Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural

Subject: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 15 Jan 09 - 11:41 PM

To help kickoff the inaugural celebration this weekend, Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen are scheduled to sing this Sunday at the Lincoln Memorial during "We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration At The Lincoln Memorial" . The event will be taking place at 2pm on Sunday afternoon and the is expected to draw a crowd of 500,000. HBO will air the concert live at 2:30pm ET with two encore showings scheduled for 7pm ET and 11:30pm ET, and they are making it available for free to all cable operators. The concert will also be available online at www.hbo.com .

The concert was initially scheduled for two hours, but it is believed that it will run longer.

The star studded event will feature performers from a variety of musical traditions, and contemporary folkies will enjoy hearing from John Mellencamp and James Taylor, among others. President-elect Obama and Vice-President-elect Biden are scheduled to speak.

Springsteen apparently extended the invitation to Seeger to join the celebration and while it is not confirmed, it is rumored that they will sing Woody Guthrie's "This Land Is Your Land".

It is particulary fitting that Seeger has joined the celebration. Seeger marched with Dr. Martin Luther King during the Civil Rights movement and he introduced the civil rights leader to the song "We Shall Overcome" - which was sung at the historic March on Washington in August 1963 when Dr. King made the "I Had A Dream" speech.


www.ronolesko.blogspot.com

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 07:31 AM

Perfect.

Anyone know of an online site that will carry it, for us TV-challenged folks?

Dani

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 10:52 AM

As I mentioned above, it will be online at hbo.com

Subject: Pete Seegar in DC concert Sunday
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 10:56 AM

... Along with Stevie Wonder, Bruce Sprinstein and a couple dozen other musicians. (except for Tom Hanks who may not even play the harmonica) It is a free concert on Sunday in DC.

I wonder if Pete will sing 'We have overcome'

HBO will broadcast it live Sunday from 1 to 3 but check your listing.

I am certain we will have at least one mudcat ambassador at the concert.

I think it is at the Kennedy Center.

Subject: RE: Pete Seegar in DC concert Sunday
From: Donuel
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 11:00 AM

npr says they will braodcast it from 2 to 5 PM

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Ref
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 08:20 PM

Thanks for the tip, Ron!

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 11:12 PM

Geez, sorry, Ron. I gave up a big coffee habit not long ago, and it's made me stupid. For real, man. I don't recommend it.

Dani

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Jan 09 - 11:21 PM

Awesome!! Thanks for letting us know!

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 12:08 PM

I've uploaded a video on my website of a rehearsal featuring Pete & Bruce - www.ronolesko.blogspot.com

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 12:28 PM

oops.. it appears that the video has been removed. Sorry! The concert will begin soon - don't miss it!

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 02:50 PM

So Beautiful!

So Exciting!

It really is true!

Dani

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:07 PM

I don't have a converter box, so I can't get the 'free to all' HBO show. I'm watching a bit of it on CNN and listening on NPR. Just for once, I wish those talking heads would realize that we can live without their constant blather for a couple of hours. Oh well. I have NPR, and didn't Springsteen ROCK!!!?

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:08 PM

James Taylor now.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:11 PM

... with a gorgeous Carolina Blue guitar.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:13 PM

Looks like it's live on the net at hbo.com. Firing up the laptop.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:18 PM

"Ain't That America"

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:33 PM

I'm feeling glad I can multitask (read: the attention span of a golfish). I'm listening to the radio with the speakers cranked and watching it on the other computer (not so much streaming video as a series of stills, not synched with the radio) and reading Mudcat on this computer.

I need some cheesecake.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:47 PM

Anybody wanna guess at what the last number will be, or does Ron know? (I think the Times, They are A-Changin' would work.)

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:48 PM

I got champagne and pizza, Jeri, wanna come?

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:52 PM

Obama is grinning fit to bust. Usher's singing "We Are One"; a real Motown kickbutt song.


A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:53 PM

Woah, get down; it's Little Stevie Wonder singing in the freezing cold!! Awesome.



A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:54 PM

Aw man, Michele and Barack are rocking out to Stevie Wonder. I mean, man, how cool is that!!!

A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 03:56 PM

Dani, let's find some chocolate and go visit Amos. I have well over a foot of new snow here.

Amos, you mean the Stevie Wonder song 'Higher Ground'? (I think he's got some good stuff there, too.)

If we only had a chat room...

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:03 PM

YEah, that's the one. Now U2 is knocking out their Obama song. Awesome stuff!!! That Bono is a ball of talent.


A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:21 PM

Pete is leading the thousands and thousands in "This Land Your Land" and they are roaring it out. My God, I think I'm having a dream...those amazing words, multiplied by those million souls. It is beyond real.

