The Folk Collection

THE FOLK COLLECTION, an acoustic trio with Tony Unger, Ed Labowitz and Mike Sirota, grew-up in the 1960's and fell in love with the story songs and harmonies of that era.  Ed and Tony have been a duo on and off since their days together at Hollywood High School. Mike joined them in 2003. Much of their repertoire may be familiar to audiences across generations, but without question, the new, tight harmonies they created give The Folk Collection their own unique sound. 

When not performing with The Folk Collection, Ed is an entertainment lawyer in LA who represents some of the same acts he loved as a teen. After the Air Force, Tony toured with his own band for years, opening for acts such as Billy Preston. He left the road to raise a family and just retired from his business as a building contractor. Now, he is completing his ministry studies while continuing as the choir director at a Leona Valley church. Mike spent his formative years in music, including studying at Interlochen. By his teens, he was a camp song leader, then matured into a youth group and synagogue music director. He is currently a Bar/Bat Mitzvah tutor and synagogue cantor, as well as owner/manager of a signage permitting company.

The consistent crowds at shows confirm that The Folk Collection have struck a chord with audiences of all ages who love their show. Focused mainly around classic folk music, the family friendly show also includes song popularized by John Denver and several of Tony’s original ballads. The trio sings a medley they created of great TV Western theme songs, hit shows such as "Rawhide," Davy Crockett," "Maverick" and "Bonanza" ̶   always a huge hit!

Audiences listen intently to the simple yet eloquent words made famous in that era, portraying very human, universal stories and sung as only The Folk Collection can, with their original harmonies. When they sing the classics, favorites such as “Blowin’ In the Wind” and “This Land is Your Land,” the entire audience sings along.

The Folk Collection’s joy performing the music they love is infectious; at intermission and afterwards, fans line-up to purchase one or more of their CD’s. As the trio signs CDs, audiences leave smiling broadly and humming their favorite tunes from the show.