Friends who you ought to hear:
(In semi-alphebetical order... Friends, if you're not on this list, don't feel the way I always felt when I was picked last in gym class. My memory can be pretty spotty. Just send me a message, I'll add a link, and we'll save our friendship.)
Joel Styzens (percussion on Lifeboats for Atlantis)
Mark Lavengood (dobro on Lifeboats for Atlantis)
Sophie Webber (cello on Lifeboats for Atlantis)
Jordi Kleiner (violin on Lifeboats for Atlantis)
Greg Nergaard (upright bass on Lifeboats for Atlantis)
Rob Clearfield (accordion, add'tl piano on L for A)
Ty Maxon (add'tl guitar on Lifeboats for Atlantis)
Jeff Breakey (engineer on Lifeboats for Atlantis
The Loneliest Monk (Michelle Morales - cello on T & T)
Adam Hitchell (Ten of Swords)
AJ Roach
Algebro
Alicia McGovern
Andrea Bunch (Congress of Starlings)
Andrew Calhoun
Andina and Rich
Anna Vogelzang
Annie and Rod Capps
Arthi Meera (Fair and Kind)
Ashley Brooke Toussant
Bailey Dee
Ben Bedford
Bill and Kate Isles
Brad Cole
Brian Mazzaferri (I Fight Dragons)
Brian Walker
Cairn to Cairn
Carrie Elkin
Chris Darby
Chris Bell
Crystal Bowersox
Common Shiner
Company of Thieves
Connor Garvey
Dave Armstrong
Dave Hawkins
Dan Neale
Danny Schmidt
Dennis Warner
Daniel Boling
Doug Spears
Doug and Telisha Williams
Duck and Goose
Elam Blackman
Emily White
Fran Snyder
Goodbyehome
Grace Pettis
The Hollands!
Hunter Paye
Ian Wilson
Information Superhighway
James Lee Stanley
Jeff Churchwell (Left Turn at Albuquerque)
Jenny Bienemann
Joe Iadanza
Joe Jencks
Karyn Oliver
Steven Bacon
Lake Folk
Lisa Biales
Liza Day
Mark Dvorak
Matt Ryd
Matthew Cifaldi
Nervous But Excited
Putnam Smith
Rachele Eve
Randall Williams
REGO
Rob Lytle
Robin Bienemann
Ryan Suzuka
The Spend
Sue Fink
The Twangtown Paramours
(Wonderful) Organizations, Venues, Resources, etc.
Old Town School of Folk Music - An institution that Chicago is very fortunate to have -- the best concerts, classes, and community
Two Way Street Coffee House - a favorite venue of the Chicago region since 1970, with music every FridayChi
Folk Alliance - an organization for folk musicians, as well as a yearly music conference/party (usually held in February)
FARM (Folk Alliance Region Midwest) - a regional chapter of Folk Alliance, and yearly conference -- warmly Midwestern.
NERFA (Northeast Regional Folk Alliance) - a regional chapter of Folk Alliance, and yearly conference -- smaller than Folk Alliance International and larger than FARM.
Kerrville Folk Festival - summer music festival in Kerrville, TX filled with song sharing and community
Kari Estrin Artist Management and Consulting - excellent consulting, radio promotion, and more from one of the more respected names in folk.
Chicago Acoustic Underground (CAU) - Chicago-based podcasts and events supporting acoustic music
Nine Tails Productions - Chicago area events by Kat Fitgerald including the Four Women showcases and Windy City Open Mic
Mystic Images Photography - excellent event photography by Kat Fitzgerald, as well as portrait/studio photography
Miranda Rae Photography - beautiful portraits and headshots, currently based out of Seattle
Good Wolf Music (Jeff Breakey) - Jeff recorded Lifeboats for Atlantis at Hinge Studios
Rattlesnake Studio - Caleb Willitz recorded Travel and Teacups
All City Mastering - Peter Andreadis mastered Travel and Teacups and Lifeboats for Atlantis
Uncommon Ground - Chicago venue, restaurant, and meeting ground where many great artists start their careers