Americana Community Music Association

Hymn for Her in Concert! Dan Philgreen opens
2024-05-04 19:00 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
“These trailer park hippies can sing and play their butts off and don’t give a hoot what the straights think! It’s White Stripes meet Country Joe McDonald, with things just psychedelic enough to keep everyone interested and on their toes. The humor is good. The music even better.”
– Vintage Guitar Magazine/RA

Hymn for Her began as the duo of Wayne Waxing and Lucy Tight some 20 years ago in Philadelphia, playing garage rock and roots-punk via Waxing on drums while also playing either guitar or banjo, and Tight on cigar-box guitar, has blossomed into a trio with the many times addition of daughter, Diver, on keys. Diver has been part of the touring unit since birth, hustled along with Mom and Dad in the touring Airstream as they made their way around the country on what seemed to be a never-ending tour.

They’ve got five full-length releases under their belt, and as of late have been doing the singles thing. In 2023, they’ve dropped two: “Elders” is a soft, harmony-heavy nod to when Waxing and Tight worked in a retirement community before the pandemic, a cut that’s the ripe, dream-pop sound they’ve pushed out. “Guns, Porn and Jesus” is a glorious jab at some of the roadside sights and personal beliefs of some of the residents of Hymn for Her’s now home state of Florida, a blast of cow-punk and satirical hillbilly rock that would make Mojo Nixon proud. Both singles were recorded at their home studio, which remains home base for future musical output.

Hymn for Her have been busy touring across the country and abroad over the past few years, injecting juiced-up backwoods country blues with a dose of desert rock psychedelia that has been described as “Hell’s Angels meets the Amish,” and “Hillbillies with electronics opening Pandora’s Box”

In 2017, they returned to the UK and Europe playing many festivals, including Glastonbury, to promote “Drive Til U Die” to their overseas audience.They recorded their 2nd album, “Hymn for Her Presents . . . Lucy and Wayne and the Amairican Stream”, in their vintage 1961 Bambi Airstream trailer at locations stretching from Philadelphia to Malibu on a three-month tour.
The duo certainly covers a lot of musical territory in Smokin Flames. Their wild-eyed mash-up of country, blues and punk led U.K. music critic Steve Bennett to call H4H’s sound “a riotous, rocking roadkill stew,” while others have referenced such diverse bands as Captain Beefheart, Primus, X, R.L. Burnside, JS Blues Explosion and the Ramones.
Impressively, the two create their “ripsaw sounds” (Los Angeles Times’ Randy Lewis) with only a few instruments. Wayne (with the devilish voice), mainly playing the kick-drum, high-hat, acoustic guitar and harp, serves as the group’s rhythmic driving force. Lucy (of the fallen-angel voice) delivers a gritty squall on her “Lowebow” — a custom-made cigar-box guitar: “The Riff Monster.”
During the pandemic, Hymn For Her played a live song on FB every Sunday for over a year. These “Singalong Sundays” were a way to share smiles and keep connected with fans.
As stated in their press kit, which is the ACMA’s good fortune….
“Catch this duo and many times trio as they burn down the highway and tear up your town like a Wichita twister”.
Find out more about Hymn for Her at:
hymnforher.com
ACMA member singer/songwriter Dan Philgreen will open this show. After failed attempts at violin and piano, Dan Philgreen picked up the guitar in the 7th grade. Like many of his age he was very influenced by the many singer-songwriters that were at the height of their popularity during the 70’s when he was in high school, as well as the folk-rock bands of that era, such as Crosby, Stills, and Nash. He has played in church for much of his life but has also always had a love for folk music which never had much of an outlet before his moving to Fort Myers. The founding of the Americana Community Music Association opened a door of opportunity to develop and share his music in a community of folks who are also passionate about this genre. Though he dabbled in song-writing earlier in his life and had a few songs to his credit, the inspiration of the ACMA’s songwriter’s circle spurred him to write many more songs over the past few years. His playing has also developed to a higher point in the last decade and he says that, with age, his voice is finally starting to cooperate as well. Dan’s songs are based on his observations of life and the beauty he sees in the world. They deal with the challenges of life honestly, but always attempt to leave the listener with hope.
Tickets for this show will be available at the door.
Door donations: $12 for Members; $18 for General Public
Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:00pm
Come join us!

Sofia Talvik in Concert! Kim Mayfield Opens
2024-04-13 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Unmistakably Nordic in flavor, Sofia Talvik somehow still conforms to American interpretations of her own original music, a North Sea siren blending sparkle and melancholy. A veteran performer with 9 full length albums as well as numerous EPs, singles and tours behind her.
Growing up in Sweden her music has always had a special tint of her Scandinavian heritage, making her a favorite among music lovers.
Primarily a live artist, Talvik has taken her music across Europe and through 48 U.S. states, riding in her 1989 Winnebago Warrior with her husband at the wheel, digging deep into the American sound and channeling it through her Nordic roots to create a singular brand of Americana. Talvik releases all of her music on Makaki Music, a record label she started early in her career to maintain full control over her own recordings. While her Swedish roots serve as the basis for her songwriting, she often calls upon her many journeys and experiences for inspiration, especially the uniquely American archetype of roaming the endless highway.
Living like a musical nomad, moving from place to place, slowly but steadily building her audience through her heartfelt and personal performances she got to experience the USA in a way few people do. The people she met opened their homes and hearts to her and some of them even made it into her songs.
Talvik has released 9 full length albums and countless singles and eps. She has performed at festivals ranging from Lollapalooza to SXSW. She has opened for Maria McKee and David Duchovny, and has collaborated with former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler, as well as Tobias Fröberg (Peter Bjorn and John), who produced her 2008 LP Jonestown. She has also released 2 albums in Swedish as part of the New Acoustic duo Hansan with German cellist David Floer.
Read on: sofiatalvik.com

We are so excited to have Kim Mayfield opening.

Door donations: $12/Members $18/General Public
Tickets are available at the door
Doors open at 6:30 pm Show begins at 7:00

ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza. Alan Bradford, Bill Saltzman, Karen Cohen
2024-04-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Fort Myers Regional Library, 1651 Lee St, Fort Myers , FL, 33901, United States
ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza. Alan Bradford, Bill Saltzman, Karen Cohen
The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), to offer FREE concerts of all original music by local Artists. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket, shows will be moved to the meeting rooms located next to the amphitheater if needed depending on weather.
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit promoting local artists who perform original songs. What to expect, you will hear singer-songwriters sharing a lifetime of experiences in song and the inspiration behind the songs. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music is a coming together of blues, roots, folk , bluegrass, and country. Lots of room to spread out so bring a friend.
Alan Bradford, started playing music while growing up in New Jersey. In college in the early 70’s, Alan had the opportunity to play with many touring professionals, one of whom became a great influence in his songwriting style was Harry Chapin. He became not only a mentor but a trusted source of advice. Alan has played many types of venues in Southwest Florida and throughout the east coast of the United States. Recently he played the Island Hopper and had the opportunity to play with many professional songwriters such as Kat Higgins, and Grammy winner Frank Myers.
Alan’s love of music led him to write and record his own songs. His CD of original music, “From the Heart”, is having great success.“Johnson’s Farm” and “Cowboy Heaven”, which are getting worldwide airtime. BMI (the international music licensing agency which represents Alan) has just informed him that his original songs are now being used in films, and television shows. He is currently recording more of his original music.
Bill Saltzman’s earliest memories involve music. He vividly recalls sitting in front of an RCA record player listening to Mary Martin’s Broadway performance of Peter Pan, Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite and Tubby the Tuba in Orchestraville, which introduces a range of orchestral instruments from piccolo to tuba, teaches musical appreciation and also conveys some important lessons about life.
So much has already been written about that evening in February, 1964 when the Fab Four was seen by a record television audience of 73 million, and launched American Beatlemania and the wider British Invasion of American pop music. Like so many viewers of his generation, that moment inspired Bill to become a musician.
Beginning his journey as a drummer, Bill expanded his musical scope to include percussion, vocals, piano and most recently, baritone ukulele. He has performed with bands throughout his life, featuring a wide range of genres including Rock, Folk/Rock, Americana and even an Elvis tribute band.
Bill recently discovered his passion for songwriting and two of his earliest songs are featured on The Original Waysiders Album. He regularly attends the Swannanoa Gathering, an annual songwriting workshop near Asheville, North Carolina where he works alongside several Grammy award-winning songwriters.
Karen Cohen, a lifelong guitar player and visual artist, Karen has creative focus. She is known for having a Signature finger picking style. Karen has been singing and sharing covers of her favorite 70’s folk musicians, old Delta Blues arrangements, and her New favorite Artist of the month for almost 20 years. She has fans at guitar circles, open mics and stages from Ft. Myers to Brookville FL. More recently Karen has put her focus on Songwriting. A new outlet of creativity for her, but as she put’s it; “It all comes from the same source. Karen likes to start with the lyrics, then tunes into the emotion of the lyric to find a Melody. She says, “the melody just seems to start playing along with the words”. Her songs convey strong emotion and authenticity, while telling you a story.

Ruth Wyand in Concert! Carolyn Stanley opens
2024-04-06 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Ruth Wyand : ALL STYLES OF AMERICAN ROOTS MUSIC AMERICANA, FOLK, BLUES, JAZZ
Being diversified is Ruth Wyand’s specialty. Demonstrating guitar virtuosity with powerful fingerpicking, bottleneck slide and a warm alto voice Ruth plays a mix of Americana, jazz, blues, folk, country with a portion of Piedmont picking and bluegrass clawhammer thrown in. Her songwriting is universal, using a melting pot of styles with lyrics that are timeless, relatable, emotionally resonant, sometimes witty, sometimes serious but always human and genuine.

