How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: folktheatre
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 11:15 AM

I mailed him once about a play I was in about Woody Guthrie in which he was depicted and I thought he'd be interested to know the good work that the impact of his music and Woody's was having on kids in special schools.

I made the mistake of putting one of my CDs in as well for him and I think he got deeply offended as he said he receives hundreds (no doubt!) and failed to see the real reason why I mailed him. None the less he replied even if it was a bit gruff in tone and didn't mention the play. I was a bit gutted it is to say the least as he is a bit of a hero to me. But I'm glad he replied. He's still a huge figure, literally. He damn near dwarfs Donavan!

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 10:58 AM

DO NOT drop in on him. He has more than enough people wanting to breathe the air around him. The one time I have visited Mount Seeger I called in advance. I would not have visited unless there was a legitimate reason to speak with him in person.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Taconicus
Date: 14 Aug 09 - 08:53 AM

There's a folk music open mic at the Cubbyhole coffeehouse on Raymond Ave in Poughkeepsie on Tuesday nights where you might find him occasionally.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: kendall
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 10:13 AM

I don't think he would mind if you send him a birthday card. He will be 90 on May 3rd.
His mailing address is: po box 431 Beacon NY 12508-0431.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 04 Apr 09 - 09:49 AM

Pete is inundated with folks who like any "star" want an association with him.
He is always busy and if you fit into one of his projects then you will probably meet
him without trying to.

Who in the folk music world hasn't Pete influenced and inspired?

Let him alone. He's always busy.

Yes he's gracious and polite. But you should recognize his needs to be involved
with his busy projects and not bother him.

Frank

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: GUEST,Chip
Date: 03 Apr 09 - 11:50 PM

I went to college with his son Dan, and dropped him a note last summer when I was planning to visit Bannerman Castle near where he lives. Got a nice reply and he even added his unlisted phone number. He also expressed a keen interest in Instant Runoff Voting which is being tried here in Vermont. He always sends a brief "Thank You" on a postal card whenever I send him an article on the topic.
   As late as last fall he and some friends stage a peace vigil in Wappengers Falls at noon every Sunday. I joined them in mid November and it was an honor, but the talk at the time was that they would abandon this due to both Pete's age and the coming of winter. If they continue to do this you could always join them.....

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: GUEST,jollbe
Date: 17 Aug 07 - 03:50 PM

Hello, my name is Josep and I live in Barcelona, Spain. I like Pete Seeger from my twenties (now I am 43) and he has made me love the banjo and try to play it in frailing style. Also I take classes of three fingering style with Lluís Gomez ( www.nechville.com/downloads/banjoviasummer06.pdf). I work in the media as a technician and video mixer in Television of Catalonia (TV3). I have been working there for 18 years. I like very much documentary and I want to make a documentary about Pete Seeger. Attention: It has no relation with TV3 is just and only and independent project for me. So TV3 is not behind the project.

If you like very much Pete Seeger's person and music, has followed his career through your life, have attended to his concerts and historic musical moments in his career, also if you play banjo or guitar perhaps for the Pete seeger influence, and you want to make your contribution to this documentary in your own words, please write to me.

Also I am looking for home videos or pictures of concerts, rallys, etc of Pete Seeger.
If you have any please tell me. I will pay for all the transfer to dvd and post.

If you are interested could you send me a mail [e-mail] or send me a letter to: Josep Llovera-Apartado de Correos 396-08080 Barcelona-Spain. Could you answering the following questions with a few words, just to make a first contact the next step for the people who are interested in taking part of the docu will be another more deep interview. All of that in order to make a selection:

-Your relation with the music and career of Pete Seeger.
-What Pete meants to you.
-Why you are interested in participate in the docu.

I will answer all your letters or mails, and think that if you are one of the people who are going to participate to the project I will need more information.

I am looking for common people, not famous, or professional people, just different people, different ages, from different places, etc.

The documentary will be an aproximation to Pete Seeger as a human being. Not through his own ruminations but through the experiences, thoughts, ideas from people like you. I am interested in you, not well-known people from the musical or cultural world or institutional world. I am interested in your perception about Pete. A perception that tells about Pete and about you, not as a objective information but a reflection of the restlessness, emotions and ideals of many of us.

I am just starting the project, so there is a lot of time before I go anywhere to record the images.
Thank you very much.
Josep

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Bill D
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 07:20 PM

I had the great honor of meeting Pete earlier this year when he & Mike & Peggy did that rare concert in Silver Spring, Md. Yes...I actually got to shake his hand and chat for a moment. I expressed MY gratitude to him for all he's done, and heard others do the same. He knows....

