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H O M E |
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Over the years, I’ve worked with many
amazing individuals and organizations who have been instrumental to my
career and art. Here are some of them.
Mike Accardo
Mike auditioned for a new musical I’d written for CTM Family Theater
Company in 1989—a pre-Disney version of Beauty And The
Beast. Mike
(cast as the Beast) had a voice that simply stunned me. I’ve worked with
him ever since, and he has become one of my closest pals and creative sounding
boards, very much like a brother. He has performed in my annual production
of “Old
Befana” since 1989, stars in the new nutritional show “Salto’s
Horrible Hiccups,” and sings with me in many concerts and recordings
year in and year out. He’s a professional actor and singer living in
Chicago. It was Mike who suggested I write a song advising kids not to smoke.
A few
days later, “Tobacco” was born!
Ken Adams
I met Ken originally in the early ‘80s when we both did volunteer work
at WORT Community Radio in Madison. Ken released an album (a vinyl LP!) that
showcased his incredibly rich and resonant bass voice. He’s a busy and
talented actor, as well as a singer. For many years, as I prepared a musical
version of the Pied Piper Of Hamelin story, I imagined Ken’s voice in the
role of the Mayor of Hamelin—and much to my delight, 20 years after I’d
begun writing the show, Ken agreed to record the part of the Mayor in my studio
rendering of the show! He sounds as brilliant in the part as I always imagined!
Dave Adler
In 1979, I met a 13 year old prodigy… Dave… when we were both performing
in CTM Madison Family Theater’s production of “A Christmas Carol.”
He was already a gifted pianist, and a pure voiced tenor vocalist. He was excited
to know an “older” working musician, and he sat in with The Rowdy Yates
Band a few times at the keyboard. We sang and played together a lot through his
high school years, and Dave was the fourth member of “O’Darby” (along
with myself, Pete Burns and Doug Brown), playing washboard and singing tenor.
He “outgrew” me along the way, as he moved into his college years and
beyond… performing in many bands, accompanying Comedy Sportz troupes, and
eventually moving to L.A. as a working musician. His work with me as a very young
man, though, made a lasting impression… some of his musical suggestions
are represented in certain instrumental parts in the “Old Befana” recording,
and one of my favorite unreleased recordings (“Davey and Other Songs“)
features Dave on piano, with Doug Brown and myself on guitars.
Kenny Aigen
Kenny is one of my true life-treasures. He’s been my best friend for decades.
We met in 1978, when we were room-mates, and formed a country-rock outfit called
The Rowdy Yates Band (Kenny always hated the name). The band lasted two years.
We lived together almost three years total. When he moved back to NYC in late
1980, our friendship continued to grow and deepen. He’s recorded with me
on most of my projects over the years (see the credits!), and is in fact the
inspiration for the name of my business: “Kenland.” My daughter Natalie
was always delighted when her “Uncle Ken” would come to visit, as there’d
always be laughter and music and fun aplenty while he was here. On the occasion
of his arrival one visit, she threw open the front door and announced: “Welcome
to Kenland!” We thought it was hilarious… two Kens, a fun-land,
friendship, imagination—the name stuck. And so does the friendship.
Kenny’s a famous Music Therapist now, at NYU’s Nordoff-Robbins
Music Therapy Institute. His kids, Sara and Daniel, are very special to me—as is
his wife, Benedikte Scheiby.
Kathy Bero
I met Kathy when our paths crossed in the early ‘80s—she was (and remains)
an environmental activist, and I was (and remain) a writer and singer of songs
about nature and the environment. We often saw each other at conferences and
events around North America, and became friends. In the mid-‘90s Kathy
wrote a children’s book about the Great Lakes Basin (“A Place At The
Fire“), and asked me to write songs to accompany the story. As things developed,
I also illustrated the book with my partner, Joanne Schilling. Kathy loves to
sing, and we featured her voice in the role of the Kirtland’s Warbler.
Though the book is now out of print, that song (“Kirtland’s Warbler“)
along with some other songs Kathy sang on, is included in my new CD “Earthy
Songs.”
Lou Berryman
Lou is one-half of the beloved duo, The Berrymans. I knew of her long
before I met her… must have been back in the early ‘80s when that happened.
She has a beautiful and distinctive voice, and plays a mean accordian. She’s
funny and warm. She kindly agreed to play accordian on my anti-nuclear war polka
(“The Kiss Your Ass Goodbye Polka“) back in 1990 (from the currently
unavailable album, “Cleveland’s Lunch“). More recently, Lou has
contributed vocals to my upcoming CD, a musical retelling of the story of the
Pied Piper, “Hamelin.”
Peter Berryman
Peter is the other half of the aforementioned beloved duo, The Berrymans.
He is also a warm and funny person, whose songwriting I’ve admired endlessly.
He and Lou have lots of great recordings, which they’d be delighted for
you to own (these things are always enjoyed best as a complete set, remember).
