Eric and Jen, who perform as “The Faithful Sidekicks,” are fine musicians with a vast repertoire of original songs. They have recorded five albums including, Achievement Unlocked and *.* and Other Star Things. They have been nominated for Pegasus Awards eight time and won twice with “Best Mad Science song for “I Built a Time Machine” in 2021, and Best Performer the same year. Interfilk sent the duo to GaFilk in 2018; they have been guests at numerous other cons since then. Their style is energetic, usually funny, and totally engaging.
Eric (pushed by Jen), along with three other musician friends co-founded FAWM, February Album Writing Month, in 2004. The challenge was (and is) to write 14 songs in 28 days. Initially a project for the four of them, it opened to the public in 2005. Jen served as the web site administrator, eventually succumbing to become a FAWM songwriter in 2006. The intent of FAWM was to encourage, and challenge, songwriters to write in a safe space, with a friendly community able to comment and encourage. All four achieved the goal.
In 2014, Eric and Jen organized, a meet up of FAWMers. Two filkers familiar to them attended, but left to perform at a con. Some of the other FAWMers, including Eric, went to Confluence to hear Copy Red Leader. After the concert, Eric met some more filkers and stayed for the open filking. He and Jen were soon assimilated.
It worked the other way too: musicians found filk. One posted this (paraphrased) comment: “Over the past year, I have come to know a number of area filkers through February Album Writing Month and Nanowrimo. Our family even went to the city for our first House Filk this fall and we were very warmly welcomed. Through these online communities and our one house filk, I feel that I have come to know several people in the filk community, and I am excited to get to know them better. But this weekend will still be our first encounter with the a filk con”. FAWM has given us new filkers.
For these contribution to Filk Music and the Filk Community, Eric and Jen Distad are inducted into the Filk Hall of Fame this twentieth day of April two thousand twenty-four.