Bloodlines Mailing List Archives October 9-18, 1996 (B)
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Subj: JS on ACL Campaign
Date: 96-10-09
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Just wanted everyone to know that *I* got *my* letter to the producers of
ACL in the mail today. One down, 50 to go! Keep those cards and letters
going!
Michelle, webmistress and bloodlines mailing list manager
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Subj: Re: JS on ACL Campaign
Date: 96-10-09
From: insman@citynet.net (Ron Fleshman)
Me, too !!!
Let's make this happen.
Ron
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Subj: Membership Update
Date: 96-10-09
From: tae69@dial.pipex.com (Mark Austin)
I seem to be one of the more recent JS converts. The first I heard of
John was "Gold", played on the old Saturday afternoon USA Chart Show
on Radio One by Paul Gambacchini. This, and the Roger Scott show on
Capital seemed to be the only places which played it here in the UK.
I loved the single and bought the album although I knew nothing of
John's past. Sometime later, I heard "July, You're A Woman" on the
Noel Edmonds Sunday morning show and it was one of those songs that
just made me stop, listen and wonder. I later found "Forgotten Songs"
in a second hand shop and I was hooked. I then spent years combing
old record shops trying to accumulate his back catalogue.
Any information on him personally was almost non existant here so I
gleemed bits and pieces over the years but still knew very little
except that I loved the music which sounded like nothing else that
was being played, especially here.
I've never seen John live, although I now bitterly regret missing an
opportunity to see him at the Venue many years ago when I could have
gone but didn't.
Once I got on line, his was one of the first searches I carried out
and I regularly check the homepage and am delighted to get on this
list although I wasn't pleased to find out that I had missed UK
concerts by a matter of weeks. I've recently received from Homecoming
a batch of his more obscure tapes that were unavailable here and now
look forward to completing my collection.
BTW - My wife hates him and I don't personally know another single
person who has ever heard of him!
Mark
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Subj: Forgotten Songs
Date: 96-10-09
From: tae69@dial.pipex.com (Mark M Austin)
Someone (sorry I don't know who, but I deleted the mail before making
a note of your name), was asking about Forgotten Songs.
Forgotten Songs of Some Old Yesterday (on RCA) was a compilation put
out in the UK in 1980 to introduce the fans first attracted to Bombs
Away to Johns older material, (it certainly worked for me).
Track Listing:
All Time Woman
Anna On A Memory
Armstrong
Cannons In The Rain
Road Away
Wheatfield Lady
You Can't Look Back *
July, You're A Woman *
Let The Big Horse Run *
Cody *
California Bloodlines *
Mother Country *
Hung On The Heart (of a man back home)
Rodeo Mary
(* off Pheonix Concerts)
Hope thats of interest.
Mark
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Subj: TBTAMC
Date: 96-10-09 22:37:50 EDT
From: Ddumail@aol.com
Editor's note: For y'all on the Bloodlines mailing list who have never seen
the America Online Music Message Board, a little background. All of us
bloodhounds who can't get enough of John's wit, musings and music (that's why
we're here isn't it?) have been putting pressure on the guy to let Tom
(LordFrench) release from DAT Tape to CD a collection of songs that came to
him in the form of a huge box of tapes, surrendered to Tom by John during his
family's recent domestic relocation. Being true to the phrase "One man's
trash is another man's treasure" and owing to the fact that Tom is on OUR
SIDE, we have been petitioning the Lonesome Picker to allow their compilation
and release, namely "THE BOX THAT ATE MT. CLEMENS" hereafter to be known as
TBTAMC.
Here's Tom's latest post to John:
Michelle, webmistess and mailing list manager
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Subj: To Angelbravo:
Date: 96-10-09 15:16:56 EDT
From: Lordfrench
Johnno...
Am making DAT tape of the proposed first release from The Box That Ate Mt.
Clemens for your consideration and hoped-for approval. Should overnight it
to you within a few days.
Good news--for us fans, at least, you may think otherwise--is that the number
of unreleased worthy songs now in TBTAMC has reached exactly 80. Our latest
tally was augmented by the recent receipt of a tape of rare tracks sent in by
one Andrew Dean Fergus of Scotland. I would be the last to say that the
afore-mentioned Mr. Fergus had stolen these tapes from the Box when it lived
in Malibu, but let us just say that, like overdue library books, they have
been returned to our shores.
My favorites, by the way, of the returnees--the studio demos of "Come and See
Me When You're Older" from 1973, and "East of Denver." Had both 'live' but
not in releaseable condition.
The proposed first TBTAMC release, with your approval, sir, consists of 19
recordings, 18 songs (two versions of the evolution of "American Way.") The
number may go up to 20, or down, pending space available on a CD or tape. I
will supply you and interested JS fans with a song list and order via this
message center when the DAT is finished.
Hope you don't mind this message being sent unscrambled and in public. But
we are, after all, trying to bring terrible pressure upon you. Hoping you
crack under it, I remain...
LF
P.S. Speaking of the Fergus contribution to TBTAMC, if any Stewart
collectors out there have rare or special recordings of John's work that they
think the world should hear, they are encouraged to send quality recordings
to the Box. We will consider them for possible future TBTAMC releases, with
credit. E-Mail us if you have suggestions.
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Subj: Re: Membership Update
Date: 96-10-10
From: PeterB1103@aol.com
I've been a lonely JS fan for almost 30 years, and discovering this community
of Stewartians has been a real kick. We're like the last group of
non-infected earthlings in "Invasion of the Body Snatchers"--there aren't all
that many of us, but that's part of the bond, isn't it? I really don't think
I'd want to hang out with people who read the Kenny G or Genesis message
boards.