Ruth presents a mixture of originals with poignant lyrics as well as well-crafted instrumental arrangements of classics ranging from Doc Watson, Etta Baker, Jimi Hendrix, Leo Kottke to Thelonious Monk and Nina Simone.
Each song, no matter how different, has a firm Ruth Wyand stamp of style on it.
Take a listen : ruthwyand.com
ACMA member and singer/songwriter, Carolyn Stanley will open. Always a pleasure to have Carolyn on our stage. Carolyn began playing guitar as a teenager learning to finger pick country blues from her older brother. Since then she has played solo, and joined several duos and an eclectic string band.

Kala Farnham in Concert! Silvia Medina opens
2024-03-30 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Armed with a voice and an entourage of instruments, songstress Kala Farnham set out into the world with one vision: To inspire through the transformative power of musical storytelling. Farnham has garnered numerous awards and recognition, including serving as the current Connecticut State Troubadour, 2020 Falcon Ridge Festival Emerging Artist, 2020 Great American Song Contest Finalist, and 2019 Rose Garden Performing Songwriter Contest winner. Farnham’s 2020 album, “Your Spirit Is a Work of Art”, is composed of thirteen musical vignettes exploring the imperfect beauty of the human condition; it has been described by Nick Noble of The Folk Revival as “a work of poetic insight… worth listening to again and again.” Drawing from a classical education and professional career in musical theater, Kala presents a hallmark reinvention of the folk tradition: her lush musical arrangements, compelling vulnerability, and vivid storytelling draws her audience into imaginative vantagescapes of the familiar world.

Take a listen here:
kalafarnham.com
Opening the show is ACMA member, singer/songwriter and ACMA Board Member, Silvia Medina. Silvia, Cuban born, emigrated with her family to New York when she was ten. Music was in her bones. She began playing guitar as a teenager emulating Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Buffy Ste. Marie. Silvia’s music today incorporates life and its stories. Her powerful voice and songs pull you in and invite you to stay. She will be the perfect opener!
Concert Tickets are available at the door.
Door donations:
$12 – Member
$18 – General Public
Door opens at 6:30 pm Music starts at 7:00 pm

Jim Lauderdale In Concert
2024-03-21 19:30 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Jim Lauderdale In Concert
The Americana Community Music Association, Fort Myers, home for original Americana music is excited to a announce A Very Special Preformace by Multi Grammy Award Winning Mr Americana himself, Jim Lauderdale will be performing live in concert. March 21st, Thursday Evening. 7:30.
Limited seating, ticketed event. Show Time 7:30, Doors Open 7 pm.
Tickets. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jim-lauderdale-public-tickets-tickets-775587341617
Jim Lauderdale
At any given time, you’re likely to find Jim Lauderdale making music, whether he’s laying down a new track in the studio or working through a spontaneous melody at his home in Nashville. And if he’s not actively crafting new music, he’s certainly thinking about it. “It’s a constant challenge to try to keep making better and better records, write better and better songs. I still always feel like I’m a developing artist,” he says. This may be a surprising sentiment from a man who’s won two Grammys, released 36 full-length albums, and taken home the Americana Music Association’s coveted Wagonmaster Award. But his forthcoming album Game Changer is convincing evidence that the North Carolina native is only continuing to hone his craft.
Operating under his own label, Sky Crunch Records, for the first time since 2016, Lauderdale recorded Game Changer at the renowned Blackbird Studios in Nashville, co-producing the release with Jay Weaver and pulling from songs he’d written over the last several years. “There’s a mixture on this record of uplifting songs and, at the same time, songs of heartbreak and despair—because that’s part of life as well,” he says. “In the country song world especially, that’s always been part of it. That’s real life.”
Lauderdale would know: He’s been a vital part of the country music ecosystem since 1991, when he released his debut album and began penning songs for an impressively long roster of country music greats. “When I was a teenager wanting to be a bluegrass banjo player, I never would have imagined that I would get to work with people like Ralph Stanley and Robert Hunter and George Jones and Elvis Costello and John Oates,” he muses. “Getting to work with them inspires me greatly to this day, and I know it always will.”
From rollicking guitar riffs on “That Kind of Life (That Kind of Day)” to the slow, sweet harmonies of “I’ll Keep My Heart Open For You,” Game Changer shows off Lauderdale’s ingenuity as a singer, songwriter, and producer—while reestablishing him as one of Americana’s most steadfast champions. “Country music is constantly evolving, but I’ll always have a soft spot in my heart for steel guitar and a Telecaster,” he says. “I have done my job on this record if people who love classic country feel like they can put it on, or have it in their collection, and it would fit right in.”
Respecting the past doesn’t mean he’s not breaking new ground. “We’re All We’ve Got,” a co-write with Mary Gauthier and Jaimee Harris, offers a timely message about healing torn relationships at home and across the world. And “Friends Again,” a grinning number about rekindling a friendship, is fresh and forward-looking. At every turn, Lauderdale’s collaborative spirit and genuine love for the creative process reveal themselves in thoughtful, well-crafted songs sure to stand the test of time. “When everything works right, it’s just magical to be able to hear them back,” he says. “You feel, at least for those three-and-a-half minutes, like life makes sense.”

ACMA @ Alliance Songwriters in the Round. Charlie McCoy, Kim Mayfield and Roy Schneider
2024-03-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL, 33919, United States
Let’s do it again! We all had so much fun at last years’ show (despite being moved indoors due to rain) that the ACMA and Alliance decided on a repeat performance.
How reservations work for outdoor concerts: We will be accepting the first 132 people for concert reservations. IF weather threatens the outdoor concert it will be moved to our indoor theatre for general admission seats. If there is no weather threat we will sell additional tickets at the door the day of the concert.
BRING A CHAIR Or Blanket and get ready to enjoy the music
ACMA Alliance members $15/General public $16
ADVANCE TICKETS highly recommended! https://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/allianceforthearts/3107/event/1339517
Our final ACMA Alliance show of the season will feature Charlie McCoy, Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield , Songwriters n the Round
Any musician in Nashville has heard of Charlie McCoy. A mainstay in Music City since the ’60s, Charlie has played on dozens of hit records, including work with such legends as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Simon and Garfunkel, George Jones, Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison and many more. The solo work of this Country Music Hall Of Fame member is contained on more than three dozen albums that Charlie has released over the past four decades.
www.charliemccoy.com
Sharing the stage with Charlie are …Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield.
Reckless Saints founder Roy Schneider was 16 and in hiding when a friend loaned him a guitar. He had just broken out of a Straight, Inc. facility after a horrific year-long incarceration, where he had been denied the right to play an instrument or even listen to music. Having access to a guitar again – as well as the support of good friends – helped him survive while he waited to turn 18, and begin his lifelong love affair with making music. Schneider went on to pursue visual arts, learning how to design toys in 3D, and writing and drawing syndicated comic strip “The Humble Stumble” through United Media. Kim is better known as half of the Americana duo Roy Schneider & Kim Mayfield (now called Reckless Saints.) Reviewers have described her music as ‘pearly and sashaying,’ ‘pleasantly invoking the legendary Tammy Wynette,’ and ‘haunted by Patsy Cline.’ Mayfield’s song, Ring Around the Moon, made her a semi-finalist in the 2019 International Songwriting Competition.
www.therecklesssaints.com

Shawna Caspi in Concert! JD Lashley Opens
2024-03-16 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
In a world where language is forged as rushed texts and tweets, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Shawna Caspi takes her time crafting lyrics that are poetic and meaningful, often using unusual rhymes and surprising turns of phrase. She delights in nuance and detail – the way words sound, the way they’re shaped, the way they roll around on the palate. Her songs resonate with stories that are relatable, but told in new and unexpected ways.
Shawna spent years on the road playing festivals, concert halls, train cars, backyards, and living rooms, drawing energy from shifting landscapes and long drives through Canada and the United States. Those solo shows and unpredictable tours taught her how to be flexible and resilient in art and in life. Shawna is a skilled guitarist, supporting her warm, clear voice with intricate fingerstyle accompaniment. This is music that makes an authentic human connection, that conveys a sense of closeness, of being understood, of feeling less alone.
Shawna’s new album, Hurricane Coming, reveals a collection of songs that lie close to the heart, set against a backdrop of colourful and cinematic soundscapes, featuring a talented team of musicians who bring these rich sonic worlds to life. A story unravels – it begins with a breakdown, a vow to leave the past behind, then pauses for reflection, asks questions of trust, comfort, and belonging, follows the search for strands of gold, to conversations with old flames, through the swell of confidence that comes in the course of healing, and ultimately, to the acceptance of love and moving forward.
Click below to find out more:
shawnacaspi.com
ACMA member and singer/songwriter JD Lashley opens for Shawna. If singer songwriter/ troubadour Todd Snider had dropped his kid brother on his head, he’d have probably wound up a lot like JD Lashley. JD works hard and writes harder, trying to pluck jokes and rhymes out of the grind. His style is heavily influenced by Americana and Roots music, and he’s not afraid to sneak in a little Hip Hop… Something for everyone.
Tickets available at the door.
Door donations:
Members – $12
General Public – $18
Doors open at 6:30 pm Concert begins at 7:00 pm

ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza, The Pearl Street
2024-03-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Fort Myers Regional Library, 1651 Lee St, Fort Myers , FL, 33901, United States
ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza, The Pearl Street
The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), to offer FREE concerts of all original music by local Artists. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket, shows will be moved to the meeting rooms located next to the amphitheater if needed depending on weather.
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit promoting local artists who perform original songs. What to expect, you will hear singer-songwriters sharing a lifetime of experiences in song and the inspiration behind the songs. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music is a coming together of blues, roots, folk , bluegrass, and country. Lots of room to spread out so bring a friend.
The Pearl Street Band is comprised of Mike McMillan, Bob Williams, Bill Veach and Clark Johnson. They perform regularly and perform mostly original music and a few tasty covers. They released one album as a group, Rocky Road, and multiple albums individually. You will hear these singer-songwriters sharing a lifetime of experiences in song and the inspiration behind the songs. All four members of the band are songwriters. Their music crosses a broad spectrum and has a little bit of something for everybody. They can rock out in a nice Folk Americana way, and then perform a Ballot that will melt you like butter. A good time of good music is guaranteed for all.

