Folkstrings brings folk music back at 8 p.m. Saturday Feb. 6 at the Red House Arts Center in Armory Square.
“You will be treated to some of our ‘greatest hits,’ as well as some new material,” said band member Terry Hill, who hails from Baldwinsville. “If you haven’t been to the Red House, it is the best venue in Central New York to hear acoustical music. They have a state of the art sound system and a bar – both make us sound better,” he joked.
Formed in 1992, Folkstrings performs songs from the late 60s and early 70s including Peter, Paul and Mary, Tom Paxton, John Denver, The Kingston Trio and Bob Dylan. Hill said the band enjoys performing folk music because “it tells a story and is happy music, music that people know and sing.” The group also plays a little gospel, a touch of blues, a hint of bluegrass and as well as a whole lot of folk.
In addition to Hill, who plays guitar and sings, members include Andy Revutsky on mandolin and vocals, Bill Hider on guitar and vocals, Mike Kester on banjo, guitar, kazoo and vocals, and Mary Kester on vocals and the Irish penny whistle.
Hill said the Red House performance would be recorded “in hopes of producing our fourth CD” and invites everyone to “come and let your voices be heard.”
Performing all over Central New York, the band has played at the Carrier Dome, the New York State Fair and the Syracuse OnCenter. Domestically and abroad, Folkstrings has played as far away as Elkins, West Virginia and Dublin, Ireland.
The Red House Arts Center is located at 201 S. West St. in downtown Syracuse. Tickets are $15 general admission, $12 for students and seniors. CDs will be available in the lobby. Call 425-0405 or visit theredhouse.org/programs/music for tickets. For more information about Folkstrings, visit folkstrings.net.
3,000 miles for a banjo player
During their 2005 tour of Ireland, Folkstrings ended up in a little town on the west coast of the country called Doolin where they joined in a jam session at O’Connor’s Pub.
Between songs, Bill Hider asked a lady in the front row where she was from, and as it turned out, she lived in Baldwinsville, approximately two miles from band member Terry Hill. The lady was Mary Kester, and her husband, Mike, was at the bar ordering drinks.
The crowd was elbow-to-elbow, so the band never met Mike that evening. However, after they returned home, Mike stopped at Hill’s office (Hills Heating in Baldwinsville), introduced himself and asked if the band needed a banjo player. Long story short, both Mike and Mary joined the band, and the rest is history.
Terry Hill of Baldwinsville performs with his band Folkstrings.