My wife isn't a fan either, but does indulge me by going with me to concerts.
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Subj: Re: Forgotten Songs
Date: 96-10-10
From: PeterB1103@aol.com
Mark--Thanks--that was my inquiry. I'm continually amazed to learn about
obscure or hard-to-find songs. Until I got involved on the message board and
this mailing list, I thought I had the complete collection. Now I'm obsessed
with finding everything I lack. Any idea if "Rodeo Mary" ever showed up on a
U.S. release?
Regards--Peter
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Subj: Wives, kids, cannons....
Date: 96-10-10
From: ClackClack@aol.com
<< BTW - My wife hates him and I don't personally know another single
person who has ever heard of him!
Mark >>
I think this post will be all over the place so bear with me.
My poor Melanie has "suffered" my passion for John for 18 years now. I first
started dragging her to Chuck's Cellar in 78. She hates cigarette smoke so
she hated to go to the shows for that alone. However she thought Chris Whelan
was cute and loved his high voice and harmonies with John. So she humored me.
The band, however, was playing really LOUD in those days.. ie your ears would
be numb and ringing for an hour or two after the show.. and she would
repeatedly tell me that that was her last John show.. he was just too loud.
But I would drag her off again a few months later.. and John would blow us
out the door again.
We caught the rare acoustic show. When John & Chris played at Rancho Nicassio
around 79 or so they put on a great folk-oriented show and that was probably
the one and only John concert that Melanie really enjoyed. Well, there was a
time a few years back when Nick and John toured, I think it was the first
time I heard Botswanna and she liked that show too. However, between my
playing albums and dragging her off to shows all these years she has finally
convinced herself that she just doesn't like John. How I can live with such a
thing I do not know. <g> I have not been able to get her to go to the last
few shows. I have taken my son Brian to the last two. Which segues into the
kids and folk discussion now..
Brian is 8 almost 9. He has a little crush on Dar Williams. Now Dar happens
to be a lot cuter than John and besides that she has been very sweet to Brian
the two times Brian has seen her. I told Michelle this story already, but a
month or so back I found out that Dar is playing nearby and I called out to
Melanie- Hey Dar is coming to Berkeley. Brian is at the other end of the
house and he comes running and hollering down the hall "I want to go I want
to go" . Now Brian is a pretty quiet kind of guy most of the time. He doesn't
get worked up like this for just anything. So he eagerly awaits seeing Dar on
the 21st. The tape recorder by his bed that he listens to most nights has a
constant tape in it. The side with all Dar gets the regular listen. The side
with a mix of John and Nanci Griffith and Mary Chapin only gets the odd
listen. hmmm...
Now as far as kids liking folk music, I pulled out an old Brothers Four lp
the other day. I was looking for something else (Pat Metheney) which I didn't
find but put on the Brothers. My daughter Kelly, all of age 6, loves these
songs. (She also likes Mary Chapin a lot). Are these the Beatles Brian asks?
But Kelly sings along to Yellow Bird, Froggy Went a Courting and so on. They
always liked such classics as This Land Is Your Land, Puff and so on. I think
it was Michelle who summed up the appeal of folk music to kids pretty nicely,
but I can't really pinpoint it. Most of Dar's songs are way over Brian's
head, but he loves the zest of songs like Christians and the Pagans and
Flinty Kind of Woman. He also likes the story of When I Was a Boy, which is
one Dar song that I do think he understands somehow. Which is good.
The last time I took Brian to see John, Dave brought Brian over after the
show to say hi (and Dave was real nice to Brian) and John asked Brian if this
was his first show. "No" said Brian, "I've seen you before once and Dar
twice." John sort of mumbles Dar??? Dar Williams I say. So good ol John puts
Brian on the spot: "Who do you like better, me or Dar?" Brian hems and haws,
mmmm "I dooon't know". "Good political answer" John says. Well, you put up a
twenty-something sweetheart with the best hair this side of the Mississippi
who winks at little boys from the stage and asks them for requests, well.....
Well enough. I was gonna tell a Cannons In the Rain story, but that novel
will await another evening.
Ron
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Subj: Intro and comments
Date: 96-10-10
From: doghelp@primenet.com (William T. Rayner)
I first heard John Stewart on KDKB radio in Tempe, AZ - east of Phoenix
- in 1971. Bill Compton was the program director at the time and was
instrumental in pushing John's music as well as others in a progressive
format. Tempe was (and to a lesser degree, still is) a town where John
always got a lot of airplay and his regular concerts were well received.
John always seemed to have a great time here and genuinely looked
forward to playing the Celebrity Theatre (in the round). Could be why he
recorded The Phoenix Concerts at Symphony Hall (I was at both shows and
recall they played "Cops" about 3 times until they got a good take).
John credited Bill Compton - who made it all possible. Bill was killed
in a car accident several years later and we now have an outdoor concert
facility called Compton Terrace (the 2nd one named after him) that seats
about 20,000 people. Stevie Nicks' father is one of the owners.
My copies of California Bloodlines and Willard were played constantly and
got pretty beat up. The Lonesome Picker also had a Tempe reference in
"Crazy" and around this time John Stewart was the hottest thing going in
this town, as well as Jerry Riopelle. Cannons in the Rain was a
highlight for me and I thought that this would kick John into the
stratosphere and we probably would never see him in a small venue again.