Roy Book Binder in Concert! Bill Metts & George Mitchell Opens
2024-03-02 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Roy Book Binder has been rambling around the world for the past 45 years! He gave up his Greenwich Village “pad” in the early 1970’s and lived in his “Tour Bus” for the next 15 years criss crossing the US and appearing at festivals throughout Canada & Europe.
Book Binder, traveled with the legendary Rev. Gary Davis in the late 60’s….. The Book, recorded his first solo acoustic Blues album in the 70’s, which was the first to receive 5 stars in DOWNBEAT magazine! In the late 80’s ‘The Book’ was part of Bonnie Raitt’s East Coast Tour, which included an appearance on The Grand Old Opry which led to almost 30 appearances on NASHVILLE NOW’s, Ralph Emory Show! In the 90’s he often appeared with JORMA KAUKONEN (who recorded 2 of Roy’s songs)
THE GOOD BOOK, Roy’s latest release of all original songs, reached #3 on AirPlayDirect’s Americana charts! #1 was Guy Clark & #2 was the late Townes Van Zandt. Folkdj.org had Roy in the top 3 artists for July.
Roy has the goods: the original, the bare-knuckle, the low-down . . . blues. Who can say they were friends with the Rev. Gary Davis, Pink Anderson and Robert Lockwood? And toured with Arthur Big Boy Crudup, Hot Tuna, JJ Cale & Bonnie Raitt ? Roy can. He has the stories, the licks, and the mystery of timeless music in his fingers. He’s been featured on a PBS special and interviewed by Terry Gross on “Fresh Air.” He’s also a regular at Fur Peace Ranch, where he teaches along with Jorma Kaukonen. When he brings his ‘Tour Bus’ to town, a one-man blues-fest ensues. He plays and he entertains, feeding us music and stories, and the evening is a celebration for us all. We’re privileged to have Roy here to preserve–and extend—the tradition of great American blues music.
Lean more:
roybookbinder.com
Opening the show is ACMA member and singer/songwriter, Bill Metts. Bill started playing fingerstyle guitar during the Country Blues revival of the ’60s and fell in love with the music of Taj Mahal, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and others of that ilk. Just about everything he has done since has been in that down-home finger-picking style. Metts has performed at the annual Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival in Avalon, Mississippi, at the historic Blue Front Cafe, and at the famous Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Though he has dabbled in all types of music, today he prefers to play and sing original tunes or traditional Americana roots music. Our good fortune!
billmetts.bandcamp.com

George Mitchell
Along with being known worldwide for his photography books and field recordings of such renowned blues musicians as Mississippi Fred McDowell, Joe Callicott, Furry Lewis, R. L. Burnside and Sleepy John Estes, among many others which have been issued on Arhoolie Records, Revival Records, Rounder Records and on Fat Possum Records as CDs, George has played with such musicians as Mudcat, Jake Xerex Fussell, David Evans, and Belmont and Jones and Bill Metts. George learned to build and play Oil Can Bass from Will Shade, the leader of the famous Memphis Jug Band.

Tickets for the concert are available at the door.
Door donations:
Members – $12
General Public – $18
Doors open at 6:30pm Show begins at 7:00pm

A Tale of Two in Concert! Fred Ball Opens
2024-02-24 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Following their Bluebird Cafe debut, Nashville based “A Tale Of Two” is an undeniable rising duo in today’s roots music scene.
“Official Showcase Artist: 2022 Folk Alliance International Conference”
Combining the best of Americana and blues melodies with timeless Southern storytelling, award winning vocalist Stephanie Adlington and guitarist Aaron Lessard draw influence from the likes of Tom Waits and Ray LaMontagne, along with bedrock artists such as Patsy Cline and Hank Williams Sr.
Not unlike the artists who inspired them, the duo’s songs frequently dabble in stories of revenge, drinking and feature sinners of all stripes and persuasions. Oozing an infectious stage presence and chemistry that carries over from the music to the back and forth banter between songs, “A Tale Of Two” offers a different kind of Americana – storytelling by a swampy pair of retro raconteurs spinning blues arias with soul, intrigue and power.
On their debut EP which was recorded completely live, Adlington and Lessard channel southern lullabies, front porch blues, and even hints of nostalgic love songs. The resulting body of work is a refreshing take on timeless themes of loyalty, heartbreak, and the struggle of the human condition.
taleoftwomusic.com
ACMA member and singer/songwriter Fred Ball opens. Fred told us, I got my musical start in Greenwich Village in the early 60s during “The Great Folk Scare”. Played primarily folk music until the late 60s when I started playing in a wedding band (if I ever have to play “The Shadow of Your Smile” again I might throw up). In 2005 Fred recommited himself to his music and said this..We moved to Florida in 2018 and I started out running the open mic at George andT Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grill until COVID shut it down. I have played local gigs at Woody’s, Hooked, The Perch at The Wyvern in Punta Gorda, and The Paradise Deli. I happily found the ACMA three years ago.
Songwriting has become my passion and I spend time each day in pursuit of that! As a resident “old guy” my hands are now showing the ravages of age but will play until I cannot! You have to love what you do……..and I do!
Tickets available at the door!
Door donations:
$12 – Members
$18 – General Public
Doors open at 6:30 pm – Show at 7:00

Muriel Anderson SUNDAY Concert! Ray Cerbone Opens
2024-02-18 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
A Sunday evening with Muriel Anderson.…it doesn’t get much better than this! Les Paul had this to say, “Just one hell of a great player …a great personality and what I like is the touch that Muriel has on the guitar, the way she plays it like we all wish to play.”
Guitarist, harp guitarist, and composer Muriel Anderson embraces music from all over the world with a sense of grace, joy, and gentle humor. If you’re not already familiar with Muriel, you will find yourself smiling when you feel the joy of her music shining through a stunning array of styles.
Her CD, Nightlight Daylight, was chosen as one of the top 10 CDs of the decade by Guitar Player Magazine, and her “Acoustic Chef” is a CD of music from around the world with a cookbook of recipes and stories to go with each tune. Her “Heartstrings” recording accompanied the astronauts on the space shuttle.
Muriel is the first woman to have won the National Fingerstyle Guitar Championship. She has performed/recorded with Chet Atkins, Les Paul, Victor Wooten, Tommy Emmanuel and many others on her show, Muriel Anderson’s ALL STAR GUITAR NIGHT®. Muriel is founder of the MUSIC FOR LIFE ALLIANCE charity.
Muriel’s multimedia show brings you on a planetary tour of tastes, images, and music with a backdrop of stunning visuals by photo-artist Bryan Allen. In addition, her TrueFire channel brings her in-demand teaching to a wider audience.
Find out more cool stuff at:
murielanderson.com
ACMA member, Ray Cerbone is the perfect opener for the show! Ray began playing guitar during the late 60’s folk scene. With the support and inspiration of fellow local and touring musicians, he began writing and playing in earnest in 2010. Traveling a long road in a short time, his music encompasses many genres, including Americana, Folk, Blues, Ballads, and a little bit of Country. His storyteller style takes the listener to another place in time, his music and lyrics bringing evocative insights into the many sides of life. Ray is also a singer-songwriter’s song-singer. That is, he does interpretive covers of other great originals by little-known but very talented artists using his own creative touch. His inventive fingerstyle guitar is uniquely diverse and easy-on-the-ears.
Ray fronted “The Apocalypse Blues Revue”. A hard hitting blues rock band formed by Shannon Larkin and Tony Rombola of “Godsmack” fame. The band was signed to Mascot/Provogue records and under that sign released two full length records, both reaching number two in the blues charts. Over 6 years the band played blues festivals and blues venues on both coasts. They opened for Steven Tyler, Robbie Krieger of “The Doors”, The Blue Oyster Cult, and did two tours with Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
steelonwood.com
Sunday show tickets are available at the door.
Door donations:
Members – $15
General Public – $20
Doors open at 6:30 pm Show starts at 7:00 pm

ACMA Songwriters at the Captiva Memorial Library
2024-02-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Captiva Memorial Libaray 11560 Chapin La. Captiva FL 33924, 11560 Chapin La, Captiva, FL, 33924, United States
The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), to offer an concert of all original music from two of the best local songwriters. The Concert is FREE and will take place inside at the Captiva Memorial Library, 11560 Chapin Ln, Captiva, FL 33924. Thursday, February 15th 2-3:45 PM
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit that promotes local artists who perform their own original songs. Come hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. Be prepared to enjoy an afternoon of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music a coming together of blues, roots, folk and country.

