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 BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20200308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20201101T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190209T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190209T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180830T184211Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T184211Z UID:1802-1549738800-1549746000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Heather Pierson Trio! Bruce and Cece Gallant open DESCRIPTION:We’re so excited to finally have Heather and her group back to the ACMA stage\, and equally excited that Bruce and Cece continue to entertain us with their happy sound!\n“If you’re one of those people who likes any style done well– old-school jazz\, folk\, pop\, classical–you’ll love this prodigiously talented threesome. Keyboards\, brass\, all sorts of strings\, and beautiful singing make for a dynamic show packed with energy and surprises.” Sarah Craig | Caffe Lena | Saratoga Springs\, NY\nThe Heather Pierson Acoustic Trio are a rare bunch – three musicians from three very\ndifferent backgrounds\, bringing their skills\, their quiet charm\, and their down-to-earth\nhonesty to bear on songs that bring to life the sounds of the streets of New Orleans and the\nvalleys of Appalachia. Their recordings (2015’s Still She Will Fly and 2017’s Singin’) and\nlive performances feature Heather’s multi-genre songwriting\, their instrumental virtuosity\,\nand stirring three-part vocal harmonies.\nHeather Pierson (lead vocals\, acoustic guitar\, tenor banjo\, piano) is an award-winning\nsinger/songwriter\, pianist\, and performer. With eight previous solo recordings under her\nbelt\, Heather’s wise-beyond-her-years songwriting\, angelic voice\, and world-class chops\nhave catapulted her into the spotlight.\nDavy Sturtevant (cornet\, dobro\, fiddle\, mandolin\, harmony vocals) is a veteran touring\nartist\, producer\, engineer\, songwriter\, and performer. Armed with a gorgeous tenor voice\nand a mighty arsenal of instruments that come to life in his capable hands\, Davy is at once a\nwitty\, thoughtful\, and engaging musical presence.\nShawn Nadeau (bass\, harmony vocals) brings a rock solid thump and nearly two decades of\nperforming experience to the trio\, informed by a wide spectrum of unique rhythmic and\nmelodic sensibilities ranging from rockabilly to reggae to jazz.\nwww.heatherpierson.com \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 URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/heather-pierson-trio-bruce-cece-gallant-open/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/heather-pier.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190207T041500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190207T174500 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180830T185636Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T185636Z UID:1805-1549512900-1549561500@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters at Sunset 4;15 Tim McGeary\, Carlene Thissen\, Marie Nofsinger 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. The Folks group will offer a Beach BBQ fundraiser at the show. 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 “Bluebird Café” style. 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 \nTim McGeary\, \nIf 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​McGeary’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. \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. \nMcGeary doesn’t differentiate between playing for an auditorium full of onlookers or an audience that numbers only a few people. Or\, as he explains\, “If I can connect to even to those individuals who are touched in some way by my music\, then I feel like I’m truly fulfilled.” \nCarlene Thissen\, \nCarlene Thissen is a singer\, songwriter and author from Naples\, Florida.  Her voice reminds us of her influences\, Judy Collins\, Joni Mitchell\, and Joan Baez.   From Woodstock memories to her passion for Immokalee’s farm workers\, Carlene’s music will take you back and may even inspire you to Go Change the World. \n  \nMarie 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. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-sunset-415-tim-mcgeary-carlene-thissen-marie-nofsinger/ 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/2018/08/l-key.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190202T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190202T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180830T183719Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T183719Z UID:1799-1549134000-1549141200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Escaping Pavement with Ricky Baker and Jason Peters opening! DESCRIPTION:Bio: Hailed as “One of the most dynamic Americana groups out of Detroit\, Michigan” Escaping Pavement masterfully blends and blurs the lines of Bluegrass\, Folk\, and Americana. Their unique joint frontperson arrangement\, with Emily Burns and Aaron Markovitz sharing equally in singing\, songwriting\, and guitar playing allow for astounding\, harmony-driven\, musical interplay that has earned them slots on bills with the likes of Justin Townes Earle\, Mountain Heart\, and Joan Osborne. With multiple festival appearances scheduled\, over 500 shows under their belt\, a new EP set to release in 2017 comprised of music inspired by the National Parks\, and a non-stop touring schedule\, this duo is ready to spread their roots-based message\, far and wide. Americana fans will find a lot to love in Escaping Pavement. Find out why Jeff Milo of Paste magazine said\, “Escaping Pavement make sparseness stunning. The acoustic guitar and mandolin crackle together like a mesmerizing bonfire\, and the voices of Emily Burns and Aaron Markovitz blend together like the azure purple and tawny oranges of vibrant sunset…”\nwww.escapingpavement.com \nACMA members Ricky Baker and Jason Peters open the show URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/escaping-pavement-ricky-baker-jason-peters-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/escaping-pav.