He also was kind enough to contribute vocals to my upcoming CD “Hamelin!”
Tom Blain
Tom’s a great audio engineer who has worked on many of my recordings at
his studio, Ultimate Audio. He’s also a gifted musician. He has performed
with me in The Zimbobs, which plays at the annual “Bobfest” in Spring
Green, Wis., on Memorial Day weekend. “Bobfest” is a tribute to the songs
of Bob Dylan, and Tom’s solid bass-playing anchors our renditions of
Dylan classics.
Bobfest
This is an annual festival in Spring Green, Wis., (at the Spring Green General
Store & Café)
on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend. The festival celebrates Bob Dylan’s
birthday by hosting musicians of all stripes performing different songs written
by Dylan. I began playing at the festival in 1993 or 1999, and have been there
every year since. Our band (which we call “The Zimbobs” has a fluctuating
line-up; most recently it has consisted of myself, Frank Furillo, Tom Blain,
Todd Steward, Doug Normington and Pete Burns.
Henry Boehm
Henry is a much-sought-after bass player. He plays with The Tony Castaneda
Latin Jazz Sextet, and we’re lucky enough to have him playing
in The Kenland Band, The
Whateverlys, and as a member of the Old
Befana and Salto’s Horrible Hiccups troupes.
Henry runs The Double Bass Workshop, and is very busy as a bass luthier
for clients across the Midwest.
Doug Brown
Few people have had a more significant impact on me musically than Doug.
We met in 1977 when we were 19, and began playing and performing together
immediately—literally! His multi-instrumental skills (lead guitar, banjo, fiddle,
piano) seemed a perfect compliment to my rhythm guitar, singing, songwriting
and love
of entertaining. In short order we performed as a duo, in a country-rock
band (The Rowdy Yates Band), an Irish folk quartet (O’Darby), as Minstrels For
The Environment (touring the U.S. and Canada), collaborating on one full-scale
musical (“A Christmas Carol“) and later others which he scored (“Cinderella,” “The
Travels Of Babar“). We made a few recordings together (“Lonnquist and
Brown,” “A Christmas Carol“); and Doug contributed mightily as
an instrumentalist to many of my other recordings (“In The Birchwood,” “Reasons,” “Cleveland’s
Lunch,” “Slow Ride,” “In The Time Of Nick” and others).
Though it may seem small by comparison with our overall body of work, our greatest
accomplishment together might be the single song we ever wrote jointly: “Weave.”
Doug wrote the lovely lyrics about the seasons, but was unsatisfied with melodies
he’d attempted to put to the lyric. He invited me to have a go at it, and
he liked the result. I sing “Weave” as frequently as any other “adult” song
in my repertoire, and I expect I always will.
Doug found it necessary to decrease his involvement with me musically
over the years so that he could concentrate on developing his own “musical
identity.” We haven’t performed together much in recent years.
He’s released
several recordings and performs in a number of eclectic ensembles. He’s
an extraordinary talent, and you can find out what he’s up to at
dougbrownmusic.com.
Pete Burns
Pete and Kenny Aigen came into my life simultaneously, back in 1978.
They were room-mates when I moved in to the place they were living. Pete
is
a fine singer,
songwriter and guitarist. He often came on as a “special guest” with
The Rowdy Yates Band. When that band broke up, Pete and I began performing together
as an acoustic duo, “Burns and Lonnquist.” We sang three nights a week
at The Boar’s Head in Madison, and at colleges, festivals and other events
as well. We once got a chance to perform at Gerde’s Folk City in NYC, where
our hero, Bob Dylan, got his start! Pete was part of O’Darby, the Irish
folk band we created from 1983-1987, and which has resurfaced in recent years
as The Dwindling O’Darby’s (since only Pete and I remain from the
original band, along with new members). Pete and I once had a top-ten hit in
Milwaukee! Back in 1982, when the Brewers were in the World Series, our song “Brew
Crew All The Way” (which also featured Doug Brown on banjo) earned us each… well,
$12, cash money! We think the record producer might have pocketed a little
bit more than that. Such is the record business!
Pete joined The Zimbobs at Bobfest in Spring Green, Wis., in 2004,
and we had a whale of a time singing Dylan classics together again with
the
great Zimbob
band!
CTM Madison Family Theater Company
I acted in several production with CTM in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
Then, I began writing musicals for the theater, many of which were produced
multiple times: Alice In Wonderland (1982, 1983); A Christmas Carol (1982,
1987, 1990, 1994); Cinderella (1983, 1989, 1999); Beauty and the Beast
(1989, 1994); Babar The Elephant (1990); The Travels Of Babar (1992);
The Magician’s
Nephew (1995); Snow White and the Seven Dwarves (1999).
Orlando Cabrerra
Orlando’s a great percussionist who plays in the band “Sotavento.”
