Now residing in the Allegheny ridges in the northern mountains of West Virginia, Keith and Joan Pitzer have been performing together for over thirty years. Their folk oriented roots music accentuated with strong harmonies, Keith’s unique and masterful guitar style and harmonica and Joan’s solid fretless bass and occasional penny whistle puts one in the mind of some of the great folksingers like Ian and Sylvia Tyson or Gordon Lightfoot. An engaging perceptive songwriter, Keith’s own material is subtly nuanced, highly literate and inventive while retaining a traditionalist’s love for classic folk music. Their move from Ohio to the mountains of Appalachia and their life experiences as farmers, teachers, environmentalists and lovers of the natural world are all reflected in their own songwriting. Their music ranges from songs about personal challenges in love and life, socio-political concerns and our environment to melodic instrumentals to hot licks and flashy picking.
Together with their third son, Jake, their band String Fever blends rich family harmonies, guitar, harmonica and bass with Jake’s mandolin, bouzouki and guitar skills to create a tasty mix of Americana, traditional and not-so-traditional Appalachian folk, contemporary bluegrass styles and original tunes where the old and new come together with honest down-to-earth lyrics. On mandolin, guitar, bouzouki and vocals, Jake brings his own style of songwriting and a youthful energy with musical influences ranging from the songwriting of Darrell Scott to the picking styles of Sam Bush or David Grisman. Audiences may quickly note the “like-father-like-son” cliché as father and son switch
off hot licks between guitar and mandolin.
Their three recordings, "The Long Journey", "West Virginia Serenade" and "Gathering Stones" are all available at www.fallingmountain.com and cdbaby.com.
In addition to writing and singing about the beauty of West Virginia's mountains and rivers, Keith is the Executive Director of Friends of the Cheat, an environmental advocacy organization working to stop acid mine drainage into the wild and scenic Cheat River. And when time allows they like to travel the highways and byways of rural America, searching the dark corners of the beaten path to find the hidden beauty and purity.
"Keith & Joan Pitzer, alone and especially together, are fine singers... his vocals will remind listeners - just a tad - of Gordon Lightfoot.... great guitar work, solid vocals... with fine originals like Keith's 'Living Out There' " –Sing Out!
"From the moment they start to sing and the first note rings... Harmony and delight emanate in their music. What a powerful duo!"
- River House Concerts, Shepherdstown WV
"Bringing all the complexities of modern Appalachia to life with beauty and grace, excellent guitar work and delightfully woven vocals that can only come from knowing each other's souls."-Shenandoah Coffeehouse
“… like driving the back roads of West Virginia, they wind and weave through the modern and traditional, always inspired by what’s around the next curve.” -Potter’s Mill
So good to see you and the boys this past weekend Joan. It's always a pleasure. Wish you coulda been there Keith. We missed ya .. My family's prayers are with ya. Hope to come your way sometime soon. Im going to try and make it to the hills sometime this summer. Can't wait to see you guys again. I got nothing but love.
Hey!! Can't wait to see you at Laurel Mountain Coffee House and Cheat Fest! Looking forward to it. No better way to bring in the spring than true music! See you there.
Thanks for finding us, guys. We'll be in WV a couple times soon. This month it's Blue Moon Cafe in Shepherdstown on the 26th and the Purple Fiddle the 27th.
HELLO KEITH & JOAN... WE SURE ENJOY YOUR MUSIC... THANKS FOR BEING OUR NEWEST FRIENDS & THANKZ FOR THE ADD... STOP BY AND LEAVE US A COMMENT... WE SURE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU... JAMES MILLS & SPIRITUAL TIMES
How are you? I posted a new song with Tim O'Brien and Dirk Powell for free download on my site. My blog talks about the tune a bit too. Hope all is well Sincerely, Todd
A very merry Christmas to you my dear friends :) Hope that you get one of those Hallmark white Christmases up there atop Laurel Mountain.
hope all is great with the new record and all too! i'm still fussing over artwork, but everything is at Oasis and I will be relieved to be done with all of that.
luv and hugs from snowless Loudoun county, Drew, Michelle y Madeleine
Hey Keith, hey Joan, just wanted to wish you guys a merry christmas and a happy new year. I love the new cd. It sounds really good. Tell Jess and the boys i said hello. Keep comin up with the good music, and maybe somedy I'll come see you guys. Love ya peace
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