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190126T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190126T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180905T152723Z LAST-MODIFIED:20181024T185715Z UID:1815-1548529200-1548536400@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Woji & Kozloff DESCRIPTION:The ACMA is excited to have back on stage\, these two touring ACMA members \nAcclaimed\, Singer/Songwriter\, and hit & run Terlingua\, TX resident\, Hank Woji is a self described “Jersey Shore Ex-Pat turned West Texas Desert Rat” with roots in folk\, country and blues. Critics have described Hank’s music as “acoustic-wielding\, sharply observed\, Americana all the way” and being “in the best tradition of the Texas troubadours like Guy Clarke\, Townes Van Zandt and Butch Hancock.” \nA Pennsylvania native who escaped winter and now resides in Sarasota\, FL\, award winning Singer/Songwriter Eileen Kozloff is a multi-instrumentalist who is best known for her unique style on autoharp and for her soaring vocals and commanding performances. Critics call Kozloff’s approach “emotive\, clear and controlled\, reminiscent of the best of the revivialists\, such as Joan Baez or Anne Hills.” \nTogether Woji & Kozloff feature sparkling autoharp & guitar interplay and improvisation with vocal harmonies straight from Appalachia to the Old West. With 10 recorded CDs between them\, their performances showcase their extensive catalog of original songs as well as the occasional cover by artists ranging from The Carter Family\, Greg Brown and Woody Guthrie to Butch Hancock\, The Grateful Dead and David Gray. \nSince a chance meeting as performers at the 2013 Sarasota Folk Festival\, the duo of Woji & Kozloff has been performing extensively over the last 5 years throughout Florida\, Texas\, the Gulf Coast and the Northeast U.S. \nFor Booking: Hank Woji – 713-807-0354 / 512-692-9839 hankwoji@gmail.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/homegrown-woji-kozloff/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Hank-Woji-Kozloff-.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190118T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190118T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180830T183126Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T183126Z UID:1796-1547838000-1547847000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Doug MacLeod\, Bill Metts opens. Friday SHOW DESCRIPTION:PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A FRIDAY CONCERT WITH SPECIAL EVENT PRICING OF $15/$20\nWe are thrilled to welcome Doug MacLeod back to our stage. He’s just walked away with another award\, he 2018 Acoustic Blues Album of the year for “Break the Chain” Add this to Doug’s multiple other Blues Music awards and you’ve got one seriously good musician! With the ACMA’s own seriously good blues musician\, Bill Metts\, added to the booking we’ll have a cool time with hot music! \n“Like all great blues men\, MacLeod lives his music\, and the songs are not just on the tips of his fingers and tongue\, they are one with his being.”\n– Blues Music Magazine \nMacLeod is known for his superb songwriting\, guitar wizardry\, warm soulful vocals\, wit and unforgettable live performances. At the heart of a Doug MacLeod performance is his knack for storytelling\, bringing characters-from the faceless to the legendary-to strikingly real life. \nDoug is a multiple Blues Music Award winner\, most recently the 2018 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Album Of The Year ‘Break The Chain’ and the 2017 Blues Music Award for Acoustic Artist Of The Year. \nDoug MacLeod’s newest release\, ‘Break The Chain’\, is quite possibly his strongest release to date\, which speaks volumes. \nEach song extremely personal and at the same time\, universal; covering subjects topical\, humorous\, and soulful; from the satirical to the sublime. \nThe title song\, ‘Break The Chain’\, which was co-written and performed with his son Jesse. The song focuses on breaking the cycle of family violence and abuse\, Doug and Jesse confront this pervasive issue directly. Together\, they share the healing\, reconciliation and peace available to all who work to prevent the cycle and Break The Chain. \nDoug is an international touring artist who writes and sings original songs that are based on his own life and experiences. He learned from the old masters and carries forward a valuable tradition. \nAs a youth Doug overcame abuse and a crippling stutter by turning to music. After picking up a guitar\, and singing – he found his voice. \nMacLeod’s playing landed him sideman gigs with George ‘Harmonica’ Smith\, Big Joe Turner\, Pee Wee Crayton\, Eddie ‘Cleanhead’ Vinson\, Lowell Fulson and Big Mama Thornton. Over 30 years\, 21 studio albums\, several live records\, compilations\, a blues guitar instructional DVD and a live performance DVD\, MacLeod has consistently earned raves. His songs have been covered by many artists including Albert King\, Albert Collins\, Joe Louis Walker and Eva Cassidy. MacLeod’s songs have been featured in many TV movies and the hit show In the Heat of the Night. August Wilson requested his soulful slide guitar playing in the Los Angeles opening of “Gem of the Ocean”. \nFrom 1999 to 2004 Doug hosted Nothin’ But The Blues\, a very popular weekend blues show on Los Angeles’ KLON-KKJZ. He has also been the voice for The Blues Showcase on Continental Airlines. For ten years he penned “Doug’s Back Porch\,” a regular feature column in Blues Revue Magazine in which he shared his humorous and insightful stories with thousands of readers. He is one of the four featured artists in the movie “Resonate: A Guitar Story”\, the feature documentary on the making of National Guitars. \nLike the old masters who taught him\, MacLeod’s music expresses life and times through an intangible\, elusive quality that may simply be a keen sense of what matters most. Doug’s music\, stories\, and philosophy provide a healing that has helped others overcome the hardships of their lives. \nDoug subscribes to the philosophies he learned from country bluesman Ernest Banks of Toano\, VA. “Never play a note you don’t believe” and “Never write or sing about what you don’t know about.” \nAs Pee Wee Crayton’s widow Esther once told Doug\, “You have a message and you’ll send that message mainly to the people who don’t go to church.” Amen. \nwww.http://doug-macleod.com/index.html \nA little about Bill Metts: “I started playing guitar when I was 19 during the country blues revival of the late 60s. I fell in love with the music of Taj Mahall\, Mississippi John Hurt\, Doc Watson and others of that ilk. Just about everything that I have done since then has been in that down home finger-picking style. I had the honor of being asked to perform at the annual Mississippi John Hurt Blues Festival in Avalon Ms. in 2011. All types of music move me I but prefer to play and sing traditional Americana roots music.”