When they first got together in 1992, the founding members of Folk Strings realized that they had a lot in common.
Mandolinist Andy Revutsky and guitarist Bill Hider shared an appreciation for the so-called “folk music revival” of the 1960s.
After comparing biographies, however, it became clear that in 1969, when that music was so vibrant, Hider and Revutsky all traveled in the same circles, ate in the same restaurants and drank in the same bars, never meeting until a jam session brought them together in 1992.
They formed Folk Strings as a trio along with another neighbor, guitarist Terry Hill, and worked up a repertoire of folk tunes popular in the 1960s and ’70s mixed with a little bluegrass, gospel and blues. On a recent episode of WSYR-TV9’s morning talk show, “Bridge Street,” the band played an acoustic cover of The Beatles’ “When I’m 64.”
The quirky quartet – which now features Mike and Mary Kester along with Hider and Revutsky – returns to Kellish Hill Farm to perform at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 23.
“We love Folk Strings,” said Kathy Kellish who owns the family farm on Pompey Center Road with her partner, Rick Harding. “You never know what songs Folk Strings will do, and they always engage the audience with their high-energy love of music and love of life.”
The band will play songs by artists such as Peter Paul & Mary, Tom Paxton, The Kingston Trio, Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, plus a handful of spirituals.
The foursome’s reach exceeds the usual restrictive definition of folk music, however, as the Strings cover material by rockers such as Johnny Rivers and Flower Power songwriters such as Donovan Leitch and Janis Ian.
Admission on Saturday costs $8 per person or $15 per couple, and coffee and tea will be provided. “Audience members can bring munchies or non-alcoholic beverages to share,” Kellish suggested. “And donations are happily accepted.”
In mid-July, Kellish and Harding christened a new enclosed 30-by-40 foot outdoor stage with a multi-band “Concert on the Hill.” A backstage door opens to create a natural backdrop of rolling hills behind the performers. The audience sits on folding chairs and blankets on a lawn in front of the stage.
The new stage complements two existing indoor performance areas, one in a barn and one in a log cabin. Folks Strings will most likely perform in the whimsically decorated music barn.
Located 20 minutes from downtown Syracuse, Kellish Hill Farm stands at 3192 Pompey Center Road, 4.2 miles south of Route 92 in Manlius and one-half mile North of Route 20. Look for the big yellow wheels out front.
For information, call 682-1578, or visit rhbamericana.com.
More music to come
Kellish Hill Farm hopes to stage a few more shows at its new outdoor stage.
“We had both our Thursday open mike and Sunday jam during the first week in August in our new amphitheater,” reported Kathy Kellish. “I’m not kidding when I say the sound at our new stage is awesome.”
Thursday evening jam sessions are from 7 to 10 p.m., while Sunday sessions run from 1 to 5 p.m. and finish up with a pot-luck supper.
Future Kellish concerts include the Stable Junkies on Aug. 29; Zero Point Sept. 6;
Charley Orlando, Butternut Creek Revival, Luke Brown and Pale Green Stars Sept. 13; Mike MacDonald and John Wolford Sept. 20; and the annual Blue and Grey Ball Sept. 27 to benefit the New York State Fiddlers Association.
