Branford Folk Music Society: A History
Branford Folk Music Society: A History is a blog that tells the history of the Branford Folk Music Society.
Introduction
The Branford Folk Music Society (BFMS) was founded in 1964 by a small group of people in the town of Branford, Connecticut, who shared a love of traditional music. The Society is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and performance of traditional music from around the world.
We hold regular concerts and dances featuring local, regional, and national performers, as well as workshops and other events. We also maintain a lending library of folk instruments and a Folk Music Camp Scholarship Fund. Our monthly newsletter keeps members up to date on BFMS activities and events happening in the folk music world.
The Early Years
The Branford Folk Music Society was founded in 1965 by a group of music enthusiasts. The Society’s mission was to promote and preserve folk music. The early years were a time of growth and expansion for the Society. The Society held its first concert in 1965, and by 1967, the Society had grown to over 100 members. The Society continued to grow in the 1970s, and by the 1980s, the Society had become one of the largest folk music organizations in the country.
The founding of the Society
In the early 1960’s, decrying the lack of live music in Branford, a few locals started playing together informally. Those early sessions were the genesis of what would become the Branford Folk Music Society. The Society was formally founded in 1966.
The founding members were: Dave Gregory, Eva Gregory, Bob Weinberg, Charlie Birlin, Robin Roberts (later replaced by John Roberts), and Mary Lou Hildebrandt. Most were singers; Charlie Birlin played guitar and John Roberts played banjo. Dave and Eva Gregory were the mainstays of the Society for its first two decades – organizing concerts, producing a monthly newsletter, maintaining a huge record and book collection (which was later donated to the Library), and serving as webmaster for our first website.
In its earliest years, the Society presented mostly traditional folk artists in coffeehouses and various rented venues around Branford. One of our favorite early venues was “The Barn” on North Main Street – an actual barn which had been converted into a shop selling natural fibers fabrics (wool, linen, hemp). The Barn had high ceilings which made it great for acoustic music; we often had full houses there. Another popular venue in those days was Stony Creek Brewery (before it became a restaurant). We also held concerts at suppressor shops and art galleries and – believe it or not – even at MENSA meetings! In those early years we also held an annual hootenanny picnic at Stony Creek beach where everyone brought food to share and jam sessions broke out all over the park.
The first few years
The Branford Folk Music Society had its beginnings in the early 1960s when a group of friends got together to play music and sing. They met informally at each other’s homes, and sometimes at the local coffeehouses that were popular at the time. The players were mostly young people in their 20s who were exploring the new genre of folk music that was becoming popular.
The core group of friends consisted of Bob and Anne Gaudio, Dave Van Ronk, Mary Travers, Paul Simon, and Art Garfunkel. They were joined by other musicians who were equally passionate about folk music, including Richie Havens, John Sebastian, David Grisman, and Jerry Jeff Walker. The informal gatherings soon turned into formal concerts, and the Branford Folk Music Society was born.
In the early years, the Society presented both traditional and contemporary folk artists from all over the world. The first few years saw performances by such legendary figures as Woody Guthrie, Leadbelly, Pete Seeger, Odetta, Joan Baez, and Bob Dylan. The focus was on music that was socially relevant and had something to say about the world around us. The concerts were held in various venues around Branford, including churches, schools, and community centers.
As the years went by, the Society continued to present both well-known and lesser-known folk artists from all over the world. In recent years, performers have included Ani DiFranco, Dar Williams, Tracy Chapman, John Prine, Emmylou Harris, Iris DeMent, Mary Gauthier,, Tim O’Brien,, Leo Kottke,, Kathy Mattea,, Lori McKenna,, Cheryl Wheeler,, Steve Forbert,, Roy Book Binder,, Janis Ian,, Odetta,, Martin Sexton,, John Gorka,, Arlo Guthrie,, Richie Havens,, Donovan,, Joan Baez,, David Bromberg,, Maija Gutmanis (of Latvian descent), Natalie Merchant,, Tom Paxton,, Tom Russell,, Si Kahn,, Garnet Rogers (brother of Stan Rogers), Cosy Sheridan (winner of both Kerrville New Folk competition & USA Songwriting Competition), must be added to list)
The 1970s
The Branford Folk Music Society (BFMS) was founded in May, 1971 by a group of people who wanted to share their love of traditional music with others in the community. The Society has been an important part of the Branford community ever since, providing a place for musicians to come together and play the music they love. TheBFMS is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization.
