Roots Report: A Quickie!

Okee dokee folks… This is the short version of my column! The Sandywoods Folk Festival will take place on Sat, May 23 at 11am. For an event that seems so simple, it proved to be very complicated. Russ Smith’s plan of a two-day outdoor festival transformed into a one-day indoor event and involved Russ’ resignation from his position at Sandywoods. Any of you who have been to shows there know that he was the heart and soul of the music there; however, Sandra Dugan at Sandywoods assures me that the music will go on and they are booked way out. The Sandywoods Folk Festival will feature performances by Bob Ardern, Seamus Galligan, Mike Laureanno, Lauren Sheehan, Attila Vural, Antje Duvekot, Christine Lavin, and Don White. This will be a “pay what you can” event. For more, twirl on over to sandywoodsmusic.com.

Sometime ago I was looking for information online on how to build a cigar box guitar and I came across a video by a young woman wailing away on an electric one. That video led me to another and another and another. Before long I had spent quite a bit of time watching this attractive girl in a short dress playing the hell out of an electric guitar. Yes, her looks didn’t hurt, but as a guitar player I know that will only get you so far. She can really play! That young woman was Samantha Fish. She will be playing a two-night stint at Chan’s in Woonsocket on May 28 and 29. At 25 years old she is one of the hottest blues players on the circuit today. Her 2014 show at Chan’s was one of the best of that year. Fish will release her third album, Wild Heart, on July 10 and it promises not to disappoint. Over the years, she’s cultivated her own sound by blending her influences ranging from Tom Petty, Sheryl Crow, R.L. Burnside and Stevie Ray Vaughan. You will definitely want to check out one of these two shows. She is bound for big things and intimate venues will become big arenas. For more, stogie over to chanseggrollsandjazz.com.

The Rhode Island Songwriters Association will hold its second Performing Songwriter contest finals on May 22 at Stone Soup at St. Paul’s in Pawtucket. The finalists performing are Lenny Solomon, Kirsten Maxwell, PJ Rogue and Allison Giuliano. Judges and the audience will decide who will secure the prize of an opening spot at Stone Soup during the 2016 season. Mark Cutler will perform a solo set as part of the show. For more, lyric your way to risongwriters.com.

That’s it for now. Thanks for reading. www.JohnFuzek.com