Betty and the Baby Boomers @ Walkway Over the Hudson
The Hudson Valley acoustic group Betty and the Baby Boomers (Betty Boomer, Jean Valla McAvoy, Paul Rubeo, Robert Bard, and Steve Stanne) have been recognized regionally – they “sing and play old-school folk like it was brand spanking new” (Kingston’s Daily Freeman); nationally – “a refreshing reminder of the halcyon days of American folk music” (Sing Out!); and internationally, with many bookings over the years for Clifden Arts Week, a well-known festival in Ireland.
As Clearwater staff and board members, the Boomers worked with Pete Seeger, who regularly performed one of McAvoy’s original songs, “Down by the River,” included on his Grammy-winning album Tomorrow’s Children with the Rivertown Kids. They wrap distinctive harmonies around songs from Seeger, Phil Ochs, and others who inspired their generation, plus contemporary and original material in that tradition.