I must admit that something happened around this time and I can't put my
finger on it. He seemed to change, take himself too seriously, whatever.
But in all honesty, I have been somewhat disappointed ever since. But I
keep listening and have a soft spot in my heart for the guy and his
music.
I still remember the great live shows with Arnie (wide load) Moore, the
professor on keyboards, Chris Darrow on everything with strings and John
Stewart who had us in the palm of his hands. Someone recently mentioned
long lost songs - and the one I remember is "East of Denver" - I heard it
exactly once and thought it was a great tune.
If I never get east of Denver again
Denver again, Denver again
It'll be too soon, buddy it'll be too soon
...or something like that. We still see John about every other time he
passes through Phoenix and I am due for another show. I credit John for
raising my political awareness and directing my taste in music from rock
and roll to the folkier side of the business - where I am currently
spending my time producing concerts and an awful lot of money on CD's.
Thanks John - see you next time.
Bill Rayner
Phoenix Folklore Productions
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Subj: Irresistable Targets
Date: 96-10-10
From: tae69@dial.pipex.com (Mark M Austin)
I've got a compilation album, Piper Alpha (a benefit album for the
oil rig disaster) which features Irresistable Targets. However there
is nothing to date this album although I know I've had it for a
number of years. The version is obviously much older than that
on Bullets, (also older than Deep in the Neon I think) and actually
sounds much like that on Secret Tapes II.
Can any triva junkie date this album for me, and also the Secret
Tapes II version?
Thanks.
Mark
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Subj: SO's and JS
Date: 96-10-10
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Wow... you're lucky. Mine will go only under duress.
Michelle
>My wife isn't a fan either, but does indulge me by going with me to
concerts.>
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Subj: No Subject
Date: 96-10-10
From: paulkris@erinet.com (paul rybolt)
My name is Paul RyBolt. After several weeks of eavesdropping it's time that
i introduced myself. I live in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and am a photographer
by trade. I first heard John in about 1969, on the old Glen Campbell
Goodtime Hour. As I recall, he did Bloodlines and Armstrong. Must have been
late 1969, or early 1970 based on the July of '70 moon landing. I was an
instant fan and accumulated all of the records as they became available.
Moved to California in 1973, and saw john at the Four Muses in San Clemente
and later at a club somewhere in Orange County. The Funky Kings (Jack
Tempchin, another great songwriter) opened the Orange County show. They
did the single worst set I've ever heard anyone get paid for. The second
set was great. John, of course, was incomparable both shows. I would love
to see John again. He played in Dayton, Ohio, several years ago and I was
in Scotland. He went to Scotland; I came to Ohio. I have two qusetions for
the group. First, where is Andy's Pub? I got all of the info from the
jacket of Bullets but still can't locate on the map. I have the AA road
atlas of Britain. Second is easier. Please supply the address for Austin
City Limits letters again. I hit the wrong key and lost it. I support all
efforts to get the Mt. Clemens project going. If 51 of us jam Angelbravo's
mailbox maybe we can get his attention? all be well, paul
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Subj: Re: Intro and comments
Date: 96-10-10
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Thanks, Bill, for your intro. What is "Phoenix Folklore Productions"?
Sounds interesting.
Michelle, webmistress and bloodlines mailing list manager
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Subj: John Stewart on Austin City Limits
Date: 96-10-10
From: Ddumail@aol.com
Here, Paul, is the piece I snipped this off the AOL John Stewart Board:
(and by the way, John is a member of this list, so if you want TBTAMC, you
can post your wishes right here... he'll see it)
<snip>
Fellow Stewart Afficionados,
In the recent past there was some talk at this site about JS appearing on
Austin City Limits. If you want to get him on this show you should write
to them and request his presence, just like I have done.
Their address is: Austin City Limits
C/O KLRU - TV
2504 - B Whitis St.
Austin, Texas 78705
Write, or call them today! Thank's, and " Keep it flyin' "
DMotley@aol.com, Crestline, Ca.
<snip>
I think that this would be a really good group project. Let's see, there are
51 of us now and if everybody will post back here as soon as they get their
snailmail letter into the mailbox, we'll cross you off the list. Fifty-one
letters would make a huge difference. Also, there's a gal on the NanciNet who
is going to be an intern there next quarter. I think we might be able to make
sure it's getting talked about! (Since this is beg-a-thon week on the local
NPR station, this is one of the few times I feel comfortable talking this
way.)
Michelle , webmistress and bloodlines list manager
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Subj: For those who just spectate
Date: 96-10-11
From: battery@teleport.com (battery)
Enough with sitting in the spectator section! This is great! I have
really enjoyed receiving everyones e-mail. My name is Mike Morgan and
I have been a fan of JS and his music since my college years (early
'70's). I believe I first heard John on the Tonight Show with sub-host
John Denver. I may be wrong about this and anyone is welcome to affirm
this or correct me!
I do remember buying albums at this time, "Phoenix Concerts" and
"Wingless Angles" the earliest. I've enjoyed watching Johns music
evolve over the years. He is one of the few musicians whose music has
not parked itself in one style or time. I witnessed this a year ago in
my hometown of Portland OR at the first North by Northwest event when
John did a 40 minute set following three other musicians. There was a
group of young listeners sitting behind us
talking before John came out. One of them asked who is this guy?
Another one answered with
"some old folk-guy from the Kingston Trio my parents used to listen
to". Then John, Dave, and Dennis Kenmore on drums came on stage. John
announed themselves as "Ralph and the Bushes" then exploded into songs,
many from the "Bandera" album, with more energy than I have ever seen.
