tag:ricksfolk.com,2005:/blogs/newsNews2023-05-02T14:49:22-04:00Rick Hillfalsetag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/72016272023-05-02T14:49:22-04:002023-10-27T22:51:01-04:00Public Acoustic Music<p><span class="text-big"><strong>Public Acoustic Music - here are some places to play music around the Frederick County area:</strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Open Mics</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong>FAME Sky Stage</strong> – 2nd Friday, May through October, 7-9 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 59 S Carroll St, Frederick, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong>Liquidity Ale Works</strong> – Tuesdays, 7-9 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 8 N. Main St. Mt. Airy, MD</span></p><p><span><strong>Prospect Pantry</strong>, Saturday nights (irregular schedule, call first!) </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>1 W. Main St. New Market, MD – 240-489-1145</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>Song/Tune Circles</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong><u>Songs</u></strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong>FAME Song Circle,</strong> Second Saturdays, 1-3 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> Assemblies of God Church, 3700 Burkittsville Rd. Brunswick MD </span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong>Acoustic Java Jam</strong>, Last Tuesday of the month (4th or 5th), 6:30-8:30</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> Urbana Public Library, 9020 Amelung St, Frederick, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span><strong>FAME Song Circle</strong>, 3<sup>rd</sup> Fridays, 7- 8:30 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> Mt. Airy Town Hall, 110 S Main St, Mt Airy, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.hmsongcircle.org/"><span><strong>Hyattstown Mill Song Circle</strong></span></a><span>, Third Saturdays (check their website first!) Tunes: 5 - 6:30; Songs:6:30-8:30</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> Hyattstown Mill, 14920 Hyattstown Mill Road, Hyattstown, MD 20871</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://barnsofrosehill.org/upcoming-events-2-2/jam-sessions/"><span><strong>Barns of Rose Hill</strong></span></a><span><strong>,</strong> 1<sup>st</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Thursdays, 6-8 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 95 Chalmers Ct., Berryville, VA</span><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p><o:p><span style="text-decoration:none;"> </span></o:p></p><p><span><strong><u>Old Time</u></strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.beansinthebelfry.com/"><span>Beans in the Belfry</span></a><span>, 1<sup>st</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Sundays, 1-5 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 122 W Potomac St, Brunswick, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://barnsofrosehill.org/upcoming-events-2-2/jam-sessions/"><span>Barns of Rose Hill</span></a><span>, 1<sup>st</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> Thursdays, 5-8 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 95 Chalmers Ct., Berryville, VA</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.barnofharpersferry.com/events"><span>The Barns at Harpers Ferry</span></a><span>, Wednesday, 6-10 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span>1062 W Washington Street, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425</span><o:p></o:p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><span><strong><u>Bluegrass</u></strong></span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="http://www.beansinthebelfry.com/"><span>Beans in the Belfry</span></a><span>, 2<sup>nd</sup> and 4<sup>th</sup> Sundays, 1-5 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 122 W Potomac St, Brunswick, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://www.smoketowncreekside.com/events"><span>Smoketown Brewery</span></a><span>, Mondays, 7-9 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 400 Sagner Ave Suite #100, Frederick, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://unionmillspublichouse.com"><span>Union Mills</span></a><span>, Wednesdays, 7-9 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 340 East Patrick Street, Unit A, Frederick, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><a class="no-pjax" href="https://mtpleasantruritan.com/upcoming-events/"><span>Mt. Pleasant Ruritan</span></a><span>, 2<sup>nd</sup> Fridays, 7-9 PM</span><o:p></o:p></p><p><span> 8101 Crum Rd, Walkersville, MD</span><o:p></o:p></p>Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/71134182022-11-29T20:30:09-05:002022-11-29T20:30:09-05:00Back to Thurmont, MD<p>Well folks, I moved back to Thurmont, MD. I am also officially retired. All of that means that it is time for something new. I am not sure what that it, but I will spend the next 12 months exploring possibilities. I do not want to simply pick up where I left off - Everything Changes! I am looking for new, different projects where I can use my skills as a musician, recreation leader and trainer. It will be an interesting year!</p>
<p>In the meantime, I am able to travel a bit, visit with family and friends. Explore the horizons!</p>Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585092018-08-24T20:00:00-04:002022-05-30T02:15:09-04:00The move back to Virginia
