1st Article 2nd Article 3rd Article 4th Article 5th Article 6th Article 7th Article 8th Article 9th Article 10th Article 11th Article 12th Article

of 12

Paint Creek Folklore Society: A Page in History

by Glen Morningstar Jr.

In celebration of the upcoming 30th anniversary yearof Paint Creek Folklore Society

ARTICLE 4…Paint Creek Folklore Society steps into the community to share music and song through the Tin Whistle Coffeehouse.

By March of 1977, Paint Creek Folklore Society meetings typically saw 25 attendees in member's homes. Membership was up to 27 people with a whopping 7 folks joining at the March 5th meeting at Tom Radcliffe's home in Troy. Additionally, members were gathering in small groups and both developing their specific styles of music and launching their performances in the Rochester area. The membership was tuned into the language in the PCFS Charter and was investing time and energy to "share folk, bluegrass and old-time music styles" with the community. To further advance this work, President Tom Radcliffe and Vice President Glen Morningstar collaborated on presenting a coffeehouse comprised of performers from Paint Creek. A timeline was developed and advice was sought from the members who had either performed in coffeehouse settings or were regular attendees of local clubs like the Raven. At the May 14th meeting, the project was presented to the membership and wholehearted support was offered to proceed.

The first Paint Creek Folklore Society Tin Whistle Coffeehouse was presented on June 19th, 1977 from 8-11 pm in the Oakland Center Abstention of Oakland University. The location was suggested by member Colleen Harris and selected from a number of sites because of its raised stage and coffeehouse feel and the ability of the university to supply refreshments and snacks. Four Paint Creek acts were featured:

SIMPLE GIFTS (Ro Kornacki, Glen & Judi Morningstar and Tom Radcliffe)
John Carter and Bob Hubbach with a guest appearance by Lori Thompson
BLEEKER STREET (Joe Vermilion and Peter DiSante)
Vince Sadovsky and Karen Klepack

The first Tin Whistle was a SELLOUT with 156 paid attendees and a rousing success. All of the performers donated their time to launch this effort and bring in seed money for future coffeehouses. Admission was $2 (remember, this was 1977). All the members pitched in to sell tickets both ahead of the concert and at the door, work the refreshment table, handle set-up and teardown…sounds just like today's Tin Whistles, eh.

The second Tin Whistle followed closely on the heels of the first and was presented at the Abstention on September 18th, 1977 and featured Vince & Karen Sadovsky with Rich & Maureen DelGrosso, BLEEKER STREET and Eddie Damm. The third Tin Whistle again followed closely on the heels of the second and was presented at the Abstention on November 13th, 1977 and featured Rich & Maureen DelGrosso with SIMPLE GIFTS and Paul Tyler. The admission for both the 2nd and 3rd TW's was raised to $3. The 4th and last Tin Whistle at the Abstention was presented May 14, 1978. Performing were Steve Christman, Lori Cleland, BUFFALO NICKEL (John Carter, Bob Hubbach and Al Smitley) and Joe Vermilion.

For the 5th Tin Whistle on November 18, 1979, PCFS moved the coffeehouse to its new and current home, Fellowship Hall at University Presbyterian Church with a capacity of 300 people. A modified format incorporating first a Guest Set then two featured acts was begun. The Guest Set was comprised of blossoming Paint Creek members with The Kitchen Crew often joining in this segment in later Tin Whistles with a specialty number (and specialty instruments).While 1980 saw two Tin Whistles presented in its new location, 1981 and subsequent years found the Tin Whistle presented annually in the November time frame.

TW #8 in 1981 was the first of our coffeehouses to enlist performers outside the folklore society. The BOSOM BUDDIES (Carrie Potter and friends) from East Lansing were featured along with Paint Creekers. TW#9 in 1982 brought CONKERS (Michael & Sharon Wildermuth and Shiela Dell) from Lima, in to be our first out-staters.

The Tin Whistle 14 Coffehouse presented on June13th, 1987 was added to the regular November line-ups as a fund raiser for the second PCFS-Thy Folkdanserlaug music, song and dance exchange. Also at this coffeehouse the spot previously known as the Guest Set was renamed to the Paint Creek Sampler.

The Tin Whistle 22 Coffeehouse presented on November 27th, 1993 saw the first of our long-distance performers come in with nationally known Sparky Rucker featured in the program. Tin Whistle 22 Chairs Phil, Althea and Brad Doolittle were networking with other members of the National Folk Alliance and discovering new and veteran acts to be brought to the Tin Whistle. Their service in this area has continued over the years to the benefit of our folklore society.

On April 8, 1995, Paint Creek presented the first "Penny Whistle" as a benefit concert to raise money for the Paint Creek Treasury. Larry Kaufman chaired that event where 5 acts were presented in Fellowship Hall. This benefit was well received and bolstered the working capital of the society.

The Tin Whistle continues in 2003, in it's 27th year. This article can't do justice to all the volunteer hours and wonderful volunteer members who have chaired, led a key area in the projects and pitched in to make our Tin Whistles successful. Our upcoming TW32 is a continuation of our purpose to share traditional music with the Rochester area community. In the Paint Creek spirit, thank you for pitching in and we'll see you at the "Whistle".