Plank Road Folk Music Society

Spring-April 2023| www.plankroad.org

Folk music is alive and well . . .

. . . when Lilli Kuzma hits the airwaves — every Tuesday night!

Lilli offers an eclectic mix of folk artists and styles

“We try to cover it all,” says Lilli, “From traditional and contemporary folk, to doses of related and influential styles — including folk-rock, bluegrass, country, blues, Celtic, world, Americana, and more.”

And, the show is usually broadcast live, bringing a fresh and direct presence to her listeners. “While I usually host the show live, I do record certain programs and special segments,” says Lilli. “The pandemic required that I record the entire show for a year and a half, which sharpened my recording skills. And I now have a small home studio equipped for this purpose.”

ABOVE: Lilli Kuzma and Mark Dvorak

in the WDCB studio.

Each week Lilli features unique themes plus topical and historical segments. While her programing was modified during the pandemic, she says things are gradually returning to ‘normal,’ with live studio guests — both Chicago-based and national touring acts — including a number of Plank Road artists. “My event night concerts should resume soon,” she adds.

“We frequently offer ticket and CD giveaways,” says Lilli, “And on each show we tell listeners about area and regional concerts, workshops, and events, with the Chicagoland Folk Calendar.”

It's all about the music . . .



In 2001 Lilli started in rotation on Folk Festival with the late George Brown, then became the sole weekly host in 2007. She’s a lifelong Chicagoland resident, a graduate of Loyola University of Chicago, and has a background that includes music performance, artist management, and event production.

“I play guitar, piano and organ,” says Lilli, “And have performed in folk duos and trios, rock bands, and jazz combos.” She’s also an accomplished freelance writer, and her features on music and entertainment topics have been published by the Chicago Sun-Times, Pioneer Press, and Chicago Tribune Media Group.

So, what is WDCB?

WDCB is a a non-commercial, listener-supported station. Here’s what the Chicago Tribune once said about WDCB:



“On the far left side of the radio dial, past the alternative rock of WXRT, is an odd little radio station. It seems hellbent on breaking all the rules, continually providing aural surprises for listeners.''

WDCB was established in 1977, and has evolved since that time to become Chicago's premiere station for jazz and blues. “But folk and roots music, Americana, Celtic, and bluegrass are recognized by the station as an important part of the programming,” says Lilli.

As a result, the Folk Festival show was expanded from its original two hours to a three-hour show by current WDCB manager, Dan Bindert. “He and his staff have been wonderfully supportive of the folk show and its events too," says Lilli.

The station is based at College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn. But unlike most college-based stations, WDCB is not student-run. It has a full-time professional staff — with COD students gaining experience working as aides.

Listen to Lilli’s Folk Festival and other WDCB programming, by tuning your radio to 90.9 FM. 

• WDCB is also available to anyone in the world, streaming live at WDCB.org

• You can visit their Facebook page and also listen to streaming audio via their website here.

• If you miss a live show, Folk Festival programs are archived for two weeks following the broadcast, and can be accessed at https://wdcb.org/archive

• To join the Folk Festival mailing list, or for event and other information, email Lilli at LKupbeat@aol.com.

The conference, held February 21-25, was attended by around 2,000 industry people, artists and associates within the international folk communities. “We primarily attended to listen to the many artists showcasing their talents,” says Joel. “But we were also able to perform at the Folk Alliance Region Midwest private showcase room.”

“There were so many great performers it was overwhelming,” says Jennifer. “We also saw many friends like Ordinary Elephant, The Rough & Tumble, and many more. And even found time to talk and sing with local friends like Heather Styka and Joe Jencks.” 

The Folk Alliance International is a whirlwind experience . . .

During the day there was an exhibit hall, daytime sessions and panels for business development. “For example,” recalls Jennifer, “We attended the Presenters’ meeting to discuss current topics relevant to venues like the Two Way Street Coffee House.”

In the evenings, the official showcases began, with a dozen rooms to watch artists present themselves. Then, each night there were four floors of over 50 private showcase rooms. “These rooms featured performers all night until 3:00 AM,” says Jennifer.

Ah, but then there’s that KC barbecue . . .

“Kansas City is pretty serious about their barbecue,” says Jennifer. “And if any of you have seen Joel eat, you know BBQ is not something he takes lightly.”

“Being in Kansas City presented the perfect opportunity to conduct some proper research by visiting six legendary restaurants,” says Joel. “Including RJ’s Bob-be-que, Arthur Bryant’s, Gate’s, Q39, the Woodyard and Slap’s.”

