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"The Hard Travelers are dedicated to finding ways to use their music  as a vehicle to make a difference in the world."

 

 

 

About        Group Tribute        Schedule        Music CDs        Quotes        Photos        Charity Work

 

Meet the members of The Hard Travelers:

Kenn     Mack     Mike     Ira     Jon

Photo Tribute to the late Buddy Renfrow

 

"The Hard Travelers are dedicated to finding ways to use their music

as a vehicle to make a difference in the world."

 

Kenn Roberts, John Glik, Ira Gitlin, Mack Bailey, Mike Munford

Today, The Hard Travelers are: Kenn Roberts, Mack Bailey, Mike Munford, Jon Glik and Ira Gitlin, but, they have had several groupings of outstanding musicians.  Read below more about this long established folk group, that continues to perform exciting concerts and sponsor annual benefit events for charity, through the M.U.S.E. Foundation, founded by The Hard Traveler's remaining original member, Kenn Roberts.

About the Hard Travelers, including highlights of their long career

Fundraising Concerts for MUSE

Schedule of the Hard Travelers.  (Also, see Mack Bailey's)

Discography of the Hard Travelers, CD's and their songs

Photographs of the Hard Travelers, some old, some new

Back to Mack's Website

 

New member Mark McGlashen often joins the Hard Travelers for concerts:

 

 

UPDATE ON JON:

Our "Baltimore Jonny" is recovering from Liver Transplant Surgery. 

He received a new liver, but still has no health insurance.

 

Jon Glik is home, recovering slowly from a liver transplant which he had on November 18th. He will be back, joining the Hard Travelers for future concerts in 2008.

 

Jon is making great progress and determined to get better and we hope with everyone's support we can help make it happen!  He still has large medical bills and continues to need assistance with them and the medications he will need to continue to take.

Your heartfelt contributions along with well wishes can be made payable to Jon's sister at "Barbara Glik for Jon Glik Medical Fund"

 

Barbara Glik

 PO Box 4005

Annapolis, Md 21403

On behalf of Jon's Family, Friends, and Band Members, we thank you!   God Bless.

Amazing audiences around the world for over 3 decades!

Jon is a world renowned fiddler He has performed or recorded with Del McCoury to David Grisman, Peter Rowan,Dukes of Bluegrass, Frank Wakefield, Dan Paisley, Dave Evans, Mack Bailey and the Hard Travelers, The Dance company Footworks, The Good Deale Bluegrass Band feat. Mike Auldridge and The Eastman String Band.  His fiddle playing can be heard regularly on NPR and XM radio.

 

About the Hard Travelers:

The short "Press Kit"  Version:

 Kenn Roberts, Mack Bailey, Mike Munford, Jon Glik and Ira Gitlin are The Hard Travelers.  For more than 30 years The Travelers have continued to delight audiences from DC to Japan.  The Hard Travelers began playing together in 1958. Original members were Kenn Roberts, Buddy Renfro and Mike Ritter.  During  their 30+ years of performing some changes have occurred.  Eighteen years ago The Travelers added a fourth member, Mack Bailey.   Since that time Mike Ritter retired and Buddy Renfro lost his fight with Cancer in May, 1998.   Within the past fifteen years they have added three stunning instrumentalists, Mike Munford. Jon Glik and Ira Gitlin.

From their beginning to today,  they have been the opening act at The Cellar Door in Washington, DC, toured all over the USA from The Kerrville Folk Festival to Grossinger's in NY, Azalea Festival in NC, The Wheeler Opera House in Aspen Colorado and a goodwill tour in Taiwan. The Travelers are dedicated to finding ways to use their music as a vehicle to make a difference in the world.  In 1988 they produced the first "Hard Travelers and Friends Concert" to raise funds for Cystic Fibrosis.  Now an annual event, The Travelers have been joined by such renowned artists as Emmylou Harris, Alabama, Kathy Mattea, John Denver, Kenny Rogers, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride and Reba McEntire, to name a few.  They have raised over eleven (11) million dollars for various charities, with their main focus on finding a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.

