roger, Author at Roger Weiss

Robin & Linda Williams – Feb. 7, 1975

I first met Robin Williams when he was still a single. He was playing at the Oneonta Coffee House and my friend Izzy called me and told me to come down to see him. We hung out with him that weekend and have been friends ever since. We even met up with Robin and Linda on their honeymoon in Aspen in 1973. This is their first appearance at the Freeze-Dried Coffee house. You can find their other appearances at the right.

They can be reached at: www.robinandlinda.com
Listen and Enjoy

Jack Hardy – Feb. 1, 1975

This is Jack’s first appearance at the Freeze-Dried Coffee house. You can find other Freeze-Dried performances at the right. You can also find an earlier performance from 1973 here. (Jack Hardy: Nov. 23, 1947-March 11, 2011)

Listen and Enjoy

Stony Creek – Dec. 7, 1974

Stony Creek was a really excellent trio from up north of Albany, NY. Comprised of John Strong, Hank Soto, and bass player, they played a really nice variety of music. Give a listen.
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Gloria & Roger – Nov. 23, 1974

Gloria Jean is a fine singer. The fact that she was my girlfriend at the time, had no effect on my hiring her. Just listen to her great singing.
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Lew London – Nov. 16, 1974

I first met Lew London when he was the banjo player in The Bottle Hill Boys, a bluegrass group originally out of New Jersey. A phenomenal musician, he formed a trio after leaving Bottle Hill. But, don’t take my word, listen for yourself. He played the coffee house every year I ran it.
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Jim Tepe – Aug. 1974

Jim Tepe is a singer/guitar player from Merrick, NY. Or at least he was in 1973-1974 when we used to play together. He introduced me to a lot of Jonathan Edwards songs.
Jim Tepe and Roger Weiss

Cry, Cry Blue Flag Decal Old Joe Clark Athens County Ballad of Jed Clampett Shanty Act Naturally Somewhere Over the Rainbow Spanish Pipedream Friend of the Devil Foggy Mt. Breakdown Hard workin John/Please Daddy Rocky Mt. High I’ve Got a Name Sunshine Big Jim Dixie Breakdown Mountain Air Paradise Arkansas Traveler Sugar Baby Cedar Hill Shanty Danny’s Song Emma City of New Orleans

Jack Hardy – Aug. 8, 1973

Jack Hardy - Aspen, 1973 I first met Jack in Aspen, CO, in the summer of 1973. My friend, Izzy and I were camping out with Robin & Linda Williams, who had just gotten married, and they introduced us. Jack was scheduled to play at a place called “Jakes Abbey” in downtown Aspen. On a lark, I borrowed a tape recorder (reel to reel) and taped his performance that night. Needless to say, I was blown away and have been a fan ever since. I later hired Jack every year that I ran the Freeze-Dried Coffeehouse at SUNY Albany in NY. All of those performances are available on this website. On this page are photos from that night. As a matter of fact you can hear Jack telling me to get lost during his performance. Beau Hale on bass, and Jill Burkee on Mandolin.

Listen and Enjoy

The Bottle Hill Boys – 1971-1972

The Bottle Hill Boys were a northern bluegrass band that blew me away back in 1971. I had the presence of mind to record them at that first concert (Bethlehem Coffee House) in Delmar, NY. I also recorded them when they played at SUNY Albany in 1972. In addition to that, I have a few cuts from their performance at Caffe Lena’s in Saratoga (thanks to Bill Spence). The band consisted of Lew London (banjo),Barry Mitterhoff (mandolin), Walt Michael (guitar), Fraser Shaw (bass). They were later joined by Rex Hunt (dobro).

Sunnyland Happytime Washboard Band – 1969-1970

I played with this jugband at SUNY Albany for one year, before they became famous! Other members were Andy Avery, Don Dworkin, Jeff Stein, Tom Lamberton, and Greg Haymes.
Sunnyland Happytime Washboard Band