On Saturday, August 7, at 8:00pm, the Watchung Arts Center brings to its Folk Series, Jim Murphy and the Pine Barons. The Pine Barons is one of the finest traditional country bands around and winner of over 4 Traditional Music Association Awards for 1998. Their recent album. "New Billy Music" won Album of the Year and Jim Murphy was awarded two individual trophies as Songwriter and Vocalist of the year. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling (908) 753-0190. Tickets are only $10 and will be held at the door for you.

Jim Murphy comes from the humble beginnings where down at the Jersey shore he put a dime (remember when games were a dime) on number 27 and with one spin of the wheel he had won himself a ukulele. He learned how to play, went on to guitar and then on to song writing. This was only the beginning, he has since written 35 country music songs and made three albums. His love of teaching served him as an elementary school teacher, father of six (whew), and as assistant superintendent. He retired from the school system to concentrate on performing.

The Pine Barons perform in about 40 shows a year, specializing in that down home feeling. Jim is a historian and has written a biography of Hank Williams called "The Boy from Alabama", a song dedication "Hank Williams, You’ll Never Grow Old" and had his own radio show which hosted folk concerts on Friday nights. His knowledge of American History and particularly that of New Jersey seeps into his songs, his wit and his voice.

The Pine Barons is made up of extremely talented musicians Jim Murphy, Carl Baron (banjo), Dusty Borden (fiddle/mandolin), Rich Janis (bass) and Joe Fili (fiddle) Their great music "breathes an encyclopedia of an important part of American culture, our country, it’s music and our growth. Mixing bluegrass bliss and sassy hillbilly music they bring their audience a whole lot of hometown frolics.