The NERFA Podcast

Wisdom of the Elders 17: Eric Anderson, Lowell "Banana" Levinger, and Vin Scelsa

This month we go back to the archives for a panel discussion recorded at the 21st Annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference on November 14, 2015 at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, New York.  Sonny and her co-host Meg Griffin converse with radio icon Vin Scelsa, veteran singer-songwriter Eric Andersen,  and Lowell Levinger -“Banana”, a founding member of the 60s band the Youngbloods. Eric Andersen is an American singer-songwriter renowned for his contributions to the folk and rock music scenes of the 1960s and 1970s. With a distinctive voice and poetic lyrics, he has crafted influential songs that have been covered by artists such as Linda Ronstadt and the Grateful Dead. Andersen's career, marked by both critical acclaim and a devoted fan base, continues to reflect his enduring impact on contemporary music. Lowell Levinger, also known as "Banana," is a musician and songwriter best known as a founding member of the influential 1960s rock band The Youngbloods. His innovative guitar work and harmonious vocals contributed to the band's hit songs, including the iconic "Get Together." Levinger's enduring career has spanned various musical projects and collaborations, reflecting his versatility and impact on American rock and folk music. Vin Scelsa was a pioneering radio personality known for his influential work on New York City’s WNEW-FM and WFUV, where he championed alternative and eclectic music. His unique broadcasting style, characterized by deep, thoughtful commentary and an extensive knowledge of music, earned him a dedicated following and significant respect in the industry. Scelsa's career, spanning over four decades, left a lasting impact on radio broadcasting and the music community.

Wisdom of the Elders 16: Dan Navarro, Deidre McCalla, and Rex Fowler

This month’s Wisdom of the Elder’s Podcast features three distinguished artists - Deidre McCalla, Dan Navarro (Lowen & Navarro), and Rex Fowler (Aztec Two-Step).  Hosted by series creator Sonny Ochs with co-host Ron Olesko, the discussion centers around changes in the music industry and adapting to the challenges to marketing music in our current environment.  DAN NAVARRO - Dan Navarro’s eclectic 40-year career as a songwriter, artist, singer and voice actor,includes 17 acclaimed albums, thousands of concerts, Oscar-winning films “Coco” and “Happy Feet”, television, videogames, commercials, and writing hits like Pat Benatar’s Grammy-nominated “We Belong”. In early 2019, after 20+ years with Lowen & Navarro, he released his first studio-recorded solo album, “Shed My Skin”, to rave reviews.  DEIRDRE McCALLA -  Black woman, mother, lesbian, feminist - has long been in the forefront of Black musicians expanding the understanding of how Black folk can do folk. Deidre is riding high on her current release ENDLESS GRACE which dominated the June 2022 Folk Radio Charts as the #1 Album with the #1 Song - Shoulder To The Wheel and the #3 Song - I Do Not Walk This Path Alone, and finished for the year as the #13 Top Album on FAI Folk Radio. In 2023 Deidre’s song Shoulder To The Wheel won the 19th Annual International Acoustic Music Award for Best Folk/Americana/Roots song. REX FOWLER -  Originating from a chance meeting in 1971 at an “open mic night” in Boston, Rex Fowler & Neal Schulman went on to form Aztec Two-Step, recording four albums on Elektra and RCA Records that helped usher the music of the 60’s into the 1970’s and beyond, leaving an indelible mark on the musical genre. Since Neal retired in 2018, Rex and his wife Dodie Pettit are now the heart and soul of Aztec Two-Step 2.0, expanding and exploring the band’s musical legacy with fan favorites, forgotten gems and outstanding new original compositions.

