What's New?

A New CD

Our brand new CD, The Set of the Sail is now available! Lots of new sea songs and tunes, both traditional and contemporary. We don't have our PayPal page updated yet -- but you can get your copy now through CD Baby ... CLICK HERE

My Space

We now have a page on MySpace.com -- with a few mp3 song files. Check it out by clicking here . You will find sample mp3 songs, pictures, a blog, calendar of upcoming gigs, links to many of our musical friends, and comments from listeners.

Sad News

We are so, so sorry to report that our beloved little parrot, Ranzo, died while undergoing a procedure at the vet's office on Wednesday, May 9th. He was our constant companion in the U.S. for the last seven and a half years delighting everyone who had the pleasure to meet him in Seattle and touring across the country. During our UK tours we missed him terribly, but nothing compared to how we feel now. Words simply cannot express our sadness.

More pictures of Ranzo --click here!

Folkworks Article

Check out this article about us and our music in the Southern California Folk publication FolkWorks written by Audrey Coleman. Click Here!

We've had people ask us about house concerts:

House Concerts
We know that a lot of folks who buy our records can't easily come out to our live shows. Late show times, and long, late night drives home are both valid reasons for not supporting live music. The fact is that we, the artists, depend on both live shows as well as CD sales to survive. What if you could have your favorite artist come to your house instead? What if you could have your own private concert in your living room or on your deck? Why not? We folkies have been doing it for years...it's called a "house concert."

You'd be surprised at how many people do this on a regular basis and have had an amazing array of brilliant artists perform at their homes over the years. Many people have become well known venues in their communities.

How does it work?
You contact the artist and set a date...it can be, and often is, on a weeknight. The week ends are our prime working nights in clubs, festivals and concert halls. Let's say that we are travelling through your area while touring around the country and have a open date on our calendar. Typically week nights are less likely to book up since not many venues book acts on nights early in the week, but sometimes there are just holes in calendars. It would be mutually beneficial to both the artist and you to arrange a show on less-bookable night, but - hey-- ask! We're usually nice, aproachable people. Most of us have Web pages with contact information.

Now how do you afford to pay musicians to have them perform for you?
Easy! Invite your circle of friends, neighbors, associates at work! Think of about twenty or thirty friends -- think of it as 10 - 15 couples if that's easier -- who either already like our music (you do play our music for all your friends, don't you)? Or who might like to hear us and send out a flier. Something like: "In order to have a personal concert and sit within twenty feet of the artist in an intimate, smoke free environment we are suggesting for a $10-$15 donation." Some local governments may have tax rules about selling actual tickets, but 'donations' are always okay.

It's just like any party really, it takes a little planning to make it a success. Start a couple of months in advance and follow up with your guests. Some folks like to make it a potluck meal with a concert after. Or just share some beverages, put out some chips and take up the donations. Twenty-five people at $12 each is $300. That works.

"How can I get twenty-five people in my living room?"
Again, it takes a little planning. Move the coffee table into a bedroom...borrow some folding chairs, use the kitchen chairs, put pillows on the floor or suggest people bring their own chairs or pillows. Give the artist a corner. Sometimes the performer can be set up in a spot where he can be seen from two rooms at once...set up two separate seating areas. Make sure to inform folks to arrive promptly at say 7:30. Get everyone into their seats by 8:00. Now, thank everyone for coming, introduce your favorite performer and sit back and enjoy the most satisfying concert of your life. The artist plays for an hour and a half or so...sells a few CDs....and your guests are home by 10:00. You, of course, are having the artist in your guest room or on your couch...so you get to wind down and share a bit of pleasant conversion. Up in the morning...a quick cup of coffee and everyone is on their way. We usually travel in a camper which suits us fine for sleeping arrangements -- an extension cord and a flat place to park and we're all set.