He participated on my “Old Befana” sessions back in 1988. Recently,
he arranged a benefit performance of “Salto’s Horrible Hiccups” as
a fundraiser for Bernie’s Place, a child-care center on the UW-Madison
campus.
Abigail Cahill
Abigail sang on several tracks for my musical retelling of The Pied Piper
story, “Hamelin“… as
one of the Rats (certainly no reflection on her true character!) and
as one of the children of Hamelin, doomed to be sealed away in the mountain
by the
angry
Piper.
Fiona Cahill
Fiona sang on several tracks for my musical retelling of The Pied Piper
story, “Hamelin“… as
one of the Rats (certainly no reflection on her true character!) and
as one of the children of Hamelin, doomed to be sealed away in the mountain
by the
angry
Piper.
Maggie Cahill
Maggie sang on several tracks for my musical retelling of The Pied Piper
story, “Hamelin“… as
one of the Rats (certainly no reflection on her true character!) and
as one of the children of Hamelin, doomed to be sealed away in the mountain
by the
angry
Piper.
Tony Castaneda
I performed and recorded a great deal with Tony in the ‘80s and early ‘90s.
We also knew each other from hanging around at WORT Community Radio, where he
still hosts a morning show. He’s a very strong percussionist, and he played
on my recordings “In The Birchwood,” “Reasons,” and “Junestruck.”
He’s got a much-loved band of his own called “The Tony Castaneda Latin
Jazz Sextet.”
John Chimes
John’s a great musician whom I’ve had the pleasure to work with on
a few recording projects of mine and his. He played keyboards (and a little guitar)
on my CD “Junestruck,” and on the book-tape “A Place At The Fire” (out
of print, but you can hear many of the songs still on the new CD “Earthy
Songs“). I contributed some vocals on John’s CD “The Blue Hour.”
We’ve performed together just a couple of times—it was a pleasure!
Lauren Christianson
Lauren was one of the fairies in my musical version of “Snow White,”
produced by CTM Family Theater Company in 1999. She also sang on several tracks
for my musical retelling of The Pied Piper story, “Hamelin“… as
one of the Rats (certainly no reflection on her true character!) and
as one of the children of Hamelin, doomed to be sealed away in the mountain
by the
angry
Piper.
Dave Cooper
Dave’s a talented trumpet player. I’ve worked with him in a variety
of contexts, from corporate shows in Las Vegas (!) to sessions for my musical
retelling of the Pied Piper story. Dave created the horn parts that accompany
all the Townspeople songs, and they are simply spectacular! Dave’s wife,
Kelly De Haven, and daughter, Skye Cooper, are also listed in this “Who’s
Who!”
Skye Cooper
Skye is the daughter of Kelly De Haven and Dave Cooper, and has been
performing as the Caravan Girl in the annual “Old Befana” musical production the
past few years. She has designs on expanding her role (after all, she’s
8 now!) to include a stint as one of the rock ‘n roll Angels. Stay
tuned!
April Countryman
April was one of the Fairies in my musical version of “Snow White,”
produced by CTM Family Theater Company in 1999. She also sang on several tracks
for my musical retelling of The Pied Piper story, “Hamelin“… as
one of the love-sick Maidens of the town, and on several of the Townspeople
songs.
Brian Cowing
Brian was one of the Dwarves in my musical version of “Snow White,”
produced by CTM Family Theater Company in 1999. He also sang on several tracks
for my musical retelling of The Pied Piper story, “Hamelin“… as
one of the Rats (certainly no reflection on his true character!) and
as one of the children of Hamelin, doomed to be sealed away in the mountain
by the
angry
Piper.
Kelly De Haven
I’ve known Kelly for quite a long time, and I think we did some singing
here and there, very casually, long ago… but we began to do more serious
work together in the 1990’s. In 2000 she joined our “Old Befana” troupe
in the lead role, and is also in the “Salto’s Horrible Hiccups” troupe.
We’ve sung together at a number of special event concerts, including holiday
shows our annual New Year’s Eve concerts for U.S. Bank Eve here in Madison.
She’s a much-loved, much-admired vocalist; her top-notch jazz band (“Kelly
DeHaven’s Misbehavin’ Band“) has been a fixture on the Midwestern
jazz scene for years, and she’s won oodles of awards and recognition for
the quality of her work. Plus, she’s just a great pal with a great
heart.
Peter Deakman
Peter is a solid and well-respected bass player. He recorded with me
on my holiday collection, “In The Time Of Nick,” and we’ve done a few live
shows together (most memorably, one of my “Halloween Disco” shows,
where Peter dressed up as a Mad Scientist in a lab coat).
Maggie Delaney-Potthoff
I first met Maggie when she performed in the original production
of my musical version of “A Christmas Carol” back in 1982. She sang the part of Belle
(Scrooge’s young love), and on the recording she also sang the role of
Mrs. Fred (Scrooge’s nephew’s wife). Maggie sang with me on my “In
The Birchwood” and “Slow Ride” Cds, and also sang on the CD recording
of “Old Befana” in the starring role. She toured as Old Befana with
us for several years, before putting her energies full-time into her band “Harmonious
Wail.”
