Roots Report

Okee dokee folks… I am a Boomer. When I was young, I was taught the proper response to “thank you,” was “you’re welcome.” I always try to be as polite as possible. I seem to be constantly saying thank you, especially for gigs. Lately, there has been an odd shift in the response to the words “thank you.” To me, this reply doesn’t make sense. The new acknowledgment of “thank you” is “of course.” Is it me, or is this just weird? I confess that I am more of a no-problem-kind-of-guy when it comes to the words, “thank you,” but at least it fits. I guess it’s a generational thing. While I am talking about this, what’s the deal with the acronym FOMO? I don’t know how many times I have had to look this one up because my memory is shot. Fear Of Missing Out? Seriously? That is just called life. “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” This quote is often attributed to John Lennon but was first used in 1957 by a man named Allen Saunders. You are always going to miss out on something, so just get over it. Live your life and stop worrying about shit. Life is full of regrets and missed opportunities, so just do your best. Once you get to be my age, you often wander down the could-a, should-a, wonder-if road, and it can drive you crazy. Just be. Anyway, if you want to avoid “FOMO,” then make sure you attend these events! Read on…

The TENTH annual Rhode Island Folk Festival is coming up on August 25 at Crescent Park in East Providence. It is a FREE festival with three stages of music, a young folks area (instrument petting zoo and free instrument raffle), a songwriting workshop, food and craft vendors, and a beer garden. This fest has become a destination event in Rhode Island. This year’s line-up includes folk legend Tom Rush, Michelle Malone, Chris Berado Trio, Tai & Moon, Mark Cutler, Hungrytown, Lady Pills, Dan Blakeslee, Lisa Couto and Melanie Moore, Beth Barron, Allysen Callery, Anthony Loffredio, Billy Morretti, Olivia Charlotte, the RIFF host band, Dan Lilley and the Keepers with Amy Bedard (acoustic), Kim Petraca, The Berger Brothers, special performances by Ed McGuirl and John McNiff, and so much more! The festival is free but costs money to produce. The commemorative bandanas that were a hit last year are back with designs by Dan Blakeslee.

If you want to help or learn more, get the folk over to RhodeIslandFolkFestival.com, gofundme.com/f/rhode-island-folk-festival-2024, or @HearIn-RhodeIsland.

The eighth annual Warren Folks Fest at 30 Cutler Street happens on Saturday, August 17. Featured this year: Sasquatch and The Sick-a-Billys, Ego Sol, Free Beer Band, Kench, Shane Fitzgerald, David Tessier’s ASS Trio, Droplets, The Glare, Allysen Callery, Narragansett Beer Beer Garden, as well as art and food vendors. “It’s fun for the folks!” The family-friendly, free festival takes place in the back lot of Cutler Mill. They strongly suggest biking or walking to The Warren Folks Festival. It’s right off the East Bay Bike Path. For more, cahoot over to: thecollaborative02885.org.

I know I have slowed down a bit with my podcasts lately but for some reason, the summer is slow for these. I battle leaf Blowers, air conditioners, and fan background noise anyway this time of year. Without a fan or AC, it is brutally HOT. Can you all say, “Climate change is real”? The past few podcasts have been a blast for me. I do the podcasts to let you all in on the fun I am having and the personalities of the individuals I talk to. Recently I spoke to one of my favorite performers, Kathleen Edwards, and music icon, Mark Hudson. It was a treat to chat with Kathleen, and the conversation with Mark was probably the most fun you can have (on a telephone). All this is to say: I do these podcasts for you. I know they are listened to, but if you haven’t heard them yet, you should. You are missing out! Dial up motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast.

I have been a fan of Farm Aid since the very first one in 1985. It took quite a long time for me to get to one, but I have covered two over the past few years. I am headed to Saratoga, NY, to catch Farm Aid 2024. It’s just a 3-hour drive. If you are an FA fan, it is worth the drive! Willie, Neil John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, and more are scheduled. For more, mosey over to farmaid.org.

If you are worried about COLOR this November remember to VOTE BLUE not orange! •

That’s it for now. Read Motif to keep up with the latest last bits of Summer. Find my concert photographs at motifri.com/ fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening. johnfuzek.com

Photo: Beth Barron