Lew H - Posted - 02/02/2014:  13:37:39

Here's a sweet piece from The New Yorker about Pete from a fellow resident of Beacon NY, David Rees. Rees wasn't an acquaintance but encountered Pete around town often. Lew H.

newyorker.com/online/blogs/cul...obnetwork

Lew H - Posted - 02/02/2014:  13:47:57

And another from The New Yorker:

newyorker.com/online/blogs/cul...eger.html

robbif - Posted - 02/03/2014:  04:39:48

Here's a beautiful tribute to Pete at the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association's house concert last Saturday...

andyrubin - Posted - 02/03/2014:  09:55:27

No one could make a banjo talk like Pete Seeger.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/03/2014:  10:00:47

Fred,

Really really pretty version. I got to think that would have made Pete smile. He talked about the "folk process" of changing things a bit in a song and to me that was a unique version.

Did Pete ever come out to the Hudson Valley Bluegrass Association concerts? Did you know him personally?

Thanks,

Ken

 

Ahansen58 - Posted - 02/03/2014:  10:03:39

Pete Seeger was a hero of mine. I learned to play the banjo from his little book, which was red at the time.

I asked John Stewart of the Kingston Trio who had  biggest influence on his banjo playing.  He named Pete Seeger, and Dave Guard.

melodica - Posted - 02/03/2014:  10:59:33

I am a freelance writer living in the Pacific Northwest. This post on my Good Life Northwest blog resulted from an interview with Al Price, sales manager for Nechville Musical Products, during which he shared his memories of seeing Pete Seeger perform live in Seattle in 1970.

GOOD LIFE NORTHWEST: A MEMORY OF PETE SEEGER IN SEATTLE

Edited by - melodica on 02/03/2014 11:00:04

Omeboy - Posted - 02/03/2014:  11:28:05

Pete stood tall above the clamor of society and politics, which enabled him to see the truth.
His pulpits were the open back banjo and the acoustic guitar. A living monument in words and song.
Where have all the flowers gone?

drlarson - Posted - 02/03/2014:  12:15:23

I got a copy of Pete's book in the early 60's. I got a mail-order 5-string long-neck and stuck it on my dad's Bacon & Day tenor banjo. Although I have other banjo's I still play that first banjo today. I still use Pete's basic strum (George Grove calls it a "fake frail") as it allows my to switch back and forth from bluegrass to old-style with picks on. Pete was a huge influence on me and millions of others. We were fortunate to have him around as long as we did, as most of his contemporaries are long gone. RIP Pete.

Gordy Ohliger - Posted - 02/03/2014:  12:56:16

And so... Here's my little story about Pete Seeger.

By way of introduction, I confess that the Seeger family looms large in my collection of momentous moments.
I've had the incomparable joy of sitting with Mike and Peggy, swapping songs and laying out a sweet third harmony. A sparkling happy time. I also met Pete a number of times and can say without reservation that the man changed my life immeasurably.
I was just starting out as a banjo boy of 12 when my parents loaded me up in the station wagon and we drove over to Berkeley for this concert in a big building. It was something about banjos.
Well, I had never been in such a gathering before...it was like seeing the mother ocean for the first time.
Here was this thin unpretentious man that walked out on a bare stage, dropped his coat on the floor, and stood there in a plaid shirt talking and singing. Somehow I was impressed that he didn't have an instrument stand or a table, he'd just lay his banjo on the floor when he'd switch to guitar. My body pulsed large and small as the whole room sang. I didn't know what I was doing or what was happening, but we were all singing in intricate harmonies , dynamics, and counterpoint. It was SO beautiful, my heart almost burst. I looked around enveloped in the color of joy...
He was just the friendliest fellow I had ever met. My folks encouraged me to speak with the promoters on the way out, and they gave me his address! So I scrawled him a little letter of"Thanks, and I really liked that one song you did." Pete wrote me back! and included the words of the song.
I can't articulate how powerful that was for me. I want to be a nice-guy banjo-guy when I grow up.
"As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."
The last thing he said to me years later was; "Gordy, keep on keepin' on."
I have.

Gordy Ohliger

Bamabww - Posted - 02/03/2014:  13:24:46

RIP, you were one of my favorites.

