I'm at the Grandview library, I am using their computer, mine is being fixed. I just got a text. Pete Seeger has passed away. Now I have a regret. Pete's music has always been part of my life. I heard the old songs growing up and thought they were moving, corny, sad, hopeful among other feelings. Pete's music was there, but I my ear was more attuned to other voices, first the punk rock to world music evolution of The Clash caught my attention and made me listen and feel alive, as did lyrics and rock and roll salvation of Bruce Springsteen. From there, i discovered the music of Phil Ochs and heard the sound of a breaking heart and spirit, and then on to Bob Dylan and back further to Woody Guthrie and back again. I was so inspired by all the voices in my ears, that I started to write my own songs about the world and how to make it a better place with justice and joy for ALL people. all the while, Pete was Always there, waiting for me to rediscover what he had to say and to apply it to the times I was living in. And in time, I finally did. I sang the Pete song "Bring 'em Home" at rallies and demonstrations. During my "Sing-a-Story program, I did Pete's story/song about the Foolish Frog and saw the joy in the eyes of a new generation of kids as they got caught up in the story.
I wanted to do a sing-a-story program about the song "We Shall Overcome". But there was no book to go with the song. so I decided to create a book, using Pete's lyrics and my illustrations, I first told the story in 2009. I've done it several times since then. It was one of my greatest hopes to send a copy of my book to Pete. I started work on making a copy to mail to Pete, but I didn't send it. I knew that Pete was getting up there in age but I still couldn't get it together enough to send it to him. I also wanted to write him a note to tell him thanks for all that he has done and given up for the cause of peoples rights and about how he has inspired me on my life's journey. But I didn't send it. I always hoped that Pete would be around, still fighting the good fight. I didn't want to believe there would be a world that he wasn't a part of. But now that world is here, and I am left with my regret. But in a way, this world is not without Pete. Pete's spirit lives on in all those lives he has touched through all his time here. I feel Pete's spirit in myself as I am writing these words. I feel upset and sad that I failed to send my book to Pete while I had the chance to. but it is my hope and belief that now he can see it. And I hope he likes it. and that the next time I'm out playing at a rally, Pete's spirit will be there with me, helping me to carry on and remain hopeful.
So in closing, God Bless you Pete Seeger, you have made this world a better place during your time here. Have fun singin' and jamming again with Woody and Phil and all the other voices that went before you. We will do our best to make things right down here as you did for so very long. Thank you so very much. anybody who calls themselves a protest singer owes you a HUGE debt.
Love,
Brian
This is for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViwAX8YwMpg
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Last night I went to Kent Ohio to see Ian Hunter and the Rant Band play at The Kent Stage. With the weather rainy and my car leaking anti-freeze, I decided to leave about three hours before the 8pm start time. Thankfully, the car and the weather behaved, and I got into town with about some 90 minutes to spare. The whole downtown area was full of people, it was homecoming weekend for Kent State and everyone was celebrating. I had my guitar Phil with me in hopes to have Ian sign it after the show, but I thought why not take the time I had now and play. So, I set up on a corner and started going through songs. I haven't done that in a while and by the time I had to leave for the show, I earned enough in tips for a CD and gas for the trip home. I make it over to the show and see Ian and the band put on an amazing concert. The band rocked in an electric /folk way that I always loved (check out my band Brian Griffin and the Coffee House Rebels!) and much of the crowd (me included) rushed up to the stage for the encores (photos coming!). When they finished up with "Cleveland Rocks" I wait outside after the show along with about 15 other fans for Ian to come out. I make friends with a guy named Jicky Czar and we ended up playing some Velvet Underground and Bowie songs. after about 45 minutes, the band comes out and the lead guitarist who I just watched shred and play amazingly, told me I sounded great and I should start gigging! They pack into their van and drive around the corner and pick up Ian, who was at the other stage door and head off to the hotel. I was a little bummed not to get to meet him. I was brought up on Mott the Hoople records by my brother Mark Griffin who played them LOUD!!! much to my parent's chagrin. I hoping to tell Ian how much his songs helped me through the dramas of teenage life. I guess that will have to wait for another time. So, I decide to go grab a $5 pizza and start the two hour trek home. The crowds on the street were even bigger now and more rowdy (ie drunk). As i worked my way down the street, there was two couples sitting on a wall. One of the guys saw I had a guitar and asked if I could play a song. I asked if he wanted to hear a political song or a love song. He said a love song for him and his girl. So I started playing "Woman's Touch" a new song I've recorded by not released (yet!). It is about how we as men are desperate and vile creatures without the redeeming grace of women to save us. After I finished, the guy thanked me and said that the song spoke of everything he felt in his heart about his girlfriend. And once again it comes to me that this is why I do all this. Put up with the time alone and of people not understanding why I'm following this "crazy" dream I have. To be able to get these songs out into the world to helps me cope AND I hope, in some way, they will help inspire or create a moment in a person's life that they can carry with them and make their passage though this life a little easier. Later, when I was driving home alone in the pouring rain at 3am, with all the energy drinks gone and I'm trying to keep my eyes open, these feelings and thoughts are what keep me awake...and alive!
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Hi everyone and happy 2011! Here's to a new and productive New Year. I and intending to play more shows this year and get new material released. Keep posted, I still got a lot to say, I not done Yet!
Peace to you all!
Brian
Reply
THE COFFEE HOUSE REBELS / Blog
FOR PETE'S SAKE...