RSVP not required, but suggested
REGISTER HERE
https://leelibrary.librarymarket.com/event/acma-songwriters-island

Bill Metts started playing fingerstyle guitar during the Country Blues revival of the ’60s and fell in love with the music of Taj Mahal, Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson and others of that ilk. Just about everything he has done since has been in that down-home finger-picking style. Metts has performed at the annual Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival in Avalon, Mississippi, at the historic Blue Front Cafe, and at the famous Ground Zero in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Though he has dabbled in all types of music, today he prefers to play and sing original tunes or traditional Americana roots music.
Bruce Gallant is accomplished singer/songwriter. According to Gallant, “I started writing songs in my late 20’s and have never stopped. Anything of importance in my life is in my songs.
Writing and music are like breathing to me, they are what I need to get me through my life”. Bruce is the driving force behind the ACMA Singer/Songwriter Circle which takes place every Sunday in Fort Myers..

The Floridians, Gene Martin, Al Calndelria, Mary Daha, Chuck Dettmann And Carolyn & David Stanley
2024-02-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Fort Myers Regional Library, 1651 Lee St, Fort Myers , FL, 33901, United States
The Floridians, Gene Martin, Al Calndelria, Mary Daha, Chuck Dettmann
And Carolyn & David Stanley
The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), to offer FREE concerts of all original music by local Artists. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket, shows will be moved to the meeting rooms located next to the amphitheater if needed depending on weather.
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit promoting local artists who perform original songs. What to expect, you will hear singer-songwriters sharing a lifetime of experiences in song and the inspiration behind the songs. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music is a coming together of blues, roots, folk , bluegrass, and country. Lots of room to spread out so bring a friend.
The Floridians, Gene Martin, Al Calndelria, Mary Dahl Chuck Dettmann
And Carolyn & David Stanley
These two groups will play together and play separately for a night of music that will have a little bit of something for everyone
Gene Martin has been singing in church choirs and choruses since childhood, playing guitar since his teen years and joined the ACMA in 2016 when he began song writing.
He soon founded “Smokey Daytona and The Floridians, that featured original songs and covers with the tight harmony.
Al Candelaria was a member of the trio ‘The Innocents’ and is a BMI songwriter.
Highlights include being featured in the PBS special, “Rock, Rhythm, and Doo Wop” in 2001 and being inducted into the Doo-Wop Hall of Fame in 2014.
Chuck Dettmann adds wonderful vocals, and guitar

Carolyn Stanley began playing guitar as a teenager learning to finger pick country blues from her older brother. Since then she has performed solo, joined several duos, and currently performs in a trio with her husband David Stanley and friend Mary Dahl.
Mary Dahl performed for 20 years with The Lite Side quartet in the PA, MD and DC areas. Some of the highlights of their performances include entertaining six times at the White House for 3 different administrations , Christmas specials at Hershey Park Chocolate World and opening for the Kingston Trio at the Carlisle Theatre in 1996.

Sam Robbins in Concert! Bob Williams Opens
2024-02-03 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Help us welcome Sam Robbins for the first time to our ACMA stage! Sam Robbins is often described as an “old soul singer songwriter.” A Nashville based musician whose music evokes classic 70’s singer songwriters like James Taylor and Neil Young, Sam adds a modern, upbeat edge to the storyteller troubadour persona. An avid performer, he has gained recognition from extensive touring and as one of the six 2021 winners in the Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk competition, one of the largest and most prestigious songwriting competitions in the country.
Sam released his debut album, Finally Feeling Young, on May 14th, 2021. The album is reminiscent of his 70’s singer-songwriter heroes, with a modern perspective. On the heels of the award winning opening single, ‘Remind Me”, Finally Feeling Young has already garnered radio airplay and critical acclaim. Two album tracks, Remind Me and Saying Amen, won him a place as one of the six Kerrville Folk Festival New Folk winners. Americana Highways writes: “He writes of subjects that others don’t explore. Saying Amen has Robbins touching that special place Leonard Cohen went. This is brilliance.” Fateau Magazine in the UK writes “One of the most promising new songwriters of his generation”.
Sam is a full time troubadour, playing over 150 shows a year across the country, including the MainStage at the Kerrville Folk Festival, Dripping Springs Songwriter’s Festival, and as one of the “‘Most Wanted to Return” artists in the 2023 Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.
Sam considers himself a student of songwriting, constantly searching and learning about why songs have the impact they do. A 2019 graduate of Berklee College of Music’s songwriting department, he has hosted many songwriting workshops and masterclasses, including at the Harvard Music Department and the Boys & Girls Club of Boston. In his performances and workshops, Sam explores the magic behind the craft of songwriting, and tries to help others express themselves through the unique and powerful medium of songwriting.
Find out more at:
www.samrobbinsmusic.com
ACMA member, singer/songwriter and board member, Bob Williams will open for Sam Robbins. Bob started writing songs at an early age and never stopped. He has released four solo albums since 2015. He plays regularly in Southwest Florida and in Western North Carolina. He performs and writes Americana Music, a mix of Roots, Folk, Country, Bluegrass, Blues and all the good stuff in-between.
Always eager to share amusing stories behind his lyrics, Bob’s songs are personal, irreverent, funny, sad, and most important, true to his heart. Bob’s songs and performance have recently been described by the local paper in Fort Myers as a mix of Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and solo acoustic Bruce Springsteen. That may be a stretch, but Bob does perform and writes with all his heart. All of Bob’s music is on his web site and available to listen or download for free at:
www.reverbnation.com/bobwilliams2

Tickets are available at the door for this concert.
Door donations:
Members – $12
General Public – $18
Doors open at 6:30 pm

ACMA@ The Alliance For the Arts presents Flagship Romance and The Rough & Tumble
2024-01-21 15:00 - 17:00 | Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL, 33919, United States
Get ready for more great music! A rare double bill featuring Flagship Romance AND The Rough and Tumble. The two dynamic duos will bring their musical magic to The Green Market Stage at The Alliance For The Arts.
Advance tickets are highly recommended for this outdoor show. If weather threatens the first 132 ticket holders will have seats indoors. If the show remains outdoors walk up tickets will be available. Bring a lawn chair or blankets and enjoy the show.
Advance Tickets…….. www.artinlee.org
Note This is a Sunday show starting at 3PM
Public tickets $16, member tickets $15
Flagship Romance: “Harmonies one could barely separate with a single human hair.- Folk Radio UK
Flagship Romance is an unforgettable alternative folk duo known for their breathtaking vocal harmonies, inspired songwriting, dynamic live show, and a remarkable on and off-stage chemistry that will leave you with the feeling that you made two new best friends. Married singers-songwriters Shawn Fisher and Jordyn Jackson effortlessly fuse technical precision in their impeccably tight vocal blend with an invigorating sense of emotional abandon in their energetic live persona. Performing each show as if it could be their last, this duo will have you questioning how their larger-than-life sound can come from just two voices and an acoustic guitar.
Traveling over 200,000 miles since their musical inception, the duo has amassed an engaged grassroots following. A testament to Fisher and Jackson’s close relationship with their supporters, Flagship Romance has released four critically acclaimed full-length albums, 100% funded by their enthusiastic fanbase. To date, their multiple crowdfunding efforts, including the duo’s most recent campaign for their forthcoming self-titled double album, have raised a combined total of over $175,000.
Currently based in Louisville, KY, Flagship Romance will begin releasing a consistent string of singles from the double album, produced by GRAMMY award winning producer Lee Miles, starting in August 2023.
www.flagshipromance.com
The Rough And Tumble:
The Rough & Tumble make music that’s progressive folk style, rooted in acoustic bluegrass, with lyrics that are provocative and sensitive on each side as you flip the coin.-Americana Highways
The Rough & Tumble, a dynamic duo comprised of Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler, have been captivating audiences with their unique blend of dumpster-folk and thrift store-Americana for over a decade. The Pennsylvania-born Graham and Central California’s Tyler have a knack for weaving together elements of joy, sorrow, comedy, and drama in their music, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. Now, in 2023, the band is set to release Only This Far, a 12-song collection drawing from the highs and lows of their lived experiences over all those years.
With a smorgasbord of eclectic instruments and a stunning blend of harmonious vocals, the band has crafted a work of profound emotional depth with this new album. The songs are a symphony of raw, unbridled emotion, weaving together tales of love, loss, and longing with a deft touch that could only be crafted by these two songwriters who have quite literally lived on the road for the better part of a decade. It’s a true testament to the band’s unwavering dedication to their craft.
Standout track “Ain’t That The Way” is a shining anthem of perseverance; a rousing call to action for those who have been told their best isn’t good enough. With its powerful gang vocals and uplifting message, this song is a triumph of the human spirit, a celebration of the resilience and determination that lies within us all. On the other side of the coin, “God of War” — a semi-autobiographical sketch by Graham — delves adeptly into heavier subject matter. It’s a searing exploration in the complexities of identity, a stark and unflinching look at the dark underbelly of modern American culture. With its haunting lyrics and evocative soundscape, this song paints a vivid portrait of a nation at war with itself, grappling with the legacy of its past and the weight of its responsibilities. The band’s ability to seamlessly navigate the contrasts between bold, unflinching balladry and sunny-day sing-alongs makes Only This Far quite the enriching listen.
www.theroughandtumble

