Washington's Longest-running Radio Show devoted to Folk Music
With Mary Cliff, Saturday Nights on WAMU 88.5 FM

This is where TRADITIONS host Mary Cliff posts notes, updates, show previews, obituaries, announcements, etc, about/by/for/within/of-interest-to the greater Washington DC-area folk community. Notes are likely to appear on an unscheduled, even whimsical basis. Feel free to contact Mary with suggestions; she will take them into account, but gives no promises about what she'll actually post.    Thank you

Michele Choiniere concert snowed out 2/27/10

Posted Thu, 25 Feb 2010 21:37:49 -0500

Michele Choiniere has had to cancel her concerts this weekend due to the snow and high winds in Canada, New England, and the mid-Atlantic.
She was planning to play in NYC for the New York Folk Club, and in Alexandria VA for the Folklore Society of Greater Washington. www.fsgw.org

Blizzard!

Posted Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:06:02 -0500

Having pre-recorded this afternoon's HD-2 show (2/6/10), i realized while pre-recording the night show that i had for the afternoon show announced the B.B. King/Buddy Guy show as being on Thursday at the Birchmere. It's actually at DAR Constitution Hall, 18th & D Sts, NWDC. Sorry 'bout that. I'll try to keep better track of my notes.

This snow is glorious! Hope you're all able to enjoy the snow sculptures. I am.

Odetta

Posted Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:19:05 -0500

Odetta Gordon died December 2, 2008. She was 77. Classically trained, she turned to folk music in the 1950s and stayed, inspiring many behind her.
What a voice! What a lady!
She was one of a kind. I'll miss her.

Thank you, Odetta. Rest in peace.

Nick Reynolds RIP

Posted Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:31:37 -0400

Nick Reynolds, founding member of the Kingston Trio, died 10/1/08 in San Diego. He was 75.
We've lost one of the originals.

DC Blues Society IBC Winner

Posted Sat, 04 Oct 2008 01:29:36 -0400

Congratulations to Billy Thompson & Friends, winner of the DC Blues Society's International Blues Competition. The trio will go to the finals in Memphis in February 2009.

See www.dcblues.org

Artie Traum

Posted Mon, 21 Jul 2008 16:24:11 -0400

Artie Traum, music maker, teacher of many, record producer, composer, died Sunday, July 20, 2008 in Woodstock, NY. He was 65. www.artietraum.com

Utah Phillips

Posted Sat, 24 May 2008 14:31:14 -0400

Just heard that we lost Utah last night. He'd been sidelined with congestive heart failure. He lived the life he believed. He was brilliant and left us many lessons and wonderful music.

I'm gonna miss him a lot.

MC

April 19, 10 am: Walk in memory of Kyle Wilson

Posted Fri, 18 Apr 2008 22:51:14 -0400

Kyle Wilson was 24, a firefighter searching for residents of a burning building in Woodbridge, VA on April 16, 2007 when he became separated from fellow firefighters and became the first Line of Duty Death in Prince William County, VA in the department's 41-year history. The First Annual Walk for Fitness will take place in memory of Kyle at 10 am on Saturday, April 19, 2008, rain or shine, beginning at the Potomac Nationals Stadium Complex and ending at Buckhall Fire Station 16. Donations can be made to the Kyle Wilson Memorial Fund to benefit the George Mason School of Recreation, Health & Tourism Scholarship. Pre-registration:
WilsonWalkforFItness@pwcgov.org

Happy New Year!

Posted Mon, 31 Dec 2007 19:09:39 -0500

Here's to a happy, peaceful, and more organized New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Posted Tue, 25 Dec 2007 10:09:10 -0500

May you all enjoy a happy and peaceful holiday season!

NEW SHOW TIMES

Posted Sat, 13 Oct 2007 01:49:05 -0400

In case you hadn't heard, TRADITIONS is now broadcast on Saturday afternoons, 2 to 6 pm, on WAMU 88.5 HD Channel 2.
You'll need a new HD (digital) radio, or listen via the internet stream, on www.bluegrasscountry.org. AND on FM 105.5, based in Reston VA.

TRADITIONS is part of Roots & Branches on Saturday afternoon, and is followed by Thistle & Shamrock, E-Town, Mountain Stage and American Roots.

Red Shipley has gone home...

Posted Sun, 07 Oct 2007 16:31:15 -0400

Red Shipley, 25-year host of WAMU's Stained Glass Bluegrass, entered the hospital recently for cancer treatment. He died late Saturday night, 10/6. He was 70 years old. He'd graced this area's radio airwaves for more than 50 years, and had just retired 9/16.

Sad day.

Thanks!!!

Posted Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:35:17 -0500

1/30/07 To the hundreds of e-mailers, callers and letter writers, to the senders and givers of flowers and balloons, to the signmaker and the candle-holders -- a huge THANK YOU! Words cannot describe the support extended to TRADITIONS from listeners as we ended our run at WETA. Folk music has been on WETA since the station began in 1970. Dick Cerri was the first host; I was asked to take on the show in March 1973. I intend to continue the "who's wheres" and expect to post playlists -- maybe even catch up on some old ones.

Thank you to WETA for the 34-year run, and thank you to WAMU for their hospitality and enthusiasm in welcoming this new kid to their block.

Traditions to WAMU 88.5

Posted Tue, 30 Jan 2007 02:14:47 -0500

1/30/07 Effective Saturday 2/3/07, Traditions moves to WAMU 88.5 in Washington, DC from 11 pm to 1 am. I'll follow Rob Bamberger's Hot Jazz Saturday Night and Bluegrass Overnight will follow me. Good company all!! Mary

Behind in playlists

Posted Tue, 22 Feb 2005 13:09:50 -0500

Few weeks behind in playlists again. Will catch up in early March.

WETA

Posted Thu, 17 Feb 2005 15:59:42 -0500

WETA radio will become a news/talk station on 2/28/05. TRADITIONS will continue until ?