I'm at the Grandview library, I am using their computer, mine is being fixed. I just got a text. Pete Seeger has passed away. Now I have a regret. Pete's music has always been part of my life. I heard the old songs growing up and thought they were moving, corny, sad, hopeful among other feelings. Pete's music was there, but I my ear was more attuned to other voices, first the punk rock to world music evolution of The Clash caught my attention and made me listen and feel alive, as did lyrics and rock and roll salvation of Bruce Springsteen. From there, i discovered the music of Phil Ochs and heard the sound of a breaking heart and spirit, and then on to Bob Dylan and back further to Woody Guthrie and back again. I was so inspired by all the voices in my ears, that I started to write my own songs about the world and how to make it a better place with justice and joy for ALL people. all the while, Pete was Always there, waiting for me to rediscover what he had to say and to apply it to the times I was living in. And in time, I finally did. I sang the Pete song "Bring 'em Home" at rallies and demonstrations. During my "Sing-a-Story program, I did Pete's story/song about the Foolish Frog and saw the joy in the eyes of a new generation of kids as they got caught up in the story. I wanted to do a sing-a-story program about the song "We Shall Overcome". But there was no book to go with the song. so I decided to create a book, using Pete's lyrics and my illustrations, I first told the story in 2009. I've done it several times since then. It was one of my greatest hopes to send a copy of my book to Pete. I started work on making a copy to mail to Pete, but I didn't send it. I knew that Pete was getting up there in age but I still couldn't get it together enough to send it to him. I also wanted to write him a note to tell him thanks for all that he has done and given up for the cause of peoples rights and about how he has inspired me on my life's journey. But I didn't send it. I always hoped that Pete would be around, still fighting the good fight. I didn't want to believe there would be a world that he wasn't a part of. But now that world is here, and I am left with my regret. But in a way, this world is not without Pete. Pete's spirit lives on in all those lives he has touched through all his time here. I feel Pete's spirit in myself as I am writing these words. I feel upset and sad that I failed to send my book to Pete while I had the chance to. but it is my hope and belief that now he can see it. And I hope he likes it. and that the next time I'm out playing at a rally, Pete's spirit will be there with me, helping me to carry on and remain hopeful.
So in closing, God Bless you Pete Seeger, you have made this world a better place during your time here. Have fun singin' and jamming again with Woody and Phil and all the other voices that went before you. We will do our best to make things right down here as you did for so very long. Thank you so very much. anybody who calls themselves a protest singer owes you a HUGE debt.
Love, Brian
This is for you...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViwAX8YwMpg
Reply
KENT STATE ROCKS!!!
Last night I went to Kent Ohio to see Ian Hunter and the Rant Band play at The Kent Stage. With the weather rainy and my car leaking anti-freeze, I decided to leave about three hours before the 8pm start time. Thankfully, the car and the weather behaved, and I got into town with about some 90 minutes to spare. The whole downtown area was full of people, it was homecoming weekend for Kent State and everyone was celebrating. I had my guitar Phil with me in hopes to have Ian sign it after the show, but I thought why not take the time I had now and play. So, I set up on a corner and started going through songs. I haven't done that in a while and by the time I had to leave for the show, I earned enough in tips for a CD and gas for the trip home. I make it over to the show and see Ian and the band put on an amazing concert. The band rocked in an electric /folk way that I always loved (check out my band Brian Griffin and the Coffee House Rebels!) and much of the crowd (me included) rushed up to the stage for the encores (photos coming!). When they finished up with "Cleveland Rocks" I wait outside after the show along with about 15 other fans for Ian to come out. I make friends with a guy named Jicky Czar and we ended up playing some Velvet Underground and Bowie songs. after about 45 minutes, the band comes out and the lead guitarist who I just watched shred and play amazingly, told me I sounded great and I should start gigging! They pack into their van and drive around the corner and pick up Ian, who was at the other stage door and head off to the hotel. I was a little bummed not to get to meet him. I was brought up on Mott the Hoople records by my brother Mark Griffin who played them LOUD!!! much to my parent's chagrin. I hoping to tell Ian how much his songs helped me through the dramas of teenage life. I guess that will have to wait for another time. So, I decide to go grab a $5 pizza and start the two hour trek home. The crowds on the street were even bigger now and more rowdy (ie drunk). As i worked my way down the street, there was two couples sitting on a wall. One of the guys saw I had a guitar and asked if I could play a song. I asked if he wanted to hear a political song or a love song. He said a love song for him and his girl. So I started playing "Woman's Touch" a new song I've recorded by not released (yet!). It is about how we as men are desperate and vile creatures without the redeeming grace of women to save us. After I finished, the guy thanked me and said that the song spoke of everything he felt in his heart about his girlfriend. And once again it comes to me that this is why I do all this. Put up with the time alone and of people not understanding why I'm following this "crazy" dream I have. To be able to get these songs out into the world to helps me cope AND I hope, in some way, they will help inspire or create a moment in a person's life that they can carry with them and make their passage though this life a little easier. Later, when I was driving home alone in the pouring rain at 3am, with all the energy drinks gone and I'm trying to keep my eyes open, these feelings and thoughts are what keep me awake...and alive!
Reply
Here We Go Again (2011 edition)
Hi everyone and happy 2011! Here's to a new and productive New Year. I and intending to play more shows this year and get new material released. Keep posted, I still got a lot to say, I not done Yet!
Peace to you all!
Brian
Reply