New York/Songwriting

David Massengill and Jack Hardy

Did some pictures yesterday for songwriters Jack Hardy and David Massengill who are doing a number of gigs together as the Folk Brothers (with a smirk). Jack has sometimes used an ancient typewriter as a symbol of his attitude toward writing songs--a craft rooted in old traditions, resistant to, though not situated wholly outside of, the modern world. I think the typewriters look a little like accordions in the photo.

David and Jack are two of the first people I met when I came to New York in 1977. David performs primarily on the dulcimer as unique accompaniment for his mostly narrative songs. He is, perhaps, best known for On the road to Fairfax County, which has been been recored by The Roches and Joan Baez. But that's just the place to get started on David's rich and varied collection of songs.