BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Americana Community Music Association - ECPv6.15.16.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:Americana Community Music Association X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.americanacma.org X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Americana Community Music Association REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20170312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20171105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20180311T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20181104T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20190310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20191103T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181027T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181027T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180517T175147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180829T134556Z UID:1722-1540666800-1540675800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Rebecca Folsom returns! Ray Cerbone opens DESCRIPTION:Rebecca Folsom WOWED us with her concert last year. We are thrilled that she’s chosen to grace our stage again!\n\n\nRebecca Folsom’s music is about liberation. Her songs crack open hearts\, inspire hope\, and leave listeners with a deeper perspective. Rebecca’s world-class voice traverses a near-four-octave range. KUNC radio describes it as “knock-you-to-your-knees.” The Daily Camera describes her music as “shining…with lush harmonies\,” and Westword Magazine says\, “Her songs hit like little earthquakes!”\n\n\n \n\n\nWhile her range is impressive\, it’s the expression in her voice that rivets your attention and stays with you long after the show ends.\n\n\n \n\n\nRebecca’s voice pours from an inner source of honest emotion\, flowing from lilting tenderness to fully liberated\, unbridled release. Her poetic songs open your heart\, setting free a vulnerability you didn’t realize was locked away and inviting you to embrace life with all of its joy\, sorrow\, passion\, and love. She brings both a pure vocal quality reminiscent of old Appalachia and a blues prowess\,\n\n\n \n\n\nwww.rebeccafolsom.com\n\n\nRay Cerbone \n\n\nOne of the founding members of the Fort Myer’s ACMA (Americana Community Music Association)\, Ray began playing guitar during the early 70’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 artists using his own creative touch. His inventive fingerstyle guitar is uniquely diverse and easy-on-the-ears.\n\n\n \n\n\nIn addition to his status as featured artist at local performance venues in SW Florida\, Ray also hosted for WGCU\, a live radio show for Michael Haymen’s “Morning Zoo” featuring on “The Aficionado Show.” His song ”Fondest Memory of All”\, a tribute to Guy Clark\, has been celebrated on the Austin-based KEOS radio. He has opened for such extraordinary artists as Roy Schneider\, Robin O’Herin\, Jaime Michaels\, Pierce Pettis\, and Muriel Anderson. Recent performances include an SRO show for the ACMA\, and various standing-room-only house concerts at private residences\, as well as several Florida Folk Festivals. \n\n\n \n\n\nHis alter ego is “Rafer John\,” lead singer and co-songwriter for Apocalypse Blues Revue. Group members include Bryan Carpenter on bass\, Tony Rombola and Shannon Larkin of Godsmack\, respectively\, on guitar and drums. Featuring all original compositions\, Apocalypse Blues Revue signed with Mascot/Provogue Records and\, after the release of their first CD\, toured the Northeast\, opening for Steven Tyler\, Robbie Krieger of The Doors\, Blue Oyster Cult\, also touring with Kenny Wayne Shepherd\, and playing The Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival\, as well as various Blues venues around Florida. ABR’s second album release “The Shape of Blues to Come\,” produced by Dave Fortman of Ugly Kid Joe\, was released in July of this year. Guest vocalist\, Nancy “Harmony Queen” Koerner\, is also featured on the new album.\n\n\nRay is currently working on his own first pro-CD set which he plans to release in the early Spring of 2018. It will be a blend of traditional Americana and songs with styles he has developed through the years working with musicians from all genres. \n\n\n \n\n\nhttps://www.facebook.com/RayCerboneAmericanaMusic URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/rebecca-folsom-returns-opener-tba/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/rebecca-f.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181020T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181020T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180909T141950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180909T141950Z UID:1825-1540062000-1540069200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Nate Currin with ACMA members David and Carolyn Stanlely opening DESCRIPTION:With over 600\,000 miles driven and 800 shows performed over the last 12 years\, Nate Currin is a troubadour in every sense of the word. With his roots in the North Georgia clay\, Nate has enough of the South in his voice and writing to showcase his upbringing but he includes an emotional trustworthiness that can’t be faked. He’s shared the stage with plenty of “big” names and had songs featured on a myriad of television shows but Nate retains his enigmatic drive to fly under the radar from time to time. \nNate’s journey is all about chasing after the genuine human connection\, one fan and one song at a time. Having spent years performing in listening venues\, ticketed clubs and living rooms all across the country\, Nate moved into a motorhome for a 4 year stretch at one point and lived the real life of a rambling man. And he’s got the stories to back it up. \nOver the last 5 years he has won 5 International Music Awards\, including Songwriter of the Year twice and been nominated for Indie Music Awards as well as a Georgia Music Award. In addition to that\, several of Nate’s albums have reached the top 20 iTunes Charts including his most recent release The Madman and the Poet. Currently Nate is preparing to release his 5th full-length studio album in the last 8 years as he continues to tour the country with his dog\, Max. \n“\nThe ACMA is happy to welcome Nate back to our stage..AND opening for Nate..\nACMA members David and Carolyn Stanley.\nDavid and Carolyn Stanley have been playing various genres of music solo and in several different groups since they were teenagers. As a duo in Fort Myers their performances feature David’s original music with David on vocals\, finger style or rhythm guitar and harmonica. Carolyn adds vocal harmonies and accompaniment on guitar\, banjo\, or charango. David’s original songs vary from a tribute to the late Pete Seeger to an amusing love song called “If You Give Me the Finger”. He has recorded a CD and has had a couple of his songs recorded by other artists. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/nate-currin-acma-members-david-carolyn-stanlely-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/nate-c.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181013T193000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181013T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180819T123841Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180819T123841Z UID:1756-1539459000-1539466200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Homegrown\, J Robert\, Marie Nofsinger\, & Ricky Baker Cegelis DESCRIPTION:We are very excited to bring together three excellent songwriters on the ACMA stage. J Robert\, is a long-time member with a full schedule\, so we are always thrilled when we can get him off Marco Island. Ricky Baker Cegelis\, is another long-time member. With Ricky now living in Florida full time\, we hope to see and hear more from him. Please welcome new member Marie Nofsinger. She is a dynamic performer and an excellent songwriter.  If you have seen any of these three on stage before\, you know sparks are going to fly when we get them all together. \nJ Robert  the Marco Island Music Man \n“Hear J Robert once and you’ll know why he’s called ‘Mr. Florida’!” \nJ Robert is a Florida-born entertainer who lives year-round on Marco Island\, performing hundreds of events in SW Florida annually. \nVisitors to Florida are entertained by J Robert’s signature sounds of SW Florida…blending violin\, steel drums and guitar into every song. \n“Artist of the Year” Marco Island Foundation for the Arts 2016 – 17 \n“1st Place Florida Song” Will McLean Fest 1992 \n“Entertainer of the Year” Florida Country Music Association 1987 \n“Instrumentalist of the Year” Florida Country Music Association 1987 \nFlorida Folk Festival participant 1997 – 2016 \nMangrove Music Studios\, J Robert’s private music production facility\, has placed music for The Travel Channel\, Big Bang Theory\, Madame Secretary\, Apalachicola Arts Fest\, Rookery Bay Estuary\, and the complete music score for the PBS documentary The Great Florida Cattle Drive: Unbroken Circles produced by Elam and Nic Stoltzfus. \nJ Robert is currently producing “The Florida Fiddler Show” – a theatrical music monologue featuring songs about Fiddles\, Florida History\, Heritage and Hope! \n Over the years\, J Robert has warmed up for or played shows with…Bonnie Raitt\, Charlie Daniels\, Doug Kershaw\, Clint Black\, Tracy Lawrence\, Willie Nelson\, David Allen Coe\, Vassar Clements\, Chubby Wise…and has performed and recorded with John McEuen from Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. \nBy the time J Robert plays for our ACMA friends\, he will have more musical stories from the Central Asian www.WorldNomadGames.com in Kyrgyzstan. \nWhen not performing\, J.Robert sails his 35′ Trimaran around Marco\, the crown jewel of the 10\,000 Islands\, into the Gulf of Mexico. \nwww.FloridaFiddlerShow.com \nwww.Facebook.com/JRobert.Music \nwww.MangroveMusicStudios.com \n Marie Nofsinger \nAward winning songwriter\, national touring performer and recording artist Marie Nofsinger will take you on a journey into the soul of America. \nTales of outlaws\, anarchists\, the common working man\, Jesus and broken hearts fill her original repertoire. Lilting melodies\, swamp stomp rhythms\, as well as jazzy swing tunes carry the lyrics into your memory. \nA published BMI songwriter\, her credits include; Her CD “Boots” which was voted City Link Magazine’s “Best Acoustic CD of 1999” and the latest 2010 release “The Wildlife Rides Again” chosen as “Best Roots and Acoustic CD of 2010” by the Palm Beach Post Entertainment Editor. “I’m Drunk Again” and “The Ash is Gone” are in the movie “Borderline Murder” and “Honey Bee” is in a series called “Sasquatch in the Kitchen” in Alaska. \nMarie was in the cast of the two sold out shows “Carry It On –    The History of the Labor Movement in America -Tribute to Pete Seeger”\, Feb. 2014. \nShe has won numerous songwriting awards including First Place First in Best Original Song by Suwanee Springfest\, 1st Place Ballad by the South Florida Folk Festival and was selected as the “1999 Best Local Acoustic Performer” by the New Times Magazine.  Marie is also a 16 year member of the wild woman band known as the “Habanero Honeys”\, a staple of Suwanee Springfest and at the 2012 and 2014 Virginia Keys Grassroots festival. \nShe is also one of the 10 Magnificent Musicians of Palm beach County from the 2002 Palm Beach Post TGIF.  She has performed throughout the USA\, the Caribbean and Europe. \nRicky Baker Cegelis started playing guitar when he was 45. He’s obviously a fast learner. Musical influences include Bob Dylan\, Neil Young\, John Prine\, Steve Earle\, Mississippi John Hurt and Rolling Stones. Ricky plays locally with 4 Man Trio\, and RPM. His songs emerge from personal experience and whimsy.  Now that he is retired we are looking forward to hearing more from Ricky. \n  URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/homegrown-j-robert-marie-nofsinger-ricky-baker-cegelis/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/8-19-h-grown.