Last week, I promised some more information on Dave Richardson, who will be the second performer in the Winter Concert Series, sponsored by the Reading Recreation Commission. He and I talked last week over the phone.
As I mentioned a few columns ago when I wrote about Reading Elementary School’s new principal, John Hansen, interviewing someone over the phone is a time-saver. Plus, on the day Dave and I spoke (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day), the temperature never cracked zero. It was nice not to have to go out in that. As with John, I feel like I missed something in not meeting Dave face-to-face. That will be rectified for me and for you on February 9 when he plays at Reading Town Hall. In the meantime, here’s a short profile of the artist.
Dave is a native New Englander, hailing from southern Maine. Berwick to be exact. Like many people who live in Reading and this area, a work opportunity, his wife Renee’s actually, brought the couple to the Upper Valley in 2012. After living in Colorado and Rochester, NY, Dave was happy to return to this special six-state region. Dave describes the Upper Valley as having a classical New England feel. “It felt like the right place to live,” Dave said.
Dave described himself as a folk singer/songwriter. He is inspired by contemporary singers like Greg Brown and Dar Williams, as well as old-time folk singers. I was not surprised when he mentioned Pete Seeger and Woodie Guthrie. However, I was surprised to learn that one of the things he likes about these two musical icons is that they too drew from old-time folk singers, giving Dave a through line to the whole American folk music tradition.
After we talked about his heroes and inspirations, the conversation again found its way back to the Upper Valley. Dave likes to write about things he sees, especially the nature around him. He has written a song about a night in the life of a fox. He often gets up early so he can watch the sunrise. I get up early to write or work. I think he is using his time much more wisely. Dave also writes about life in this part of Vermont, putting into music the struggles and successes of the people he sees around him.
Dave’s been through Reading, but he’s never stopped in Reading. He’s looking forward to changing that at the second installment of the Winter Concert Series. His performance will feature many songs he’s written, plus a few chestnuts that will be familiar to many. He mentioned the Beatles. I smiled.
I asked Dave to think forward. At the end of the concert, what will make him feel like the night was a success? He said, "No matter the venue, if I feel like a made a connection with even one person in the audience, then the show was a success.” He also notes that he hasn’t played a show in the last five years where that hasn’t been the case. To me, that sounds like a good and rewarding way to spend one’s time.
He is also very excited to be one of the acts participating in this series of benefit concerts. “I am honored to be part of this,” Dave said, noting the importance of being part of a bigger community.
If you want to learn more about Dave and hear his music, you can visit his website daverichardsonfolk.com. You can also find him on social media: facebook.com/daverichardsonmusic and instragram.com/drichardsonfolk.
We’re looking forward to welcoming you to Reading, Dave!
As a recap, the second performance in the Winter Concert Series happens February 9 at 7pm at Reading Town Hall. Admission is $10 for adults. Children 15 and under are free. Also, please bring non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Reading-West Windsor Food Shelf, one of the concert series’ four beneficiaries. The other three are the Reading PTO, the Reading Green Spaces Committee, and Upper Valley WISE.
Also last week, I mentioned that Reading PTO’s Mama Mia’s Pasta Dinner (I called it Mama Mia’s Bistro) was happening on February 10, making that weekend a double-whammy! Here’s the rest of the information about the PTO event. The time is 4pm to 7pm, and the location is the Reading Elementary School. As you know, there’s always delicious food at this community event, plus the basket raffle! There will be a Valentine-themed basket, plus Arts & Crafts, Fuzzy Wuzzy, Bakery Bliss, and Ice Cream Social. I don’t know what Fuzzy Wuzzy is but I like the name. The other baskets are pretty self-explanatory. Plus, they sound fun and delicious.
The price for dinner is $8 per adult, $5 per child 5 and older, and free for the even younger crowd. Twenty dollars feeds your family. You can also get your dinner to go. Just bring a container. The servers will be happy to fill it with deliciousness!
The raffle tickets are the customary raffle ticket price ($1 each or 6 for $5). Every student in the school has tickets, so you can buy yours before the dinner. You can also procure your potential prize-winning tickets at the event.
Maybe this year, it will be me. Maybe…
Happy Birthday to Theodore Lucier (January 31), Sam Blanchard (February 3), and Walter Wilkins (February 4).
This column originally appeared in The Vermont Standard on January 31, 2019