Plank Road's Regular Events
Sing-Around
1st & 3rd Sat. | 2-4 pm
Vocal instrumental jam and sing-along with songbooks and leader.
Bluegrass Jam
Like a sing-around but it's bluegrass, "mostly!"
2nd Tuesday Song Circle -- BYOS!
Two Way Street Coffee House2nd Tues. | 7-9 pm
A monthly opportunity for musicians to perform songs for each other, within a song circle. Bring Your Own Song!
Plank Road String Band Practice
630-620-0688
2nd Sat. | 2:00-4:00 pm
~September - April~
An old-time string band practice for intermediate/advanced players.
5th Saturday Country and Western
Sing-Around
5th Sat. | 2-4 pm
Sing along with your favorite C&W songs.
- Come join us on December 30, 2017
Last Thursday Open Mike
Last Thurs. of every month | 7-9:30 pm
A monthly unplugged open mike for high school and college age students only.
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November Old-Time Barn Dance! 
Come and enjoy a fun-filled evening of music and dancing for the entire family!
Our dances are informal, with no costumes needed -- in fact, you don't even have to bring a partner!
The Plank Road String Band will provide lively music, and a caller will walk you through all the dances at our Old-Time Barn Dance -- No Experience Necessary!
Tables will be set up around the edge of the room for
visiting with friends and enjoying music between dances.
November 11
1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove
(Across from the Public Library)
$5.00 admission
George Mattson Trio CD Release Concert
Friday, December 15
8:15 PM
1047 Curtiss St., Downers Grove
(Across from the Public Library) $10.00 admission
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Come all ye faithful
Rejoice and sing to the sound of fiddle, harp,
lyre, flute and banjer!
Holiday Party Songfest
Saturday, December 16
12:30 pm - 6 pm
Join us for the Plank Road Folk Music Society Holiday Party Songfest on Saturday, December 16. Come at 12:30 p.m. and stroll through the streets of downtown Downers Grove, caroling and serenading shoppers and passersby. Songbooks will be provided.
Then return to the Two Way Street Coffee House for the holiday sing-around with all the instruments. Stick around for hot chocolate, apple cider and holiday treats afterwards. It will be a fa-la-lot of fun!
Photos Courtesy: Pam Schumacher
Cat's Away
January 5, 2017
While this is a Two Way Street event, PRFMS members will be well represented on stage that evening. Best is that all proceeds will be donated back to our community -- to those in need.
Tentative lineup as of today
- Kilty Pleasure
- Thirsty Night Pluckers
- Woodshop Boys
- Lonesome Eagle
- JB and P. (Schumachers)
- Amelia Sweet Bluebird
- John Risinger
- Stephen Davis
- Phyllis Betenia
- John Lebbing
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Once again Plank Road musicians provided rousing folk music and old-time tunes at the annual Danada Fall Festival in Wheaton on October 8. This family-friendly "celebration of the horse and the season" is held at one of DuPage County's most beautiful fall destinations. Continuous equestrian performances, hayrides, pony rides, face painting, grooming demonstrations, educational displays, food, AND... music by Plank Road!
The String Band performed, as well as Bluegrass Escape, Kilty Pleasure, George Mattson Trio, Natural Bob & Tom Jaynes, Lonesome Eagle, and other Plank Road performers.
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Autumn Log Cabin Party returns!
After a year's absence, Plank Road members again enjoy pizza and great music.
Fred and Carol join in as George leads the singing.
It may have been steaming-hot outdoors, but indoors -- in air-conditioned comfort -- the music was sizzlin' at Plank Road's Autumn Log Cabin party. After a year's absence, the popular event was back again on Saturday night, September 23, at the Log Cabin in Lombard's Four Seasons Park.
The music ranged from old-time fiddle tunes to traditional folk songs to a cappella Irish ballads and a rocking version of "House of the Rising Sun." Some people took leads, but, as always, George Mattson was there to lead as needed and keep us on track. Along with the music, everyone enjoyed pizza and beverages provided by Plank Road, plus appetizers, salads and desserts brought by attendees.
The sing-around was not held last year because of scheduling issues and the decision to use funds for another event. But because the autumn party was always a popular annual event, the Plank Road board agreed to bring it back this year. Thanks again to Jim Gilroy for organizing the event!