REarl - Posted - 02/03/2014:  13:49:34

How long our bodies live and how long we live are not the same thing. All bodies die, but how long we live depends on the memories we create for others and whether we leave the world a better place than we found it. Pete Seeger will live forever.

gebanks - Posted - 02/03/2014:  13:50:58

Second only to Earl, eh?  Not to put down Earl in any way, but if there had been no Pete or Mike Seeger, would anyone have paid much attention to bluegrass?  Maybe not.

erstokke - Posted - 02/03/2014:  13:53:52

I was really sad when I heard about this. Like so many others here, Pete was the one that made me start playing the banjo in the mid sixties. I had his book and the thick Folkways LP record that went with it. And I bought a second hand Framus banjo for $43, broken headstock and all.

Some years later, I saw his concert from Uppsala, Sweden on TV (look it up on YouTube). I was amazed by his charisma - and of course his music.

Thank you, Pete

ScratchJohnson - Posted - 02/03/2014:  13:56:42

quote:

---

Originally posted by gebanks

Second only to Earl, eh?  Not to put down Earl in any way, but if there had been no Pete or Mike Seeger, would anyone have paid much attention to bluegrass?  Maybe not.

---

I never equated Seeger to bluegrass, he's a folk musician in my heart :)

fancystan - Posted - 02/03/2014:  14:18:12

Banjo music books in the U.K. in the 60's where of the 'Classic Fingerstyle' or Plectrum style variety. I didn't really take off until someone pointed me in the direction of Pete's little Red book. It was a great read as well as a launch pad and boy did I take off and never looked back!
I was surprised the he didn't do a follow up specialising on the 'Long-Neck' banjo, my biggest discovery being that everyone can find a singing key if you have a 'Pete Seeger' banjo ( especially as you get older)! Maybe he thought it was self evident? He definately thought it was quite natural to sing a tune whilst playing a harmony on the banjo, a secret he took to his grave, bless him, and long me he live in our memory. Stan Gee.

Prescott - Posted - 02/03/2014:  14:53:10

Love and integrity - Pete Seeger was a walking giant.

john McEuen - Posted - 02/03/2014:  14:55:26

Pete Seeger ....

The contributions Pete made to the world will be felt for a long, long time. As a man, his gifts went beyond his music, and as a musician it is hard to think of one who constantly shared with others—any others Pete came across—knowledge of how to make music and the joy that can surround it. He also stood up for what he believed in, supporting so many meaningful causes with that same joy, never anger. We are all better for having Pete in our world.

I had his red book, How to Play the 5-string Banjo. It was and is a road map to how to make music with the banjo and gave me my first directions to a new life. I know at least 25 musicians who bought it, too. Steve Martin and I got one the same fall week in 1964, and dug in. It was a busy winter. The door Pete opened for me led to Earl Scruggs, Doug Dillard, Bill Keith, and many more. His life, a life that he shared with everyone, enriches mine to this day.

In 1995, at the Tennessee Banjo Institute gathering (over 300 banjo players in one place!), I drove my car and gear from a stage area workshop Pete and I had just shared, and headed to another stage about 150 yards away. Being from California where you get in your car to cross the street, I pulled up alongside Pete as he walked to the same stage and asked, “Pete, can I give you a lift?” He was about 78 then, and his spry answer, after looking up at the sun, looking at my car, looking at the sky again was

“No…but thanks. Too nice a day to not walk.”

The world was a better place when he was in it, and it will be a better place for that same reason. I will forever be grateful for the time I spent with him, and the times we played together. Thank you, Pete, for the inspiration of music, and how to be. 

John McEuen

speedtheplow - Posted - 02/03/2014:  15:19:23

The PBS documentary " Pete Seeger, the Power of Song" tells Pete's story well. 

youtube.com/movie/pete-seeger-...-the-song

​His parents once took Pete, Mike and Peggy on a family trip to spread classical music to appalachia. Boy did that backfire!

He died less than a year after his beloved wife, Toshi.

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/03/2014:  15:28:16

quote:

---

Originally posted by Gordy Ohliger

And so... Here's my little story about Pete Seeger.



By way of introduction, I confess that the Seeger family looms large in my collection of momentous moments.

I've had the incomparable joy of sitting with Mike and Peggy, swapping songs and laying out a sweet third harmony. A sparkling happy time. I also met Pete a number of times and can say without reservation that the man changed my life immeasurably.

I was just starting out as a banjo boy of 12 when my parents loaded me up in the station wagon and we drove over to Berkeley for this concert in a big building. It was something about banjos.

Well, I had never been in such a gathering before...it was like seeing the mother ocean for the first time.