\nP\nhttps://www.mettsmusic.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/doug-macleod-bill-metts-opens-friday-show/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/doug-M.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190112T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190112T210000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180830T182543Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180830T182543Z UID:1793-1547319600-1547326800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Ukelele Russ\, Joe Virga opens DESCRIPTION:Once a year Alaskan Wildman Ukelele Russ comes to Florida. We had to wait 3 years to get him on the schedule\, but look out folks\, he’s a coming! Huge enthusiasm from the music committee got Russ a coveted spot in January so you know you’re in for a good show!\nOfficial blurb:\nAlaska—the Final Frontier. Alaska has captured imaginations ever since Thomas Jefferson purchased it from the French for two cases of whiskey and a buckskin pouch of glass beads. And now\, with the birth of the interwebs and the dawn of the reality TV age upon us\, people once again turn their eyes northward. They are enthralled with Alaska\, but is what they see really reality? \nA native son of New England\, professional ukulele player\, and natural blonde\, Ukulele Russ turned his wandering eye northward. After touring on and off with booze hall bands and B-list rap troops for several years\, he packed his things and made the move to The Great Land. He rented a small\, dry cabin with his fiancée just outside of the Fairbanks city limits\, bought a compact car known for its fuel economy and ability to corner well on icy roads\, and hit the streets of “Jefferson’s Folly” to hunt for a job with only 6 dollars left to his name. He was a man on a mission and broke. \nUnable to comprehend how the ukulele could be seen as anything other than stringed testosterone\, Russ set out to expand people’s minds and open their hearts to the subtle sweetness of what Shakespeare often referred to as “those bitchin’ little Hawaiian guitars.” By locking himself away in his dark\, tiny cabin he has developed his own unique style of “ukuleleing\,” discovering that they can in fact be used to create music other than the songs you hear at the Honolulu airport\, and he has been capturing audiences’ attention ever since. From rock and roll to funk\, bluegrass to hip-hop\, Russ takes the ukulele into uncharted waters and has compiled a selection of humorous stories and multi-genre songs about Alaska and the people who call it home. \nLearn just how “real” things can get with the ukulele player Gene Siskel once described as “that homeless looking guy hanging out in the parking lot by my car.” Ukulele Russ is a wild man—a dude who chooses to drive a Cooper Mini in a Mac Truck world\, an hombre who opts for a tacquito over the burrito grande. He is playing it fast and loose in a guitarist’s jungle with his show “The Last Ukulele Frontier\,” which contains the secret history of 49th state\, and a true account of Russ’s life in the north\, all set to piano ukulele music\, telling the stories of a musician’s survival in the subarctic.started in New England. Fled the recession to the frontier of Alaska. And now after a year hiatus he is back entertaining crowds on both sides of the North American continent. Currently residing under the midnight sun in the interior of sub-arctic Alaska. \nwww.ukeleleruss.com \nOpening for Russ is founding ACMA member Joe Virga. We appreciate Joe’s unwavering support as much as his great voice and songwriting skills. Joe Virga Learned to play Guitar while serving his country on a helicopter carrier during the Vietnam war. Upon his return he began playing in the Greenwich Village at the legendary Folk City (Gurdies). He learned about the music cooperative while there and became a member. The coop became a Mecca for the second folk music scene in New York City. Its membership included such performers as Susan Vega\, Rod McDonald\, Michelle Shocked\, Christine Laven\, John Gorka\, Cliff Eberhart\, David Roth\, Dave VonRonk\, Hugh Blumenfeld and Mark Dan. You can buy Fast Folk Magazine CD’s on line featuring these people performing separately or in often cases together. Everyone in the coop would often play together on each others recording or live and it was a great time. Tragedy struck Joe at this time when his wife passed away and was left with two small children to raise. Years later when his children were older he began singing with Burgers & Mayo in the NY area this band featured the late great Bob Mayo. Joe is a writer and guitar player and a great lead and background vocalist URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/ukelele-russ-joe-virga-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/u-russ.