Robin and Linda Williams: Summer's Moving On

Dear Friends,
As usual, the months are flying by. June was crammed with a lot of good music and what stands out most was playing in several small communities in some outstanding theaters. It's inspiring when we go somewhere and see that the townspeople, rather than tear it down, have decided to renovate an old theater and bring it back to life. It's no easy task raising the kind of money that's needed for such an endeavor and it's so encouraging to realize how much the arts mean to people. So here's to all the folks in Heyward, Ironwood, Crystal Falls and Mountain City who have decided to pay the price to bring the light to their communities.

STONEWALL COUNTRY:
In 1985 we, along with Don Baker, developed and wrote a musical for the Lime Kiln Theater in Lexington, VA on the life and times of Thomas J. (Stonewall) Jackson, the legendary Confederate general. After being away from the piece for many years, last year we did it again and came away from the experience with a newfound respect for what we did all those many years ago. The audience response made us realize that "Stonewall Country" is not something we should take lightly. And so we're doing it again this year. Rehearsals are hot and sweaty but they are fun. We're thrilled to be back with some of the original cast members and are excited to see our words and music coming back to life on stage. We're running two weekends this year. Information for tickets can be found at http://www.theateratlimekiln.com. .

FORTUNE WILLIAMS MUSIC FESTIVAL:
Plans for the eighth annual Fortune Williams Music Festival are in place and tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 19. As we've done in years past, we'll allow you folks on our email list - and those on Jimmy Fortune's list - first dibs at tickets a week ahead starting on July 12. You will have to use the pre-sale code FWPS2010 to order the week of July 12-16. You may go by the Frontier Culture Museum or call them at (540) 332-7850. Because they get many calls on the first day you will probably have to leave your name and number so they can call you back. All calls are returned in the order the message is received. Office hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information about the festival go to www.fortunewilliamsmusicfestival.org.

AUGUSTA HERITAGE BLUEGRASS WEEK:
We're looking forward to being in Elkins, WV the first week in August teaching harmony for Bluegrass week at the Augusta Heritage Center. There are so many great singers in Bluegrass music that we consider it an honor to be asked. Now, in every free moment that we have, we're thinking hard on what it is we know about singing and harmony and how best to explain it. We're so glad they asked us because we're enjoying this process of how to teach what it is we've learned over 37 years of singing for a living. An extra added attraction for us is the list of other teachers we'll be with that week. It's a who's who of Bluegrass performers. It's going to be more fun than folks our age should have. Go to http://www.augustaheritage.com/bluegrass.html just to see what we mean.

GARRISON KEILLOR'S "THE SUMMER LOVE TOUR:
We traveled to Spokane,WA for the June 12 "A Prairie Home Companion" show and the next week got a call asking us to join the troupe for the last five dates of their "The Summer Love Tour." We were surprised and really pleased to be asked and so glad we had the dates open. And, as it turns out, we're going to end up close to home. Info can be had at http://prairiehome.publicradio.org/tickets/.

FATHERS DAY:
On Fathers Day we thought of our fathers, both of whom have passed on, and remembered fondly one of Robin's fathers favorite quotes. He was a Presbyterian minister and knew of which he spoke when he said: "The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible." Hope this finds you well and that we see you at one of the stops along the way.

Your pals,
Robin and Linda

BOOKINGS:
George Balderose, Music Tree Productions
(412) 323-2707
tradfolk@music-tree.com