American folk music is an important and enjoyable tradition not heard often enough live or on the radio.  The library has a wonderful collection of folk music on compact disc, and you can download your favorites from the online collection on Hoopla.

Legendary performers such as Pete Seeger, Judy Collins, Peter, Paul, and Mary are available, as well as current folk artists such as Mary Black, James Taylor, and Devendra Banhart.

If you “read” music, the library has many biographies about folk artists like  James Taylor, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie are just a few examples. Provocative writing about American Folk Music is included in the library’s music books collection; plus we offer many folk music songbooks as well.   Some examples include: “Which Side Are You On?: an inside history of the Folk Music Revival in America”, “American Roots Music”, “Old Time Kentucky Fiddle Tunes”, and “100 Classic Folk & Bluegrass Songs”.

This Sunday, the library presents Music for a Sunday Afternoon with Kelly Werts & Friends.  More information about this event.  Werts & Friends will offer a joyful spree of American Folk songs. The singer and finger style guitarist is celebrating the release of his latest CD, “Crawdad”, and he will be joined by his trio, Tiny Flowers.

Mark Rustman

Mark used to work for the library and was the library's music specialist for 30 years. He also enjoys movies, TV, fiction, and even an occasional biography (especially if it's about a movie star!)