Sims Delaney-Potthoff
Sims is an aficionado of “string swing” music. He’s
been in a number of bluegrass bands, but his principal work has been
in the creation and
sustenance of “Harmonious Wail,” which has been performing
for 20 some years. I’ve worked with Sims on a few different projects,
most prominently on the recording of “Old Befana” in which
he played the beautiful mandolin parts, and sang as well. He toured in
the show several
seasons.
Jeff Eckels
I met Jeff when the band NEO (which included Kelly DeHaven and
Todd Steward, also listed in this “Who’s Who“) performed
on The Breakfast Special, a morning radio show I hosted back in the
late 1980’s in Madison. Jeff
is an outstanding and singular bass player—as much a lead instrumentalist
as a support player—and as an acoustic performer, I found his power
and finessed suited my sensibilities wonderfully. We have performed and
recorded together
extensively. He’s on “In The Birchwood,” “Reasons,” “Cleveland’s
Lunch,” “Slow Ride,” “Old Befana,” and
other recordings too numerous to recount, including my upcoming “Hamelin” (Pied
Piper) CD. A few years back, Jeff moved down to Denton, Tex., to pursue
his doctorate
degree. I still see and play with him when opportunity allows!
Nelson Zane Eisman
One of the greatest characters I’ve ever met, and one of
the biggest-hearted people, too. Nelson played the Lion in CTM Madison
Family Theater’s production
of “The Wizard Of Oz” back in 1978, when I was cast as the
Tin Man. Of course, we became fast friends. I took over his role when
he departed KIDS Participation Theater that year. We’ve done lots
of theater and singing together ever since. He introduced me to my life-partner,
Joanne Schilling. Most recently, he played one of the “evil Councilors” in
the recording of “Hamelin,” my musical version of the Pied
Piper story.
Ellie Feitlinger
Ellie is a neighbor of mine. She was cast in my musical version
of C.S. Lewis’ “The
Magician’s Nephew” back in 1995. I loved her voice, and asked her
to sing on a few songs two years later when I recorded “The Lost Songs Of
Kenland.” Her vulnerable vocal on “The Girl and Mister Moon” still
gives me chills!
Scott Foss
Scott Foss is a well-known and extremely gifted music director.
He music-directed “Snow
White,” which I wrote for CTM Madison Family Theater back in 1999. His daughter,
Ericka, was cast in the leading role. Scott also selected and trained the children
who sang as Rats and Children on the upcoming “Hamelin” recording.
Brooke Furillo
I’ve known Brooke since she was little. She sang on several songs on the “Sci
Fi Hi Fi” CD, and did a bang-up job! She is the daughter of my favorite
hep-harmonicat ---
Frank Furillo
I met Frank in 1978. He’s the greatest harmonica player
I’ve ever
shared a stage or recording studio with—and quite possibly the
greatest all-around performer-entertainer, period. Frank has many claims
to fame, but his greatest is probably as the lead singer and harmonica
player for the rock band The Rousers, who have been together now for
over 20 high-energy years! He’s been on
many of my recordings, including “Reasons,” “Junestruck,” “The
Circus Kenlando,” “Sci Fi Hi Fi” and “In The
Time Of Nick.”
Frank is able to sing, play, act, dance, do flips, you name it! He can
do all styles of music—just ask him! He played one of the “evil
Councilors” in
the recording of “Hamelin,” my musical version of the Pied
Piper story.
Gospel According To Frank
For a couple of years in the late ‘90s, Frank Furillo recruited Mike Accardo,
Kelly De Haven and myself to sing songs that were popularized in the 1920’s
and ‘30s by The Golden Gate Jubilee Gospel Quartet and other similar
accapella vocal groups. It was very difficult vocal work, but a blast.
We managed to learn
around five songs well enough to perform them, and did so on a few occasions.
Alas, with Mike in Chicago and Kelly (at the time) in La Crosse, rehearsing
was just too difficult. We gave up (for the time being) our aspirations
at becoming
a vintage gospel quartet!
Ericka Gotcher
Ericka, the daughter of Heike Saynisch and Steve Gotcher, provided
some unforgettable vocal moments on my recordings “The Circus Kenlando” and “The
Lost Songs Of Kenland.” Hers is the voice children love to hear singing “monkey
crunch” on the song “Jaws Of A Crocodile,” for example!
She is as much a character in real life as she comes across in the recordings!