Here was this thin unpretentious man that walked out on a bare stage, dropped his coat on the floor, and stood there in a plaid shirt talking and singing. Somehow I was impressed that he didn't have an instrument stand or a table, he'd just lay his banjo on the floor when he'd switch to guitar. My body pulsed large and small as the whole room sang. I didn't know what I was doing or what was happening, but we were all singing in intricate harmonies , dynamics, and counterpoint. It was SO beautiful, my heart almost burst. I looked around enveloped in the color of joy...

He was just the friendliest fellow I had ever met. My folks encouraged me to speak with the promoters on the way out, and they gave me his address! So I scrawled him a little letter of"Thanks, and I really liked that one song you did." Pete wrote me back! and included the words of the song.

I can't articulate how powerful that was for me. I want to be a nice-guy banjo-guy when I grow up.

"As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."

The last thing he said to me years later was; "Gordy, keep on keepin' on."

I have.



Gordy Ohliger

---

Nice story Gordy.

Do you still have the letter he sent you?

Ken

nicegirl411 - Posted - 02/03/2014:  15:41:19

He was a true American hero.

hobowally - Posted - 02/03/2014:  15:41:27

one darn good human being , we'll see you on that highway Pete,
thanks

Gary Blanchard - Posted - 02/03/2014:  15:45:56

Like many in this thread, I would never have picked up the banjo if not for Pete Seeger. I loved that he made music for fun, made music fun, taught us all that we could sing, and taught us about standing for our principles. I have two Pete stories. 

In the early 80's I was attending a gathering of the People's Music Network in New York City. On the final night, there was an open performance where each person got on stage to sing a song. As I was standing on stage singing my Peace Song, I looked out at the audience during the chorus and saw Pete Seeger in the audience singing along. It was a thrilling moment.

A year or so later Pete came to Baltimore to do a benefit concert for the Bread and Roses Coffeehouse that I helped to run. The concert was, as expected, a spiritual experience. After the show, a few of us went out for coffee with Pete.Hearing him talk, sharing stories, and being just one of us was another great experience.

This Saturday night the folks at the Agape Community in Ware, MA will hold a tribute/remembrance event. I will be there with my long-neck banjo and my 12-string. And as I sing "Oh Mary Don't You Weep," I'll know that my tears will be of both loss and joy.

Thanks for the music and inspiration, Pete!

Gene S - Posted - 02/03/2014:  16:06:07

I first saw Pete when he was playing with the Weavers at some club in the Village  in New York. I can't even remember how young I was, but as I am 77 now you can guess. My mom who was a music editor for a magazine at the time took me with her to see the group, and managed to get us both backstage to meet them all. Pete was most kind, and even played a few licks for me. A real gentleman who started a smoldering fire in me to play the banjo that has not gone out (or been successfully fulfilled) to this day.

The world is poorer now!

Wishuey - Posted - 02/03/2014:  16:24:47

Pete was "second only to Earl"? What a snarky, thoughtless and completely unnecessary example of "damnation with faint praise". Pete and Earl were like apples and oranges; hardly comparable. Each was a national treasure and musical genius, but each in his own unique way.
Pete`s life and accomplishments would be better honored without unwarranted comparisons.

The Pope - Posted - 02/03/2014:  16:26:58

I didn't want to play banjo because of Pete (I wanted to because all my friends were learning guitar @ the beginning of the Great Folk Scare) but the first book I bought (probably along with a few thousand other banjo wannabes) was Pete's & I read thru the whole book but sort of locked into the Scruggs style chapter - the beginnings of a journey that I'm still on. RIP, Pete... 

MountainBanjo - Posted - 02/03/2014:  16:39:14

"Second only to Earl" seems to have come from a mailing by Eric

ChrisConly - Posted - 02/03/2014:  16:39:17

Truly an inspiration for moving the masses. Our individual technique is not as important as our ability to harmonize with one another. RIP Pete Seeger.

Mark L - Posted - 02/03/2014:  17:34:42

On the evening of May 3, 1975 (Pete’s birthday) I did a plane, trains and automobiles to get from Kent State to Oberlin College to see Pete in concert. This was pre-internet, so you couldn’t buy tickets online. You had to go to the box office. Well, when got there I was told that the show was a complete sell-out, and no, they couldn’t let “just one more in”. As my shoulders slumped and as I turned to go home, there was Pete looking me right in the eye. He said, “Will you sing with me?” and I said, “You bet,” so he told the Oberlin College folks that I was his “chorus” and we went backstage. While the curtains were still closed he walked me out to the microphone where I took my seat on the floor. “Don’t forget to sing!” he said. Well, long story short, I got to see the show better than anybody in the house. 



What a treasured memory. He was such a giant of a man. The world lost one of its best friends last week.  Tonight I’m going to get the banjo out. “Well, may the world go!”



Thanks, Pete, for everything.

Usethemute - Posted - 02/03/2014:  18:12:16

Old Man Luedecke tells the story of driving down to a festival in...what...New York?...from Nova Scotia to meet his hero Pete Seeger who was playing there. He screwed up his courage, sought him out and introduced himself. Mr. Seeger was quiet for a minute or two and then said "...Nova Scotia? You must have created a lot of greenhouse gases getting here", completely deflating OML.

But a little while later, on stage, Mr. Seeger said "...this one is for a young banjo player who's come all the way from Nova Scotia to be here" and played Salt Creek for him.

I paraphrase, but I don't think OML will mind.

Terrible loss to American culture and the world community.

NWJoe - Posted - 02/03/2014:  18:18:07

RIP Mr. Seeger........I learned to play from a copy of the "red" version of Pete's banjo book.   One of the great influences on American popular music in the 20th and 21st centuries.  We lost a great one last week.

Davidschultz42 - Posted - 02/03/2014:  18:29:45

Pete Seeger. Brilliant banjo player. Brilliant mind. Persuaded so many to work for justice and equality. Pushing people with optimism and the spirit that we are all connected, to work for peace. Pete Seeger used his music for freedom and he was courageous in his fierce beliefs that we must resist the pollution of the earth. Pete music will not be forgotten and will be a reminder to so many, including myself, to continue working for peace and justice. Long Live Pete Seeger!

johny sheehan - Posted - 02/03/2014:  18:51:25

Soooo  Long  it's been good to know you  ! 

arkred - Posted - 02/03/2014:  19:06:15

"In spite of his wishes"? A wish for peace, equality, and justice. So am I to understand that someone would rather have Pete devote his life to promote war, inequality, and injustice, for the human race? Hmmmmm.

rvranger - Posted - 02/03/2014:  19:09:07

I have been a fan of Mr. Seeger since the 50's.  Had all the Weaver LP's.  Losing some one I enjoyed and grew up with,  WOW!  Glad that there is many talented folks to carry on his legacy.   R.I.P. Pete,  we will miss you.

overtone - Posted - 02/03/2014:  19:10:08

I've been trying to remember how many times I saw Pete Seeger in person, but it gets all mixed up. I was a big Weavers fan in the 1950s, and when two classmates and I formed a Kingstonian trio, I got elected to learn the banjo. The only banjo lessons I ever had were straight out of Pete's book, and I have become one of those down-home pickers he talked about in the book -- learned in my courtin' days, still play some.

Since then Pete's been such a part of my life that I almost feel I knew him well, like a friend of my youth -- even though I know that few knew him well. A very private man. Also an intensely moral man, driven to teach elementary human decency to crowds. He built a stage persona and lived inside it for the rest of his life. Not big on eye contact, yet able to enthrall a crowd and make them feel the love and unity he strove for. Always reminded me of Psalm 1.

Jim Stevens - Posted - 02/03/2014:  21:30:40

All of my hero's were to the left of center.  I admire the fortitude of those who stand up against injustice.  So long Pete, it's been good to know ya'.

jim

job - Posted - 02/03/2014:  23:27:18

I assume the "second to Earl" fraise was written by a mislead Blue Grass adapt. He introduced the banjo to the rest of the world. We also miss him here in Europe.

whytelaydie7 - Posted - 02/04/2014:  04:39:08

quote:

---

Originally posted by Rich Weill

My only Pete Seeger story has nothing to do with music or the banjo.  Pete was one of the founders of an organization called Hudson River Ferry Sloops that operated sloops along the Hudson, most notably the Clearwater, used for environmental education.  But it had another boat, the Sojourner Truth, used to teach people to sail.

In 1987, I saw an advertisement for free sailing lessons at the Hastings-on-Hudson library.  It was a series of weekly, evening lessons given indoors in the winter, followed by actual sailing on the Sojourner Truth once spring came.  I attended each week.  The seventh or eighth lesson was on "Mooring and Anchoring."  That evening there was a guest instructor: Pete Seeger.

So while I never heard Pete perform live, he taught me how to moor and anchor an sailboat.

The Sojurner Truth was unique as well in that she had a cast concrete hull.  