His recent, short-term memory may not be what it was, but I asked him about a little recitation he did when I saw him in Kansas in about 1961....I quoted one line, and he beamed at me and recited the whole thing (It was the "One big fat hen, Two ducks.." routine, and he does NOT do it exactly like the Googled versions you'll find).

Pete was most gracious, and I hope *I* am able to run up the asile of a concert like he did when *I* am 85 or so!

This is a man who cares about people and the world, and he has steadfastly supported and sung about the important things for 60+years. He is still doing what he can.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: kendall
Date: 06 Aug 07 - 07:11 AM

An Angel on earth if there ever was one.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 05 Aug 07 - 10:50 PM

Unfortunately, even if you meet Pete, he may not remember you very well. I have known him for over 40 years, learning vocal production from him, accompanying him as a Sloop Singer and in various venues but a couple of years ago, when I introduced him to Lady Hillary, he told me that he knew he knew me but that he had forgotten my name as his memory was going. Other than the memory issue, he is still the same gentleman he has always been.

I disagree with Frank. If you can, meet him and try to spend a few minutes talking with him. If you cannot, read his literature. In either case, look at the causes he has espoused and work to improve your local world. You, too, can change the world.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Stringsinger
Date: 05 Aug 07 - 02:35 PM

Don't expect Pete to answer your mail soon. He's backed up for months.

The best way to meet Pete Seeger is to sing his songs, read his columns and articles and listen to his recordings.

Meeting people in person often may not be the best way to meet them personally.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 05 Aug 07 - 08:33 AM

As mentioned above, get involved in something that Pete is doing. Next weekend, the Beacon Sloop Club has its annual Corn Festival. Pete will be doing children's sets [that says all you need to know about his attitude] and mixing and mingling and, certainly performing with others.
There will certainly be people there to breathe the air around Pete and there will be friends and coparticipants.
Lady Hillary and I have another committment for next Saturday. If we can change that, we will be there.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: GUEST,Pete Seeger documentary project
Date: 04 Aug 07 - 03:45 PM

Hello, I have find your comments about Pete Seeger. Please let me send to you the next mail:

My name is Josep and I live in Barcelona, Spain. I like Pete Seeger from my twenties (now I am 43) and he has made me love the banjo and try to play it in frailing style. Also I take classes of three fingering style with Lluís Gomez ( www.nechville.com/downloads/banjoviasummer06.pdf). I work in the media as a technician and video mixer in Television of Catalonia (TV3). I have been working there for 18 years. I like very much documentary and I want to make an independent documentary about Pete Seeger. Attention: It has no relation with TV3 is just and only and independent project for me. So TV3 is not behind the project.

If you like very much Pete Seeger's person and music, has followed his career through your life, have attended to his concerts and historic musical moments in his career, also if you play banjo or guitar perhaps for the Pete Seeger influence, and you want to make your contribution to this documentary in your own words, please write to me.


If you are interested could you send me an email: [e-mail] Also could you answering the following questions with a few words, just to make a first contact. The next step for the people who are interested in taking part of the docu will be another more deep interview. All of that in order to make a selection:

-Your relation with the music and career of Pete Seeger.
-What Pete meants to you.
-Why you are interested in participate in the docu.

I am looking for common people, not famous, or professional people, just different people, different ages, from different places, etc. The docu will try to make an approximation to Pete through the experiences and thoughts of "anonymous" people. I am looking for people who likes Pete Seeger but I am not assuming that everyone agrees everything with Pete. I think that every respectful and positive criticism is good. But I am looking for people that beyond the diferences and disagreements like very much Pete.


I am just starting the project, so there is a lot of time before I go anywhere to shot the docu.

Thank you very much.
Josep

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 22 Aug 06 - 09:49 AM

You are correct, John Henry. I got tangled.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 11:11 PM

EBarnacle, I haven't made any difference in his life. He's made a difference in my life.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: kendall
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 03:19 PM

I have his phone number but I won't use it. His memory is going south and the last time I connected with him I got the feeling that he didn't remember me. That made me sad.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: EBarnacle
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 03:12 PM

If you feel it is important to write to Pete, especially if you have made a difference in his life, mark the envelope "Attention Karen Hinderstein." Karen is one of his many friends and helps with the office work. If she sees it first, she might just hold it for a few days for a moment when he needs cheering. Like all of us, he has his good times as well as his bad times.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 01:45 PM

As others have said, Pete at least was very good about writing back to those who write him - but it may take awhile. I don't know whether he's still able to keep up with all of his mail.

