Arizona Folklore Preserve

Joni Harms
2025-02-09 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Phoenix) | Arizona Folklore Preserve, 56 E. Folklore Trail, Hereford, AZ, 85615, United States
Joni Harms has a warm sincerity and ease to her voice… a voice that shines through on stories and melodies of a country/western way of life, making you feel you are part of the entire experience she sings about, as if she is singing only to you. In many ways, Joni is a pioneer and torch-bearer, knowing the country lifestyle is made up of a blend of musical sounds, giving her a unique style drawing crowds, literally, around the world.
“Growing up, I learned to sing and write songs by listening to Emmylou Harris, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard and George Strait,” says Harms. “I remember seeing Emmylou Harris, and, after playing a while with the famous Hot Band, she returned to the stage with just her black Gibson guitar and proved if you can truly sing, write a song and play your guitar, then you can entertain your audience all by yourself.”
Although it is always special to perform with a great band, Joni held onto that challenging lesson and enjoys performing for radio stations and at various events with just her guitar, showing off that pure country voice she has been praised for since she signed her first record deal with the famed music producer Jimmy Bowen of Capitol Records in the early 1990s. Any singer will tell you not everyone can entertain that way, but Joni is a master.
Joni Harms’ musical journey continues around with globe with the release of her 13th studio album, Lucky 13, which is receiving amazing reviews. Country Music People Magazine says…”these are some of the very best country songs of recent years and prove that Joni Harms is one of country music’s most underrated writers.”
There is no mistaking the fact that Joni was a Merle Haggard fan as she even wrote a tribute to him on her latest album, Lucky 13, simply titled Merle. Joni Harms has built a career on two-stepping, toe-tapping shuffles and swing songs on her CDs. Joni loves to write about rodeo, cowboys and the ranch way of living, but says her favorite kind of songs to write are ballads or story songs. That’s why Merle is one of her favorites. “I absolutely love it when someone tells me that a song of mine has touched them or helped them through a tough situation. It makes me all the more certain that I am doing what I was put on this earth to do,” shares Harms.
Joni’s signature cowboy hat and boots are indeed more than a fashion statement. Harms lives on a century farm in Oregon that was homesteaded by her great, great grandfather Harms in 1872. Joni says, “This place has inspired many of my songs and I think they truly represent who I am and what is important to me.”
And there is no question who Joni Harms is. She is a tough, hard-working rancher who is also a mom with strong values with a gift for writing and performing music. She admits sometimes it is hard juggling all of these things, but they are important to her and she wouldn’t change a thing.
Joni Harms has earned multiple honors from such notable organizations as the Western Music Association and the Academy of Western Artists. She has also performed on some of the most famous stages, including the Grand Ole Opry and New York City’s Carnegie Hall.
Joni Harms continues to tour and do what she loves, saying her journey so far has been absolutely wonderful. God willing she’s not going anywhere for a long time and has a lot more songs to write and sing!

Nancy Elliot
2025-02-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-16 14:00 - 16:00
Mom and Dad bought a Kimball Organ when I was about seven years old, and I guess that started it all. At
thirteen, a friend of the family taught me a few guitar chords, and I got my first 12 string the next year. With the
music of John Denver, Batdorf and Rodney and America inspiration, I began writing simple songs and playing folk
music at campfires, weddings and local festivals. The years after High School found me in California working for the
park service and playing evenings in campgrounds and restaurants. Abilene, Texas was the next stop. With its wild
and woolly mix of a low drinking age (that being 18), public dance halls and private clubs, I found my self singing
Linda Ronstadt and Willie Nelson covers behind chicken wire. I had the honor of playing one night a week for
several months at Mel Tillis’s “The Old Sawmill”, The Town Crier Steakhouse, a pool bar, whose name I can’t
remember (might be a good thing) near the back gate of the base, and a fund raiser for the Veterans Hospital with
Rex Allen, Rex Allen Jr and Johnny Gimble. I got out of Abilene with my guitar, my ‘70 Chevy Impala 350, some
real good stories and 10 stitches around my eye from one of those nights there was not enough chicken wire in the
state Texas to protect the band.
Back in Ohio, and once again on the local Dayton folk scene, I played Sam’s on 5th, The Trolley Stop in the
Oregon District and was a performer on opening night at Mick Montgomery’s Canal Street Tavern, where I also later
tended bar. Brisco’s Lounge, Winds Café, Tuty’s Inn, my goodness, it was time of stage hopping with friends and
solid, paying gigs, many of them sit downs where a player could make a living.
Coming to Arizona in 1990 I discovered the Western & Cowboy music. Katy Creek Band resulted in 2001,
lasting a good 13years and four albums. This lovely but tiny genre provided inspiration to grow in my song writing
and performance abilities. Now, seeking wider and broader opportunities, including for “The Heart of It All” story
and song concerts, I once again perform in the Folk genre, particularly my self coined “South~Western Americana”.
After a ten year recording hiatus, the “Tall Tree” album released in January of 2019. Recorded for Mi Casa
Records and produced by Maestro Ismael Barajas, Tall Tree is the first in my self coined South~Western Americana.
The drum styles, arrangements and rhythms, the wide open shelving of instruments against vocals, and the
instruments themselves, are a direct reflection of my life in the Desert Southwest.
My second album of South~Western Americana, “Bluebirds Singing On The Buffalo Road,” is bare bones,
just me and my guitars with harmony vocals on a few songs. It includes “Lightning Woman Danced,” “ By Moon or
No Moon,” refreshed recordings of “Autumn’s On Its Way and “Wild Rose,” and “The Ruby Handled Knife,” a poem inspired while writing the book, “Autumn’s On Its Way,” which released January of 2024.
I am a proud member of the Western Writers of America.
Contact information and booking
Nancy Elliott 520~705~5901
www.NancyElliottMusic.com

