Folksinger Bill Staines’ music lives on at May 10 show

By Ross Boissoneau

Sun contributor

In 1994, a tradition began when the Cedar Tavern hosted folk singer Bill Staines. Over the following years, the troubadour became a regular presence in the area, first at the Cedar Tavern and later at Sleder’s in Traverse City. He gained a loyal following, and his concerts became singalongs that heralded the arrival of spring.

Staines performed about 200 shows a year, including those local stops. He appeared on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage and The Good Evening Show. His extensive discography includes more than 20 albums. He died in 2021, but his music lives on. Now many of those loyal concert-goers are resurrecting the songs and the tradition, with “Bill Staines Remembered,” a show featuring his music as a fundraiser for the Benzie Emergency Fund. The concert will take place May 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Mills Community House in Benzonia.

This show was the brainchild of longtime concert promoter Seamus Shinners, who first booked Staines all those years ago. “His music and stories were an inspiration to all of us. He became friends to so many of us,” Shinners says.

“These shows created a sense of community and how much it is valued. What a fine legacy to share about our friend Bill, and how much his music restored and renewed our collective spirit and appreciation of friendships we may have over the years.”

Among the many friends and fellow musicians who attended the shows were Chris Skellenger and Patrick Niemisto. Skellenger has been organizing the show, and Niemisto will be part of the band backing up the various musicians who will lead the songs.

Skellenger promises that just like a Bill Staines show, the concert will be a huge singalong. He put together a set list for the other musicians to pick and choose from, and the audience will be given lyric sheets. The set list includes such Staines favorites as “Crossing the Water,” “Wild Wild Heart,” “Ol’ Pen,” “River,” “Roseville Fair” and many others.

“The songs are dear to me,” says Niemisto. He will be playing bass for the majority of the show. “Bill was a good friend. His shows were a mark of spring. I did one in my living room.”

He says many attendees were or became familiar faces and friends over the years. “All the pickers, folkies, hippies and in between. It was just a big love fest. Everyone knew Bill. You’d jump right in and sing your heart out.”

Among the many other musicians who will be part of the proceedings are Adair Corell and Norm Wheeler. “I didn’t know Bill or his music as well as others but every year a substantial number of people who liked it came out,” says Correll.

He did get to know Staines better when the two were both playing at the Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival in Marquette in 1998. They were among a group seated around the campfire, and eventually everyone else left. “Bill and I were alone for three or four hours in the afternoon,” Correll says. “We had a long conversation about life on the road, his travails – he was a good guy, down to earth.

“I’m going to do a couple songs that I like pretty well, lead a couple singalongs. Bill’s tunes became familiar to everyone over the years.”

Correll says Staines would often introduce songs with the same stories. “We knew what he was going to sing from the introduction,” he says with a laugh. “Everybody was singing. His concerts turned into a singalong.”

Wheeler is known for his trumpet playing and spoken word presentations with various performers around the area, so his choice is appropriate. “I’m going to do ‘The Black Fly Song.’ It’s spoken word with music,” he says.

“What appeals to me is he was one of the greatest folk singer/songwriters ever,” he continues. “I’m not the folksinger like the guys who studied Bill, but I saw him on the porch at Sleder’s. He was a great guy, laid-back. The lyrics and melodies were memorable and singable.”

The Staines shows were a yearly occurrence for more than two decades. Is there a chance this remembrance show could also become a yearly staple? Correll for one doesn’t dismiss the idea. “I don’t know,” he says after hesitating. “We could get together and sing his music again.”