The Society in the 1970s
In the 1970s, the Branford Folk Music Society helped to foster the growing interest in folk music by organizing concerts and dance events featuring both local and touring performers. The Society also sponsored an annual Folk Festival, which attracted music lovers from all over New England.
The 1970s were a period of great change for the Society. In 1971, the membership elected its first female president, Rosemary Green. Green was a passionate advocate for folk music and Dance, and under her leadership the Society grew rapidly. By the end of the decade, the Branford Folk Music Society had become one of the largest and most active folk music organizations in New England.
The Society continued to sponsoring events throughout the region, including concerts, dances, and workshops. In 1974, the Society hosted its first out-of-state performer, Mike Seeger of The New Lost City Ramblers. Seeger’s visit was a huge success, and paved the way for future touring performers such as Alice Gerrard, Bob Carlin, Maybelle Carter, and Hazel Dickens.
The 1970s were also a decade of change for society member Tom Paley. In 1972, Paley left The New Lost City Ramblers to form his own group, The Old Time String Band. The band quickly became one of the most popular old-time groups in America, and toured extensively throughout the decade.
The growth of the Society
In the years following its founding in 1963, the Branford Folk Music Society grew rapidly. By 1970, the Society had over 100 members and was holding regular concerts and jam sessions. The Society’s popularity coincided with the growth of the folk music scene in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, folk music experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to the rise of singer-songwriters like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez. The Branford Folk Music Society played an important role in this revival, bringing folk music to new audiences in Connecticut.
In addition to hosting concerts and jam sessions, the Society also ran a successful folk music festival called the Branford Folk Festival. The Festival featured performances by some of the biggest names in folk music, including Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, and Peter, Paul and Mary. The Festival was held annually from 1971 to 1975 and was one of the largest folk festivals in New England.
The 1970s were an exciting time for the Branford Folk Music Society. The Society continued to grow in popularity, hosting some of the biggest names in folk music. The Society also played an important role in promoting folk music in Connecticut.
The 1980s
In the early 1980s, the Branford Folk Music Society (BFMS) was a small but active organization, with a core group of about fifteen to twenty members who attended most meetings and events. The Society met monthly, usually on the first Wednesday of the month, in the social hall of the First Congregational Church on the Green in Branford, Connecticut. Meetings began with a potluck supper, followed by an open mic.
The Society in the 1980s
By the early 1980s, the Society had firmly established itself as a mainstay of the Connecticut music scene. Performances were held in a variety of venues around the state, including schools, churches, and community centers. In addition to local talent, the Society began attracting nationally-known musicians to its concerts. The 1980s also saw the establishment of the Troubadour Folk Music Club, a smaller group that presented more intimate performances in members’ homes.
The expansion of the Society
In the early 1980s, the Branford Folk Music Society began to expand its activities beyond just holding concerts. The Society started hosting coffeehouses and open mics, which provided a venue for local musicians to perform. The coffeehouses were held in various locations around Branford, including private homes, churches, and even the local public library. The open mics were usually held in restaurants or pubs. In addition to hosting these events, the Society also began publishing a monthly newsletter, which featured articles about folk music as well as listings of upcoming events.
The 1990s
The Branford Folk Music Society (BFMS) was founded in 1965 by a group of local musicians and music lovers. The Society’s mission is to promote and preserve traditional and contemporary folk music and dance and to provide educational and performance opportunities for the community. The BFMS is one of the oldest and most active folk music organizations in the country. In the early 1990s, the BFMS underwent a period of transition.
The Society in the 1990s
In the early 1990s, the Branford Folk Music Society lost two of its most active and enthusiastic supporters when Marjorie and Mervyn Davies moved to Florida. Branford was much quieter without them but Society members soldiering on included Anne Integrated, who became newsletter editor in 1992, and John McKenna, webmaster from 1996 to 1999. During this period the membership hovered at about 30 people.
The concerts continued with a variety of performers including Davey Arthur, Dervish, Jim Maloney and Caitlin Hanford, Cathie Ryan, Gordon Bok, Holly Tannen, Joe Jencks, Robin and Linda Williams and many more. In 1993 the Society inaugurated an annual contradance which quickly became one of its most successful events. The dances featured well-known callers such as Dudley Laufman (a member of the National Heritage Fellows program), Chris Anderson and George Marshall. Different string bands provided the music each year until 1998 when contra dancing was discontinued due to dwindling attendance.
