Award-Winning Songwriter
What a treat for our October program! As we move through our 50th anniversary year, we'll be joined by an award-winning songwriter entering his own 50th year of performing, Bob Franke. One of our very traditional founding members, Helen Schneyer, discovered Bob's work early on, and played his songs with the same gusto she displayed when singing her beloved traditional gospel works. He draws on the same gospel roots and story traditions for his widely respected songs.
Bob was an English major who quit theological school to write and play music. He busked in Boston and he wrote songs that other singers love to sing. Even if you aren't familiar with Bob's name, you're likely to know his songs: "Thanksgiving Eve," "Hard Love," "For Real," "Alleluia, the Great Storm Is Over", "Straw Against the Chill" and several others.
He frequently draws on biblical and other religious imagery (without preaching). But before you think you'll be at a religious service, keep in mind that Bob has written on topics as diverse as Velveteen Rabbit and a farmyard dog, Kristallnacht, El Nino and the Salem witch trials, bicycles, catfish and computers. Oh, and love, of course, gained and lost. And he can be a very funny guy.
Bob has appeared in concert at coffeehouses, colleges, festivals, bars, streets, homes and churches in 35 states, four Canadian provinces, in England and Russia ( watch him rehearse with the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin ). He's sung on A Prairie Home Companion, Our Front Porch, Folk Scene, Bound for Glory and Mountain Stage.
One indication of the respect other performers have for Bob's music is the number of them who have recorded his songs, including Peter, Paul and Mary; David Wilcox; John McCutcheon; Sally Rogers; Lui Collins; Garnet Rogers; June Tabor, Martin Simpson; Kathy Mattea, Sandy and Caroline Paton; Kim and Reggie Harris; and Tony Rice, all drawn to the "complex, warm-hearted spirituality and captivatingly clear-cut melodies of his songs." If you've ever tried to write a song, and wondered how Bob Franke got so good at it, the songwriter himself will be glad to show you the way; Bob will be hosting a songwriter's workshop on the following two days, so join us for two afternoon sessions Saturday and Sunday in McLean.
For the concert at 8 pm on Friday, October 24, Bob Franke is not bringing the full band, the chorus or the orchestra, so we'll just have to sing along when invited. We'll be at the Surge Community Church, 1988 Kirby Rd., McLean, VA 22101 (at the intersection with Westmoreland St.). For this songwriters' weekend, we're inviting Songwriters Association of Washington (SAW) members to join us. For the Friday concert, general admission is $20; free to FSGW members; half price to SAW members. Some parking on-site; unlimited parking on residential streets on the north (church) side of Kirby; it's inside the Beltway, 15 to 20 minutes from Glen Echo.
Reservations and advanced tickets for the workshops and concert are available through Brown paper tickets. Click here!
