Here's a shot from the Appalachian Highlands Conservancy Dinner that I played for with Will MacMorran.

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 Soon, I'll be blasting up to Michigan. Cheers!

    The school year in Tennessee has finished up. I had fun teaching in East Tennessee State University's Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Program while also furthering my work as a storyteller. I enjoyed working with the Overmountain Victory Trail Association as well as the National Park Service to do performances and workshops.

    I will be traveling back and forth a lot this summer between north and south. I'm happy to be doing some nice gigs in Michigan, including the Tall Ships Festival and the Eve Glen McDonough Folk School. I will also be doing a Michigan Tunes workshop at Midwest Banjo Camp, and I hope to have as much fun as last year and more. I'm always excited to hear about more potential bookings, all of which are adventures. Let me know!

     Tonight, Will MacMorran (Of the Celtic rock band 7Nations) and I will be playing a dinner concert in Kingsport, Tennessee, and then it will be to the road for me shortly to enjoy a bit of travel and R&R. 

Happy Springing into Summer

Trae

There is now a YouTube Playlist of videos of my favorite videos of me playing music.  To go to the whole playlist to select from the videos, go here:

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-Pamx4sldDP7P5buLfGzlGGQrsR_4xLy

Or if you'd rather watch them all in a row, click below. 

"Communication prior to the performance is a strength since Trae quickly responded to all emails. He arrived early for the performance and stayed late in order to talk with attendees. The performance was excellent."

Organizer
Netherland Inn/Exchange Place Association Annual Meeting, 2013.

Me on the Lake Huron shore, last week before the snow hit.

2013 Press Kits!

Here are some press kits and a poster for 2013:

Click here to load the 2013 Press Kit for Trae McMaken (8.8 Megabytes).

Click here to load a flyer that can be used for Trae's 2013 shows.

Click here to load the 2013 Press Kit for Trae McMaken's Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail and Overmountain Victory Association sponsored historical storytelling show about the Battle of Kings Mountain, Revolutionary War, 1780.

Click here to load the Joseph Sobol and Trae McMaken Duo Press Kit.

Recent Reviews of Trae McMaken

Here are some reviews from performances this fall! 

"You were very entertaining to the children and built rapport with them almost instantly. We greatly appreciated you supporting our event and would love to use you again in the future!"

Organizer, Turning Pages Together, Literacy Celebration/Disability Awareness Event at Barnes and Noble

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"Wonderful!! I would recommend all schools to utilize this program it really helps students put the Revolutionary War into prospective. The war was not cut and dry, it was not just as simple as the American side fighting against the British. The Revolutionary War was a very complex situation that involved differences of ideals and idealogies often within the same family or clan. Trae McMaken has the unique ability to bring that to life in a simple way so that students can make sense of it."  

 "I think that you did a fabulous job. The students were amazed at your ability to tell your story so well. "   "We have been finished with this portion of NC History for some time now but I believe the students will remember more from the 40 minutes spent with you than they will from their entire unit." 

"Your ability to bring the story to life has sparked such an interest in them that any story you decide to do please keep us aware of it. Thanks for your time.

8th Grade Language Arts & Social Studies Teacher,

 Table Rock Middle School, 

North Carolina.

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"It was refreshing to hear different perspectives concerning the campaign and Battle of Kings Mountain. The inclusion of music and various view points helped to tell a well rounded story while holding the attention of the audience. At the Abingdon Muster Grounds, we are dedicated to tell the story of the Overmountain Men and the vital part they playing during the American Revolution. Trae’s story telling fit perfectly with our mission. In addition, Trae gave presentations regarding music during the colonial era which was both informative and fun."

"Trae’s performance was both informative and captivating. Not only were the students engaged by the storytelling, but the Interpreters who are very familiar with the story of the campaign and Battle of Kings Mountain were as well. Trae’s unique approach was a great way to open our event."

"We would love to have you join us for other events in the future!"

Leigh Anne Hunter
Superintendent of the Abingdon Muster Grounds
Event: John Battle High School, 11th Grade Field Trip

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"Trae was phenomenal. Between his detailed knowledge of the Battle of Kings Mountain and his talents as a storyteller and musician, he 'brought to life' the 18th century. His impact on his audience was evident: survey after survey listed Trae's stories and music as something they will never forget about their evening, even though there was much going on as part of our event. We are so grateful he was able to be part of our Candlelight Christmas."

"It was a great blend of storytelling & music, which allowed our visitors not only to learn some of the details of Kings Mountain, but just as valuable-- the social and cultural history by demonstrating the music and art of storytelling."

TJ DeWitt, Rocky Mount Living History Museum and Historic Site: Candlelight Christmas.

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"The performance was engaging and held the students' attention."

"The kids enjoyed all aspects of the event, ecpecially the fiddling."

"I would like you to come back next year if you can."

Teacher, Holston Valley Middle School,  Tennessee

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"We were all pleased with your presentation."

"My students liked the representation of the characters and the songs."

"I thought the performance was very interesting and well presented."

Teacher, Sullivan East High School, Appalachian Studies class, Tennessee.

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Read More Reviews of Trae McMaken. Click here.