Maybe this was because they only had 40 minutes to perform, but it was
amazing! I turned back to see how the kids were reacting and there
mouths were dropped wide open in shock. They weren't expecting this!
Here is a real John Stewart Moment for me: About 2 or 3 years ago John
and Dave played at Bojangles in Portland. Being a devoted 12-string
guitar player myself I couldn't have been more impressed when John came
out with his new Taylor 12-string that night. After the concert I
bought Johns book "Write From the Heart" and asked him to to autograph
it for me. I asked him about the 12-string and his eyes lit up as he
told me he just bought it and this was the first time he used it in
concert. We talked for quite a while, then when I left I looked in the
book and saw that instead of an autograph, he drew a picture of me in
the same style as the other drawings. I went back in and John had
left, but Dave was still there. I asked him if he usually does this
and he said "Sometimes he draws!" Thanks John, and the book has been
inspirational to my own music!
I have all of Johns CD's except for a couple of imports. THANK GOD for
the boxed set with "The Last Campaign". Get it you haven't yet along
with the two Scottish live CD's! And when will "Fire in the Wind"
finally make it to CD? My vinyl is about worn out!
I would like to hear from anyone in the Beautifull Pacific Northwest
especially when John is in town (hopefully this winter according to
Dave).
battery@teleport.com
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Subj: Re:
Date: 96-10-11
From: delausa@mailbox.syr.edu (Del Lausa)
Hi, Paul. I grew up in Lima, OH. Yellow Springs is one of my favorite
places on earth!
>My name is Paul RyBolt. After several weeks of eavesdropping it's time that
>i introduced myself. I live in Yellow Springs, Ohio
Subj: Re: SO's and JS
Hmmm. Mine always vaguely liked some of John's music until he saw him live
for the first time last weekend. Now he just spontaneously mumbles, "John
Stewart is *really* great. He is just so great. We have to go see him the
next time he's here. Put on some John Stewart." I've been laughing all
week.
>Wow... you're lucky. Mine will go only under duress.
>Michelle
>My wife isn't a fan either, but does indulge me by going with me to
>concerts.
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Subj: a journey into eroticism?
Date: 96-10-12
From: ClackClack@aol.com
The recent show reports on the evolution of July from "Seattle Mister" into
Miranda July Fontana prompted me to pull out a DJ copy of Fire In The Wind
that I have. If I remember correctly John used to introduce Fire In the Wind
as the sequel to July. I wondered if there was something in the promo sheet
with the album about July but there wasn't. The Fire album however, remains
one of my "more" favorite Stewart albums. When the album first came out I was
constantly calling a Sacramento DJ on KZAP to play cuts and he usually would
play Rock It In My Own Sweet Time. My favorite song on the lp by far is The
Last Hurrah, but also like The Runner, Fire,On You Like The Wind and The Wild
Side of You quite a bit. Seeing the NY reports of John doing both The Runner
and Last Hurrah sure made me jealous.
Anyway, here's an excerpt from the promo sheet that 20 years later now gives
us a little window to the past:
""Signals Through The Glass" recorded with Buffy Ford was the album Stewart
kiddingly claims was outsold by foreign language albums. "I had a whole
revolutionary dream of theatricality, visual music; I studied Andrew Wyeth
paintings for a year, locked myself in my room with Wyeth prints and tried to
play the colors he painted," says Stewart of the period.
Deciding on a solo career, Stewart went to Nashville to record his first
album, California Bloodlines, which was released in early 1969 and remains
his most successful album to date.
According to Stewart, "It was the kind of album that contains songs you just
can't find on any other album. It has a certain feeling, certain energy, a
certain funk that makes it a real American album. I was writing very
journalistic songs then. Sort of vignettes and play-like things that you
would hear in the days of old radio put to music."
That feeling, energy and funk is still there for Stewart. Fire In The Wind
demonstrates that. There is a biting tune about how Jimmy Carter got elected,
"Sell 'Em the Lord and Promise 'Em The Wind". The title cut, "Fire In The
Wind," is described by Stewart as "a journey into eroticism". "The Runner" is
an up song about being down, and "Eighteen Wheels," according to Stewart, "is
unlike any other truckers' song that has been written".
"I've discovered that real good songwriters have codes," Stewart says of his
imitations. "Winchester, Dylan, (Gordon) Lightfoot, (Tom) Waits all have a
code. And if you break the code, you can write a song like Jesse Winchester.
It's akin to doing an impression, but it's taking it a step further".
The striving for perfection in his live performances, as evidenced on "The
Phoenix Concerts --Live" album, and his studio albums, may be why Stewart
sees himself as the Rocky Balboa (from the movie "Rocky") of the songwriters.
"I just don't want to be another bum from the neighborhood," Stewart says. "
Well folks, hope you found that interesting. Any codebreakers out there
writing songs just like John? I don't think so. Just another bum from the
neighborhood, Ron
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Subj: Re: For those who just spectate
Date: 96-10-12
From: WardHorde@aol.com
I remember John on the Tonight Show with Denver. For me, it was great
because they are two of my favorite writers and performers.
Marty Ward
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Subj: Re: For those who just spectate
Date: 96-10-12
From: Lordfrench@aol.com
Two quick things about John on The Tonight Show with guest host John Denver:
After singing "July" with a full backing group, John sits down for the
interview with Denver and immediately says "What ever happened to Tar-baby
Rojas?"
