Beloved musicians, Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt, at me&thee

The me&thee welcomes renowned singer/songwriters Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt to its stage on November 8 at 8 pm. These two women have been wearing their voices, dulcimers, and guitars together for almost four decades. Heart-opening harmony and musical chemistry like no other, Claudia and Sally continue to win over the folk community with their double dulcimer and 6 and 12-string guitar work. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the me&thee is located at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead at 28 Mugford Street.

Here's a video of Claudia and Sally performing "Crossing the Bar."

Sally Rogers is no ordinary public school music teacher. Her career has combined national and international folk music tours with teaching music. She has won numerous awards, including three Indie awards (National Association of Independent Record Distributors) and two Parents Choice Gold Awards, for her work which includes fifteen recordings. Rogers has “a clear, fluid and remarkably agile voice, a keen sense of drama, and a most refreshing sense of fun,” Peggy Seeger said. The Washington Post has praised her ‘sterling guitar-banjo-dulcimer work and achingly sweet voice.” And the Boston Globe called her “a true artist” with “talent AND the fire of genius.” A composer of folk operas and cantatas, she has had songs published in hymnals and national school music textbooks.

Claudia Schmidt is a Michigan native and has toured throughout North American and Europe in venues ranging from intimate clubs to 4,000 seat theatres, and festival stages in front of 25,000 rapt listeners. She has recorded 19 albums of mostly original songs, exploring folk, blues, and jazz idioms and featuring her acclaimed 12-string guitar and mountain dulcimer playing. Through all these years of touring, Schmidt has been perfecting her craft. It is a quirky and wonderful hodge-podge (her word!) of music, poetry, story, laughter, drama, and celebrating the moment. She always includes original songs along with very personal interpretations of others’ work in her concerts. She has a unique worldview strong on clarity, humor, and wonder.

Among the many accolades, Schmitt has earned, this San Francisco Bay Guardian review is particularly intriguing: “Schmidt’s shows are a lot like falling in love. You never know what’s going to happen next, chances are it’s going to be wonderful, every moment is burned into your memory and you know you’ll never be the same again.”

A concert by these two masters of their craft is an immensely satisfying and restorative experience. Time has only deepened and enriched the music they create together

Tickets for Sally Rogers and Claudia Schmidt are $20 in advance and $23 at the door. Student tickets are $10. Tickets are available online at www.meandthee.org and can be purchased in person at the Spirit of ’76 Bookstore or the Arnould Gallery in Marblehead. As at all me & thee events, refreshments are available, including homemade pastries, coffee, and teas. The me & thee has a handicapped-accessible entrance and an accessible bathroom, is a smoke-free environment, and is easily reached by MBTA bus.

The me & thee is one of the oldest continually running acoustic listening rooms in New England, and probably the country. It has been and will always be a volunteer, non-profit organization sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead. For information and directions, call 781-631-8987 or check the website at www.meandthee.org.

Next concert: November 15 – Billy Wylder, Alisa Amador opens