Description

Vance Gilbert is considered by many to be an integral part of the national folk scene. One of the originators of the finally recognized R&B/Folk/Jazz crossover-sub-genre, this Boston-based stalwart was born and raised in the Philadelphia area. In 1992, Shawn Colvin invited him to be special guest on her Fat City tour. “With the voice of an angel, the wit of a devil, and the guitar playing of a god…”, swooned The Fort Worth Star-Telegram about one of those shows.

Vance’s newest album, “The Mother Of Trouble”, features Grammy winner Lori McKenna on background vocals, Juno award recipient and Bonnie Raitt Grammy hit song co-writer Joey Landreth on guitars, and master mandolinist Joe K. Walsh, among others. Gilbert has recorded 14 albums to date, including 5 for Philo/Rounder Records. He’s been the opener of choice for artists as varied as Arlo Guthrie, Anita Baker, The Milk Carton Kids, and Southside Johnny, and the mid 2000s found Gilbert opening 150+ shows for comic legend George Carlin! He’s currently the regular opener for Mad About You/Stranger Things star Paul Reiser’s stand-up shows, and he maintains his own busy acoustic music touring schedule.

Here is a video of Vance performing his song Goodbye Pluto.

Joe Wilkins is a Cape Ann based singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. Known locally for his Bluegrass guitar and mandolin skills, Joe is also a musical storyteller, crafting songs about real life, real people, and situations we can all relate to, as well as places we’ve all been. His lyrics are universally accessible, and draw the listener in with skillfully interwoven imagery and narrative—sometimes joyful, sometimes sorrowful, but always contemplative. Joe’s songs blend Americana roots music with a modern folk, and at times even pop, sensibility.