Denver laughs and shakes his head, says "I KNEW you were going to do that,"
meaning that John would say something weird to throw Denver off.
Then, as I'm sitting in Detroit, having anticipated John's appearance all
day, thrilled to see Stewart finally get on the Tonight Show (this was in '73
or early '74), Denver starts to talk about the days when he and JS were a
duo, and...NBC NEWS PUTS UP A DAMN "BULLETIN" CARD AND INTERRUPTS THE SHOW!
Some correspondent comes on and says there's a crisis in Cyprus, of all
places I could not care less about, and let's go to the Pentagon for a
report. Then, that reportorial doofus throws it to the state department and
another pain in the ass who has an exclusive interview with Henry
Kissinger...who talks so damn slow that I'm screaming at the TV for him to
get to the point.
No kidding. That's exactly how it happened in the Eastern Time zone, and
when they come back to the Tonight Show, I swear, Denver is saying "well,
thanks for stopping by, John..." and that was it.
Never did find out what happened to Tar-Baby Rojas.
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Subj: For those who just spectate
Date: 96-10-12
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Might we be able to get that tape from the archives? That would be great to
see. Maybe John has a copy?????
Michelle
>I remember John on the Tonight Show with Denver. For me, it was great
>because they are two of my favorite writers and performers.
>Marty Ward
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Subj: Re:
Date: 96-10-12
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Hi Del and Paul,
My Dad was born and raised in Xenia, OH, just down the road from Yellow
Springs!
Michelle
>Hi, Paul. I grew up in Lima, OH. Yellow Springs is one of my favorite
>places on earth!
>
>>My name is Paul RyBolt. After several weeks of eavesdropping it's time that
>>i introduced myself. I live in Yellow Springs, Ohio
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Subj: introduction/tonight show
Date: 96-10-12
From: don-fish@msn.com (D. & F. R.)
Hello, yall. I've enjoyed the thread on The Tonight Show enough that I'm
belatedly coming out of lurking.
I also was watching that night. It was the first time I ever heard Stewart.
First time I ever heard OF him. I watched only because at the time I was a
big fan of John Denver -- who ultimately served as sort of my training wheels
for acoustic music.
And oddly enough, even though Stewart sang ``July'' -- now my favorite song
in all the universe -- the world did not move for me that night. The heavens did
not open. The angels did not sing. My first taste of Stewart barely
registered. But then the very next day I was wandering through a record
store, and there in a discount bin was ``The Lonesome Picker Rides Again.''
I bought it on a $1.99 whim.
I took it home and popped that vinyl onto the turntable (Vinyl? Turntable?
Grandpa, what is that man talking about?). And this time, the earth moved.
The heavens opened. The angels sang. From that first harmonica note of ``Just an
Old Love Song.'' From that wonderful throwaway line, ``God love ya, getting
on in the back of the car...'' From my first discovery that ``Daydream
Believer'' was a great folk song. By the time ``Last Campaign Trilogy''
arrived, I was hooked.
These 23 years or so years later I still am. I have all of his solo releases,
most in multiple formats, and have tired on none of them. I've seen Stewart
in concert about 20 times. I became a journalist and have been lucky enough to
interview him three times. About a year ago I got on the computer and have
enjoyed many of your thoughts on the AOL board. And all the great information
on the websites. And now Bloodlines. Great hearing from you all.
Don Ruiz (PEEVEYROO on AOL), Tacoma, WA.
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Subj: Re: introduction/tonight show
Date: 96-10-12
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
Been wonderin' just "who" Peevey was <G>
Thanks for "coming out of the closet" <G>
Nancy
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Subj: Re: For those who just spectate
Date: 96-10-13
From: PeterB1103@aol.com
If you saw JS and John Denver on the tonight show, did you also catch JS
singing "Rocks and Blues" and, I think, also "Armstrong" on Merv Griffin
and/or David Frost?
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Subj: Other TV
Date: 96-10-13
From: Lordfrench@aol.com
While we're at it, I also recall JS TV appearances on:
"The Midnight Special," the old Saturday nighter on NBC (?), singing "Chilly Winds"
in 1973.
One of the networks carrying John's live performance of "Bright Light on the Water"
in front of the Capitol in Washington D.C. for the Bicentennial, July 4, 1976.
John, with the Trio, on "The Jack Benny Show," circa 1962.
Oh, just remembered two more--the Trio on the Andy Williams Show. And John
doing "Mother Country" on the Glen Campbell show, I believe, around 1969, and
doing "Survivors" on the Smothers Brothers Show in 1974. Make that three.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Other TV
Date: 96-10-13
From: Pjhayesofc@aol.com
The Man, Arnie & crew also sang Let the Big Horse Run on the (same?) Smothers
Brothers Show. I recall that it rocked, unlike the vinyl version . . .
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Other TV
Date: 96-10-13
From: don-fish@msn.com (D. & F. R.)
I think Stewart also sang ``Let' the Big Horse Run,'' on that Smothers Bros.
appearance. If I'm remembering right, he sang ``Big Horse'' dring his segment
as music guest, accompanied by some sort of Secretariat video. Then I think
they used ``Survivors'' to close the show, with John being joined by Tom and
Dick and the other guests. -- Don
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Other TV
Date: 96-10-13
From: Netennis@aol.com
There was also a performance on the Jonathan Winters Show. He did Chilly
Winds and Durango (or rather John lip synched to the recordings). I also
remember an appearance on the Kenny Rogers hosted show Rollin' on the River.
