Neil Woodward, Michigan's Troubadour
Neil Woodward is Michigan’s official troubadour. For over thirty years he has shared folk music’s warmth and wisdom with Great Lakes audiences. In such historic surroundings as Crossroads Village, Grand Traverse Lighthouse, and Greenfield Village, and in schools and libraries lake-to-lake, his vast repertoire and enthusiasm bring to life the Michigan experience for people from around the world. In 2003 the Legislature of the State of Michigan officially named Neil Woodward Michigan’s Troubadour in recognition of his lifelong commitment to preservation of Great Lakes folk music and culture. The Arts Foundation of Michigan (now ArtServe Michigan), with their Creative Artist Grant Award, recognized Neil’s own compositions as continuing contributions to the troubadour’s tradition, an artistic chronicle of significant individuals and events. His songs, recordings and concerts have earned him nine Detroit Music Awards. His traditional recordings are cataloged by the Library of Congress Office of Folklife, Smithsonian Folkways, and by the Archives of the State of Michigan. Neil serves a guest lecturer for courses at Michigan, Eastern and Wayne State Universities, and is a Faculty and Presenter member teacher of Smithsonian Associates. Neil may be the only person alive who has played both banjo at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Jew’s harp at Lincoln Center. Woodward is the recipient of 2018's Michigan Heritage Award. Recordings by Neil Woodward on BLACK DOG RECORDS: Warm Winter Night, 2009; Way Of The Rail, 2007; Michigan-I-A, 2005; Peace TROUBLES, 2001; Old Timers, 1999; A Cup Of Kindness (music for the season of joy), 1997; In The Year Of The Dog, 1994; Life, Love and Food Songs, 1992; Dog Songs and Other Distractions, 1989; and Crossroads Serenade, 1986.
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