North Central Florida Blues Society
Heartwood Soundstage
Gainesville, Florida
Roy Book Binder brings a lifetime of acoustic blues, ragtime, and road-tested storytelling to the stage. Originally from Queens, New York, Book Binder came of age during the 1960s folk and blues revival, when a new generation of players was digging deep into older traditions and learning directly from the artists who shaped them.
A key turning point came when he sought out the legendary Reverend Gary Davis in New York City. Book Binder became Davis’s student and a close part of his circle, traveling with him and absorbing the Piedmont style at its source. Those years left a lasting imprint on Book Binder’s playing and songwriting, and his sets still reflect that blend of intricate fingerpicking, strong rhythm, and a feel for blues and ragtime that comes from the “hands-on” tradition.
Over the decades, Book Binder built a reputation as a performer who can move easily between traditional material and originals, often shifting tunings and techniques as the songs demand. His approach includes Piedmont and Delta blues, ragtime, slide guitar, and the older “hokum” spirit, presented with the easy timing of a veteran entertainer. The “stories behind the songs” are a major part of the experience—travel tales, artist anecdotes, and the kind of on-the-road detail that connects today’s audiences to earlier eras of American roots music.
Book Binder’s long touring history includes U.S. and international festival and concert appearances, and he has shared bills with a wide range of roots and blues favorites over the years. He is also known as a teacher and guitarist’s guitarist, including work as an instructor at Jorma Kaukonen’s Fur Peace Ranch guitar camp, where the focus is on the details of traditional technique—right-hand patterns, turnarounds, chord variations, and personal style.
Fans who appreciate traditional acoustic blues often point to Book Binder’s ability to honor the classic forms while still sounding like himself—an artist shaped by mentors, time on the road, and decades of listening, learning, and performing.
Hailing from Florida’s Gulf Coast, singer-songwriter Corey Hall represents a younger generation of American roots musicians drawing from older blues and folk sources while building an original songbook. His music reflects the influence of traditional country-blues and Hill Country grooves—listeners often hear echoes of Mississippi John Hurt and R.L. Burnside—alongside a clear nod to the broader folk tradition that shaped American songwriting in the past century.
Hall’s writing and performance style puts melody, rhythm, and lyric storytelling first. His songs tend to live in that “front porch” space where acoustic guitar drives the arrangement, and the vocal delivery is direct and unforced. In interviews and radio appearances, he has spoken about how he got started, what drew him to folk-blues, and the stories behind original songs including “Orange Peel Hop,” “Away From This,” and “Boy You Gonna Die.”
As a special guest, Hall is a strong match for a Roy Book Binder evening: both artists value the roots of the music, keep the guitar work front and center, and bring audiences into the world behind the songs.
Nestled in the heart of Gainesville, Florida, Heartwood Soundstage stands out as a vibrant music venue, enriching the local music scene with its unique charm. Boasting a state-of-the-art sound system and a cozy yet spacious setting, Heartwood provides an intimate experience for music enthusiasts. The venue's commitment to showcasing live jazz and blues aligns seamlessly with the diverse cultural offerings in the area. With its welcoming ambiance, Heartwood Soundstage has become a go-to spot for both local and touring artists, creating memorable performances that resonate with the audience. From its inviting atmosphere with neighboring food and beverage shops, to its dedication to promoting the best in live music, Heartwood Soundstage solidifies its place as a cornerstone of Gainesville's vibrant musical landscape.
The North Central Florida Blues Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation, cultivation, nurturing, and promotion of blues music. Members enjoy substantial ticket price discounts that can easily pay for the cost of membership and more over the course of a year. Join today at: https://ncfblues.org
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