The Hidden Poet (Steven Gellman) has just released his new album titled 'All You Need'.  It's his first all acoustic album, written during the first year of COVID.

Americana artist Dominica Knapp learned clawhammer banjo after seeing Abigail Washburn in concert.  She was smitten with the sound and asked for a banjo for Christmas.  The COVID shutdown allowed her the time to learn.

Mechanicsburg PA native Kevin Neidig is an excellent guitarist.  He sings really well also.  He is the 2023 Central Pennsylvania Music Awards 'Best Americana Artist', as well as one of the 2023 emerging artists at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival.   

Ralph Hertges is a retired therapist who dreamt of being a philosopher, but who didn't want to teach or make pizza.  In retirement, he has rediscovered his love of guitar doodling on his trusted 1970's Ovation Folklore guitar.

Biao Zou is an IT manager for a Buffalo (NY) based company.  He was stuck in Buffalo during COVID while his wife was stuck in China.  Having free evening and weekend time, he decided to improve his acoustic guitar skills.  Biao explains how COVID and a budget Orangewood Guitar lead him to be an Avian Guitar player/fan and ultimately the U.S. distributor for Avian Guitars.  Fascinating story ! 

I asked Tony Denikos to list his favorite original songs and write a little something about each.  Here is the list of his top 11, and why.

Maryland based singer-songwriter Tony Denikos' 2009 CD 'Already Gone' went to #2 on the Euro Americana Chart and #7 on the Freeform American Roots Chart .  Starting out as a bass player in his teens, Tony transitioned to playing bars and clubs with his trusty Ovation 6-string in the Norfolk VA area before returning to the Mid-Atlantic region.  He has left bar gigs behind for songwriter showcases and house concerts, trading his Ovation for a Gibson J-45.

Maryland based singer-songwriter David (Dave) Mott lost his battle with cancer on December 2, 2022.  Dave was a loyal family man, successful business owner, avid golfer and a regional performing singer-songwriter.  Dave's dream was to record an album of his original songs.  Please join me and listen to the songs of David (Dave) Mott.  Rest in Peace Dave.

Baltimore based Heather Aubrey Lloyd splits her time between her band ilyAIMY, her solo career, songwriting/recording, producing live-stream videos and doing the laundry.  And once in a while she gets invited to open for A-List performers like Gordon Lightfoot.  

The music community lost a terrific singer-songwriter performer in late November.  Pete Looney was one of most popular live performers at regional wineries, farm breweries, restaurant bars and distilleries.  He was also a wonderful open mic host, introducing many folks to the joys of live performance.  With his internal optimism, he continued to perform until shortly before he succumbed to cancer.  Pete will be missed.