| About our name ... Wepecket is a tiny island (maybe two acres) and two even smaller piles of rocks 500 yards off the northwestern shore of Naushon Island in Buzzards Bay off the coast of Massachusetts. The name is derived from the Wampanoag word "Wepu" for "narrow," hence "Wepu-ket:" "narrow strait." Some geographers consider Wepecket the smallest of eight islands in the Elizabeth archipelago. Others consider it an anomalous outcropping that is really part of Naushon Island. Fishermen have always been attracted to the spot because its combination of shoal and deep water, tumbling rocks and abundant sea vegetation and shellfish makes it a great feeding and breeding ground for bass, bluefish, scup and other species of cold water fish. Fishing birds, as well, like to hunt the waters surrounding the little chunks of glacial debris. The Great Black-backed Gull is among the birds that nest there, and ospreys, once almost extinct in this region, include the pickings on and around Wepecket in their mealtime rounds. You'll also see piping plovers, cormorants, black ducks, Mergansers and several varieties of terns, including the endangered Roseate (whose principal breeding ground is West by Northwest about 10 miles away on Ram Island, off the coast of Mattapoisett Neck). Since the performers and the music we record are themselves an We also find an affinity between traditional music's homemade approach and the more gentle way of getting into the outdoors exemplified by sail and paddle power.  Jack Radcliffe, For more information call me at 508-292-5632. |
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--------------------------------------------------------------------  Wepecket Island Records P. O. Box 109, Raynham, MA 02767 p: 508.292.5632 e-mail: info@wepecket.com © Copyright 2003-, Wepecket Island Records, Inc. All rights reserved. Host your web site with IPOWER! |
In keeping with our motto, all the performers in our family are true "masters" of their craft. They are also involved with the process of finding, learning and promulgating songs of our heritage.
succumbed to cancer on Nov. 30, 2011, after a long and fierce battle, at the age of 65. He was Wepecket's semi-official Folklorist. A terrific banjo, mandolin and guitar player, Jim's knowledge, understanding and love of traditional music ran deep and true. He was the company's first investor. His playing on several Wepecket records as a back-up musician only scratches the surface of the value he brought to our day-to-day and long-term operations.
brings a wide and deep range of talents to Wepecket. Don was the force behind making Wepecket a functioning business, and serves on Wepecket's Board of Directors. On any give day you might find him operating the PA system, producing a recording session, playing bass with a bluegrass band or guiding the company through a difficult business decision. He's also that guy you see in traffic delays playing his ukulele. 
has recorded four full-length albums for Wepecket and also contributed to our recent Pete Seeger tribute record, "For Pete's Sake." Only Jack and Don have more time on the road as members of the Rolling Roots Revue. Sherman has a deep and thorough understanding of the music industry: He owned and operated a music store for many years, and helps out nowadays at the Jackson, Mississippi nightclub of which his son is half-owner. Sherman helps with booking Rolling Roots tours and is a valuable contributor to decisions about new recording projects.
is responsible for tour direction and booking Wepecket artists. A widely talented musician himself (He's proficient on guitar, drums, mandolin and trombone, among other instruments), Pete is also on the lookout for additional artists to join the Wepecket family. He spent five years working in and around the alternative club scene in Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. His other deep interest is sailing, and Pete now lives on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in New Orleans.
is not only a wonderfully talented singer and song writer, she has an amazing capacity for organization and enthusiasm for promotion. Debbie has only been with Wepecket as an artist for a year, but we quickly decided to tap her boundless energy and bring her onto our board of directors. With five boys, two still at home, a full-time teaching job, a music career and volunteering at her church she has a demonstrated ability to handle a lot of jobs simultaneously and effectively. She is primarily responsible for tour direction and fan relations. 
is also a Wepecket recording artist, and has sat on our board since 2009. Her experience as Development Director for WMPG, a community radio station in Portland, Maine, is only a small part of what makes her invaluable to the company. It is her wisdom and careful thinking that help us shape decisions so the outcomes are as good as they can be. She also keeps us mindful of the pleasure in tracking down good songs (she calls herself a "song hunter") and singing and recording them.
is our graphic design artist. His work can be seen on our most recent CDs, including "
is our mascot. She claims to be a golden retriever, but we're really not sure, as there were no papers for her at the adoption agency when we got her. She can most often be found perched atop a monitor speaker during a Rolling Roots performance, and loves to sit up on the dashboard of the van when we're traveling. She has her own 
endangered species, when it was time to name our fledgling label back in 2004, it seemed an appropriate choice. Our mission remains the same: Preserving traditional American music and spreading its message through the recordings of modern masters of the craft.