Archival recordings from the Old Town School of Folk Music.

The Dodger Song, Fleming Brown 1980

The Lonesome Turtledove, Almeda Riddle 1963

Mandy, Almeda Riddle 1963

Model Church, Almeda Riddle 1963

Orphan Girl, Almeda Riddle, 1963

In Episode 3 we continue to meditate on George and Gerry’s contributions to the music community of Chicago.  We chatted with their daughter Rebecca, who shared memories of family recording trips and music parties at the Armstrong home.
Original recordings featured in this podcast include:
- Bagpipes performed by George Armstrong, 3/20/1982
- Interview with Rebecca Armstrong at the OTSFM, 7/24/2015
- ”Farther Along” performed by Almeda Riddle, George and Gerry Armstrong, and others in Stark Arkansas, 4/21/1963
- ”Farther Along” performed by The Golden Ring, ca. 1964
- Gerry Armstrong on The Golden Ring, 1982
- ”The False Knight on the Road,” performed by Jennifer and Rebecca Armstrong, ca. 1964
- “Simple Gifts," performed by George and Gerry Armstrong, 3/20/1982


Ep 3 - The Armstrongs, Part 3: From the Mountains to the Midwest

Episode 5 of the Archives features excerpts from a workshop on Appalachian balladry by Elizabeth Laprelle and Anna Roberts-Gevalt of the duo Anna & Elizabeth, conducted in the Old Town School's Maurer Hall on September 28, 2015.

Links to music referenced in this episode:
- Roscoe Holcomb demonstrating traditional Appalachian ballad singing style: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoJkndLVcqM
- Example of Scottish sacred singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3MzZgPBL3Q
- Example of American sacred singing (lined-out hymnody): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-f9OFNsagY
- Example of sacred harp singing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWQDl6cyj2Y
- "Lonesome Night" by the Stanley Brothers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg_ViHZwuqY

Recordings featured in this episode:
- “Glory of Love” as performed by Big Bill Broonzy at Circle Pines Center, Mich., 1950s

Ep 5 - Appalachian Balladry Workshop by Anna & Elizabeth

Recorded by George Armstrong and presented as part of his 9/14/1979 WFMT radio program The Wandering Folksong: Adventures on Perthshire.

Men of the North - Sheila Douglas

Part five of our series on songs of the Old Town School songbook delves into the American folksong “Cindy.” Episode 11 features folklorist, Volo Bogtrotter and fiddle teacher Paul Tyler, and a performance of his arrangement of the song, as well as a rare version by North Carolina ballad singer Lee Monroe Presnell.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Cindy” as performed by Paul Tyler, Steve Rosen, Jordan Wankoff, Elizabeth Lamberti, Carol Swanson and Brian Buhlman at the Old Town School 45th anniversary concert, 11/16/02
- Interview with Paul Tyler in the Resource Center of the Old Town School of Folk Music, 07/01/2016
- “Cindy” as performed by Lee Monroe Presnell in Beech Mountain, NC, circa 1960

References, additional reading and listening:
- "Traditional American Folk Songs" by Frank and Anne Warner
- "The Last Chivaree" by Robert Isbell
- Episode 2 of The Archives Podcast, “The Armstrongs, Part 2: George & Gerry Armstrong, Unsung Musicologists”

