Okee dokee folks… One of the best protesters for social justice was Pete Seeger. He spent a good deal of his life fighting and singing out for causes. He was a victim of unjust US policies himself. The last time I talked to Pete he was holding a handful of socially conscious-themed bumper stickers. That was back in 2011, he was in his 90’s and was still at it. Though he did a lot of social good, what he is most remembered for is being a folk music legend. I remember playing a show in Beacon, NY and seeing a very simple, nondescript flyer on the wall in the venue about a protest of some kind where Seeger was scheduled to play. In 2012, he performed at Obama’s inauguration with his grandson Tao, and Bruce Springsteen, outside in the bitter cold. I was very fortunate to see him perform and to talk to him many times over the years. He was a personal hero of mine. Some of you may know that Edward Norton portrayed Pete Seeger in the recent Dylan movie. When I originally heard that Norton was playing Seeger I was honestly hoping there was a film in the works about Pete. Back in 2014, when Pete passed away, I was part of a tribute show that took place just weeks after his passing. These tribute shows continued annually for a few years and I ran the last couple. Now, Hear In Rhode Island has curated a Seeger Tribute as a fundraiser for this year’s Rhode Island Folk Festival. The show will take place at The Greenwich Odeum on Friday, May 2. Performers scheduled to appear are: Mark Cutler, Avi Jacob, the Beth Barron String Band, Michelle Saylors & Katherine Quinn, Beth Killian & Nicole Gauthier of How’s About Charlie, Ed McGuirl & David Carney, Lisa Couto, The Peace Collective, and Morgan Lane and the Passengers. They each will be playing a few songs that Pete wrote or recorded. It will certainly be a night of great music and memorable performances. Mark it on your calendars and get your tickets now! For more, “Turn, Turn, Turn” to: greenwichodeum.com.
If you enjoy socially conscious music, you definitely need to check out singer-songwriter Jesse Welles. I first heard Welles last year when he kicked off the Farm Aid concert in Saratoga, NY. Dave Matthews introduced him and had many good things to say about his music. Though it was a short set, it left an impression. In the time since, the very prolific songwriter has posted many, many topical songs across social media platforms. Songs such as “United Health,” “Walmart,” “Cancer,” and “War Isn’t Murder” have earned him his “protest songwriter badge” and garnered countless fans far and wide. If you have not heard of Welles and enjoy well-crafted songs with a social edge then you really should give Welles’ music a listen. He is on the schedule at this year’s Newport Folk, but that doesn’t help the many who can’t get tickets. If he does announce other shows in the future be sure to grab your tickets quickly, his shows sell out fast! For more, Arkancide over to wellesmusic.com.
In my last column I put out a call for protest songs. I am not the only one as I have seen many folks, some prominent musicians as well, mention that we NEED protest music for these times. If you write them PLEASE send them to me! Songwriter Mark Gagnon contacted me with his. Thank you, Mark. The song is called “I Couldn’t Save the World.” It’s short and to the point. You can hear it here! youtube. com/watch?v=37lKrkvBTDo
The second annual Justinfest celebration in honor of David Tessier’s All-Star Stars’ (ASS) band member, Justin Grankewicz, will take place at Narragansett Brewery in Providence on Saturday, April 19 from 6 – 9pm. The show will feature MC Frank Dixon, Belly Dancing by Kamil, Magician Joe Howard, Comedian Sonya Priest, and The Silhouette Opera Company (featuring Joe Auger and Mark Carter). The All-Star Stars will be closing the night with special guests (TBA) joining them. Tessier told me, “Justinfest was created to honor and celebrate Justin Grankewicz’s immense energy, spirit, and love of entertaining. We hope we’ve brought something for everybody to enjoy in our three-hour show and we are very grateful for Narragansett Brewery and Hangar 420 for their help and sponsorship.” Proceeds will go to the Justin Grankewicz Foundation and the Justin Grankewicz Larger-Than-Life Scholarship Fund. Fer mor, git yur A.S.S. ova 2: fb.com/ DTASBOASS
On Sunday, April 6, at Pumphouse Music Works, one of the hardest working RI musicians, Paula Clare, will be celebrating the release of her newest recording, Lighter Than Light. Clare, a jazz and blues singer as well as a pianist with several local bands, is also known for her work in commercials and performances in Chicago theater productions. She honed her craft at renowned institutions including Second City Improv, St. Nicholas Theater, and the American Conservatory in Chicago, as well as Trinity Rep and Gamm Theatre in Rhode Island. “Music and storytelling have always been at the heart of what I do”, says Clare. Her film experience includes the beloved coming-of-age classic Sixteen Candles. For more, cabaret over to: pumphousemusicworks.com. That’s it for now. Keep fighting and resisting, the mango moron HAS to go! •
Podcasts at motifri.com/rootsreportpodcast, concert photographs at motifri.com/fuzeksfotos. Thanks for reading and listening. johnfuzek.com
