By Ramona DeGeorgio-Venegas
I had a very friendly conversation with Dan Robinson, host of Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Simply Folk” show and a former resident of Manistee County. He gladly answered my questions about his connection to Manistee, his Wisconsin move and the music he enjoys.
In 1996, Robinson, a guitar player and singer, relocated with his family to Manistee from the wide-open skies, lakes and fields of Indiana, where they began a family and where Dan had worked as a public speaker, concert presenter and event promoter.
Robinson was called to leave his birth state to become director of the Guardian Angels, a music ministry, and his wife’s new work included youth ministries for Manistee’s three Catholic parishes of the time: Guardian Angels, St. Joseph and St. Mary.
His background in music made Robinson a solid candidate for the position. He studied music at Western Kentucky University and graduated from Purdue with a sociology and social work degree. Later, he obtained his master’s degree in theological studies from St. Norbert College.
While in Manistee, they loved alternating “beach time” with their children, from First Street’s Rocket Park to 5th Avenue. Other favorite places were The Ramsdell, Lighthouse Park and Sleeping Bear Dunes. They enjoyed local festivals such as the Victorian Christmas, 4th of July and Lumberjack Days, and their children participated in the parades.
In 2002 they relocated across the lake to Shawano, Wisc., where Robinson hosts WPR’s “Simply Folk” program.
Dan’s been with Wisconsin Public Radio almost five years and said he enjoys sharing music and interacting with his listeners. He mentioned appreciation for requests from people like “Ron from Beulah” and shared that he feels fortunate to work with a great, flexible organization and boss.
Robinson is the fifth host of the “Simply Folk” program which began in 1979 with hosts such as “Becka” and “Tom” who emphasized live performances. Asked what some of his favorites are in the folk music realm, he replied:
“In traditional music, I really enjoy Doc Watson. In singer-songwriter music, I’m a big fan of John Hiatt and Carrie Newcomer. With younger folk artists, I’m big on Raye Zaragoza. Of course, I love Pete Seeger, too, and not just his music. His life and work were focused on social justice and protecting the environment, which I’m very grateful for.”
Last spring, Robinson started another program, The Great Lakes Spirituality Project, which is found online at: glspirit.com.
“It’s a project that promotes connecting with and protecting the lakes from a spiritual perspective,” he explained.
Robinson’s other projects and programs can be viewed at: notesbydan.com
He said how grateful he was for his family’s time spent living and working in Manistee, though return trips have been few.
“While we’ve loved our visits to Manistee,” he shared, “we’ve only been able to make it back a couple of times … very special times they were, though!”
His children and music are now spread across the airwaves and across Midwest fields. Listen to “Simply Folk” on Sunday evenings from 6-9 p.m., EST. Livestream the program at simplyfolk.org.
I know I will.
Ramona DeGeorgio-Venegas is a retiree of the Manistee Ranger District, Huron-Manistee National Forest, where she worked in recreation and as an outdoor recreation planner. She has been involved with the Spirit of the Woods folk music organization in Manistee County.