Dan Navarro in Concert! Andy Getch Opens
2024-01-20 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Dan Navarro’s long and eclectic resume includes “songwriter,” “recording artist,” “singer”, “voice actor”, “road warrior” and “arts advocate” in its extensive range of credits. His former acoustic duo, Lowen & Navarro, released 13 albums from 1990-2008, enjoyed widespread Triple A radio airplay and performed 1500 shows before Eric Lowen’s retirement in 2008 and passing from ALS in 2012. Dan set out solo in 2006.
Dan’s new album, “Horizon Line”, released in 2022, reunited Dan with Grammy® winning producer Jim Scott, who helmed six L&N albums. The album features performances from Chris Stills, Steve Postell (David Crosby, The Immediate Family), Doug Pettibone (Lucinda Williams), Brian Whelan (Dwight Yoakum), Jimmy Paxson (Lindsay Buckingham), Mai Leisz (David Crosby, Jackson Browne), Sebastian Steinberg (Soul Coughing), Taras Prodaniuk & Michael Jerome (The Richard Thompson Trio), Phil Parlapiano (John Prine), Peter Adams, Aubrey Richmond (Shooter Jennings), Carlos Murguia, Leyla Hoyle and Derek Nakamoto. The album twice charted Top Ten at NACC Folk, and reviews have been the finest of Dan’s career.
His songs have appeared in the films Deadpool 2, Pitch Perfect 2 and Talladega Nights, TV series This Is Us, Mare of Easttown, Halt and Catch Fire, American Idol, The Voice, American Dad and The Office and national commercials for Corona Beer, Sargento Cheese, Pepsi, Sheraton Hotels, Chase Bank and the United Way.
In his “spare” time, Dan serves on the Board of SAG-AFTRA, the actor-performer-broadcaster’s union; is a Trustee on the AFM & SAG-AFTRA Intellectual Property Rights Fund; serves on a committee of the Mechanical Licensing Collective and is a past president of Folk Alliance International. He has been a vocal activist in Washington DC for intellectual property rights for over 20 years, having testified before the US Senate Judiciary Committee, the Copyright Royalty Board, and in May 2023, before the House Judiciary Subcommitte on IP regarding AI and copyright.

Dan Navarro’s music probes life at its most resonant. In his rich baritone, he sings songs of heart and insight, steeped in experience, soulful tales from a long road well-traveled.
Find out more cool stuff at:
dannavarro.com
Our own ACMA member Andy Getch opens the show. Andy has been a member back to the humble beginnings of the ACMA. He has the ability to pull the audience into his music and stories that accompany. Andy is a talented singer/songwriter, painter of cool stuff and dedicated environmentalist. He and his wife open their home to traveling musicians for house concerts. Thank you for all you do to support the mission of the ACMA!
Tickets to the concert are available at the door.
Door donations:
Members – $18
General Public – $20
Doors open at 6:30 pm

Seth Walker in Concert! Dhruva' Stephenson Opens
2024-01-13 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Country Standard Time said it best: “If you subscribe to the Big Tent theory of Americana, then Seth Walker –with his blend of blues, gospel, pop, R&B, rock, and a dash country—just might be your poster boy.”
The ACMA is excited to welcome Seth Walker to our stage!
Seth Walker is often cited as one of the most prolific contemporary Americana artists on the scene today. He’s a multi-dimensional talent who combines a gift for melody and lyric alongside a rich, Gospel-drenched, Southern-inflected voice with a true blue knack for getting around on the guitar. His new studio album, I Hope I Know, produced by Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers, and a string of singles, including “We Got This,” “Spirits Moving” and a cover of Van Morrison’s classic “Warm Love” further build upon this reputation.

In 2021, Walker added published author to his oeuvre with his first memoir, ‘Your Van Is On Fire.’ A riotous and charming melange of a touring musician’s life, the book is comprised of many short essays, poems and paintings he’d accumulated over a near 30-year career. Written during the pandemic lockdown, Walker offers a first hand account of an artist in perpetual motion who’s dedicated his life to chasing the muse wherever it may lead.
Growing up on a commune in rural North Carolina, the son of classically trained musicians, Seth Walker played cello long before discovering the guitar in his 20s. When his introduction to the blues came via his Uncle Landon Walker, who was both a musician and disc jockey, his fate was forever sealed. Instantaneously, Seth was looking to artists like T-Bone Walker, Snooks Eaglin, and B.B. King as a wellspring of endless inspiration. The rest is history. He’s released ten albums, broken into the Top 20 of the Americana Radio Charts, reached No. 2 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and received praise from NPR, American Songwriter, No Depression and Relix, among others.
Seth Walker is currently based in Asheville, NC after previously residing in Austin, New Orleans and Nashville. He’s used those experiences wisely, soaking up the sounds and absorbing the musical lineage of these varied places. With a bluesman’s respect for roots and tradition, coupled with an appreciation for—and successful melding of—contemporary songwriting, Seth sublimely incorporates a range of styles with warmth and grace.
Listen to some of his music at:
sethwalker.com
Opening the concert is Dhruva’ Stephenson. In her own words…”Singer-songwriter, jammer, traveler. Loves singing harmonies and flirting around with flute, mandolin, bass, percussion, piano and other lesser-known instruments”. She is an ACMA member from the Mid-Atlantic region. Her music reflects a variety of folksy and bluesy genres highlighted by her distinctive contralto voice. Dhruva’ has released several albums of original music.
Tickets for the concert are available at the door.
Door donations:
Members – $15
General Public – $20
Doors open at 6:30 pm

ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza, Fred Ball, Matt Hannam, JD Lashley.
2024-01-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Fort Myers Regional Library, 1651 Lee St, Fort Myers , FL, 33901, United States
ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza, Fred Ball, Matt Hannam, JD Lashley.
The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), to offer FREE concerts of all original music by local Artists. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket, shows will be moved to the meeting rooms located next to the amphitheater if needed depending on weather.
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit promoting local artists who perform original songs. What to expect, you will hear singer-songwriters sharing a lifetime of experiences in song and the inspiration behind the songs. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music is a coming together of blues, roots, folk , bluegrass, and country. Lots of room to spread out so bring a friend.

Fred Ball started off in Greenwich Village in the early 60s during “The Great Folk Scare”. Played primarily folk music until the late 60s when he started playing in a wedding band. In 2005 Fred recommited himself to his music when he moved to Florida in 2018 and start running the open mic at George and Wendy’s Sanibel Seafood Grill until COVID shut it down. You can find Fred out and about performing local gigs at Woody’s, Hooked, The Perch at The Wyvern in Punta Gorda, and The Paradise Deli.
Songwriting has become Fred’s passion as well as photography in videoing other musicians. The ACMA is lucky to have Fred as a member he’s always willing to volunteer and help out.

Matt Hannam is a covers artist and songwriter who performs as a solo artist, and with his six piece band The Collective. Matt is a former school teacher that has worked in the Telecommunications industry for the past 21 years. He has been a member of the ACMA since the founding year, and is a former board member of both the ACMA and Hope by Song.
Past regular solo and duo performances include World of Beer University Parkway (2016 to 2019), and Three Fishermen Seafood Restaurant (2016 to 2020). He has also played at various other local establishments.
Since The Collective’s formation in 2015 his band has shared the stage with such notable national artists as Fuel (2016 & 2019), Buckcherry (2020), Cracker (2017), Filter (2019), 10 Years (2021), Cinder (2020), and Smile Empty Soul (2016). The Collective has also performed at various local festivals/events to include: Cape Coral Bike Night, Lehigh Spring Fair, Taste of The Town – Jr. League of Lee County, Taste of Cape Coral, Fort Myers Relay for Life, Lehigh Acres Relay for Life, Ink Life Tour – Fort Myers, Gator Fest (Cape Coral), and the Deland Original Music Festival.

JD Lashley, If singer songwriter/ troubadour Todd Snider had dropped his kid brother on his head, he’d have probably wound up a lot like JD Lashley. JD works hard and writes harder, trying to pluck jokes and rhymes out of the grind. His style is heavily influenced by Americana and Roots music, and he’s not afraid to sneak in a little Hip Hop… Something for everyone.

Reckless Saints W/ Susie Hulcher .... Ken Dunn Opening
2024-01-06 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Happy 2024! The ACMA is pleased that some things don’t change. If it’s a new year for concerts then the Reckless Saints are in the house! Welcome back, Roy and Kim.
Read below for more details:

Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield are the core duo and songwriters of Reckless Saints. Partners in music and love since 2003, they began recording and touring five years later. “Blue Twangled Folk ‘n’ Roll’ is the answer Roy provided to the question “What kind of music do you play?” The Fort Myers based duo decided to use his answer as the album title for their new release, while also adopting the title of their 2018 release ‘Reckless Saints’ as their new band moniker.