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190112T140000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190112T163000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180829T193102Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180829T193102Z UID:1789-1547301600-1547310600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters at the Library Estero DESCRIPTION:The ACMA is a Fort Myers based organization that promotes local artists who write and sing their own original songs. Come hear great original acoustic music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. \n\n\n \n\n\nJan. 19th\, Bob Williams Ken Hulme Glen Sabatka\n\n\nBob Williams \, Always eager to share amusing stories behind the lyrics\, Bob’s songs are personal. Irreverent. Funny. Sad. And most importantly\, true to his heart. With encouragement from family and friends\, he produced and released his first CD No Apologies in 2015. In 2018 he released his second Album\, Ain’t Sorry Yet. \n\n\n \n\n\nKen Hulme is known as the Dulcimer Guy who plays and sings really old versions of Anglo-Scottish folk songs and ballads. About 10 years ago he discovered an instrument much older than the mountain dulcimer – the pentatonic Anglo-Saxon Lyre. He built one\, taught himself to play. Built another and another. \n\n\n \n\n\nGlen Sabatka\, has been playing guitar and harmonica since the 1960-s. He has been the harmonica player for many bands and has been a side-man on several artists recordings..His music is a bit quirky with many terrible puns and word plays. He likes when his audience laughs! URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-library-estero/ LOCATION:South County Regional Library\, 21100 Three Oaks Parkway\, Estero\, FL\, 33928\, United States ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/s-w-library.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190108T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190108T193000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180829T191102Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180829T191855Z UID:1787-1546970400-1546975800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters at the Plaza Mike McMillan\, Millie Van Horn\, David Clayton DESCRIPTION:The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association)\, to offer free Acoustic concerts of all original music. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater\, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket\, shows will be moved indoors depending on weather.\n\n\n \n\n\nThe ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit that promotes local artists who perform their own original songs. Come hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music a coming together of blues\, roots\, folk and country.\n\n\n \n\n\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). After his first Doc Watson concert in the 1970’s\, he was inspired to learn finger picking and then later\, many blues songs. Mike can be found performing regularly on Fort Myers Beach with The Pearl Street Band.\n\n\n \n\n\nMillie Van Horn has her own special story to tell and she does it through song. Millie is the winner of the “People’s Choice” award songwriter contest at the 2017 Sydney and Berne Davis Art Center in Ft Myers\n\n\n \n\n\nDave 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. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-plaza-mike-mcmillan-millie-van-horn-david-clayton/ 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/plaza-7.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190105T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190105T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180829T170137Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180829T170137Z UID:1784-1546714800-1546723800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:The Reckless Saints with The Pearl Street Band opening. DESCRIPTION:It’s our absolute pleasure to welcome The Reckless Saints back to our stage as we kick off another year of Americana concerts. Roy Schneider and Kim Mayfield are the Reckless Saints and have been an integral part of the ACMA since our beginnings. As we’ve grown as an organization\, they’ve continued to grow and hone their craft of creating a style of music they call blue twangled folk n roll. Opening for The Reckless Saints is ACMA’s own Pearl Street Band. This is gonna be one mighty fine night \nReckless Saints Bio:\n:Former syndicated cartoonist Roy Schneider has found his true calling in writing and performing his “Blue-Twangled Folk & Roll” music. Schneider has developed a loyal fan base through national radio airplay and consistent touring\, performing his blend of the gritty\, soulful and sweet to delighted audiences all across the USA and places abroad. He appears most often with Kim Mayfield providing harmony vocals and accompaniment on mandolin\, percussion\, and piano. From house concerts and folk clubs to festivals and theaters\, the duo – gradually becoming recognized as ‘Schneider & Mayfield’ – clock up thousands of miles annually in their van “Ulysses” toting guitars\, harmonicas\, banjos\, mandolins\, pianos\, and assorted percussive things wherever they are needed. \nSchneider’s songs have earned praise in the Grassy Hill Kerrville New Folk Competition (TX)\, Telluride Blues & Brews Acoustic Blues competition (CO)\, and Falcon Ridge Folk Festival Emerging Artist showcase (NY). The duo has performed official showcases at Folk Alliance conferences in New York\, Austin TX and Asheville NC. Other notable venues include Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe\, Yorkshire England’s MAD Fest\, and Roy’s appearance on season 5 of NBC’s The Voice. Schneider has raised over $20k through fan funding to produce and successfully promote 2012’s Walls That Talk and 2015’s Ten From the Pen. Both have received generous airplay and accolades from respected reviewers including No Depression and UK’s Maverick magazine. \nAlso a gifted accompanist\, Roy has performed onstage with John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band)\, Tom Paxton\, Joe Craven\, Stevie Coyle\, Buddy Mondlock\, Freebo\, Gove Scrivenor and many others. \n“Roy Schneider is a singer-songwriter in the grandest tradition of Steve Earle\, Lucinda Williams\, Guy Clark\, and Lyle Lovett\, but his voice\, songwriting skill\, stagecraft\, and instrumental talent are all his own. Together\, the result is like a vibrant jubilee singing out on the banks of the Mississippi River. His gift for blending Southern-influenced folk\, blues\, country\, and rock into a seamless genre with his own signature sound demonstrates his connection to the best in the tradition of fine wake-me-up and kick-me-in-the-ass roots music.” \nNo Depression\nwww.royschneider.com \nOpening for The Reckless Saints is The Pearl Street Band. The band is comprised of Bob Williams\, Mike McMllan\, Bill Veach and Clark Johnson. This band is made up of all ACMA members. They perform regularly on Fort Myers Beach.