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181006T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181006T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180302T181735Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180430T192128Z UID:1662-1538852400-1538859600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Twin Kennedy return to ACMA. Gene Martin opens. DESCRIPTION:The ACMA is happy to welcome The Twin Kennedy’s back to our stage once again!\nIt’s like seeing double…\nTheir musical bond is as strong as their small town roots – Twin Kennedy\, comprised of West Coast sisters Carli and Julie Kennedy\, have been making music together since they could talk. Born and raised in the small town of Powell River\, BC\, Twin Kennedy grew up perfecting their sibling harmonies and dynamic live performances\, while making their name known throughout their small community as a family band.\n​\nGrowing up in such a musically infused family\, it is no wonder that these sisters crafted their sound through a unique fusion of their background in country\, folk\, jazz and classical music. With years of classical training\, including their Bachelors Degrees in Music Performance from the University of Victoria\, the sisters have found their home in country music. With Carli on vocals and guitar\, and Julie on vocals and violin\, these petite powerhouses will fill your soul with joy and warmth through their seamless harmonies and heartfelt songwriting. No bond compares to that of sisters\, and the same is to be said about the blend of their kindred voices.\n​www.twinkennedy.com\nOpening for Twin Kennedy is our own Gene Martin! \nGene Martin\, AKA Smokey Daytona\, Grew up in Maine\, though at age 80\, he still wonders if he is grown up yet.  He left home as a teenager to get an education\, spent a year as a battalion surgeon in Vietnam\, and settled down to practice radiology in upstate NY. He and his wife\, Nancy\, moved to Florida in 2003 to retire\, but he kept working for 8 more years. Folk music has always been his passion since he started singing and playing Oh Susanna\, and Camp Town Races with his little sister\, using her plastic ukulele when he was 16. He took up the banjo\, and finally the guitar which has been his constant companion ever since\, and he has sung in choruses\, glee clubs\, and church choirs since childhood. In 2015 he adopted the pseudonym\, Smokey Daytona\, and wrote his first Florida song\, Florida Sunshine\, which has gotten over 2000 hits on Youtube\, enough to earn him a substantial income of about $1.28. He joined the ACMA last year\, and continues to write songs. His favorites are about Florida\, his adopted home state. Visit smokeydaytona.com\, listen to the music\, and read travel logs of the many places in the world he and Nancy have visited. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/twin-kennedy-return-acma-gene-martin-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/twin-K.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180927T170000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180927T183000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180820T192052Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180820T192052Z UID:1767-1538067600-1538073000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:ACMA Island Hopper Festival Show\, Fort Myers Regional Library DESCRIPTION:ACMA Island Hopper Festival Show\, Downtown Fort Myers Regional Library \nCome and enjoy a FREE show with some of the Best Local Songwriters! \nThese special shows are hosted by the Lee County Library System and The Americana Community Music Association. \nThe ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit that promotes local artists who write and sing their own original songs. Come and hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase.  Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana\, is a coming together of blues\, roots\, folk and country.   www.americanacma.org \nIsland Hopper is presented by: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel\, iHeart Media\, Cat Country 107.1\, BMI and Hertz. \nRobert Bidney is a strong\, new voice on the indie album scene that’s been a long-time coming.”  His messages are as strong as his melodies with an appealing pop / soul sensibility\, leaving listeners wanting more. \nCarlene Thissen performed early on as a folk singer and then branched out into country.  She is heavily involved with Immokalee\, a farming community that inspired many of her original songs. \nMike McMillan got his first guitar as a teenager and has been pursuing his musical dreams ever since (in between jobs\, 4 kids and several dogs). URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/acma-island-hopper-festival-show-fort-myers-regional-library/ LOCATION:Fort Myers Regional Library\, 1651 Lee St\, Fort Myers \, FL\, 33901\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/8-20-18-IHF.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180921T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180921T153000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180820T191553Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180820T191553Z UID:1763-1537538400-1537543800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:ACMA Island Hopper Festival Show\, Captiva Library DESCRIPTION:Come and enjoy a FREE show with some of the Best Local Songwriters! \nThese special shows are hosted by the Lee County Library System and The Americana Community Music Association. \nThe ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit that promotes local artists who write and sing their own original songs. Come and hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase.  Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana\, is a coming together of blues\, roots\, folk and country.   www.americanacma.org \nIsland Hopper is presented by: The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel\, iHeart Media\, Cat Country 107.1\, BMI and Hertz. \nACMA Island Hopper Festival Show\, Captiva Library \nFriday\, Sept. 21\, 2018   2 -3:30 pm   Captiva Memorial Library \n11560 Chapin Lane\, Captiva Island 33924 \nBill Metts was influenced by the music of Taj Mahal\, Mississippi John Hurt\, Doc Watson and others.  Bill’s original songs are down home finger-picking style. \nBruce Gallant has been writing songs for over 30 years. His songs are a reflection of different times in his life and he considers his songs his journal. \nDavid Hintz writes from his heart. His songs and performance is sure to be a direct line to yours. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/acma-island-hopper-festival-show-captiva-library/ LOCATION:Captiva Memorial Libaray 11560 Chapin La. Captiva FL 33924\, 11560 Chapin La\, Captiva\, FL\, 33924\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/8-20-18-IHF.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180915T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180915T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180517T173246Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180801T194430Z UID:1715-1537038000-1537047000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Cliff Eberhardt in concert with special guest Louise Mosrie DESCRIPTION:Special Donation pricing for this event. ACMA members $15/General public $20 \n“Eberhardt is better than ever\, Steve McQueening his way into your heart at about ninety-eight miles an hour\, kicking ass with fresh insight and new ways to lament old yearnings.”\n—Philly Rock Guide \n“One of the most talented musicians on the solo acoustic circuit… full of well-crafted songs and rich\, emotional vocals.”\n—Seattle Post Intelligencer \n“In a field of sensitive\, new-age guys\, Eberhardt digs deeper into life’s complexities and discovers much more compelling things to celebrate.”\n—The Boston Phoenix \nThese are just a few of the reasons the ACMA is excited to be hosting Cliff Eberhardt! \nHe brings with him his friend and special guest to open the show Louise Mosrie.\nHere’s Cliff’s bio: Cliff Eberhardt knew by age seven that he was going to be a singer and songwriter. Growing up in Berwyn\, Pennsylvania\, he and his brothers sang together and their parents played instruments. His dad introduced him to the guitar and he quickly taught himself to play. Fortunate enough to live close to the Main Point (one of the best folk clubs on the East Coast)\, he cut his teeth listening to the likes of James Taylor\, Joni Mitchell\, Bruce Springsteen\, Howlin’ Wolf\, Muddy Waters\, Bonnie Raitt\, and Mississippi John Hurt — receiving an early and impressive tutorial in acoustic music. At the same time\, he was also listening to great pop songwriters like Cole Porter\, the Gershwins\, and Rodgers and Hart\, which explain his penchant for great melodies and clever lyrical twists. \nAt fifteen\, Cliff and his brother Geoff began touring as an acoustic duo\, playing the Eastern club circuit until Cliff turned twenty-one and moved to Carbondale\, Illinois. There he found space to develop his own voice within a vibrant and supportive music scene that included Shawn Colvin. After a couple of years there and a short stay in Colorado\, Cliff moved to New York in 1978. Because the clubs were great (the Bitter End\, the Speakeasy\, Kenny’s Castaway\, Folk City) and the company amazing (John Gorka\, Suzanne Vega\, Lucy Kaplansky\, Julie Gold\, Steve Forbert\, Christine Lavin\, and Shawn Colvin)\, New York was an ideal musician’s boot camp. Though he put in long hours as a taxi driver\, Cliff worked steadily on his music throughout the 80’s\, doing solo gigs and studio work\, and playing guitar on the road with Richie Havens\, Melanie and others. Singing advertising jingles for products like Coke\, Miller Beer and Chevrolet (“The Heartbeat of America” campaign) allowed him to devote more time to his songwriting. \nIn 1990 Cliff’s song “My Father’s Shoes\,” appeared on Windham Hill’s Legacy collection\, leading to a deal with the label. They released Cliff’s first album\, The Long Road (1990)\, a work featuring a duet with Richie Havens. The critical response to this debut was outstanding (The Philadelphia Inquirer called the album a “repeatedly astounding collection”). He followed with two more records on Windham Hill before releasing 12 Songs of Good and Evil (1997) on Red House Records\, which stemmed from a chance meeting with Red House founder Bob Feldman at John Gorka’s wedding. Cliff recorded two more albums before his critically acclaimed The High Above and the Down Below\, named the #5 album of 2007 by USA Today. Produced by legendary musician and Red House Records president Eric Peltoniemi\, it was recorded in Minneapolis with noted jazz players Gordy Johnson\, J. T. Bates and Rich Dworsky and was his first album after spending several years recovering from a car accident. \nWith a new lease on life and a fresh batch of songs\, Cliff embarked on what has turned out to be an artistic renaissance. Recorded in the Texas Hill Country\, Cliff’s 2009 album 500 Miles: The Blue Rock Sessions may be his finest to date. An intimate album of powerful originals and unique covers\, it features a reworking of his hit “The Long Road\,” a song made more poignant after nearly two decades of touring and recording. Long one of the most respected songwriters on the club scene\, his peers often mine his catalog for themselves. Cliff’s song “Memphis” was included on Cry Cry Cry\, an album of collaborative covers by the “folk supergroup” of the same name (comprised of Dar Williams\, Lucy Kaplansky and Richard Shindell). Other performers who have recorded his songs include Richie Havens\, Shawn Colvin\, Russ Taff and Buffy Sainte Marie. A collection of his songs has been published in The Cliff Eberhardt Songbook (Cherry Lane Publishing). \nIn 