Kid Pan Alley’s “Because We Have Music” concert series returns on Thursday, December 28,
2023 at 7:00PM EST, featuring the extraordinary talents of John McCutcheon, Steve Poltz, and
Paul & Cheryl Reisler. This free virtual concert is a benefit for KPA’s songwriting programs for
children and is a celebration of the power of music to bring people together, even in challenging
times. This is a unique opportunity to experience live music performed by award winning and
globally recognized singer/songwriters from the comfort of your own home. RSVP at bit.ly/k-
dec28
John McCutcheon has written hundreds of songs and garnered more than his share of
accolades. His eclectic catalog of ballads, historical songs, children’s songs, love songs, topical
satire, fiddle and hammer dulcimer instruments, and even symphonic works are among the
broadest in American folk music. His thirty-six albums have earned 6 Grammy nominations.
His songwriting has been hailed by critics around the world; his song "Christmas in the
Trenches" is considered a classic and was recently named one of the 100 Essential Folk Songs.
“He is a master at the difficult craft of the ballad,” touted the Boston Globe. “Storytelling with the
richness of fine literature,” added the Washington Post. “One of our country’s best songwriters,”
said Pete Seeger.
Steve Poltz is a Canadian-American singer-songwriter known for his quirky, humorous, and
poignant lyrics. Steve Poltz performances offer and deliver pure joy. He co-wrote Jewel's smash
hit "You Were Meant for Me" and has more recent collaborations with bluegrass phenom Billy
Strings, Molly Tuttle, Oliver Wood, and others.
No Depression Magazine called him, "A sardonic provocateur with a lighthearted acoustic-
driven wit, suggesting at times a sunnier, less psychedelic Todd Snider, or maybe a less wan,
washed Jackson Brown,” while the Associated Press dubbed him "part busker, part Iggy Pop
and part Robin Williams, a freewheeling folkie with a quick wit and big heart.”
Paul Reisler led the group Trapezoid for 20 years. He’s the founder and artistic director of Kid
Pan Alley, a non-profit organization that has written around 2,800 songs with 80,000 children.
Those songs have been recorded by artists including Amy Grant, Sissy Spacek, Pinchas
Zukerman, Delbert McClinton, Cracker, Kix Brooks, Nashville Chamber Orchestra, and many
others. In addition to his thousands of songs and instrumentals, he’s written script and music for
two musicals and as well as co-writing Aesop's Fables for Orchestra and Narrator.
The Washington Post said his “songs climb up the Blue Ridge and down to the bayou and back
up the Himalayas.” He'll be joined by his partner Cheryl Reisler, a choral director, singer and
music educator.
Kid Pan Alley is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, VA whose mission is to
inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster community among children of all ages through the
group songwriting process. Since the first three-week residency in 1999, Kid Pan Alley has
inspired a creative tidal wave of more than 2,800 original songs written and performed with over
70,000 children, from Vermont to Hawai'i. Their five studio albums feature such artists as Amy
Grant, Sissy Spacek, Delbert McClinton, Pinchas Zukerman, Kix Brooks, Cracker, The Nashville
Chamber Orchestra and many others.
For complimentary tickets for the livestream concert RSVP at bit.ly/k-dec28.