“Joining The Reckless Saints on stage will be Susie Hulcher. Susie has been a musician for longer than she cares to remember. She happily joins Roy and Kim for this event as bassist and vocalist to Serve The Song. www.susiehulcher.com

Kim & Roy met online in 2003, when it was still awkward to admit to such in public. On their first date, Roy had Kim playing a few chords on the mandolin and their musical collaboration began. Roy was making a living performing in local venues at the time, but was reluctant to share his original songs as he felt no one was really listening. Kim suggested they book a summer tour, playing any venue that would have them, so they could focus on playing their own songs for a listening audience. Roy agreed, and the duo spent 6 weeks on the road pulling a tiny camper. The inaugural tour gave them confidence to continue seeking a bigger listening audience and led to higher profile bookings and two European tours. The duo spent over a decade touring and recording 5 CDs of original music under their solo names before officially adopting Reckless Saints as their band name.
Other studio guests on Reckless Saints newest album, ‘Blue Twangled Folk ‘n’ Roll’ include the legendary Country Music Hall of Famer, Charlie McCoy, on harmonica, and Aaron Neville bassist, David C. Johnson. The album was recorded and mixed at the couple’s home studio, ‘Shiny Gnu Records,’ with mastering by Mark Hallman in Austin, TX.
Take a listen at:
recklesssaints.com
Opening for Reckless Saints is ACMA member Ken Dunn. Tempered by experience and fueled by passion, Ken Dunn’s music “sneaks into your feet, heart, and soul” (No Depression Magazine). Distilling disparate life experiences into a proficient set of musical skills, his unique songs and stories take audiences on a healing journey of love and self-discovery.
With decades of touring and ten critically acclaimed albums to his credit, Ken writes, performs, and records with the intention of promoting peace, social, and environmental justice. Alternatively light-hearted and pensive, contemporary, yet infused with tradition, this is music focused on positive human values, with diversity and inclusivity at its core.
Tickets for the concert are available at the door.
Door donations:
Members – $12
General Public – $18
Doors open at 6:30 pm.

ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza, Tim McGeary, Barbara Chamberlain, & Ray Boone
2023-12-12 18:00 - 19:30 | Fort Myers Regional Library, 1651 Lee St, Fort Myers , FL, 33901, United States
ACMA Songwriters at the Plaza, Tim McGeary, Barbara Chamberlain, & Ray Boone
The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), to offer FREE concerts of all original music by local Artists. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket, shows will be moved to the meeting rooms located next to the amphitheater if needed depending on weather.
The ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit promoting local artists who perform original songs. What to expect, you will hear singer-songwriters sharing a lifetime of experiences in song and the inspiration behind the songs. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music is a coming together of blues, roots, folk , bluegrass, and country. Lots of room to spread out so bring a friend.
Tim McGeary hails from Naples, Florida where he has lived for the past 20+ years. Tim has been writing songs and performing since the 80’s and was with the band “The Rescue” on AM records and toured with Billy Idol, Roxy Music, Depeche Mode, The Cure and many more. Tim’s songs have been on ( Smallville, One Tree Hill,Glory Days) and movies like, Girl Got Moe (HBO), He has opened for opened for The Black Crows, David Ball, Sherrie Austin, Confederate Railroad, Wet Willie, Rush Low and many more. Tim plays shows in SW Florida, Nashville, and Europe.
Barbara Chamberlain has a passion for playing the guitar and singing harmony. Now that she is back to her beloved Southwest Florida, after some time in Michigan, you might find her performing several decades of multi genre music alone or with friends, while she works towards producing a CD. When not making music with her friends from Naples to Pine Island, she will be saving the bees, kayaking or fishing.
New ACMA member, Ray Boone first arrived in Nashville in the early 80’s. He himself did not come to play music, he came as a music fan and to provide support for his songwriter cousin. His cousin, Larry Boone, was making his mark in country music, as an award winning songwriter and an artist with Mercury Polygram.
Fast forward to 2007, Ray returned to Nashville as an award winning outdoor television producer.He produced RFDTV’s “Music and Motors”, featuring Mike Curb’s NASCAR team and young country music stars in the making. During the making of the TV show Ray was surrounded by songwriters and music makers who encouraged him to write. As a writer he signed with BMI. When a song he penned himself, “Totch Brown”, about a character from the Florida Everglades was being demoed, independent artist Rickie Lee Tanner decided to cut it on his album “This Here.”
A year later country artist, Jake Clayton cut two of his compositions, “Down with That” and “Old Red Barn.”,”How’s that working for you” and “Means Everything”. These can be heard on Jake’s “By the Light of the Moon” and “Quarantine Sessions”CD’s. The “High South” band had it’s first hit with his Co-write “All We Need”
The new Americana Tropical Rock genre fit Ray perfect for his type and influence of Florida Coastal lifestyle. Ray is in good company, writing with several of Nashville’s best and brightest. He penned all his new EP releases of “Native Son” , “Island Songs” and “Legacy” and has co writes with some well-known hit songwriters Phoenix Mendoza, Keesy Timmer and Walker Hayes. His recordings also have been played on television shows “Legacy Trails”, “Ray Van Horn’s Captains Journey” (Sportsman Channel) Family photo frame (PBS) Today Ray lives with his wife Jody in Cape Coral Florida and tours performing Trop Rock Americana festivals, concerts and house concerts.

Hank Woji and Friends in concert!! Chakulla opens
2023-12-02 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
Join us for the final concert of the season at our All Faiths Venue! Touring musician and ACMA member Hank Woji takes the stage with a merry band of friends, including Rob Pastore on pedal steel and bass, and Roy Schneider & Kim Mayfield, on guitar, bass, mandolin, dobro and vocals.
A self described ‘Jersey Shore Ex-Pat turned West Texas Desert Rat’, Hank cut his musical teeth in the vibrant Asbury Park, NJ music scene of the 1980s & 90s. In the Spring of 2001 Hank moved to Houston, TX, and found his new musical voice as a Singer Songwriter, but it was his chance move, in 2009, to the far West Texas desert town of Terlingua, that has most reshaped his life and his music.
Critics have described Hank’s music as “acoustic-wielding, sharply observed, Americana all the way” and being “in the best tradition of the Texas troubadours like Guy Clarke, Townes Van Zandt and Butch Hancock”
Of his recently released 6th CD, Tony Award winning songwriter, Anaïs Mitchell says: “Highways, Gamblers, Devils and Dreams is a sprawling meditation on mythic American themes, Hank is a warm-hearted and precise troubadour of the old school.” The album debuted at #5 on the September 2023 Euro Americana chart.
Over his 40+ year music career, Hank has performed with such notable artists as: Jonathan Byrd, Joe Jencks, David Amram, Spook Handy, Bob Livingston, Butch Hancock, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger.
A proud union member of AFM Local 1000, he’s still based in Terlingua, TX and tours nationally, performing at coffeehouses, theaters, clubs, festivals and house concerts throughout the US.
www.hankwoji.com

Opening the show for Hank is ACMA member musician Chakulla. Chakulla hails from Punta Gorda where he donates his time and talent to his Hunger Bus Project and The Happy Place!
Chakulla (affectionately known as Grandfather Chakulla) is an individual, expressing his music with an organic grove of worldly rhythm’s, unique guitar cords, catchy and memorable melodies. He sings out with an acoustic guitar using a loop pedal enabling leads, harmonica, marimba, conga’s, percussion, and vocal percussion lines to manifest on the spot and live .
He is best described as the Folk/World/Jazz/Americana artist, and in his 4 decades of writing and playing music Chakulla has shared his music at concert venues seating 60,000 people, and in Clubs, at House concerts, Festivals, TV and radio appearances, and singing out in the streets.
He has shared the stage with Richie Havens, Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, Buddy Miles, Aztec Two step, etc. Chakulla has a profound effect on audiences connecting, including, inspiring, and inviting them to participate and to sing along leaving them with a smile.
www.chakullamusic.net
Doors open at 6:30
Door donation $12/$18

Grant Peeples in Concert! David Hintz Opens
2023-11-18 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
One of the ACMA favorites….welcome back songwriter and poet extraordinaire, Grant Peeples!!
Grant Peeples is known for his axe-sharp socio-political tunes, raucous humor and heart-gigging ballads.

He is the recipient of the Focus Foundation Award for Creative Excellence, which cited the “humor, compassion and wisdom of his songs,” and their “unflinching social insight and cultural acuity.” Grant tours coast to coast and is a regular performer at The Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, the 30A Songwriters Festival, and The Florida, Folk Festival, along with the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival.

He has been a keen observer of the American condition for five decades, ever since a friend introduced him to the music of Bob Dylan. Through many years on the road, running a night club/music venue in Tallahassee, and after a ten-year stint on an isolated island off the coast of Nicaragua, Peeples turned to writing with a vengeance. He wrote poetry and songs that turned a critical eye on American culture and identity, the very definition of contemporary folk music.