2011\, Cliff got a phone call from the Folger Theatre and Shakespeare Library in Washington DC. They had been listening to his song\, “That Kind of Love” along with director Aaron Posner and got the brilliant idea to hire Cliff to write original songs for the Shakespeare classic “The Taming of the Shrew”. It would be set in the old West – Deadwood style – and Cliff would be cast as the blind but wise old saloon singer bookending scenes with his poignant songs and guitar phrases. The play was a huge success and won much critical acclaim across town and 7 weeks of solid sold-out shows in the Spring of 2012. In 2013\, Cliff was awarded a coveted Helen Hayes Award for Sound Design and the cast won for Best Ensemble. Some of the songs on Shrew Songs are from Cliff’s past work and some are brand new. The stripped down production enhances the immediate intimacy of Cliff’s songwriting. You don’t have to have seen the play to love this record! It’s available for sale now only through this website or at Cliff’s shows. \nwww.cliffeberhardt.com \nLouise Mosrie   grew up in the small town just outside of Nashville\, TN on a farm with British parents and several siblings – riding horses\, writing poetry and singing with the radio. After college in Knoxville\, she “borrowed” her brother’s Sears guitar\, bought a simple chord book and started writing songs. The early material was mostly acoustic pop as she tried to channel her English roots while listening to Everything But the Girl and The Sundays. \nFast forward a few years\, a move back to Nashville and some deep soul searching\, Louise began writing songs about the South – what she knew and where she grew up. In 2008\, she began working on a new album eventually to be called “Home” because she’d come full circle in her “voice” as a writer. The album was a mix of bluegrass\, country and folk and as she weaved in lush stories and songs about southern life\, she was even introduced once as “…William Faulkner with a guitar”. With those songs\, she entered some song contests connected to festivals and ended up winning top awards at Kerrville Folk Festival\, Wildflower! Festival\, Telluride Bluegrass Festival and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival. “Home” debuted at #1 on the Folk DJ charts in January 2010 and went on to be one of the most played albums that year for that chart. \nBuoyed by a couple thousand earnest fans\, she began touring all over the Eastern seaboard\, the South and Texas. Audience members would tell her that they enjoyed the stories between the songs as much as the songs and her strong expressive voice was described as “…like listening to Patty Griffin and Susan Tedeschi at the same time.” She’s played at The Bluebird Café in Nashville\, Club Passim in Boston\, Caffé Lena in NY and was just recently invited to play at The Birchmere in Washington DC. \nIn 2012\, her 15-year marriage ended and her mother was diagnosed with brain cancer and died 6 months later. Out of those dark days came some new songs that would eventually be recorded on her newest release “Lay It Down”: 10 songs of love\, loss and surrender. On “Lay It Down”\, she collaborated with folk-rock songwriter/producer\, Cliff Eberhardt\, who envisioned that minimalist arrangements and restrained production would allow the emotional songs and Louise’s voice a stark relief to rest and shine in. \nhttp://www.louisemosrie.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/cliff-eberhardt-concert-special-guest-louise-mosrie/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cliff.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180901T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180901T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180517T172545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180626T224048Z UID:1712-1535828400-1535837400@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:The 502's in concert! Paul Elliott Opens DESCRIPTION:The 502’s were a smashing success when some of your ACMA buds saw them at Stringbreak Music Fest. This orlando based indie band promptly applied to play the ACMA and received 6 big thumbs up from your music committee. Fresh\, young and energetic the 502’s will bring you to your feet and leave you smiling. But..lest you think they are just a “party band”\, I’m here to tell you that their songs are thoughtful\, well written and have meaning. After all\, our very selective music committee was unanimous about bringing them to the ACMA \nHere’s a bit more! \nThe 502s are a raucous indie folk group formed by three cousins from Central Florida. Since 2015\, The 502s have taken their swaggering blend of Americana across the coast including Okeechobee Music Festival and Communion Records’ NYC showcase. Their album is a heartfelt invitation to good old-fashioned fun\, and they are celebrating with a tour of the US and Europe in 2018.\nRecent Tour Highlights:\n● Florida Music Festival (2017) – Mainstage\n● Okeechobee Music Festival (2016) – “Here” Stage (headliners included Mumford & Sons and Kendrick Lamar)\n● Winter Garden Music Festival (2016) – Mainstage\n● Communion Records Showcase (2016) – Rockwood Music Hall\, NYC\nSocial Media Links:\nFacebook / Instagram\nTwitter / Soundcloud \n  \n  Paul Elliott got a late start\, bought his first guitar when he was 30 something. \nHe grew up listening to Artists like Tom Rush\, Bob Dylan    Ian and Silvia\, Tim Harden and Gordan Lightfoot folk music was his preference. \nBeing a Sailor Paul took an interest in Sea Chantey’s . He started singing and playing with Cliff Haslam in the late 80  at the Famous Griswold Inn in Essex\, Conn. They sang Sea Chantey’s every Monday night. \nPaul started writing songs in the 90’s\, mostly kept them to himself. \nHe moved to Florida about 2004 got involved with the Punta Gorda Guitar Army. With encouragement he wrote more songs and played out at pubs and festivals. \nPaul has written songs about places\, people\, nautical and slightly spiritual (not to be confused with religious). URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/502s-concert-opener-tba/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/502.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180825T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180825T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180326T181912Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180328T133745Z UID:1691-1535223600-1535232600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Dana Cooper in concert. Ross Jordan Opens DESCRIPTION:Out of the heartland of America\, stomping grounds of Truman and Twain\, “powerhouse” troubadour Dana Cooper dedicated himself to a life of music over 40 years ago. This song poet engages and inspires audiences around the world with his quick wit\, insightful stories and commanding presence. He is the recipient of the 2014 Heritage Musician award from Pilgrim Center for the Arts in Kansas City\, MO. He was also named the 2015 Spirit of Folk award winner by Folk Alliance International. He has performed on Austin City Limits\, Mountain Stage and the Kerrville Folk Festival where he was nominated for their Hall of Fame. Cooper’s songs have been recorded by top-notch artists such as bluegrass star Claire Lynch; Irish vocalist Maura O’Connell; and luminary songwriters Pierce Pettis and Susan Werner. Cooper’s mixture of flat-picking\, finger-picking and percussive strumming style is legend among other guitarists. An expressive singer his voice is ageless evoking a rich lifetime of experience.\nwww.danacoopermusic.com \n\nACMA Member Ross Jordan Opens\n\n\nRoss has been writing songs since he picked up a guitar at\n\n\nage 10. He went on to study music and classical guitar at\n\n\nRutgers University. His songs reflect the regional influences\n\n\nfrom all of the parts of the country that he has lived from\n\n\nNew Jersey to the West Coast o the Mid-West and now\n\n\nSouthwest Florida\, His songs feature catchy tunes and lyrics\n\n\nand audience members can often be seen dancing and\n\n\nswaying and singing along while he performs\n\n\nwww.reverbnation.com/rossjordan URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/dana-cooper-concert-opener-tba/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/dana-copper.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180811T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180811T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180513T223213Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180626T223848Z UID:1709-1534014000-1534023000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters Circle Show ‘’All Faiths Thank You” DESCRIPTION:Join the ACMA in an evening of original songs benefitting All Faiths Unitarian Congregation. The show is a thank you for providing the ACMA’s Songwriters Circle a space every Sunday afternoon. All proceeds from the donation at the door will go to All Faiths. \nWhat is a Songwriters Circle?  The ACMA Circle is for Acoustic Songwriters of all levels. Songs and experiences are shared in a non-judgmental\, casual atmosphere. All are welcome to come and play or just to listen.  You never know who or what you’re going to hear. Someone may have a song they have been kicking around for years just trying to get it right. Someone else will walk in with a song they wrote that morning. \nThe circle meets every Sunday afternoon 2-4 pm. \nFeatured Artists for this show are current and past leaders of the Circle\, Bill Metts\, Bruce Gallant\,and David Clayton.. They will be sharing songs\, and stories behind the songs\, as they bring the circle experience to the stage. \nBill Metts.  My writing began with the formation of the not for profit organization called the Americana Community Music Association (ACMA). I accepted an invitation to serve on the board. \nThe association’s mission is simple \n“… to support original independent music and musicians with programs that expand community appreciation and education while fostering the creativity and diversity that influence Americana and Roots music.” \nThe key word is “original”. A Singer/Songwriter group was started as a community service to support and encourage aspiring song writers in the development and growth of their skills. I hosted the gathering for almost four years. Out of this group grew a wonderful program called “Hope by Song” which serves our community by \n“…providing a creative outlet to those who want to share their stories of struggle and hope through the assistance of volunteer\, community minded\, Singer-Songwriters who care.” \nBruce Gallant has been writing songs for over 30 years. His songs reflect the different times in his life\, And he considers them his journal. Bruce played in several original music bands And performed at many events. Bruce\, along with his wife Cecile have 2 CD’s “Her and ME” and “Living in Paradise”. Currently Bruce dedicates himself to Hope By Song And has written over 50 songs for HBS \nDavid Clayton\, learned to play guitar and performed in a folk-singing trio while in High School in Philadelphia. His music career was put on hold when he did a 4 year hitch in the Marines which included a tour of duty in Vietnam in the late 60’s. After his discharge from service\, he went to California where he wrote & pitched songs to record companies in Los Angeles. He studied music theory for a year & a half at City College\, became a dad\, formed a band in San Francisco called ‘The Clayton Gang’\, got divorced\, moved to Nashville\, met & married his current wife and retired to SW Florida where he continues writing & singing songs. \n  \n  URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-circle-show-faiths-thank/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5-13-circle.