Lots of playing and singing at the Log Cabin . . .
 
String Band has a busy season
Civil War reenactments and barn dances keep the group pickin' and fiddlin' all summer!
The sounds of bugles, muskets and cannons were accompanied by fiddles, guitars, mandolins and banjos at three Civil War reenactments this past summer. The Plank Road String Band performed traditional old-time music at Lombard's annual event in July, plus the Elgin Civil War Experience, and Blackberry Farm Civil War Days.
In addition, the band performed at Lombard Historical Society's event, "Picnic at the Peck" as well as the recent Old Time Barn Dance at Two Way Street Coffee House on September 30.
Speaking of our popular Barn Dances, the String Band will be playing five events this season, up from four in previous years. The remaining dances will be November 11, February 10, March 10 and April 14. Saturday rehearsals resumed last month. Keep in touch with the String Band through the Plank Road website for details of upcoming events.
The String Band at Lombard's Civil War event:
 
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Get Out of Your House - Go Hear Some Music!
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PRFMS Member Gigs
Friday, November 3 @ 7 - 10 pm
Eastgate Café, 102 Harrison Street, Oak Park
- Will be previewing the new CD in addition to lots of other songs from our eclectic set list.
GM "And I highly recommend their menu, so consider having dinner while you are there"
Friday December 15 @ 8:26 pm
Two Way Street Coffee House
Mark Dvorak
Sunday January 7 * 2:00 pm
The Power of Song : A Tribute to Pete Seeger * with MD & the Power of Song Singers
Lisle Public Library * 777 Front Street
www.lislelibrary.org
PRFMS members, drop us a line if you will be appearing locally.
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 Two Way Street Coffee House
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 Maple Street Concerts
If you are near Lombard, please visit the Maple Street Concerts website to see a current listing of upcoming performers.
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If you are near Hinsdale, please visit the Acoustic Renaissance website for a list of upcoming performers.
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Did you know that many of our local libraries also host occasional music events throughout the year? Harpeth Rising, Mark Dvorak, Chris Vallilo, and Lonesome Eagle all have been featured at several of our libraries in the past years.
Lisle Library's Friends of Lisle Library Concerts
are offered on a regular basis. You can check their calendar at:
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The Brashler Barn
Located at 17560 S. Gougar Road, Lockport, IL 60441
Friends and Family Venue - Not a Public Business
No smoking, no alcohol, no pets, no children under 14
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A Special Thanks to our Membership Contributors!!
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Sustaining Artists ($200 - $399)
- George Mattson Trio
Sustaining Member ($200 and higher)
Supporting Members ($50 - $199)
- Dan Anderson
- Bill and Mary Boylan
- Joe Jablonski
- Tony Janacek
- Paul and Molly Klonowski
- Dottie Lee
- Bill and Sandyha Matthews
- Gregg and Elizabeth Morton
- Jennifer Shilt
- Carol and Fred Spanuello
- Gary and Kathy Steffenson
New Members!
Say Hi to:
- Joe Bella
- Tim Jedlicka
- Marvin Lensink
- Bud O'Connor
If you would like to become a member or just need to renew, here is a link to the renewal form that you can print and mail.
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Billy Hill
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Cowboy songwriter Billy Hill
He spent his wedding night in a ditch . . . where he wrote his first published song!
By Andy Malkewicz
 Billy Hill was born in Boston MA, July 14, 1899 (Jamaica Plain) and died December 24, 1940 in Boston.
His father George was a sea captain, and mother Mary, an immigrant from Latvia. In High School, he excelled in football, and fiddle. He turned down a football scholarship at Harvard, to study violin at the New England Conservatory of Music, and excelled so much, that he played in the Boston Symphony Orchestra at age of 16-17.
At age 17, he was lured by the adventure of the west, and worked as a dishwasher, cowpuncher, payroll clerk, and a jazz band leader at a Chinese restaurant in Salt Lake City. It was probably in Salt Lake City that he wrote his first songs using the pseudonym of George "Funky" Brown. (When his name, Billy Hill, is reversed, it becomes hillbilly, which he wanted no part of.)
