Wepecket Whisperings
Published sporadically when there's news. Volume 1,
No. 7; December, 2010
Here's a chance to win 
tickets, CDs and Wepecket merchandise. Just send an e-mail to contest@wepecket.com. Or use this link Every month we'll pick a winner (or two or three!).
New release:
"Pick a Peck of Piedmont Pickers" is now available here at a special pre-release discount price of $9.98! Contributions from Andy Cohen, Gareth Hedges, Mike Higgins, Russ Mello, and Lauren Sheehan cover the spectrum of the liveliest form of Pre-war Blues. The offer is good until Dec. 31, when it goes on sale to the general public at $14.98. New look:
Paula Frederick's new painting now graces our 
home page. And to the right is a sneak peek of our new ad — appearing in the December/January issue of Old-Time Herald. Another very nice piece of work from her! Paula (Pawluh Designs) has been working with us for several months now, and will also be designing our new CD booklets, covers and tray cards.
Our merchandise page is still in its infancy, but you can order shot glasses now. And soon you'll be able to show your support for traditional American music by purchasing caps, coffee
mugs, polo shirts and some very intriguing bumper stickers all imprinted or embroidered with the logo she created for us this past summer.
New family member:
We are honored and delighted to welcome Gareth Hedges into our Wepecket family!
From Devon, England, Gareth brings a wonderful perspective to traditional American music.
As a young bus driver in England, he was immersed in Bluegrass back in 1965 when Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys hired him to drive the vehicle in which they toured for several weeks through the UK and Europe.
Gareth followed them back to the 'States, and has been hanging with, driving, stage managing and learning at the feet of the likes of Mississippi Fred McDowell, Rev. Gary Davis, Peter Rowan and many other luminaries ever since.
His charming and distinctive take on Piedmont picking can be heard on our latest release, "Pick a Peck of Piedmont Pickers."
On the road:
We're now booking our Spring 2011 "Rolling Roots Revue." Appearances in New York State and Pennsylvania, then down the Western slope of the Piedmont and back up the
shoreline, 
April 26-May 15.
That's Andru Bemis on the left, grinning at Sherman Lee's account of a fishing story he was singing about at a stop in Pittsburgh during last year's tour. There was a lot of grinning during that show at Calliope House in Pittsburgh. There was also a lot of picking, especially when half the audience joined us in a song-swap and sing-around at the end of the show!
Please give us a holler at 508-292-5632 or Email us if you have any ideas about possible venues near you.
On the home front:
Our concert series continues at the Black Watch Pub in New Bedford, Mass., with a Holiday Party extravaganza on Dec. 5. No cover. Bring an instrument, your voice, and a non-perishable item for the Grace Church food pantry.
This will be our fifth First-Sunday-of the-Month traditional music concert, and we want you to be the headliners!
Many of the Wepecket Island Records artists will provide entertainment, and we invite everyone to sing, dance and/or play along with us.
On Jan. 2 the legendary John Roberts 
returns to New Bedford, joined by his new musical partner Debra Cowan. John was one of the very first — and then among the most frequent and favorite — performers at Try Works Coffeehouse. Don't miss this opportunity to hear one of the people responsible for bringing the British folk tradition back to our shores!
Then, on Feb. 6, Beaucoup Blue, the father-and-son sensation out of Philadelphia will grace our stage.
David Mowry and his son Adrian have been performing their roots-based music nationally and internationally. Although blues is a staple in their repertoire, they include music from Folk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, Country and Bluegrass.
The Black Watch Pub is at 266 Dartmouth St., New Bedford. All concert series shows start at 6 p.m. and are appropriate for all ages. There is a full menu for the concerts, and table seating — except for the holiday party — can be reserved by purchasing tickets in advance. You can also call the Pub at 508-997-0023.
Our Bluegrass and Old-Timey jam continues to be popular. Come on down to the Pub any Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. and join us, or just stop in to listen and enjoy some good food, beer and company along with the music.