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180804T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180804T190000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180309T150921Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180329T181708Z UID:1687-1533409200-1533409200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Sally Barris in Concert\, Dan Philgreen Opens DESCRIPTION:Sally had so much fun at her last concert that she asked to come back again..and we are happy to have her!\nSally Barris is an A-list Nashville songwriter who has had songs covered by such top-level artists as Kathy Mattea\, Martina McBride\, and Lee Ann Womack. Her song “Let The Wind Chase You”\, recorded by Trisha Yearwood and Keith Urban\, received a Grammy nomination for vocal collaboration in 2009.While her writing credits mightily impress\, fans and peers are most captivated by her bright spirit and expressive mountain soprano. Dirty Linen says “Barris knows how to write lyrics that are as forthright as a stream of clear water and how to support them with melodies that share that quality”. Sally also performs with dobro player and guitarist Chas Williams and mandolin player Jason Bailey as “Sally Barris & The Birmingham Boys”. The Minnesota native has performed Mountain Stage\, New Bedford Summer Fest\, Wildflower Arts & Music Festival and The Kerrville Folk Festival. Sally is currently touring with her new cd “The Road in Me”.\nwww.sallybarris.com \nAfter 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. \nThe 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. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/sally-barris-concert-acma-opener-tba/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3-9-18-sally-b.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180728T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180728T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180302T183617Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180302T183843Z UID:1675-1532804400-1532811600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Mean Mary at the ACMA. Millie Van Horn opens! DESCRIPTION:Multi-Instrumentalist “Mean” Mary James returns to the ACMA.\nAward-winning musician/writer and fan favorite (over 9 million views on her YouTube videos)\, Mean Mary\, literally grew-up in music. She evolved from a child prodigy who played for tips on the streets of Nashville (“startling talent” said the Tennessean) to a seasoned performer and headliner of over 4000 festivals and concerts (“the voice of a ragged Angel combined with the banjo playing of the Devil” says No Depression). \nDeering Banjo’s named her their Goodtime Ambassador\, and Janet Deering describes her banjo playing as giving her “chills.” Equally versatile on guitar\, fiddle\, and 8 other instruments\, Mary is known internationally for her lightning-fast fingers\, haunting vocals\, and intricate story songs. As a high-energy performer that thrives on variety and as a songwriter that chooses unusual subject matters\, anything from ghost pirates to demon guitars could romp through a Mean Mary show.\nwww.meanmary.com \nACMA’s own Millie Van Horn opens the show with her unique original songs!! URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/mean-mary-acma-millie-van-horn-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/m-mary-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180721T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180721T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180309T150232Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180328T142718Z UID:1682-1532199600-1532208600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Florida Music Food Initiative Benefit Concert DESCRIPTION:The ACMA is happy to host the Florida Music Food Initiative for a benefit concert/food drive. Please join us for a fun evening of music for a good cause. \nPerformers \nJoe Virga \nRoy Schneider and Kim Mayfield \nOthers \nBear and Robert – Cindy Bear and Franc Robert (row-bear) \nFrankie J and the Chicken Parade \nJames Hawkins \n Admission free with a food donation for a local food bank. More details to follow including musician line up\, as we get the details from the FMFI we will update this post.\nwww.floridamusicfoodinitiative.org URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/florida-music-food-initiative-benefit-concert/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3-9-18-food.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180630T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180630T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180503T155356Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180626T223739Z UID:1705-1530385200-1530394200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:ACMA 6th Anniversary Show DESCRIPTION:Passing the five-year mark and into our 6th year we can safely say we are here to stay. Keeping true to our mission of supporting original independent music\, has been easy because it’s All About The Music. \nWe will present a special night of music emceed by Dan Philgreen. The musician lineup is all Founding Songwriter members that joined the first year. \nJoe Virga\, Ray Cerbone\, Carlene Thissen\, Roy Schneider\, Bill Metts\, Scott DozierDan Philgreen\, Mike McMillan\, Kim Mayfield\, Houseboat Jim\, Alan Branford\, Ken Crosby. Ricky “Baker” Cegelis \, Many others wanted to attend but will be out of town. \nEveryone is welcome to join us as we celebrate the best way we know how\, by making music. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/acma-6th-anniversary-show/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/5-1-18-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180623T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180623T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180302T182954Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180302T183229Z UID:1671-1529780400-1529787600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Passerine in concert with Ken Hulme opening! DESCRIPTION:Passerine’s distinctive sound combines vocal harmonies\, the crisp rhythms of an acoustic guitar\, the haunting voices of the fiddle and dobro (resonator slide guitar)\, the resonant lows of an acoustic bass. With inventive vocal harmonies and song-writing\, supported by the sounds of acoustic strings\, Passerine offers a fresh take on traditional folk and bluegrass music as well as a repertoire of original songs that range from sweet ballads to the edgier side of contemporary Americana.\nwww.passerinemusic.net \nOpening for Passerine! Ken is a founding member of EverythingDulcimer.com\, the oldest Internet dulcimer forum\, a frequent contributor to the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer forum\, and has been involved in dulcimer clubs in several states. He is recognized as a major proponent of the traditional Noter & Drone style of playing. Ken can be heard at Open Mics around town\, offering his brand of Americana roots music to the guitar-dominated local music scene. \nKen specializes in music so old there are no ASCAP or other performance issues — the folk music of Scotland\, England\, Ireland and Wales. His special interest is the Child Ballads which became the first Americana music – Old World tunes and lyrics given new life in the New World. He has also been known to play an occassional 20th century tune (but don’t tell his dulcimer friends). \nLike his instrument and his music\, Ken’s performance style is unique. He uses the old Appalachian play-sing-play technique rather than the more modern sing-as-you play presentation. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/passerine-concert-ken-hulme-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Passerine.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180608T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180608T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180302T182359Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180302T182537Z UID:1668-1528484400-1528491600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:The Rightly So with The Dr. and Dave opening! Friday night show DESCRIPTION:Born in the heart of the Buffalo rust belt\, The Rightly So brings a vibrant energy to Americana music. The young acoustic duo is comprised of esteemed guitarist and performer Gregory Zeis\, and award-winning singer/songwriter Jess Chizuk. Both have achieved a great deal of musical success on their own\, and have formally combined their talents to create an unstoppable force of captivating original music.\nwww.therighlyso.com\nOur own The Dr. and Dave open! The Dr and Dave began singing together and found their voices worked together to form unusual harmonies that seemed to twine and blossom as they continued to hone their musical union. Dave began playing guitar and writing songs during his junior year of high school in Waukegan\, IL and by the 80s he had developed a portfolio of some of the best songs no one had ever heard. Some did find their way to the stage with several bands that played at bowling alleys and Chinese restaurants. He has continued to write songs across many genres\, and his greatest influences have been Gene Pitney\, Elvis Costello\, The Beatles\, Dylan\, and Herb Eimerman of the Britanicas.\nVal began singing at 11 in New York City\, and was privileged to spend three summers at the Manhattan School of Music where she was trained classically\, although she was also influenced by Bessie Smith\, Ella Fitzgerald\, Billie Holliday\, and Anita Baker\, among others. She performed in concerts with several choirs in her teens and performed in Community Theater as well. When she arrived in Florida in 1995 she began singing with the SW Florida Symphony Chorus\, and Dave\, who came to Florida in 2000\, joined her in this endeavor in 2009. They soon began to meld their passion for music\, marrying in 2010. Now they collaborate on songs Dave has written\, creating new versions\, as well as new songs\, that combine their musical passion and skills. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/rightly-dr-dave-opening-friday-night-show/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/right-s.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180602T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180602T190000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180302T182123Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180302T182123Z UID:1665-1527966000-1527966000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Nouveau Honkies with Sylvia and Pete opening! DESCRIPTION:They were so much fun the first time we asked them back again! With their classic “Its roots that rock and roll” sound the Honkies make a joyful noise!. In mid 2014\, Rebecca Dawkins and Tim O’Donnell\, of The Nouveaux Honkies\, hoisted anchor and set sail in their rebuilt RV. The journey started in South Florida and took them as far west as the Rockies\, as far north as the Great Lakes\, as far east as Cape Cod\, and returned south for the winter. It’s been somewhere around 150 thousand miles\, 600 shows\, and at least one million smiles that has influenced The Nouveaux Honkies and their Loud In Here CD release in March of 2018. The New Year will also see TNH with a permanent residence in Knoxville\, TN. O’Donnell says\, “We based out of Tennessee the last two summers and fell in love with the Smokies. Knoxville will be a wonderful spring through fall hub for traveling and we also love this little city.” Their 2015 release\, “Blues For Country\,” masterfully blended styles. Their new release\, “Loud In Here\,” is a continuance of that same concept\, respecting the greats and creating their own gumbo\, which reveals a highway of influences. \nOpening for the Honkies are ACMA members Sylvia and Pete>\nSilvia and Pete have been playing music together for the past twelve years\, originally as members of Skeeterland Band and Banyan Bluegrass\, then gradually developing into a guitar and mandolin duo that incorporates a variety of musical genres\, including folk\, country\, Cuban/Latin\, and \, yes\, bluegrass. Always experimenting\, adapting\, and progressing from their roots in rock and traditional Cuban music\, Silvia and Pete have created a style that is uniquely theirs\, while remaining faithful to the many sources of their music. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/nouveau-honkies-sylvia-pete-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/n-Hook.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180526T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180526T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180112T171145Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180112T171145Z UID:1625-1527361200-1527370200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Cottondale Swamp with Robert Lloyd opening DESCRIPTION:Cottondale Swamp is a Florida Swamp Rock\, Southern Americana\, Outlaw Country Band from the swamps of Florida. Weeki Wachee\, FL is our ground zero. Mermaid Shows and the Gulf of Mexico\, it doesn’t get anymore “Old Florida” than that. Original Florida swamp rock with authentic country sensibilities and a heart of rock ‘n roll. \nCottondale Swamp celebrates the back roads\, small towns and the seedy underbelly of Florida. We write songs that celebrate the people\, places and uniqueness of our southern most state. \nCottondale Swamp is fronted by Kenny Grube who has been an Elvis Tribute artist for the last 10 years. Kenny is the real deal! His voice has an authentic southern drawl that expresses the years he has endured paying his dues on the B\, C\, and D circuits of the southern United States. He is backed by an equally experienced band of road warriors. All of whom have been plying their trade in the trenches and (at times) the pinnacles that come your way when you’re a musician relentless in pursuing the dream. \nwww.cottondaleswamp.com \nOpening for Cottondale Swamp is ACMA member Robert Lloyd. \nWHO IS HE? – Robert is foremost a songwriter – composer/lyricist\, producer\, playwright\, singer\, guitarist\, and former professional musician. He is a writer of almost all genres of music. He has been writing since he was 13-14 years old after he learned a few chords on a guitar he bought with money earned delivering newspapers. Never considered a prodigy\, his classmates considered him most likely never to succeed… he has at least fulfilled that one promise. But Robert never quits and there’s still hope. \nPERSONAL – Robert is married to wife (Janis) and has one daughter (Kimberly). Originally from Nebraska\, he has languished in Florida (mostly) for 35 years. Rumors circulate that he is grumpy (according to his wife)\, irritable (per his daughter)\, and getting worse the older he gets (so sayeth his neighbors). Surprisingly\, he considers himself an affable man when around friends. His mother believes he is the best. \nASSOCIATIONS/AWARDS – Robert is a former member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International (why\, he does not know)\, ASCAP (why\, he does not know)\, and has been associated at times with Southern heritage and Christian music. Publishers hate him\, musicians laugh at him\, and professionals scoff at his lack of success. He has\, however\, received some music awards in his life\, along with recognitions and acclaims (probably fictitious). His goal is to move to East Nashville and live among other writers\, whine along with them\, and continue to enjoy life. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/cottondale-swamp-robert-lloyd-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/cotton.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180519T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180519T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180328T155631Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180328T155631Z UID:1696-1526756400-1526763600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:ACMA Benefit Showcase DESCRIPTION:Come and enjoy local artists who write and sing their own original songs. Great original acoustic music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. This is a benefit show for The ACMA which is a not for profit. \nWhether you’re a musician or a listener this is a wonderful way to check out liked minded people that enjoy original acoustic music. \nACMA Sign up sheet will post on member only F B page early May. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/acma-benefit-showcase/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3-28-18.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180512T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180512T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180112T165317Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180112T165317Z UID:1622-1526151600-1526160600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Tim McGeary in concert. Carlene Thissen opens DESCRIPTION:If music is a springboard for emotion\, then Tim McGeary knows all too well how to mine it to the max. “I have to write songs\,” the accomplished songwriter insists. “Yet\, it’s both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that you are able to write and sing songs that can connect to people and bring them to an emotional state. The curse is that I can never turn it off. If I get something in my head at 3 am\, I have to get up and get to my guitar or piano so I quickly record something. Otherwise\, I won’t be able to get back to sleep.”\n​\nMcGeary’s dedication to his muse has never faltered\, and now\, even after a couple of decades of plying his craft\, that passion is as intense as ever. It’s the spiritual essence of making music that elicits his enthusiasm…that drives him to connect with his listeners…and that makes it so essential for him to express his emotions and desires.\n“It allows me to let go of those temporal distractions that often bog us down\, and to share those things that bond us all together as human beings\,” he explains. “I’m grateful to have a gift that allows me to do something I to do\, and to translate my life experiences into songs that hopefully can touch people in some personal and hopefully profound way.”\n​\nGiven that dedication\, it’s no surprise to find that McGeary’s songs have been tapped for such hit television shows as “Smallville\,” “One Tree Hill” and “Glory Days\,” as well as the made-for- HBO film “Girl Got Moe.” McGeary’s songs are not only a perfect soundtrack for the Hollywood hit-makers\, but for those everyday individuals who can relate to those intimate feelings and connect them with their own.\nIndeed\, McGeary’s music is filled with insights that are borne from the insights he’s gained from living in a some exotic locales and working at a variety of occupations. His trajectory was somewhat extraordinary from the very beginning; the son of an FBI agent\, he was the oldest of ten children. Time spent in the Merchant Marine traveling throughout South America\, India and Pakistan provided a rich cache of memories and melodies. Even after relocating to the West Coast of Florida and settling down in an idyllic retreat with his wife of 35 years\, he still finds continuing sources of inspiration. For the past two decades he’s been a firefighter and paramedic with the Collier County Fire Department\, further evidence of his fervent desire to provide help and support in any way he’s able. Not surprisingly\, he was among the emergency personnel who went to New York to help out at Ground Zero in the wake of 9/11. The American flag he had tattooed over his heart\, accompanied by the words “Never Forget\,” testify to the strength of his conscience and conviction.\n​\nwww.timmcgeary.com \nAbout Carlene: \nCarlene Thissen is a singer\, songwriter and author 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 Coordinator of a Farm Labor Supervisor Training program at the University of Florida’s Research & Education Center in Immokalee. \nCarlene 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. \nAs 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\, became an independent international consultant and then moved to Naples\, Florida. \nCarlene is a member of Nashville’s Global Songwriter’s Connection\, Women of Substance’ Female Musician Academy and the Americana Community Member Association. She visits Nashville several times a year to network\, perform and write.\nwww.carlenethissen.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/tim-mcgeary-concert-carlene-thissen-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/tim.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180505T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180505T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180301T135344Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180302T155957Z UID:1657-1525546800-1525554000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Bill Bynum and Company\, Joyce Knake Opens DESCRIPTION:You asked for them back and here they are! I had many requests to bring these folks back…after their concert many people asked “Can we have them back tomorrow?” Well that didn’t happen but they ARE coming back May 5th. So come on out!\nWith songs both traditional and original\, and a sound that’s at once as comfortable as old jeans and as fresh as a new blade of grass\, Bill Bynum & Co. is a band that’s easy to love and hard to quit. The band’s core of rhythm guitar\, fiddle\, Dobro\, bass and harmony vocals can lean into country\, veer toward bluegrass\, or take listeners on a unique journey through Bill’s original songs. \nDownriver Wayne County resident Bill Bynum writes country and rock-flavored songs with a hint of the bluegrass music he grew up with. He comes with a strong recommendation from one of the most influential behind-the-scenes figures in bluegrass\, songwriter Pete Goble\, who says that Bynum could get a recording contract with his voice alone\, and he’s a recent Metro Detroit Songwriting Contest winner and Ark Open Stage Showcase performer. “My music is kind of a Southern roots-based acoustic music\, but I feel like I am very hard to box into a category\,” Bynum told the Ann Arbor News. “There’s more emotional content to my music than probably most people’s.”\nhttp://www.billbynum.com/ \nACMA Member Joyce Knake opens URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/bill-bynum-company-joyce-knape-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/3-1-18-bill-b.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180428T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180428T220000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20171025T175453Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180130T230724Z UID:1587-1524942000-1524952800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters Showcase Robert Bidney\, David Hintz\, & Hank Woji DESCRIPTION:Songwriters Showcase Robert Bidney\, David Hintz\, & Hank Woji \nThis will be a night not to be missed. Three exceptional songwriters share the stage performing original songs and the stories behind the songs. \nRobert Bidney is a singer songwriter whose message is as strong as his melodies. His music is relatable and has a strong commercial sensibility.\nHe has been writing songs for most of his life. To support his family\, he worked in the advertising world\, but pursued his passion of writing songs with meaning. Those songs define him and reveal his soul. \nOver the years\, his songs have been covered by an eclectic group of artists around the world\, but his dream was to produce an album of his own. That dream recently came true with the release of “It’s All About the Love” in July 2015. \nThe record examines the universal themes of life. Music News Nashville wrote “His is a strong\, new voice on the indie album scene that’s been a long-time coming.” \nThe South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote that the album is ”an eclectic collection of universal meditations on love\, harmony and the things that threaten them\, told in a confidently unadorned lyrical style that only an experienced songwriter would attempt.” \nA seasoned performer\, Bidney connects with his audiences through his infectious energy and emotional performances. \nHis creativity and commercial awareness merged while working in advertising agencies\, where he wrote and produced a number of national radio and TV jingles for clients and worked closely with many top musicians\, producers and songwriters throughout the U.S. and Canada. \nBidney lives in South Florida\, performs and continues to write songs close to his heart.