Hill bought a beat up Model T and decided he needed a wife. He walked into a hotel lobby, found a pretty, unemployed showgirl, Dedette Lee Walker, and promptly asked for her hand. She laughed hysterically, but eventually agreed. On their way to Yuma, AZ for their wedding night, all four tires blew out, and they spent the night in a ditch where he wrote his first published work, "The West, a Nest, and You."
He told her he was driving to New York to make a fortune as a songwriter, but took a couple of years to sell his first song in 1929, When They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree. Since his other songs weren't selling, he took work as a hotel doorman, and Dedette failed to find work. They were poor and couldn't pay their bills, resulting in Dedette having their first and only child, Lee, in a hospital elevator.
Finally, in 1933 some luck resulted in big success.
Billy Hill was going to sell The Last RoundUp" for $25, when the ASCAP president loaned him $200 to get it published. The song was recorded by the George Olson Orchestra and went to #1. It was also covered by Gene Autry, Bing Crosby, Guy Lombardo, Sons of the Pioneers, Rex Allen, and more. The song was about his experience in Montana when an older cowboy, thinking about retiring, got knocked off his horse and was trampled to death.
Billy Hill and many other well-known songwriters performed in an ASCAP sponsored concert the evening of September 24, 1940. Billy's introduction was given by the man that loaned him the $200, Gene Buck, ASCAP president. You might say Gene gave him both his start and send-off, since he died just 3 months later.
Here are the answers to the Trivia Quiz from the last issue:
1. Paul Simon was Carole King's high school demo recording friend.
2. Cameo-Parkway records was based in Philadelphia and usually had artists recording. When Dick Clark would call due to no-shows, they would quickly send their best, most promising talent available. Bobby Rydell, Charlie Grace, and others appeared multiple times.
Here's one I didn't know. A few weeks ago, at Two Way Street, the song "Abilene" came up, and an attendee told us that song was written about Abilene, Kansas. Sure enough, Bob Gibson was inspired to write the song after watching the movie "Abilene Town" (1963).
The Carter Family made songs their own. In 1924, Vernon Dalhart recorded "Wreck of the Old 97", and on the b-side did "The Prisoner's Song." (Cousin Guy Massey was given writing credit because Vernon heard him do it, but Guy learned it from his brother Robert, who learned it in jail.) The Carter's owned that record, and used the melody from "Old 97" for "I'm Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes." They also modified "Prisoner's Song" into "Meet Me Tonight In the Moonlight," by using words from "Prisoner's Song," adding a refrain, and once again using a modified "Old 97" melody.
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New Trivia Quiz:
1. What do singing artists the Doors, and Lotte Lenya have in common?
2. What do The Kingston Trio, 3 Dog Night, Steppenwolf, and Elvis Presley (kinda), have in common?
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Bob O'Hanlon - President
(630) 325-7764
Bill Lemos - VP, Secretary
Gary Steffenson - Treasurer
2017 Board Members
- Dave Humphreys
- Kristen Fuller
- Jennifer Shilt
- Stephen Davis
- Jim Gilroy
- Dottie Lee
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QuarterNotes Contributors
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Andy Malkewicz
Bill Lemos
Bob O'Hanlon
and thanks to the numerous folks who took and shared their photos!!!
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 President's Message October 2017
It isn't often that we are grateful for our "Chicago weather," but after seeing all the terrible devastation in the south, I'm glad to be here. On the other hand, too bad about the Fox Valley festival being canceled. It is always a great weekend for Plank Road and for me personally.
But, life goes on and so do our musical activities. Be sure to check our web site regularly to keep up with our busy schedule.
The Plank Road string band has added a fifth barn dance to our schedule, responding to the increasing popularity of the event. Two years ago, we only held three dances. In the next few months, we will host our annual Christmas party, our annual meeting at the log cabin as well as our regular schedule of about six or seven events each month.
I hope everyone is healthy and happy.
President
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SPOTLIGHT: Local Music Venues
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Lombard's historic Maple Street Chapel . . .
The first in a series about local folk music venues.
We all know about the Two Way Street Coffee House, our venerable go-to folk venue in Downers Grove. But there are a number of other local spots that offer acoustic concerts by professional artists. Here's the first in a series of features about local venues.
Maple Street Concerts
"There's nothing quite like a well-crafted song that's beautifully played in a smaller, intimate atmosphere, by performers who are accessible," says Melissa Dagenhart, Director of Maple Street Concerts in Lombard.
