack Johnson, Burning Spear, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. And their music’s been licensed to TV shows on ABC, VH1, MTV, and ESPN. So we’re not alone in our high regard for them. www.themilkhouseheaters.com
David Olney, the acclaimed Nashville-based singer/songwriter, has released more than 20 albums over four decades. His music has been featured in ABC-TV’s Nashville; his songs have been recorded by and co-written with Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Johnny Cash, Linda Ronstadt, Del McCoury, and many others. He’s known as a masterful wordsmith. Townes Van Zandt said, “Dave Olney is one of the best songwriters I’ve ever heard – and that’s true. I mean that from my heart.” www.davidolney.com
Glenn Roth is a fingerstyle player. His compositions suggest multiple guitars, but it’s really just one guy and his ten fingers. Glenn is a licensed performer in the MTA’s “Music under New York” program, playing for the most distracted and demanding audience in the world: workers rushing to their jobs. He also tours nationally and internationally. “A gifted player on the rise.” – 20th Century Guitar. www.glennroth.com
Tom Russell plies the American music traditions of folk, rock, and the cowboy music of the American West. His songs have been recorded by Johnny Cash, The Texas Tornados, k.d. lang, Guy Clark, Joe Ely, The Sir Douglas Quintet, Jason Boland, Nanci Griffith, Katy Moffatt, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Sailcat, Iris Dement, Dave Alvin, Suzy Bogguss, and more. In addition to being a journeyman singer-songwriter known for chronicling the life of blue-collar America, Russell is also a painter and author. www.tomrussell.com
Izzy Serebrov. As a piano-playing singer-songwriter with exceptional vocal control he leans on passion, quirkiness, and unusual, occasionally hypnotic structures in a pop framework. But he’s also an accomplished classical composer as well. And he’s still so young — barely legal! His musical future is still unfolding; wherever he takes it, pay attention. It’s going to be a fascinating ride. In-Studio at WOOL-FM
Spuyten Duyvil (pronounced “SPITE-en DIE-vul”) is a six-piece powerhouse that blends old time, blues, second line, bluegrass, and folk in a high-energy roots revival. No Depression wrote: “Infused in blues and smoked with folk… an Americana treasure chest.” Motif Magazine wrote: “Spuyten Duyvil are that rare breed of band that can cover songs written long before their grandparents were born, and reinterpret them so that an audience will swear on a stack of Rolling Stones that they are new.”
The Steel Wheels from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia are an exquisite string band that deftly weaves Americana, bluegrass, folk, fiddle, and old-time. Exquisite harmonies are a strength. “Smearing the boundaries separating blues, bluegrass, and gospel music, The Steel Wheels’ sound has earned the band multiple awards and a near-permanent place atop independent music and Americana charts.” – NPR. www.thesteelwheels.com
Dan Weber is an ex-park ranger, Eagle Scout, altar boy, and lifelong Deadhead who burst onto the festival scene from out of nowhere and became the classic mid-life overnight sensation. His songs have been described as Guthrie-esque, reminiscent of early John Prine, and having Harry Chapin-esque imagery. He’s a rare three-time finalist in the legendary Kerrville ‘New Folk’ competition, and has had two top finishes in the Woody Guthrie songwriting contest. www.danwebermusic.com
Willa Mamet + Paul Miller. Paul Miller has played with Coco and the Lonesome Road Band, Bluebird, Andy Shapiro, Breakaway, and the Bluegrass Gospel Project. Willa Mamet tried to major in music at school, but it was too far from the kitchen table: too many rules, not enough home. “The ability to choose classic material, and to arrange it so that people can appreciate it — either ‘all over again’ or for the first time — is an art… Willa Mamet and Paul Miller have exactly what it takes.” – Vermont Public Radio.
Woodsmith/Hersch (of Say Darling) are Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Celia Woodsmith of the acclaimed bluegrass band Della Mae, and critically lauded guitarist Chris Hersch of the alt-country rock band Girls Guns & Glory. They evoke the funky drive of Little Feat, the moving vocals of Bonnie Raitt, and the instrumental prowess of the Tedeschi-Trucks Band. www.saydarling.com
Peter Yarrow is the Peter part of the Grammy-winning, multiple-platinum, huge-in-every-way ’60s folk group Peter, Paul and Mary. He co-wrote Puff The Magic Dragon! He’s never stopped playing, singing, writing, and advocating for peace, compassion, and human rights. What more is there to say? www.peteryarrow.net
The Young Novelists are principally an exquisite Toronto-based duo, and occasionally a roots-rock band. The common thread is Graydon James and Laura Spink. They’re known for beautiful harmonies and songs culled from their small-town roots. They were recognized as Emerging Artist of the Year and nominated as Vocal Group of the Year at the Canadian Folk Music Awards, won the Grassy Hill Songwriting Competition, and finalists at the NewSong Music Competition. They tour internationally. www.theyoungnovelists.com
Brock Zeman is a Canada-based singer-songwriter and record producer carving and chiseling Americana soundscapes that draw from roots-rock and alternative country without conforming to Nashville rules or the traditional framework of genre. With an acoustic guitar and raspy voice a la Greg Brown, Tom Waits, and Mickey Newbury, Zeman has maintained the DIY ethos of his punk rock upbringing. His 13th studio album is expected in spring 2018. www.brockzeman.com
Rich Zurkowski. An enigma. A trans-genre wonder. Often a sideman, but has more to offer. Good luck tracking this guy down on the internet. You can Google him and find some stuff, but you won’t find a website for him. He’s too busy doing things. But we managed to find this YouTube channel… spend a few minutes in the purple-and-yellow series: www.youtube.com/user/mingmonk/videos
Notes:
- This will be a straight-up raffle.
- There are no paper tickets; each chance is assigned a unique number as it’s entered into a database.
- We intend to use a Third-Party Draw Service to determine the winner, probably www.random.org/draws/
- The number of tickets sold, and/or the cut-off date, are TBD. But the draw is planned for late 2018.
- An email address must be provided in order to win (email addresses will be used only for this raffle, they won’t be sold or transferred or repurposed).
- We’ll ship to the winner within the USA using a carrier of our choice. (That’s why we need your email address: so we can contact you for your shipping address when you win.)
- Many of the autographers also signed self-verification certificates (that will be delivered to the winner along with the guitar), although several did not; all of the signatures are bona fide, but third-party authentication is not provided.
Jan and Mike Sheehy from The Milkhouse Heaters came up with this fundraising idea, they donated the guitar, and they rounded up darn near all of the signatures. Jan and Mike are awesome. Anybody who knows them knows that.
