Grammy-winning baritone and New Jersey native John Brancy joins The High Note ahead of his show John Brancy and Peter Dugan Live at the 609 Club this Saturday, Aug. 23, at the Celebrity Theatre inside The Claridge Hotel in Atlantic City. We talk about his South Jersey roots, his career on the world’s greatest stages and the cabaret-style performance he and pianist Peter Dugan are bringing home as part of the North to Shore Festival.

Listen to "Journey Home: Live from the Kennedy Center"

Get tickets to John Brancy and Peter Dugan Live at the 609 Club benefiting the Atlantic City Arts Foundation.

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Paul “Dawg” Dixon wrote, composed and recorded the intro and outro music. The voices you hear at the end are Graeme Armstrong, Steve Poltz and Keller Williams.

On this episode of The High Note podcast I’m joined by Jayne Toohey — photographer, author and the press contact for the Philadelphia Folk Festival. Jayne is the creative force behind "Smiling Banjo: A Half Century of Love & Music at the Philadelphia Folk" Festival, a beautiful collection of images and stories that capture the heart of the event.

The 62nd annual Philadelphia Folk Festival kicks off Thursday, Aug. 14 through Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025, at the Old Pool Farm in Upper Salford Township, Pennsylvania. It’s the longest-running continuously held outdoor music festival in North America, celebrating a mix of folk traditions, contemporary artists and community spirit.

In our conversation, Jayne shares insights about the history of the festival, her journey photographing its people and performances, and what makes this year’s lineup special.

Buy the book: "Smiling Banjo: A Half Century of Love & Music at the Philadelphia Folk Festival"

Philadelphia Folk Festival Aug. 14-17, 2025: folkfest.org

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Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including TikTok, X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine.

Paul “Dawg” Dixon wrote, composed and recorded the intro and outro music. The voices you hear at the end are Graeme Armstrong, Steve Poltz and Keller Williams.

In the latest episode of The High Note, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Atlantic City-based DJ and producer Captain Cork. My good friend Cory Kaisand and I talk about his creative process, the art of crafting engaging DJ sets, and his experiences performing across the country.

For fans eager to catch Captain Cork live, he has several performances scheduled in Atlantic City, including Dec. 28 at The Pool at Harrah's and Jan. 9 at Anchor Rock Club. Keep an eye on his Instagram @captain__cork for the latest updates and event details.

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Paul “Dawg” Dixon wrote, composed and recorded the intro and outro music. The voices you hear at the end are Graeme Armstrong, Steve Poltz and Keller Williams.

In this episode of The High Note podcast, I sit down with Brian Walker of A Day Without Love at the 61st annual Philadelphia Folk Festival. We discuss his songwriting process, the significance of playing at the folk festival and in Philadelphia, his experiences moving from Philly to Boston, and his latest album. Brian shares insights on overcoming challenges, the role of music in healing, and his mission to inspire others to be the best version of themselves.

Key Topics:

• A Day Without Love’s journey from Philly to Boston
• Brian’s songwriting process and inspiration
• The importance of community and connection in music
• His reflections on performing at the Philadelphia Folk Festival
• Insights into his new album and upcoming projects

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Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including TikTok, X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine.

Paul “Dawg” Dixon wrote, composed and recorded the intro and outro music. The voices you hear at the end are Graeme Armstrong, Steve Poltz and Keller Williams.

In this episode of The High Note, I sit down with Shanna in a Dress, a delightful singer-songwriter whose humor and heartwarming stories captivated audiences at the 61st annual Philadelphia Folk Festival.

We dive into her creative process, stories behind her songs, and the inspiration she draws from her cross-country bike tour that shaped her music career.

Shanna shares her thoughts on what it's like to perform at such a historic festival for the first time, creating spontaneous moments with fellow performers like Miss Emily and Adam Ezra, and how she balances heartfelt, emotional songs with her light-hearted and comedic approach. Plus, she opens up about the personal story behind her song “Shelly” and what it means to her as an artist.

Whether you're a fan of folk music, singer-songwriters, or just love good stories, Shanna in a Dress will inspire and entertain you. Listen in to hear more about her upcoming album "Sweet Spot," her musical adventures, and her philosophy of embracing imperfection.

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Paul “Dawg” Dixon wrote, composed and recorded the intro and outro music. The voices you hear at the end are Graeme Armstrong, Steve Poltz and Keller Williams.

I sit down with the incredibly talented Philadelphia-based singer-songwriter and ukulele player, Sug Daniels. Originally from Smyrna, Delaware, Sug has carved out a unique space in the music world with her soulful blend of folk, rock, and alternative influences. We delve into her journey from growing up in a rural town, finding her identity as a queer artist, and making the move to Philadelphia, where she has continued to develop her sound and message.

Sug shares her experiences leading the bands Hoochi Coochi and FlowCity, and what inspired her to step out as a solo artist. We also discuss her upcoming performances, including her highly anticipated set at the Philadelphia Folk Festival 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 17 on the Tank Stage, and the creation of her latest EP. Sug's music has been featured on NPR, WXPN, and even Good Morning America, and she continues to be a powerful voice for truth and positive change.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering Sug Daniels, this episode offers a deep and personal look at the artist behind the music.

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Paul “Dawg” Dixon wrote and recorded intro and outro music. The voices you hear at the end are Graeme Armstrong, Steve Poltz and Keller Williams.

In this episode of The High Note podcast, I chat with banjo legend Tony Trischka about his latest project, "Earl Jam," which he will be performing at the 61st Philadelphia Folk Festival.

Tony discusses his tribute to banjo pioneer Earl Scruggs which led to him collaborating with musicians Billy Strings and Del McCoury and many more for his most recent album, "Earl Jam."

He also shares insights into his deep connection with the festival, dating back to his first visit in the 1960s and some pretty great stories about the 60s folk music scene.

We discuss Tony's illustrious career how he has taught people like Molly Tuttle and Béla Fleck and continues to teach through Artist Works. Tony also gives a preview of what to expect from his set on the Martin Guitar Main Stage Aug. 18 at the Philadelphia Folk Festival and his future projects.

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Follow @HighNoteBlog anywhere you go on social media including TikTok, X, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Subscribe to The High Note E-Zine.

The intro and outro music was written, composed and recorded by Paul “Dawg” Dixon. The voices you hear at the end are Graeme Armstrong, Steve Poltz and Keller Williams.