HAPPENINGS

The Great American Folk Show®, hosted by Tom Brosseau, on Prairie Public Radio ended its wonderful 6 year broadcasting run on Saturday, August 29th. We are so grateful to the hundreds of amazing talented artists, makers, writers, café proprietors, chefs, poets, dreamers, and good folk who graced our show with their words and music. A wide open expansive North Dakota thank you to producer Erik Deatherage, editor Elizabeth Brosseau, web guru Christine McClellan, radio director emeritus Bill Thomas, and especially to Tom Brosseau for creating, writing, and hosting 182 episodes! What a gift it has been to have the Great American Folk Show on the air for 6 years. You can find all the episodes archived and our podcasts right here

Our final Great American Folk Show broadcast on August 29: Jason Mraz with the story of his new album title, Grandma’s Gospel Favorites, and two live performances from the album, recorded especially for the GAFS audience. Plus Jude, who cut his teeth at the famed LA club Largo, plays “George” and an unreleased verse from one of host Tom Brosseau’s favorite tracks, “Taking More, Giving Less.” And, two-time IBMA Fiddle Player of the Year Bronwyn performs her song “Flower Child,” recorded just for the show. To close this penultimate show, San Diego’s very own, treasured songwriter Gregory Page, along with North Dakota musical icon Misti Koop, bring the hour to a close.

Old Town School of Folk Music 2025 concerts and events included Arooj Aftab, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Ted Leo & the Pharmacists, and the legendary and rightly acclaimed Robert Plant with his highly talented UK band, Saving Grace. In 2026 OTS welcomed the legendary poet, writer, musician, and all around amazing Patti Smith, Nick Lowe & Los Straitjackets, The Sullivan Sisters, X’s John Doe & Exene Cervenka and more wonderful musicians. Upcoming: Susanna Hoffs, the Blue Jean Gala with Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, and in October for 2 nights, Rufus Wainwright.

Thanks to all for supporting the arts - now more than ever!