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September 6-13
Cycle Oregon
Wallowa County, Oregon Steve & Kate, Stage Mgrs.
Cycle Oregon in Wallowa County, OR September 7 at 8PM
THE BRICKS full band with Kate Power & Steve Einhorn, Mick Doherty & Peter Spud Siegel headlining on the Cycle Oregon Main Stage in Union, Oregon! Sat., September 20 at TRADITIONS in Olympia! 300 5th Ave SW
Olympia, WA 98501
(360) 705-2819 $12
Dick@TraditionsFairTrade.com |
STEVE EINHORN ART OPENING
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SAVE THE DATE! Premier Night
11/7/2008 11/7 - 11/9
CZ Becker Gallery
15 SE 6th Avenue Portland, Oregon 11/14-11/16 Stage One Art Gallery 117 1/2 Main Street Enterprise, Oregon  |
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Greetings!
We left Woodstock before noon and headed southeast to the little town of Beacon, NY. Barely an hour's drive, we arrived at the train station and followed the crowd to the banks of the mighty Hudson River to the site of the annual Corn Festival. This year marked our second anniversary invitation to join Pete Seeger and several other musicians in a day-long concert of folk songs and gathering of food & craft vendors, signature collectors, moms, dads and kids - not to mention all the folks lining up to enjoy a sail on the Sloop Woody Guthrie.
Although we had been warned - 50% chance of an afternoon thunderstorm - the dark clouds appeared to be north of us and the gentle white ones were blowing in from the south. Pete greeted us and directed us to the stage, where Arlon Bennett was just beginning a set of his fine songs. We unpacked our gear, tuned up and enjoyed visits with old friends and family who had traveled from all directions to enjoy the afternoon on the Hudson. Arlon finished his set and we were introdued to the crowd.
Three notes into our set and those fluffy white clouds turned grey and wet and ... well, umbrellas appeared everywhere and the sky let loose ... no tarp?!
"Hey, we're Oregonians!", I announced. "When this happens we get out the soap and wash up!" (ha ha); the rain poured down on these two folksinging Nor'Wester!ners, as we galloped through our entire set of songs. That's right, every song was sung! (okay, so we shortened the breaks in between verses)...
We thanked our brave audience, packed our gear and joined everyone under the vendors' canopies.
Five minutes later, the sky cleared and Pete stepped up to the mic and gave all of us an hour of his sweet music. As usual, within seconds the entire audience was singing along; Pete with banjo in hands danced through the crowd, arms waving as he sang "Abiyoyo", "Goodnight Irene", "She'll Be Comin", you know, the way he's always done it.
He finished his set, stepped down and slowly moved through the crowd, stopping to speak with all who wished to say hello to this wonderful, generous man.
As we were saying our goodbyes, I mentioned we'd be heading back to Oregon soon,. Pete smiled and spoke fondly of his old Portland friends, Bill and Helen Gordon. After I told him that Bill had just turned 90, Pete chuckled and recalled Helen's gently savvy gift for swaying politicians to consider change in a vote by complimenting a recent vote they cast in her approving direction and then "guiding" them to consider her angle on a pet vote comng up, "and that's how she got a lot done" for social change in the legislature. Pete thought Helen's style was just perfect. You could tell by the twinkle in his eye as he told the story that he loved that about her almost as much as he loved every sweet kernal off the cob of corn left in his hand.
Pete looked us square in the eyes, held out his arms and brought us in from both sides to his ribs for the biggest hug and held us there and for a memorable minute, Kate and I were transformed into into a couple of kids cuddled close to the heart of the grandfather we loved and trusted to teach us the way from here.
- Steve
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GEORGE CHUDACOFF
RIP
December 19, 1947 - August 25, 2008
Friend, fisherman, musician & teacher, George Chudacoff has left for deeper waters. We will miss him more than words can say. If you wish to contribute memories of George or would like information on the celebration of his life, please contact Sandy at sbly@pacifier.com. The gathering on Saturday, September 13th will commemorate the life and times of this legendary man who made strings ring sweet in the Pacific Northwest.
A few thoughts on George from Steve...
Fridays with George, at the Artichoke. That was one of the days we'd be at the store together; George teaching his stable of students how to pick the guitar, banjo or mandolin, and me behind the counter hawking my wares and waiting for George to take a break so we could squeak in a tune or two before the next kid(young and old) came for their 45 minutes with the master. He would always arrive at the shop carrying a bunch of stuff; had to drop half of it so he could open the door and crash through to his little piece of real estate toward the back of the shop. I wouldn't let him get all the way to the back until he committed to joining me for at least one picking session sometime that day. I always loved hearing the sounds coming from George's room. He picked those tunes apart and could show you on paper just what was going on; an awesome ability most of us pickers only dream about. We knew some of the same obscure tunes and enjoyed playing them together while being amazed and delighted that we both knew these tunes. "The Times I've Had" by Mark Spoelstra was and is still one of my favorites.
I was one of the lucky fishermen to go out with George in his boat. The man always knew where the fish were and he knew how to convince them to come join us in the boat. My son Ben and I spent a day with George behind the Merwin Dam. We were surrounded by catch-less anglers, while we filled our bucket with very edible and keepable Kokanee. Last fall, I caught my first Chinook(16 pounds)while boating with George. Actually, he hooked it and threw the pole into my hands. He insisted that Technically, I was the catcher. I don't know how he figured that, but I wasn't about to argue.(we released that beautiful fish back into the Lewis River).
I always joked with George that I was going to write an instruction book entitled "Three Chords and a Capo, Play Like Steve" Before I knew it, we were sitting down at my dining room table writing the damn thing. He worked me hard and we got some good stuff down on paper. George, I'm gonna finish that book. I promise. The working title is now, "3 Chords and a Capo, Play Like Steve" as Told to George, a Real Guitar Player"
George, you're one of the sweetest bears I've ever known. Kate and I always loved to sing for you.......you always gave so much back to us. And you know we'll keep singing as long as we have voices Your kindness and strength lives inside us now and forever. We love you Brother George. Rest in Peace
Let me tell you bout the times I've had,
They aint so good and they aint so bad.........
Your friend,
Steve
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