Local 1000 AFM
The Traveling Musicians Union
by Faith Nolan
Faith Nolan singer/songwriter, plays guitar, harp, banjo, ukelele- songs focus on social justice , kids music, LGBTQI- Enviornment-anti racism, anti-capitalism-ani-sexism, anti-homophobia- pro peace , love and joy Heritage – Black-Mi’kmaq-Irish , born in Nova Scotia -have recorded 16 CD’s, original many world languages used in lyrics and lots of blues folk jazz, reggae
by Tom Rawson
Folksinger/Storyteller/Songleader
Arthur performs with The Celtic Rathskallions, a children’s musical theatre, Moore & McGregor, ( recording ‘Dream With Me’ ) a duo with my wife, Wendy, and McGregor and Lindsay with Graham Lindsay along with solo shows with a mix of my songs and others. I ran the Ottawa Folklore Centre for 34 years, and I’m currently the Canadian Vice-president of Local 1000. I’ve played and worked in folk music all my life…so far!
Traditional – Singer of songs with a strong historic base. Composed long ago, by those whose names may be long since forgotten, but whose ideas are still relevant today.
Contemporary – Singer of songs that, although written today speak with a voice of timelessness.
Of The People – Singer of songs that “folks” can make their own, and carry on.
by Ken Giles
Ken Giles teaches violin/viola at D.C. Youth Orchestra Program and in private lessons. He also sings with the D.C. Labor Chorus. Longtime peace and civil rights activist, Ken was a member of the topical song group “Bright Morning Star” and played for peace demonstrations, environmental activists, and human rights groups. Ken teaches his students all kinds of music, including classical, folk, blues, labor songs, and civil rights songs.
by Kim Harris
by George
A former union organizer, George Mann hails from Ithaca, New York and has been producing labor and protest music for more than 25 years. He has performed with and produced albums featuring such folk music legends as Utah Phillips, Pete Seeger and Tom Paxton, and produced national tours of the US and Australia in honor of the Almanac Singers (2013) and Joe Hill (2015). George brings his experience as a union organizer and educator to his concerts– stories and songs about real events and the struggle for a better life. He is touring Australia and releasing a new CD “This Chain” in October 2023.
Websites:
Circus, Slapstick Comedy, Musical Saw
by Beth Cahill
Beth Cahill is a musical raconteuse with quirky tales to tell. She has found her own, true voice – it can be intimate, explosive, soothing or even forlorn. Her style rises from the broad roots of a cultural tree that spreads its leafy branches high above her Illinois Celtic-ness. It leans casually up against an Americana-esque array of blues, jazz and other traditional influences to come to gracefully rest alongside the river that flows past her Québec home. While she calls Wakefield, Quebec home she tours extensively across North America, both solo and with The Malvinas. She is currently the Secretary Treasurer of Local 1000.
by Debra Cowan
“Stunning” is the word often used to describe Debra Cowan’s vocals. She performs unaccompanied or with guitar, interpreting a wide range of traditional and contemporary songs. She is a full-time performer who bridges the old and new with a refreshing stage presence and has released six recordings, all having earned praise on both sides of the Atlantic. She tours in the United Kingdom and in North America and can often be seen on stage with her good friend, singer and musician John Roberts. Debra is a proud member of American Federation of Musicians Local 1000 and endorses Harvey Leach guitars.
by Tret Fure
Tret Fure began her career at the age of 16, singing in coffeehouses and campuses in the Midwest. At 19, she moved to LA in hopes of obtaining a record deal. Within a year she was performing as guitarist and vocalist for Spencer Davis, touring with him and penning the single for his album “Mousetrap”. She went on to record her own album “Tret Fure” in 1973, on MCA/UNI Records, with the late Lowell George of Little Feat as her producer. With the success of that release, she opened for such bands as Yes, Poco, and the J Geils Band.
A prolific artist in the contemporary singer-songwriter arena, Tret Fure has released 18 albums and CDs over the course of her 53 year career. She just released, “Lavender Moonshine”.
In addition to being a gifted songwriter, Fure has engineered and produced countless recordings by a variety of artists, including her own work.
In the early 80s, Tret moved to the independent side of the industry discovering the blossoming genre known as Women’s Music. She recorded with and produced some of the best of women’s music including mixing the legendary “Meg & Cris at Carnegie Hall” (1983). She worked as a duo with Cris Williamson throughout the 90s, producing, engineering and releasing 3 CDs together. Now after 9 acoustic releases on her own label, “Tomboy girl Records”, she has re-established herself in the folk world.
Wanda A. Fischer from WMAC Northeast Public Radio has this to say, “Roses in November is yet another masterpiece from Tret. Exceptionally crafted songs delivered with passion, conviction and, yes, soul. Tret weaves magic both in the lyrics and between the lines. This will certainly be on my “Best of 2018” list.”
Some highlights from her career include:
2023 Tret was awarded the Phil Ochs Award in recognition of her music and her activism for social and political justice.
2022 – Finalist in the USA Songwriting Competition with Tret’s new song, “Home You Go”.
2021 – #1 song “Roses in November” from the CD “Roses in November” (2018) for the month of November in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2021 – #14 Album for the year with “Stone by Stone”. #9 song for the year with “Monuments” and #25 artist of the year.
2021 – 2nd place winner in “A Still Small Voice 4U” songwriting competition with the song “Louder Than the Guns”.
2021 – #1 song “Monuments” from the CD “Stone by Stone” (2020) for the month of February in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2018 – #1 song ”Lessons From Home Plate” from the CD “Roses in November” (2018) for the month of June in the FAI FOLK CHART.
2020 – 1st place winner in “A Still Small Voice 4U” songwriting competition with her song “Monuments”.
2017 – 2nd place winner in the “Musicians United to Protect Bristol Bay” songwriting contest for her song “The Fishermen of Bristol Bay” (2015).
2015 – “Rembrandt Afternoons” (2015) was chosen by the acclaimed folk music show ‘Midnight Special’ as their album of the week.
2011 – Winner of the Women in the Arts “Phyllis Roark Memorial Award” for Philanthropy.
2009 – Winner of the Women in the Arts “Janine C Rae Award” for the Advancement of Women’s Culture.
2009 -Voted “Pride In The Arts” Favorite Female/Lesbian Musician.
2004 – Winner of the South Florida Folk Festival Singer/Songwriter Competition in 2 out of 3 categories, Best Overall and Best Up-Tempo Song.
2004 – Winner of the Women in the Arts “Jane Schliessman Award” for Outstanding Contributions to Women’s Music.
1990 – Voted both Best Guitarist and Best Engineer in a Reader’s Choice poll in “Hot Wire: The Journal of Women’sMusic & Culture”.
In addition to touring and recording, Tret teaches guitar and songwriting individually and in workshop settings. She paints pet portraits on commission and, an accomplished cook, Fure has also published a cookbook, “Tret’s Kitchen”, featuring her own recipes. Along with bridging the marketing, production, music and art worlds,
Tret is truly a Renaissance Woman!