Now in his fifth decade of delighting audiences on the North American folk music circuit, New England troubadour Bill Staines is a true living legend. His songs, including "River," "Roseville Fair," and dozens more, have become standards, recorded by artists ranging from Nanci Griffith and Jerry Jeff Walker to Grandpa Jones. Weaving a gentle blend of wit and humor into his performances, along with a sense of timing that would give the best stand-up comedians a run for their money, Bill intersperses his own songs with traditional tunes, contemporary country ballads, and audience participation numbers. If you're lucky, you may even hear a yodel or two: Bill is a past winner of the Kerrville Folk Festival National Yodeling Championship.

Bill recently released a CD titled Old Dogs (Red House). He also published a memoir, The Tour: A Life Between the Lines, an apt title for the autobiography of a man who continues to drive over 65,000 miles a year, bringing music to people.