Fondy Acoustic Music Alliance

Recordings by FAMA Members

Ageless Harmony Find out more by visiting Ageless Harmony's web site	Ageless Harmony plays tunes from America's musical past as well as modern folk music. Mary Park, a member of the group, also performs songs that she has composed in the folk tradition. Listen to the full, rich tone of the autoharp and the unique sound of the mountain dulcimer played by Mary, with Juanita backing her up on the guitar. Watch Ray playing his washtub bass (and maybe try your hand at playing it yourself). You will be encouraged to clap your hands and sing along. Youąll probably recognize some of the old traditional tunes and youąll learn some new ones.
Shady Grove Order a Shady Grove CD, Book a gig with Shady Grove, Just contact John VandeZande at jvzlvz@hotmail.com or give John a call at 920-921-7891.	Shady Grove was founded out of pure enjoyment for acoustic music. Four guys brought together their musical talent after meeting at jam sessions and getting together to work out new songs. Shady Grove has been described as laid-back, toe tapping, warm-hearted acoustic music, a throwback to the'60s folk scene. The Shady Grove sound is Bob Berger - vocals, lead guitar, mandolin, harmonica, John VandeZande - vocals, banjo, and dobro, Bruce Hahn - vocals, rhythm guitar, mandolin, Joe Litjens - bass guitar. The CD of Shady Grove "Another Season Comes Along" is a culmination of tunes original and cover songs that we have enjoyed playing over the years and finally got into a studio to record.
Tracy Jane Comer For bookings or information or just to say hi, send email to info@tracycomer.com or use the feedback form at www.tracycomer.com . Visit the web site to hear many song samples!	NC-born Tracy Jane Comer was nominated for BEST ACOUSTIC ARTIST and BEST ACOUSTIC ALBUM in the 2004 Madison Area Music Awards. She presents mesmerizing multi-flavored original folk/pop with skillful instrumental work (guitar/piano/cello) and clear, honest vocals reminiscent of Judy Collins and Joni Mitchell. Her music is subtly influenced by a varied musical background including classical, folk, rock, show tunes, choral music, and early music. A multi-instrumentalist, Tracy studied music at both undergraduate and graduate levels at institutions in North Carolina and Wisconsin. She has become a frequent guest on the Higher Ground radio show (Wisconsin Public Radio) and has made several television appearances including three full concerts in the last two years. Her debut CD from 2002, Second Wind, contains 13 original all-acoustic tracks with guest appearances by other musicians in addition to her own performances on guitar/vocals, cello, piano, and hammered dulcimer. In 2004 she released both a 6-song EP of solo vocal/guitar material, plus a full-length CD entitled "Quietly There" containing 14 tracks (13 originals plus Lennon/McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby.") The new album, produced by Randy Green, includes tracks ranging from lively band arrangements to intimate acoustic ballads accented with cello and harp and hammered dulcimer. Her music has also been featured on two compilation CDs on the Spiritone Record label: Words (2002) and One on One (2004), both of which highlight music of various Wisconsin musicians. She is also a member of the Madison-based acoustic trio Sticky Fingers.
Craig Alan & Julie Hagen For booking info: ckjbreeze@yahoo.com. Listen to Craig and Julie's music.	Craig Alan (Bruesewitz) has been writing songs and performing for over 20 years. Julie Hagen has been singing with Craig, on and off in bands and as a duo, since 1987. They worked together in the bands "The Poodle Haters" and "Too Bad About Murp". Busy lives, geographical moves put distance between them. A spiritual maturity, in both of them, and God's infinite wisdom brought them back together to perform their music again since the spring of 2001. They have since released a 14 track inspirational CD of songs that Craig has written over the years titled *Peace of the Falling Sky. In December of 2002 Craig and Julie released, That's the Way Life Is* a collection of their most requested songs from the past and the present. 2003 looks to be a productive year for Craig and Julie's music.
Josh Calhoun For booking info call 920-232-0755	Josh Calhoun is a performing songwriter from Wisconsin who writes music that speaks to people by pulling them in with meaningful lyrics and soulful melodies. Some reoccurring themes underlying his music include, hope, the family, childhood storytelling, the spiritual, and a look at the simple in a new way. "I want to tell a story with my music and present a positive upbeat vibe through my songs." Josh pulls from many musical genres, which have provided good soil for his songs. He comes from a strong folk music background from a lyrical perspective; however there is an emphasis on the "groove" of a tune from a rhythm point of view as well. His guitar playing is a diverse combination of fingerpicking ballads to swinging flat picking, and switching gears to alternate tuning with a funky rhythm. A phrase that comes to mind when explaining Josh's music would be "variety is the spice of life."