Steve Gotcher
Steve has been behind the controls as recording engineer on many
of my recordings (“Cleveland’s Lunch,” “Slow Ride,” “A Place At
The Fire,” “The Circus Kenlando,” “The Lost Songs Of Kenland,”
and more). He even sang on the song “Guru Guy” and “The Circus
Leaves Town” (he’s the circus-barker, ordering the kids away from
the fence). We met when he was Music Director at WORT Community Radio in Madison,
back in the early ‘80s. He currently owns and operates “Audio For
The Arts” with his partner, Buzz Kemper, in Madison.
Sharon Grady
Sharon first told me the story of “Old Befana.” As a storyteller pursuing
a degree in Theater Arts at the UW-Madison, she recruited me to play some guitar
and ring bells in the background as she told her version of the tale on a one-hour
radio broadcast back in the winter of 1986. The following year she secured a
grant to do a giant-puppet plus live-actor version of the story, and she asked
me to write songs to turn the show into a musical. This was how my annual production
of “Old Befana” began.
I’ve rewritten the story over the years, and added new songs… but
Sharon’s heart is still at the core of the show we bring to audiences
every holiday season.
Holly Hafermann
I met Holly when she was 9 years old. She was then, and remains, a gifted
singer. She recorded vocals on “The Circus Kenlando” and “The Lost Songs
Of Kenland,” toured with us in the “Old Befana” show one season,
recorded on “In The Time Of Nick,” and was even a member of The Zimbobs,
our Bobfest band, two years running. She’s out in L.A. now, trying
to become the next big thing!
Robbi Heighway
Robbi performed and recorded with me a lot between 1993 and 1995.
She played “Old
Befana” during those years, and recorded with me on the “Junestruck” CD
and the early cassette-version of “Earthy Songs” (released
in 1994). One of those songs remains on the new CD-version of “Earthy
Songs,”
which is about to be released: “Little Bitty Frog” features
Robbi on piano and vocals! We’ve known each other a long time… we
went to Kromery Middle School and Middleton High School together, back
in the Stone
Age (graduating in 1975).
Karen Hine
Karen is a fine bass player who recorded with me on several tracks
on the “Junestruck” CD.
Randy Hoecherl
Randy is a fiddle-player I’ve long admired. He’s a member of the
great rock band “Honor Among Thieves.” He recorded with me on several
songs on my “Junestruck” CD.
Wendy Jones
Wendy is a fine actress and singer. I first met her back in 1989,
when she was cast in my musical version of “Cinderella.” She’s performed in
many of my musicals since (including “Beauty And The Beast,” “The
Magician’s Nephew,” and “Snow White“). She played the part
of “Old Befana” in our annual touring production for four years running… until
other commitments forced her to “pass the broom” on to other actresses!
Wendy has also appeared on several of my recordings, including “The Circus
Kenlando,” “The Lost Songs Of Kenland,” and the CD-version of “Welcome
2 Kenland.” She will be singing as one of the Maidens in my upcoming recording “Hamelin,”
a retelling of the Pied Piper’s story.
Ann Katz
Ann has been involved in the arts scene in Wisconsin for many
years, and has offered lots of good counsel regarding the “business” of being a working
artist. She learned, through our mutual friend Kelly De Haven, that I was recording “Hamelin,”
a retelling of the Pied Piper’s story, and—as a long-time lover of
musical theater—offered to sing, if needed. I absolutely did need more strong
women’s voices in the roles of the Townspeople, and Ann’s
sessions proved she has a rich, powerful singing voice!
Leah Katzelnick
Leah sang on several tracks for my musical retelling of The Pied
Piper story, “Hamelin“… as
one of the Rats (certainly no reflection on her true character!) and
as one of the children of Hamelin, doomed to be sealed away in the mountain
by the
angry
Piper.Buzz Kemper
Buzz is a great sound engineer who owns and operates “Audio For The Arts” with
his partner, Steve Gotcher, in Madison. He provided the rich bass voice on the
song “The Girl And Mister Moon” whenever “Mister Moon” was
speaking!
The Kenland Band
My family-oriented band, with members Henry
Boehm on bass, Doug Normington on percussion, Jon Vriesacker on violin,
and Dave Adler on keyboards, and Mike Accardo adding vocals and percussion
(when we can get him)! This band brings my kids songs to life as they
sound on the CDs
Kenny Koeppler
Kenny has been my across-the-street neighbor since 1987 (you
know, in the “Welcome
To Kenland” song: “… and a drummer named Ken lives across the
street!“). He recorded with me on the CD “Junestruck,” and has
engineered several recordings for me at his Russell Street Recording studio: “In
The Time Of Nick,” “Earthy Songs” (CD), and the ongoing “Hamelin“… as
well as several smaller projects, including the DNR’s Forestry Division
Centennial CD.
Candy Kreitlow
Candy is a singer, harpist, guitarist, actress, songwriter,
and more. She works with her partner Katie LaRaye Waldren in the duo “Heartwood,”
and with her daughter, Holly Hafermann in the duo “Generations.” She
recorded on “The Circus Kenlando” and “The Lost Songs
Of Kenland” CDs.
