15th Annual Benefit Weekend
Saturday, January 15, 2000
opened the show and was joined on stage for one number by
was presented with the WFMA Appreciation Award for her many years of supporting folk music in the Washington area.
Doris Justis and Sean McGhee, were accompanied on fiddle by Philip Cary Bloch.
was next, accompanied by David Bloom.
began their set with Grapes on the Vine, written by Steve and Charles John Quarto, and concluded with Steve's Song for Gamble, a tribute to Gamble Rogers.
was then joined on stage by (left) and as the trio,
Finishing up the first half was a group from San Diego, CA, the
Intermission
During intermission Mary Ledford buys a program from John McConnell and the CD table does a booming business.
After intermission Sandy Lubin delivers a raffle prize to a winner while Maureen Harrigan calls another winning number.
The second half got off to a great start with a surprise appearance by who was celebrating 50 years in folk music.
(who has not been in show business quite that long), kept the audience laughing with a set that include her song about being born too late, and a more up-to-date version of music from the Sound of Music.
Mike Ritter, of the presented the WFMA John Denver Award to Kenn Roberts, also of the Since Kenn was not able to be present, accepted the award for him.
Bill Zorn, Alex Hassilev and Rick Dougherty, opened their set with There's a Meetin' Here Tonight. They also did Lary Rand's Generic Up Tempo Folk Song, Mark Graham's Zen Gospel Singing and concluded with O.J. Andersons's hilarious Folk Rap (below).
Next up was former tenor of who began with Vincent, and also included Flight, a song he wrote at the time his son left home.
Local favorite, (who had also been a tenor with for one show) followed Red. His set included the title song from his new CD, Through Your Eyes, and Bill Danoff's Potter's Wheel.
Mack was then joined on stage by Red and Rick and these Three Tenors wowed the audience with a set that included Harmony and a fantastic arrangement of Amazing Grace. They closed with a very powerful rendition of John Denver's Eagles and Horses.
To finish off the evening, all of the performers returned to the stage for the finale, Take Me Home, Country Roads.