Ep 11 - Five from the Archives - Cindy

Sixty years ago, in the holiday season of 1957, Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music first opened its doors. This Thanksgiving Day, The Archives celebrates the 60th anniversary with a six-part documentary on the school’s history, through the voices and songs of the people who were there. This first episode tells the remarkable story of how Win Stracke, Frank Hamilton, Dawn Greening and Gertrude Soltker came together to found the Old Town School--featuring archival music and recordings from Studs Terkel, Pete Seeger, and the founders themselves, as well as many of the people who participated in our oral history project with StoryCorps this past year. Go to oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear more of the stories we gathered, and to learn more about this ongoing partnership.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s
- StoryCorps conversation between Ron Cohen & Bob Riesman, 5/20/2017
- “Blues on Big Bill Broonzy guitar” performed by Chris Walz live at 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 6/17/2011
- StoryCorps interview of Jane Stracke by Mareva Lindo, 6/5/2017
- “Wandering,” performed by Win Stracke, Old Town School Compendium, circa 1965 
 - “The Trees Are All Ivied” performed by Win Stracke, Win Stracke Live with Studs Terkel, 3/19/1982
- “Ballad of the Boll Weevil” performed by Win Stracke, Old Town School Compendium, circa 1965 
- Studs Terkel interview by Paul Tyler, Old Town School 35th anniversary interviews, 1992
- Win Stracke interview by Studs Terkel, Win Stracke Live with Studs Terkel, 3/19/1982
- “In the Evening” performed by Frank Hamilton live at 333 W North Ave, 4/15/1962
- Frank Hamilton interviews by Mareva Lindo, 7/27/2015 and 2/12/2016
- “Old Blue” performed by Guy Carawan live at the Armstrong home, 8/13/1978 
- “Nine Hundred Miles” from Old Town School Compendium, circa 1965 
- “Roll the Union On,” performed by Pete Seeger live at People’s Church, 5/17/1986
- Pete Seeger interview by Paul Tyler, Old Town School 35th anniversary interviews, 1992
- StoryCorps conversation between Lance Greening & Rick Veras, 5/8/2017
- Dawn Greening interview by Paul Tyler, Old Town School 35th anniversary interviews, 1992
- “Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round,” performed by Odetta live at 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 10/30/2004
- “Methodist Pie” performed by Win Stracke live at 333 W North Ave, 4/15/1962
- “Vranjanka (Serbia)” performed by Valucha deCastro and Frank Hamilton live at 333 W North Ave, 4/15/1962
- “Witch Upon A Hill” performed by Ted Johnson live at 333 W North Ave, 10/10/1964
- StoryCorps conversation between Ted Johnson and Marcia Johnson, 3/22/2017

References and recommended reading:
- Chicago Folk: Images of the Sixties Music Scene by Ronald D. Cohen & Bob Riesman
- Rainbow Quest: The Folk Music Revival and American Society, 1940-1970 by Ronald D. Cohen

Ep 13 - 60 Years Of Folk, Part 1: Come for to Sing

This episode shares the stories of the school’s fabled opening night on Dec. 1st, 1957, and the early years when it was housed at the Immigrant State Bank Building at 333 West North Avenue. You’ll hear archival music and recordings from Ella Jenkins, Big Bill Broonzy, the Johnsons, the Armstrongs and more, including many people who participated in our oral history partnership with StoryCorps this past year. This is part two of a six-part documentary series on the 60-year history of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, told through the voices and songs of the people who were there. 

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s 
- George Armstrong playing bagpipes, circa 1982 
- StoryCorps conversation between Ted Johnson & Marcia Johnson, 3/22/2017 
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy, circa 1950s
- Frank Hamilton interviews by Mareva Lindo, 7/27/2015 and 2/12/2016 
- Gerry Armstrong interview by Paul Tyler, 1992 
- Studs Terkel interview by Paul Tyler, 1992 
- “Came Out the Wilderness” performed by Ella Jenkins, 7/3/1991 
- StoryCorps interview of Ella Jenkins by Mareva Lindo, 5/3/2017 
- “Trouble on My Mind” performed by Ginni Clemmens, 1968 
- “Sloop John B” performed by Win Stracke, Frank Hamilton, Dawn Greening, Ray Tate & the Kossoy Sisters, 1982 
- StoryCorps interview of Jane Stracke by Mareva Lindo, 6/5/2017 
- "The Auld Triangle" performed live by Marcia & Ted Johnson, 3/21/1982 
- StoryCorps interview of Rebecca Armstrong by Mareva Lindo, 7/13/2017 
- “Glory Be to the Newborn King” performed by Gerry Armstrong, 12/12/1959 
- “Come All You Fair and Tender Ladies” performed by Dodi Kallick & Gerry Armstrong, circa 1960s 
- “Rolling Home” performed by The Golden Ring, circa 1960s
- “The Frog Song (Portuguese)” performed by Valucha deCastro & Frank Hamilton, 4/15/1962
- Valucha deCastro interview by Paul Tyler, 1992 
- “Bambolele / Train on the Island” performed by Valucha deCastro & Frank Hamilton, circa 1960s
- “Motherless Child” performed by Valucha deCastro & Frank Hamilton, 4/15/1962
- “This Old World Is Full of Sorrow” performed by The Golden Ring, circa 1960s

References and recommended reading:
- Chicago Folk: Images of the Sixties Music Scene by Ronald D. Cohen & Bob Riesman
- Rainbow Quest: The Folk Music Revival and American Society, 1940-1970 by Ronald D. Cohen