<p>I am moving back to Virginia!</p>
<p>Yikes!</p>
<p>Judy and I lived in Virginia about 25 years ago - Louisa, Richmond, then Harrisonburg.</p>
<p>Now I am moving back to serve two small churches in Highland County.</p>
<p>I am looking forward to being back up in the mountains, but this will be a very different experience as Highland County is one of the least populated counties in the East.</p>
<p>I am looking forward to making some new musical connections and finding new venues in which to play!</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585082018-02-20T19:00:00-05:002019-04-25T07:18:33-04:00TAI teaching at Whittier Elementary School
<p>Rick will be teaching 5 classes of 2nd graders at Whittier Elementary School in Frederick County. He will be spending four days working with the music teacher to help students learn about eight different stringed instruments. His theme is that "we are connected to the rest of the world through the instruments we play."</p>
<p>The instruments are guitar, banjo, harp, nyckleharpa, bass, bowed psaltery, fiddle, and hammered dulcimer. He will talk about where each instrument originated and how it came to the United States. He will also demonstrate how each instrument is played and then allow each student a few minutes to play it.</p>
<p>TAI - Teaching Artist Instutute - is a program that connects artists in a variety of genres with teachers in public schools. The artist receives training in how to put together a quality classroom experience including meeting teaching criteria set by the state. The artist is guided along the way by staff who have been successfully connected artists with schools for many years.</p>
<p>Rick's theme of connectedness comes out of his desire to help human beings live together in peace. One of the ways we can facilitate that is through understanding and appreciating our different cultures. Stringed instruments have a long history beginning in a variety of ancient cultures and journeying through the world before ending up in our own neighborhoods. The music that we make with those instruments has the same multiplicity of influences. Our contemporary music is the result of thousands of years of ethnic influences.</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585072014-02-22T19:00:00-05:002014-02-23T15:12:40-05:00Jubal's Nation Folk Church
<p><a href="http://www.folkchurch.org" data-imported="1"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/392874/c7c2e297424d95bd541f2cd1f36a519097e48d81/original/folkchurchlogo.png/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6MjAweDEwMiJd.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Folk Church logo" height="102" width="200" /></a> Jubal's Nation Folk Church starts up on March 25 at 6:30 PM at the Presbyterian Church of Hagerstown. <br>Check the website for more information. This is something I have been working on for 30 years, ever since I heard "A Prairie Home Companion." </p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585062013-11-15T19:00:00-05:002023-12-10T14:32:16-05:00Instruments for Hungry for Music
<p>Anita funk collected a bunch of instruments from her co-workers to be donated to Hungry for Music. Jeff Campbell met me at the Epicure Cafe in Fairfax, VA for the exchange. About a dozen instruments were transferred from the back of my car to the back of his. </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/392874/6eea42b56a51ec3ffe35c6d12260dd43b60480ea/original/jeff-campbell-2.jpg/!!/b%3AWyJyZXNpemU6NjQweDQ4MCJd.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="" height="480" width="640" /></p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61584942012-08-18T20:00:00-04:002012-08-19T09:13:30-04:00Excellent 11 is now REACH!
<p>I have completed all the songs in the Excellent 11 Series. Since I am uncertain about Mr. Clark's perspective on my using the title of his book for my series, I am calling it "Reach! - Striving for Excellence" I am now in the process of matching some songs by other writers with each of the 11 songs. For instance, Harry Chapin's "Flowers Are Red" will be paired with "From Dust" since both are about creativity. "The Ash Grove" will be paired with "East on Eden's Road" since both express appreciation for the folks who have had significance in our lives. You get the idea. The only song NOT on the website is "A Time to Laugh." I haven't quite got that down to a recordable form yet. Hopefully in the next week or so that will happen.</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585052011-01-30T19:00:00-05:002023-12-10T14:32:16-05:00Work Continues on Excellent 11 series
<p>I have just finished song #7 in the Excellent 11 series. This one is about Enthusiasm. Titled "Take That Laurel Home" it is about developing a deep sense of direction and commitment that will overcome obstacles. Uses the story of the tortoise and the hare as an example. Eventually we will have rough MP3s on the site so you can hear the songs. Now on to #8!</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585042010-11-09T19:00:00-05:002023-12-10T14:32:16-05:00Christmas Show
