Art Form: Michigan traditional music and storytelling

Location(s): Howell (Livingston County)

Neil Woodward

Neil Woodward with his Michigan Heritage Award at the 2018 Lansing Eastside Folklife Festival, photo by Eat Pomegranate Photography

Hailing from Howell, Michigan, Neil Woodward comes from a musical family. His mother was a pianist and “notable whistler;” his father toured the East Coast playing barbershop and swing music. Playing brass instruments in the school band led Neil to realize his passion for music and expand his repertoire. He picked up the guitar in middle school and formed his first band at 12 years old- a tribute to Peter, Paul, and Mary. By his teen years, Neil had turned his attentions toward traditional music styles, including bluegrass, old-time, Celtic, and other forms of folksong.

Neil transformed this passion into a more than a career. He tours the state “celebrating Michigan through song.” As nominator Sheila Graziano writes, “For decades, Neil’s travels have revolved around our state’s heritage...the lighthouses, ships, the lakes, the forests, the places and humans of his beloved state… He visits places to learn more about them and ensure a personal connection with an area, a building, a population, etc., before writing a tale that he can share in song.”  In recognition of his dedication to Michigan folksong and storytelling, Neil was named “Michigan’s troubadour” in 2003 by the House of Representatives.

Neil can be found performing throughout the state and teaching fiddle, accordion, banjo, tin whistle, mandolin, ukulele, harmonica, and acoustic guitar lessons at Elderly Instruments. He is a fixture at Greenfield Village in the winter, playing the role of an “old timer musician at home.” Neil also performs for social dances and collaborates with other traditional musicians and dancers in a variety of groups.

- Micah Ling, 2018