Ep 14 - 60 Years Of Folk, Part 2: Folksingers and folk families

This is a special mini episode on the musical lineage between Hobart Smith, Fleming Brown, and Stephen Wade, who was featured on our last episode. You’ll hear archival recordings of Hobart and Fleming, as well as excerpts from Stephen’s conversation with Old Town School teaching artist Matt Brown this spring, as part of our oral history partnership with StoryCorps. Stephen began playing banjo at the Old Town School as a student of Fleming Brown and has since become a prominent folklorist, banjo player and researcher whose accomplishments include the one man show Banjo Dancing and his recent book The Beautiful Music All Around Us. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to learn more about our partnership with StoryCorps, and to hear excerpts of other interviews collected over the past year.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence): 
- “Pateroller” performed by Stephen Wade, 4/13/17 
- StoryCorps conversation between Stephen Wade & Matt Brown, 4/13/17 
- “Poor Ellen Smith” performed by Hobart Smith at Coffee, circa 1963 
- “Pateroller” (fast and slow) performed by Hobart Smith at Fleming Brown’s home, 1963 
- Conversation between Hobart Smith and Fleming Brown at Brown home, 1963 
- “Chinquapin Pie” performed by Hobart Smith at Fleming Brown’s home, 1963 
- “Down in a Willow Garden” performed by Dodi Kallick & Hobart Smith, circa 1963 
- “Down in a Willow Garden” performed by Fleming Brown & Ray Tate, 333 W North Ave, 4/15/1962 
- “Fare Thee Well, Old Ely Branch” performed by Fleming Brown, 333 W North Ave, 4/15/1962 
- “Chinquapin Pie” performed by Stephen Wade, 4/13/17 

Recommended listening & reading:
- In Sacred Trust: The 1963 Fleming Brown Tapes feat. Hobart Smith, produced by Stephen Wade 
- The Beautiful Music All Around Us by Stephen Wade

Ep 15.5 - In sacred trust: Stephen Wade, Fleming Brown & Hobart Smith

This is a special extra episode featuring excerpts from a conversation between longtime friends Robbie Fulks and Steve Dawson, fellow songwriters and performers in Chicago. In 2017 Fulks concluded 7 years of weekly shows at The Hideout, on the heels of releasing the Grammy-nominated album, Upland Stories. Dawson recently co-wrote a book on songwriting with the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Caro, called Take It to the Bridge.” Both active in the Chicago music community for over 30 years, Fulks taught bluegrass guitar at the Old Town School from 1984-96, and Dawson has been teaching guitar and songwriting at the school since 2006. This conversation was recorded on June 5th, 2017, as part of our oral history project with StoryCorps. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to learn more about our partnership with StoryCorps, and to hear excerpts of other interviews collected over the past year.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Goodbye Cruel Girl” performed by Robbie Fulks, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 3/19/2006
- StoryCorps conversation between Robbie Fulks & Steve Dawson, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 6/5/17 
- “Too Good to Believe” performed by Dolly Varden, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 5/10/2002
- “Cigarette State” performed by Robbie Fulks, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 3/19/2006
- “The Dying Soldier” performed by Steve Dawson, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 12/9/2007
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s