January 2019 marked a second tour in The Netherlands, where FolkForum.nl described him “…a pure storyteller, in the best American folk tradition…” and his show “…one of those gems that you will remember for a long time…”
Grant released a new record in February 2023… A Murder of Songs. Congratulations!!
grantpeeples.com
Opening the show is David Hintz. David is a founding ACMA member and singer/songwriter. He has been actively writing and performing his own music and covers since high school. He and Grant Peeples in one show create a perfect pairing! Hintz describes his lyrics as being a reflection of real life experiences with everything from love won and lost, online dating, satire, religion, and politics. The ACMA is fortunate to have this calibre of musician in our own back yard. Take a look at his SW Florida schedule and go take a listen. You will be glad you did.
https://www.reverbnation.com/DavidHintzMusician
Tickets for the show are available at the door!
Door donations:
$12 – Members
$18 – General Public

Patchouli in concert At The Alliance For the Arts. Carlene Thissen opens
2023-11-05 15:00 - 17:30 | Alliance for the Arts, 10091 McGregor Blvd, Fort Myers, FL, 33919, United States
Advance tickets are recommended. 134 are available. If weather threatens the advance ticket holders will have seats indoors. Walkups on the day of the show are welcome if the show stays out doors.
www.artinlee.org
ACMA/Alliance $15/General public $16
We’re super excited to be kicking off another season at The Alliance for the Arts…and the icing on the cake is that our founding members Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli will be playing for us on the Green Market Stage.
Better known as “Patchouli”….the duo brings magical music to the stage.
Here’s a bit more:
Patchouli & Terra Guitarra
Patchouli and Terra Guitarra is master guitarist Bruce Hecksel and singer-songwriter, guitarist Julie Patchouli.
ZMR calls Terra Guitarra “one of the top nuevo-flamenco groups in the world”, with a #1 and two top 5 internationally charting albums and multiple “Album of the Year” nominations. Patchouli is a folk festival headliner and Public Radio favorite with pure, haunting lead vocals and beautiful harmonies. Their sound, depth and virtuosity is described as “Simon and Garfunkel meets the Gipsy Kings” and “taking a yoga class in a field of running mustangs.”
Their soulful fusion of blazing Spanish and world guitar instrumentals, spine tingling vocal harmonies, and epic folk rock anthems are infused with a visible onstage chemistry. An extraordinary bond is immediately apparent as two guitars merge into one acoustic wall of sound and their innovative, percussive flat-picking and hybrid fingerstyle techniques leave even astute listeners wondering where the drummer is.
Patchouli & Terra Guitarra have performed over 4,000 shows, toured a million miles on the road supporting 20 CD releases, won songwriting awards, industry awards, performed on TV, film and are played on Radio programs around the world.
The duo’s instrumental guitar project Terra Guitarra – “Dragonfly” debuted at #4 on the ZMR World Music Radio Charts and was Nominated ZMR Best Instrumental Acoustic Album of the Year 2013. Their 6th instrumental album “Firelight” is nominated ZMR Best Instrumental Acoustic Album of the Year 2015 was #5 on the ZMR Charts and #1 on the OneWorldMusicRadioUK charts. The duo was honored to perform for the Awards show May 7th 2016 in New Orleans at the Joy Theatre.
The overwhelming demand by their fans to have a live recording of the Terra Guitarra songs lead the duo to release a 12 song recording of Terra Guitarra in concert “Live at the Big River Theatre” November 2015. In January of 2017 they released their 8th album of all instrumental music “Of Sea & Stars” fusing their Spanish guitar style groove with other world music influences and is a huge success in just it’s first couple of months available. “Of Sea & Stars”has already charted at #1 for 2 months on both One WorldMuiscRadioUK and Phase Global Radio (Austrailia) and #2 on the International ZMR new age /ambient/ world music radio charts.
A new Patchouli album (with lyrics/vocals) is in the works and may be out by end of this year. The duo is touring hard this Spring in the USA with a couple of weeks in Europe in May. Their summer tour takes them all over the Midwestern & Eastern states for festivals, and outdoor concerts as well as they will be debuting their new animated concert experience, The Landscape of Guitar in several theatres.
Patchouli & Terra Guitarra represents the very top echelon of today’s acoustic performers, bringing the highest level of skill together with the passion, experience and joy that are a rare combination indeed.
https://www.carlenethissen.com/about
www.patchouli.net
Opening for Patchouli is ACMA member Carlene Thissen!
Carlene Thissen is an American singer-songwriter, and author, born on June 28, 1950, in Andover , northwest New Jersey. Carlene Thissen is now in Naples, Florida, where she dedicates herself to performing, speaking and songwriting, singing and playing piano and guitar at house concerts, clubs, restaurants, festivals and charity events. She also serves the community as part-time Instructor and content developer for a Farm Labor Supervisor Training program at the University of Florida’s Research & Education Center in Immokalee.
Carlene Thissen performed in the 1960s and 70s as a young guitar-playing folk singer in northwest New Jersey, doing songs by Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Judy Collins, Joni Mitchell and Melanie. She says the best three days of her life were spent at the Woodstock Music & Art Fair in 1969 and she presents a multi-media program today about that experience.
As she explains in her autobiographical song, Back There Again, this Woodstock hippie girl, “…cut her hair and got a career, and lost herself for 30 odd years.” Forgetting her dreams of being a doctor working in ghettos, she became a successful business woman, well known for speeches, articles and books about marketing technology. She ended her corporate career as Vice President for a large market research company in Chicago, started her own independent international consulting company and then moved to Naples, Florida.
Carlene Thissen says a series of God-driven events led her back to her true self through the agricultural community of Immokalee, Florida, where she volunteered as a music teacher for pre-school children and sang in the choir at Our Lady of Guadalupe church. Her love of the farm workers inspired two books: Immokalee’s Fields of Hope and Called From Silence: The Father Sanders Novel.
She also has written several songs that were inspired by her work and friendships there (see MUSIC on this website and listen to “Take These Hands,” “Mama in Your Heart,” “When Papa Goes North,” “Our Lady of Guadalupe,” and “On the Road Home.”).
Carlene still works part-time at the University of Florida in Immokalee, teaching and developing courses to educate the supervisors of farm workers on the laws that keep farm workers safe and in a fair work environment.
She has three more books in progress about Immokalee and music that will no doubt accompany them. The one that is closest to publication will be called Harvest of Dreams, stories of the children of the farm workers who have gotten educations and advanced degrees so they no longer have to work in the fields. The other two are Black Immokalee, the stories of American Black people who lived on the south side on segregated Immokalee; and The Haitian Kids, about 10 young people she has loved and mentored for 21 years.
She graduated with a B.A. in Business Administration from the College of St. Catherine in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1982, and an M.A. in Latin American History from Florida International University in Miami in 2005.
Carlene Thissen lives in Naples, Florida.
She is a member of Nashville’s Global Songwriter’s Connection, Women of Substance’ Female Musician Academy, and the Americana Community Member Association.

Rupert Wates in Concert! Gareth Rockliffe Opens
2023-11-04 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
“This is one gifted s.o.b. If you are not hip to this guy you are missing a lot”. – Mark S. Tucker, FAME
We, at the ACMA, agree and are excited to have Rupert Wates back on our stage.
Read more:
Rupert Wates was born in London and studied at Oxford University. He has been a full time songwriter since the late 1990s, when he signed a publishing contract with Eaton Music Limited. In London he worked with some of the best performers in the city. Moving in 2001 to Paris, Wates formed his own quartet and began playing live regularly. In fall 2006 he came to the US. He is now based in New York City and Colorado. Since coming to the US, he has won more than 50 songwriting and performing awards (www.rupertwatesmusic.com/awards).
His music is an eclectic mix of acoustic, melodic art/folk, with flavors of jazz, vaudeville and cabaret. He has released twelve solo CDs. They have received outstanding reviews in the international online press and tracks from them have been played on radio all over the world. In addition, Wates’ songs have been covered by other artists in the UK, Canada and the US.

Rupert Wates averages 120 live shows every year, in front of audiences totaling more than 3,500, in acoustic venues in every state in America, in Canada and in Europe. He performs sometimes alone, sometimes with his trio or his quartet. He prefers smaller listening rooms where the audience is up close and the emphasis is on the music. Audiences everywhere respond to Wates’ brand of melodic art/folk—haunting songs that ring true.
rupertwatesmusic.com

The opener for Rupert Wates is ACMA member and singer/songwriter, Gareth Rockliffe. Gareth Rockliffe, a native of the UK, is a professional photographer who has enjoyed writing songs for the past thirty years. His songs are often deeply personal, but with a universal heartfelt appeal. Gareth’s songs have in the past only been shared with small groups of friends or fellow songwriters…that’s about to change.
Tickets available at the door!
Door donations:
$12 – Members
$18 – General Public
Doors open at 6:30 PM. See you there!

Ellis Paul 30th Year Anniversary Tour! Featuring, Darryl Purpose, Gene Martin opens
2023-10-21 19:00 - 21:00 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
There is a story behind every musician that graces our stage at the ACMA. For the ACMA to be a part of this artist’s 30th Year Anniversary Tour is top shelf! You are going to like this….
On our stage, Ellis Paul

“Ellis Paul is one of the best singer/songwriters of his generation. And for many of us he is the face of contemporary folk music. Few are as smart, as literate, as poetic as Paul. I cannot think of another artist on the acoustic music scene is better loved by fans, or more respected by his contemporaries.” Lee Zimmerman – (writer/reviewer for American Songwriter)
Read on:
Ellis Paul is one of those gifted singer/songwriters. Though some may refer to him as a folk singer, he is more, for lack of a better word, a singular storyteller, a musician whose words reach out from inside and yet also express the feelings, thoughts and sensibilities that most people can relate to in one way or another, regardless of age or upbringing. The exhilaration of the open road. A celebration of heroes. The hope for redemption. Descriptions of those things that are both near and dear. The sharing of love, intimate,passionate and enduring.
Some artists document their lives through their music. Others chronicle their times. It’s a rare artist who can do both, telling their own story through songs that also encapsulate the essence of people and places who have helped define their era overall. Woody Guthrie comes to mind, and so does Bob Dylan. Bruce Springsteen certainly as well. Yet few others, for whatever genius they may possess, can relate their own history to the history experienced by those who find that common bond, be it in a coming of age, living through the same realities or sharing similar experiences.

