Hanging out at the Ward Museum in Salisbury, MD today with our friends Claire & Eva Moreno, we saw this banjo oyster and had to take a pic. Thanks for the special oyster exhibit, complete with a bluegrass/folk shoutout!

As we continue to not have Facebook and live in a cave like a bunch of hermits, we don't know about things. So...

Thank you, Mrs. Bethany Jubilee, for forwarding this Red Wing Academy advertisement to us! We know that fiddler up front!

​Click the link below for info on RWA 2020. Countin' the days...

We are so lucky to live near the town of Berlin, MD.

Today we had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take a fiddle workshop from The Jakob's Ferry Stragglers Band! (Click the pic below for a link to their band's website.) Not only did they teach us a great tune, they were so kind and chatted with us for a long time after the workshop ended. We had to tear Eljiah away from Mr. Niko!

Then we competed in the Berlin Fiddlers Festival for the first time and placed 1st in the Youth Band category, with two other ribbons besides. But ribbons don't matter. EVERYONE who played was sooooo good. We were just proud to be on the stage with so many great musicians of all ages. We were also surprised to have so many FVans drive out to support us: Mr. Chad, Mrs. Holly, & Haley Clark; Mr. Doug & Mrs. Alice Wigfield; Mr. Drew, Mrs. Jen, Callie, & Caden Gleason; our Grandpa Sean, Grandma Chrissy, Uncle Brandon, & Uncle Pat; and Mrs. Bethany Jubilee. And, of course, The Manager & The Roadie.

Can't wait til Berlin Fiddlers Fest 2020!

And what do you do when you've had a great day at the Berlin Fiddlers Festival? You celebrate at Island Creamery Berlin, OF COURSE! (Thanks, Dad!)

Tonight we played at the Worcester County Fair's 4H Talent Show in Snow Hill, MD. We were so nervous because we'd not played much in front of crowds, and we'd never competed before. I mean...the competition is all in good fun, but you still want to do your best! Well, Worcester County 4H welcomed us warmly! Ms Starr Robinson's excitement was contagious! Also on stage were some of our Wicomico 4H friends like James & Vada Fegely, Meeta Agarwal, Evana Shaju, & Ashley Varghese. We got 1st place, but that could have gone to anyone because everyone was GREAT! Most importantly, we got more experience playing and had a good time with some talented people. Also, now more people know about The Folk Villains!

Since we played a Steel Wheels cover, we donated our winnings---our first money earned as a band---to the Red Wing Academy for scholarships. And when we asked permission to post our cover of The Steel Wheels' "Take Me to the Ending," we got an email from THE Mr. Eric Brubaker who said, "Congratulations Elijah, Isabel, and Guinevere! I love your rendition and can’t wait to hear more from you. You’ve got permission to keep playing those Steel Wheels songs! Eric" 

​...and then we passed out.😂

When we told Grandpa Cockey that we'd be by Lakeside Assisted Living with our instruments, we thought we'd just go to his room and play for him the songs we'd played for the Wicomico County Fair 4H Talent Show. Little did we know, Grandpa C had decided to invite some friends...aka. half of Lakeside! Surprise! We were a little nervous, but everyone at Lakeside gave us a warm welcome and were the perfect audience. So kind! It was a great rehearsal for the Berlin Fiddlers Festival that's coming up. Thanks, Grandpa C! And thank you, Lakeside Assisted Living residents!

The Manager created Folk Villains short & long sleeved t-shirts with Custom Ink, and The Roadie ordered some for us. We feel so legit now that our FVans can wear a real Folk Villains shirt. Thanks, Mom & Dad! Uh...we mean...Thanks, The Manager & The Roadie!❤

So apparently now that we played the Wicomico County Fair, we are Big Time, getting top billing before a band that's been around for more than 20yrs. Tee hee...no worries! It's our dad's band, The Folk Heroes! The nice people at the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum placed our picture at the top of their advertisement for the gig. Just so funny because our band is so new!

Mr. Charlie Stegman & our dad (aka. The Roadie) invited us to play some songs with them at Berlin's Calvin B Taylor House Museum, and we were thrilled, as usual. The Folk Heroes gave us our start...and inspired our band name! 

​The Calvin B. Taylor House Museum is SUCH a nice place to play! The porch is your stage because it's so huge. Everyone---including stalker managers with cameras!---bring chairs and blankets and sit on the lawn. Just a perfect evening concert!

Thank you, Calvin B. Taylor House Museum and The Folk Heroes for including us!

...and Hot. It used to be Health, but we are officially changing it because the heat index was 120 F the day of the Fair. (Just kidding about changing the 4H pledge!🍀)

Mrs. Barbara Barga, one of our 4H leaders, made it all run smoothly. All the acts did a good job, and we were honored to sing the National Anthem and happy to participate with our friends! It made all that practicing while on vacation---yes, even at campsites and in Air BnB garages!---worth it!

PS - Don't you just love how the second tab on the laptop clearly says "How to take a screenshot on..."   Slick. That was The Manager 100%. 

Today we played on stage with THE STEEL WHEELS at our first music fest, The Red Wing Roots Festival in Virginia.

...okay, okay...we AND all of the other kids from the Red Wing Academy played with The Steel Wheels onstage at RWR Fest.

We can remember it however we choose, okay? 😂

In all seriousness, Red Wing Academy was life-changing. Playing at the festival was life-changing. Such good vibes and outstanding talent everywhere. We learned so much! We are so sad it's over and can't wait til next year!

Thank you, Mrs. Bethany Jubilee for the recommendation. Thank you to Ms. Megan Tiller, The Steel Wheels, Eastern Mennonite Univ, and everyone at Red Wing Academy. And thanks to The Manager who drove us to & from & to & from Harrisonburg, VA and thanks to The Roadie who didn't hit the road but stayed home, worked hard, and took care of our fur babies. 

...to be your pre-wedding entertainment?

Ms. Karen Ciancitto took a leap of faith today, and we don't just mean getting married: she allowed The Folk Villains to come entertain her wedding guests with some appropriate chamber music before the ceremony. Wow...we knew Ms. Karen was super nice but...she may actually be a saint.

In all seriousness, we hope we did a good job and that Ms. Karen was pleased, because it was a beautiful wedding and a very special day!

...Folk Villains in the stands!

Thanks, Delmarva Shorebirds, for allowing us to sing our National Anthem at Shorebirds games four times---one for each FV individually and once with all 3 FVs together---both last year and this year. And you allowed our choir to sing, too! What a super cool home team! Thank you for your support of the arts!

(Click the pic for a link to the Delmarva Shorebirds.)

Well, FVans. Today was a day with little to no folk or bluegrass music, but it was still no joke. We had our first RCM exams in the morning followed by our first Salisbury Children's Choir performance. We didn't just sing in the choir; our director, Mrs. Alice Wigfield, had us Villains back up the choir for the song "Amazing." We got to play alongside Mr. Buck Burton on bass, Mr. Ted Nichols on percussion, and our dad Robin Cockey (aka. The Roadie) on viola. Playing with such experienced musicians and an entire choir was...intense! Most of all, it was an honor. We learned a lot and had a great time!