Recommended reading:
- "Take It to the Bridge" by Steve Dawson & Mark Caro

Ep 16.5 - EXTRA: Robbie Fulks & Steve Dawson

From Wiggleworms to the Latin Music Festival, this two-part episode explores how the school has expanded class offerings and community programs to be more inclusive and broad-reaching over the past 36 years. This is part five of a six-part documentary series on the 60-year history of Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, told through the voices and songs of the people who were there. The conversations featured were gathered in collaboration with StoryCorps this year, along with archival music culled from the school’s Resource Center. Go to oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear more excerpts, full interviews, and to learn more about this ongoing partnership.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s 
- “Yemaya” performed by Conjunto Cespedes, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 2/5/2000 
- StoryCorps conversation between Jim Hirsch & Skip Landt, StoryCorps booth at the Chicago Cultural Center, 7/6/2017 
- “Puerto Rico Mi Tierra Natal” performed by Los Pleneros de la 21, University of Chicago, 11/25/1989 
- StoryCorps conversation between Michael Miles & Skip Landt, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 10/20/2017 
- “Carnavalito” performed by Andes Manta, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, World Music Wednesday, 4/6/2011 
- Interviews with Juan Dies by Mareva Lindo & Raul Fernandez, 11/11/2016 & 12/2/2016 
- “De Camaleon” performed by Groupo Canta Claro, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, World Music Wednesday, 8/10/2008 
- “Jarabe Planeco” performed by Sones de Mexico Ensemble, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Festival de Son, 11/11/2006 
- StoryCorps conversation between Mateo Mulcahy & Karima Daoudi, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 9/27/2017 
- “Cripple Creek” performed by Fleming Brown & Ray Tate, 333 W North Ave, 4/15/1962 
- “Joulafassa“ performed by Mamadou Diabate, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, World Music Wednesday, 8/6/2008 
- “Skip to My Lou” performed by Anne-Marie Akin, “Songs for Wiggleworms,” 2006 
- StoryCorps conversation between Katie Lahiff & Erin Flynn, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 5/1/2017 
- StoryCorps conversation between Laura Doherty & Karen Banks-Lubicz, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 5/20/2017 
- “If All of the Raindrops” performed by Laura Doherty, “Songs for Wiggleworms,” 2006 

Recommended listening: 
- Live from the Old Town School, Vol 1-4, 2011: https://www.oldtownschool.org/liverecordings/ 
- Songs for Wiggleworms, 2006: https://www.bloodshotrecords.com/album/songs-fo-wiggleworms

Ep 17 - 60 Years of Folk, Part 5: Expanding the definition of folk

The Old Town School has grown exponentially in the new millennium--both in terms of its reach and the two new buildings it’s grown into since 1998. Sixty years in, this episode introduces some of the people who have made it what it is today, and those who will shape it in the years to come--from executive director Bau Graves to Old Town School Teen Council member Zelda Zerkel. 

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s 
- “Deep River Blues” performed by Chris Walz, lobby of 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 12/1/17 
- StoryCorps conversation between Bau Graves & Gregg Ostrom, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 1/25/17 
- “We’re Up Against It Now” performed by Bau Graves, “Come for to Sing,” 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 3/3/2012 
- StoryCorps interview with Carlos Cornier by Mareva Lindo, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 5/8/17 
- "Bolo Haye Re" performed by Funkadesi, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, live in 2003 
- StoryCorps conversation between Julian Ross & Christopher Ross, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 4/10/2017 
- "Blues on Big Bill Broonzy guitar" performed by Chris Walz, “Tribute to Big Bill Broonzy,” 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 6/17/2011 
- StoryCorps conversation between Marge Weber & Lara Weber, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 5/8/17 
- “Fiddle Tune Medley / Ruben You Can Play Your Banjo” performed by Mark Dvorak, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 10/25/1998 
- StoryCorps interview with Zelda Zerkel by Mareva Lindo, 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 7/25/17 
- “I Lost My Control” performed by Gabrielle & Jaclyn Sukich, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, Teen Open Mic 2/17/2007

Ep 18 - 60 Years of Folk, Part 6: Old Town School today

Some of our favorite selections from the Old Town School audio archive in the Resource Center, curated by podcast producer Mareva Lindo. Features archival recordings from Ireland, England, Appalachia, Illinois, Scotland, northern Spain, and Mexico.

Old Town School - 4544 N. Lincoln

Coco - Los Cojolites

Selections from the Old Town School audio archive in the Resource Center, curated by podcast producer Mareva Lindo. Featuring archival recordings of Hobart Smith, the "Flea Market" radio program recorded live at the 909 W Armitage building in the 1980s; music from Mexico,  the George and Gerry Armstrong collection.

Festival De Son: Sones De Mexi

El Zapateado - Sones de México (live at the Old Town School)

The Vaults of (Roots Music) Heaven: Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music Unlocks the Lost Gems and Wild Creativity of its Live Archives

Venerable vernacular music institution releases 127 live tracks by the best in American and global music from last half century.

On stacks of cassettes, reel to reel tapes and digital audio tapes lay the history of American music. There were local legends and major icons, global musicians and indie rockers. Some captured beautifully from the board, some gleaned quietly from the dusty archives of a radio station, the recordings held wildly creative decades of sound from Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, a roots-music touchstone for nearly 55 years. And no one had heard them.

Joan Baez and Donovan, Big Bill Broonzy and Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger and Taj Mahal, Martin Carthy and Steve Earle, Doc Watson and Mahalia Jackson: It was a literal who’s-who of folk, gospel, country, bluegrass, blues, and world music, caught in hours of exciting performances. But someone had to put the pieces together—all 127 tracks worth—and someone had to clear all the rights with 85 different artists.

