Background Information Ed and Geraldine Berbaum
Career Highlights for OLD-TIME MUSIC WITH ED AND GERALDINE - 1-800-646-8349
Awards and Honors


Ed: Former Banker (Branch Manager and Asst. Vice President)
Geraldine: Former Elementary School Teacher

25 years presenting musical programs that are fun, interactive, historical and educational--STAGE ~ STROLLING MINSTRELS ~ CHILDRENS PROGRAMS ~ SENIOR SHOWS ~ RV RESORTS ~ GENERAL AUDIENCES ~ COMMUNITY EVENTS ~ SCHOOLS ~ HISTORICAL PLACES ~ LIBRARIES ~ CHURCHES ~ OTHER COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

*Workshops: 1. Old-style Square, Circle, Line Dancing and Calling.

2. Rhythm classes for the very young (instruments provided).fun for seniors

3. Beginner to advanced old-style Fiddle and Mandolin melody playing plus
Alto Saxophone & Tin Whistle

4. Rhythm Guitar and its roll in supporting fiddle tunes.


*Ed: Plays Fiddle, Mandolin, Tin Whistle, and Alto Saxophone. Learned fiddle from Jehile B. Kirkhuff, 1954 World Champion Old-Time Fiddler from Rush, Pennsylvania (1976-1981). 25 years as performer and teacher of the traditional Old-Time Fiddle style.

**Geraldine: Singer/Songwriter, Guitarist plus Harmonica player

**Since 1980 both have been Field Representatives for the American Folk Life Center, Library of Congress, Washington, DC, collecting over 600 tunes from 31 old-time fiddlers, several born in the late 1890s. This includes over 400 from Jehile Kirkhuff alone.

**Honored by the Governor of Pennsylvania in 1991 as presenting the highest aesthetic quality of a living musical tradition for On Tour programs funded by the Governors Heritage Affairs Commission.

**Featured in a one hour Public Television Documentary , A Journey to the Endless Mountains (WVIA-TV in Pittston, Pennsylvania). This production received awards and continues to be aired throughout the USA on PBS. Ed and Geraldine provided background music and were filmed as well as interviewed at their homestead near Montrose, Pennsylvania for this film. A Journey to the Endless Mountains was dedicated to the memory of Jehile Kirkhuff, Pennsylvanias World Champion Fiddler, and includes rare footage of Jehile playing his fiddle along with his music in the background.

**The Berbaums and Jehile Kirkhuff have been featured in articles in Bluegrass Unlimited and The Old Time Herald

*Included in on tour roster for one year funded by the Pennsylvania Humanities Council, Philadelphia, PA.
*Teachers of Fiddle, Mandolin, Tin Whistle, Alto Saxophone, Song Writing, Rhythm Guitar and Folk Dancing.

**Presented programs for the New York State Southern Tier Library System at 17 regional libraries funded by the New York Council on the Arts.

**Up to one week long residences at Pennsylvania and New York schools funded by state arts councils and PTA/PTO. Workshops, Assemblies and Family Night Hoe-downs. BOCES of Binghamton, NY, and NEIU of Northeastern PA Arts in Education Program funding.

**Producers of sound recordings of Jehile B. Kirkhuff, ourselves and other local fiddlers for resale and as teaching tools.

**Established a 501c Nonprofit Organization named The Jehile Kirkhuff Old-Time Music Fund to preserve, perpetuate and disseminate authentic early style Old-Time Fiddle tunes as played by the early settlers to America.

REFERENCES/QUOTES FROM OUR CLIENTS

ED & GERALDINES OLD-TIME MUSIC: Ed and Geraldine have performed at the Georgia National Fair for many years. They return, because they touch so many lives in a very positive manner. Their simple mountain music is combined with personal attention to children who take part in their performance by dancing and playing the spoons, tambourine, or other simple instruments. Children love to play with the paddy-whacks while mom, dad, grandmother, or granddaddy look on. GEORGIA NATIONAL FAIR WEB SITE


You have brought song to many voices both young and young at heart during our Fair. You seem to magically transport each of us to a time tucked away in our hearts .our childhood - thank you." CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIR

. a great couple - their music is excellent ~ attracts many children as well as grown-ups who join in the act and have a good time ~ a welcome touch to any Fair ~ I will recommend them to any Fair. When they stroll just look for the crowd and you will find them! WAYNE COUNTY FAIR, PA

You brought our Village to life! SOUTH FLORIDA FAIR - YESTERYEAR VILLAGE

I'd like to commend you for a most enjoyable performance. You were worth waiting two years to get. Geraldine, your voice is a joy and your own songs are delightful. Yours is very good music, with the added benefit of bringing us back to our roots.
DIRECTOR, PERFORMING ARTS SERIES, UNIVERSITY OF SCRANTON, PA ...Copyright and Credit Information...