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Folkie Fest aims to introduce the audience to a variety of artists, genres, and “new music.” It has been said that “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable” (Cesar a Cruz) and this show aims to prove that. To that point, we welcome Bob Westcott, Karl Blessing, Bob Sinclair, Gerald Bair and Tim Atwell to our stage.
Guitarist Bob Westcott is no stranger to Long Island audiences. His career began as a teenager playing guitar in the streets and basket houses of Greenwich Village, and, more auspiciously, as one of the very first members of the Wes Houston Band. Onetime owner of Folk City and famed Greenwich Village scene author Robbie Woliver has called Bob "the real deal", and for good reason: Bob has been perfecting his elegant finger-style guitar work for well over 30 years. During the 60's, Bob played in the basket houses of Greenwich Village, then moved to Manchester, England to explore the British folk scene, then traveled throughout Canada and the US in the 70's, living in the Midwest, California and upstate New York before settling on eastern Long Island. Both timely and timeless, his astonishing guitar playing and universally resonant songwriting have made him a perennial favorite on the Long Island scene and he impresses audiences wherever he goes. His performances are peppered with stories about his personal experiences, his travels and travails. This professional is also a Long Island Music Award nominee. Bob has opened for several nationally-known performers, including John Hammond, Merle Haggard, Richie Havens, Tom Paxton, The Nields, and Richard Shindell.
Karl Blessing has played around Long Island for about 30 years, and almost has it figured out! Karl is coming into his own as a singer/songwriter, and though he would like to play for larger audiences he is wary of large crowds. His musical tastes range from A to B and has been known to break out into obscure Stephen Sondheim songs when taking a shower. He knows both kinds of music and will tell you all about them once he's deduced what they are. Also, he likes cowboy hats.
Bob Sinclair, a long-time member of Songwriters of Long Island (SLI), has been playing guitar and writing songs since 2016. Bob performs his original songs at several Long Island venues, and recently had the honor of performing at the Bluebird Café in Nashville. Bob has studied songwriting with Jorma Kaukonen, Todd Snider, and locally at the West Hampton Beach Performing Arts Center with Fred Raimondo.
Gerald Bair, a singer/songwriter whose songs feature relatable characters, passionate storytelling and well crafted lyrics. His “We All Fall Down” collection, recorded in Austin Texas, is available on all streaming platforms as well as more recent songs posted on his geebee54 instagram account. A local performer who has performed many times at national music festivals such as SXSW and appeared as an opener for the likes of Steve Forbert, Nils Lofgren, Pat Benetar, Marshall Crenshaw and Dave Mason.
Tim Atwell is a songwriter from the south shore of Nassau county. He writes in the traditional swing and country styles, with a bit of the blues. Tim is more of a lyricist than he is a composer and frequently co-writes or borrows a melody in public domain. His songs are often, but not always, humorous. For awhile, Tim pitched his songs to singers and publishers but had no luck, so one day around the year 2000 he began performing them himself at open mic's and small concert venues. “If not me, who?” he asked. “If not now, when?”
Folkie Fest offers an ongoing concert series with local acoustic artists in the spirit of folk music as envisioned by the late Pete Seeger. We provide a listening space and support live, local, singer/songwriters sharing their original work. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the community center, and a 50/50 raffle is held to benefit Long Island Cares: The Harry Chapin Food Bank.
