Grace Ackerman: Links

Major Influences

Geoff Bartley's web site: This guy is not only a great teacher, he's an astounding musician and writes exquisite songs as well as creating exciting arrangements of other folks music. Any CD of his is a beautifully crafted masterpiece, and each song is a winner. Buy 'em all.
Web site for David Fishken & Buffie Groves: Read Fishken's thoughts on the state of the world (or of him). Go to one of their great workshops, either the performance one (I've been 3 times and each one has given me a big jump forward), or try the harmony workshop. Go to a concert and enjoy their warm harmonies and their excellent cover choices. Buy their CD, "Going to the West"
Bob Franke's site: Bob Franke is a writer of those songs that stay with you - in your mind and in your heart. He also teaches very effective songwriting workshops which I have taken five times and gotten five great songs out of. Highly recommended. Oh, and absolutely, see his shows, buy his CDs.
Web site for Chris Smither: Go see a concert by this dynamite performer. Buy his CDs, my personal favorites being: "Live as I'll Ever Be", "Drive You Home Again", "Another Way to Find You", and "Train Home". If you're a guitar gal or guy, he has a songbook with tab out also.

Two Cat Folk Web Site: John Ferullo and Betsi Mandrioli run two user-friendly open mikes. They also have a recent and very listenable CD, called "Never Far From Home". Their voices blend very smoothly in the harmonies and each of them writes memorable songs. Multi-talented Betsi also did the clay sculpture you can see in the photo section
Jud Caswell's Web Site: This very talented and award-winning Maine songwriter is well worth hearing. His songs are real and completely absorbing. Great arrangements too.
Michael Troy's Site: This fine songwriter from Somerset, MA, writes realistic, down to earth, heartfelt songs about the sea, work, and the people and places he's known.

Steve Tilston: This UK artist is an excellent fingerpicker, songwriter and interpreter of traditional songs.
Web site for Bob Fox: This UK performer is an absolutely stunning fingerpicker with a great voice. Good guy too.
Ruth Wyand's web site: Ruth is an axcellent fingerpicker and a fine songwriter and performer. She took third place in the Gamble Rogers fingerstyle competition in St. Agustine, FL in 2004 and FIRST place in 2005. She was a headliner at the 2004 South Florida Folk Festival. Her latest CD, which is also available as a DVD, is "Live at Dante Hall". you can see/hear clips at her web site.