The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #101506 Message #2048138
Posted By: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
10-May-07 - 11:57 AM
Thread Name: What got you hooked on folk music?
Subject: RE: What got you hooked on folk music?
I grew up hearing western swing and country music in my rural area of central California. In the late '40's-early '50's, I remember The Weavers and Burl Ives. When Terry Gilkyson and the Easy Riders came out with "Marianne," in the early '50's, I was hooked. My dad found me an old Stella guitar from a pawn shop. It sounded like a cracker box with strings, but it was functional. Summer campfire singing and, later, The Kingston Trio's "Tom Dooley" stoked the fire. After that it was open stage time in local coffee houses, the camaraderie and exchange of music and technique, etc. That eventually led to solo and trio performing during the early '60's. I still play only by ear, and only occasionally. My son has taken the ball now and moved forward with his own group. He plays rock, but admits being influenced by both folk and classical music. The gift that keeps on giving?