I believe he did Never Going Back and maybe something else. I've also seen
him appear on a Nashville Network talk show on two occassions. I have a tape
on one one of the shows where he did Sweet Dreams Will Come and Children of
the New Frontier. There was also an appearance on the David Frost Show where
he did Rocks and Blues (maybe John can tell us the story about this show he
told at the Towne Crier a few years ago).
Sorry for the rambling, but this was pretty spontaneous!
Gordon Kent
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Important Stuff
Date: 96-10-13
From: Ddumail@aol.com
I saw this on the aol board and I though that y'all on Bloodlines would like
to know this. I was unaware of this travesty. Thanks to "Dave" Batti for the
insight.
<snip>
Just a thought for all you music purchasers...if you buy Bloodlines (the Bear
Family release) for example, from any retail outlet, John sees no money (it's
licensed from Capitol who pays John no royalties because they claim John
still owes them...remember the "lost" album that was dumped because Peter
Asher wanted to produce "Willard"...John's still paying for that LP!). Very
doubtful John sees any songwriting royalties from a foreign release. This is
the story for any KT or non-Homecoming/Crow/Neon release. But if you buy it
at a JS gig or through Homecoming, then John does see some money. We're not
fast because it's just John, Dave, & Luke and we do go on the road from time
to time (that slows the delivery time!)...but John will see some money...just
a thought.
<snip>
To be sure that John gets all the benefit of our purchases, use the
Homecoming Records downloadable Order Form that can be found at:
http://www.concentric.net/~ddunet/available.html
Michelle, webmistress and mailing list manager
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: My bio stuff
Date: 96-10-13
From: MButters@aol.com
Time to do the bio thing, I guess. I've enjoyed reading the others. I'm also
on the AOL board and have enjoyed reading posts from many of you there. I'll
try not to be redundant, having already "bio-ed" on AOL awhile back.
Vitals: 48 y/o, married to Vicki , father of Jon (21 y/o), and Wendy (19 y/o).
I'm a psychologist in private practice, having previously been (in order) : a
teacher, a newspaper reporter, a teacher again (for longer -- 2 yrs each in
2nd grade, middle school, junior high, high school English), a high school
principal (2 yrs -- my least favorite gig, the one most people never forget
about me/forgive me for, take your pick), a US Air Force officer (my
clinical internship in psychology plus two years payback, fighting the Battle
of Wilford Hall).
Like many of you, I learned guitar and "ear harmony" listening to the
Kingston Trio, memorizing the KT songbooks, and figuring out what fret you
have to put your capo on in order to play in G when the book says B-flat. I
especially liked the way the Trio (usually Dave or John) sort of started on a
lower voice part in the verse and wound up in higher voice part in the chorus
(John's work on the Trio's College Concert version of "Chilly Winds" would be
a good [and discernable] example).
Also, like many of you, I turned my youthful music lessons into an occasional
paycheck, playing mostly through college.
Did I say I would be brief ? Sorry. I get pretty wordy. And I have a lot of
old memories. And I think old memories are the best -- more connections, more
overlay. But I really enjoy making new memories, too.
I live in Chattanooga, now, a big small town along the Tennessee River, which
has, in twenty years, gone from being the greatest environmental eyesore to
something of a showcase of environmental wholeness and sustainable growth. I
grew up in more or less North Carolina, but have since lived in North Dakota
and Texas (Lubbock and San Antonio), before settling here.
First live JS/Trio contact : Fall, 1963 (probably late September, early
October). Just before they blew the dream away. Twenty years later, I was
able to help sponsor my idol (?) (hero? -- what is John Stewart?) in a
wonderful benefit concert, here in Chattanooga. Anyone who wants more
information on how to do this, e-mail me.
Collected all of John's work as consistently as I could, up through both
Dream Babies albums and lost track of him until Punch The Big Guy. Lost him
again, but got reconnected when the Trio played near here in 1991, two months
before my dad died and one month before I reconciled with an old
friend-then-enemy-then-friend (George Yarbrough III). George was the only old
friend I had who really shared my ongoing enthusiasm for John and the Trio.
We saw the Trio together in January of 1994. George wanted to tell Bob Shane
to get a haircut ("... and I never thought I'd say that to anybody...") but
he didn't. George commited suicide on Easter Sunday of the folloiwing year.
Apparently, he had been pretty depressed for quite a while. We all did the
"nobody really knew" thing. And, really, nobody did know.
A great guy by the name of Milton Terry, orignally from Montana, taught for
me my first (and only decent) of two years as a principal, in Maddock, North
Dakota. He was also a real die-hard JS fan. My wife Vicki and I had dinner at
his house (with him and Bonnie) one night. I drank too much wine and heard
Phoneix Concerts for the first time, complete with the improved version of
"Pirates of Stone County Road" (George had introduced me to the Bloodlines
version). I was, I think the phrase is, blown totally away.
A year later, Milton moved back to Big Sandy, a name John would love and
possibly include in a song. That fall he was late getting out to hunt with
some friends, he and his big Labrador, Shiloh. In the rush, he whipped from
the little road running parallel to the railroad tracks onto the
perpendicular road that crossed the railroad tracks. He didn't see or hear
the train. He and Shiloh were killed instantly and are probably still
somewhere around Big Sandy.
Bonnie had painted a fine, big picture of geese on the wing, a sight common
to North Dakota (we lived on the International Flyway -- it was wonderfully
noisy, going into winter). Milton had framed it with with some old distressed
lumber. Looked like maybe old barn lumber. After Milton died, we bought the
picture from the Maddock Bank, where Bonnie had left it up for sale, when
they moved. After awhile, with all our many moves, the frame just fell apart.
