Songs of Freedom, a program of folk and Americana music identified with struggles for social justice, peace and freedom, will be performed by singer-songwriter Merlin Snider and Pretty Good Acquaintances at the Conejo Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Newbury Park at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 31.
Snider and his band will draw inspiration from Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger and the African American spiritual tradition, playing traditional and original music. Folk, the people’s music, has been a dynamic force in efforts toward progressive social change, from the abolitionist movement on through the civil rights and peace movements, and it still is today.
Snider, who performs on acoustic guitar, has released two critically acclaimed albums of his own songs. He will be joined by some of Southern California’s finest acoustic musicians: Charlie Brandick on bass, Tom Corbett on mandolin, Mark Indictor on fiddle, Deborah Snider on vocals and Larry Zack on drums.
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Also appearing from Nashville Tenn.: Appalachian roots music duo Jeni & Billy. “Jeni and Billy's stunningly original music is as old as the hills, yet brand new at the same time,” said novelist Lee Smith on the website jeniandbilly.com.
Mary Smith, director of the Richmond Folk Music Society, said “Jeni was raised in Tazewell County, Virginia, in the heart of coal mining country, and she draws the audience into the lives of the miners, their families and the little community of Jewel Ridge.”