Folkie Fest: 12-String Fling

Center Moriches, NY May 15, 2022: Some of Long Island’s most loved singer/songwriters will be on our stage bringing a bit of 12-string magic. We have some new to us artists performing live for the first time at our venue. Joining us for the first time are J. Peter Hansen and Phil Kennelty, returning after a hiatus is Connie Rae. The remaining two artists need no introduction – the great Gene Casey and guitar master Kerry Kearney round out the lineup.

J. Peter Hansen runs the Songwriters of Long Island and the Poets & Lyricists of Long Island Facebook groups, and is a Board member of the Long Island Blues Society. He has taught Music Education in Public Schools for over 30 years and has a Master’s Degree in Music. He has performed at Tootsies and The Bluebird Café in Nashville as well as thousands of other venues over the last 50 years.

Phil Kennelty was born and raised on the outskirts of The City: New York City!! He has played various venues throughout the metropolitan area both as a solo act and as a member of numerous Rock, Country and Americana bands. His songs and his interpretations of other artists material are constantly evolving as he changes rhythms and mood, incorporating African, Caribbean, Reggae, Delta and Peidmont Blues, Cajun and Zydeco, Native American, and pure 50's Rock'n'Roll.

Connie Rae: singer songwriter/guitarist/performer has traveled throughout the US playing her music wherever she goes. (Border to border... coast to coast) Most of her years were spent in San Antonio, Texas and her music influenced by Tex-Mex and Blues artists from the region. She continues playing with local musicians in the New York area since moving here with her family in 1983. Her debut CD "Crimson Moon", a life dream, was produced by Stephen Palmer Race Productions. She has played many venues and festivals over the years and continues to write, record, and play live. Connie Rae will take you on a life journey through her music. It's quite a ride.

The premier barroom troubadour of Eastern Long Island, including Montauk, the Hamptons on up to Riverhead and any town with an Indian name! Josh Alan Friedman In the latter part of the last century, Gene Casey departed New York City and its Punk rock/New wave scene for Long Island’s East End. There, he formed the Lone Sharks, “the house band of the Hamptons,” where bars were plentiful and audiences – both the local and the celebrated – were robust and loyal. Over the course of the next few decades Gene and the evolving line-up of Sharks “played – and tore up – every roadhouse, bar, and honky tonk from Manhattan to Montauk” (Bop Magazine), sharing the bill and backing legendary roots rock & roll acts as Wanda Jackson, the Band, Bo Diddley, Sleepy LaBeef, NRBQ, and the Ventures.

Gene’s original music met with great acclaim with local and international indie radio play. Several of his roots-drenched songs have been used on the soundtracks to television and feature films, 2020 brought “Free Country: Essential Recordings” a compilation of some of the best songs culled from 20 years of work, as well as a unique arrangement of the public domain standard, “Home on the Range” where all of Gene’s influences and obsessions seem to converge.

Kerry Kearney, legendary blues guitarist, the sounds he creates from his vintage, stock and custom made guitars are as unique as his song writing and original melodies. Kerry Kearney’s style is his own brand containing an upbeat mix of American Blues & Roots, created from writing and performing on the circuit for over 40 years.

Kerry Kearney, a self-proclaimed closet folkie, is a legendary blues guitarist. The sounds he creates from his vintage, stock and custom made guitars are as unique as his song writing and original melodies. Kerry Kearney’s style is his own brand containing an upbeat mix of American Blues & Roots, created from writing and performing on the circuit for over 40 years.

Folkie Fest offers an ongoing concert series with local acoustic artists in the spirit of folk music as envisioned by the late Pete Seeger. We provide a listening space and support live, local, singer/songwriters sharing their original work. A portion of the proceeds are donated to the community center, and a 50/50 raffle will be held to benefit Long Island Cares: The Harry Chapin Food Bank.

Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/25ZqWXUCq

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Join us at the Moriches Community Center, 313 Frowein Rd, Center Moriches, NY 11934

2 pm to 5 pm

$15 donation online at https://morichescommunitycente...

$20 at the door

Folkie Fest is an informal organizer of small listening events highlighting local singer songwriters and supporting local 501-c-3 organizations such as the Moriches Community Center and Long Island Cares: the Harry Chapin Food Bank in the spirit of folk music as defined by Pete Seeger.

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If you would like more information, please email folkiefest@gmail.com