Dave Munsick
2025-02-22 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-02-23 14:00 - 16:00
Dave writes and sings of a west that many miss; a west of endless emotional landscapes unbroken by borders between people, times and places. These are stories and songs that go down smooth and stay with you awhile.
Besides songs, Dave writes and tells stories that resonate the adventures that his music has taken him on. He has produced 7 CDs of original music, and written and recorded themes for historical documentaries as well as compositions for government, commercial and private sectors. He also develops educational learning modules that immerse students in the pivotal themes of western history.
Dave is a performer, playing solo as well as with his bands. He has opened for or played fiddle, piano, and guitar for artists including Chris LeDoux, Lyle Lovett and Ian Tyson.
“Dave Munsick is a damned fine fiddle player!” – Ian Tyson
He gives educational workshops, arranges songs for his concerts and dances, and has had his music played on television as well as U.S. and European radio stations. His music has been reviewed in Western Horseman, Rope Burns, Eclectic Horseman, and Cowboy magazines.

P.D. and Bobby Ronstadt
2025-03-01 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-02 14:00 - 16:00
Peter Dalton Ronstadt is a writer and interpreter of song, a recording engineer and producer, a poet and lyricist. An all-around post-modern American songster from the great American southwest.
Along with his band, The Company, Peter paints a musical picture of the American Southwest by presenting music from the region, music from Mexico, collected favorites, songs of his father, and new songs that draw inspiration from all the elements of his upbringing. With a lush tapestry of instruments along with unique arrangements, enjoy a moment in time while P.D. Ronstadt & The Co. Take you on a musical journey.

Ted Ramirez
2025-03-08 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-09 14:00 - 16:00
Teodoro “Ted” Ramirez is a Southwest troubadour with a captivating sound and distinctive music style. His performances are a celebration in Southwest culture. The name “Teodoro” is the Spanish version of English “Theodore”, and is a old family name – one that dates back to before the 1700’s in his family. Ted often with a smile says: “my name is Teodoro, but all my friends call me Teo or Ted.
Ted’s repertoire is a mixture of original music, classic American and Mexican folk songs, and stories. Ted is an established and seasoned live concert performing artist having toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and northern Europe.
Ted was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1953 with family roots that pre-date the Spanish and Mexican eras of the region.
Ted presents songs with intriguing introductions drawn from personal experience, and the oral and written histories of Mexico and the American Southwest.
Ted has received numerous awards including: “Arizona Culture Keeper Award” and named “Tucson’s Official Troubadour” by the Tucson’s Mayor and City Council in 2001.
Ted is the founder of the celebrated Tucson-based folk group; “The Santa Cruz River Band”.
Ted’s live performance presentations are well-suited for: concerts, festivals, educational programs, residencies, workshops, and special presentations and ceremonies for all ages.

Steve Jones
2025-03-15 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-16 14:00 - 16:00
Steve has been performing for 25 years, 17 of which were with the Yampa Valley Boys. He has had over 2,600 performances, with more than 850 at the Bar Lazy L family ranch over 22 years. His third CD album, “The Lump of Coal (Hope’s Diamond),” was in the top twenty of western CDs throughout 2022 according to “The Western Way” reporting. He has two other CD recordings, “That Irish Kid” (2012) and “Picasso” (2017). Steve brings enthusiasm and energy to the stage with an audience-friendly show, including sing-alongs. He has performed in many western states, primarily in Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico, and Arizona, as well as in Ireland. He has also performed at many guest ranches, including the prestigious 3 Forks Ranch and at events such as the Arizona Folklore Preserve, Colorado, Cochise, Durango, Grand Encampment, and Nebraska (Valentine) Cowboy Music Gatherings; the Steamboat Pro Rodeo series, county fairs, and many other public and private events.
Currently, Steve is in Casa Grande, AZ for the winter months, where he is working on some new songs inspired by the experience. He still performs cowboy/western, classic country, folk, Irish, and original songs, with lots of humor included.”

