27th annual FARM Conference & Gathering • Grand Rapids MI
October 24 - 26
GRAND RAPIDS MI - The 27TH annual FARM Conference & Gathering takes place Thursday, October 24 through Sunday, October 27, 2019. The event is hosted by Crown Plaza Grand Rapids, 5700 28th Street SE.
FARM is the Folk Alliance Region Midwest conference of Folk Alliance International (Folk Alliance Region Midwest). Three to four hundred musicians, presenters, broadcasters, podcasters, publicists, agents and music fans will be in attendance.
“it’s a great opportunity to reconnect with the music community,” said Mark Dvorak who will be showcasing at the conference.
“Each year I learn something new, and each year I gain something. This will be my fourteenth FARM Conference. I really like how the organization has grown the last several years and become more vibrant and more effective.”
For information on the FARM Conference & Gathering log on to www.farmfolk.org.
FARM Conference performance schedule
Thursday October 24
- SHOWCASE • 12:30 m • Uncorked • 115
Friday October 25
- SHOWCASE • 5:20 p • Performance Lane • Mackinac Room
- FREE PIZZA Listening party • 10:30 p • Uncorked • 115
- SHOWCASE • 12:30 m • Uncorked • 115
- SHOWCASE • 2:00 m • Hoosier Folk • 101
Saturday October 26
- SHOWCASE • 12:30 m • Uncorked • 115
- LORETTA’S LAST CALL • 1:30 m • Uncorked • 115
about Mark
The Chicago Tribune has called Mark Dvorak “masterful,” and the Fox Valley Folk Festival describes him as “a living archive of song and style.” In 2012, WFMT 98.7 fm Midnight Special host Rich Warren named him “Chicago’s official troubadour.”
Mark Dvorak has given concerts in almost all of the United States and has made visits to Finland, Canada and Ireland. He is busy at work on his eighteenth recorded release, Let Love Go On.
Dvorak has won awards for children’s music, journalism, and was honored in 2013 with the FARM Lantern Bearer Award. In 2008 he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Woodstock Folk Festival.
Mark has a refreshing, down-to-earth stage presence, and is a very engaging performer. His concerts are a mix of the familiar and the new, traditional folk and standards from the Great American Songbook.
He plays authentic country blues guitar and picks great old-time banjo. He sings in a clear, signature voice and likes to joke around with the folks who attend his shows. Mark enjoys involving his audience in sing along songs, just like The Weavers used to do, and mixes in his own infectious and well-crafted originals.
buzz
“ a treasured troubadour… We are so glad and privileged to enjoy his amazing and down-to-earth performance. We are fast fans! ” Margie Birt Baumer, Indianapolis IN
“ Living it on your own terms. Truly an authentic artist…” Mike Shields • Cleveland OH
“ Pure magic… “ Concerts On the Creek, Rockford IL
“ Jesus Blazes, that was good! “ Fifth grader, Belvidere IL
“ Masterful ” Chicago Tribune
“ a master musician, storyteller & songwriter…” WKMS, Murray KY
“ Dvorak’s song book ranges across the American heartland. ” Blue Bear School of Music, San Francisco CA
“ The real deal. His show is funny, passionate, intimate and unforgettable…” Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago IL
watch
- LIVE VIDEO • FARM Official Showcase • 10/21/17 • Trying to Get the Balance Right • This Train Ain’t Bound for Glory Anymore • It’ll Be Better • Let Love Go On • Old Friends (19:51) • WATCH HERE
listen
MD Live • 14:00 • listen here • 4 songs recorded live from June 16, 2018 • The Blue Plate Special WDVX 89.9 fm • Knoxville TN • The Glory of Love • Every Step of the Way • Let Love Go On • Old Friends
The Music’s Fine • samples from MD’s upcoming studio release Let Love Go On
- Brand New Wings (M. Dvorak) 3:30 • listen here
- Every Step of the Way (M. Dvorak) 3:29 • listen here
- I Don’t Need It Anymore (M. Dvorak) 3:19 • listen here
- If I Only Had a Match (Morris, Johnson, Meyer) 2:53 • listen here
- In the Shadow of the Mountain (M. Dvorak) • Written for a friend who one day found that he had picked up a habit and was in the throes of addiction. 3:04 • listen here
- Let Love Go On (M. Dvorak) Inspired by the poetry of Illinois native Carl Sandburg. • 2:49 • listen here
- L-O-V-E/On the Street Where You Live (Kaempfert, Gabler/Lerner, Loewe) • It took me more than two and-a-half years to work this arrangement up from scratch. Recorded on my phone in one take in a back hallway at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago IL • 4:08 • listen here
- Old Friends (M. Dvorak) Old friends are the best friends • 3:36 • listen here
- Parade of Fools • (Al Kniola) Al Kniola has co-hosted The Back Porch in South Bend IN since 1995. I heard Al perform his fine song live one evening and thought it then to be a keeper. Still do. • 3:57 • listen here
- The Glory of Love • (Billy Hill) • Chicago’s Big Bill Broonzy played this number on opening night at the Old Town School of Folk Music in late November, 1957. Been chasing this one down for a long time now. Recorded June 2018 on a live broadcast from The Blue Plate Special WDVX fm 89.9 Knoxville TN. • 2:52 • listen here
- This Train Ain’t Bound for Glory Anymore (M. Dvorak) 3:16 • listen here
- Trying to Get the Balance Right (Johnny Duhan) This one has been with me for a spell. First heard Jim Craig of Chicago perform it in a little club in the early 1990s. Traced it back to Mary Black’s wonderful version. • 3:23 • listen here
contact
Mark tours coast to coast and welcomes all reasonable inquiries. Find out how easy it is to bring Mark to your performance series, venue or event.
Stay in touch
312 315 4273
Mark Dvorak
PO Box 181, Brookfield IL 60513
mobile 312 315 4273