“Beyond a Simple Folk Song” Concert 2026

Town Historian Susan Stessin-Cohn will serve as moderator for the evening, weaving the musical performances together with stories and historical context drawn from the archives of the region. Her presence will enrich the program with a living connection to the history that inspired the songs.

For further information contact:
Sharon Klein   HVSongwriter@gmail.com

Cheryl and Kurt are a tight, mostly acoustic country-rock guitar/harmonica duet with a diverse repertoire of topical songs, ballads, and stories both new and old. The are a much beloved anchor of the Hudson Valley music scent. Kurt, an inventive country-rock guitarist playing in several styles, started performing out in 1967, opening for acts including Loudon Wainwright III at the Village Gaslight and Jim Kweskin, later, at Kenny’s Castaways.

After moving to the Hudson Valley, he led the Womblers, opening for acts like Procol Harum, The Byrds, Asleep at the Wheel, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Sebastian, David Bromberg, etc. Cheryl brings sweet harmonies, melodic harmonica, and tight percussion. You can learn more at www.kurthenry.com.

Sharon Klein

Sharon Klein is a local singer/songwriter and new President of the New Paltz chapter of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild.  A veteran of the Greenwich Village music scene of the 80s, Sharon has worn several different hats in her long life as a professional musician, from staff songwriter to record producer, to backup singer.  Both introspective and cutting, her songs reflect her 25 years of living in the beautiful Hudson Valley,  as well as her world travels to over 40 countries.  Her influences run from Mary Chapin Carpenter to Lucinda Williams, all infused with tastefully accomplished acoustic guitar playing.   To hear more, visit her at SharonSongs.com

Dorraine Scofield has lived and played music in the Catskill Mountains for her entire life. She sings, plays violin, viola, mandolin and guitar. She currently manages and performs in the band Thunder Ridge as well as performing her original songs in duos or trios with her partner JB Hunt.

Dorraine and JB have taken the stage with many national acts, made many radio appearances as well as appearing numerous times on The Food Network and other channels. They perform a wide variety of songs including her own acoustic alternative tunes. Covers include soft rock, folk, jazz and country mixes.

Visit her at http://www.dorraine.com/

Bill Buttner is a singer songwriter who hails from Ulster County. He has opened for Larry Campbell and Teresa Williams, as well as Ellis Paul.  His heartfelt, deeply personal songwriting has been compared some of the greats including John Price Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Steve Earle. Bill proudly owns a guitar signed by Pete Seeger.

https://www.facebook.com/billbuttnermusic/

Lisa Markley is a multi-instrumentalist and songwriter.  She is also an extraordinary jazz singer, in a class with any of the classic singers we grew up with.  She is a graduate of the school of music at the University of North Texas, where she played trombone in the Lab Bands, sang with the Jazz Singers, studied composition, vocal jazz pedagogy, and music education.

Markley has been touring internationally over the last 25 years as a singer-songwriter, and as a jazz vocalist.  She spent eleven years signed with the Soona Songs record label, defying category in pursuit of the perfect song, often covering songs by friends, in addition to her own pieces.  She is also 1/3 of the roots music/Americana trio “The Malvinas”, where she also plays old-time claw hammer banjo; a multi-talent if there ever was one!

https://lisamarkley.com/

Fran Palmieri

Fran Palmeri is a much loved and prolific Hudson Valley songwriter, best known for his 15 year stint with his band Trio Mio which featured Terri and Steve Massardo.  Fran has written literally hundreds of songs on many different topics including a biographical album about Abraham Lincoln.  He will be gracing us with 3 new songs specially written for this historic event.

Kevin Becker

Kevin Becker will present two short instrumental pieces for flute and piano that he recently composed. What makes these pieces special is that the melodies are derived from five songs written by four distinct HVFG songwriters from across our 47 year history.  These pieces will feature Lynnette Benner on flute and Adam Gloc on piano. The program is offered in commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary.

The first piece is entitled, “HVFG – 45.”  It was written to mark the 45th anniversary of the Hudson Valley Folk Guild in 2024.  The piece was originally scored for violin and piano and effectively merged two songs by Hudson Valley Folk Guild songwriters  Kevin Becker and Pat Lamanna.

The second piece is entitled “Looking Back” and is a piece for flute and piano that features quotations from original songs by three Hudson Valley Folk Guild songwriters. The quotations were taken from “Uncle Bill” by Bruce Morrison, “Walkway Over the Hudson” by Pat Lamanna, and “Eye in the Sky” by Jim Pospisil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5xKFY8_nk8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzgfMrwGtEs