“I’ve always been happiest,” he says, “when I’m exploring all kinds of creativity.” You might recognize Jason Mundok from one of his solo performances at various places around Lancaster County. Maybe you recognize him as a member of the duo Fire in the Glen. Or as part of the band Living Fables. Perhaps you’ve been
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Friday night, January 29, 2010 was the third official show for the Wood Stove House Concert series. Held at the home of Lancaster singer/songwriter Jason Mundok and his wife Susanne, this series brings performers into an intimate setting and allows up-close interaction between the performers and the audience.

Steven Courtney is well-known in central/southeastern Pennsylvania for his long-running and acclaimed career making music for kids and families. His strength has long been making music that appealed to his younger audience without boring their parents. Now he has made an album that is geared specifically for those parents.

I was given this five-song demo to listen to by our fearless leader here at Folktowne. The artist is Ben Rothermel. I had heard the name but hadn’t yet heard any of his music. I had no idea what I was missing! By the time I had finished listening I was a fan of this young singer/songwriter. To be honest, it didn’t actually take all five songs. By the end of the second track I was hooked.

From the outside this house nestled in a neighborhood on the outskirts of Lancaster doesn’t seem large enough to hold a concert event. But upon entering the front door of Jason and Susanne Mundok, you are greeted by a living room crowded with people socializing over food and drink while they wait for the music to begin. And it isn’t long before the host of the evening makes his way to the new arrivals and greets them with a smile and “Thanks for coming!”

Indiana born and raised, Jason Wilber is mostly known as a guitar player. Since getting the gig (some might say, dream gig) playing for legendary singer/songwriter John Prine fourteen years ago, Wilber has served in the same role for a virtual “Who’s Who” of Americana singer/songwriters. Iris DeMent, Greg Brown and Todd Snider are just a few of the artists that Jason has backed up over the past decade or so.

This is the first full-length release from the Mark DeRose Band, following their self-titled EP. Although I’m not usually big on live records, the EP left me wanting to hear more from this group and they do not disappoint.

Although he is just 19 years old, on his first CD—“Bottom”—Ryan Wickersham already seems to have the ability and taste of an artist much older. He shows ability because the songwriting and performances on this album are not only of a high caliber, but also demonstrate the chops of someone with much more experience. Not only musical experience, either.

On their debut CD Vinegar Creek Constituency does not misstep. The group’s vocals are great, built around the lead vocals of guitarist Leonardo DiSanto, and their instrumental work is tight and supportive. Because their instrumentation is that of a traditional bluegrass group, the temptation is to put them in that box (Winning the first Delfest bluegrass band competition doesn’t hurt!), but that doesn’t begin to cover what they do.

So, I pop in this four-song EP by Mark DeRose and band, a follow-up to his excellent full-length CD “tales from the Sandcastle Kingdom.” I’m listening to the first song—“Breathing Life”—and I’m thinking to myself, “Good tune,” but then about 50 seconds in the chorus hits and, WOW! Suddenly the record lifts into another gear and the rest of the CD lives up to that first chorus. The only problem I can find with it is that when it was over, I wanted more.