“Each one, having specialties that stood out, was delicious,” says Jennifer. “After much deliberation and boisterous debate, we concluded the overall best was Q39.” 

Jennifer added that while they would recommend any and all of the restaurants, “We do NOT recommend eating barbecue six days in a row.”

Andy's Music Trivia Quiz

Thanks for your responses. Good catch on the year in Question 2, and good answers, Bill Mathews and Fred Spanuello. IF you have any trivia to contribute, please do!  

Answers to previous Quiz:

Q1.  What Beatles record was a two-sided hit featuring essentially solos on both sides?

A1.   A-side = “Yesterday” & B-side = “Act Naturally.”

Q2.  Who was killed in a 1960 plane crash near Kansas City.

A2.  Wrong year in question as noted by 2 respondents.  On 05 March 1963, country stars, Patsy Cline, Hawkshaw Hawkins & Cowboy Copas, (and the pilot) crashed near Camden TN, enroute from Kansas City to Nashville.

Q3.  What was Glen Campbell's first charting song?

A3.  Here’s one I thought I knew (would have gotten wrong). I thought it was "Kentucky Means Paradise,” but it was "Turn Around Look at Me" in which he shows off his great singing range. 

Q4.  Who was Motown's first solo artist charting star?

A4.  Mary Wells wrote and sang her first song for Motown records at the age of 17 in 1960. Under the direction of Barry Gordy and Smokey Robinson, she had a string of hits climaxing with "My Guy" in 1964.

Q5.  Since we are in the Chicago area, who are the DJ's pictured on the album WLS Treasure Tunes from the Vault?  What label was it on?

A5.  Left to Right – Gene Taylor, Art Roberts, Mort Crowley, Jim Dunbar, Dick Biondi, Clark Weber & Bob Hale. Chicago based Chess Records. 

NEW Trivia Quiz:

Q1.  Jim Reeves died in a self-piloted airplane crash at the age of 40. What was his first #1 Country/Western hit? How many charting hits did he have after his death?

Q2.  What song has been playing constantly somewhere in the world since 1983?

Q3.  Name 2 of Eddie Rabbit's biggest hits!

Q4.  The Tokens took "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" to #1 in 1961. What was their 1^st top 20 tune, and what genre was it?

Q5.  On what Beatles song, do they repeatedly chant "That's What I Want"?  Who sang the original?

Q6.  Who wrote Brenda Lee's "All Alone Am I"?  What song was the writer most famous for?

Q7.  Who was the banjo player on the Kingston Trio's first members?

Q8.  Who wrote Sam Cooke's "Wonderful World"?

Keep those responses coming in:

pictq@yahoo.com

George Mattson Trio

gmtrio.com 

Mark Dvorak

markdvorak.com 

Tobias Music

www.tobiasmusic.com 

Cathy Jones

cbjmando@gmail.com

This past January was a bad month for celebrity deaths . . .

David Crosby

Co-founder of The Byrds and Crosby, Still & Nash, David Crosby died January 19. He was 81. 

Born in Los Angeles, Crosby honed his musical skills at coffeehouses, clubs and colleges as a teen. “I took a job washing dishes and bussing tables in the coffeehouse so I could be there,” he recalled. “And would beg permission to sing harmony with the guy who was singing on stage.”

By the early ’60s, he was drifting from city to city, performing and learning from other musicians, when he crossed paths with folk singer Roger McGuinn. The two began collaborating, electronically amplifying folk music to create a style that would eventually be defined as folk-rock.

They joined up with Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke to form The Byrds, famous for its influential sound. The band’s first single, a cover of Bob Dylan’s "Mr. Tambourine Man," shot into the top 10 in 1965, sparking a creative momentum that generated hits such as "Eight Miles High," Bob Dylan’s "All I Really Want To Do" and Pete Seeger’s "Turn! Turn! Turn!" 

Although known for harmonies, The Byrds suffered from discord. Crosby had an unwelcome habit of interrupting live performances with political rants, and the rest of the band ousted him in 1968.

After parting ways with The Byrds, Crosby began jamming with Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield. Graham Nash of the Hollies finished out the supergroup that took the name Crosby, Stills & Nash. Their 1969 self-titled debut album catapulted the group to a best new artist Grammy.

The trio became Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young when Neil Young joined the group. CSNY claimed its place in music history with its performance at Woodstock. In 1970, their songs "Ohio" (a protest song about the Kent State shootings) and "Teach Your Children" demonstrated their anti-war activism.

