TWENTY YEARS AGO TODAY: Indigenous People's Day, I met and sang with Pete Seeger for the first time. It was at the Beacon Sloop Club Pumpkin Festival in Beacon, New York. To celebrate the anniversary of that day, a day that profoundly clarified the trajectory of my life, I am starting this Substack blog.
There are so many topics I would love to write about. The 50+ times I performed alongside Pete Seeger over the last 10 years of his life will be one of those topics. There are dozens of stories to share in the months and years ahead. Stories about Pete’s songs, Pete’s stories and Pete’s wisdom. But let this first post be a nod to that day, October 12, 2003.
I will tell you more about what took place that day, but for starters, I remember there being an astonishing amount of pictures being taken and videos being shot that day - especially when we performed. But to this day, I don’t recall ever seeing any of them. It was very common, especially in the early years of my friendship with Pete, that a picture was taken of the two (or more) of us playing together, but I was cut out - probably because I was an unknown quantity and, of course, Pete was the real attraction of people’s interest.
As the years slowly progressed - isn’t it wonderful when time progresses slowly? - it gradually became more common that I would show up in a picture with Pete. It was only in the last year or two of Pete’s life that I showed up in any videos with him. At least, I am not aware of any. But if they do exist, I’d love to see them.
Just a couple of days ago, someone sent me a link to a video taken in 2012 of me playing at the Corn Festival. I had just played a set with Pete and I was left on stage to play one or two more tunes. I chose to play an original song that Pete tutored me on.
You see, Pete often asked me if I had new songs, and if I did I would play it for him. If I didn’t, I would play an old song. Pete was not quick to give advice. I count this among his greatest wisdom. But sometimes I would pry a comment out of him.
Earlier in 2012, I showed Pete an old song I wrote called "Why I Love You." Without my prodding, Pete offered, "That's a pretty song. But how are you going to get people to sing along?" I almost always answered Pete’s question by asking him his opinion. So I asked, "What would you suggest?" Pete said, "Listen to a wide variety of other songs that people sing along to and find a way that works in your song ... or make up something new."
Here is a video of my first attempt at making this song sing-alongable. I didn't realize until watching this video this week that Pete was one of the people who sang along.
The memories of times with Pete Seeger are etched in my heart and mind - and it always feels like he is nearby when I play a concert. I look forward to sharing some of them with you.
Inspiring!