The Northern Neck Chantey Singers will sing the work songs of the menhaden fishing industry from 11am to noon at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum’s (CBMM) July 28 Chesapeake Folk Festival in St. Michaels, MD. The singers are all former watermen who will also take part in a discussion following a screening of Maryland Public Television’s “Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Bay” later in the day.

Drawing upon the deeply-rooted African-American work-song tradition, menhaden fishermen accompanied back-breaking hauling with this call-and-response style singing. These work songs, known as chanteys, provided net workers energy, camaraderie, distraction, and spiritual encouragement. The group is one of five performing throughout the July 28 festival. For more information, visit www.chesapeakefolkfestival.org.