Acoustic Americana Music Guide, FAR West Conference, & SPECIAL NEWS EDITION, Nov 6 through 9
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The latest edition of the Guide is in two parts, with one section bringing you NEWS and all the live acoustic shows, and the other section providing extensive coverage of the Folk Alliance FAR West Conference. Both are available 24/7 at ~
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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NEWS:
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Our SPECIAL EDITION: GUIDE TO THE FAR WEST CONFERENCE is available at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2009/11/special-edition-guide-to-far-west.html or at www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/special-edition-guide-to-the
It was just too extensive to include it here. All our usual features and some news-items-that-can’t-wait are in this edition.
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The Guide’s TICKET ALERTS for upcoming events has been extensively updated, and it follows the regular listings…
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Yes, that was Coffee Gallery Backstage impresario BOB STANE that you saw on the TV news Nov 4. He was everywhere – on Channel 2, and channel 5, and channel 7, and he was featured in a full-page story the same day in the Pasadena Star News newspaper! Talk about star treatment (and long overdue, in Bob’s case). Bob is the creative force, booker, sound and light man of the venue named in FolkWorks as the Best Intimate Acoustic Music Venue in L.A. And he will receive the “Best of the West Award” on Saturday at the Folk Alliance Region West (FAR West) Conference in Irvine. (See our extensive special section on the FAR West Conference for all the details.)
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The editor sends his heartfelt thanks to all who attended, volunteered as staff, or performed at the BENEFIT CONCERT on Sunday, Oct 25. It was an amazing day! More about the show, and video links, will be here soon.
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In Memoriam…
“BANJO” FRED STARNER, the Grand Duke of Hobo Minstrels, a performing guest during multiple appearances on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” banjo player with Pete Seeger, and all around good guy, passed away about 10:30 pm on October 25. Fred was part of Pete Seeger’s shipbuilding and first sailing crew on the Hudson River sloop “Clearwater,” one of the first citizen grassroots projects that brought environmental awareness to the public consciousness. By confronting then leading the fight to overcome the horrific pollution of the Hudson River, the living example of the “Clearwater” continues to show us all a better way.
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Always a voice of conscience, Fred’s original songs expressed outrage over stupid wars and waste, enrichment of the few at the cost of the many, and mocked politicians who deserved it, while calling attention to social injustices and questioning the doctrine of worshipping wealth. His originals often celebrated colorful, sometimes hard-won legacies of a history that is forever on the brink of oblivion. Fred especially loved the lore of the rails and the hobos, and they loved him. Fred was the reigning “Grand Duke of Hobo Minstrels,” elevated to that title after first being voted, a few years ago, as official “Hobo Troubadour” by his beloved “hobo community” at their annual gathering / respite from riding the high iron, in Britt, Iowa. After that recognition, Fred was featured in a documentary film on the American hobo, from economic refugee to icon of folklore.
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Many others loved him, as well. When your editor booked a music festival for charity a few years ago, Fred stepped up to the plate on a few hours notice, playing what became a highlight set in place of Denise Vasquez, another artist couldn’t perform after she sustained serious injuries in an automobile crash the night before. Characteristically, though Fred had never met Denise, his was one of the first cards she received with get-well wishes.
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And Fred knew how to have fun with music. One day in 2008, he sent your editor a parody of “Blowin’ in the Wind” that chronicled the social ostracism of one who had enjoyed too much bean dip.
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In recent months, Fred’s health became compromised and he was in a medical rehab facility following his most recent hospitalization. He died far from the long steel rails and the short crossties.
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Fred is survived by his daughter Tasha and wife Barbara. His longtime friend, folksinger Ross Altman, is assisting the family with final arrangements and an upcoming memorial service.
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Your editor still has a bottle of rare vintage that was a holiday gift from Fred, and it awaits a gathering of his friends to be consumed in a toast to him. We’ll play Fred’s original banjo / vocal, “Hobo Soup,” a song that earned 2006 “Listener Favorite” honors on radio’s “Tied to the Tracks,” and we’ll play his original, “Escape,” and his delightful banjo medley of Bach’s “Ode to Joy” and “Old Dan Tucker,” and we’ll all imagine we hear the lonesome whistle of the train leaving town, with Fred safe aboard a nice warm boxcar.
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Here are the lyrics to Fred’s song, “Escape,” from his live concert CD, “Hobos and the Wind” ~
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Watch for my comrades by the side of the track
I know there’s some who’ll never be back.
Beware of the cities with their police wail
A sad sign of community failed.
There’s fear on a stock market fall
Not one live song at the suburban mall.
Watch for my comrades by the side of the track
I know there’s some who’ll never be back.
I hope the fog, the mist, will lift
All once again will see life as a gift.
But until my mind and vision clears
I must free the cruel city spheres.
Watch for my comrades by the side of the track
I know there’s some who’ll never be back.
Watch for my comrades by the side of the track
I know there’s some who’ll never be back.
Big Bill Gates earns tens of billions
Disney’s Eisner’s worth five hundred million.
But the hobos live life at the core
Happiness is not making more and more.
Hobos share their Mulligan stew
And a certain joy that sees ‘em through.
Well I’m no great philosopher and muse
But I know a freight train can cure the blues.
Watch for my comrades by the side of the track
I know there’s some who’ll never be back.
So I’ll search out my comrades
Whitey and his guitar,
Captain Dingel who can sing to the stars
I’ll help Pilot Blackie lighten his pack
I know we’ll find peace on life’s track.
Watch for my comrades by the side of the track
I know there’s some who’ll never be back.
Watch for my comrades by the side of the track
I know there’s some who’ll never be back.
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We’ll watch for you, Fred, every time we hear the lonesome whistle blow, and we’ll imagine your banjo recreating the rhythm of the rails as you jam with Jimmie Rogers and Steve Goodman and Johnny Cash in the shade of the water tank, your Mulligan stew warming over a wood fire. In the meantime, we’ll miss you, old friend.
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In Memoriam… LATE ADDITION:
The late AMY FARRIS is being mourned by a great many of us in the L.A. roots & acoustic music communities, and by everyone on the Austin music scene.
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Coming this Sun, Nov 8:
7 pm MEMORIAL CONCERT FOR AMY FARRIS at McCabe’s, 3101 Pico Bl, Santa Monica 90405; www.mccabes.com. The night’s artists will include DAVE ALVIN, STAN RIDGWAY, PETER CASE, I SEE HAWKS and others. Cover for the show is a suggested donation of $10, with all proceeds going to Farris’s charity of choice, Hungry For Music. Attendees are encouraged to bring a favorite photo, item or note to post on the memorial bulletin board for viewing. Items left will be put into a scrapbook for the Farris family.
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No Depression has a blog feature/tribute to Amy, and comments are being added, including ours. Read them at www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/on-amy-farris
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The L.A. Times obit for Amy is at www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-amy-farris2-2009oct02,0,4854445.story
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I SEE HAWKS IN L.A. pay tribute to the late AMY FARRIS this week on their blog with some MP3s of the Hawks and Amy from Cole’s basement. The guys add, “We miss you sister.” As do we. Find their tribute at www.iseehawks.com/hawkslog/#000394
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FEATURE STORY: ‘Grammy Awards Add American Roots Category,’ our recent news feature, is at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2009/10/grammy-awards-add-american-roots.html
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FOLKWORKS: you can check out Larry Wines’ most recent column, available free online at www.folkworks.org/content/viewcategorycur/89. It’s a time of remembrances for the late musicians MIKE SEEGER and DAVID CARRADINE, and for WOODY GUTHRIE’S guitar.
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REVIEW: WPA (Works Progress Administration) superstar band – you can read JOEL OKIDA’s review for the Guide of their Oct 6 show at Largo in L.A.; it’s at www.nodepression.com/profiles/blogs/review-of-wpa-works-progress or at http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2009/10/review-of-wpa-works-progress.html
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RADIO NEWS: the return from hiatus of the syndicated TIED TO THE TRACKS radio show is delayed, due to the producer / host’s ongoing recovery from eye surgery. (At least he has time to listen to all those submitted CDs that arrive daily!) We’ll keep you posted.
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NEED TO KNOW MORE about the GUIDE and its companion, THE ACOUSTIC AMERICANA MUSIC NEWS,
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HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR GIG FOR INCLUSION? Our “stuff ya wanna know “ (FAQs) page is available at
http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com/2009/10/guide-faqs-and-more.html
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Entire contents copyright (c) © 2009, Larry Wines. All rights reserved.
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The latest edition of the Guide, complete with extensive coverage of the Folk Alliance FAR West Conference, is available 24/7 at ~
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http://acousticamericana.blogspot.com
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