15th Annual Benefit Weekend

Saturday, January 15, 2000


Photo by Chuck Morse


Photo by Chuck Morse
opened the show and was joined on stage for one number by
Photo by Chuck Morse
was presented with the WFMA Appreciation Award for her many years of supporting folk music in the Washington area.
Photo by Chuck Morse
Doris Justis and Sean McGhee, were accompanied on fiddle by Philip Cary Bloch.
Photo by Chuck Morse
was next, accompanied by David Bloom.
Photo by Chuck Morse
began their set with Grapes on the Vine, written by Steve and Charles John Quarto, and concluded with Steve's Song for Gamble, a tribute to Gamble Rogers.
Photo by Chuck Morse
was then joined on stage by (left) and as the trio,
Photo by Chuck Morse
Finishing up the first half was a group from San Diego, CA, the

Intermission

Photo by Chuck Morse Photo by Chuck Morse
During intermission Mary Ledford buys a program from John McConnell and the CD table does a booming business.
Photo by Chuck Morse Photo by Chuck Morse
After intermission Sandy Lubin delivers a raffle prize to a winner while Maureen Harrigan calls another winning number.
Photo by Chuck Morse
The second half got off to a great start with a surprise appearance by who was celebrating 50 years in folk music.
Photo by Chuck Morse Photo by Chuck Morse
(who has not been in show business quite that long), kept the audience laughing with a set that include her song about being born too late, and a more up-to-date version of music from the Sound of Music.
Photo by Chuck Morse
Mike Ritter, of the presented the WFMA John Denver Award to Kenn Roberts, also of the Since Kenn was not able to be present, accepted the award for him.
Photo by Chuck Morse
Bill Zorn, Alex Hassilev and Rick Dougherty, opened their set with There's a Meetin' Here Tonight. They also did Lary Rand's Generic Up Tempo Folk Song, Mark Graham's Zen Gospel Singing and concluded with O.J. Andersons's hilarious Folk Rap (below).
Photo by Chuck Morse
Photo by Chuck Morse
Next up was former tenor of who began with Vincent, and also included Flight, a song he wrote at the time his son left home.
Photo by Chuck Morse
Local favorite, (who had also been a tenor with for one show) followed Red. His set included the title song from his new CD, Through Your Eyes, and Bill Danoff's Potter's Wheel.
Photo by Chuck Morse
Mack was then joined on stage by Red and Rick and these Three Tenors wowed the audience with a set that included Harmony and a fantastic arrangement of Amazing Grace. They closed with a very powerful rendition of John Denver's Eagles and Horses.
Photo by Chuck Morse Photo by Chuck Morse
To finish off the evening, all of the performers returned to the stage for the finale, Take Me Home, Country Roads.
Photo by Chuck Morse

See pictures of the Friday and Sunday night shows or go back to the Benefit Festival page.