Musically they have evolved from Pure Folk to Folk-Bluegrass to Folk-Country, and now have a unique quality of their own. Much of their music is self-composed, but you can always count on a familiar tune from one of the many performers who have influenced their work.  A mixture of varied voices blending into tight harmonies along with guitars, banjo, mandolin, acoustic bass and fiddle, The Hard Travelers are a truly unique act with an avid following of friends and devotees.

Buddy Renfro Kenn Roberts Mack Bailey Mike Ritter

The History of the Hard Travelers:

The Hard Travelers are probably the longest running opening act in show business.   Forty-plus years later, they are still going strong, having worked with some of the top names in country, bluegrass and folk music, including Alabama, Kenny Rogers, Kathy Mattea, The Oak Ridge Boys, Barbara Mandrell, Randy Travis, Brooks and Dunn, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, and John Denver. 

The Hard Travelers include original member Kenn Roberts on tenor vocals, plus newer members Mack Bailey on guitar and baritone and tenor vocals, Mike Munford on banjo and harmony vocals, John Glik on fiddle, and Ira Gitlin on upright bass.  Mike Ritter and Ed Windsor were original members, as was Buddy Renfro, who passed away May 15, 1998.

The Hard Travelers, formed by students from the Baltimore suburbs attending the University of Maryland, consisted of the original personnel of Buddy Renfro, Mike Ritter, Ed Windsor and Kenn Roberts.  They played together for several years in the Washington / Baltimore / Annapolis triangle during the folk heyday of the 60's while they were attending the University, and thereafter.   The Hard Travelers appeared in the Washington, D.C. area at the Cellar Door and the Live Eye, where artists like John Denver, the Mama and Papas, and Bill Cosby got their start.  They opened for Ian and Sylvia at the Cellar Door in Washington, D.C. in 1962.

After releasing a single and recording an undistributed album, the Hard Travelers received many offers to start touring.  Faced with the need to make a decision, they opted to leave music as a career and went off to pursue their separate careers and fortunes rather than endure the rigors of "life on the road." 

There was always the lingering, "What if . . . " and, in December, 1985, just for fun, Kenn Roberts arranged to use the King of France Tavern in Annapolis for their one-time-only Reunion Concert.  (Editor's Note:  This concert was recently released as a "new-old" CD, available on the Hard Travelers' CD Page.)  When the event sold out and closed to standing ovations and pleas for encores, the Hard Travelers were quickly signed on to appear there for a weekend every month.   For years, lasting through 1997, they presented monthly, weekend concerts in which they shared the stage with "Friends" that have included Donal Leace, Jan Garrett, Bill Danoff, Allen Damron, Side by Side, Charlie Byrd, Steve Gillette and Cindy Mangsen, Josh White, Jr., Schooner Fare, Hobo Jim, and many others.

In 1987, they added Mack Bailey whose strong vocals have become a mainstay for the group. They also added two stunning instrumentalists: Mike Munford and Jon Glik. The Hard Travelers are also dedicated to finding ways to use the music as a vehicle to improve the world around them.  In 1988, they had their first "Hard Travelers...And Friends Concert" to aid in seeking an end to Cystic Fibrosis, the killer of the young.  Over the years this concert has become an area event.  The Hard Travelers have been joined by such renowned artists as Emmylou Harris, Alabama, Kathy Mattea, Kenny Rogers, Brooks and Dunn, and John Denver, and have raised over 5 million dollars for CF.  For more information on these concerts, visit the M.U.S.E. (Music Unites the Souls of Everyone) website.  M.U.S.E. was founded by Kenn Roberts as a charity organization to use music to benefit others, primarily through benefit concerts.  In addition, they are hoping to raise the public's consciousness regarding the plight of the Chesapeake Bay. They have written and performed several songs at various civic functions throughout Maryland.

The Hard Travelers have four CD's, some are releases featuring favorites from the height of folk music's popularity, and new original material written primarily by Mack Bailey and the late Buddy Renfro.  Coming together from diverse locations and vocations, the Hard Travelers continue to draw packed houses for an evening of humor and great music with something old, something new, and always something for everyone.


On Friday, May 15, 1998, Buddy Renfro passed away at his home in Shepherdstown, WV. He was 62 years old.

