Press Release

Fiddling Poet Ken Waldman Comes to Pittsburgh and Intl. Poetry Forum

8 p.m., Wednesday, November 7, Ken Waldman will appear at the Carnegie
Lecture Hall, 4400 Forbes Avenue, as part of the 2007-2008 International
Poetry Forum reading series. This year's theme is Poets on War and Other
Losses. From Waldman, expect first-class Appalachian fiddling, some old
favorite poems, as well as ones from the newest book. Also, for part of
the show, he'll be joined by Pittsburgh's Mark Tamsula, who'll be
bringing banjo, fiddle, and guitar. Ticket price is $12 for adults, $8
for students or seniors.

Also, listen to Ken when he guests on Lynn Cullen's radio show 11 a.m.,
Wednesday, November 7

More? www.kenwaldman.com/astheworldburns. Or call the Forum at 412/621-9893.

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In late June 2001, Ken Waldman, Alaska's Fiddling Poet, loaded his Nissan
Sentra and left his home in Anchorage. Two self-produced CDs had received
rave reviews in print and wide radio airplay on public and community
stations nationwide. Also, his first book of poetry with Albuquerque's
West End Press, a collection set in and around Nome, Alaska had gone into
a second printing within a year, and another book was due out in early
2002. A long-time Alaska resident, he'd begun touring outside the state
in the late 90's.

Now, Waldman has six books and six CDs, including a collection of
political sonnets, many in the voice of George W. Bush, the 2006 release
As the World Burns, available both as book and CD. So, while Waldman
continues on tour, working a variety of venues, from university reading
series, to arts festivals, to folk clubs, to schools, he also works as a
visiting artist where the political work is viewed as appropriate.

A twenty-two year Alaska resident, Waldman's live show has been described
by Michael Miller, music columnist for The State in Columbia, South
Carolina, as "Picture William Carlos Williams behind a dogsled. Walt
Whitman jamming with the Carter Family." According to Austin Chronicle
writer, Ric Williams, "Feels like a Ken Burns movie. . . . Always
recommended." Recently, Shepherd Express Weekly in Milwaukee termed
Waldman, "A one-man Prairie Home Companion."