rule600.gif

picture of Zak Trojano

is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, a fly-fisherman and a beer drinker.  He watches more than he talks, the guy at the end of the bar nursing a drink while the afternoon light angles in, letting the conversation pile up around him like snowfall.  He grew up in New Hampshire, in a cabin built by his parents.  His father was a drummer who held down a regular country gig, and nights after work he would loosen his tie and show his son the finer points of Ginger Baker and Elvin Jones.  In New Hampshire they drove around in trucks, and Prine and Dylan cassettes showed up in most of those trucks.  Zak made Eagle Scout, got his knots down.  Then it was college and out, wandering the country from the desert Southwest to Great Plains until he ran out of money, washing windows to work up the bus fare home.  After a while it seemed like he ought to write some songs, and he did: heavy songs with a light touch; an AM radio throwback voice and an intricate finger-style technique framed by a drummer’s rhythm and sharpened by years of immersion in the work of players as various as John Fahey, Merle Travis, and Chet Atkins.  In over a decade writing, recording, and performing music professionally - sharing studios and stages with his band Rusty Belle, or supporting touring acts like Chris Smither, Kris Delmhorst, Jeffrey Foucault, and Peter Mulvey - has evolved his own thing: a warm baritone paired with an old Martin guitar, floating above spare lines of cello and lap steel, horns and brushes, with a deceptively simple lyricism that on repeated listening shows that the fellow at the end of the bar doesn’t say much, but he’s worth hearing.


picture of Fendrick and Peck

Now in their third year as a quirky neo-traditional folk duo, continue to dive deep with their audiences into new and traditional material that is both fun and inspirational.  Madeline and Brian tour the Eastern half of the US twice a year and play regionally in the Midwest when they’re not reconnecting with the woods and wilds of their home state of WI and delving for loamy new and old material.  They met in New York City when Madeline approached Brian seeking violin lessons and have been inseparable ever since, moving from NYC to Nashville and finally settling in their home state (yep. They’re both from Wisconsin!) to be closer to family and the land that has claimed them.  With thoughtful songwriting, exquisite harmonies, and aged acoustic instruments who are more fellow band mates than tools, establish gratitude and respect for the land and its other inhabitants (human and non-human).  In a world disconnected by technology, schedules, “day jobs,” and to-do lists, their music encourages you to take time for yourself and to give in to the great energy connecting everything.

"Perhaps one of the most talked about acts to appear at NERFA this year (2015) was the duo of Fendrick and Peck.  There was a “buzz” generated by their performance on Thursday night that built all weekend.  Folk radio mainstay Mary Cliff from Washington DC met this duo and invited them to come to NERFA.  Fendrick and Peck are the contemporary embodiment of what makes American folk music so intriguing.  Their original songs could easily be confused for ancient ballads that were treasured by folk song collectors during the folk revival.  There is a refreshing old time sensibility to their songs that can easily be accessed by contemporary audiences.  Madeline Fendrick has a gorgeous voice and a delightful sense of humor that wins over audiences.  Brian Peck displays a respectful understanding of the traditions that can be found in his instrumentals as well as his songwriting." -Ron Olesko's Folk Music Notebook


picture of Karen Collins

Country singer and coal miner’s daughter, writes exceptional songs that she delivers in a traditional style – Hazel Dickens meets Loretta Lynn.  Who says they don’t make ’em like they used to!   Karen’s early West Virginia influences and passion for country music shine brightly in her songs and her singing.  Her current bands include The Blue Moon Cowgirls, featuring the high lonesome sound of three part harmonies and Squeeze Bayou, a popular Washington, D.C. area Cajun dance band.  On “Tail Light Blues”, her latest recording, Karen plays with her newest group, the Backroads Band, which is made up of some the area’s best country musicians.  The CD features eight songs penned by Karen and shows off her recently discovered knack for award winning songwriting. With three bands on her plate, three CDs under her belt, and a lifetime of songs to write, you can bet you’ll be hearing more from

picture of Fred & Karen Collins
Fred & Karen Collins