About the Musicians in the Hard Travelers:

 

Kenn Roberts:

Kenn is the only remaining original member of The Hard Travelers, a group he founded in the late 1950's at the University of Maryland.  After a long hiatus from the group, during which time he was a real estate developer in Montgomery County, Maryland, he brought the original guys back together for a reunion concert;  the party has continued for another twenty years.  Kenn is founder of the MUSE Foundation, whose purpose is to share the love and power of music as a conduit to raise funds and public awareness for worthwhile charitable causes.  The Foundation produces concerts, directing all proceeds to the chosen charity and has raised in excess of $8 million dollars for various worthy causes.  Kenn co-produces with Kris O'Connor the annual John Denver tribute concerts at the Wheeler Opera House in Aspen each October which benefits Challenge Aspen.  Kenn recently received an Award from Governor Ehrlich of Maryland.

 

 

Mack Bailey:

Well, this is hosted by Mack's website, so take a look at more:  www.mackbailey.com   But, briefly, you can tell a lot about singer / songwriter Mack Bailey by the musical company he keeps - Mary Chapin Carpenter sang on his first album which was produced by Bill Danoff or "Country Roads" and "Afternoon Delight" fame.  Mack is a singer/songwriter who is gaining an ever-larger audience with his strong, expressive classically trained voice, with an impressive range and pure clean quality.  He writes sensitive original songs that express the deepest of human emotion, social conscience, and lighthearted fun.   In concerts, he touches the listener's heart and tickles their funny bone.   As a member of The Hard Travelers, Mack has sung with dozens of folk and country stars. 

 

 

Mike Munford:

Mike was voted "best banjo player" by Baltimore City Paper.  Born in St. Louis and raised in Baltimore, Mike started playing banjo at age 15.  Two years later he joined his first bluegrass band, Windy Ridge, and played every Thursday night at the Cub Hill Inn in Baltimore for seven years.  A professional bluegrass musician since 1976, Mike spent many years of experience developing his craft.  His fluid style, both tasteful and driving, allows him to easily blend traditional and contemporary influences into his music. 

Mike's distinctive banjo stylings can be heard on such notable recordings as Peter Rowan's Grammy-nominated "Bluegrass Boy", and Larry Rice's "Notions and Daydreams," among others, as well as more recent projects by the Mark Newton Band and a musical segment on the TV show "Americas Most Wanted".  Additionally, Mike has toured throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe with numerous prominent local and regional bands as well as nationally known acts such as the Lynn Morris Band, The Tony Rice Unit, The Rice Brothers and Peter Rowan.  He is also a member of regional bands "Line Drive,"  "The Dede Wyland Band," the "Mark Newton Band" and Bob Perilla's "Big Hillbilly Bluegrass Band."  With The Hard Travelers, Mike had the honor of performing "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" with John Denver in Baltimore, which was to be one of John's last shows.

In addition to a busy musical performing career, Mike also does string instrument repair, specializing in banjo and guitar setup and restoration.  He teaches banjo at Baltimore Bluegrass, Inc., where he serves as vice-president and general manager.  "It's like a second home; if I didn't work here I'd probably be hanging around the store anyway."  Mike's hobbies include biking, hiking, railroad history, beach trips and jamming 'till all hours at festivals. 

 

 

Ira Gitlin:

Ira plays guitar, banjo, and bass and is an accomplished composer and arranger.  Since 1986, when he moved to Maryland from his native New York City, Ira has become widely known and respected in Washington - Baltimore bluegrass, folk, and roots-music circles as a versatile multi-instrumentalist, teacher, and writer.   His guitar playing gets its down-to-earth drive from his long involvement in bluegrass and its sophisticated rhythms and harmonies from his interest in western swing and jazz.

