photo collage by Ron Carter
WHAT FANS ARE SAYING
Some words from Susan Jean Grandy –Just Suz:
"A colorful palette of excitement and tradition awaits you with every performance by Mel and Vinnie. Troubadours in every sense of the word they share their amazing music from the Hudson River Valley to the sands of Florida with professional stage presence and delightful renditions of their collection of folk and blues offerings. Mel has a wonderful voice that is only surpassed by her contagious smile, and Vinnie is a player for all the right reasons. Combined they create a program that will fit any venue or festival stage. Their ability to share the traditional folk music and teach about its continued message to protect the water and the earth is combined with an excitement to sing their protests of injustice from every rooftop. If you don’t want an honest song....don’t ask! Mel and Vinnie, Where passion meets purpose.....music for the people."
Some words from Ron Litschauer:
"Mel and Vinnie’s rich and impressive musical legacy is steeped in elements of purpose, protest, humor and fun. Whether it’s a festival stage set, concert, or a campfire pick, you will not go home without singing along and feeling inspired to do something good for the world."
Some words from Rick Nestler:
"Mel and Vinnie are perennial favorites at the Circle of Song at the Great Hudson River Revival every June but more importantly they have been in demand at art galleries, benefits, clubs, coffeehouses, demonstrations, farmers markets, house concerts and festivals from New York’s Catskill Mountains to the Florida Keys, They present a marvelous mixture of music that includes Americana, blues, folk and songs of social justice. They have played with Pete Seeger, David Amram, Alan Anapu, Guy Davis, The Hudson River Sloop Singers and The Rivertown Kids. They have several CDs to their credit as well as being featured on, “Broad Old River 2” by the Hudson River Sloop Singers. If you are looking fine music, Mel And Vinnie are the folks you want to hear!… "
Rick Nestler… Coordinator, Circle of Song, Great Hudson River Revival, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.
"A colorful palette of excitement and tradition awaits you with every performance by Mel and Vinnie. Troubadours in every sense of the word they share their amazing music from the Hudson River Valley to the sands of Florida with professional stage presence and delightful renditions of their collection of folk and blues offerings. Mel has a wonderful voice that is only surpassed by her contagious smile, and Vinnie is a player for all the right reasons. Combined they create a program that will fit any venue or festival stage. Their ability to share the traditional folk music and teach about its continued message to protect the water and the earth is combined with an excitement to sing their protests of injustice from every rooftop. If you don’t want an honest song....don’t ask! Mel and Vinnie, Where passion meets purpose.....music for the people."
Some words from Ron Litschauer:
"Mel and Vinnie’s rich and impressive musical legacy is steeped in elements of purpose, protest, humor and fun. Whether it’s a festival stage set, concert, or a campfire pick, you will not go home without singing along and feeling inspired to do something good for the world."
Some words from Rick Nestler:
"Mel and Vinnie are perennial favorites at the Circle of Song at the Great Hudson River Revival every June but more importantly they have been in demand at art galleries, benefits, clubs, coffeehouses, demonstrations, farmers markets, house concerts and festivals from New York’s Catskill Mountains to the Florida Keys, They present a marvelous mixture of music that includes Americana, blues, folk and songs of social justice. They have played with Pete Seeger, David Amram, Alan Anapu, Guy Davis, The Hudson River Sloop Singers and The Rivertown Kids. They have several CDs to their credit as well as being featured on, “Broad Old River 2” by the Hudson River Sloop Singers. If you are looking fine music, Mel And Vinnie are the folks you want to hear!… "
Rick Nestler… Coordinator, Circle of Song, Great Hudson River Revival, Hudson River Sloop Clearwater.
Some words from Karen Frillmann:
Here’s what you should know about Mel and Vinnie. A small group of Hudson River enthusiasts led by the beloved visionary Pete Seeger decided to liberate the Hudson River for swimming. After years of activism, law suits, the leadership of the devoted Clearwater sailing vessel crew, and the upgrading of sewage treatment plants… the water was finally clean in places to support safe swimming. Pete had long dreamed of a floating pool and now he had a team who wanted to make that dream a reality.
We decided to announce a swim across the Hudson –1 mile-- to raise money for the pool. Mel and Vinnie were there from the get go. They sang us into the water and as we approached the shores we could hear the music streaming across the water. We consider them founding members of riverpool.org and we are so appreciative for all they have done to support the THOUSANDS of people, big kids and small, who have enjoyed the waters of the Hudson river on a hot summer day. In 2018 we had our 15thannual river swim—Mel and Vinnie were there with Riverpool banners flying and the pool was open from July 4th thru Labor Day. In 2019 we plan to swim across the river on July 27.
Karen Frillmann, Board member River Pool at Beacon
Some words from Joyce Brown:
Mel and Vinnie are a folk-duo who sing the songs of our past, present and future. They lure audiences in with their powerful presentations, strong voices and superb instrumentation.
Nurtured by the flow of the Hudson River, they joined with Pete Seeger and the Clearwater Crew to clean up the mighty river and to play their part in saving our environment. They have toured extensively, playing festivals throughout the eastern seaboard corridor. They learned from the best. They invite their audiences to sing their hearts out and to learn new songs and ways of singing them. Their generosity in reaching out to other artists, including them in concerts, gatherings and songfests has firmly grafted them to the family tree- the roots of which Pete Seeger planted so many years ago.
Mel and Vinnie have relocated to Lake Worth Florida, a community that warmly embraces them. They contribute not just their musical talents, but their time and presence to all community activities. Their participation causes smiles whenever they appear.
Joyce Brown
Flamingo Clay Studio
Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery
Lake Worth FL
Here’s what you should know about Mel and Vinnie. A small group of Hudson River enthusiasts led by the beloved visionary Pete Seeger decided to liberate the Hudson River for swimming. After years of activism, law suits, the leadership of the devoted Clearwater sailing vessel crew, and the upgrading of sewage treatment plants… the water was finally clean in places to support safe swimming. Pete had long dreamed of a floating pool and now he had a team who wanted to make that dream a reality.
We decided to announce a swim across the Hudson –1 mile-- to raise money for the pool. Mel and Vinnie were there from the get go. They sang us into the water and as we approached the shores we could hear the music streaming across the water. We consider them founding members of riverpool.org and we are so appreciative for all they have done to support the THOUSANDS of people, big kids and small, who have enjoyed the waters of the Hudson river on a hot summer day. In 2018 we had our 15thannual river swim—Mel and Vinnie were there with Riverpool banners flying and the pool was open from July 4th thru Labor Day. In 2019 we plan to swim across the river on July 27.
Karen Frillmann, Board member River Pool at Beacon
Some words from Joyce Brown:
Mel and Vinnie are a folk-duo who sing the songs of our past, present and future. They lure audiences in with their powerful presentations, strong voices and superb instrumentation.
Nurtured by the flow of the Hudson River, they joined with Pete Seeger and the Clearwater Crew to clean up the mighty river and to play their part in saving our environment. They have toured extensively, playing festivals throughout the eastern seaboard corridor. They learned from the best. They invite their audiences to sing their hearts out and to learn new songs and ways of singing them. Their generosity in reaching out to other artists, including them in concerts, gatherings and songfests has firmly grafted them to the family tree- the roots of which Pete Seeger planted so many years ago.
Mel and Vinnie have relocated to Lake Worth Florida, a community that warmly embraces them. They contribute not just their musical talents, but their time and presence to all community activities. Their participation causes smiles whenever they appear.
Joyce Brown
Flamingo Clay Studio
Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery
Lake Worth FL