Wisdom of the Elders 15: Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy, and Bill Nowlin

This month’s Wisdom of the Elder’s Podcast will be a  Rounder Roundtable”, a discussion on the history of Rounder Records  II was recorded in May of 2015 at SERFA (Southeast Regional Folk Alliance) and featured a panel that includeds Rounder Records founders Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin.  They were joined by two artists who recorded for Rounder - folk singer Alice Gerrard; and songwriter, author, and activist Si Kahn.  The panel iwas moderated by Art Menius.writer, music festival and concert presenter, non-profit and trade association executive, and radio host.  Recorded on Saturday May 16, 2015 at the South East Folk Alliance Conference at the Montreat Retreat Center in Black Mountain North Carolina.

Wisdom of the Elders Episode 14: Freebo, Christine Lavin, Alan Pepper

February 2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Bottom Line in New York City, the legendary club that shut it’s doors in 2004 after 4 decades serving as the epicenter for great music in the metro area.   This month’s panel was recorded in 2021 for the virtual NERFA Conference of the same year and features the co-founder of the The Bottom Line as well as two artists who performed numerous times at the club.  Hosted by series creator Sonny Ochs and co-host Ron Olesko FREEBO - Freebo is no stranger to NERFA - a singer-songwriter, and producer noted primarily for his work with Bonnie Raitt, he is also a session musician who has recorded and performed with Ringo Starr, John Mayall, John Hall, Aaron Neville, Dr. John, Willy DeVille, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Maria Muldaur, Kate & Anna McGarrigle and many others.  Freebo has also produced recordings and is currently working with Alice Howe. CHRISTINE LAVIN: Christine Lavin has become an icon of the folk community.  She worked at Caffe Lena in Saratoga, New York until Dave Van Ronk convinced her to move to New York City and make a career as a singer-songwriter.  Since then she has released numerous solo albums and as a former member of the Four Bitchin Babes as well as producing compilation album.  Christine is a tireless supporter of the folk  ALAN PEPPER: Alan first worked in the Village booking shows at Folk City before opening the Bottom Line. For 30 years, the Bottom Line was the epicenter for the finest music performances - from Bruce Springsteen's historic "Born to Run" showcase shows, Harry Chapin's 2000th performance, to artists including Eric Clapton, João Gilberto, Carl Perkins, Linda Ronstadt, Patti Smith, The Police, Adrian Belew, Prince,  Miles Davis, Laura Nyro, Emmylou Harris, Neil Young, Leo Kottke, Doc Watson and thousands of others.

Wisdom of the Elders Episode 13: Bob Jones, Betsy Siggins, Jim Rooney

Created by Sonny Ochs at NERFA in 2010, “Wisdom of the Elders” brings together three respected members of the folk community to share their experience and perspectives.  This month we go back to the archives for a panel discussion centered around the New England folk scene, recorded on November 9, 2013 at the 19th Annual Northeast Regional Folk Alliance Conference, held at the Hudson Valley Resort in Kerhonkson, New York.Guests: Bob Jones - From starting as a volunteer in the early 1960s at the Newport Folk Festival, to being hired by George Wein in 1965, to helping convince Wein to resurrect Newport in 1985 and becoming it’s producer, Bob Jones helped shape both the folk and jazz communities by presenting both stars and giving a stage to unknowns.   He passed away in August of 2023.  Betsy Siggins - A key figure of the New England folk scene of the 1960s, Betsy was a founding staff member of the legendary Club 47, and after the club closed in 1968 she worked for several non-profit organizations  including the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife.  She was lured back to Club 47s successor, Passim, and from 1997 to 2009 she served as the clubs Executive Director. She founded FOLK New England in 2009 to present and present the ongoing cultural legacy of the New England folk scene. Jim Rooney - a pioneer in the the genre that has become know as American, Jim was a fixture on the Boston folk scene and served as a director and talent coordinator of he Newport Folk Festival.  As a musician, Jim has released a number of solo albums over the years and has produced albums for artists such as John Price, Iris Dement, Hal Ketchum, and Nanci Griffith’s “Other Voices, Other Rooms” which earned Jim a Grammy Award for production. The discussion was hosted by series creator Sonny Ochs along with the late Scott Alarik, an author, journalist, folksinger, radio programmer, activist, and folksinger. Scott passed away in December 2021.