\nwww.roberbidney.com \nDavid Hintz has been performing and writing songs since the mid 1960’s. For reasons he will never quite understand\, he put away pen and guitar for many years until the early 21st century. So after a 25 year hiatus David was coerced into going to an open mic in Fort Myers\, FL. Scared to death and being extremely shy he performed a few of his original songs and the world hasn’t been the same since. \nDavid performs a variety of original music and fairly obscure covers\, and prefers to perform at house concerts or listening rooms. His songs are about love found and lost\, divorce\, peace\, politics\, religion\, equality and rebirth. David writes and performs straight from the heart. Whatever the song topic the message is never sugar coated. \nDavid currently runs an open mic in Fort Myers\, FL. on Wednesday evenings. He is always working on new material and is currently working on a new collection of original music. David is a local favorite and valued member of the Americana Community Music Association \nDavid has two CD’s RODE HARD AND PUT AWAY WET” 2013\, and “OUT WITH A BANG” 2015 \nhttps://www.davidhintzmusic.com \n About Hank Woji \nA self described “Jersey Shore Ex-Pat turned West Texas Desert Rat”\, for over 20 years\, as a bassist\, Hank Woji played in some of The Garden State’s most dynamic and innovative bands\, performing in clubs and concert halls from Virginia to Ontario\, in styles ranging from Blues and R&B to Reggae\, Rock & Roll\, County Rock and Afrobeat! \n  \nIn the Spring of 2001 Hank moved to Houston\, TX\, fell in with a bunch of great Texas songwriters\, picked up his acoustic guitar again and found his new musical voice as a Singer Songwriter. But destiny turned a page and it was his chance move\, in January 2009\, to the far West Texas desert town of Terlingua that has most reshaped his life and his music. \n  \nCritics have described Hank’s music as being “in the best tradition of the Texas troubadours like Guy Clarke\, Townes Van Zandt and Butch Hancock” and that “His troubadour style also comes very close to the style of Woody Guthrie or Pete Seeger\, or as we heard on ‘Nebraska’ from Bruce Springsteen” \nSince 2005\, Hank has released five self produced CDs: Medallion\, American Dreams\, There Was A Time\, Holy Ghost Town and The Working Life. He also produced\, Just Words\, the new CD\, by Florida based Singer Songwriter Eileen Kozloff\, in 2017 \nOver the last 35 years Woji or his bands\, have shared the stage with\, such diverse artists as: Jimmy LaFavre\, Jonathan Byrd\, David Massengill\, The Radiators\, Hot Tuna\, Shake Russell\, Dana Cooper\, Jimmy Cliff\, Ronnie Elliott\, Rebekah Pulley\, Jon Bon Jovi\, Johnny Winter\, Grant Peeples\, Butch Hancock\, Jimmie Dale Gilmore\, Bruce Springsteen and Pete Seeger. \nHank is a proud member of AFM Local 1000 and tours nationally\, performing at festivals\, coffeehouses\, theaters\, clubs and house concerts as a solo singer songwriter; with his duo partner Eileen Kozloff as Woji & Kozloff; and with his full band The Hank Woji Conspiracy. \nwww.hankwoji.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-showcase-robert-bidney-david-hintz-hank-woji/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ss-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180428T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180428T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20180112T171621Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180309T150611Z UID:1628-1524942000-1524951000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:RT Guitar Drawing DESCRIPTION:RT Guitars has donated a OM- 430C pictured above\, with case valued at $899.00 \nThe ACMA is doing a Fundraiser / suggested donation for a ticket is $5.00 \nRT Guitars and Roy Schneider have join together to promote these “Reverse Tension Guitars” \nThe drawing will be at our Homegrown Show April 28.  You can get tickets at any ACMA All Faiths show. The guitar will be on display at every show. You do not need to be present to win. You don’t have to be a guitar player to win either. This is a different type of guitar so regardless of how may someone has this would be a fine addition. \nYou do not need to be present to win. \nMore info on the web www. http://www.rtguitar.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/rt-guitar-raffle-drawing/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Raffle-2.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180421T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180421T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20171025T181033Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180503T164808Z UID:1594-1524337200-1524346200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Jennngs and Keller in concert. Opening Mary Dahl & Carolyn Stanley DESCRIPTION:Jennings & Keller is an award-winning nationally touring duo based out of Florida. They offer up 21st Century Americana with influences in folk\, jazz\, and roots music. They fuse many different musical elements into a unique eclectic style that is refreshingly diverse. \nDana Keller\, a veteran pedal steel\, dobro\, and guitar player\, has spent years performing on stage or in the studio with such luminaries as Vince Gill\, Ricky Skaggs\, Stevie Wonder\, Larry Graham\, Marvin Gaye\, Dave Mason\, Johnny Rodriguez and The Allen Brothers\, to name a few. Dana has been an endorsee of the Gretsch Guitar and Drum Company since 1980. His dobro playing has been called “jaw-droppingly good”. Along with being lauded for his world-class musicianship\, he is known as a “songwriter’s songwriter”\, often drawing comparisons to Gene Clark and Jessie Winchester. \nLaurie Jennings Oudin is a former Shakespearean actress who has spent many years on the stage. Her theater background combined with a lifetime of professional singing gives her an obvious command of the stage as well as the songs she sings. With a vocal style that ranges from early Joni Mitchell to Emmylou Harris\, Laurie leaves audiences mesmerized by her stunning vocal delivery. \nIn the 10 years of playing together\, Jennings & Keller have released three CDs with a fourth recording on the way. They have received accolades and airplay from radio stations at one end of the country to the other. In true troubadour spirit\, Laurie and Dana travel the country in their motor home\, performing at festivals\, cafes\, wineries and house concerts. Along with developing a large and loyal fan base\, they have earned a reputation for quality musicianship and expert storytelling. \n Mary Dahl performed for 20 years with The Lite Side a unique quartet of folk singers\, where she played a combination of instruments including five string banjo\, acoustic guitar\, mandolin\, dobro\, ukulele\, and charango. \nThe Lite Side had a repertoire consisting of a variety of folk music of the 1960’s through 1980’s\, gospel\, patriotic medleys\, and an extensive Christmas program.  They have bragging rights as they performed at the White House on six separate occasions for visiting guests\, and for two different administrations\, including a Christmas candlelight reception for visiting dignitaries.  They were asked to perform by two administrations\, President GW Bush and President Bill Clinton \n. They also had numerous gigs at Carlisle Barracks Officers Club in PA for an assembly of Generals from all over the world and performed for 10 years at Hershey Park Chocolate World opening the Christmas season for Santa.She is particularly proud to boast that they opened for a sold out performance concert by the Kingston Trio and they were permitted to sing along with the Kingston Trio who also filmed the performance. \nThey produced a 10 song CD\, featuring an original song\, “The Cardboard President”\, written by their lead guitarist\, Morgan Evans.  President Bill Clinton has a copy of this CD which they performed on two occasions at the White House. They also produced a Lite Side Christmas CD with the songs that they performed at the White House venues. Their CDs have been aired over many PA radio stations and The Lite Side was featured on WGAL-TV on their “Live at 5” broadcast where they performed their original “Cardboard President” song. \nMary moved to FL in 2007\, and plays at least 3 times a week at various venues in our area. \n  Carolyn Stanley will be accompanying Mary with her sharp harmonies and proficient playing style.   Carolyn has performed with her husband\, David Stanley\, her brother\, Larry Tuttle and with Peach’s Little Band.  Mary and Carolyn are new neighbors and have enjoyed sharing and exploring their common interest in music as well as enjoying each other’s company. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/jennngs-keller-concert/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/jennngs-k.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180414T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180414T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20171025T180509Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180503T164714Z UID:1591-1523732400-1523741400@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Roy Book Binder with Karen Cohen opening! DESCRIPTION:Another living legend comes to the ACMA! 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.\nSINGER-SONGWRITER-STORYTELLING-BLUESMAN….. 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. \nBook Binder\, travelled 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) \nLast Aug. 19th\, 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. \nwww.roybookbinder.com \nOpening musician Karen Cohen: \nKaren has been playing guitar on and off for most of her life\, while focusing her creative flow towards Visual Arts the other of half the time. She studied Printmaking at Rhode Island School of Design\, and created Woodcarvings and Paintings for a few years after graduating. \n Sidelined from her day job by an injury about 14 years ago\, she picked up her guitar to fill the time. It was then she discovered a musician named Rory Block\, who is known for her Authentic arrangements of old-timey Blues from the 1930s. \n In Karen’s words…”I had never heard a woman play and sing Acoustic Blues like that before\, and it had a profound effect on me…. before I heard Rory Block\, it never even occurred to me\, that women could play that way… Now\, I find that a lot people respond to my playing this music the same way.” \n After months of practicing\, Karen decided that she must share this great stuff she had been learning. But that meant overcoming her paralyzing fear to perform. \n Encouraged by a supportive group of local musicians she found in Southwest Florida\, she kept at it. Along with attending the Swannanoa Gathering over the past few years she is gaining confidence.Karen plays at Open Mics and Jam Circles around Punta Gorda and Englewood.She is also a long-time member of the Guitar Army in Punta Gorda\, and plays in shows at the ACMA in Ft. Myers. \n Karen wants you to know\, although it is especially scary to open for Another one of her long-time Guitar Hero’s: Roy Bookbinder…it is also an incredible honor and a dream come true. \n  URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/roy-bookbinder-karen-cohen-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ray-book.