The MacArthur Family

The MacArthur Family sings throughout New England. Their concerts are musical explorations of rural life, with son Dan and daughter Megan adding contemporary compositions to their mother's traditional songs. Their rich vocal harmonies are complemented by the sensitive accompaniments of Dan's guitar, Megan's acoustic bass, Gary's fiddle or mandolin (home-made) and Margaret's dulcimer or harp-zither.

Megan frequently performs with Trillium, a Maine based trio.

Listening to the MacArthurs' set in Vermont I was stunned by the beautiful lyrics of Margaret MacArthur's son Dan as he sang of the hills of Vermont and of his hope that they will remain in the hands of those who will keep them true to the beauty they had when first settled. ....some things, like the sense of family I feel in folk, never really change.
                                       Bob Jones, Ben & Jerry's One World One Heart Festival
                             Waitsfield Vermont

Dan shows a nice sense of wordplay in his tributes to countrylife....splendid guitar work.
                                        Bob Blackman, Michigan Folk Notes

The children's contemporary songs seem natural extensions of MacArthur's century old ballads, branches from the same
strong tree.
                                         Scott Alarik, Boston Globe

Charming and comfortable, genuine family music.
                                          Lani Herrmann, San Francisco Folk Music Club

The entire tape recalls family music on the front porch - the kind of childhood we all wish we had.
                                          Rob Weir, Valley Advocate

The younger generation displays an easygoing musicality born of lifelong exposure to their mother's repertoire, tempered with an affinity for more contemporary country styles. Megan's voice is a clear fluid instrument.
                                           Pete Sutherland, Sing Out Magazine

See also Anthony Barrand's notes on the Make the Wildwood Ring recording