Ya Mike - Posted - 02/04/2014:  05:12:29

Ya - Pete was the first to pull me toward banjo-ville. What I still find impressive about his playing style is how it works with the voice - the blend of strong chording and detail picking that makes a song complete when sung. We held a 'Pete' jam recently - as I'm sure many did - as usual many were stunned by how many fab tunes he had a hand in or popularized. Thanks Mr. Seeger. 

PeterMaier - Posted - 02/04/2014:  06:50:35

It is impossible to overstate the influence Pete had on American folkmusic. Almost anyone who sang a folksong and accompanied himself on banjo or guitar was influenced by him either directly or indirectly. When Pete came along, the banjo was on the shelf in folkmusic. Solo and with the Weavers, Pete showed what was possible and inspired Dave Guard of the Kingston Trio, Alex Hassilev of the Limeliters, Erik Darling of the Tarriers, etc etc. etc. Thousands of us learned from his book, which was for many years the only good instruction book available. He wasn't perfect, and he never claimed to be. But for more than 70 years he stuck to his principles and lived a life of music and social justice. We will not see his like again.

slickster - Posted - 02/04/2014:  07:29:38

The Red Book to millions of Chinese was Mao's but to aspiring banjo players in the 60's no matter where they hunched over it the Red Book was Pete's.
If I recall correcting there was a section on how to play rhumba.
Mao can't top that.

HoboDax - Posted - 02/04/2014:  07:50:49

After playing guitar for 22 years, several years ago I wanted to learn Banjo as I started to get into folk and bluegrass. I had $100 that I always carried waiting to find a Banjo at a yard sale or pawn shop, I never found one. Then this summer PBS showed Pete Seeger the Power of Song, my delay in buying a Banjo ended. I immediately went online and purchased my first Banjo. I have enjoyed it immensely and can only aspire to be a fraction as good as Pete. I also can only aspire to be a fraction of a humanitarian and Man that Pete was. Thank you Pete for everything, there will never be another Man or Musician like you.

Frailinaway - Posted - 02/04/2014:  09:22:41

"Pete was second only to Earl n his influence on the banjo world". 

Possibly true but subject to debate.  Pete's nearly world wide influence was not limited to playing or teaching others how to play the banjo. He influenced much of the world using his banjo, 12 string guitar, his songs and stories and, most important, his philosophy of life.  R.I.P. Mister Seeger.

silvioferretti - Posted - 02/04/2014:  09:34:57

I had found a copy of Pete Seeger's banjo book - totally unsuspectedly - in a book store of my town, must have been around 1974, and it was the red one. I learned the "basic strum" pretty easily, following Pete's instructions and records, but I bumped my head against frailing forever, as I couldn't get the basic concept of it. Then about a year later or two the big news: Pete Seeger was coming to play in Italy! Problem was, the concert was scheduled on Easter's eve, in Torino (about 200 Kilometers from my house), and I didn't have a car. Plus, Easter was a big thing for my family, so my project of going to Torino the day before was met with a lot of grumbling and frowns... I got a train ticket anyway, and was on the hall's front row a couple hours before the concert began. Pete was not the only one to perform that night, other "folk" musicians like Angel Parra (Violeta's son, from Chile) were there, as I believe the concert had something to do with some big political event at the time. I was very much the political guy in those years, but that night all I cared for was Pete's music, and his banjo...

I don't remember much of the concert, but I do remember watching him intently, and learning how to frail at last (practically speaking, it took me another couple of years to really learn to frail, but I got the hang of it that night!). During the intermission I tried to get backstage and talk to Pete, but I was not allowed to for security reasons. However, his wife Toshi must have noticed that skinny youngster with a 'fro and a big moustache, trying to talk the bouncers to allow him backstage, as she came to me and told me she was sorry I couldn't get to talking to Pete, as he would surely have loved to meet Italian musicians and folk music fans. She volunteered to get a note from me to Pete, and suggested to pack everything I wanted to ask him into that note, plus my mailing address. And she gave me their address (P.O. Box, that is) in Beacon, NY. She was awful kind to me, and assured me I would be able to "talk" to his husband by letter, so I went home with a very warm heart that night. Had to wait in an ice-cold train at the station (in the dark, to boot) until 4 a.m., and got home around 7 a.m., so I could attend Easter dinner and all. I must have had a permanent grin on my face, as my family looked at me in a funny way.

