Mediocrity’s easy, the good things take time, the great need commitment.
~Bob Seger, Lock And LoadedThat’s a good way to live, go against the wind.
~Bob SegerCombining the driving charge of Ryder’s Detroit Wheels with Stonesy garage rock and devotion to hard-edged soul and R&B, he crafted a distinctively American sound.
~Stephen Thomas Erlewine (allmusic.com)
Kid Rock inducts Bob Seger Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions 2004:
To me, country music tells a story about, and deals with, the way people live their lives and what they do.
~Randy TravisI’ve learned the importance of loving what you do. I have also learned more patience due to the nature of the music business.
~Randy TravisLike 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)
On the other hand (live):
Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live.
– Pete SeegerHe’s a great man, Pete Seeger.
-Bob Dylan (Paul Zollo interview April, 1991)
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
Continue reading “May 3: The Late Folk Singer Legend Pete Seeger Birthday”
If it sounds good and feels good, then it IS good!
~Duke EllingtonArt is dangerous. It is one of the attractions: when it ceases to be dangerous you don’t want it.
~Duke EllingtonBy 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):
Continue reading “April 29: Jazz Legend Duke Ellington Birthday”
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 NelsonWe create our own unhappiness. The purpose of suffering is to help us understand we are the ones who cause it.
~Willie NelsonHe [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):
“The blues is like this. You lay down some night and you turn from one side of the bed to the other all night long. It’s not too cold in that bed, and it ain’t too hot. But what’s the matter The blues has got you.”
~Lead BellyI heard Leadbelly somewhere and that’s what got me into folk music, which was exploding.
~Bob Dylan (Joe Smith interview 1988)” Lead Belly was not an influence, he was the influence. If it wasn’t for him, I may never have been here. I don’t think he’s really dead. A lot of people’s bodies die but I don’t think their spirits die with them.
~Van Morrison”Sang the blues wonderfully,but he was much bigger than that. He encompassed the whole black era, from square dance calls to the blues of the 30’s and 40’s”
~Alan Lomax
Continue reading “January 20: The great late Huddie William Ledbetter (Lead Belly) was born in 1888”