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180414T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180414T140000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20170815T022106Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180130T230237Z UID:1473-1523714400-1523714400@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters at the Library ACMA Open Mic DESCRIPTION:Free Acoustic Concert\nSouth County Regional Library\n21100 Three Oaks Parkway Estero 33928 \nCome and enjoy local artists who write and sing their own original songs. Great original acoustic music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-library-acma-open-mic/ LOCATION:South County Regional Library\, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway\, Estero\, FL\, 33928\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/s-w-at-library.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180407T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180407T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20171003T205256Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180130T230146Z UID:1578-1523127600-1523136600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Helen Avakian in concert. Chuck Williams opens! DESCRIPTION:“Like Joni Mitchell\, Helen Avakian can turn lyrics inside out… Avakian writes music that remains gentle on the ears while pulling aggressively on the heart… Helen Avakian’s music touches a place within.” Poughkeepsie Journal\n“A charming and engaging real artist\, Avakian makes some really meaty listening that is as far from disposable pop as you can get.” Midwest Record\nHelen Avakian performs an exciting array of original songs and acoustic guitar instrumentals. Her stage presence is alternately enchanting and down to earth as she takes her listeners on a musical journey from the US to China\, Brazil\, Ireland and other parts of the world. She is joined by her partner in music and life\, guitarist/vocalist/percussionist\, Dave Irwin.\nHelen is the 2014 International Fingerstyle Guitar Champion\, and the first female to win this prestigious competition. In addition\, Helen was voted Favorite Acoustic Act four times by Rhythm and News magazine in New York\, and her songwriting awards include seven first prizes from the NewSongs Contest at the Walnut Valley Festival in Kansas. Appearances include PBS radio and TV as well as on stage with Peter Yarrow\, Mary Fahl (former lead singer of The October Project)\, Chris Trapper of the Push Stars\, guitar stars Pete Huttlinger and Muriel Anderson\, and actresses Vanessa Redgrave and Rachel Kempson Redgrave. She has opened for Mary Chapin Carpenter\, Stanley Jordan\, Marshall Crenshaw\, Imogen Heap\, Adrian Legg\, Tom Chapin\, and John McCutcheon among others.\nHelen’s latest recording\, “Notes from Helen\,” recently made it to the finals of the Just Plain Folks Awards 2010 – 2016 for “Best Guitar Album” and has received this praise: “ Notes from Helen is an extraordinary CD\, ranking with the very best fingerstyle – or any style – guitar albums.” Minor 7th Helen has received raves from reviewers who call her “a rising star\,” and a “guitar goddess.” Acoustic Guitar magazine describes her playing as “impressive… full of life and energy.” Helen’s previous album\, “I Love the Moon\,” also received much acclaim and radio airplay. Elmore Magazine called the CD “new and exciting…indelible songs centered around a girl and her guitar\, singing what matters most.”\nHelen had the great honor of having her guitar and vocals featured on track 1 of Pete Seeger’s Grammy-nominated final album of his life\, The Storm King. On a more technical note\, Helen is a proud 17 year participant in the artists’ endorsement program for Elixir guitar strings.\n“Helen Avakian has what it takes to rise to the top of the hill. A gifted guitarist\, composer\, and storyteller\, she also has a pure clear voice with its own identity.” Kate Goldsmith\, Taconic Weekend\nhttp://www.helenavakian.com/index.shtml \n4 year ACMA member Chuck Willliams opens the show! Chuck Williams has been appearing throughout New England and in recent years has gone coast to coast with his music. Raised in Toledo\, Ohio\, Chuck has lived most of his adult life in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts\, moving to the Buzzards Bay shoreline in 2002. His writing has been gaining notice throughout song circles and he has earned several awards for his finely tuned craft. He can take you on a journey that makes you think\, smile and at times want to cry. He has been traveling to coffeehouses\, performing arts centers and festivals sowing seeds of his songs along the way. \nChuck’s lyrics and melodies are a musical journey reflecting emotions of everyday life brought to you through the stories within his songs. If you feel his style is rooted in the American folk-rock tradition\, you would be on the right path that leads to this musician’s memorable songs. \nRhode Islands Motif Music Awards has nominated Chuck as Singer/Songwriter of the Year (’07\, ’08\, ’09\, ‘11)\, for Album Of the Year (’07\, ’08 and ‘10) and Best Folk Act (’07\, ‘12). \nChuck has had the pleasure of opening for national touring artists such as Cheryl Wheeler\, Kelly Joe Phelps\, Rod McDonald\, Steve Forbert\, Pegi Young & the Survivors\, Jimmy LeFave\, Beau Coup Blue\, Claude Bourbon and Michael Troy. \nChuck is the President of the Rhode Island Songwriters Association. He is also a member of Folk Alliance\, NERFA and ASCAP \nWilliams employs a voice that resembles Neil Young’s with the edges rounded-off. There seems to be a proud and strong tradition of folk music speaking truth to power within his tunes. Don DiMuccio\, Motif Magazine \nwww.chuckwilliamsmusic.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/helen-avakian-concert-chuck-williams-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/helm.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180405T181500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180405T194500 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20170815T025428Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180503T155809Z UID:1480-1522952100-1522957500@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters at Sunset\, 6:15 pm Chuck Williams\, Carolyn & David Stanley\, Joe Virga DESCRIPTION:FOLKS (Friends of Lovers Key\, Inc.) has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association)\, to offer free Acoustic concerts of all original music. The concerts will take place in the large gazebo located right on the beach. Seating is available for the first 80 people.  Additional seating is also available on the sand. www.friendsofloverskey.org \nThe ACMA is a Fort Myers based organization that promotes local artists who write and sing their own original songs.   Come hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase.  The show will finish with a fabulous Lovers Key Sunset.  www.americanacma.org \nPark entry fees are $8.00 for vehicles (2-8 people)\, $4 for single person in vehicle \nCome Early give yourself time to take the tram to the beach. \nChuck Williams has been appearing throughout New England and in recent years up and down the east coast with his music.  This songwriter’s music is of love gained\, love lost\, growing up and moving on.  He can take you on a journey that makes you think\, smile and at times want to cry \nDavid and Carolyn Stanley have been playing various genres of music solo and in several different groups since they were teenagers.  As a duo in Fort Myers\,  their performances feature David’s original music with David on vocals\, guitar and harmonica and Carolyn adding vocal harmonies and accompaniment on guitar\, banjo\, or charango. \nJoe Virga In the late 70’s and early 80’s was part of the open mic scene in Greenwich Village\, playing at The Speakeasy and Gerdies\, along with such talents as Rod McDonald\, Suzanne Vega\, David Roth and Christine Lavin. Today Joe continues to write\, perform\, and win awards for his music. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-sunset-615-pm-chuck-williams-carolyn-david-stanley-joe-virga/ LOCATION:Lovers Key State Park\, 8700 Estero Blvd.\, Fort Myers Beach\, FL\, 33931\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/l-key.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180331T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180331T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20171003T204826Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180130T230013Z UID:1575-1522522800-1522531800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:The Rough and Tumble! Terry Lynn Melody opens DESCRIPTION:…used to say they were from Nashville\, TN. That was before April 2015 when 5 year members Mallory Graham and Scott Tyler quit their day jobs\, sold everything they owned\, and gave their thirty day notice on their rental house to trade in for a life permanently on the road. With their sixteen foot camper and their 88 pound dog\, Butter\, they have been touring nationwide. Don’t let their vagabond tendencies fool you– this americana-folk duo are a compact team of close harmonies\, versatile instrumentation\, and deliberate songwriting all presented with a nudge of the elbow and a tongue in the cheek. Haunting\, quirky\, solemn\, and spritely\, The Rough & Tumble are for the faint of heart and the strong of will.\n\nIn 2011\, the friends-turned-bandmates released their first EP\, We Sing in Your House When You’re Not There… we even ordered pizza.\, an exploration of watching other people’s dogs while eating other people’s food. Shortly after\, the duo released their second EP\, We Don’t Believe in Monsters\, Anymore… but will you please check under our beds?\, wherein the band discovered that they did\, in fact\, still believe in monsters. In 2012\, their third EP\, For You\, Now That You’re Married… and for me\, too.\, generated a sudden foreshadowing for the band\, still noted in history books as the time they knew everything they didn’t know. \n2013 proved to be a small miracle as The Rough & Tumble met their deadlines and wrote\, recorded\, and released two songs a month every month. The result was The Rough & Tumble’s Holiday Awareness Campaign\, a project that fought for the underprivileged\, uncelebrated holidays in the calendar year. While having fun with days like Meteor Day and Boxing Day\, The R&T additionally observed the great sadness that can accompany great celebration with A Day for the Remembrance of the Souls of Lost Whales and Evaluate Your Life Day. \nIn 2014\, filmmaker friend Alyssa Pearson asked the duo to create a soundtrack for her upcoming film\, Pieces and Pieces. Up for the challenge\, the songwriters took on the task\, tackling issues of PTSD\, women’s rights\, war\, and the love in between. While the film is still to be released\, The Rough & Tumble released the seven songs\, dually named Pieces and Pieces\, on March 1\, 2016. \nAs they closed out their second year as full time road musicians\, The Rough & Tumble managed to squeeze a fourth companion into their 16 foot camper– an 81 pound rescue pup named Pud. They made room for a few more songs\, too\, as they released Cardboard and Christmas Lights in February 2017\, a 7-song EP compiling the earliest and latest years of their career\, creating a song-by-song education of the less studied R&T fans\, while adding a few new songs for the devout. \nThe Rough & Tumble announced that a new record is due in January 2018\, titled We Made Ourselves a Home When We Didn’t Know. The full length record was recorded over their 2017 winter with Dave Coleman in East Nashville. More details will follow with a few music videos to accompany. But for now\, likely\, any minute now\, they will be in a town near you\, singing sad songs and telling bad jokes until the next town calls them. \nACMA member Terry Lynn Melody opens the show: \nTerryLynn Melody began her musical performance career as a child in her hometown of New Bern\, NC. Her mother\, a NY Performing Arts graduate and professional singer was her role model and teacher. Later in life\, guided by a need to find her voice an an artist\, she began exploring songwriting as a means to tell her story. The resulting songs are an ever growing catalog of original material. This year she took the leap to put some of those songs on record and August 1st 2016 she released her self produced debut CD “Counting Daydreams” Nashville hall of fame great Charlie McCoy appears on several the tracks as does 2014 NZCMA Male Artist of the Year Phil Doublet. The album spans country\, blues\, folk and pop and is an eclectic collection of some of her favorite songs from the past 15 years of writing. \nGrammy Winning Songwriter Otha Young said “TerryLynn shows a tremendous innate understanding of the essence of compelling song writing. From her heart and mind\, lyrics and melodies flow that evoke the most warmly remembered sensibilities of modern American folk. Her songs are finely crafted but have a raw quality that is delivered with intelligence and captivating emotion “ \nterrylynnmelody.com \nREVERBNATION: http://www.reverbnation.com/terrylynnmelody\nFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/terrylynnmelodymusic\nYOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/user/TerryLynnMelody\nTWITTER: http://twitter.com/terrylynnmelodyT URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/rough-tumble-terry-lynn-melody-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/rough.