What Would Woody Do? Where Songwriting Meets Social Conscience

Checkered Past is a band of five songwriters whose distinct voices rise separately and blended in vivid harmonies.  Checkered Past will serve up our usual plate of humor, biting political commentary and a slice of human kindness accompanied by guitars, bass, flute, fiddle and mandolin.

http://CheckeredPastMusic.com 

We want to create a world that works for all, and we can only write so many songs, so we created the Checkered Past Book Club where we recommend books that have inspired us.  At most concerts we give away a book to an audience member who promises to read the book and pass it on.  See our website for a list of books we’ve featured. 

Checkered Past is: 

Kerry Stanley: Kerry has been very prolific lately, producing songs like: Fiddle and Bow, Hope in Time, Long Day Short Pay, Change That Thing!, and The Hummer and the Hybrid.  Kerry plays lead guitar and bass. 

Martha Haehl: Martha often plays fiddle, flute and mandolin, but don’t be surprised when she steps up to the guitar or bass as well.  And then there’s harmonica and dobro, too.  Martha’s songs include Choices, Yo’ Mama Did, Baby Boomer Bifocal Blues, My Scariest Dream, and The Preacher and the Judge. 

Lynn Snyder: Lynn’s songwriting activity virtually stopped when she promised herself to only write happy songs.  I Went to the Pub is the only song from that period.  Then the war started and all bets were off.  She wrote I Never Wanted To Sing These Songs Again with Martha Haehl, and Ski Dubai.  Lynn plays guitar and bass. 

K.C. Compton: K.C. is a writer who can show you the workings of the soul.  She wrote Backwater Blues about a family dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  K.C. also keeps us dancing at our revolution with songs like Wilie’s Jitterbug Boogie.  K.C.’s voice is her instrument. 

Bill Langsdorf:  Bill started with Checkered Past as our sound man, but he’s too good a songwriter and performer to be allowed to sit silently behind the board.  Bill wrote Why Don’t I Believe You?  Bill plays guitar and sings bass.  He is also the official band luthier. 

See our website for lyrics and an extensive list of the songs we do.