Find a Union Musician

Rick Todd is a songwriter, performer, and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, dobro, lap steel, button accordion, harmonica) based in Amarillo, Texas. His music resonates from a space between Americana, folk and country. After a few lifetimes as a Telecaster-slinging rocker, farm manager, studio producer and engineer, and award-winning research scientist, Todd turned his creative talents back to making music. He writes about and performs throughout the Empty Quarter of America - the often forgotten expanse of dusty roads, dry rivers and huddled towns in the country's middle.

Saskia Tomkins (she/her) is a master musician of violin, viola, cello and Nyckelharpa, an educator, and a composer. UK born, she is classically trained with a folk background and a B.A.hons. in Music (Jazz). She is an All-Britain Champion Irish Fiddler, and in 2022 received an award for services to Irish Music in Canada. Saskia was the official Artist in Residence in 2022 with Folk Alliance International, and is currently Artist in Residence with British-based

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.

Circus, Slapstick Comedy, Musical Saw

Singer/songwriter and leader of the original bluegrass and Americana band Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, based in both Canada and the U.S., recording for Mountain Home records. He and the band have scored 24 #1 songs on the bluegrass charts and have won 11 IBMA awards. Chris is a widely heard and award-winning SiriusXM program host.

Robb Johannes (he/him/his) is currently currently channeling his 4-octave countertenor voice, composition, songwriting, multi-instrumental (guitar, bass, keyboards, lap steel, percussion), and multi-media (filmmaking, visual art, graphic design) skills into the newly-formed ensemble, a question of when (www.aquestionofwhen.com). Tagged as an "anonymous multi-media artistic collaboration between members of previously-established acts," a question of when's debut LP and accompanying visual immersions, when it happens to you, a cinematic and ambitious exploration of the five stages of grief, are available now on vinyl, CD, cassette, digital HD, and Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 surround sound (with funding support from the Ontario Arts Council).

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!

CAROLANN SOLEBELLO is a performing songwriter born and bred in New York City. Her smooth, compelling voice and warm acoustic guitar style nod to rural folk traditions while her rhythmic precision and sophisticated phrasing plant her firmly in the urban present. She is a founding member of noted harmony groups RED MOLLY and NO FUSS AND FEATHERS, and an active proponent of her union, AFM Local 1000. In 25 years on the acoustic music scene, Carolann has recorded five solo albums, six band albums, hosted open mics, curated songwriter series, and won a bunch of songwriting awards along the way. She loves peace, justice, yoga, coffee, and cats. 

Zacharie Bachand is a pedal steel player and guitarist based out of Montréal, Québec. His musical voice lives near the intersection of experimental and folk music, and is rooted in his professional training as a jazz musician and improviser. He has had the pleasure of accompanying artists at some of the most illustrious venues and folk festivals across Canada, forging connections within the folk music industry and deepening his knowledge of folk music traditions. While his unique voice and professional attitude are sought after by many artists, it is with these that he seeks to infuse his own artistic projects. His own work seeks to creatively engage with the worlds of folk and experimental music, using compositional and improvisational practices to inform his artistic output. He is currently focused on writing music for small ensembles centered around the pedal steel.

Singer-songwriter, lap slide guitarist, improviser, music educator.

Valdy is a troubadour, a travelling folksinger, still digging it immenely after more than fifty years on the road; he says he is still learning and curious. More data is available from his website: www.valdy.com

My first band was (Whirligig) with Linda Gonzalez and Ben Robinson from Athens, Georgia in the nineties. We performed primarily folk music.

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.

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

Singer. Songwriter. Music Educator. Choir director.  I am especially passionate about music that gets ordinary people singing along.

For years, fans of acoustic music have been entertained by Craig Siemsen’s personal blend of original songs, folk, and old timey country music. With his whimsical story telling and wit, audiences find themselves laughing and toe tapping during these memorable performances.