Gary Allegretto
2025-03-22 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-23 14:00 - 16:00
Gary Allegretto is the 2019 International Western Music Association (IWMA) Performer of the Year. Western Horseman Magazine raves, “Gary’s music transcends genres, generations and cultural barriers, yet is so professional, engaging and core to the cowboy that listeners can’t help but want to ride along a while longer and discover something new in a song.” Not only is Gary the best harmonica player you will likely ever hear, but he is also a remarkable singer, songwriter, guitarist, and a masterful entertainer. His talents have also earned him Grammy nominations, an Academy of Western Artist (AWA) Will Rogers Award, an EQUUIS Award, and a Best of the West Award. His songs have reached the #1 spot on the Western Music radio charts. His music is featured in major motion picture soundtracks, and he has provided interviews and performances for Western music films and television shows. Gary’s engaging and often laugh-out-loud songs tell stories drawn from his rich and diverse life experience in the West (including ranch hand, forest firefighter as a USFS Hotshot, and bouncer in a couple of rough honky-tonks).

Doors open at 1 p.m., performances begin at 2:00 p.m. Reservations are preferred; however, walk-ins will be seated if space permits.

Steff Kayser and Alvin Blaine
2025-03-29 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-03-30 14:00 - 16:00
An insightful, award-winning composer and brilliant interpreter of others’ material, Tucson-based Steff Kayser offers unique and diverse performances with a soulful soaring voice and musical talents that delight the most discerning of audiences. Most recently, Steff’s original ‘The Space Between Our Fences’ won 3rd place in the 2022 Tumbleweed Music Festival Song Contest. He’s a finalist in this year’s 2023 Tucson Folk Festival Song Contest (winner TBD). He also surprises with creative takes on a variety of unexpected cover tunes.

Alvin Blaine’s career took off after performing Wildwood Flower for his dad at age 5. Up to that point, Dad had prohibited the kids from playing any of his many instruments that graced the living room of Alvin’s childhood. Since then, as a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist musician, Alvin has performed in countless bands as a treasured and skilled sideman. With 25 years in Las Vegas as a professional musician, he played everything from cowboy swing to jazz, blues, and country standards on the energized Vegas circuit honing his many skills.

Doors open at 1 p.m., performances begin at 2:00 p.m. Reservations are preferred; however, walk-ins will be seated if space permits. The Arizona Folklore Preserve is located at 56 E. Folklore Trail in Hereford. Make reservations at www.arizonafolklore.com.

Dan McCorison
2025-04-05 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-06 14:00 - 16:00
Dan McCorison, cut his teeth in the thriving folk music scene of his home town, Denver Colorado. During his high school years his family moved first to Detroit and then on to North Carolina which allowed him to experience firsthand, some of the great roots of American music.
Shortly after college Dan returned to his native Colorado where he and a couple of new friends formed his first band, Dusty Drapes and the Dusters. Known for sure fire country music and Western swing, The Dusters were soon touring, headlining packed shows and opening for the likes of Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Flatt and Scruggs and Linda Ronstadt.
Along the way, Dan was discovered by Chris Hillman of The Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers. Shortly after leaving the Dusters, Chris arranged for Dan to be signed to MCA Records and produced the resulting highly acclaimed album featuring Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band. Eventually, Dan’s trail led to Nashville where he lived for twenty years writing and recording with some of the finest writers and musicians in country music.
He has performed in Japan, Australia and Europe as well as the US and Canada. He and his wife, June, now reside in Arizona with their trusty dog Daisy. He is a regular performer at the beautiful Rancho de Los Caballeros in Wickenburg and travels extensively to play shows around the Southwest.

Michael Grande
2025-04-12 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-13 14:00 - 16:00
Michael Grande, one of the world’s beloved entertainers is returning this weekend.
Grande, who tours the world, only performs in Cochise County twice per year. A singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist, Grande brings laughter and tears to audience members as he moves from exciting instrumentals featuring his famous five-fingered picking technique and breathtaking guitar flourishes to his gentle, almost caressing of the strings, as his sexy, smooth voice, tells tales of soldiers, families and the great depression.
But if the song is a sad one, the mood is uplifted immediately by Grande inserting songs and stories of friends, family and animals: a little girl’s first horse, the loss of a stray dog that became a hero to a family it saved, and the romantic love story of an Arabian stallion and mare.
In between songs, Grande is known for his tales. Growing up in an Italian family, he tells of being a child in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he used to tie the tail of his coonskin cap to his bicycle and pretend it was a horse as he raced through the mean streets of Bensonhurst. In his mind and his dreams, he was always a cowboy, and he was always in Arizona.

