For those who missed it, the Woody Guthrie Free Folk Festival was a fantastic experience. It was a lot of fun, and seeing Pete and Arlo (and families) together was a real treat. I really enjoyed it, and plan to go next year.

Terry Hardy
Denver, CO

Way to go Terry! Wish I could of been there. North Ny. Maybe somday. How is Pete? Care to elaborate. We all love hearing updates (well most of us do) about our favorite legends! Sounds (no doubt) a life-time of memories, that can carried with you. Many more!

I was at the Woody Guthrie Festival for almost the entire thing (missed some stuff on Sunday to drive home). Arlo hung out for the whole festival, and really made himself an integral part of the fun. I was lucky enough to meet and talk to some of Arlo/Woody's family from the area, including Woody's sister Mary Jo. Pete Seeger was amazing. The Guthries and Seegers played for 2 1/2 hours, and Pete played for a large portion of that. He has amazing energy, and still was great at some of the classics, including Guantanamera. Arlo did not play as much as in other concerts, but that worked out okay (although I could have listened to Arlo solo all night) - everyone on stage took their turn, and I enjoy hearing Abe and Sarah play. No one left disappointed from the crowd of 2000 or so (the largest Woody Guthrie Festival so far, out of 3). If you get a chance definitely try to go next year.

Based on my Okemah experience I wrote a song...a talking blues song that sort of makes fun of people (gee, kinda like me) who "Stalk" Arlo to get him to hear their song.

Stalkin' Arlo Talkin' Blues

The other day I wrote a song
It wasn't too short, it wasn't too long
In fact it was pretty fine
It could make me famous in a short time
I just needed it to be heard
Maybe Arlo Guthrie would listen to it
If he did he'd love it so much he'd just
have to have me join him on tour

So I went and got in my car
I threw in my old guitar
I found out where Arlo could be
And I drove to Okemah, just me
Oklahoma that is
The home of his dad, Woody Guthrie
Arlo was playing at a folk festival out there

After a pretty long drive
I showed up in Okemah alive
I started looking for Arlo
I found him in the Rocky Road
It's just a little bar, just off Broadway
Right in the heart of downtown Okemah

So I go to where Arlo is sitting
And I say I have a song for him
I ask him if he wants to hear
I even offer to buy him a beer
He said, "Later, kid, later"
"I'm busy right now"
Did you hear that? Arlo promised
that he'd listen to my song later!

So I go back to my car
And I get out my guitar
I practiced my song all day
I'm so excited, don't know what to say
I tracked him down later
He was in the Brick Street Café
He was with some other folkies
Just hangin' out

So I moved in for the kill
I was ready I had the will
I asked Arlo if he was ready
But he looked surprised to see me
He kinda looked at me funny
Mumbled something about bein' busy
I said "That's okay"
"I'll just wait at the bar"

It was about an hour or so
And I just had to play for Arlo
So when he went to the bathroom
I stood outside his stall and played my tune
I belted out my song, singing about justice
I sang about freedom
And Woodstock and all that stuff

Soon that stall door unlocked
Arlo looked in a bit of shock
Arlo looked me in the eye
Then he gave a great big sigh
He said, "Son, that's gotta be the
best song I ever heard"
"Maybe that's the best song ever written"

I was so excited, my heart raced
But I didn't want Arlo to see my face
So I turned my back to him
So he couldn't see my big-ass grin
Then I turned around, but Arlo wasn't there
Where the heck did Arlo go?
He just disappeared

Arlo could not have gone far
But I did not see him in the bar
Outside I saw a car drive by
It looked just like that Arlo guy
But that couldn't be him, so I left the bar
I heard someone shout "Security"
I guess they called in some help
To look for Arlo

I looked for Arlo the next day
But he must have gone away
That's okay 'cause I will seek
Where he is playing next week
Arlo is in Missouri, I think
I'll go there to meet him
I'll just follow Arlo until he agrees
To take me on tour with him

Terry Hardy
Denver, CO
terrynpeg@earthlink.net

To all @ Okemah & especially Terry Hardy, What a great song, I have been to all 3 & the one in 89 started by Larry Long, With the exception of the scorching heat, my family & I have had a tremendous time & will always go back! Guess we've seen ADG 15 - 20 times through the years & have always been impressed w/ not only his talent, but his niceness. I have talked to him several times & I too have felt a little guilty about bothering him, however I must confess I had him autograph my wifes Alices Rest. Cookbook this year. I did give him a song though, I had asked him 3-4 times through the years about Woody's song "Mean Talking Blues", & he did'nt know it. So, I copied it & gave it to him, He was very nice & talked to my little ones about their ducks etc. Also has some very nice & talented kids! Abe & Sarah are wonderful additions to his concerts! I too could listen to AG all night, But I have to say that this yrs. agenda w/ Pete really did make it special !!! Thanks to all in Okemah, Especially Randy Norman, Johnny Leslie @ the Crystal Theater & everyone else there w/ the Guthrie Collation that made this possible. What a Super Week! & of Course to the All Folk Singers that donate their time, especially All the Guthrie Family, for all the Great Memories !!! Larry Kamler, Joplin,Mo. aka 65goldfish<FONT size="4">Text</FONT s>
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Yes, I would also like to thank the Woody Guthrie Coalition and all the artists who gave their time to be at the festival. It was a special experience, and I hope to attend many more Woody Guthrie Free Folk Festivals in the future.

By the way, I have yet to stalk Arlo with my song - he has been spared so far.

Another note on the Festival...

I loved hearing all the musicians at the festival, but a few stood out. I thought Chuck Brodsky was pretty cool. He crafted amazing lyrics, and I enjoyed his baseball songs. And he is a great guy - I had a chance to talk with him after his performance, and hope to collect more of his work. Check him out if you get the chance. Barton and Sweeney were also very fun, and I got one of their CDs as well. Of course, it was hard to choose with all the talent there.

terry...love the song! LOL

thanks for terry and larry for the reports on okemah!

Terry, I hope ADG sees your song here, Its a classic!!! Yea I liked Chuck B. too. I have really started to appreciate some of them I have seen over the last three years, such as Darcy Deville,super nice person,; Larry & fiddling Pete Watercott,another great guy & Jimmy LaFeve who probally has the tigest band on the scene! My daughters play violin(classical) & they dont care for country but both like Darcy & Pete who are also both classical trained violinists, The're starting to come around & say they always want to go back to Okemah too. I still have to give hands down kudus?sp. to Robert?
from John Wesley Harding, as the best musician I have seen in recent years. He was the mandolin & accordian player, WOW !!! also a classicaly trained musican. Mabye cause I try to play both of these & am amazed one can play the stuff he does on both.Well looking forward to next year! I still think we will see the orginal Woody fan, Dylan,there someday? Dont know if his introverted personiality can handle the warm atsomphere @ Okemah, but what a rush that would be! I do Think you sould enter the amatuear song writing contest there & who knows ? Anyway cool song ! Later L.K. Joplin, Mo. ( no claim to Janis Joplin,AW, But to Scott Joplin)