In May 2013, former Tucson musician Tim Wiedenkeller had the honor of appearing on the cover of the nationally distributed Banjo Newsletter, a publication of note for the discerning banjo enthusiast.
It was a modest achievement for the performer, who now calls Point Reyes Station, California, about an hour north of San Francisco, his home.
But it led to something more.
Shortly after the article was published, Wiedenkeller received a letter from the undisputed king of folk music, the late Pete Seeger.
“He loved it,” Wiedenkeller said. “He read it and reread it and attached a $20 bill so I could send him a CD. We sent a few letters back and forth. He sent me a copy of his biography. He used to sign at the end, ‘94-year-old Pete’ with a little picture of a banjo next to it.”
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Seeger’s praise was one in a long list of positive experiences Wiedenkeller has experienced since moving to California from Tucson in 2008.
Wiedenkeller, who goes by the name Tim Weed these days, has shared the stage with several heavy hitters in the last six years, thanks in part to his location.
“Ramblin’ Jack Elliott lives about six miles from me,” Wiedenkeller said. “David Grisman lives 18 miles from me. Peter Rowan, a mile-and-a-half. Maria Muldaur, 30 miles. In the first year, I was meeting and playing with these legends.”
Wiedenkeller will have plenty of stories to share when he returns to Southern Arizona for a few shows this weekend.
He’ll play the Sea of Glass Center for the Arts, 330 E. Seventh Street, Friday.
The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the show with discounts available through the venue box office, 398-2542.
On Saturday and Sunday, Wiedenkeller will return to the Arizona Folklore Preserve in Hereford, at 56 E. Folklore Trail, for a couple of matinee shows.
Performances begin at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15 and reservations are recommended, 1-520-378-6165.