Jon Messenger & Co.
2025-04-19 14:00 - 16:00
Jon Messenger’s story is a musical journey through the west, the Everglades, and Cornwall-on-Hudson. Now he’s had some 30 years of performing at home in Cochise County, Arizona, and points north, west, and east.

Jon Messenger & Co
2025-04-20 14:00 - 16:00

Independence Creek
2025-04-26 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-27 14:00 - 16:00
Performing Bluegrass, Folk and Americana music emphasizing three-part vocal harmony, Independence Creek feature covers of popular tunes as well as songs by female lead Sally Wisely. Skilled musicians on traditional acoustic instruments including banjo, 12 and 6 string guitars, mandolin and fiddle, this trio is appearing on the AFP stage for the first time. Let’s give them a big AFP welcome!

Doors open at 1 p.m., performances begin at 2:00 p.m. Reservations are preferred; however, walk-ins will be seated if space permits. The Arizona Folklore Preserve is located at 56 E. Folklore Trail in Hereford. Make reservations at www.arizonafolklore.com.

Don Armstrong and Alvin Blaine
2025-05-03 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00
Don Armstrong has been hailed as a “Tucson legend” and “folk treasure.” The Arizona Daily Star referred to him as a “consummate songwriter,” while his songs have been recorded by artists nationwide and sung and enjoyed worldwide.
Alvin Blaine’s career took off after performing Wildwood Flower for his dad at age 5. Up to that point, Dad had prohibited the kids from playing any of his many instruments that graced the living room of Alvin’s childhood. Since then, as a multi-genre, multi-instrumentalist musician, Alvin has performed in countless bands as a treasured and skilled sideman. With 25 years in Las Vegas as a professional musician, he played everything from cowboy swing to jazz, blues, and country standards on the energized Vegas circuit honing his many skills.

Mark Mulligan & Rudy B. (RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)
2025-05-06 17:00 - 19:00
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED – NO WALK-INS
Mark Mulligan deported himself to Mexico 28 years ago, ditching his gold Century 21 Real Estate jacket for flip flops and a guitar. Four kids and many songs later, he calls the Sea of Cortez home, living south of the border in beautiful San Carlos, Sonora. His songs paint pictures of sunshine, sailboats, and sandy beaches. And his book, “The Three Miracles” (available at the AFP bookstore) is a true story of love and faith. All proceeds from the sales of his book go to charity. Mark performs throughout the U.S, Mexico, and even Canada, Belize, and Costa Rica. And now you can see him perform in beautiful Ramsey Canyon

The Arizona Wildflowers
2025-05-10 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-11 14:00 - 16:00
The Arizona Wildflowers are a sibling group from southern Arizona who love to sing and play Western Swing & bluegrass music. Ranelle, 16, on mandolin and fiddle, Brie, 15, on guitar, Aspen, 13, on fiddle, Sawyer, 10, on bass and Kitty, 8, on fiddle. 2024 saw the group nominated for IWMA’s Crescendo Award, Ranelle and Isley both winning National Fiddle Championships in their respective age divisions and Ranelle making her Grand Ole Opry debut. This summer they will venture back to Branson, MO to play at Silver Dollar City’s Bluegrass & BBQ festival, cut a new album in Asheville, North Carolina and travel from Idaho to Minnesota and everywhere in between playing at Cowboy Gatherings and Bluegrass festivals.

Peter McLaughlin & Chris Brashear
2025-05-17 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-18 14:00 - 16:00
Chris Brashear plays fiddle, mandolin, and guitar. He is a singer with a wide vocal range and a clear, distinctive voice, as well as a songwriter. In the desert southwest and beyond, Chris performs with long-time music partner and AFP favorite Peter McLaughlin. Together, Chris and Peter have produced three CDs, “So Long, Arizona”; “Canyoneers”, and their latest release, “Desert Heart, Mountain Soul.” Chris and Peter are sure to entertain you with a great performance!

Doors open at 1 p.m., performances begin at 2:00 p.m. Reservations are preferred; however, walk-ins will be seated if space permits. The Arizona Folklore Preserve is located at 56 E. Folklore Trail in Hereford. Make reservations at www.arizonafolklore.com.
