Bill Staines in Woods Hole

The Woods Hole Folk Music Society will continues its 40th concert series on Sunday, January 29, with the 40^th performance of singer and songwriter Bill Staines. The concert takes place at 7:30 PM in the Community Hall at 68 Water Street in Woods Hole.

 Described by one reviewer as "a modern-day Stephen Foster," Bill Staines is a singer and songwriter whose compositions are among the most durable and widely sung classics in contemporary folk music. From his earliest performing days to his current busy touring schedule, audiences have flocked to hear the tall New Englander in the cowboy hat with his easygoing vocal style, unique left-handed guitar technique and deadpan humor.

For four decades, Mr. Staines has traveled throught North America, singing to  audiences at festivals, colleges, concert halls, clubs, and coffeehouses. He first entered the Boston folk scene in the early 1960's, hosting the Sunday Hootenanny at the legendary Club 47 (now Passim) in Cambridge. Since then he has remained high on radio listener polls of favorite local artists, while also enjoying an international reputation as a songwriter and performer.

Singing mainly original songs, Bill Staines plays nearly 200 concerts a year and drives over 65,000 miles annually. He weaves a blend of gentle wit and humor into his performances, and as one reviewer said, "He has a sense of timing to match the best standup comic." His music reveals a broad view of America, from the beauty of a Midwest prairie or Yukon wilderness to the scourge of blackflies, the endurance of long-distance truckers or the simplicity of rural life long ago.

Many of his songs have appeared in school music books, church hymnals, and campfire songbooks, including the classic collection Rise up Singing. He has performed on Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion, HBO's Deadwood, and Public Radio's Mountain Stage. Additionally, his music has been used in a number of films including Off and Running and The Return of the Secaucus Seven. He has recorded 26 albums, including gold and silver Parents' Choice award winners, and his songs have been recorded by artists from Peter, Paul, and Mary and the Clancy Brothers to Jerry Jeff Walker and Nanci Griffith. He has also published three books of original songs, as well as the children's book All God's Critters.

This 40^th concert marks a milestone in Mr. Staines's record of appearances in Woods Hole; he is the only performer to have graced the stage every season since the founding of WHFMS in 1972, even before the organization had a regular season or concert venue. His concerts first brought the curious, then the loyal, then whole families and now extended families. Audiences come prepared to sing along, and to enjoy the deep sense of community created by the regular appearances of this unique performer.

 The concert begins at 7:30 PM. Doors open at 7 PM. Admission is $15 with discounts for members, seniors, youth and children. Community Hall is handicapped accessible. There is no charge for street parking after 6 PM.  A special privilege season pass is available for $160.

 Upcoming performances include: February 12, Anglo-American singers John Roberts and Debra Cowan; March 4: Appalachian fiddler & singer Bruce Molsky; March 18, Masters of the Celtic Harp: Gráinne Hambly & William Jackson;  April 1, The Old Time Bluegrass Singers; April 29, Contemporary singing duo Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen; others to be announced.

 The Woods Hole Folk Music Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering enjoyment of folk music in all its forms. Concerts are generally held on the first and third Sunday of each month from October to May. They are made possible by support from its members, season subscribers, volunteers, and performers. More information is available at www.arts-cape.com/whfolkmusic or by calling 508-540-0320.