Twelfth Show
SOLD OUT!!!!!
MIKE CRAVER
DANA ROBINSON
ON THE SAME NIGHT!
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26TH
8:00 PM
Mike Craver grew up in Lexington NC and attended UNC at chapel Hill. A member of the original Red Clay Ramblers for many years, touring, recording nine albums (including Meeting in the Air: a Tribute to the Music of the Original Carter Family) and helping establish them as "America's premier 'whatzit' band." Since his days with the Ramblers, he has been an actor, a songwriter and a show-writer. NY stage credits include Diamond Studs, Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind, Oil city Symphony (co-author) and Radio Gals, and more! He co-authored a children's book Beaver Ball at the Bug Club, and has two solo recordings: Fishing for Amour (1984) and Wagoner's Lad (1999).
Garrison Keillor of A Prairie Home Companion says, "Mike Craver has this amazing ability to write songs of a period that are so perfect and so exact, almost better than the originals."
Dirty Linen says, "Mike is a walking anachronism, a songwriter of extraordinary talent who distills elements of traditional British and American folk song and Tin Pan Alley into a mesmerizing original blend. Based on turn-of-the century stories from Craver's Piedmont NC heritage, "Wagoner's Lad" is a breathtaking song cycle, filled with vividly detailed characters relating their bittersweet first-person ballads, accompanied by Craver's keyboards and guitar."
Wayne Bledsoe of Scripps Howard News Service says "Cursory comparisons could be made to XTC (they share a gentle whimsy") Rufus Wainwright (both lean toward art songs) and Tom Waits (both love simple melodies and are as out-of-sync with pop music as they come)"
Mike is a master story teller. His songs reflect his ability to write wonderful stories for the theatre and for the listener. An evening listening to Mike's music reminds me of curling up with a good novel (i.e. Cold Mountain)
Dana was born in Oregon, raised in California and settled in Vermont. There he built a house---sans electricity and phone. He founded a popular bakery and deli where the folk concerts he presented became a valued cultural staple in the community. A multi-instrumentalist, (guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo) whose unique guitar style is his own mixture of American cross picking, and percussive English fingerstyle.
Dana has three CDs to his credit. His latest, The Trade (Threshold Music) is infused with the soul of the American landscape. The title was inspired by Utah Phillips philosophy about the songwriters craft being a trade. Nine original and three traditional songs keep true to Dana's instinct of balancing the contemporary with the traditional. Produced by award-winning producer Bill VornDick and recorded in Nashville, the arrangements feature a rootsy stringband sound with a contemporary rhythm section. A tract from Dana's 1994 release, Elemental Lullabye was included on Putumayo's Shelter: The Best of Contemporary Singer-Songwriters. This compilation also features Nanci Griffith, Shawn Colvin, Dar Williams, John Gorka, Dougie MacLean and many more.
Dirty Linen says, "Many songwriters have been heralded as modern day Woody Guthries or keepers of the American rural spirit, but that mantle might be better entrusted to musicians like Dana Robinson who embody both the heart and soul of folk music."
Dick Pleasants of WUMB Boston says, "I am struck by how he writes songs that sound deeply rooted in tradition. His phrasing and poetry are wonderful.."
From Crossroads, "Powerful, rolling, fingerstyle guitar playing.
"Ever since Dana's recording of 'Shady Grove; he's come into his own as a traditionalist." Hugh Blumenfeld
A poets' perspective delivered in quietly spectacular musicianship...the music sound laid back, even while his guitar licks are knocking our sock off" Music Matters
Mike Meyer of KRVM in Eugene OR says Dana's is the most well-rounded and overall talented acoustic musicians. His lyrics, melodies, humor and stories are always great!"
What and evening this is going to be. TWO ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL MUSICIANS AND ENTERTAINERS!!! And what a compliment to each other. This is going to be an exquisite show! Reservations must be made for this show. Donations ($10) will be taken at the door. The artists will make the entire gate (minus a few expenses), which make house concerts at Little Lake Hill a very special venue. For reservations call (919) 787-6378 or email bett_padgett@mindspring.com
Click on the selections below to listen to songs from their latest CDs
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MIKE CRAVER |
DANA ROBINSON |