Jamcrackers

Seasoned solo performers Dan Berggren, Peggy Lynn, and Dan Duggan have combined talents to create the dynamic trio, Jamcrackers, named in honor of the river drivers who broke up log jams. They worked hard to find solutions, to get things rolling again, and it was a job that couldn't be done alone. Dan, Peggy, and Dan feel the same way about their music. These good friends and accomplished musicians bring a rare blend of humor, history, and musical spirit to their performances. 

Dan Berggren is one of the finest songwriters in the Northeast. He has received both the President's Award for Excellence in Teaching and the New York State Outdoor Education Association Art and Literature Award. Dan has released six recordings of original songs: Adirondack Green, Sitting in Your Kitchen, Mountain Air, Now Please Welcome, One With The Water, and Fresh Territory. 

Peggy Lynn is recognized nationwide as a singer who puts her soul into her voice and a songwriter with a heartfelt message. Her work has been featured at the famous Bluebird Café in Nashville, and in 1996 Peggy was selected “Adirondack Woman Of The Year.” She has released six recordings: Determination, Chameleon, Bio Songs, Earned These Lines, Close to the Sun, and Cloudsplitter. Peggy recently co-authored a book about remarkable Adirondack women, titled Breaking Trail, and has released a CD of songs she has written about these women, titled Stand a Chance. Peggy also recently released Adirondack Woman, a CD compilation of her songs celebrating women of the Adirondack Mountains. 

Dan Duggan is known nationally for his wizardry on hammered dulcimer and flat-picking guitar and is the recipient of the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship. Dan has recorded six albums of original compositions, First Frost, Last of May, Seasons of Change, Trillium Lane, Once in a Blue Moon, and For the Love of Friends, as well as three albums of traditional holiday music, Christmas Morn, Winter's Eve, and All Through The Night. Dan’s CD, The Pieces of Our Life, original songs written with children, received a 1998 Parents’ Choice Award. Dan’s dulcimer work can be heard on Paul Simon’s Grammy-nominated CD, You’re The One, released in October 2000. In 2002, Dan released Shenandoah Falls, original and traditional instrumental tunes. 

The trio has released three CDs of original and traditional songs and tunes, Get Crackin’, Jamcrackers, and Ten Miles to Saturday Night. They are known across the country for their masterful harmonies and soulful arrangements.

“Although the Jamcrackers…will win you over with their front porch style picking and charm, there’s much more to be appreciated from their music.” --Sing Out!

This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature and administered by CNY Arts.

This project is made possible with funds  from the Tier Three Project Support program, a regrant program of the County of Onondaga with the support of the County Executive and administered by CNY Arts.

  ~ This project is also made possible through the support and generosity of our Folkus members. ~