Maple Street Concerts (formerly Maple Street Chapel Folk Concerts), presents monthly folk/acoustic concerts September through May. The Chapel, dedicated in May, 1870, is located on the corner of Main and Maple streets in Lombard. It's a landmark long-recognized in the area, with its American Gothic board-and-batten design, beautiful wood interior, stained-glass windows and simple elegance -- all adding to its importance as an historic site.
"All that interior wood equals phenomenal acoustics, "says Melissa Dagenhart.
"For us, 'folk music' is an umbrella category that includes acoustic, singer-songwriter, traditional and contemporary folk, bluegrass, roots, blues, Celtic, country, Americana, and more," says Melissa. "Our audiences have relied on us for exceptional live music performed by engaging, and accomplished performers for over thirty years!"
Over the years, a number of popular local, regional and nationally-known artists have performed at Maple Street Concerts, including: Special Consensus, Mark Dvorak, Lee Murdock, Eric Lambert, Chris Walz, Harpeth Rising, Red Tail Ring, Sons of the Never Wrong, George Mattson Trio, Comfort Food, Amy Dixon-Kolar ... and many more.
Already this season Maple Street has presented The Sweet Potatoes with Blackest Crow. And most recently, Spuyten Duyvil on October 8, a six-piece band that's described as a "barn-burning American Roots show." Next up is Danny Schmidt on October 28.
The past 30+ years . . . the story behind Maple Street Concerts.
The folk concert series was the brainchild of long-time Lombard resident, history teacher, folksinger, storyteller, and First Church of Lombard member Bryan Dagenhart (1948-2003). He presented the first concert in 1984 to help raise funds to preserve the 1870s National Landmark. Bryan was the series' first producer, MC, and one of the first performers, returning many times to perform over the years.
After a few seasons, Bryan enlisted George Brown (1935-2007) to take over the series. George expanded the variety and number of annual concerts, including nationally known acts. After George's death, Chris Kuhn stepped in to keep the music flowing in the Chapel for one season.
In the fall of 2008, folk music enthusiast Paul Zimmerman took over. Although not a singer, songwriter, or musician, he is actively involved in the folk music community. Paul has been a regular volunteer for many years at Maple Street's sister venue, the Two Way Street Coffee House.
In 2012, Paul recruited Melissa Dagenhart (widow of founder Bryan Dagenhart) to help with publicity. Melissa's efforts quickly yielded higher attendance. By last season (2016-2017) the average number of tickets more than doubled to 107. After Melissa successfully produced MSC's 30th Anniversary 10-Act Concert in 2014, Paul welcomed her as co-producer of the series. Then, when Paul's "day job" demanded more of his time, Melissa stepped fully into the role of producer and has been running the series since the 2015-2016 season.
Maple Street Concerts is staffed entirely by volunteers, with net proceeds supporting the preservation of the Chapel. Melissa and venue assistant, Vicki Webb, who has been greeting guests and selling tickets for well over a decade, are the core volunteers, recruiting extra hands wherever they can.
"I love to see a full house, seeing people's jaws drop when they enter the Chapel for the first time.
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I love sharing the performers we present and their music with our audience. I love that connection!"
"The past few seasons we've been close to capacity," says Melissa. In fact, last season Maple Street had three shows sell out in advance and another that sold out day-of-show. Their best-selling concert was a Bob Dylan Tribute in 2015 with the Tim Grimm Family Band and Eric Lambert.
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"We dropped 'folk' and 'chapel' from our series title last season to make it more accessible. 'Folk' is a four-letter 'f-word' that scares some people. But then all music is folk music . . . although a lot of people don't see it that way."
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When asked how she got started, Melissa says, "My connection to folk music was through my husband, Bryan Dagenhart." And, she admits, "Some 8-track tapes of The Kingston Trio, John Denver and Johnny Cash."
The secret to the growth and continued success of Maple Street, according to Melissa, is "staying in touch with the audience in order to book acts they will come see." She says it requires a lot of trial and error and being willing to take risks. Plus, "Paying the performers fairly, keeping in touch with the community and talking to other venues to discuss tips, tricks, and to help trouble-shoot. It truly is a community."