<p>I am working on my Christmas show. It will be comprised of mostly the lesser known songs and carols including "Miss Hoolihan's Christmas Cake" (always a fun one!) I am working on five songs for the harp, so I am hoping that the harp will be worked into the program! I always want to be able to sing with whatever instrument I am playing, so singing with the harp is an interesting challenge.</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585032010-09-04T20:00:00-04:002011-04-07T07:40:29-04:00New songs for the Excellent 11 series
<p>So far four songs have been written. A sense of adventure, common sense, reflection, and resilience are now covered. Ron Clark's book - "The Excellent 11" is the source of inspiration.</p>
<p>The newest song is "Log Roll", exploring "resilience." This is based on an actual occurence. I watched as several turtles sat on a slowly turning log that was floating in a pond. They adjusted themselves so they didn't fall off, but finally too many turtles got on and the whole thing went over dumping all of them back in.</p>
<p>Big ol' turtle sat on a log</p>
<p>In the middle of a puddle in the middle of a bog.</p>
<p>Soakin' up sun in the early morn,</p>
<p>Shuffles his feet as the lof slowly turns.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Life is good, life is sweet</p>
<p>Sun so warm settin in that tree</p>
<p>Keep your mind on where you wanna be</p>
<p>And let that log roll on!</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585022010-09-04T20:00:00-04:002011-04-07T07:40:29-04:00Work Progresses on FAME
<p>A group of acoustic musicians (Todd C. Walker, Tomy Wright, Rod Deacy and Doug Alan Wilcox) is creating an umbrella organization for acoustic musicians in and around Frederick County. FAME (Frederic Acoustic Music Enterprise) will be a non-profit organization dedicated to nurturing, promoting and preserving original and traditional acoustic music of all genres. Our goals will be</p>
<p>(a) To nurture, promote and preserve original and traditional acoustic music of all genres in Frederick and Frederick County through live music, education and community outreach;</p>
<p>(b) To educate aspiring musicians and the general public about all aspects of original and traditional acoustic music of all genres via workshops, open mikes, showcases and concerts;</p>
<p>(c) To reach out to the community via workshops and concerts, especially through schools and youth organizations and the setting up of mentoring opportunities for young and aspiring acoustic musicians.</p>
<p>We are currently in the process of incorporating. Next step will be seeking 501c3 status.</p>
<p>Website should be up shortly!</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585012010-01-17T19:00:00-05:002011-04-07T07:40:29-04:00Getting Settled
<p>We are finally settled in Maryland! Frederick is, apparently, a good place for singer/songwriters. I am finding a number of good venues including Frederick Coffee Company and Frederick Cellars. I played as part of songwriters showcase AT Frederick coffee Company on Sunday, Jan. 17. Great to hear other songwriters!</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61585002009-12-18T19:00:00-05:002011-04-07T07:40:29-04:00Getting Closer to Maryland!
<p>Another week and a half, seems hard to believe. We are slwoly getting everything relocated to Thurmont, MD. I plan on being there full time beginning January 1. Two more carloads!</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61584992009-11-20T19:00:00-05:002021-06-12T11:56:44-04:00Everything Changes Now
<p>My new CD is finally here! It will take a little while to get it to CDBaby, but you can order yours today! Simply send a chck for $16 for each copy you would like to Rick Hill, PO Box 237, Schoharie, NY 12157
I will have it for downloads shortly.</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61584982009-10-30T20:00:00-04:002020-08-08T02:34:36-04:00Everything Changes Nov 25
<p>My new CD "Everything Changes" will be out by Nov. 25. Several interesting cuts: "The Honeymoon Suite" on which I play two hammered dulcimers (ah, the magic of technology) harmonizing with each other. Tom Wadsworth is playing bagpipes on "Wexford Lament" which is a fiddle tune that I put words to. I play hammered dulcimer on "The Bells" an Edgar Allan Poe poem put to music by Phil Ochs.</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61584972009-03-25T20:00:00-04:002011-04-07T07:40:29-04:00Workshops at Forest Lake Camp
<p>I will be spending several days at Forest Lake Camp doing performances, workshops and calling a dance. The workshops will use music and recreation to help kids develop leadership skills.</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61584962009-03-11T20:00:00-04:002021-06-12T11:57:09-04:00The CD Grows!
<p>"Everything Changes" is pretty much finished. I am now working on "Daily Bread" a song about an old inner-city man whose house is being torn down to make room for a freeway entry ramp. Other songs being considered for the CD include "Candle in the Darkness", "Emma" "Isaiah's Dream" and "Wexford Lament." Tom white is doing the recording at Wizmak Studios in Middleburgh.</p>
Rick Hilltag:ricksfolk.com,2005:Post/61584952009-02-22T19:00:00-05:002021-06-12T11:57:49-04:00Working on new CD
<p>I have begun laying down tracks for a new CD (Finally!). The recording is being done at Wizmak Studios in Middleburgh NY. Many of you folks have asked for "Everything Changes" so that is the first song. The project is scheduled to be completed by August.</p>
Rick Hill