She’s performed with me in many live concerts, and toured with
the “Old
Befana” troupe in 1996 (with her daughter Holly). Later, she rejoined
the troupe, sharing the role of “Old Befana” for two seasons
with Kelly De Haven.
Brett Lipshutz
Played irish flute, wooden flute, bombard and tin whistle on
several tracks for my musical retelling of The Pied Piper story, “Hamelin“… essentially,
Brett provided the “instrumental voice” of the Piper, whenever a song
was principally that character’s domain. Brett is no stranger to fans of
Irish Fest in Milwaukee, or Irish music in general. He’s a highly
regarded musical member of the scene.
Peg Lonnquist
Peg is my big sister. When we were growing up, I was always “test-marketing” my
songwriting efforts on her. She wrote a song (which I later recorded, featuring
her vocal contributions) called “Be Boppa Doodley Oppa” (on The Lost
Songs Of Kenland) to prove that she, too, could create a good tune! Her photo
is included in the CD booklet for “The Circus Kenlando,” though you
wouldn’t recognize her… unless you’ve seen her perform as “Papaya
The Clown” as she did during the official CD release party of “The
Circus Kenlando!”
Kim MacInnes-Green
Kim performed in my musical version of C.S. Lewis’ “The Magician’s
Nephew,” and then for one season in the title role of “Old Befana.”
She can be heard in the recording of “The Marketplace,” featured originally
on “The Circus Kenlando” and then as a bonus track on the CD version
of “Old Befana.”
Steve Marker
Steve is one of the founders of the world-renowned Smart Studios,
in Madison. They’ve done a lot of “big” projects there for really “big” acts.
In addition, he’s engineered many of my recordings there, including some
of my most important: “A Christmas Carol,” “In The Birchwood,” “Reasons,” “Slow
Ride,” “Welcome 2 Kenland” (on which he also played organ on the
song “Abigail“), “Old Befana,” the original “Earthy
Songs” sessions, plus several “original cast” recordings of my
musicals “Cinderella,” “Beauty And The Beast,” and “Babar
The Elephant.”
Steve was part of the pop band sensation “Garbage,” which enjoyed huge
critical and commercial success in the 1990’s, and has subsequently been
unavailable for interaction with ordinary Earthlings! Just kidding—though
Steve’s too busy to work with me anymore, he remains a very low
key cool cat, as he always was.
Jeff Munoz
A great lead-guitar player, I met Jeff while working with Tex-Mex
singer Cris Plata. Jeff played some guitar on my “Cleveland’s Lunch” recording.
He’s a sweet guy, and a hot guitarist.
Richard Nebel
Richard is married to Robbi Heighway, and is a talented theatrical
set designer and visual artist. He traveled and performed with the “Old Befana” troupe
one season when Robbi was playing the title role.
Dan Neumann
Dan grew up as a major “Ken-Head“—he was a huge fan from the time
he was 4 or 5 years old, and attended many of my concerts over the years. His
talent as a musician began to show very early. When he was 12, I asked him to
sing on a couple of songs on “The Circus Kenlando,” and he also performed
with us at the Madison Civic Center when we did the album release concerts in
August, 1996. Alas, Dan has outgrown his interest in Kenland… haven’t
heard from or seen him in several years. It’s not easy being Peter
Pan, you see…
Doug Normington
Doug, a.k.a. “The Amazing Normco,” has played percussion
with Ken both live and in the studio for many years. His contributions
can be heard on “Welcome 2 Kenland” (CD version), “The
Lost Songs Of Kenland,” “Sci Fi Hi Fi,” and other
projects. He’s also been part of The Zimbobs at Bobfest, and
is in The Whateverlys, my folk-pop band.
O’Darby
We loved the music of The Clancy Brothers from Ireland, and regional
act The Gilmour Brothers (aka, Clan Gilmour) from Appleton. So Pete
Burns, Doug Brown, Dave
Adler and I formed our own quartet to bring the songs to life our
own way, back in 1983. Pete and I played guitar, Doug played “banjolin” (a
weird cross between a banjo and a mandolin) and fiddle, and Dave Adler
played washboard. All four of us sang and harmonized. It was fun, and
we sounded pretty darn good! We did a fair number of shows around the
Midwest between 1983 and 1987. Dave, Pete and I still perform every St.
Patrick’s Day (at least), now with fiddler Jon Vriesacker as our
fourth member.
Papaya The Clown
The finest clown in Kenland. Also, my sister, Peg.
Dane Richeson
No offense to all the other fine percussionists I know and work
with, but Dane is simply on another planet in the percussive realm! An
instructor
at Lawrence
University in Appleton, he’s recorded and performed with me here and there
over the years (including “The Lost Songs Of Kenland” and “Hamelin“).
It’s always a pleasure to hear Dane play!
