”The Works of Pete Seeger”

            Pete Seeger is one of America’s greatest living treasures.  Born in 1919 he turns 91 on May 3, 2010.   But don’t begin to think Pete is an old man. I spoke with him on the phone the other day and he asked me to hold on for a minute while he chopped a few pieces of wood to throw on the fire. His wife Toshi was a little chilly.

            Pete is still writing songs.   His latest is about recycling and is still in the works.  Other songs he is currently working on or has recently completed are fun, easy to learn and sing along to and full of wisdom about today's world and issues that need to be addressed.

            Since 2003, when Pete was a mere 84 years of age, I've had the fortune to get to know him, his music and his life story.  I didn't grow up at a time when the footprint of Pete's legacy was in plain view.  I was too young to remember Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the civil rights movement.  I never protested the Vietnam War and I wasn't around when the Weavers were popular.  So, I've learned Pete from a different experience.  I've learned his story by asking him advice and what I can do to carry on his mission.

            The first thing Pete said to me when we first met was in the form of a question.  He asked “Have you ever heard of Founder’s Disease?”   I told him no, even though I actually had.   I wanted to hear his take it.   “Founder’s Disease,” he said, “is when the same people who started an organization 30 years ago are still running it.”

            Pete wants to see the world and its wonderful traditions turned over to the generations to follow.   He wants experienced leaders to act more like mentors and less like royalty.  He wants people to learn and remember the songs that reflect the traditions and values that account for any greatness we find in America or any other place in the world.  Most of all, he wants people to sing!

For this reason, I have put together “The Works of Pete Seeger.”   It is heartwarming, fun and educational program that looks at the legacy, struggles, songs and stories of one of America’s most beloved folk singers - the man who gave us “If I Had a Hammer,” “Turn, Turn, Turn,” and “Waist Deep in the Big Muddy.”   The program includes songs from the Almanac Singers (Pete, Woody Guthrie and others), the Weavers, the 1960’s and the past few years.   It traces the songs Pete has made famous, songs he wrote himself and songs he sings that have not become famous.   It also includes a few of my own compositions - that Pete has sung, that have been influenced by Pete’s writing or that I have written based on his story “Abiyoyo.”

Help me bring this program to the public.   Depending on your budget and location “The Works of Pete Seeger” can be presented solo or by The Spook Handy Trio or The Spook Handy Band.   Contact me for more information.

Working for Peace through Music,

In addition to “The Works of Pete Seeger,” Spook Handy presents a variety of other concert programs and workshops.
More information can be found at www.spookhandy.com.