We still have the picture, though.
We had a memorial service for Milton at the school, even though he had moved
the previous summer. Pretty much the whole town turned out. Milton loved his
kids and they never stopped loving him. I borrowed somebody's reel-to-reel
and taped some John Stewart songs to play at appropriate points in the
service. I sort of had to hide/squat under the podium to run the sound
without the on/off thing being too distracting , at the service. It was no
trouble and I wished I had done a whole lot more for Milton when he was
around.
We played "A Little Road and a Stone to Roll" and the "Wild Horse Road/Shoot
All the Wild Horses" medley.
I think Milton would have appreciated that we didn't do a bunch of phony BS
stuff. I know I did.
Sorry to be so long. I think buried in this story somewhere is something of
what John and his music are all about. The unvarnished reality of real basic
people trying real hard to get from one end of this thing to the other,
without looking back too much or steppin on somebody.
Goodnight, and fare well, fellow dreambabies.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: My bio stuff
Date: 96-10-13
From: RSandvik@aol.com
In a message dated 96-10-13 20:24:32 EDT, you write:
>te September, early
>October). Just before they blew the dream away. Twenty years later, I was
>able to help sponsor my idol (?) (hero? -- what is John Stewart?) in a
>wonderful benefit concert, here in Chattanooga. Anyone who wants more
>information on how to do this, e-mail me.
>
Would love some info on a benefit concert. We organize a folk festival here
in Sisters, but would like to expand its scope to provide a benefit for our
desperately underfunded school music/arts programs.
Thanks,
Dick Sandvik
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Other TV
Date: 96-10-14
From: paulkris@erinet.com (paul rybolt)
I remebered John doing Bloodlines and Armstrong on the Glen Campbell show.
Anyone care to mediate?
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Any other folks in San Diego
Date: 96-10-14
From: lcfoster@sdcoe.k12.ca.us (Bob Foster)
I guess I'm the newest member of the electronic mailing list. I just
wondered if there are other members of the list in San Diego. I still
remember seeing John at Elarios in La Jolla (btw I'm told they are about
to close)
Bob Foster
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Bloodlines Bio
Date: 96-10-15
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
Glad to see ya finally found us, Blusey <G>
Nancy
------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Kansas Connection
Date: 96-10-15
From: WardHorde@aol.com
As I have been reading the bios of the Stewartistas, I am struck at how many
have spent time, and were often hooked on John's music while in Kansas (as I
was). How many Kansas refugees or current Kansans are there in this group.
It is only just that great American music is inspired by the great Midwest.
Marty Ward
Former Kansan, now living on the outskirts of Heaven (Colorado)
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Any other folks in San Diego
Date: 96-10-15
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy Talbott)
I saw ALL John's shows at Elario's. I'm in Arizona, but ALWAYS travel to
SoCal if John's there. (he hasn't been in San Diego area for quite a while,
tho)
I was in the front row with a girlfriend who adores John also, harmonizing
our little hearts out.
John plays Anderson's 5th Estate in Scottsdale, pretty regularly, twice a
year....one is upcoming for Dec 8, I believe. It's not THAT far from San
Diego. In fact, several years ago, before I moved to Prescott, I drove ALL
the way by myself, just to see him in Scottsdale :)))) The things people
DO for this guy! <grin>
Nancy
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray
and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from
heaven and will forgive their sin, and heal their land." (I Chronicles 7:14)
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Kansas Connection
Date: 96-10-15
From: Bluesy33@aol.com
Folks in Montana would argue about the "heaven" part
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Any other folks in San Diego
Date: 96-10-15
From: Bluesy33@aol.com
Gracias pard
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Bloodlines Bio
Date: 96-10-15
From: Bluesy33@aol.com
Found ya--on my lonely way back home.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: How Much Does It Cost?
Date: 96-10-15
From: lcfoster@sdcoe.k12.ca.us (Bob Foster)
Does anybody know what it costs to book John for a night?? My wife and I
are longtime front row dancers and were thinking that for our 25th
wedding anniversary we wanted to do something outlandish. Like maybe book
John for a concert open only to our fellow JS fanatics.
Bob (probably way too expensive) Foster
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: How Much Does It Cost?
Date: 96-10-15
From: cockatoo@bslnet.com (Nancy A. Talbott)
I heard at one time (from Dave, I think) that John doesn't do private
bookings/parties...( I had the same thought one time) But I'm sure he'd
have to answer that for you himself...good luck!
Nancy
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Fwd From NanciNet
Date: 96-10-16
From: Ddumail@aol.com
This is a post that came across the Nancinet and I thought it could be used
as an alternative for Bob (probably way to expensive) Foster.
Michelle, webmistress and mailing list manager
<snip>
Hello,
No real Nanci content here, except to further Mary Wood Littleton's
recommendation that people give house concerts a try (and of course, Nanci
inspired her to start her house concert series in the first place).
Mary's right. If you set up your own small house concert or coffeehouse
series, you can bring in some big names from the folk world, ESPECIALLY if
you live in some out-of-the-way place that doesn't have a lot of live folk
or acoustic music. The reason that you can get some big names as well as
those whose popularity is on the rise is that these performers are always
on the road, and they're almost always in their cars. If they're playing
in Georgia one night, and Texas 3 nights later, they're looking for
fillers somewhere in between. Many of them will play somewhere for very
low pay just so they'll have a place to stay for the night. It is not at
all unusual for these performers to be put up in someone's home as it
saves them the cost of the hotel and might even give them a home-cooked
meal.
