Quick Q and A with Elwood Donnelly
 by Kathy S-B  ·  6 November 2008

Check out the Atwater Donnelly website for lots and lots of information about this fantastic traditional folk duo.

What is it about traditional music that sparks your passion?

Traditional music strikes a chord in the very marrow of my bones. I am compelled to research, study, collect and share the music that expresses the lifestyle of everyday people who live and breath in faith of better days and greener pastures hereafter.

You’ve performed your music before audiences outside of the United States. Are international audiences different than stateside audiences? Is their take on traditional American music a bit different in any way?

Audiences outside the United States are not so very different that those within. In fact, the audiences within the US differ from region to region. As an example, audiences in the northeast are generally dignified and subdued while folks in the south tend to be playful and perky. Remember though that we are usually introducing songs to the northeast that the south may already be familiar with.

Tell us about the film, Going Up Home” that your son produced about you. What was that experience like?

My son, Uriah Donnelly, filmmaker and professor of film at RI College, decided to document Aubrey and me for his final project for his Master’s Degree in Film. Uriah was living with us during the period when he was making the film, so he would sometimes catch us on the fly and sit us down for interviews. He pieced it all together beautifully and captured the passion of our career over the last 20 years.

I’m not a move star, that’s for sure; but the earnest way Uriah created the film offered a real look into our musical lives.

How would you compare the various musical configurations that you’ve both involved with? Duo? Trio? Band?

Aubrey and I were a duo for about 16 years before we decided to add Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle, cello and vocals. We were reluctant to add a third person due to several factors including financial reasons and coordinating rehearsals and schedules. But, with Cathy, we knew she would be a perfect fit and would blend beautifully into our presentations of traditional folk music. So, we took the leap about 5 years ago and were happily surprised by the outpouring of encouragement from our fans.

With the ‘band’, along with Cathy we add Kevin Doyle, a world-class Irish Step-dancer and Tap-dancer. Kevin also plays percussion on jembe, dumbek and bodhran. When you see the band advertised you know there will be great dancing with Kevin, as well as cloggin with Aubrey and Tap-dancing with me. It’s a lively and wonderful experience for our audiences.

The latest contribution to the Atwater-Donnelly performance repertoire is Jerimoth Hill, named after the highest point in Rhode Island. Jerimoth Hill, winner of the Motif Music Awards in the Americana category for 2008, is an old-time gospel band that includes Aubrey on mountain dulcimer, banjo and mandolin; Elwood on lead vocals and guitar; Cathy Clasper-Torch on fiddle and cello; Heidi Cerrigione on autoharp; John Cerrigione on bass; and Uriah Donnelly on piano and lead guitar. Kevin Doyle is the occasional percussionist.