Natalie Richter
She not only inspired, specifically and generally, my getting
into writing kid’s
songs, she named the “empire” I call my own: “Kenland.” Natalie
is my daughter, and the songs I wrote were always—at least initially—for her. “Natalie,” “Doin’ The Dishes,” “Nattie
Of The Jungle,” “I Sold My Cat,” “Electrician’s Daughter,” “In
The Jungle,” “Chew A Cherry,” “Slam Dunk,” “The
Circus Leaves Town“—the list could go on and on in terms of songs that
were about her or inspired by her. She sang and played on most of my kid’s
recordings over the years… and she’s contributed to my upcoming “Hamelin” recording,
too!
She’s grown up on the outside, but she’s still got her “inner
kid” working in full-gear whenever she wants to crank it up! She’s
an aspiring actress out in Los Angeles, where she’s done live theater and
television (including work on “That’s So Raven” on ABC)
after graduating with honors from USC! Hoo Haa, Hoo Haa!
Rowdy Yates Band, The
One of my biggest early adventures in performing live music.
My new room mate, Kenny Aigen, saw an ad seeking people to audition for
a “country rock” band.
I did, and met Gary Smith (bass) and Wayne Pomper (drums). I managed to interest
Doug Brown (lead guitar, banjo, fiddle), whom I’d known for about
a year at that point, and then Kenny joined us with his keyboard. Rowdy
Yates kept
solidly busy for two years, performing in bars, clubs, parties, weddings
and festivals
all around the Midwest.
Heike Saynisch
Heike is the wife of Steve Gotcher and mother of Ericka. She
played recorder on several songs on “The Lost Songs Of Kenland,”
and sang (with my partner Joanne Schilling) the “splish-splash” lines
in “Jaws Of
A Crocodile” on “The Circus Kenlando” CD.
Benedikte
Scheiby
Benedikte is a famous music therapist, delightful and funny friend,
and she’s
married to my best friend Kenny Aigen. She recorded with me on “Welcome
2 Kenland,” and was in the band at U.S. Bank Eve on December 31,
2002 when we performed at the Monona Terrace.
Joanne Schilling
Joanne is my partner, and she’s been involved in my activity for over 20
years. Early on she did graphic art work on my CD and Vinyl Record releases,
then began performing in the “Old Befana” troupe, then the “Salto’s
Horrible Hiccups” troupe. She’s made a few cameo appearances on recordings
over the years (on “Time Vacuum” and “Nattie Of The Jungle,”
for example). In fact, she deserves major credit for creating the “hoo haa
hoo haa” parts of one of my most popular songs, “Nattie Of The Jungle!”
I was teasing Natalie about her messy room, making up that song “on the
fly,” and as I made up the rhyming verses, Joanne chimed in with her hilarious “hoo
haa” parts—which audiences all over the world still love to chant to
this day! Joanne is a fine artist in her “real” life—you can see
her work at fine art fairs around the Midwest, including Madison’s own “Art
Fair Off The Square!”
Lynda Snyder
I met Lynda when I was doing an Artist-In-Residency at her children’s school.
She shared a recording her band had been working on, and I really admired her
voice. A few years later, I asked her to sing on the Maiden and Townspeople songs
on my “Hamelin” recording, which retells the tale of the Pied
Piper.
Leotha Stanley
Leotha played keyboard in both the live and studio versions of
my musical “Cinderella.”
He was also involved in the “Beauty And The Beast” musical. He recorded
with me on the CD “Junestruck,” and performed live at the release concert
for “Cleveland’s Lunch.” He is a superb musician, and
directs the Mt. Zion Baptist Choir in Madison.
Todd Steward
I met Todd when he was the percussionist with the jazz band “Neo.” He’s
performed and recorded with me a lot over the years (“Cleveland’s
Lunch,” “Sci Fi Hi Fi,” “In The Time Of Nick,” and
others). He’s been in The Zimbobs, our Bobfest band. Todd plays
with many great musicians.
David Stokes
I met David in the early ‘80s when he was the Naturalist at the Schlitz
Audubon Center in Milwaukee. David used to bring me to the Center to do concerts
for families, focusing on nature and the environment. I helped David record his
CD “The Sun’s Chorus,” and he contributed animal sounds to my
recent recording of “Animals In The Big Woods,” which will be on my
upcoming CD release, “Earthy Songs.”
Stuart Stotts
Stuart and I go way back… we met in the late ‘70s
or very early ‘80s,
when we were both beginning our careers as topical folk singers and children’s
performers. He’s one of the best in either category. I’ve
sung on several of his songs in the studio, whether on one of his projects
or on one of his friend Laurie Ellen Neustadt’s. Stuart is contributing
his voice as one of the Townspeople on my recording of “Hamelin.”
Butch Vig
Butch is the other co-owner of Smart Studios, and I’ve worked with him
a bit on various projects there. He even played drums on “Follow” (“Old
Befana“) and tambourine on “It’s Alright” (“Junestruck“)
before becoming, like Steve Marker, swept away from us by the fame of their band “Garbage” in
the middle 1990’s.