A couple or three weeks later I got a big envelope from Poughkeepsie, NY, with a short note from Pete (complete with "hastely" before his signature, his trademark banjo sketch, and a leaf, which - I was told - meant he liked me), some instruction on how to choose a banjo, and a copy of Mugwumps magazine, which in turn helped me buy my first real banjo (a fine A.E. Smith Northampton). Other notes from Pete followed for a few years, all pointing out the suggestion to make MY music on the banjo, without aiming to copy anybody, including Pete Seeger. I saw him again about 20 years later, again in Torino, and again I couldn't get to talk to him as he was literally stalked by tens of people in the club's dressing room, so I gave up (and still regret that). Now I realize that there may have been other banjo gurus in my life, some of whom I was lucky enough to meet and talk to, or even call a friend, but Pete Seeger has been my only banjo father. R.I.P. Pete, to me you are THE reason why I took up the banjo.

The Pope - Posted - 02/04/2014:  09:58:34

Nice story, Silvio...  

oldwoodchuckb - Posted - 02/04/2014:  10:09:50

I believe it was through Pete Seeger that Bluegrass was able to move into the north in the late 1950s. How many of us bought our first Flatt and Scruggs record because of Seeger's book? How many groups like the Greenbriar Boys and the Charles River Valley Boys were made up of people who had started with the folk music that Pete popularized, before discovering Bluegrass? 

It is probably impossible to ever even estimate the influence Pete had on American music.

Edited by - oldwoodchuckb on 02/04/2014 10:10:32

Dbernz - Posted - 02/04/2014:  10:55:00

Thank you to all who have posted.  Your website is a terrific way for people who share interest in this wonderful instrument to stay in touch.  Pete loved this kind of thing.  Pete originally started a magazine called Peoples Songs Bulletin back in the 1940s as a way for folk musicians to stay in touch with each other.  I have been fortunate to know Pete and to work with him for many years, and more recently, to be his producer on several CD projects.  I admit I am not objective, but I may disagree with the announcement that leads to this discussion group, in that Pete may not be second to Earl when it comes to influencing the world of banjo.  Or maybe they are co-equal.  Earl's three-finger picking style did inform every subsequent bluegrass banjo player, but Pete's style was innovative and his playing kept changing, even within the same song sometimes, from picking to frailing to up-picking to strumming, to who knows what else.  It was a usonian and sometimes minimalist version of folk accompaniment that kept the song and its message out front.  The subtext was never about how good a player he was, yet for all it's occasional simplicity, Pete also had the chops to do amazing things such as his blues work on "T For Texas" or his jazz nuance and open string work on "Melody D'amour" or his take on classical pieces such as "Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring," which may be why players like Bela Fleck and Tony Trishka hold him in such high regard.  And none of this even speaks to the incredible and yet humble person he was, how he stood up and spoke truth to power, and never strayed from his moral compass.  And then there's the fact that his incredibly accessible personality and equally accessible "How to Play the Five String Banjo" book are probably responsible for bringing more citizens to the world of banjo in the past several decades than anything or anyone else. When comparing the greats who have left us, it's hard to make solid judgments, but I'd say that in terms of influence, Pete Seeger certainly gives Earl Scruggs a run for his money, (except for the fact that Pete was never after the money).  Pete was a friend not only to me, but to us all, and I know we will all miss him. 

From Greylock to Bean Blossom - Posted - 02/04/2014:  11:14:54

Dbernz:

As you were close to Mr. Seeger I thank you so much for posting and gratifying us with your statements of how this would have pleased Pete. I have thought about the statement: second only to Earl Scruggs" several times. In truth I found it somewhat inappropriate that a statement such as that would have been made here and at this time. The way I was able to best put it into context was by remembering some words I heard Pete say. He said (paraphrasing), that is favorite 4 letter word was "love" and that his second favorite word was "share" . With this in mind I had the feeling that upon hearing this statement about his influence Pete would have said what a great player Scruggs was and would have been happy to "share" what ever credit was given and what ever proportions it was meted out in with Earl Scruggs.

IMO he would have done this because he truly appreciated Earl's playing, was himself not driven by ego, and appreciated Earl for playing and speaking at the huge anti war day in Washington DC. The two of them probably had much in common although I don't know how they knew each other. To me they were both great and both giants that were so high I could not tell and did not care to see who rose the highest in the sky.

Please feel free to respond and correct. You knew the man and I didn't. I am only surmising.

Following is a bit about Pete's memorial service in NY. A larger one will follow this summer.

 

usatoday.com/story/life/music/.../5167567/

respectfully,

Ken