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20180324T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20180324T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T235246 CREATED:20171003T204104Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180130T225930Z UID:1572-1521918000-1521927000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Joe Jencks in concert with Robert Bidney opening. DESCRIPTION:“If one can master a craft after investing 10\,000 hours\, Joe Jencks’ hours are showing! I am literally stunned by this new album. Poets\, Philosopher\, Workers & Wanders tells our stories\, his story\, and the untold stories\, as an American folk master can – with heart and unfettered perfection. Add this one to the folk canon! ” – MarySue Twohy – The Village\, SIRIUS XM Radio \nJoe Jencks is an 18-year veteran of the international folk circuit\, an award-winning songwriter\, and celebrated vocalist based in Chicago. Merging conservatory training with his Irish roots and working-class upbringing\, Joe delivers engaged musical narratives filled with heart\, soul\, groove and grit. Having penned several #1 Folksongs including the ever-relevant Lady of The Harbor\, Jencks is also co-founder of the harmony trio\, Brother Sun. From Festivals like Falcon Ridge\, Kerrville\, Mariposa\, and Old Songs\, to venues like Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall\, Jencks has enthralled diverse audiences with his approachable style. Joe is noted for his unique merging of musical beauty\, social consciousness\, and spiritual exploration. Blending well-crafted instrumentals and vivid songwriting\, Jencks serves it all up with a lyric baritone voice that has the edgy richness of a good sea-salt caramel. \nJoe’s newest Solo CD – Poets\, Philosophers\, Workers\, & Wanderers – was released May 1st\, 2017 – to critical acclaim. The CD has spent several weeks at #1 on Sirius XM’s Americana Chart\, and was also the #1 CD on the Folk DJ Chart for May\, 2017 – with 4 songs in the top 10. \nPoets\, Philosophers\, Workers & Wanderers chases new musical horizons for Joe Jencks. Honoring his mentor and friend Pete Seeger with the title track\, this collection of songs progresses into a wide range of human experience from love and triumph\, to tragedy and transformation. With arrangements that showcase sparse acoustic textures alongside Copeland-like orchestral tapestries\, this recording reflects the depth of Joe’s musical knowledge as well as the diversity of his influences. Cinematic in its imagery and scope Poets\, Philosophers\, Workers & Wanderers features largely original songs influenced by Celtic\, Blues\, Jazz and traditional American Folk styles\, interspersed with a handful of carefully chosen covers. Guest artists include: Ysaye Barnwell (Sweet Honey In The Rock)\, Cathy Fink\, Harpeth Rising\, Tret Fure\, Reggie Harris\, Edie Carey\, Jon Carroll\, Grace Jencks\, and more. \n“Beyond the fine selection of songs and the talented team assembled in the studio\, what really shines through on Joe Jencks’ new album are his resonant\, honey-rich voice\, his open-hearted humanity\, and his commitment to social justice. We need artists who inspire our better selves more than ever\, don’t we?”\n– John Platt \, Sunday Supper\, WFUV\, Bronx\, NY \n“Poets\, Philosophers\, Workers & Wanderers -is absolutely Joe Jencks’ finest effort thus far. Jencks’ captivating tenor voice\, lofted by flawless production\, demonstrates music of conscience and provides a feast for the ear as well as nourishment for the soul.”\n– Rich Warren\, The Midnight Special – WFMT\, Chicago\, IL \n“Joe Jencks brings us moving and stunning songs of hope\, redemption\, connection and remembrance. Sung with passion and delivered in his rich tenor voice\, the songs on Poets\, Philosophers\, Workers & Wanderers are a balm for the times.”\n– Laurie DesJardins – KVMR\, Nevada City\, CA \n“Climb inside the songs of Joe Jencks\, and you meet real people. His lilting melodies and warm\, caramel tenor draw us closer to the stories he tells. Jencks finds the humanness that binds us to the people in his songs!”\n– Scott Alarik – Author of Revival and host of Folk Tales\, WUMB\, Boston\, MA \n“You can expect many a gifted artist to move you deeply\, but Joe Jencks will change who you are.” – Angela Page – WJFF\, Radio Catskill\, Jefferson\, NY\n____ \nIn addition to his performance work\, Jencks’ skills as a vocal harmony arranger are in demand. With over 30 appearances as a guest vocalist and arranger on various studio recordings\, he brings a unique rich sound to the work of other artists. \nOn the stage\, in the studio\, or in the classroom\, Jencks applies conservatory training to contemporary genres\, bridging styles and techniques. Drawing on his Irish heritage (dual U.S./Irish Citizen)\, Jencks uses his lyrical voice to enchant\, heal\, and inspire. Jencks has won numerous songwriting awards and is also highly regarded as a song interpreter. Jencks weaves a diverse web of stories with brilliant musical skill\, ensnaring even the most rigid of hearts\, inviting them to open. His songs invite us to live inside of our passions and our beliefs. \nJoe Jencks is a member of the A.F.M. Local 1000: North American Traveling Musicians Union\, NARAS\, ASCAP\, and the Folk Alliance International. \nIn 2010\, Jencks co-founded the dynamic harmony trio Brother Sun\, with colleagues Greg Greenway and Pat Wictor. The trio performs widely throughout the United States and Canada. Brother Sun’s 2016 release – “Weights & Wings” was the #1 CD for 2016 on the Folk DJ Chart\, and 5 songs charted in the top 50 for the year – including Joe’s composition\, “Mary Don’t You Weep & Moan” at #3 for the year! The trio’s 2013 release “Some Part of The Truth\,” was #1 for 2013\, and also took #1 song for 2013 with Joes composition: “Lady of The Harbor.” Fusing\, Folk\, Roots\, Blues\, Pop\, Jazz\, Rock\, and a cappella singing\, Brother Sun is an explosion of musical diversity and harmony\, in the finest of male singing traditions. For more information\, please visit: www.brothersunmusic.com. \nDiscography \nPoets\, Philosophers\, Workers\, & Wanderers (New) Joe Jencks Solo CD – 2017 \nBrother Sun CD – Weights & Wings – Acoustic/Fusion – 2016 Brother Sun Music (#1 CD\, #3 Song – Mary Don’t You Weep & Moan) 2016 Folk DJ\nBrother Sun CD – Some Part of the Truth\, Acoustic/Fusion – 2013 Brother Sun Music (#! CD\, #1 Song: Lady of The Harbor) 2013 Folk DJ\nBrother Sun CD – Brother Sun\, Acoustic/Fusion – 2011 Brother Sun Music \nLinks In A Chain CD Acoustic/ Singer Songwriter 2009 Turtle Bear Music\nThe Candle & The Flame CD Acoustic/ Singer Songwriter 2007 Turtle Bear Music\nRise As One “Live Concert CD Folk/Labor History 2005 Turtle Bear Music\nThe Wonder Deep Within CD Folk/Spiritual 2004 Turtle Bear Music\nI Hear Your VoiceCD Folk/Social Justice 2003 Turtle Bear Music\nWhat Kind Of Brother CD Folk/Traditional 2000 Turtle Bear Music\nThe Phoenix CD Folk/Rock 1995 – Turtle Bear Music \nJoe has also appeared on numerous CD Compilations including National Public Radio’s “Car Talk: Born Not To Run.” \nRadio\, Contests\, & Awards \n2017 #1 CD Poets\, Philosophers\, Workers\, & Wanderers – Sirius XM / The Village – Americana Chart\n2017 #1 CD Poets\, Philosophers\, Workers\, & Wanderers (May 2017) – Folk DJ\n2017 #1 Artist (May 2017) – Folk DJ \n2016 #1 CD Folk DJ for 2016 – Brother Sun: Weights & Wings\n2016 #3 Song for 2016 – Joe Jencks/Brother Sun: Mary Don’t You Weep & Moan\n2016 #1 Song – April 2016 Joe Jencks/Brother Sun: Mary Don’t You Weep & Moan \n2015 #1 Song – December 2015 – Joe Jencks: The Longest Night of The Year (pre-Release from: Poets\, Philosophers\, Workers\, & Wanderers) \n2013 – #1 Song of the Year – Lady of the Harbor – Folk DJ – North American Folk Music Chart\n2013 – Brother Sun – Album of the Year – Folk DJ – North American Folk Music Chart\n2011 – Brother Sun – Best of 2011 – WUMB Boston\n2011 – Brother Sun – Best of 2011 – WFUV – NYC\n2011 – Brother Sun – Best of 2011 – WFMT – Chicago – The Midnight Special \n2008 – Kerrville Folk Festival – New Folk Finalist\n2008 – Dirty Linen Magazine’s Best of 2007\n2007 – Falcon Ridge Folk Festival – Emerging Artist Showcase\, NY\n2005 – Songwriting Contest Winner – Plowshares Songwriting Competition – Phoenixville\, PA\n2005 – Songwriting Contest Winner – South Florida Folk Festival\, Margate\, FL\n2004 – Songwriting Contest Winner In Two Categories – Walnut Valley Music Festival\, Winfield\, KS\n2004 – Songwriting Contest Winner – Tumbleweed Music Festival\, Richland\, WA\n2003 – Songwriting Contest Winner – Tumbleweed Music Festival\, Richland\, WA\nwww.joejencks.com \nOpening for Joe is ACMA’s own troubador Robert Bidney:\nRobert Bidney is a singer songwriter whose message is as strong as his melodies. His music is relatable and has a strong commercial sensibility.\nHe has been writing songs for most of his life. To support his family\, he worked in the advertising world\, but pursued his passion of writing songs with meaning. Those songs define him and reveal his soul. \nOver the years\, his songs have been covered by an eclectic group of artists around the world\, but his dream was to produce an album of his own. That dream recently came true with the release of “It’s All About the Love” in July 2015. \nThe record examines the universal themes of life. Music News Nashville wrote “His is a strong\, new voice on the indie album scene that’s been a long-time coming.” \nThe South Florida Sun Sentinel wrote that the album is ”an eclectic collection of universal meditations on love\, harmony and the things that threaten them\, told in a confidently unadorned lyrical style that only an experienced songwriter would attempt.” \nA seasoned performer\, Bidney connects with his audiences through his infectious energy and emotional performances. \nHis creativity and commercial awareness merged while working in advertising agencies\, where he wrote and produced a number of national radio and TV jingles for clients and worked closely with many top musicians\, producers and songwriters throughout the U.S. and Canada. \nBidney lives in South Florida\, performs and continues to write songs close to his heart.\nwww.roberbidney.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/joe-jencks-concert-robert-bidney-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/joe-jencks.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR