Big Muddy Folk Festival
Boonville, Missouri
April 2—3, 2004

This is the one of more than 30 years of criss-crossing North America that Bill Staines will take our I-70 exit. A New England native, Bill became involved with the Boston- Cambridge folk scene in the early 1960's, and in 1971 The Phoenix stated that Bill was "simply Boston's best performer." Now in his fourth decade with an international reputation, there is scarcely a folksinger in America whose repertoire doesn’t include Bill’s songs, folks like Peter, Paul, & Mary, Makem and Clancy, Nanci Griffith, Mason Williams, The Highwaymen, Glen Yarborough and Jerry Jeff Walker.

When Bill opens his cookie jar of songs he resonates such ease and comfort that you would be satisfied if he sang the phone book. His wit and gentle humor draw his audiences right in. Traditional music and songs of his friends often inspire a prolific songwriter like Bill, so he can include them in a concert. Having won the National Yodeling Championship in 1975 at Kerrville, Texas, his performance can also surprise you.