To see a complete list of upcoming concerts, go to
Maple Street Concerts is located at:
Maple Street Chapel
200 South Main Street
Lombard, IL 60148
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George Mattson Trio CD Release
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Mattson Trio to release new CD
George and friends producing first new album since 1998.
L to R: Tommy Re, Michael Hazdra, George Mattson
"It was time," says George Mattson. "I wanted to do a new album when I retired, but something always got in the way." Now, six years later, the George Mattson Trio is set to release it's first CD, Bad Men, Ballads & Balderdash. (Actually, there's another "B-word" in the title, but this is a family newsletter.) The CD is set to release December 15.
"I've always wanted to do a concept album," says George. "But the themes I considered were too narrow. I wanted a theme that allowed for more variety of songs. Bad Men, Ballads and Balderdash provided a broader canvas for us to work with."
George formed the trio in 2003, handling lead vocals and playing guitar, banjo and ukulele. Rounding out the trio are
Michael Hazdra on double bass and vocals, and Tommy Re on fiddle. "Some of Tommy's performances on the fiddle are stunning," says George. "And Mike's bass provides a driving force to the rhythm section that's expertly informed by his musical expertise and knowledge."
The new CD includes a diverse range of songs.
When asked how he decided which songs to include, George says, "That was easy -- I chose songs that fit the theme of the album, but basically I picked songs that I
liked!" In fact, Plank Road members who regularly attend our sing-arounds will be familiar with several of them, including "Orphan Train," "Going Out West," and one of George's crowd-pleaser (some would say legendary) songs, "Run Come See Jerusalem."
Another factor in song choice was George's desire to include favorites by Chicago songwriters and performers. The new album includes selections by James McCandless, Steve Goodman, John Prine and Michael Smith.
There are a couple of traditional songs involving murder and mayhem, including a great version of "Tom Dula" with a surprise -- and chilling -- ending. And of course, no album of George's would be complete without a few unexpected inclusions such as Hoagy Carmichael's "The Nearness Of You." The CD is rounded out with some blues, some country, and a few tunes that fall into the
Balderdash category.
On several songs, George was fortunate to have backup vocals from the talented Rich and Vicki Ingle (Comfort Food), Denise Davis and Ron Leaneagh (Kilty Pleasure) plus Tommy Re's wife, Marguerite.
 L to R: Denise Davis, Rich Ingle, Vicki Ingle, George Mattson, Michael Hazdra, Marguerite Re, Tommy Re, Ron Leaneagh.
The CD's cover is being designed by Plank Road's favorite graphic artist, Jen Shilt. George also acknowledges the late Joe Wadz for recommending the studio, Steve Yates Recording, in Morton Grove. "As our recording engineer, Steve did a phenomenal job for us," says George. "He specializes in recording acoustic artists, and he's a master."
George laying down a lead in the recording booth.
Recording engineer Steve Yates working the console.
Guitars are important to George. He admits to having many, but won't reveal exactly how many. "You can never have too many guitars," he says. For this album he played his 1948 Epiphone Triumph, a Taylor Limited Edition Cocobolo Grand Auditorium, a Taylor Custom small body mahogany, and a National M1 Tricone Resonator. For "The Hobo's Last Letter" he played guitar and overdubbed a Chuck Lee Lone Star banjo.
CD release concert scheduled for December 15 at Two Way Street Coffee House.
The new CD is set to release on December 15, and will be performed in full on stage at a gala concert that evening at the Two Way Street Coffee House. The concert starts at 8:15 pm, but get there early -- it's bound to be a sellout!
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With a Little Help From our Friends!
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You've been to the
Two Way Street Coffee House. Have you ever looked at the folks behind the counter and said, "I know how to make coffee! I'll betcha I could do that!"
All you have to do is contact Tim Kendall.
Timothy Kendall
Assistant Director and Acting Volunteer Coordinator ;-)
Two Way Street Coffee House
cell 630-699-2974
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What's on your mind?
Do you have ideas for future articles? Things you'd like to see in the newsletter? Ways we can make it more enjoyable and relevant to Plank Road members? Here's your chance to be "note-worthy." Just send us an email with your comments about QuarterNotes. We welcome your input!
We may publish some of your comments and always appreciate ideas. (Think of it as sort of a "letters to the editor.")
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