January 2009 Newsletter

Dear Supporter,

New Releases: Irish Pirates and White House Workers - Save 20% on CDs

Smithsonian Folkways presents the first two additions to the collection for 2009: Irish Pirate Ballads and Other Songs of the Sea is an exceptional collection of authentic maritime songs sung by celebrated vocalist and author Dan Milner with an all-star band, and White House Workers: Traditions and Memories (DVD) features the acclaimed film Workers at the White House for the first time on DVD, plus more than 2 hours of additional material including an introduction by former President Jimmy Carter.

Through February 1st, visit www.folkways.si.edu and save 20% on these new releases with code NEWRELEASE09 (discount applies to CD/DVD orders only).

Happy Birthday Lead Belly - Save 20% on Lead Belly CDs
While the exact day and year have been subjects of debate, January 20, 1889 is widely cited by many (including the Lead Belly Foundation) as the birth date of Huddie Ledbetter, king of the 12-string guitar.

To learn more about Lead Belly, read the recording spotlight on Where Did You Sleep Last Night: Lead Belly Legacy Vol. 1 or listen to the recent Sound Sessions episode, both found on www.folkways.si.edu.

Through February 1st, visit www.folkways.si.edu and save 20% on all Lead Belly CDs with code LEADBELLYBDAY (discount applies to CD/DVD orders only).

Listen to Three Smithsonian Folkways Radio Shows Online
In addition to the monthly Sound Sessions from Smithsonian Folkways (hosted by Sam Litzinger) and weekly Tapestry of the Times (hosted by Aaron Henkin), listeners can now add a third program, Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On, to their playlist. Hosted by Michael Asch, son of Folkways Records founder Moses Asch, Smithsonian Folkways: Sounds to Grow On is a 26-part series focusing on the original Folkways Records catalogue.

Each of the three programs is one hour long and is broadcast over the air and online. Podcast downloads are available for Sound Sessions and Tapestry of the Times, and are coming soon for Sounds to Grown On.

Congratulations to IMA Winners Tony Trischka and the Paschall Brothers
Two Smithsonian Folkways releases were named winners at the 8th Annual Independent Music Awards. Tony Trischka's Territory won for Best Americana Album, and the Paschall Brothers' On the Right Road Now won for Best Gospel Album.

Smithsonian Folkways Trivia!
Each month we'll ask a trivia question; email your answer, name, and address with the subject "January Trivia" to smithsonianfolkways_at_si_dot_edu by January 31st and a randomly selected entrant with the correct answer will win a free CD of his or her choice!

January Question:Lead Belly played the 12-string guitar, harmonica, piano, and violin. But what instrument, also known as the win'jammer, was his first?

Congratulations to last month's winner, Richard from Madison, CT, who correctly answered "Sholem Asch, father of Folkways Records founder Moses Asch" to this question: In 1963, Folkways Records released an album of the story of Jesus Christ's birth. Who wrote this version of the story, and what was his relationship to Folkways?

News and Notes

• 2009 marks the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet. Listen to Burns' poetry on two Smithsonian Folkways albums.
• Smithsonian Folkways recording artist Mike Seeger will be inducted into the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame.
• We remember Alex McEwen (1935-2008), who recorded Great Scottish Ballads (1956) and Scottish Songs and Ballads (1957) for Folkways Records with his brother Rory.
• We remember Clyde "Kindy" Sproat (1930-2008), a 1988 NEA National Heritage Fellow who appeared on Musics of Hawai'i: Anthology of Hawaiian Music.