If this way of enjoying a Pint & Dale concert sounds like something you might want to do...we'll be more than happy to help you pull it off. You can call 360-638-2930 and we will get you started, or you can e-mail us at PINTnDALE@aol.com

Folk music is not given much respect in our modern world of mega- business, star driven entertainment. Music that cannot be packaged, marketed sprinkled with sequins and turned into a multimillion dollar product is generally ignored by the media that are busy selling you Brittney Spears. Ignored, but more often denigrated or ridiculed as very un-hip. As small as the market is, they would prefer it dry up and blow away leaving only their product to fill the gap.

Folk music has survived for hundreds of years through the times of many, many types of popular music fads. Folk music will still endure when the sound of today's popular music has become as dated as Rudy Valley's megaphonic crooning "Voh-de-oh-do" sounds today. You can help preserve it.

Think about it! Hope to see you soon!

We make a lot of long distance calls and we want to share the best kept secret in long distance rates. OneSuite.com offers 2 and a third cents per minute calls for anywhere in the lower 48 states and great rates for loads of foreign countries (call the UK for 2.3 cents per minute as well). No connection fee, no monthly minimum, no secret fees. It works like a virtual phone card that you can easily re-charge and customize to your needs. Instant speed dial numbers as well! You haven't heard of them because they don't advertise at all. No millions dollar ad campaign means low rates -- and word of mouth from happy customers is the best advertising anyhow. We like word of mouth -- it's the way most folks get to hear about us and our music. Check out their page and read all about it. If you decide to take advantage of the deal we'd be thrilled if you mentioned our names -- our "suite treat" account number is: 02AV58354 or the name is "willfel1" -- that's "will" for William, "fel" for Felicia and the numeral "1". If you do mention either when you sign up then you will get a free extra 20 minutes of calls and so will we. What a deal!

If you have a local radio staion with a folk music show -- listen to it and better yet, let the station know that you listen to it. Call them! Write to them!

As before we have our friend and agent, Jacey Bedford to thank for the great tours we enjoy in the UK. Jacey does sucha wonderful job and we have a harder time leaving England with each tour.

Oh yes, one last thing...

On our last trip we flew British Airways. Never again - at least, not until they make seats and aisles that are wide enough for humans. Perhaps they got carried away with Lord of the Rings fever and refit their jets for hobbits. Tiny, narrow seats in rows that so cramped that even the smallest person's knees had to be jammed into the back of the person in front! The little video screens in the seat back of the chair in front of you came within a few inches of your nose when the seat reclined. When all the seats reclined only the most skilled limbo artist could make his way along the row at the required 45 degree angle. So -- if you are flying BA -- we advise you to take out a bank loan for a first class upgrade. Those are the only seats on the plane that will save you from a hideously uncomfortable fate!

At the moment of writing this -- we are flying on an American Airlines flight over the US with enough extra legroom to hold a small dance! Thanks AA.

What is that strange instrument?
Since you asked - The unusual (some might say bizarre) device Felicia plays is a hurdy-gurdy --an instrument that dates back to at least the 12th Century. It may sound a bit like the bagpipes but is actually a type of mechanical violin. The crank on the end rotates a wooden wheel which causes the strings to vibrate. Keys press the melody strings to sound different notes while other strings play drone notes. Controversy remains over it today. Was it developed first for music or as an instrument of torture? Follow the links on our Folk Friends page and learn more about these mysterious music makers.

Check out our upcoming performance calendar -- we may be coming to the proverbial theater (festival,folk club) near you.

Lyrics to all our recordings can still be found by following the “Recordings”links. If you would like ALL the lyrics in one text file sent to you - please drop us a line via e mail and we will send it along. If you are looking for the words to a particular song, try following this new link to our “list of recorded songs.”

“Reviews” will take you to published reviews of our recordings as well as “letters from our wonderful listeners”.

Our “Folkfriends” page will lead you to webpages of some of our musician friends as well as links to other interesting or amusing spots.

Drop us a note via e mail at PINTnDALE@pintndale.com