Ten Pound Fiddle Wraps Up Season with Pete Seeger Tribute and Children's Show

Ten Pound Fiddle Wraps Up Season with Pete Seeger Tributes

The Ten Pound Fiddle will wrap up its concert season for the summer with shows this weekend to honor folk music icon Pete Seeger. Canadian Roots and Children’s Music legend Ken Whiteley will headline both shows.

Whiteley will be joined by roots and blues musician Reggie Harris for the show on May 4, in celebration of what would have been Seeger’s 99^th birthday on May 3.

Whiteley and Harris will perform Friday May 4^th at the MSU Community School of Music at 7:30 PM.

As a touring performer, Whiteley is a regular on the folk festival circuit, and he’s been the recipient of numerous awards including ten Canadian gold and platinum records. As a producer, Whiteley has over 140 recording projects under his sleeves, and he’s been described as, “a cross between Tony Bennett and Pete Seeger turned up to 11.”

Together, the two will perform some of Seeger’s music including “If I Had a Hammer,” and “Turn, Turn, Turn,” which was made famous by the psychedelic 60's rock group, The Byrds.

On Saturday, Whiteley will perform again. This time, as a part of the Ten Pound Fiddle’s Fiddle Scouts program, which is geared towards children ages three to thirteen.

“I'm really excited that we are able to bring a big name like Ken Whiteley to our Fiddle Scouts program,” Fiddle Scouts Director Tamiko Rothhorn said. “I haven't seen him perform live before, but he is a children's music legend.”

The Ten Pound Fiddle Scouts show will start at 10:00 AM. In addition to the show, the Fiddle Scouts will be holding a fundraiser where people attending the show are encouraged to bring used CDs. The CDs will be sold at the upcoming East Lansing Art Festival to help fund the Fiddle Scouts program for next year and keep the entry fee to “a donation at the door.”

Rothhorn said the Fiddle Scouts has been a great success, and she’s looking forward to the program continuing to grow.

"Fiddle Scouts has been able to offer nine different music programs during the 2017-18 school year, and we are in the process of booking our musical performers for next year.” Rothhorn said. “I'm sure it will be another great lineup!”

Shaker cans will be provided, and children are encouraged to participate during the show.

The Ten Pound Fiddle Concerts will resume September 21 with a rescheduled performance by Ukes and Steel, which features local musicians Drew Howard and Andy Wilson of Steppin’ In It.

Tickets for the show on May 4^th are $20 for the general public, $18 for Ten Pound Fiddle Members; and $5 for Students. They are available online or at the box office starting at 6:30 PM.

Suggested donations for the Fiddle Scouts show are $3-$5 per child.

MSU’s Community Music School is located at 4930 Hagadorn Road.