In recent years, Crosby publicly feuded with his CSNY bandmates, especially Nash, for reasons he would never disclose. His stellar career was often matched by a chaotic personal life. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Crosby experienced drug addiction, weapons offenses and prison time. Oh yes, and he famously served as a sperm donor to Melissa Etheridge.

Barrett Strong

One of Motown’s founding artists and gifted songwriters, Barrett Strong, who sang lead (and claimed to have co-written) “Money (That’s What I Want),” died on January 29 at the age of 89. “Money” was a million-seller in 1960, and Motown’s first major hit. Strong was a singer, piano player, and songwriter, collaborating with Norman Whitfield on such classics as “I Heard It Through the Grapevine, “War,” “Papa Was a Rolling Stone,” and many others.

Gary Rossington



Guitarist, and last surviving original member and co-founder of Lynyrd Skynyrd, Gary Rossington, died March 5 at age 71. He survived the infamous 1977 plane crash that killed three band members.

The band created country-tinged blues-rock and southern soul. Their biggest hit was “Sweet Home Alabama,” which was written in response to Neil Young’s 1970 song “Southern Man.” Skynyrd’s 1973 debut album included “Free Bird," a nearly 10-minute track that became their calling card, due in no small part to Rossington’s seagull-like slide guitar leads on his Gibson SG.

Jeff Beck

Legendary blues-rock guitarist Jeff Beck died January 10 at age 78. Beck rose to fame in the ’60s when he replaced Eric Clapton in the Yardbirds. He left a year later to start his own group, The Jeff Beck Group, featuring Rod Stewart and Ron Wood.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 as part of the Yardbirds and inducted again in 2009 as a solo artist.

An eight-time Grammy winner, Beck earned his first in 1985 for best rock instrumental performance. He went on to win five more times in that category.

Beck became attracted to electric guitar after hearing Les Paul’s work. Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page said Beck’s guitar could “weave around our mortal emotions… channel music from the ethereal” with his unique technique.

Born in Surrey, England, Beck’s mother wanted him to play the piano, but Beck took to the guitar. Eventually, he bonded with another boy who was a budding guitarist in his neighborhood, Jimmy Page. The two musicians shared a passion for rockabilly music. 

Beck had an interest in Motown and sat in on some of Stevie Wonder’s sessions. At one point Beck started playing the drums and Wonder walked in, liked the groove and wrote “Superstition” around it. By the mid-1970s Beck had moved on from blues rock to instrumental jazz-fusion. He spent much of the 1980s working as a guest musician, adding solos to albums by Tina Turner, Mick Jagger, Jon Bon Jovi and others.

He is considered one of the most skilled, admired and influential guitarists in rock history.

Lisa Marie Presley



The only child of Elvis Presley, Lisa Marie Presley, died suddenly of apparent cardiac arrest January 12, at the age of 54. She grew up in the shadow of her father's fame – her name even adorning his airplane.

Although famous from the moment she was born and a singer in her own right, releasing three albums, she leaped into the pop culture vortex with her surprise marriage to embattled pop superstar Michael Jackson and, later, Elvis aficionado and actor Nicolas Cage. Both those marriages were short-lived, although she had four children through more lasting unions. 

Her son, Benjamin Keough, died by suicide in 2020. She said her life and the lives of her three daughters “were completely destroyed by his death.” She also blamed her troubled life on “bad advice,” adding, “I was insulated with no grip on reality. They were taking my soul, my money, my everything." Her troubled life included drug addiction. In 2019 she detailed her dependence on opioids, suggesting the damage was both personal and professional. 

Burt Bacharach

One of the most prominent composers in the 1960s and ‘70s, Burt Bacharach died February 8. He was 94. Remembered for Top 10 hits such as Dionne Warwick’s “I Say a Little Prayer” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose,” Bacharach was also a Broadway composer, and wrote movie scores. He teamed up with lyricist Hal David, creating some of his biggest hits — recorded by Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, The Beatles, Barbara Streisand, Aretha Franklin and more. Over his career, Bacharach won eight Grammys and three Oscars.

Robbie Bachman

Canadian drummer, Robbie Bachman, died January 12. He was 69. His brother Randy, formerly with The Guess Who, along with another brother Tim and bassist Fred Turner, renamed itself Bachman-Turner Overdrive. The band found widespread success with songs such as “Takin’ Care Of Business,” “You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet,” and “Roll On Down The Highway.”

Please visit us at

Plank Road Folk Music Society

Questions? Please send us an email at:

plankroadfolk@hotmail.com