Although Mary's house concert series is held in a church, many
house concerts are actually held in people's homes. Two years ago I sat 3
feet away from Canadian singer-songwriter Garnet Rogers in a woman's small
living room that had about 30 folding chairs crammed in. Concert settings
don't get any more intimate than that! You don't have to have a 5,000-
square-foot home to have a house concert, either.
A booklet has been written by a guy named T.R. Ritchie on how to put on
house concerts. If anyone is interested, e-mail me and I'll pass on his
e-mail address. If you decide to give it a try, you should subscribe to
the folkvenu list, too. People post info on their concert series and open
dates all the time. Even if you don't want to put on your own house
concert series, consider supporting them and the small folk coffeehouse
series if they are held in your areas. You'll find fabulous music, always
at affordable prices.
mneff@grove.ufl.EDU (Maryl Lynn Neff)
<snip>
Maryl "the first draft of the dissertation is due in 5 days" Neff
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: How Much Does It Cost?
Date: 96-10-16
From: paulkris@erinet.com (paul rybolt)
bob, i'd love to share your 25th with you and your wife. my wife might even
attend. paul
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: How Much Does It Cost?
Date: 96-10-16
From: jbrassil@maine.com (John Brassil)
A friend (a great Stew fanatic, actually) here in Maine tried to do this a
few years ago. It was an absolute no go.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: Other TV
Date: 96-10-16
From: DBATTI@aol.com
I can remember doing The Nashville Network with John...We did Gold with the
full Nashville Now Band, and then Daydream Believer (just John and I)....big
fun...Roger Whitaker and some comedian were the other guests. Also
Lordfrench, don't you remember the cable pilot we did in Boulder with John as
the host? You were the Head Writer and never saw any $$$(I say you were
still overpaid)! I don't remember the names of guest except for Grant Woods
(Att Gen of AZ), and the lead singer from the New Grass Revival, and that
poet, and then there was that singer from Steeleye Span, and John did 5 or 6
songs...I have a copy...it's good...too bad the guy went bankrupt...Dave
PS...when John did Survivors on The Smothers Bros...the cast slowly joined
John on stage...they included Tom & Dick, and then Ringo and Pat Paulsen, and
then a couple of writers on the show...Steve Martin and "Super Dave"...I
think there was someone else, but my memory fails me (I saw the video 5 or 6
years ago)...Lordfrench?
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: How Much Does It Cost?
Date: 96-10-16
From: DBATTI@aol.com
Hi Bob,
We have played a few private party/house parties in the recent past (50th
birthday party in Toronto, house warming in Napa, winner of the "John & Dave
Plays at your House Contest" in Santa Barbara, weddng in SF, Christmas party
in Redondo Beach). John used to be 100% against them (correct John Brassil),
but after having good experiences at the few we have done, he is more open to
playing them. The best guy to contact is probably John himself, or his agent
Stephen Gordon. I don't know how much, but if you have an isolated date, its
more expensive than a regular concert or club date (when we played Toronto,
they covered airfare and rooms, played in the nice people's back yard on a
warm and pleasant summer evening, and had a much cooler time than at a smokey
club). If it's in conjunction with a tour to fill in an off night, then like
the Nancinet thing said, less expensive (but unlike the Nancinet thing, John
never stays at peoples houses...he needs his space!). As in the real world,
everything is negotiable...Dave
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: How much does it cost-Con't
Date: 96-10-16
From: lcfoster@sdcoe.k12.ca.us (Bob Foster)
To all those of you who answered my first post--many thanks.
This may be a very basic question but as the newest member of the E mail
list let me ask it. Some of the best advise came from Dave (DBATTI) He
suggested contact John directly or Stephen Gordon. How would one do
this? Do they ever post here?
As an aside since everyone is posting how important John's songs have ben
in their lives-let me add mine. I ran Bob Kennedy's campaign on the UC
Berkeley campus. I still can't listen to John's songs about the last
campaign without nearly coming to tears.
Bob Foster, San Diego
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Re: How much does it cost-Con't
Date: 96-10-18
From: MButters@aol.com
Steve Gordon's e-mail address is Gordoom@aol.com.
He also has a phone number, which Dave could give you. Dave's email address
is DBatti@aol.com.
Happy Trails.
-------------------------------------------------------
Subj: Bloodlines House Concert (BHC)
Date: 96-10-18
From: ddunet@concentric.net (Michelle L Stevens)
Hey Stewartistas (I like that better than Bloodhounds, don't you?)
I found this great web site for putting on a house concert. I think that
this could be a great group project for us, after we get John on Austin
City Limits, of course. (Remember that we are all writing to Austin City
Limits c/o KLRU-TV, 2504B Whitis Street, Austin, TX 78705 to petition to
have them feature John next season. So far I have confirmations from just
me and Ron Fleshman, so get cooking!)
So the first group project is sending those letters to ACL and the second
project will be to put on a house concert. (The aol mmc posters are
attempting to release a CD of previously unreleased cuts titled "The Box
That Ate Mt. Clemens") BTW, LordFrench, how is that going?
Here's the house concert website:
http://www.island.net/~oldfolk/housecon.htm
Who wants to volunteer to helpo Bob in San Diego get this going?
Michelle, webmistress and bloodlines mailing list manager
-------------------------------------------------------
end of Bloodlines archive Oct 1996(B)