Rotunda Rhythms: Songs and Stories of Appalachia

The Rotunda Rhythms series presents Songs and Stories of Appalachia!

Broaden horizons with folklorist-musicians Michael and Carrie Kline who have lived and worked in West Virginia for decades before relocating to Massachusetts. They place their songs, both traditional and newer depictions of mountain life, in historical context, full of imagery and poignancy, along with some toe tapping. The Klines take audiences on a journey through the soul of Appalachia. 

Michael and Carrie Kline's voices carry the songs with truth and authenticity, and their guitar accompaniments and haunting harmonies get you where you live. With their focus on West Virginia history and tradition, the Klines' performances give voice to the thousands of oral histories and musical performances they've recorded in both Western Mass and West Virginia. 

Joe Blumenthal is known widely for his upright bass accompaniment in Klezmer, Arabic, Balkan, Bluegrass and Oldtime settings. Jim Armenti is a beloved name in Western Mass music, known as a band member for the Young At Heart Chorus and the Lonesome Brothers. Here he performs his dynamic mandolin work.

Note: Registration is optional, but if you register with an email address, you'll get reminders. Registration also helps us plan for enough seating!

This concert series is made possible by a grant from the Springfield Library Foundation’s Rose M. Smith Music Fund.