About Us:
We grew up in the North Greenbush (Jim) and New Scotland (Sue) areas of the Capital District. We now live on the remains of a small apple orchard in Charlton, NY -- a cozy little hamlet southwest of Saratoga and Ballston Spa, where you might find us fiddling away at the Charlton General Store or Carney's Tavern (Ballston lake) any time of the year.

Our background has always been music.
Influenced by family members who either played instruments, sang or danced, we both grew up with tunes and songs as a part of our lives. We learned guitar as young teens. Jim (a drummer in high school) took guitar lessons at a music center, and then played in a garage band. I had listened to my dad play country tunes on his guitar, so I plunked away, looking at chord charts and picking out tunes by ear as I listened to records (yes, those round, black vinyl things). Years later, we met each other at a local church and found that we both played guitar. It was music that brought us together.

We played for a few area Christian coffeehouses in the early 70's, got married in '74, and soon had two kids (and yep, both are musically inclined). Several years later, a late 1800's family violin was handed down to us -- being that we were the "musical folk" of the family. We had it repaired, and I took a few Old-time fiddle lessons. New jobs took us out of the area to central NYS, and away from any connection to traditional fiddle tunes. We had no idea that jam sessions might be happening around us, or that we should try to find such a thing. And so, our music was still involved with churches, and whatever fiddle tunes I could remember, or invent.

By the time the kids were grown, we'd moved back to the NY capital area ('96). There, we attended a mountain dulcimer festival (pure curiosity) and sat in on a dulcimer jam session that was open to other instruments (jim on guitar, me barely playing fiddle). A whistle player noticed my fiddle, and invited us to a traditional fiddle music jam session (Fiddlers' Tour) that was gathering that very night, not far away. We went and were amazed! There, circled in a comfortable cafe, we found a wealth of welcoming folk and fiddle tune musicians, and a ton of new tunes to learn. We were home!

Within the first few weeks of attending the jam session, Jim was asked to play rhythm guitar for an upcoming family dance by the leader of the session, Paul Rosenberg, a local dance caller. He immediately became the guitarist for the Tame Rutabaga family dance band.

As a newbie to fiddle, I sat in on the side at dances, picking up bits of tunes by ear as they flew by, and as I got braver and better at it, played along with the band. Within a few years, I was able to join in as a band member. We continued to attend the Fiddlers' Tour jam sessions, learning new tunes and styles of fiddle music. Jim and I later joined forces with a few other members from the Fiddlers' Tour session, to form three other bands -- Two Rivers String Band, Dirt Road Molly, and The FireFlies Band. And as we progressed in our own abilities, we became TuneFolk (sometimes adding in another musician).

Now, several years down that traditional music road, we are busier than ever, spring thorugh fall, playing for family and contra dances and events in northern and eastern NY state and western New England. And we still go to the jam session! We couldn't be happier -- well, except for the fact that we just became grandparents. It's our hope to pass on the music tradition to our grandson. We started by giving him a jig.

Follow the call of music -- find your instrument -- find the joy.

Why do we do it?

We're addicted to strings. And watching music affect people is a kick! If one person cracks a smile, dances a jig, or just moves a toe to the beat -- it's worth the moment. There's nothing like an Irish jig or a hot reel to perk up a gathering and set toes to tapping. Or a slow waltz during dinner to set the mood. That, and we just enjoy playing together!

Over the years, we've played for:

Benefit Organizations: Fiddlers Walk (for Wildwood Programs) in Loudonville, NY; Whiskers Walk (a no-kill animal shelter) Albany. NY; the Schoolcraft Trail Run (supporting historic Schoolcraft House) Guilderland, NY; Race For Literacy, Albany, NY.

Other: Fox Creek 5k Run (Berne, NY), Lakeside Arts & Crafts festivals (Ballston Lake, NY), Saratoga National Battlefield (various events), private parties, barn dances, youth groups.

As TuneFolk or part of the FireFlies Band, we've played for . . . . . . weddings, receptions, reunions, graduations, birthdays (all ages), parties of all types, community festivals, company and private picnics, churches, social and youth groups, benefit events, house gatherings, holiday get-together's, local walk/run fundraising events, and just about any reason to gather together. Oh, yeah, and St. Patrick's Day!

The sound of fiddle music can compliment any event.