POSTED: Friday, December 3, 2010, 6:00 PM
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| Full Frontal Folk in 2003 |
Wrote a little something on tonight's FFF reunion/benefit show in the paper Paper. Lots more room online:
A shooting star could visualize the trajectory of
Full Frontal Folk's performing time line, short but highly visible and bright. The members grew up together, second generation folkies who attended the same concerts and festivals all their lives. Each had a lifetime of music making behind them when bunking together at Spring Thing, one of the Folksong Society's DIY weekends. Their impromptu harmonies on the open stage was such a hit that the friends decided to formalize the group. Two successful CDs and a bunch of regional touring later found Courtney Malley expecting twins and Wendy Fuhr a daughter. It seemed time to go on hiatus. Jen Schonwald joined another harmonizing group of women, the Angel Band.
Wendy Fuhr says there were a number of reasons to come out of hiatus, "We had this opportunity to do a benefit for the Main Line Youth Alliance, which supports LBGT [ages] 13-22 who are struggling with their sexuality. We have a lot of friends in the LGBT community and felt it was timely."
Courtney Malley says the hiatus hasn't changed a thing. "For me, it is the same now as it was from the beginning. I love these women and their talent. It feels like we pick up right where we left off whenever we were last together with the jokes, companionship and songs. Jen's health is obviously hanging over our heads but, honestly....it's not as though we focus on it at all." Cancer has a worthy adversary in Jen Schonwald. While her health is stable she is determined to make the most of every minute. Thea Shoulson, who had left FFF for a time before the hiatus, is back in the mix. Fuhr gives mad props to drummer Rob Schnell, who graciously stepped in when regular member Cheryl Prashker was unavailable. "Rob is bringing the sound system and drumming, rehearsing and learning all of our songs for free."
Fuhr says it is gratifying that word of this benefit has generated invitations to play other gigs, Malley says realistically, "As much as we love each other and love playing music together this may be our last show. It is alot of work to pull it together when we only play every year or so. We never say never, but it has to be something we really want to do." Fans should not be completely disconsolate she notes, "Wendy and I also have a newer project, Rock Salt & Nails, which is a bluegrass/old country band."
TONIGHT: Fri., Dec. 3, 8 p.m., $20, Central Baptist Church, 106 W. Lancaster Ave., Wayne, myaonline.org.
