Stephen Wade

Tonight’s program, by award-winning author and Grammy-nominated musician Stephen Wade presents his new book, Our Common Life: Folksong from the Front Porch to the Concert Hall. In a series of interrelated essays, the book explores the artistry of folksong and its makers. Much of it is based on Wade’s first-person experiences with traditional musicians, storytellers, and conservators, including Doc Hopkins, Kirk McGee, Joe and Odell Thompson, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Bill Monroe, Will Keys, Omer Forster, Jewel Fagan Haynes, Dorris Macon, Virgil and Mabel Anderson, Archie Green, Ola Belle Reed, Helen Marie Rowe, and Fleming Brown.

Over the course of this ninety-minute multimedia show, Wade will play the five-string banjo and guitar, dance, and sing. A book signing will follow the performance.