It is absolutely, jaw-droppingly, incredibly beautiful, is what.


A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:26 PM

I can't watch for the tears streaming down my face from hearing Pete and seeing him...mygawd what a Treasure he is. So much energy he ran,skipped off stage after. These are Important Moments...I feel speechless with emotions.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: katlaughing
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:28 PM

I am going to have to watch the rebroadcast on the PC as I missed all but the last, I just realised.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:30 PM

If this was a kick off, it went all the way to the 4-yard line!



A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:40 PM

A reporter on the scene was saying EVERYBODY was singing along, and not just with Pete. Bodes well for participatory music, not to mention government.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Pauline L
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 04:58 PM

So very inspiring! Springsteen and Pete, looking very happy, leading the crowd in singing "This Land Is Your Land" at the rehearsal for the Inaugural Concert. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFoFTQEC6ws . I can't stop listening and singing. I feel as happy as Pete looks.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: topical tom
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 05:21 PM

I haven't been so moved in a long time! The sight of such a wonderful person (at 89!!!) leading a throng of thousands in the singing of "This Land is Your Land" was so stirring, and his appearance was so up-lifting, cheerful and optimistic, as Pete always is. No one more deserving appeared on those steps today. By his music and his comportment, his beliefs,throughout his life he has given renewed hope to so many. And he SKIPPED off the stage! Way to go, Pete!

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 05:22 PM

Wow.

AMong the many well-turned phrases in Obama's address at the Mall, standing before the figure of Lincoln and watching the thousands of people who turned out from all over the country to support his start, were these words:

"a belief that if we could just recognize ourselves in one another and bring everyone together -- Democrats, Republicans, independents; Latino, Asian and Native American; black and white, gay and straight, disabled and not -- then not only would we restore hope and opportunity in places that yearned for both, but maybe, just maybe, we might perfect our union in the process.."

That should be the byline and signatory phrase of his Administration: Recognize ourselves in one another.

It is the nuclear fuel behind his breadth of insight and calm, I think.


A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 06:00 PM

Pete is leading the thousands and thousands in "This Land Your Land" and they are roaring it out. My God, I think I'm having a dream...those amazing words, multiplied by those million souls. It is beyond real.

It is absolutely, jaw-droppingly, incredibly beautiful, is what.

===========

When I read Amos's post I also got tears in my eyes.

I spent the weekend at a Festival where we saw a recent Pete Seeger doco, Power in the Song - family & friends & Pete all talking about his life, with lots of old TV & home move content & the Australian audience was also affected.

Later today I'll try to find the inaugural concert on hbo

sandra

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 06:46 PM

recognise is one thing, acquiese in is another.

Do I recognise myself in torturing people, and then say let's let bygones be bygones because it's a new day? Mustn't be divisive? How far is this inclusive rhetoric going to go?

Well, we'll see.....

(a foreigner not given to Obama-mania).

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Amos
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 06:54 PM

Even people from the colder climates of the jungle can realize that the reciprocal self recognition of human beingas across a division opens the doors to resolution. This has nothing to do with Obama-mania, but human nature and workable attitudes. I am reminded of the Christmas break in the trenches when the Allies and the Germans sang Stille Nacht to each other. Or was it Lili Marlene? No matter. It was the singing of it that made a moment's difference.

A

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 06:57 PM

We don't have cable, so we watched it on my computer in our family room. (HBO.com is going to rebroadcast it, too).

WOW. As a whole, the concert was surprisingly good. And Pete's performance was especially inspiring, not least because of everything he has gone through and been put through by this country. If anything can symbolize the change to a government that respects individual rights and liberties, it's including someone who had been blacklisted and charged with Contempt of Congress by the House UnAmerican Activities Committee.

And not only did Pete sing This Land Is Your Land - HE SANG THE SUBVERSIVE VERSES (Subverses?) - all those verses that never made it into my old elementary school music books. To see Pete at the innauguration singing, "But on the other side it didn't say nothin' / That side was made for you and me" was amazing. What a wonderful moment.

Dan

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: bobad
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 07:07 PM

Just watched the video - very inspirational and hope giving to the next administration.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Jeri
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 07:17 PM

I had wondered if he would sing those verses, and then figured, it's flippin' PETE SEEGER! And the feeling I got was that it was good to get those feelings out, and it was good to be singing about things that needed fixing instead of just the happy, bouncy stuff. Maybe because now I felt like there was a chance problems might get addressed and it felt good.