\nBios: Bob Williams: In the late sixties\, Bob Williams\, a young guitar player from Long Island\, NY\, began writing his own music. Pulling elements from Folk-Rock and Country-Rock\, Bob created a sound all of his own. Always eager to share amusing stories behind the lyrics\, Bob’s songs are personal. Irreverent. Funny. Sad. And most importantly\, true to his heart. With encouragement from family and friends\, he produced and released his first CD No Apologies in 2015. In 2018 he released his second Album\, Ain’t Sorry Yet.\nMike McMillan: Started playing guitar at age 13. He enjoys many different genres which has also influenced his original compositions. Keith has been both a band leader and a sideman and enjoys backing others on guitar and vocals when the opportunity presents itself. Keith also has a passion for writing\, co-writing\, arranging\, recording and performing original music.\nBill Veach: Bill Veach was a drummer in a rock band in college\, but guitars are easier to move and make for better neighbors so he spent $100 of his precious college beer money on a flame red acoustic guitar. Moving was a part of his life for years\, with a love of travel that is expressed in many of his songs. His songs are often autobiographical\, about his experiences\, travel\, love\, loss and some characters he has met on his journey. Bill is a Western boy\, raised in Colorado and lived in Utah and Wyoming before becoming a full time resident of Fort Myers Beach. He became active writing songs as part of the Cheyenne Guitar Society in Wyoming and finds inspiration in the camaraderie of the ACMA Singer Songwriter Circle on Sundays. Bill has never met a genre he didn’t like\nClark Johnson\nBorn in NYC at a very early age. Picked up bass in 7th grade (Beatles\, etc.). Blues bands all through college. Rock/Folk most of the rest of the time. Since moving to FL\, play in bluegrass and country bands. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/reckless-saints-pearl-street-band-opening/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/r.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20190103T154500 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20190103T171500 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180829T165009Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180829T165155Z UID:1782-1546530300-1546535700@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters at Sunset 3:45 pm Bill Veach\, Alan Bradford\, Chakulla 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. The Folks group will offer a Beach BBQ fundraiser at the show. 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 “Bluebird Café” style. 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 \nBill Veach was a drummer in a rock band in college\, but guitars are easier to move and make for better neighbors so he spent $100 of his precious college beer money on a flame red acoustic guitar. Moving was a part of his life for years\, with a love of travel that is expressed in many of his songs. His songs are often autobiographical\, about his experiences\, travel\, love\, loss and some characters he has met on his journey. Bill is a Western boy\, raised in Colorado and lived in Utah and Wyoming before becoming a full time resident of Fort Myers Beach. He became active writing songs as part of the Cheyenne Guitar Society in Wyoming and finds inspiration in the camaraderie of the ACMA Singer Songwriter Circle on Sundays.\nBill has never met a genre he didn’t like\, and his style is as predictable as the Colorado spring weather. Bill plays around Southwest Florida\, both solo and as part of the Pearl Street Band \nAlan Bradford is a unique guitarist\, and an old soul singer/songwriter. A musician who can deliver hours of covers\, as well as original songs; he is an all around entertainer who can “read the crowd” and cater the music to their desires. \nAlan started playing music while growing up in New Jersey\, and had the opportunity to open for many touring professionals two of whom became great influences on his music ; Harry Chaplin and James Taylor. \nAlan continues to perform as a solo performer but adds players to fit the needs of the event. He performs throughout the east coast of the United States. Whether at a country club\, a bar\, a national festival\, a house concert\, or an assisted living; his music is a wonderful addition to any function. \nChakulla (affectionately known as Grandfather Chakulla) is an individual\, expressing his music with an organic grove of worldly rhythm’s\, unique guitar cords\, catchy and memorable melodies. He sings out with an acoustic guitar using a loop pedal enabling leads\, harmonica\, marimba\, conga’s\, percussion\, and vocal percussion lines to manifest on the spot and live . \nHe is best described as the Folk/World/Jazz/Americana artist\, and in his 4 decades of writing and playing music Chakulla has shared his music at concert venues seating 60\,000 people\, and in Clubs\, at House concerts\, Festivals\, TV and radio appearances\, and singing out in the streets. \nHe has shared the stage with Richie Havens\, Pete Seeger\, Arlo Guthrie\, Buddy Miles\, Aztec Two step\, etc. Chakulla has a profound effect on audiences connecting\, including\, inspiring\, and inviting them to participate and to sing along leaving them with a smile. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-sunset-345-pm-bill-veach-alan-bradford-chakulla/ 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/2018/08/l-key.