Folks Together

Folk group from Providence, RI, USA, name usually styled as FolksTogether. Formed when Donna Olson and Jeff Olson, performing as Wire and Wood since 1993, became friends with Rick Bellaire and John Dunn (Bellaire And Dunn). They collaborated on a song for "The 12 Steps of Christmas and Other Holiday Fare", a compilation for the Providence MusicWorks label, and whilst touring would often join each other on stage. Each show ended with all the artists playing a jam together, and Vinnie Pasternak, a friend of Bellaire and Dunn, was invited to join the jam on fiddle. Deciding to continue their collaboration, initially they intended to be "Bellaire & Dunn/Wire & Wood w/ Vinnie Pasternak" but a mixup by a local promoter caused them to be billed as "Folks Together", and they kept this accidental name. Played at the Bethel '99 festival (Woodstock 30th reunion). Group went on hiatus in 2008. Lineup: Rick Bellaire (vocals, guitar, mandolin, banjo, percussion) John Dunn (vocals, bass guitar, guitar) Donna Olson (vocals, percussion) Jeff Olson (vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion) Vincent Pasternak (vocals, violin, viola, mandolin, classical guitar)