Laughing Whitefish For booking info: lwhitefish@yahoo.com or call Dan - (920)738-0254 or Chuck - (920)469-0749. Listen to Laughing Whitefish's music.	Laughing Whitefish is a folk music quartet performing original and traditional music in East Central Wisconsin. Styles include old-time country, celtic, gospel, bluegrass, and contemporary song writers. The group is composed of: Chuck Thomas - Vocals, Banjo, Mandolin, Bouzouki, Bagpipe; Kari Sternkopf - Vocals, Violin, Cello, Recorders; John Simonis - Lead Vocals, Guitar; and Dan Geddes - Vocals, Mountain & Hammer Dulcimer, Bass.
Steve Rosenberg The man is gone, but the spirit still remains. You can get Steve's CD by email or call Debbie at 920-922-8961	Steve Rosenberg has been playing guitar and writing songs over 25 years. He has played in duos, trios, and bands (including for plays like Godspell and Little Shoppe of Horrors), but seldom as a solo. However, as a result of having so many great opportunities to perform solo in recent years and with a desire to have a good record of his songs, he enlisted the help of many of his Fondy Acoustic Music Alliance friends and others to record *Long Story Short* . There are thirteen original songs (two co-written with Craig Alan) plus one written solely by Craig Alan. The songs range from the silly "Getting Old Blues" to memories of Steve's grandfathers in "Cobb and Herman" to the semi-spiritual "Man Plants." Love and hope are recurring themes on the CD.
David Stoddard For booking info: david_stoddard@hotmail.com. Check out David's website and learn more about him.	"For those of you unfamiliar with my peculiar brand of piano-based folk music, here's what you should know. It's influenced by folk, blues, gospel, jazz, pop, country and soul. My playing style is firmly rooted in the ragtime and stride jazz of the early 20th century, while my lyrical style has been called thoroughly modern, with my character studies and satire drawing comparisons to Randy Newman, Tom Waits and Loudon Wainwright III. My piano solo pieces have drawn comparisons to George Winston and Dr. John." -d stoddard
Shauna Wells For booking info: shauna_wells@hotmail.com . Check out Shauna's website and learn more about her.	Shauna Wells performs lyrical folk music with a unique pop style and a contemporary edge. A Michigan native, Wells writes songs on topics ranging from migrant farm workers to Ford Pinto cars. Wisconsin Woman Magazine describes her as One of Wisconsin's finest songwriters. Wells is a charismatic singer-songwriter whose infectious melodies and powerful vocals have launched a great breath of musical fire into the contemporary folk scene. Her first full-length release, *Burn Up the Sun* ) , brims with tales of old lovers and old cars, in addition to more serious material dealing with world events and her experience as a special education teacher. Think Joni Mitchel and Pete Seeger, tempered with pop and rock so it doesnít come off with so much sentimentality." (Poynette Press).
Dorothy Zerbe To order a CD or to book a performance or just to say "Hi", contact Dorothy at: altogetherdot@hotmail.com or phone (920)303-5715.	Dorothy Zerbe is a musician and songwriter from Oshkosh. Her songwriting is influenced by friends, family, nature, the spiritual journey, and her original, memorable melodies. Listeners may recognize themselves in her themes. Dorothy blends her classical piano training into flowing accompaniments beneath her pure, compelling voice. Dorothy also brings out her guitar to complete her contemporary folk or blues-country style. She also capably covers songs by Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, John Denver, Cat Stevens, Bob Dylan, Kate Wolf, Iris Dement, Lennon/McCartney, Tom Paxton and others. Her wide repertoire and personality make her a popular choice for any age audience, whether in elementary school classrooms, at weddings, folk festivals or children’s workshops. One of her songs, "Box in the Wood", was written for fellow actors in Shawano, who later adopted the song title as the name of their Theatre Guild. In 2001 Dorothy recorded her first CD entitled "A Long Way To Go", 18 of her original songs.