Concert to feature ‘song swap’

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On the first Saturday of each year, Lee Murdock offers his “Hometown Concert,” which, according to a news release, is now an annual event that draws people from across the Chicago area.

The concert opens with a short set by Murdock and by his guest artist, followed by an intimate on-stage “song swap” with both artists on stage for the second set.

Murdock, known internationally as “North America’s Great Lakes Balladeer,” and his wife, Joann, have been Kaneville residents since 1982.

In addition to the songs of Illinois history and maritime music, Murdock also has a strong affinity for Irish music and blues, ragtime and a bit of classical guitar; he also is a fluent instrumentalist on six- and 12-string guitars.

Murdock will perform along with this year’s featured guest, Mark Dvorak, a folk singer whose work follows closely in the footsteps of Woody Guthrie and The Weavers.

Audiences at the Home-town Concert can expect a round of impromptu jamming between Murdock and Dvorak in the second set.

Dvorak, a long-time teacher at Chicago’s famous Old Town School of Folk Music, plays banjo and guitar, and has performed in more than two dozen states coast to coast. Early in his career, Dvorak delved deeply into the work of the masters of traditional American music – Pete Seeger, Guthrie, blues legends such as Leadbelly and Brownie McGee, and even the work of Illinois poet laureate, Carl Sandburg. In 2006, Dvorak released his first CD of original music, “Every Step of the Way.”

Murdock was the featured performer at the Grand Opening event for the new Kaneland Art Center at the annual Kaneland Community Fine Arts Festival in 2006.

“This is a beautiful facility, both spacious and intimate, with an organic design that allows both large productions and soloists to share the magic of the live performance experience,” said Murdock in a recent news release. “We were thrilled to learn that the district is encouraging the local community to participate in events at the Art Center.”

If you go

What: Annual Hometown Concert

When: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 3

Where: Art Center at Kaneland High School, 47W326 Keslinger Road in Maple Park

Contact: 630-557-2329 or 630-557-2742, for directions and information. Advance reservations are not needed; www.leemurdock.com; www.markdvorak.com

Admission: $10