Peter, I think there are people who want retribution, but from what I've seen of that sort of goal, it doesn't usually turn out well for either side and the fights are just prolonged in varying intensities. the whole 'let bygones be' attitude is one that we need to get anything accomplished. I think we can prosecute criminals and still try to be decent to those who are guilty only of disagreeing with us.

I'm sure Obama won't be perfect, but I think he's the best thing to happen to the US since I can remember. Maybe it's not him so much as the way people are because of him. I don't know, but I plan on celebrating his success for a little while at least.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: AllisonA(Animaterra)
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 07:27 PM

I agree that he isn't perfect, but he's making people young and old feel about their country the way some of us have NEVER felt in our lives- as though there's a chance that we might, perhaps, be able to be proud of the place, at least for now.

Yeah, what a concert, what a sight to see Pete there.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Bob Ryszkiewicz
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 07:41 PM

Hi Kids: Well, you know, this Obama thing might turn out to be something special after all...Whodathunkit? I believe Honest Abe and a few million other spirits will be smilin'...
bob

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 08:06 PM

I was on the radio this afternoon when the concert was on, so I am watching the re-broadcast.

While doing my show today, I played a number of songs that I felt were fitting for the occassion - including Pete singing "We Shall Overcome".   I received a phone call from some racist who started yelling at me for playing these songs. The caller then called me a number of names, and dropped the "n" word a few times.   It reminded me that there is still work to be done, but there is no doubt that we have come far and the power of songs is making change. It obviously made this creep uncomfortable enought to call a radio station. Change is coming.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Cap't Bob
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 09:16 PM

Don't know how long it will be there but if you want to see Bruce and Pete Seegers part in the celebration there is a video at:

http://vodpod.com/politics/watch/1295570-this-land-is-your-land-this-land-is-my-land-again-finally-

Cap't Bob

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,pws
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 09:28 PM

Does anyone know who the percussionist was who played with Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen?

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Peter T.
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 10:26 PM

It's great, celebrate.

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Bill D
Date: 18 Jan 09 - 10:45 PM

well...I lost it. I watched every bit of the two hours when it was rebroadcast...even strange artists whose names I didn't even recognize! I smiled all the way thru...then at the end, I lost it. I was even prepared, but when Pete started on 'those' verses, I cried....just thinking about all the years of Pete being marginalized and not being quite mainstream came flooding back, and I bawled for a bit. Then it was over & better and I just smiled again.
Wow... and you may quote me.

(and the beginning! What WAS the name of that Master Sargent who sang The Star Spangled Banner properly? It's been so long since I heard it sung well.)

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 12:03 AM

Master Sgt. Caleb Green is the only Master Sgt. I see listed HERE, BillD.

I just heard a snippet of a rebroadcast of Obama on Meet the Press in Dec., just after I'd heard Pete singing, today. The following lets me know we will be seeing a lot more of this coming together with Obama leading the way (my emphasis):

MR. BROKAW: Who are the kinds of artists that you would like to bring to the White House?

PRES.-ELECT OBAMA: Oh, well, you know, we have thought about this because part of what we want to do is to open up the White House and, and remind people this is, this is the people's house. There is an incredible bully pulpit to be used when it comes to, for example, education. Yes, we're going to have an education policy. Yes, we're going to be putting more money into school construction. But, ultimately, we want to talk about parents reading to their kids. We want to invite kids from local schools into the White House. When it comes to science, elevating science once again, and having lectures in the White House where people are talking about traveling to the stars or breaking down atoms, inspiring our youth to get a sense of what discovery is all about. Thinking about the diversity of our culture and, and inviting jazz musicians and classical musicians and poetry readings in the White House so that, once again, we appreciate this incredible tapestry that's America. I--you know, that, I think, is, is going to be incredibly important, particularly because we're going through hard times. And, historically, what has always brought us through hard times is that national character, that sense of optimism, that willingness to look forward, that, that sense that better days are ahead. I think that our art and our culture, our science, you know, that's the essence of what makes America special, and, and we want to project that as much as possible in the White House.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,Working Radish
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 05:39 AM

"our art and our culture, our science, you know, that's the essence of what makes America special"

What a letdown! I thought this guy was supposed to be different from George W!

Seriously... oh my. My, oh my. For once in my life I wish I was American.

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 07:29 AM

"Lost it"?   Surely the term "found it"...

A pretty good moment. World turned upside down time. A good start.

And great that for once "This Land" with sung with the verses that most often get left out, about poor people and about that sign saying "private property".

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: GUEST,PL
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 08:38 AM

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=nMYtNlIlGKM

Subject: RE: Seeger & Springsteen at Obama Inaugural
From: Charley Noble
Date: 19 Jan 09 - 09:52 AM

Well done!

Charley Noble