Many thanks to singer/songwriter and toxicology research director Bill Mattes who spent an hour on Tuesday entertaining us at Speer Hall performing tunes with a flavor of Americana mixed with a bluesy feel. Accompanying him on guitar was our Program Chair Bill McDonald who alternately led and harmonized with Bill Mattes on several sing along songs such as “City of New Orleans”, “Up on the Roof”, and “Take Me Home Country Roads”. The two also played several compositions written by Bill Mattes in his younger years and now published. The whimsical titles included “Pizza Man”, and “Shower Song”. The musicians had the audience tapping our toes, swaying our shoulders, and singing along on this lovely afternoon. The fitting “What a Wonderful World” ended the program on a high note. 

To read about the connection of one song to our area, read our previous article Take Me Home Clopper Roads – Poolesville Seniors.