We’ve just returned from a tour in New York and Mass. We had a great little run of shows, on the way to the Old Tone Roots Music Festival. The shows were a three-part bill featuring, the Foghorn Stringband, Farewell Alligator Man: a tribute to Jimmy C Newman, and the Cajun Country Revival. It was a lot variety in one evening’s performance, and we got to play with some of our favorite musicians, Jesse Lege, Joel Savoy, and Kelli Jones. This was the first time that Farewell Alligator Man had been performed live! The album by that name was released last December on Valcour Records, and all songs on the record were either written or recorded by Jimmy C Newman, Grand Ole Opry star from the 50’s until a few years ago when he passed away. The album features 4 lead singers, Kelli Jones, Joel Savoy, Caleb Klauder, and Reeb Willms. Gary Newman, Jimmy C Newman’s son plays bass on the album, Rusty Blake on steel, Ned Folkerth on drums, and Joel and Kelli on twin fiddles, and Caleb and Reeb on rhythm guitar, forming the main backing band.

Old Tone Roots Music Festival did not disappoint, and continues to be a joyous annual tradition for us as host band of the festival. We are proud to be part of it and really appreciate its mission to provide a strong & honored home for roots music. The lineup each year at this festival is awesome, the pace is relaxing, the food is local and delicious, the site is gorgeous, and everyone is nice! What more could we want. We worked while we were there in all kinds of iterations! Foghorn Stringband had a couple of sets on the main stage. Sammy and Nadine played with Jesse Lege and Kelli Jones as Cajun Country Revival in the dance tent. Caleb hosted the Honky Tonk Revue, an annual tradition of a house band backing many singers for a honky tonk dance. Farewell Alligator Man had a set on the main stage. The Caleb Klauder Country Band had a debut performance at Old Tone, featuring Mike Bub on bass! We also participated in various workshops and dance bands. Sammy and Travis Stewart did a set on the side stage. Caleb lead a mandolin workshop with legendary Frank Wakefield. Nadine lead a bass workshop with legendary Mike Bub. Sammy lead a fiddle workshop. (I guess I got off the hook on workshops this year!) Anyhow, leave it to say we really love and support this up and coming festival and hope you all will too! Join us next September in Hillsdale, NY at Cool Whisper Farm.

We did a little teaser Old Tone pre-release of our new album, Rock Island Grange. It will soon be released and widely available on our web store, and at CDBaby. We are very excited to get it out there, so spread the word and buy yourself a copy! We hope you enjoy our latest recording.

Foghorn Stringband can next be found in Kauai, HI in mid-November at the second annual Kauai Old Time Music Gathering! Pack your flip flops and a couple of bikinis and come join us! It will be a great mingling of old time musicians from the mainland and Hawaiian musicians from the islands.