To me, country music tells a story about, and deals with, the way people live their lives and what they do.
~Randy Travis
I’ve learned the importance of loving what you do. I have also learned more patience due to the nature of the music business.
~Randy Travis
Like the Beatles in rock, Randy Travis marks a generational shift in country music. When his Storms of Life came out in 1986, country music was still wallowing in the post-urban cowboy recession, chasing elusive crossover dreams. Travis brought the music back to its basics, sounding like nothing so much as a perfect blend of George Jones and Merle Haggard. ~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)
Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live.
– Pete Seeger
He’s a great man, Pete Seeger.
-Bob Dylan (Paul Zollo interview April, 1991)
Harry Belafonte and Arlo Guthrie induct Pete Seeger into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame during the 1996 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony:
Pete Seeger & Bruce Springsteen – This Land is Your Land – Obama Inauguration (2009)
As Pete and I traveled to Washington for President Obama’s Inaugural Celebration, he told me the entire story of “We Shall Overcome.” How it moved from a labor movement song, and with Pete’s inspiration, had been adapted by the civil rights movement. That day as we sang “This Land Is Your Land,” I looked at Pete, the first black president of the United States was seated to his right, and I thought of the incredible journey that Pete had taken. My own growing up in the Sixties in towns scarred by race rioting made that moment nearly unbelievable, and Pete had 30 extra years of struggle and real activism on his belt. He was so happy that day. It was like, “Pete, you outlasted the bastards, man!” It was so nice. At rehearsals the day before, it was freezing, like 15 degrees, and Pete was there. He had his flannel shirt on. I said, man, you better wear something besides that flannel shirt! He says, yeah, I got my longjohns on under this thing.
-Bruce Springsteen
I keep a close watch on this heart of mine
I keep my eyes wide open all the time.
I keep the ends out for the tie that binds
Because you’re mine,
I walk the line
“I Walk The Line” was written by Johnny Cash & recorded on April 2, 1956 @ Sun Studio, Memphis, Tennessee. It was released May 1, 1956 on the Sun label.
Celebrating this masterpiece today, here are 5 great liver versions.
..king of all post-war blues harpists,…. The fiery harmonica wizard took the humble mouth organ in dazzling amplified directions that were unimaginable prior to his ascendancy.
~Bill Dahl (allmusic.com)
Induction of Little Walter into R&R Hall of Fame in 2008:
If it sounds good and feels good, then it IS good!
~Duke Ellington
Art is dangerous. It is one of the attractions: when it ceases to be dangerous you don’t want it.
~Duke Ellington
By the time of his passing, he was considered amongst the world’s greatest composers and musicians. The French government honored him with their highest award, the Legion of Honor, while the government of the United States bestowed upon him the highest civil honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
~allaboutjazz.com
Take The “A” Train (Reveille with Beverly from 1943):
My doctor tells me I should start slowing it down – but there are more old drunks than there are old doctors so let’s all have another round.
~Willie Nelson
We create our own unhappiness. The purpose of suffering is to help us understand we are the ones who cause it.
~Willie Nelson
He [Willie Nelson] takes whatever thing he’s singing and makes it his. There’s not many people who can do that. Even something like an Elvis tune. You know, once Elvis done a tune, it’s pretty much done. But Willie is the only one in my recollection that has even taken something associated with Elvis and made it his. He just puts his sorta trip on it…
~Bob Dylan (28 April 1993)
Willie Nelson Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame (1993):
