Old Dominion University Libraries and the Ramblin' Conrad Folklife Institute (RCFI) will be welcoming Alan Reid, co-founder of Scotland's celebrated Battlefield Band, and Rob van Sante to the RCFI Spring Seminar Series. They will bring a traditional Scottish folk sound to the RCFI with songs that blend history and storytelling in a memorable night of song and music bringing an international perspective to this semester's theme "'Roots and Branches:' The Transmission of Tradition Through the 'Folk Process.'"
As an essential member of the groundbreaking Battlefield Band from 1969 - 2010, Alan Reid has traveled to world performing Scottish folk-style music while recording more than 30 albums. He is an accomplished singer and songwriter noted for his ability to create songs that are lyrical and historical in nature. With the "Batties," Alan performed on the Old Dominion University campus at the Old Dominion Folk Festival as well as at several of the Ramblin' Conrad's locations, including the location where the TED Constant Center now stands.
In recent years, Alan and Rob have released four critically acclaimed albums and have toured the world performing old music and new at a wide variety of shows and festivals, combining open-tuned lead and accompaniment guitar work from Rob, Alan's keyboard, guitar, and accordion, and fine harmony singing from both.
An afternoon seminar entitled "'Home was where the van was:' A Life in Folk Music" will recount stories and lessons of lives spent on the road as well as thoughts about influences that led to the mid-century Scottish folk revival. RCFI co-founder and folklorian Bob Zentz will give an introductory presentation on how that revival came to Eastern Virginia through artists, live events, and media.
This is the third of four free seminar and concert programs in the RCFI Spring Seminar Series on the ODU campus from January through April 2017, with all participants having performed at the original Ramblin' Conrad's across from ODU. The series will conclude on April 5 with Caroline & David Paton, members of the founding family of Folk-Legacy Records.
All seminars are held from 2-4 p.m. with concerts from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Diehn Composers Room at the Diehn Fine and Performing Arts Building at Old Dominion University.