Jon Vriesacker
Jon is a terrific musical talent… a violinist
who plays with the Madison Symphony Orchestra, but also fits in easily
with folk, rock, and jazz bands. He plays with our Irish Folk Band,
O’Darby,
my family band The Kenland Band, and The
Whateverlys,
my folk-pop band.
Chris Wagoner
I’ve known Chris a long time, and played with him a little here and there
over the years. He’s been a key member in several great bands, including “Common
Faces” and “The Moon Gypsies.” In the summer of 2004, we did a
little project together for the Department of Natural Resources, which was celebrating
the centennial of it’s Forestry Division. Chris played on four songs I
contributed to a special CD for schools, adding fiddle, dobro, mandolin and accordian.
One of the songs, “Animals In The Big Woods,” will appear on my soon-to-be-released “Earthy
Songs” CD.
Katie LaRaye Waldren
Katie’s a very fine musician with a lovely singing voice. She was involved
in two of my recording projects: “The Lost Songs Of Kenland” (she sang
with her partner on the song “Gentle Wind“) and “In The Time Of
Nick” (on which she contributed both instrumentally and vocally on several
tracks). She and Candy perform as “Heartwood” (they have several recordings),
in which she plays hammer dulcimer and lap dulcimer. In addition to many other
recordings, she’s written music books and gives workshops around
the country.
Bob Westfall
Bob is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin).
Bob has released several fine recordings and performs frequently with
The Bob Westfall Band. He recorded with me on the “A Place At The
Fire” sessions; some of those songs appear on the recent CD release Earthy
Songs. He also toured with the Old
Befana troupe in 1996. Even today, when I bump into him, he smiles
broadly and exclaims: “And cookies!” (one of his lines from
the show)!
The Whateverlys
My “non-kid” band, which performs my topical and love
songs, even some Bob Dylan covers. Henry Boehm on bass, Doug Normington
on percussion, Jon Vriesacker on violin, and Dave Adler on keyboards.
Wisconsin Environmental Decade
Founded in 1970, WED got the idea in 1982 to secure grant money
for a singer-songwriter to be “The Minstrel For The Environment” in
Wisconsin and the Midwest, performing for K-12 audiences around the state
to stir up interest in and concern
for our natural heritage. I was lucky enough to be the one (out of auditioners
from all over the country) to secure the job, which I held for 5 years
(sharing it the last 3 with Doug Brown, whom I recruited to join me in
the effort).
It was a critical step in my career and my development as a songwriter
and performer.
Zimbobs
Our Bob Dylan band, which performs at the annual Bobfest in
Spring Green, Wis., on Memorial Day weekend. The band has evolved over
the years
from a quartet
(myself, Doug Brown, Frank Furillo and Matthew Grade) to a quintet
(myself, Doug Brown,
Frank Furillo, Todd Steward, Jeff Eckels), to a septet (myself, Doug
Brown, Frank Furillo, Todd Steward, Tom Blain, Candy Kreitlow, Holly
Hafermann),
and now a
sextet (myself, Frank Furillo, Todd Steward, Tom Blain, Pete Burns,
Doug Normington). We love Zimmy.
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Mike Accardo
Ken Adams
Dave Adler
Kenny Aigen
Kathy Bero
Lou Berryman
Peter Berryman
Tom Blain
Bobfest
Doug Brown
Pete Burns
CTM Madison Family Theater Company
Orlando Cabrerra
Abigail Cahill
Fiona Cahill
Maggie Cahill
Tony Castaneda
John Chimes
Lauren Christianson
Dave Cooper
Skye Cooper
April Countryman
Brian Cowing
Kelly De Haven
Peter Deakman
Maggie Delaney-Potthoff
Sims Delaney-Potthoff
Jeff Eckels
Nelson Zane Eisman
Ellie Feitlinger
Scott Foss
Brooke Furillo
Frank Furillo
Ericka Gotcher
Steve Gotcher
Sharon Grady
Holly Hafermann
Robbi Heighway
Karen Hine
Randy Hoecherl
Wendy Jones
Ann Katz
Leah Katzelnick
The Kenland Band
Kenny Koeppler
Candy Kreitlow
Brett Lipshutz
Peg Lonnquist
Kim MacInnes-Green
Steve Marker
Jeff Munoz
Richard Nebel
Dan Neumann
Doug Normington
O’Darby
Papaya The Clown
Dane Richeson
Natalie Richter
Rowdy Yates Band, The
Heike Saynisch
Benedikte Scheiby
Joanne Schilling
Lynda Snyder
Leotha Stanley
Todd Steward
David Stokes
Stuart Stotts
Butch Vig
Chris Wagoner
Katie LaRaye Waldren
Bob Westfall
The Whateverlys
Wisconsin Environmental Decade
Zimbobs
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