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Pete the Folksinger
- Springfield, VA
- Singing Guitarist
- Travels up to 120 miles
- $200 per Hour
Overview
I deliver extraordinary fingerstyle guitar and heartfelt vocals and will give your guests a great experience. My sound is built off 6- and 12-string guitar, and I compliment melodies with harmonica on some songs. I also play ukulele and use effects resulting in a bigger sound than a typical solo performer.
I play a wide variety of music that appeals across all ages. My favorite artists include:
* Jimmy Buffett
* John Denver
* Jim Croce
* Gordon Lightfoot
* James Taylor
* Don McLean
* Neil Diamond
* Ed Sheeran
* Crosby Stills and Nash
* Eagles
* Beatles
* Simon and Garfunkel
* Peter Paul and Mary
* America
I also have a wide selection of Christian and Holiday music for your special events.
1 Review
Pete is a skilled musician and a crowd pleaser. He engages his audience with good music and a friendly demeanor that helps him fit right in.
Singing Guitarist
Booking Info
Price Range: $200 per Hour
Gig Length: 60 - 240 minutes
Languages: English
What to Expect
I show up on time and am set up and ready to perform at the designated time.
My instruments and sound equipment is high quality.
I will manage volume and sound quality appropriate to the space and audience.
I have the capability to play outdoors or in locations without electricity.
My set up and breakdown typically takes less than 30 minutes.
When playing multiple sets, I may take a short break (10 minutes) every hour.
I can provide specialized recorded music - for example, at a recent Military Retirement I provided several recorded marches during opening and closing portions of the ceremony.
To the extent possible, I will be responsive to requests from the audience.
My music library includes 300 songs. Music selection will be audience-appropriate.
About
I am a singer and guitarist accomplished in Fingerstyle and Jazz Rhythm styles, and a vocalist engaged in Choral (First Tenor) and solo work. I also play Banjo, Mandolin, Ukulele, Dulcimer, and Harmonica.
I am currently engaged with the Mount Vernon Bands as Rhythm Guitarist for their Swing Band and Banjo player for their Dixieland Jazz Band. I sing in a church choir and and play acoustic guitar in a worship team. I perform in-person and virtual (Zoom) Folk Concerts for organizations serving seniors and special needs adults.
I have performed at pubs/restaurants, wineries, retirement homes, and various private events including weddings, memorials, private parties, and school or church festivals. I average 100-150 gigs a year.
Additional Booking Notes
I provide my own high quality audio equipment, and require 120v power in proximity to the stage/performance area. I do not utilize or require any special lighting.
I have power packs available to provide an independent source of 120v, or can play acoustic (without power/amplification). Please advise if you cannot provide 120v power.
Services Offered
Set List
Below are some of my favorite Artists and songs. It is not all of my repertoire. I will work with you to reflect your preferences on or off this list.
I also have an extensive list of contemporary Christian praise music. Contact me if you are interested.
Beatles
Blackbird ♪ Dear Prudence ♪ Here Comes the Sun ♪ I’ll Follow the Sun ♪ In My Life ♪ Norwegian Wood ♪ Nowhere Man ♪ Yesterday ♪ The Long and Winding Road
Crosby Stills Nash (& Young)
Heart of Gold ♪ Helplessly Hoping ♪ Just a Song Before I Go ♪ Teach Your Children ♪ Wasted on the Way ♪ Harvest Moon
Don Mclean
American Pie ♪ Empty Chairs ♪ Vincent
Eagles
Lyin' Eyes ♪ Peaceful Easy Feelin' ♪ Take it Easy ♪ Tequila Sunrise ♪ Saturday Night ♪ Train Leaves Here this Morning ♪ Bitter Creek
Gordon Lightfoot
Beautiful ♪ Early Mornin’ Rain ♪ If You Could Read My Mind ♪ Rainy Day People ♪ Sundown ♪ The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald ♪ Song for a Winter's Night
James Taylor
Fire and Rain ♪ Sweet Baby James ♪ You’ve Got a Friend ♪ Handy Man
Jim Croce
Photographs and Memories ♪ Operator ♪ Rapid Roy That Stock Car Boy ♪ Time in a Bottle
Jimmy Buffett
A Pirate Looks At 40 ♪ Come Monday ♪ Delaney Talks to Statues ♪ Margaritaville ♪ Son of a Son of a Sailor ♪ Surfin’ in a Hurricane ♪ Five O'Clock Somewhere ♪ Changes in Latitude ♪ Somethin' 'bout a Boat ♪ Bubbles Up ♪ Tonight I Just Need My Guitar ♪ Boats to Build
John Denver
Annie’s Song ♪ Leavin’ On a Jet Plane ♪ Poems Prayers Promises ♪ Rocky Mountain High ♪ Take Me Home Country Roads ♪ Grandma's Feather Bed ♪ Saturday Night in Toledo Ohio ♪ I'm Sorry
Kenny Rogers
The Gambler ♪ You Can't Make Old Friends
Simon & Garfunkel
Homeward Bound ♪ Mrs Robinson ♪ Sound of Silence ♪ The Boxer ♪ Kathy's Song ♪ America ♪ 59th Street Bridge Song ♪ Kodachrome
Influences & Inspiration
My earliest influences were Simon and Garfunkel and Peter, Paul, and Mary in the 1960's. I learned to appreciate the work of writers who are poets and story-tellers in their own right, like Paul Simon, John Denver, Bob Dylan, Gordon Lightfoot, and Jim Croce. Their lyrics are packed with emotion and are well constructed around a compelling story. Add to that their musical expression is guitar focused, and adaptable to solo acoustic interpretation.
I have also come to appreciate Eagles, Beatles, Jimmy Buffett and many others over the years.
I want to stress that while I appreciate the music of these artists, I do not seek to deliver "tribute level" replications of their works. I enjoy recreating the unique recognizable guitar riffs and intros, and strive to perform in a manner true to the original, but with my own style and emphasis. I define success as those times when an audience member comes up to me and tells me my renditions of this music brought back good memories and feelings.
Over the past few years I have incorporated the work of other artists like Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and renewed and expanded my repertoire of Beatles tunes, largely inspired by the presentation of their music by the solo "pub singer" who was the main character in the movie Yesterday.
Setup Requirements
Prefer space approximately 10' x 6' but can fit in less space if needed.
120v power within 10 feet of stage. Advise if longer extension cord is necessary.
I provide all necessary microphones, stands, instruments, cables and amplification.
For outdoor performances, the location should be dry and covered. I can provide a 10 x 10 cover.