Katie Wilson To Be Guest Artist At

Next Flagpole Radio Café; Hoe Opening

The Newtown Cultural Arts Commission will welcome singer and musician Katie Wilson as the guest artist at the next Flagpole Radio Café, coming to Edmond Town Hall Theater on Saturday, October 24, at 7 pm.

Performing with Ms Wilson will be the celebrated acoustic string band Hoe.

Tickets are $15 and may be purchased online by visiting NewtownArtsCommission.org and clicking on The Flagpole Radio Café link or by calling 364-0898.

“We’re looking forward to Katie Wilson’s appearance,” said Flagpole Radio Café Executive Producer Martin Blanco. “She has a lovely voice and performs with grace and beauty in a variety of musical genres.

“And it’s great to have Hoe back her up. Our audience is already familiar with Hoe members Chris Teskey and Dick Neal, and they are in for a treat when they hear the full ensemble. It will be a fun night.”

Katie Wilson is an accomplished musician who plays fiddle, acoustic guitar and mandolin. Just last month she released her eponymously titled debut album. The CD includes a mix of her own original songs, songs from Dick Neal, and covers of traditional favorites. Most of the tracks derive their essence from the American string band traditions of bluegrass and old-time music, but a distinctly contemporary feel informs much of the music as well.

Ms Wilson possesses an unbound love for music and sings beautifully in a variety of styles including reggae, funk, soul, blues, folk and bluegrass.

Backing up Ms Wilson, Hoe is self-described as a “modern old time string band” that came together in 2003 as the studio band on the first solo CD by Dick Neal. Hoe quickly gained a following and reputation in Connecticut as the act with a fresh, original sound and an unpredictable sense of humor.

Band members are Chris Teskey on guitar, Dick Neal on banjo, Stephen K. Miller on mandolin, Larry Deming on fiddle, and Bob Csugie on bass. All musicians are featured as vocalists as well.

Hoe is a favorite at popular events such as the Norwalk Oyster Festival, the SONO Arts Festival, the prestigious Cooperstown and Lyrics Coffee House Concert Series, and Norwalk Harbor Splash Festival. For the last six years, Hoe has hosted the wildly popular monthly Bluegrass & Beer jam at The Acoustic Café in Bridgeport.

The Flagpole Radio Café is an ongoing variety show produced by Newtown residents Jim Allyn, Martin Blanco and Barbara Gaines, in conjunction with Newtown Cultural Arts Commission.  Returning to the Flagpole Radio Café is music director Jim Allyn, musicians Rick Brodsky, Dick Neal, host and guitarist Chris Teskey, and performers Martin Blanco, Barbara Gaines, Jennifer Rogers and David Wheeler.