They succeeded, against odds that would have stopped others in their tracks. Live From The Old Town School (Old Town School Recordings; release: December 13, 2011) reveals not only the venerable institution’s storied start, but its role in the recent infusion of new energy into the roots music world, with everyone from Toumani Diabate and Oumou Sangare to Andrew Bird and Lila Downs.

127 Songs: Live from the Old Town School

Simple Man, Steve Earle

Holiday-themed selections from the Old Town School audio archive in the Resource Center, curated by podcast producer Mareva Lindo. Featuring archival recordings of shape note singing, English carols, and The Armstrong family.

Please share! We release these rare and never-before-heard recordings on this accessible platform because we want them to be heard. Every little bit helps to spread awareness of our continued work towards digitizing, cataloguing, researching and sharing the many recordings we have in the Old Town School Resource Center. Thank you for your support!

All Bells in Paradise: A.L. Ll

The Babe of Bethlehem - Shape Note Singers, circa 1957

Introduction to The Babe of Bethlehem - A.L. Lloyd, circa 1957

The Cherry Tree (from Hampshire) - Unknown singer, circa 1957

Introduction to The Cherry Tree - A.L. Lloyd, circa 1957

George and Gerry Armstrong, St

The Cradle Hymn of the Virgin - George & Gerry Armstrong, 1959 (Studs Terkel recording)

Jon Langford and Sally Timms--of The Mekons and countless other projects--have been part of the Old Town School community in a myriad of ways since the 1990s. Just a few months after Langford was honored as a “Music Legend” by the school, the two friends and longtime bandmates sat down to talk about their memories and reflections on the place. This is part two of our new series, Second Half, putting Old Town School folks and their stories center-stage. 

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s
- StoryCorps interview between Jon Langford & Sally Timms, 6/5/2017
- “The Fox” performed by Jon Langford, live at Old Town School of Folk Music, circa 2000s

The Archives Podcast

Ep 20 - Second Half, Part 2: Jon Langford & Sally Timms

[Content warning: Brief profanity, conversation about death and chronic illness.] In these excerpts from a conversation between Mary Babcock and Lorena Velázquez-Hinojosa, Mary shares memories of her daughter Rebecca "Becca" Babcock, who worked at the front desk of the Old Town School from 2005 until her death in 2012 at the age of 31. They talk about Becca's diagnosis with colon cancer and how she coped with her illness; her blog about the experience, "The Colon Chronicles"; the community and support Becca had at Old Town School throughout that time; and the documentary about her story, "I Am A Visitor In Your World." The conversation was recorded June 22nd, 2017. Go to www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps to hear more stories from the StoryCorps-Old Town School partnership.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurence):
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s
- StoryCorps interview between Mary Babcock & Lorena Velázquez-Hinojosa at the Old Town School of Folk Music at 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 6/22/17
- "I'll Fly Away," performed by the Kathy Kallick Band at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 10/14/2001

Ep 21 - Second Half, Part 3: Remembering Becca Babcock

A running theme throughout Old Town School history is people finding deep connections and community, forging lifelong collaborations, friendships, and often falling in love. In this last episode of our Second Half series, we wanted to share one such story, from two people who met while working at the school in the late 1980s. Married now for years, longtime teachers Elaine Moore and Jim DeWan first met at the school over 3 decades ago. In these excerpts from their conversation at the school on May 20th, 2017, they share a few memories and reflections on their time there--including the school’s brief relocation to the Irish-American Heritage Center. Listen to the full interview at: https://archive.storycorps.org/interviews/jim-dewan-elaine-moore/

More stories at: www.oldtownschool.org/StoryCorps

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Glory of Love” performed by Big Bill Broonzy live at Circle Pines Center, circa 1950s
- “Softly and Tenderly” as performed by Elaine Moore, Catherine Hall & Jim DeWan at the Old Town School of Folk Music at 909 W Armitage Ave, 1988
- StoryCorps interview between Elaine Moore & Jim Dewan at the Old Town School of Folk Music at 4545 N Lincoln Ave, 5/20/17

Ep 22 - Second Half, Part 4: Jim DeWan & Elaine Moore

Esto es la historia de La Peña, the first Latin music concert series at the Old Town School--the predecessor to today’s enormously successful World Music Wednesday concerts. To tell the tale, we’ll share stories and music, en inglés y en español, from the people who were there. Episodes come out the first Wednesday of the month, starting in March. Listen on iTunes, SoundCloud, or wherever you get your podcasts. ¡Nos vemos el miercoles! 

