PRESS RELEASE 2017

"Schooner Fare is regarded as the premier performing group of original and traditional songs."

-Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York City

"Schooner Fare is handmade, heartfelt music...we call it folk music!"

-Charles Kuralt, CBS Sunday Morning

"Be prepared to adore this versatile, dynamic group" -The Boston Globe

"Schooner Fare is the most prominent fixture in the new folk firmament." -The Washington Times

“Maine’s Best Musical group “ -Down East Magazine

“Maine’s Best Folk Group” -Maine Sunday Telegram

Brothers Chuck and Steve Romanoff begin their 42nd year as Schooner Fare with return engagements to some of the most venerable venues for folk and acoustic music. From Washington, D.C.'s Wolf Trap Center for the Performing Arts to Maine’s Chocolate Church Arts Center, Schooner Fare performs lively concerts to folks of all ages, singing such signature original songs as Portland Town, Day of the Clipper, We the People, and Scuttlebutt with high spirits and their unique brand of Maine’s Down East humor.

Schooner Fare has won unanimous critical praise over their 40 years for captivating harmonies and winning stage presence. Their 15 albums include traditional songs of North America, Ireland, and Britain. Numerous original songs on both contemporary and traditional themes, as well as topical songs, country ballads, and maritime masterpieces have made their name synonymous with the "Down East" style. Consummate entertainers, their energetic concerts are laced with a Maine brand of universal humor. Chuck and Steve combine their talents on six-string guitar, twelve-string guitar, and banjo to craft their distinctive vocal and instrumental arrangements, Schooner Fare recently recorded with the Makem & Spain Bros. on their new CD Sessions Vol. 1 that include cuts by Noel Stookey, Tom Paxton, Roger McGuinn, David Mallett, Bill Staines, Jonathan Edwards, The Shaw Brothers, Eileen Ivers, and Gordon Bok.

Schooner Fare's music receives radio-play on four continents and world-wide on satellite radio. Their original songs have been recorded and performed by other artists from the U.S., Canada, Britain, Ireland, and Australia such as Liam Clancy (IRE), Tommy Makem (IRE), The Fureys (IRE) Glenn Yarbrough of The Limeliters (US), among dozens of other international artists.

Change can be such a daunting challenge. Almost immediately following the passing of our pal and partner Tom Rowe in 2004, we agreed that replacing him was not possible, especially after an uninterrupted twenty-nine years as a trio. We will always hear Tom, as we hope you do, too. We are grateful for the encouragement of so many loved ones, both known and unknown, whose blessing affords us "a boat that can carry two." -Chuck and Steve