UUCB Concerts for a Cause:  BILL STAINES

Unitarian Universalist Church of Brunswick, 1 Middle Street, Brunswick, Maine Saturday, September 26, 2015 @ 7:30pm

One of the best-known and beloved singer-songwriters from the American folk music scene is making his way to Brunswick. Bill Staines will perform a concert fundraiser for the UU Church of Brunswick Saturday, September 26, 2015 at 7:30 p.m.

After the historic UU Church burned down three years ago, the congregants decided they wanted to build a church that could hold community functions, and they dreamed of having a beautiful space with great acoustics to hold concerts. They also dreamed of being able to donate some of their profits to local charities. Since moving into the new building, several successful events and concerts have been held, and the dream has become a reality.

Bill Staines has spent five decades on the road singing his songs and entertaining audiences, starting with the Boston folk scene in the early 1960s. With his heartfelt songs, his warm, smooth baritone, his prowess on guitar, his charm and his gentle humor, he is one of the most popular singers on the folk music circuit today.

Staines, whose music is described as “a slice of Americana,” has appeared on Garrison Kieller’s Prairie Home Companion, Public Radio’s Mountain Stage and puts on nearly 200 shows a year around the country. And in what has to be the ultimate tribute for a songwriter, many of his songs have been recorded by everybody from Peter, Paul and Mary and Nanci Griffith to Glenn Yarbrough and the Irish folk duo, Tommy Makem and Liam Clancy.

Staines has recorded 26 solo albums, including two children’s recordings. More than 80 of his tunes have been published in songbooks. Staines has also made his mark yodeling. He won the National Yodeling Championship in Kerrville, Texas, in 1975 and has become a perennial instructor of yodeling workshops. If that’s not enough, Bill is left-handed and plays a right-handed guitar upside-down, with the bass strings on the bottom!

Staines writes songs with instantly memorable sing-along choruses.  His now classic, melodically charming, enviably clear, lyrical songs, like “The Roseville Fair,” “A Place in the Choir” and “River,” are graced with home-spun wisdom on life, love and memories, and are decorated with beautiful, melodic threads and flowing, pristine lyrics.

Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the door. Available at the church office (207-729-8515), at Gulf of Maine Books, or ONLINE at http://www.uucbstaines.brownpapertickets.com.

The UUCB Concert Series raises money for church programming and local charities.