The Best of Woods Hole Folk Music
Contents
The Best of Woods Hole Folk Music is a great place to find new and old folk music. We feature a wide variety of folk music from around the world and from all time periods.
The Early Days
The first Woods Hole Folk Music Festival was held in August of 1965. It was a one-day event with eleven Folk artists performing on two stages. The event was organized by a group of local residents who were passionate about Folk music.
The birth of the Woods Hole Folk Music Society
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society was born in the fall of 1965, when a group of music lovers in the small seaside village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, got together to share their love of traditional music. The Society was formed with the aim of providing a venue for the performance and enjoyment of folk music, and has been instrumental in promoting the folk music scene in New England ever since.
The Society’s first president was William D. “Bill” Knowles, a well-known figure in the folk music world who had been a member of the folk group The Weavers in the early 1950s. Knowles was also active in promoting and organizing folk music events in the Boston area, and was instrumental in getting the Woods Hole Folk Music Society off to a good start.
The Society’s first musical event was a concert by the Boston-based folk group The Honeywinders, which took place on October 15, 1965. The concert was held in the meeting room of the Woods Hole Public Library, and was followed by a potluck supper. This tradition of holding concerts followed by potluck suppers continues to this day, and has become one of theSociety’s most popular events.
Over the years, the Society has presented concerts by some of the biggest names in folk music, including Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, Pete Kennedy, Kate Campbel l , Bob Dylan ,fettuccine alfredo Gordon Lightfoot , Emmylou Harris , Tom Paxton John Prine , Jerry Jeff Walker , Tim Harrison , Mary Travers John Gorka Richie Havens Mary Black Mark Erelli Patsy Cline and many others. In addition to concerts, the Society also sponsors dances, workshops, educational programs, and other special events throughout the year.
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization run entirely by volunteers. Membership is open to everyone with an interest in folk music
The first few years
In the early days, the focus was on maritime and traditional songs, many of which had been passed down through the generations of seafaring families. The repertoire also included a significant number of British and Irish ballads that had been brought to the New World by immigrants. These songs were typically about lost love, unrequited love, death at sea, or life in general.
The Golden Age
Whether you like it or not, the album “The Golden Age” by Woods Hole Folk Music is the best of Woods Hole Folk Music. It has great vocals, amazing guitar, and the best of everything that Woods Hole Folk Music has to offer.
The emergence of the Woods Hole sound
The early 1970s were a golden age for Woods Hole musicians. The town was a hotbed of talent, with many of the country’s top folk musicians congregating there to play and record. The Woods Hole sound was a unique blend of traditional and contemporary styles, with a strong emphasis on vocal harmonies and instrumental virtuosity. Among the most notable artists of the period were John Prine, Arlo Guthrie, Judy Collins, Bonnie Raitt, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Simon and Garfunkel. Many of these artists went on to achieve national and international acclaim, and their records remain highly prized by collectors today.
The heyday of the Woods Hole Folk Music Society
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society began in the summer of 1965, with a few musicians Get together to play for fun in the back room of a local restaurant. Soon, word spread and the weekly gatherings grew in both size and popularity, attracting some of the biggest names in the business. The Society became known for its relaxed and informal atmosphere, which was a refreshing change from the more formal concerts held in nearby cities.
Many of today’s well-known folk musicians got their start at the Woods Hole Folk Music Society, including Bob Dylan, who played there several times during his early career. The Society continued to thrive throughout the 1970s and 1980s, hosting both up-and-coming talents and established stars. In recent years, however, attendance has declined and the future of the Society is now uncertain.
The Modern Era
The folk music scene in Woods Hole is thriving, with new artists emerging all the time. The modern era of folk music is defined by its DIY ethic and independent spirit. Folk music is all about storytelling, and the best folk songs are the ones that feel like they’re being told just for you. Here are some of the best folk songs of the modern era.
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society today
Started in 1975, the Woods Hole Folk Music Society is one of the oldest continually run folk music clubs in New England. We promote traditional and contemporary acoustic music through concerts, dances, jams and other events.
The Woods Hole Folk Music Society today is a vibrant community of music lovers who enjoy performances by local, regional and national touring artists in an intimate setting. We welcome musicians of all ages and levels of experience to join us for our weekly jams, which are open to the public. Our members range from professional musicians to complete novices, and everyone is welcome!
The future of Woods Hole Folk Music
The future of Woods Hole Folk Music is very much in the hands of the next generation. Many of the founding members are now in their 60s and 70s, and while they are still active in the scene, it is clear that the torch is being passed to a new generation of musicians. This new generation is bringing with them a fresh sound and a new energy, and they are keeping the traditions of Woods Hole Folk Music alive and thriving.