Ira has a resumé that includes performances with such nationally known artists as the Johnson Mountain Boys, Peter Rowan, Bill Harrell, the Gillis Brothers, Peter "P.D.Q. Bach" Schickele, and the Pat McGee Band.   Ira's banjo, guitar, and bass work can be heard on nearly two-dozen recordings.  He has written about bluegrass-related topics for several national publications, frequently contributing to Bluegrass Unlimited and Banjo Newsletter.  Ira has taught in workshops at Common Ground, the Maryland Banjo Academy, Winterhawk, and the Gettysburg Bluegrass Comporee.  Today, Ira continues as music instructor of many instruments, particularly bluegrass banjo, at the Musical House of Traditions in Takoma Park, Maryland.

Ira is a sought-after freelancer and can be seen performing frequently singing and performing bass with the
Oklahoma Twisters, a DC area western swing band.  He also performs with The Urban Legends, the Blue Moon Cowgirls, The Hard Travelers, Ty Braddock and the Branded Med.   In 1992, Ira won the National Bluegrass Banjo Championship in Winfield, Kansas.  Among his other trophies are two Washington Area Music Association awards (1999 and 2000).  A graduate of Swarthmore, Ira was a one-day winner on the television show Jeopardy in 1993.  See Ira's Other Website.

Watch a solo performance of Ira with friends at the
Kennedy Center.  Learn to play banjo with Ira, online.

 

 

 

Jon Glik:

When you're putting on a show and you're looking for a hot fiddle player, Jon Glik is the man to call.  Jon or "Baltimore Jonny as he is sometimes known as, has played with some of the best country bluegrass groups in the country and performed with Del McCoury and David Grisman.  You can hear him regularly on the "basement tapes" on MPR.  If you attend any bluegrass festival in and around the Baltimore-Washington Area, you will see Jon Glik often.  He currently plays with not only The Hard Travelers, but also with the dance company Footworks and Mike Auldridges's Good  Deale Blue Grass Band.  With the Hard Travelers, he had the honor of performing the all-important fiddle part in "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" for John Denver in Baltimore which was to be one of John's last shows.  See Jon's Other Website.  

 

 

The Cystic Fibrosis Concerts

(opened by The Hard Travelers and sponsored by them, along with M.U.S.E.):

  Year Artist Attendance

Raised

 

(1st)

1988

The Hard Travelers and Friends

188

$412,500

 

(2nd)

1989

The Hard Travelers w/ Glenn Yarbrough

753

$51,000

 

(3rd)

1990

Emmylou Harris

3976

$88,500

 

(4th)

1991

Barbara Mandrell

4366

$103,000

 

(5th)

1992

Lee Greenwood

2542

$122,000

 

(6th)

1993

Oak Ridge Boys

2735

$201,000

 

(7th)

1994

Kathy Mattea

3480

$323,000

 

(8th)

1995

Kenny Rogers

8211

$525,000

 

(9th)

1996

Alabama

10109

$561,000

 

(10th)

1997

John Denver

8323

$463,000

 

(11th)

1998

Randy Travis

7631

$452,000

 

 

1999

Alabama (Richmond)

 

 

 

(12th)

1999

Vince Gill

9861

$667,000

 

 

2000

Oak Ridge Boys

 

 

 

(13th)

2000

Brooks and Dunn

8955

$1,004,000

 

(14th)

2001

Alabama

8024

$931,000

 

(15th)

2002 

Alan Jackson

13311

$1,302,000

 

(16th)

2003

Martina McBride

12515

$1,120,000

 

(17th)

2004 

Reba McEntire

 

 

 

(18th)

2005

Brad Paisley

(19th)

2006

Alan Jackson

(20th)

2007

LeAnne Rimes

 

The Maryland Therapeutic Riding Fundraising Concerts

(anchored and sponsored by The Hard Travelers along with M.U.S.E.):

  Year Guest Artists  

Raised

 

(1st)

2001

Jim Salestrom, John Sommers, Chris Nole

51,000

 

(2nd)

2002

Jim Salestrom, John Sommers, Chris Nole

85,000

 

(3rd)

2003

John Sommers, Chris Nole, Mollie Weaver, Bill Danoff

155,000

 

(4th)

2004

John Sommers, Chris Nole, Mollie Weaver, Bill Danoff, Gary Muledeer

180,000

 

(5th)

2005

John Sommers, Chris Nole, Mollie Weaver, Bill Danoff

 

 

(6th)

