Join us for an evening dedicated to honoring the artistry of Utah Phillips, the national treasure of wit and wisdom who is currently recovering from congestive heart failure. Tonight longtime Utah friends and admirers Jody Stecher & Kate Brislin, Laurie Lewis & Tom Rozum, Eric & Suzy Thopson, Larry Hanks, and Ray Bierl perform an evening of songs and stories honoring the man who has long been a mainstay of American traditional culture and music, and one of the Freight's most beloved performers. Proceeds from tonight's show go to help defray Utah's medical expenses.

Two of the most acclaimed singers in traditional American music, Jody Stecher and Kate Brislin possess an amazing ability to capture the essence of a song, providing a masterful setting for their soulful harmonies with superb fiddle, guitar, banjo, and mandolin playing. (In the words of Utah himself, "If the great swirling mass of folk music has a solid persistent unwavering center, that is who Kate and Jody are.")

Laurie Lewis and Tom Rozum showcase impressive vocal talents, backed by their fabulous fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. В Laurie's songwriting and crystal-clear singing have brought her a Grammy and two International Bluegrass Music Association Awards for Female Vocalist of the Year. Tom adds his own sparkling musicianship and wry humor, creating an irresistible mix.

Eric and Suzy Thompson are key members of many of the Bay Area's best known folk groups. With equal parts verve and finesse, soulful flatpicker Eric and fiery fiddler Suzy plumb the depths of classic and country blues, as well as French blues from Cajun country and terrific hillbilly ragtime fiddle pieces.

Larry Hanks applies his amazing bass vocals, guitar, and Jew's harp to a unique repertoire gathered during more than four decades on the folk music scene, all rendered, as Utah said, "With fidelity, virtuosity, respect, and a deep abiding love."

Best known to Freightgoers for his work with the eclectic Bay Area contradance bands, Hillbillies From Mars and Swing Farm, Ray Bierl is also a longtime folksinger with a impressively broad repertoire. Ray fiddles, strums, and sings his way through a repertoire of songs in a variety of classic American styles, from rockabilly to old-time, from bluegrass to Tinpan Alley.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1935, Bruce "Utah" Phillips ran away from home at the age of 15 to gain an education on the road, and has spent the past several decades telling the stories and singing the songs of a lifetime spent exploring the lesser-known corners of North America. As befits his checkered past, Utah holds a wide range of honors: he's a Grand Duke of Hoboes, as well as a recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance. This self-styled rapscallion, rabble-rouser, and individualist—not to mention tall-tale-spinner extraordinaire—has made dozens of recordings, running the gamut from The Long Memory, his 1997 album with Rosalie Sorrels, to his Grammy-nominated collaboration with rock diva Ani DiFranco, Fellow Workers (Righteous Babe).

Come help us celebrate Utah the most fitting way we can think of: with a good old rousing evening of great stories and music!