P.O. Box 92398
Rochester, NY 14692
www.goldenlink.org
Media contact (not for publication): Dave Townsend, (585) 467-8690
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 26, 2026
John McCutcheon kicks off Golden Link’s 2026-27 season
Rochester, NY –Golden Link’s 2026-27 concert series kicks off on Wednesday, October 21 at 7:30 pm at Greece Baptist Church with a concert by folk music’s Renaissance man, John McCutcheon. An engaging storyteller, powerful singer-songwriter, and master instrumentalist (hammer dulcimer, banjo, guitar, piano, autoharp), McCutcheon excels at getting people singing together and thinking about what’s important in life.
The entire Golden Link concert series is now in place and includes the return of audience favorites Robin & Linda Williams, Windborne, and Newberry & Verch – plus Jim Kweskin & Samoa Wilson, Dave Gunning, House of Hamill, and Alice Howe & Freebo, who are all new to our series. Here’s a short list and see below for calendar listings.
- John McCutcheon – October 21, 2026
- Jim Kweskin & Samoa Wilson – November 21, 2026
- Windborne – December 13, 2026
- Dave Gunning – January 23, 2027
- Robin & Linda Williams – February 27, 2027
- Newberry & Verch – March 21, 2027
- House of Hamill – April 24, 2027
- Alice Howe & Freebo – May 8, 2027
Tickets are now on sale for John McCutcheon in October. Find all of the concert details on the Golden Link website at www.goldenlink.org.
Photos of the performers are available at:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1itUdQ1VH1dNEzcbkvGIhjdS6kc9BfsQK?usp=sharing
Phone or email interviews with the performer(s) can be arranged.
Founded in 1971, the Golden Link Folk Singing Society is dedicated to presenting, promoting, and preserving folk music in the Rochester area. Golden Link is a volunteer-operated and member-supported 501(c)3 not-for-profit arts, cultural, and educational organization.
CALENDAR LISTINGS
John McCutcheon
Wednesday, October 21, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Folk music’s renaissance man, John McCutcheon is a master instrumentalist, powerful singer-songwriter, storyteller, activist, and author. As an instrumentalist, he is a master of a dozen different traditional instruments, most notably the rare and beautiful hammer dulcimer. His songwriting has been hailed by critics and singers around the globe.
General Admission: $30 ($32 at the door); Golden Link Members: $25 ($27 at the door); Students: $10; Children under 12: $5
Jim Kweskin & Samoa Wilson
Saturday, November 21, 2026 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Jim Kweskin is the founder of the legendary 1960s Jim Kweskin Jug Band with Fritz Richmond, Geoff Muldaur, Maria Muldaur, Mel Lyman, and Bruno Wolfe. These days Kweskin is best known as a singer and bandleader, but he also created one of the bedrock guitar styles of the folk revival. Jim Kweskin’s shows radiate charm, humor, sophistication and talent. Because of his vast repertoire and love of the music, Kweskin is recognized as one of the best interpreters of the great American songbook. He will be joined by Samoa Wilson, who has been captivating audiences since she was 12 years old with a voice the New York Times calls “sweet, effortless, old-timey.”
General Admission: $30 ($32 at the door); Golden Link Members: $25 ($27 at the door);
Students: $10; Children under 12: $5
Windborne’s “Music of Midwinter”
Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 6:30 pm (Note Start Time!)
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
With a 20-year background studying polyphonic music around the world, Lauren Breunig, Jeremy Carter-Gordon, Lynn Rowan, and Will Rowan share a vibrant energy onstage with a blending of voices that can only come from decades of friendship alongside dedicated practice. In 2024, Windborne released their album To Warm the Winter Hearth, which smashed records and became the fifth most-backed album crowdfunder of all time. This concert is a joyful and heartfelt celebration of song that draws on midwinter music from traditional, classical, and folk from the US, British Isles, and beyond.
General Admission: $30 ($32 at the door); Golden Link Members: $25 ($27 at the door); Students: $10; Children under 12: $5
Dave Gunning
Saturday, January 23, 2027 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
With more than two decades on the road and 15 albums to his credit, Nova Scotia’s Dave Gunning has earned a reputation as one of Canada’s most engaging and respected folk singer-songwriters. A multiple East Coast Music Award and Canadian Folk Music Award winner, Gunning is celebrated for his warm stage presence, razor-sharp wit, and songs that honor everyday heroes while tackling hard truths. He is known for his ability to connect with audiences through both laughter and reflection and his live shows balance heartfelt storytelling with moments of perfectly timed humor.
General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door); Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door); Students: $10; Children under 12: $5
Robin & Linda Williams
Saturday, February 27, 2027 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
For more than four decades, Robin & Linda Williams have performed the music that they love, a robust blend of bluegrass, folk, old-time, and acoustic country that combines wryly observant lyrics with a wide-ranging melodicism. Their stirring concerts have earned them a huge and loyal body of folk and country fans who love their honest and heartfelt music. CMT Edge says, “…lush Appalachian harmonies. … [the Williamses were] mainstays on Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion and have influenced subsequent generations of roots musicians.”
General Admission: $30 ($32 at the door); Golden Link Members: $25 ($27 at the door); Students: $10; Children under 12: $5
Newberry & Verch
Sunday, March 21, 2027 at 6:30 pm (Note Start Time!)
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Joe Newberry and April Verch showcase tunes, ballads, step dancing, and original songs by way of the Ozarks and Canada’s Ottawa Valley, respectively. With beautiful harmony singing, breathtaking instrumentals, and exquisite dancing, these two singular musicians hit the stage in perfect rhythm, making audiences remember why this music existed in the first place. Newberry (guitar, banjo, vocals) is an award-winning songwriter known for his work with mandolin icon Mike Compton, as well as The Transatlantic Sessions and A Prairie Home Companion. Verch (fiddle, vocals, step dance) is best known for two decades of international touring with The April Verch Band and a 2020 JUNO Award Nominee.
General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door); Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door);
Students: $10; Children under 12: $5
House of Hamill
Saturday, April 24, 2027 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into upcycled folk ballads, or cracking up a crowd with stories from the road, the trio House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note. The Pennsylvania-based band is a fixture on festival stages across the U.S. and has shared music and stories on the country’s premier folk stages. Their original song “Banks of the Brandywine” was a Grand Prize winner in the 2024 John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Their latest album Wildfire was the #1 Album on the FAI Folk Charts in August 2024.
General Admission: $25 ($27 at the door); Golden Link Members: $20 ($22 at the door); Students: $10; Children under 12: $5
Alice Howe & Freebo
Saturday, May 8, 2027 at 7:30 pm
Greece Baptist Church, 1230 Long Pond Rd, Rochester, NY 14626
Alice Howe & Freebo have undeniable chemistry. Rock bass legend Freebo – who is best known for his 10 years playing bass with Bonnie Raitt – weaves his fretless stylings into Alice’s soulful, impeccably tuned vocals for a harmony-driven performance showcasing two uniquely compelling songwriters. Freebo has toured and recorded with some of the greatest artists of his generation, including John Mayall, Ringo Starr, Crosby Stills & Nash, Maria Muldaur, and Dr. John. Alice Howe had the honor of being named Best Female Artist at the International Acoustic Music Awards. They have been working as a duo since 2017, and together they tour relentlessly.
General Admission: $30 ($32 at the door); Golden Link Members: $25 ($27 at the door); Students: $10; Children under 12: $5