2006

John Sommers, Chris Nole, Mollie Weaver, Bill Danoff, Gary Muledeer

 

 

(7th)

2007

John Sommers, Chris Nole, Mollie Weaver, Bill Danoff, Gary Muledeer

 

 

(8th)

2008

The Hard Travelers

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Fundraising Concerts

(anchored and sponsored by The Hard Travelers along with M.U.S.E.):

Year Charity Guest Artists  

Raised

 

2003

The Yahweh Center

John Sommers, Chris Nole, Mollie Weaver, Bill Danoff

 82, 000

 

2004

The Yahweh Center

John Sommers, Chris Nole, Mollie Weaver, Bill Danoff

62,500

 

 

2004

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

Chris Nole, Jim Salestrom, Bill Danoff, Mollie Weaver, John Sommers, & Jim Horn

270,000

 

2005

M.U.S.E. Foundation

Chris Nole, John Sommers, & Pete Huttlinger

 

 

2006

Johns Hopkins School of Nursing

Chris Nole, Jim Salestrom, Bill Danoff, Mollie Weaver, John Sommers, & Jim Horn

270,000

 

2006

Columbia Orchestra

Chris Nole, Jim Salestrom, Bill Danoff, Mollie Weaver, John Sommers, & Jim Horn

270,000

 

2007

Old Otterbein Church - Baltimore

The Hard Travelers

 

 

2008

Old Otterbein Church - Baltimore

The Hard Travelers with Bill Danoff

 

 

 

Quotes:

Maureen Harrigan of MoFolk Productions states:  "Mack Bailey is the lead singer and guitar player, and has a perfect pitch tenor voice that will bring tears to your eyes.  Kenn Roberts is the original founding member of the band and the orchestrator of some terrific arrangements as well as vocals. Mike Munford, Jon Glik and Ira Gitlin are all award-winning performers who set the standards for the instruments they play (banjo, fiddle and bass, respectively).    

The Hard Travelers are well known for giving a very lively and engaging performance, and for leaving their audiences feeling good about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!  They are a bunch of good ol' boys having a good ol' time sharing songs about everyday life experiences about everyday folks. A great band to get you in the mood."

An anonymous fan:  "The Hard Travelers music features soaring harmonies worked into lively songs and poignant ballads.  The musicians are first rate and combine their talents to make a spirited good time for their enthusiastic audiences."

 

2008

Date

Event Information

City Contact

June 12 

(Thursday)

 

The Hard Travelers

joined by special guest Bill Danoff

Old Otterbein Church

Corner of Sharp and Conway Streets

  mid-way between the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards

Time:  7:15 pm

Tickets:  $35 general admission

$125 VIP w/ reception
 

Baltimore, MD

No final details, yet.  Check back for ticket information

For tickets and concert information call : Marcy or Vernon Roberts  410-923-3312 or 410-637-3996

Map

August 7

(Thursday)

The Hard Travelers

Baldwin's Station

Enjoy a wonderful dinner before the concert

Dinner seating at 6:30, 7:00 & 7:30 PM

Show at 8:00 PM

Tickets:  $20.

Sykesville, MD

 

Tickets are ON SALE

For more info:

Uptown Concerts

Call: 410 795-1041 for tickets & reservations

Map - town

Map - region

 

September 27th

(Saturday)

 

The Hard Travelers

Benefit for Maryland Therapeutic Riding

at the MTR arena

1141 Sunrise Beach Rd

Crownsville, MD

Ticketing information to come

Map - Yahoo, interactive

Map - MTR's drawing

 

 

   
 

 

More Hard Travelers Shows coming in 2008

 

Check back later

 

 

 

 

Many of The Hard Travelers' Concerts are under the auspices of the M.U.S.E. Foundation (now closed) for the benefit of charity. 

 

 

 

 

Discography

 

   

Hard Travelers (L to R): Ira, Mike, Mack, Kenn, and Jon  (Photo:  Vern Roberts)

 

The Hard Travelers CDs

  All proceeds from these CDs go to the MUSE Foundation for the charities they support.

 

Folk Revival - Live at the King of France Tavern

I'd Rather Wear Out Than Rust

High Gear