Welcome to Hallways!
We are excited to talk to artists from all over the world through conversation and live performance. We will bring you the voices and artists that inspire – and continue to inspire generations of artists, musicians and music lovers, like Patti Griffin, Keb Mo, Milk Carton Kids and many more throughout this new year.
But let's start with the genesis of the whole idea of this podcast – and the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame - with Boch Center CEO, Joe Spaulding. American music history has been right below our feet in The Wang Theater in downtown Boston, a nearly 100 year old theater, once known as The Music Hall. Joe Spaulding’s longtime dream of new Hall Of Fame for the music that inspired him ever since his days of touring as a folk artist is finally here. It was Canadian artist Neil Young who pulled Joe aside to ask him - "Why wouldn’t you have the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame right here in this living breathing museum."
And that was all Joe needed to hear.
After touring with his band after college, Joe stayed in the music world, eventually running his own record label, pressing folk and blues into vinyl and recording some of American music’s greats. During the time when Boston raised folk legends and gathered musical styles from the roots of Ireland, Africa and Eastern Europe, Joe was there – at Club 47 - that would eventually become Club Passim. And it wasn’t just the music – It was and continues to be about the places that bring people together like The Wang Theater and The Hall Of Fame that lives inside.
Joe brought his own passion into an iconic building so others with a love for this music can share that same experience. History, music and physical artifact come together in one special place, for visitors and Bostonians alike, to look and listen to an American musical story.
It is fitting to sit with Joe in the heart of The Hall and look around at the music history surrounding us.
Thank you for joining us at the Hall for our first episode of Hallways with Joe Spaulding.
