Earlier this year I attended the Folk Alliance Conference in Montreal. At a luncheon, I found myself sitting next to a gentleman whose name tag read "Chuck Mitchell, Keokuk Iowa".   After we chatted a few minutes I asked him if he was THAT Chuck Mitchell, and sure enough it was.

What a nice man! I attended a showcase that he gave at the Folk Alliance, a late night performance that was sparsely attended.   It may sound cliched, but I was literally moved to tears. I did not expect the performance that he gave. Chuck is a theatrical performer who mixes in doses of Bertol Brecht with traditional folk songs, songs from Ewan MacColl, and what really knocked me out was his interpretation of "Circle Game". I thought it was a ballsy choice of songs considering his history, but he gave the most outstanding and heartfelt interpretion of the song that I ever heard.

I wish he would record and tour, but he seems very content with his life in Keokuk.   

Sorry, I know it is slightly off topic, but I just had to mention him.