The continued growth of the Society
In the 1990s, the Branford Folk Music Society continued to grow, both in size and in reputation. The Society became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 1992, which helped it to obtain grant money and other forms of financial support. The addition of a permanent stage in 1996 made the Society’s concerts even more popular, and by the end of the decade, the Society was widely considered to be one of the premier folk music organizations in New England. The 1990s also saw the start of the Society’s annual “Folk Fest” celebration, which has become one of Branford’s most popular summer events.
The 2000s
The Society in the 2000s
In the early 2000s, the Society continued to offer a wide variety of activities and concerts. New types of events were added, such as an Annual Songwriters Showcase, featuring local songwriters performing their original work. The Society also started is own Record label, Fireheart Records, which released CDs by many of the artists who performed at the club. The Folk Music Society was a featured performer at many local festivals, including the Branford Festival and the Dixieland Jazz Festival.
In 2001, the Society celebrated its 25th anniversary with a series of special events. A coffee-table book about the history of the club was published, and a concert was held featuring some of the most popular performers from the past quarter-century.
The 9/11 attacks in 2001 led to a decrease in membership and attendance at concerts, as people stayed home more and traveled less. But by 2003, things were starting to pick up again, and the Society began to offer more events than ever before. In 2004, the Club won an award from Connecticut Magazine as one of the state’s top live music venues.
The Branford Folk Music Society continued to thrive in the 2000s, offering its members and fans a wide variety of concerts and other events.
The continued expansion of the Society
The Society continued to grow in the 2000s, with a wider range of activities and an increased focus on community outreach. The Society began hosting regular concerts and events at the Branford Green, as well as partnering with the Branford Festival to provide live music at the annual event. The Society also started a monthly open mic night, which quickly became a popular gathering place for local musicians.
In addition to its musical activities, the Society also expanded its educational offerings, holding workshops on topics such as songwriting and music theory. The Society also started a “Musicians in the Schools” program, which brings performers into local schools to give students a taste of live music.
The Branford Folk Music Society has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the 1970s. Thanks to the dedication of its members and supporters, it has become an important part of the Branford community and an essential part of the town’s musical culture.
The 2010s
The Branford Folk Music Society was founded in 2010 by a group of friends who wanted to share their love of music with the community. The Society hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including concerts, sing-alongs, and workshops. The Society is also a member of the Connecticut Folk Association.
The Society in the 2010s
The 2010s were a decade of growth and change for the Branford Folk Music Society. The Society continued to hold monthly concerts and membership grew to over 100 members. In 2012, the Society merged with the New Haven Folk Music Society, which had been inactive for several years. This increased the Society’s membership and audiences for concerts. The Society began holding concerts at other venues in the area, including churches and community centers. In 2014, the Society held its first outdoor concert at Stony Creek Quarry. The quarry concerts have become a popular summer tradition, attracting both folk music fans and picnickers.
In 2017, the Branford Folk Music Society celebrated its 50th anniversary with a concert featuring some of the original members of the Society as well as current members. The concert was recorded and released as a CD, “Branford Folk Music Society: Fifty Years of Song.” The CD is available from the Society’s website (www.branfordfolk.org) or at Concerts.
The continued growth of the Society
The Branford Folk Music Society continued to grow in the 2010s. The Society began holding monthly concerts in 2011, featuring both local and touring artists. In 2012, the Society launched a youth music program, which offered free music lessons to young people in the community. The program quickly grew in popularity, and by 2013, the Society was offering classes for all age groups.
In 2014, the Society expanded its reach beyond Branford, holding its first concert in New Haven. The event was a huge success, and led to the Society booking shows in other towns and cities in Connecticut.
Today, the Branford Folk Music Society is one of the most active folk music organizations in the state. The Society continues to present monthly concerts featuring local, national, and international artists, as well as hosting regular workshops and classes for all ages.
Conclusion
The Branford Folk Music Society has been a staple in the Branford community for over 50 years. The Society has been through many changes throughout its history, but it has always remained committed to its mission of promoting and preserving folk music.
The Society has played an important role in the Branford community, and it continues to do so today. The Society is a valuable resource for the community, and it is clear that it will continue to be so for many years to come.
