Album Notes

"October Country"  returns to the land with the glowing warmth of an autumn day. Songs of the season and the autumn of our days, wild weather, a tribute to Carl Sandburg, and covers from Gordon Bok, Charlie Maquire, and Mustard's Retreat are featured. DAVID HB DRAKE has been called "a gentle troubadour" and "elemental folksinger". His music is inspired by his voyages across Midwestern prairies and the waters of the Great Lakes. He has performed for more than twenty-five years in a wide variety of art forms for all ages. David was named "Folk / Acoustic Music Artist of the Year 2002" and "Family Performer of the Year 2001" by the Wisconsin Area Music Industry and the Wisconsin Assembly for Local Arts 2001 Community Arts Development Award for service to the arts. The Folk Alliance Region Midwest presented the "Lantern Bearer" Life Achievement Award in 2003 and his KIDSTUFF album received a "Parents' Choice" award for outstanding children's music. A native of Milwaukee WI, David has written more than 200 songs of the Midwest. They are frequently heard on Wisconsin Public Radio's "Simply Folk", Higher Ground", and on public radio networks across the nation including New York radio's "Woody's Children" and the nationally syndicated "Sing-Out Songbag." His songs appear on the albums of several Midwestern folksingers. In addition to his own music, David has a vast storehouse of songs at his fingertips. David's eclectic repertoire includes sea shanties and songs of the Great Lakes, Irish ballads, children's and family songs, environmental music, traditional folk music and folk classics from the "sixties".