Pat Wictor took a long winding road, both physically and with his music, to where he is now. Although he was born in the United States, he spent his formative years in Venezuela, Holland, Norway, and England. He also traveled through rock, heavy metal and jazz before settling into the folk world. In 2001, he left a teaching career to concentrate on his music full time. His performances are interlaced with his own music, a new interpretation of a traditional song, or lyrics from a fellow performer. As Gene Shay of WXPN in Philadelphia says, “Pat Wictor’s songs, his blues tinged slide guitar and mellow performance style impress the hell out of me. Watch out for this guy. He’s a terrific new talent.” Many also credit Pat with the “best hair” in folk music.

Pat was a winner in the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival new artist showcase in 2006 and was on the 2007 Falcon Ridge Preview Tour. All his CDs contain songs that capture his reflections and observations from his travels about the country. His latest CD, “Heaven is so High — and I am so Far Down,” released in 2006, has some standout originals like the title track, as well as a distinctive version of Bob Dylan’s “Oxford Town” and “You’ve Got to Move,” which also features Red Molly’s Abbie Gardner. He has opened for me&thee perfomers Ellis Paul, Eliza Gilkyson, Steve Forbert and Tracy Grammer.

Joe Crookston is fresh off being voted as a top three most wanted artist at the 2007 Falcon Ridge festival. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, with Hungarian musical roots, he inherited his love of music and song from his late mother, a prolific songwriter and accordion player. He traded his electric guitar for an acoustic version after attending the 1987 Kent State Folk Festival. Whether it’s his mesmerizing guitar sound, bubbling banjo, finely crafted lyrics, or his kinetic connection with his audience, his music draws from his rural Ohio roots and exudes a remarkable intergenerational, universal, and timeless quality. In a project inspired by Woody Guthrie, Joe was recently awarded a year-long grant (2006–2007) from the Rockefeller Foundation to travel around the state of New York, interview local residents, gather stories and write new songs based on his experiences and conversations. His project is called “Songs of the Finger Lakes.”

Joe’s latest release, “Fall Down as the Rain,” was chosen by Performing Songwriter magazine as a 2004 “TOP-12-Do-It-Yourself” independent recording, and two of his songs (including the title track) recently won runner-up in the folk category in the prestigious National John Lennon Songwriting Contest. This CD was featured on National Public Radio’s “All Songs Considered,” as well as Syndicated Minnesota Public Radio, The Midnight Special and Folkscene. He has shared festival stages with the likes of Livingston Taylor, John McCutcheon, Arlo Guthrie, and Tim Reynolds, John Gorka, and many others.

Each performer will do a solo set with the other joining in for a few songs, which will make this concert one to remember.

 

 

Pat Wictor is a phenomenal lap-slide guitarist and songwriter as well as an interpreter of others’ music. His lyrics are intelligent and compelling, his stage presence commanding. Mike Space, Artistic Director, Godfrey Daniels, Bethlehem, PA

If you can make it to only one concert this year, let it be a show by Brooklyn’s own Pat Wictor, who plays heart-felt blues-based roots music like the only begotten son of Bonnie Raitt (same red hair!) and Chris Smither. And unlike blues interpreters who have seen too many stormy Mondays with hellhounds on their trail, Pat is also an excellent songwriter whose new/old compositions will send you on a journey through the old Dock Boggs and Son House 78s. But these aren’t old songs, they’re originals that, to paraphrase Mr. Smither, are “still flopping around on the deck.” Jim Motavalli, WPKN, Bridgeport, CT

Joe Crookston blends a traditional feel into wonderful originals. He’s fond of minor keys, and his quality guitar picking begins and fills many a tune. He is also proficient on banjo, fiddle, and accordion. SIng Out! Magazine

Joe’s songs are powerful, simple, distilled lyrical paintings weaving together cycles of life and decay, cycles of joy and pain, and eventually they thread the needle through all of us. He is a commanding, charismatic performer. Be glad Joe’s one of the good guys, because otherwise, he’d be dangerous. Victory Music Review, Seattle, WA