Music: “Voy Por la Mañana” performed by Ensemble Charambó live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 11/07/2001

This podcast series on La Peña was supported by a grant from the Illinois Digital Archive. Access more audio and video recordings from the La Peña concert series at: http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/p16614coll9/search/

Website: www.oldtownschool.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTSArchives
Instagram: @archivespodcast

Trailer - La Peña: Música Latina en la Old Town School

Esto es la historia de La Peña, the first Latin music concert series at the Old Town School, pretty much the predecessor to today’s enormously successful World Music Wednesday concerts. But the story of La Peña is really just one part of a larger story, about how the Old Town School in the 1980s was brought back from the brink of closure, in large part by broadening their definition of “folk” in highly intentional ways. To tell the tale, we’ll share stories and music, en inglés y en español, from the people who were there. Featuring an interview with Juan Díes, founder of La Peña, and former Director of Community Outreach at the school. 

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Voy Por la Mañana” performed by Ensemble Charambó live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 11/07/2001
- Interview with Juan Díes & Luis Jahn at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W Armitage Ave, 06/14/2019
- “Malagueña Salerosa” performed by Valucha de Castro, Studs Terkel OTS Show, 1968
- “Alma Llanera” performed by Karin & sus Llaneros live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 07/19/2000

This podcast series on La Peña was supported by a grant from the Illinois Digital Archive. Access more audio and video recordings from the La Peña concert series at: http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/p16614coll9/search/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTSArchives
Instagram: @archivespodcast 
www.oldtownschool.org

Ep 23 - La Peña, Part 1: El principio

In the early 1980s, the Old Town School came the closest it ever has to shutting its doors. How did they manage to stay open? Escucha la historia en la segunda parte de la serie La Peña. In this episode we hear stories--en inglés y español--from Juan Díes, Jim Hirsch, Michael Miles and Roberto Arce, alongside música latina from the archives.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- Interview with Juan Díes & Luis Jahn at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W Armitage Ave, 06/14/2019
- StoryCorps conversation between Jim Hirsch & Skip Landt, 7/6/2017 at the StoryCorps booth in the Chicago Cultural Center
- “Adiós la Mio Vaca Pinta” performed by Llan de Cubel, live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 9/22/1999
- StoryCorps conversation between Michael Miles & Skip Landt, 10/20/2017 at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4545 N Lincoln Ave
- Phone interview with Roberto Arce, 6/7/19 (tape sync courtesy of Adrian Alcantar)
- “Pajarillo” performed by Tribus Futuras, live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 3/20/2002

This podcast series on La Peña was supported by a grant from the Illinois Digital Archive. Access more audio and video recordings from the La Peña concert series at: http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/p16614coll9/search/
Website: www.oldtownschool.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTSArchives
Instagram: @archivespodcast

Ep 24 - La Peña, Part 2: "The school was in dire straits"

“I think some people came because they could eat the empanadas. You know, and then, the music.” En la tercera parte de la serie, we hear how the La Peña concert series finally came to be. In this episode we hear stories--en inglés y español--from Jim Hirsch, Juan Díes, Luis Jahn, and Roberto Arce, alongside música latina from the archives.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Bulería” performed by Las Guitarras de España, live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 03/09/2005
- StoryCorps conversation between Jim Hirsch & Skip Landt, 7/6/2017 at the StoryCorps booth in the Chicago Cultural Center
- Interview with Juan Díes & Luis Jahn at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W Armitage Ave, 06/14/2019
- “Cartas de la Habana” performed by Luis Jahn, live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 03/02/2005
- Phone interview with Roberto Arce, 6/7/19 (tape sync courtesy of Adrian Alcantar)
- “Las Penas Matan” performed by Roberto Arce, live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 07/26/2000

This podcast series on La Peña was supported by a grant from the Illinois Digital Archive. Access more audio and video recordings from the La Peña concert series at: http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/p16614coll9/search/

Website: www.oldtownschool.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTSArchives
Instagram: @archivespodcast

Ep 25 - La Peña, Part 3: Music and empanadas

En la parte final de la serie, La Peña comes to a close, and makes room for a new and broader concert series, which continues to this day: World Music Wednesday. In this episode we hear stories--en inglés y español--from Juan Díes, Mateo Mulcahy, and Roberto Arce, alongside música latina from the archives.