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181213T153000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181213T153000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180829T150457Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180907T143158Z UID:1777-1544715000-1544715000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters at Sunset 3:30 pm 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. The Folks group will offer a Beach BBQ fundraiser at the show. www.friendsofloverskey.org\n\n\n\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 “Bluebird Café” style. The show will finish with a fabulous Lovers Key Sunset. www.americanacma.org\n\n\nPark entry fees are $8.00 for vehicles (2-8 people)\, $4 for single person in vehicle\n\n\n \n\n\n\nHouseboat Jim\, started picking and singing back in the late 50’s in Greenwich Village. Got married\, worked\, and got back to music about fifteen years ago in Las Vegas.  He is a local favorite performing around the Ft. Myers area for the last six years. Jim who does live on a houseboat just released a new CD. \n\n\n\nBill Steel retired from the automotive industry in 2008 and has been wintering in Fort Myers ever since. He is passionate about sailing and music and has found a perfect place to enjoy both of these interests.\n\n\nIt was his introduction to the ACMA that encouraged him to perform in front of an audience and eventually write his own songs. Bill draws from his travels through Central America\, as well as every day life experiences as the source for his songwriting and tries to bring out the humor from them.\n\n\n \n\n\nKeith Parker\, Started playing guitar at age 13. He enjoys many different genres which has also influenced his original compositions. Keith has been both a band leader and a sideman and enjoys backing others on guitar and vocals when the opportunity presents itself. Keith also has a passion for writing\, co-writing\, arranging\, recording and performing original music. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-sunset-330-pm/ 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/2018/08/l-key.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181211T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181211T193000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180829T154554Z LAST-MODIFIED:20181210T012010Z UID:1780-1544551200-1544556600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Songwriters on the Plaza\, Kim Mayfield \,Andy Getch\, Bob Williams DESCRIPTION:The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association)\, to offer free Acoustic concerts of all original music. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater\, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket\, shows will be moved indoors depending on weather. This show will be indoor in the South Building that is attached to Talking Books Library. The address is 1651 Lee Street\, next to the Second Street Parking lot. \nThe ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit that promotes local artists who perform their own original songs. Come hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music a coming together of blues\, roots\, folk and country. \nKim Mayfield started playing music on the family piano at age nine. She studied with several teachers on and off for about thirty years before learning to play with others. As half of the duo “Reckless Saints” Kim has picked up guitar\, mandolin\, and songwriting\, as well as learning to play keyboard without “notes.” She is in her tenth year of touring nationally and internationally with her husband and duo partner Roy Schneider\, and once more getting used to playing alone. \nBob Williams’s original songs and the stories behind his songs always brings a smile as a teenager Bob began writing his own music. Pulling elements from Folk-Rock and Country-Rock\, Bob created a sound all of his own. Bob’s songs are personal. Irreverent. Funny. Sad. And most importantly\, true to his heart \nAndy Getch is a local artist who has written hundreds of songs and also paints. Andy is very active in the Fort Myers area. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/songwriters-plaza-kim-mayfield-andy-getch-bob-williams/ 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/2018/08/12-9-18-plaza.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181201T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181201T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180517T182312Z LAST-MODIFIED:20181001T012145Z UID:1734-1543690800-1543699800@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Mare Wakefield and Nomad. With Karen Cohen Opening DESCRIPTION:As the music committe said unique talent rises to the top\, a big yes! ” and that’s one reason why the ACMA is looking forward to Mare and Nomad’s show to close out our 2018 season.\n“Daddy was a seeker\,” says Mare Wakefield. “Eventually he became a Salvationist minister. Mama was a gypsy\, loving nothing more than a long stretch of highway.” \nBorn with wanderlust in her DNA\, Mare lived in eight different places before she was ten. “It was a roller-coaster way to grow up\, but my brother and I learned to fit in fast\,” she says. “We picked up Wisconsin accents in two weeks. Eighteen months later we were drawling like native Texans.” \nFor Turkish-born Nomad\, the journey was equally varied. His musical education began at the exclusive Istanbul Conservatory and continued with a scholarship to Berklee College of Music. Nomad’s gift for musical arrangements includes a full arsenal of classical\, folk and jazz chops. \nVersatility and travel-scapes are evident in their music. Listeners roam through Arizona deserts\, Oklahoma oil fields and Amsterdam canals. Journeys go inward too\, exploring hope\, heartbreak and barroom brawls. Story and song are woven together by Mare’s intimate delivery and Nomad’s exquisite piano and accordion. \nwww.marewakefield.com \nKaren Cohen Opens \nKaren got her start playing the guitar in the late 60s\, learning to fingerpick the folk songs of Joan Baez\, Odetta\, Bob Dylan\, Phil Ochs\, Arlo Guthrie and many more artists of the day. \n In more recent years\, Karen worked on arrangements for some old Country Style