One of Southern Wisconsin’s finest traditional musicians, John Fabke has been involved with a wide variety of roots music styles for the past 15 years. His interest in traditional music was sparked by a chance opportunity to see Ramblin’ Jack Elliot a number of years ago in Vermont. That experience opened the door to exploring the rich music of Woody Guthrie and the great pre-WWII blues and country music artists and the first-generation bluegrass greats such as Bill Monroe and the Stanley Brothers. Since getting turned on to those sounds, Fabke has been studying the old-time instrumental and vocal styles on banjo, guitar and mandolin in blues, bluegrass, cajun and old-time country settings.

John has always had a strong interest in sharing this music with others. He has been in demand as an instructor and has also had opportunities to share his love of music with folks of all ages in “Bluegrass in the Schools” workshops and from the deck of the Clearwater on the Hudson River. John also hosts the weekly folk/roots radio show Pastures of Plenty on WORT 89.9 FM in Madison, Wisconsin. His shows are archived weekly. Go HERE to check 'em out.

Fabke has appeared on a number of recordings in past years, most notably with the award-winning Nob Hill Boys.

Selected Performances
Village Gate, New York City
Eagle Tavern, New York City
“A Prairie Home Companion,” NPR
NPR Clearwater Broadcast
Ashland, WI, Folk Festival
The Eighth Step, Albany, NY
The Turning Point, Piermont, NY
Festival of Appalachian String Band Music, Clifftop, WV
Augusta Heritage Workshops, Elkins, WV
MBOTMA Bluegrass and Old-Time Music Festival, MN
Sugar Maple Traditional Music Festival, Madison, WI
Bastille Days Festival, Milwaukee, WI
Rhinecliff Hotel, Rhinecliff, NY
Sandwich Opera House, Sandwich, IL
Gays Mills Folk Festival, Gays Mills, WI
Chilicothe, MO, Bluegrass Festival
Stratford, IA, Bluegrass Festival
WPR: “Higher Ground,” with Jonathan Overby
IBMA Songwriter Showcase, Louisville , KY