There’s likely no greater evidence of how Woody Guthrie’s insights and humanity have rubbed off on Paul than in this particularly telling tribute from Nora Guthrie. “A singer-songwriter is only as good as the times he reflects, ”she said in praising Paul. “In times like these, when so many nuts are running the show, it’s comforting to know that Ellis Paul is actually holding our sanity on his own stage! Wise, tender, brilliant and biting, Ellis is one of our best human compasses, marking in melodies and poems where we’ve been and where we might go if we so choose to. Personally, Ellis, I’m goin’ where you’re goin’! ” we are hoping to put together a member only workshop with Ellis.
ellispaul.com

Darryl Purpose as a special guest of Ellis Paul. Darryl is a tremendous songwriter with a long history of shows across the US.
Darryl Purpose. Website https://darrylpurpose.com/home
Opening our show is ACMA treasure, member and singer/songwriter Gene Martin!Gene is a radiologist who has been singing in church choirs, glee clubs, and choruses since childhood. He started playing the ukulele, and four string banjo as a teenager, then the guitar which was his constant companion through college, medical school, and during his tour as a battalion surgeon in Vietnam. He formed a quartet with fellow students in college where they entertained at many functions and parties. After retiring he joined the ACMA, and began writing songs. His first real attempt was the song, I Can’t Live Forever, But It’s On My Bucket List. He then formed a band called The Floridians with Mary Dahl, Al Candelaria, and Chuck Dettmann. They entertain in the atrium at Health Park, and at least twice a month at Loving Hearts, an adult day care center, leading many songs the clients sing with them, and they have done several shows sponsored by the ACMA. Gene also cohosts the ACMA Songwriters Circle with Bruce Cese Gallant.

Concert Tickets are available at the door
Donations:
Members – $15
General Public – $20
Doors open at 6:30 pm

ACMA @ Tribby Arts Center presents 2PM Band
2023-10-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Shell Point Tribby Arts Center, 17281 On Par Blvd., Fort Myers, Florida, 33908
ACMA Acoustic Americana Series wraps up 2023 season with the 2PM band!
“2PM” is Pete Price, Pete Hennings, and Mike Jurgensen, a trio of talented musicians who blend their varied musical talents into an eclectic mix of material, from original songs, to obscure covers, to well-known standards.
With Price on guitar and bass, Hennings on guitar, bass, mandolin, and violin, and Jurgensen on guitar and harmonica, these three performers combine tight instrumentation with pristine vocal harmonies to delight audiences of all musical tastes.
All three are talented songwriters and have performed solo as well as with other bands: Hennings and Price with Jon Semmes and the Florida Friends, and Jurgensen and Hennings with Myriad. The combination of Pete, Pete, and Mike as “2PM”, however, is a unique trio that has delighted audiences at acoustic venues and folk festivals around the state of Florida.
https://www.2pmband.com
The Tribby Arts Center at Shellpoint Retirement Center is a state of the art 400 seat performing arts venue. Don’t miss the chance to hear Americana music presented in this fantastic setting!
Tickets $25.00.
www.tribbyartscenter.org

Sarah McQuaid - Bill Veach Opens
2023-10-14 19:00 - 21:30 | ACMA. at All Faiths Unitarian, 2756 McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers, FL, 33901
“One of the most instantly recognisable voices in current music … Shades of Joni Mitchell in a jam with Karen Carpenter and Lana Del Rey.” —Trust The Doc
Sarah McQuaid’s lush, chocolatey voice combines with her endearing personality, “subtle mastery onstage” (Huffington Post) and “brilliant musicianship” (fRoots) on acoustic and electric guitars, piano and (occasionally) drum to create a truly immersive experience.
Born in Spain, raised in Chicago, holding dual Irish and American citizenship and now settled in rural England, she brings the eclecticism of her background to her “captivating, unorthodox songwriting” (PopMatters) and choice of material, spanning genres and defying categorisation.
All this is abundantly demonstrated by her new live album and video series The St Buryan Sessions — but needs to be savoured in person to be fully appreciated.
sarahmcquaid.com
facebook.com/sarahmcquaidmusic
twitter.com/sarahmcquaid
youtube.com/sarahmcquaid
instagram.com/sarahmcquaidmusic
ACMA member Bill Veach Opens. Bill is a gifted local songwriter and storyteller. Bill will take you with him on a journey as he weaves together his songs.
Suggested donation $15 members/$20 non members — 7pm (Doors 6:30pm)

ACMA Island Hopper Festival Singer-Songwriter Showcase
2023-09-27 18:30 | The Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center, 2301 First ST, Fort Myers, FL, 33901, United States
ACMA Island Hopper Festival Singer-Songwriter Showcase
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Doors open & Cocktails. 6:30 pm • Concert 7:30pm
The Americana Community Music Association
The Americana Community Music Association sland Hopper Festival Singer-Songwriter Showcase
he Sidney Berne Davis Art Center
The Island Hopper, is excited to once again present some of the best local songwriters at The Sidney Berne Davis Art Center. All artists are members of the Americana Community Music Association, a Fort Myers based not for profit, that promotes year-round original music.
Roy Schneider, Kim Mayfield, Ray Cerbone , Robert Bidney, and Bill Metts will be performing in the round sharing original music and the stories behind the songs. This will be a wonderful evening of great music in a beautiful location.
Advanced tickets $10.00. week of concert $15.00
Box Office Link https://www.sbdac.com/acma-showcase/

ACMA Performers biographies
Ray Cerbone, One of the founding members of the Fort Myers ACMA (Americana Community Music Association), Ray began playing guitar during the late 60’s folk scene. With the support and inspiration of fellow local and touring musicians, he began writing and playing in earnest in 2010. Traveling a long road in a short time, his music encompasses many genres, including Americana, Folk, Blues, Ballads, and a little bit of Country. His storyteller style takes the listener to another place in time, his music and lyrics bringing evocative insights into the many sides of life. Ray is also a singer-songwriter’s song-singer. That is, he does interpretive covers of great originals by other very talented singer/songwriters using his own creative touch. His inventive fingerstyle guitar is uniquely diverse and easy-on-the-ears. Ray’s recently released CD, “How Much Time”, has received glowing reviews stateside and oversea
https://steelonwood.com
Kim Mayfield is better known as half of the Americana duo Reckless Saints. Her music has been described as “haunted by Patsy Cline.” Mayfield’s song ‘Ring Around the Moon’ made her a semi-finalist in the 2019 International Songwriting Competition. In April Kim and her Reckless Saints partner, Roy Schneider, released a new album titled ‘Blue Twangled Folk ‘n’ Roll.’
https://www.recklesssaints.com
Bill Metts. started singing playing guitar during the Country Blues revival of the 1960s and fell in love with the art of finger-style guitar. Shortly after moving to Southwest Florida, he was asked to serve on the board of the nationally known Americana Community Music Association. He began writing songs as a result of being asked to host their weekly Songwriter Circle and for four years did so. He also volunteered for “Hope by Song Inc”, a not-for-profit organization, creating songs from the writings of people dealing with great emotional trauma in order to help them heal through the power inherent in music. He has performed at the prestigious Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival, the world famous “Ground Zero” in Clarksdale Mississippi, at the Will McLean Festival in Brooksville Florida and in the BMI sponsored Island Hopper Songwriter Festival.
www.mettsmusic.com
www.reverbnation.com/billmetts
Robert Bidney is a Southwest Florida-based singer-songwriter whose messages are as strong as his melodies. His songs are both relatable and have a strong commercial sensibility. A seasoned performer, who connects with his audiences through his infectious energy and emotional performances, he has been writing songs for most of his life. Bidney has recorded three studio albums, while an eclectic array of artists around the world have also covered his songs with meaning – songs that define him and reveal his soul. His creativity and commercial awareness merged while Bidney was employed by advertising agencies for which he wrote and produced a number of national radio and TV jingles for clients and worked closely with many top musicians,
Website: http://www.robertbidney.com/
Roy Schneider, Founding member of the Americana duo Reckless Saints, Roy Schneider has been performing his original music throughout the United States and abroad for the past two decades. His songs have thrice made him a NewFolk Finalist at the Kerrville Folk Festival (TX), a contestant on NBC’s The Voice – Season 5 and placed him in the Telluride Acoustic Blues competition (CO). No Depression called him “A songwriter in the grandest tradition of Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams, Guy Clark and Lyle Lovett, but with a voice, songwriting skill, stagecraft and instrumental talent all his own.” In April Roy and Reckless Saints partner, Kim Mayfield, released a new album titled ‘Blue Twangled Folk’n’ Roll.’
https://www.recklesssaints.com

ACMA @ Tribby Arts Center presents Brian Smalley!
2023-09-19 19:00 - 20:30 | Shell Point Tribby Arts Center, 17281 On Par Blvd., Fort Myers, Florida, 33908
The ACMA is happy to be invited back to Tribby Center this year to continue our summer Acoustic Americana series, presenting a smattering of “what is Americana?” to the Shellpoint Community and the general public. The Tribby is a state of the art performance center. Don’t miss the chance to see some of your favorite artists in this superb setting!
Having played guitar all his life, Brian has developed some skill on the git-box, and possessing a creative (and somewhat disturbed) imagination, he is a master storyteller. Before ‘CHOSEN,’ he’d recorded six home-grown projects. His acoustic novel “ChickensPigs” received the Best Florida Folk CD award from The Florida Times Union in 2013. And thousands have enjoyed the tale of Painter Kellet, a homeless man in Key West, from the acoustic novel ‘KEY.’ But now the floodgates have been loosed. Brian and friends give us some real ear-candy with ‘CHOSEN.’ Over the top production value, musicianship to beat the band, and a riveting storyline makes this a pleasurable and thrilling listening experience.
www.brianssmalley.com
Tickets $25.00
Doors open 6:30
Show at 7:00
Tickets available now at www.tribbyartscenter.com