Original recordings featured in this episode (in order of occurrence):
- “Túmbame el Engaño” from “A Bomba & Plena History of Puerto Rico: Bembeteo” written and performed by Ramón Lopez, live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 04/27/2005
- Interview with Mateo Mulcahy at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W Armitage Ave, 06/14/2019
- Interview with Juan Díes & Luis Jahn at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 909 W Armitage Ave, 06/14/2019
- Phone interview with Roberto Arce, 6/7/19 (tape sync courtesy of Adrian Alcantar)
- “La Banda” performed by Los Cenzontles, live at the Old Town School of Folk Music, 4544 N Lincoln Ave, 10/13/2004

This podcast series on La Peña was supported by a grant from the Illinois Digital Archive. Access more audio and video recordings from the La Peña concert series at: http://www.idaillinois.org/digital/collection/p16614coll9/search/

Website: www.oldtownschool.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/OTSArchives
Instagram: @archivespodcast

Ep 26 - La Peña, Part 4: Desde La Peña hasta World Music Wednesday

The Vaults of (Roots Music) Heaven: Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music Unlocks the Lost Gems and Wild Creativity of its Live Archives 

Venerable vernacular music institution releases 127 live tracks by the best in American and global music from last half century. 

On a stacks of cassettes, reel to reel tapes and digital audio tapes lay the history of American music. There were local legends and major icons, global musicians and indie rockers. Some captured beautifully from the board, some gleaned quietly from the dusty archives of a radio station, the recordings held wildly creative decades of sound from Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, a roots-music touchstone for nearly 55 years. And no one had heard them.

Joan Baez and Donovan, Big Bill Broonzy and Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger and Taj Mahal, Martin Carthy and Steve Earle, Doc Watson and Mahalia Jackson: It was a literal who’s-who of folk, gospel, country, bluegrass, blues, and world music, caught in hours of exciting performances. But someone had to put the pieces together—all 127 tracks worth—and someone had to clear all the rights with 85 different artists.

They succeeded, against odds that would have stopped others in their tracks. Live From The Old Town School (Old Town School Recordings; release: December 13, 2011) reveals not only the venerable institution’s storied start, but its role in the recent infusion of new energy into the roots music world, with everyone from Toumani Diabate and Oumou Sangare to Andrew Bird and Lila Downs. 

Jarabi, Toumani Diabate

The Vaults of (Roots Music) Heaven: Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music Unlocks the Lost Gems and Wild Creativity of its Live Archives 

Venerable vernacular music institution releases 127 live tracks by the best in American and global music from last half century. 

On stacks of cassettes, reel to reel tapes and digital audio tapes lay the history of American music. There were local legends and major icons, global musicians and indie rockers. Some captured beautifully from the board, some gleaned quietly from the dusty archives of a radio station, the recordings held wildly creative decades of sound from Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, a roots-music touchstone for nearly 55 years. And no one had heard them.

Joan Baez and Donovan, Big Bill Broonzy and Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger and Taj Mahal, Martin Carthy and Steve Earle, Doc Watson and Mahalia Jackson: It was a literal who’s-who of folk, gospel, country, bluegrass, blues, and world music, caught in hours of exciting performances. But someone had to put the pieces together—all 127 tracks worth—and someone had to clear all the rights with 85 different artists.

They succeeded, against odds that would have stopped others in their tracks. Live From The Old Town School (Old Town School Recordings; release: December 13, 2011) reveals not only the venerable institution’s storied start, but its role in the recent infusion of new energy into the roots music world, with everyone from Toumani Diabate and Oumou Sangare to Andrew Bird and Lila Downs. 

Mellow Yellow, Donovan

Greetings-Tar Drum Lesson, Hamza El Din

Puerto Rico Mi Tierra Natal, Los Pleneros de la 21

La Bamba, Mono Blanco,

Follow us to hear select rare recordings; music from teaching artists; and The Archives podcast, showcasing stories from the Old Town School community alongside live performances, field recordings and more from the archive at the school’s Resource Center. The Old Town School of Folk Music teaches and celebrates music and cultural expressions rooted in traditions of diverse US and global communities. Visit www.oldtownschool.org for more information on classes, concerts, the Resource Center, and other programming at the Old Town School.

Popular tracks by Old Town School