We celebrate the first inaugural Arcadia Folk Festival with mighty tunes from Laura Berman, Faint Peter, Divining Rod, Birds of Chicago, Darlingside, Heather Maloney, The Nields, and Celine Schmink.

Dawn at Arcadia Wildlife Preserve; photo courtesy Mass Audubon.

host, the mongrel
music editor, Serafina

Welcome! brothers and sisters to Episode #12—of the Cornbread Cafe, a fine place to get your fill of some of very best in American Roots music. Cazh and cozy, we’re located at the five-corners of Blues, Americana, Folk, Country, and Gospel. And sometimes you can catch an express to Rock ’n’ Roll at the bus stop across the way. *

I am the mongrel, and it does my heart good to see you back again so soon. And it looks like you brought some friends with you. Thanks for dropping in. Always room in the Cafe for folks with great taste in music.We’re sliding back into our long format this episode to celebrate the inauguration of America’s newest American Roots fest, the Arcadia Folk Festival, taking place in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley September 30.

Not only do we have a block of great tunes from some of artists who’ll be performing there, but we speak both with Signature Sound’s Jim Olson, organizer of the event AND Jonah Keane, Sanctuary Director for Mass Audubon at Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary. Both Jim and Jonah explain why this enchanting, verdant refuge makes for a setting that’s more than just a gorgeous backdrop.

Featured in this EpisodeLaura Berman • “Come As You Are” • HomeFaint Peter • “Waiting” • RedoubtDivining Rod • “Darling Down The Row” • singleBirds of Chicago • “Farewell Tenderhearts” • American FlowersDarlingside • “Singularity” • ExtralifeHeather Maloney • “A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall” • Just Enough SunThe Nields • “Love Love Love” • XVIICeline Schmink • “Solo Rider” • Faded Wanderings

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At the tail end of this episode, we’ll introduce a new, occasional feature of the show we’re calling “American-a Expat.”

Right now, though, let’s tuck in to this musical spread by spinning a tune that landed in my inbox just...