Blues and some Slide Guitar by the famed Robert Johnson. \n Karen was Only able to gain confidence to perform\, with the enthusiastic support of a wonderful community of musicians here in Southwest Florida who she considers her family. \nFellow open mic players and fans\, kept her at task\, learning new songs\, helped get her over her stage fright\, and even challenged her to start writing some of her own music. \n During these first Guitar Revival years\, she was Affectionately penned “The Acoustic Queen” \nat open mics and jam circles around the Punta Gorda\, and Englewood areas. \n She is a long-time member of the Ghilcrest Guitar Army in Punta Gorda where she lives\, and has been a Swannanoa Gathering attendee for the past 5 years. \n Karen considers herself fortunate to have found the ACMA\, another incredible musical family\, who like her have a passion for music that touches soul and brings us together in harmony. \n ACMA events here in this Listening Room are always of the highest quality. The amazing professional artists that come play here are surprising and inspiring. \nFor me personally\, it’s an incredible honor to be the opener here at the ACMA. URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/mare-wakefield-nomad-opening-tba/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/marie-wakefield.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181117T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181117T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180517T181810Z LAST-MODIFIED:20181014T165036Z UID:1731-1542481200-1542490200@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Ryanhood! Opener Pete Benson DESCRIPTION:From the folks that brought us Harpeth Rising! I’ve seen Ryanhood and can say that they are awesome and 100% vetted by the ACMA music committee\, so we are very excited to present Ryanhood to you! \nOfficial stuff:\nNamed ‘Best Group/Duo’ in the 2014 International Acoustic Music Awards\, acoustic-duo Ryanhood got their first break more than a decade ago as street-performers at Boston’s Quincy Market. It was there that they were spotted by a college booking agent and thrust into the college touring scene\, where Campus Activities Magazine would name them “one of the most requested acts by college buyers all across the country.” They’ve since gone on to perform more than 800 shows in 45 U.S. states over the past decade and have shared stages with Jason Mraz\, Matt Nathanson\, Train\, and many more. \nCameron Hood’s rich and folky lead vocals\, Ryan Green’s explosive guitar and mandolin riffs\, and their airtight vocal harmonies prompted the Arizona Daily Star to call them\, “a match made in radio heaven.” \nAnd their star is still on the rise. They were recently named the “Discovery of the Year” by John Platt at WFUV New York City\, and were a featured act at Australia’s National Folk Festival in April 2018. Their sixth and newest album\, Yearbook\, is led by their signature two-part vocal harmonies\, decorated with flares of guitar\, ukulele\, and mandolin\, and centers on songs about being young\, growing old\, and making peace with the passing of time. They currently reside in their hometown of Tucson\, AZ\, where they have won more than a dozen Tucson Music Awards including “Best Folk Band” and “Best Rock Band” (you can decide for yourself which is most accurate). \nwww.ryanhood.com URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/ryanhood-opener-tba/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ryanwood.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181113T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181113T180000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180819T170649Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180819T170649Z UID:1759-1542132000-1542132000@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:ACMA Songwriters on the Plaza\, Ray Cerbone\, Robert Bidney \, Annie Wenz DESCRIPTION:The Lee County Library has joined with The ACMA (Americana Community Music Association)\, to offer free Acoustic concerts of all original music. Concerts will take place in the Amphitheater\, which is located on South Cornog Plaza. Bring a chair or a blanket\, shows will be moved indoors depending on weather. \nThe ACMA is a Fort Myers based not for profit that promotes local artists who perform their own original songs. Come hear great original music and the stories behind the songs in an intimate Songwriters Showcase. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of professional quality acoustic Americana music. Americana music a coming together of blues\, roots\, folk and country.\nRay Cerbone \,\nRay Cerbone plays mostly fingerstyle guitar. With his original songs\, Ray’s music crosses several genres from storyteller ballads to folk\, and country based fun songs to blues. Ray is also the lead singer for the nationally touring band\, The Apocalypse Blues Revue. \nRobert Bidney \,\nRobert stated\, I’ve been writing songs for most of my life. While raising my children and supporting my family\, I’ve been fortunate to have had a number of commercial recordings by other artists singing my songs from all over the world. \nWhile working in the advertising field\, I’ve had the opportunity to write and produce a number of national radio and TV jingles\, working closely with many top musicians\, producers and other songwriters throughout the U.S. and Canada. \nAnd\, after all these years\, I finally made my first album\, IT’S ALL ABOUT THE LOVE\, produced by the incredibly talented Fernando Perdomo at Reseda Ranch Studios in California. \nRobert is currently reside in South Florida\, actively writing and performing his songs. \nAnnie Wenz\nAnnie Wenz has shared her songs & stomped her dusty musical boots through 25 countries around the world… from festivals\, rallies\, street corners\, schools & arts centers to refugee camps in Pakistan\, spas in Malaysia\, ESPN videos\, Independent Film & theater scores\, & blaring speakers at Major League Ballparks\, Sirius XM & radio stations internationally. \nShe has collaborated musically with Dr. Jerri Nielsen of the “Icebound” book\, Author Robert Macomber \, baseball legend Bill Spaceman Lee\, & Roy “Futureman” Wooten of Bela Fleck & the Flecktones! \nAnnie is known for her Kerouac-ish magnifying glass-ified lyrical portrait story songs & her unique way of blending roots\, multi-cultural influences & funky rhythms… URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/acma-songwriters-plaza-ray-cerbone-robert-bidney-annie-wenz/ 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/plaza-7.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181110T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181110T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180517T181122Z LAST-MODIFIED:20181002T014122Z UID:1727-1541876400-1541885400@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:Adam Burrows in concert. Bill Burkert Opens DESCRIPTION:Adam Burrows and The ACMA started our conversation about booking at the ACMA in February 2016! Due to changes in our ACMA life and changes in Adam’s life the show date rambled and ran on until it’s settled on Nov 3\, 2018. As far as I can tell\, Adam Burrows is the reason we have the ACMA. He doesn’t have a lot of shows booked\, he’s not on TV or the radio. He’s just quietly making independent original music and looking for an audience. That would be us. The music committee of Feb 2016 gave him a thumbs up. “Very Paul Simon his writing is very good and performance level high. I say absolutely yes. ” Very poetic. Keeps me engaged trying to dial into exactly what his perspective is on a particular subject. He has variety in his melodies. All in all an interesting folk singer.”\nCheck him out at www.adamburrows.com \nBill got his first guitar in 1963. After that the 60’s left him\, but he never really left the 60’s. In his early days he bounced around a bit -school\, army\, nowheresville\, etc.- somewhere along the line he picked up a ‘”Travis” style for guitar which he has been struggling with ever since. Eventually he landed in a resorts company in Ft\, Lauderdale\, retiring 12/31/16 and moving to Ft. Myers where he discovered ACMA and songwriters circle. As a songwriter and performer he is TOTALLY a product of ACMA! URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/adam-burrows-concert-opening-tba/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/adam-burrows-11-3-1.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181103T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181103T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 CREATED:20180829T143212Z LAST-MODIFIED:20180829T143212Z UID:1771-1541271600-1541280600@www.americanacma.org SUMMARY:The Hummingbirds return! Bill Veach opens DESCRIPTION:“Excellent music. Absolutely beautiful vocals. Humid and hot with ice cold lemonade up against your sweaty cheek musicianship. Yeah…back porch\, black cat moan type mood done quite successfully.” (No Depression Magazine)\nThe Hummingbirds are husband-wife team S.G. and Rachel Wood. Born and raised in Detroit\, now residing in Tampa\, their music is both northern and southern Americana\, blending both grit\, and self reliance with hospitality\, and charm. They play old guitars through old amps\, bang drums\, and even pluck banjos sometimes. Their live stage chemistry and organic duo harmonies immediately captivate and charm audience members while Rachel’s solid command of rhythm guitar\, peppered with S.G.’s thoughtful lead work\, keep their songs rolling in true Americana form. S.G. and Rachel were fans of classic country music\, as well as myriad of other genres when they started their band in the early 2000’s. And while they continue to draw on these influences\, what comes out in their own songwriting is a hybrid sound all their own\, genuine & playful\, earnest & soulful. Their songs twist through tales of loss & heartache\, while others whisper sounds of hope\, love\, and journeys from the road. Through the past years\, The Hummingbirds have been doing it all.\nThey’ve played for small crowds in smoky bars\, and large concert venues for hundreds of people. They present their songs to welcoming audiences at hospitals and intimate house concerts. They enjoy the excitement of singing live on radio and performing at festivals throughout the country. Their enthusiasm for music and songwriting has even lead them to found a songwriting workshop in Northern Michigan for other songwriters passionate about the craft called\, “Above The Bridge Songwriter’s Weekend.” Their newest album\, “13 Days” released in 2015 features 13 songs about rivers & rattlesnakes\, the cold & the road\, and heartaches & love. Recorded & mixed by Grammy Award winner\, Mitch Dane in Nashville\, the recording is delivered with a touch of twang and a rootsy\, raw\, alt-country vibe. \nACMA member Bill Veach opens:\nBill Veach was a drummer in a rock band in college\, but guitars are easier to move and make for better neighbors so he spent $100 of his precious college beer money on a flame red acoustic guitar. Moving was a part of his life for years\, with a love of travel that is expressed in many of his songs. His songs are often autobiographical\, about his experiences\, travel\, love\, loss and some characters he has met on his journey. Bill is a Western boy\, raised in Colorado and lived in Utah and Wyoming before becoming a full time resident of Fort Myers Beach. He became active writing songs as part of the Cheyenne Guitar Society in Wyoming and finds inspiration in the camaraderie of the ACMA Singer Songwriter Circle on Sundays. Bill has never met a genre he didn’t like\, and his style URL:https://www.americanacma.org/event/hummingbirds-return-bill-veach-opens/ LOCATION:FL ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.americanacma.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/h-birds.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20181027T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20181027T213000 DTSTAMP:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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:20260525T192350 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 END:VCALENDAR