Recently Pete's performances have been limited to very special events - a few tribute concerts at which he does a song or two, or a banefit.

I've had the priviledge of seeing, hearing and talking with him twice in recent years - once in Rockport Maine, at a benefit concert for the Island Institute (I think it was), and once at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in Fortworth, TX two years ago, where he was honored. His voice is quite scratchy but his charisma remains as powerful as ever - he is one of the best all around performers I have ever seen.

In private conversation, though, he seemed tired, which he has every right to be. I think he sees the tradition as already having passed from his hands - people like Pat Humphries and Sandy O, John McCutcheon, Sally Rogers, Geoff Kaufman and many others now carry the music forward. As he would emphasize, ALL OF US carry that tradition.

Good luck in contacting him!

Dan Schatz

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Suffet
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 12:58 PM

The Beacon Sloop Club operates the Woody Guthrie. The Clearwater is operated by its own much larger organization, but I am sure that contributions to either or both would be welcome. And contributions can be volunteer labor as well as money.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Greg B
Date: 21 Aug 06 - 12:04 PM

Pete is one who very much appreciates people and times that stand
out in the memory. He's one who seems to remember just about
everyone he ever met, and can recall a shared time that stood
out for him. Pete may loom larger-then-life until you've met
him; after that, he's just tall. Then sit down to play some
music with him, and you'll realize that your in the presence
of a consumate musician and of an ensemble player who gets
everyone into the act.

All that said, about the best thing you could do for him
would be to send him a card and tell him about one thing
that you'll never forget that his music has taught you,
and say thanks.

If you send along a donation to the Beacon Sloop Club, who
operate his dear Clearwater and Woody Guthrie, that would
be a tangible appreciation that I'm sure would be most
welcome.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Suffet
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:18 PM

Greetings:

I believe it's perfectly OK to write to Pete, especially if all you want to do is thank him. From my own experience, he prefers postal mail to other forms of contact. He used to have a listed phone number, but no longer. And as far as I know, he does not use e-mail. But as I wrote earlier, he eventually answers letters, even if it is with just a brief "thank you" post card.

As Mark Clark said, if you really want to have some meaningful interaction with Pete, then get involved with one of his many projects. For example, participate in the weekly peace vigil in Poughkeepsie, New York. Or work on the next Ships to Save the Waters conference. Or start doing volunteer work for the Beacon Sloop Club. Or help develop a music related project for the War Resisters League, or for the Community Church of New York. Or become active in the People's Music Network, or in the Children's Music Network. Or organize fundraising activities for any or all of those projects, inclusing small house concerts. Just don't ask Pete to perform. If you are for real, he will find you.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 07:58 PM

Thanks WLD. I appreciate it.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:36 PM

thats a nice thing to hear, whoever you are

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:15 PM

People are getting the wrong idea. I have no interest in getting an autograph, a picture, or asking him where he got the idea for "Turn, Turn, Turn", or any corny thing like that. He's simply a man that has impacted my life in a huge way so I just think that I owe him a thank you. Or at least it would be nice if he knew who I was even for the brief time that he was reading my letter. If you all think that it's just bad idea and that I should just respect his privacy, then I won't write him but I hope that's not the case.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Mark Clark
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 03:44 PM

JohnHenry'sHammer, Please listen to Frank in the post above.

If you really want to have some interaction with Pete in some meaningful way—beyond an autograph or photo-op—get behind one of Pete's projects in a big way. Get to know the everyday folks who make those projects go and devote your talents and time to the advancement of those projects.

You could energize the folk community in your area to produce an annual Sing Out! benefit concert for example. If it's big enough and has the potential to generate significant funds for Sing Out!, Pete might even agree to peform; at least he has done this in the past.

Even if you never get to meet Pete through these projects, you will have met and absorbed something of what he is about; far more valueable than a signature on a letter. And in any case, you'll make a great many new friends and your world (and mine) will be expanded.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: GUEST,Frank Hamilton
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 01:04 PM

Pete is very busy with little time to do the things that he feels are necessary to do. Although he would appreciate your words, he just doesn't have the time to answer his admirers which are considerable. He is in his upper eighties now and has his agenda to fulfill which is large.

In short, give him space.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Suffet
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 08:31 AM

Greetings:

Here is the published mailing address for Pete and his wife:

Peter & Toshi Seeger
PO Box 431
Beacon, NY 12508

My own experience is that Pete reads his mail and that he will eventually answer you, but most often it is with a short note on a post card. You may have to wait weeks or even months, or he may respond in a few days.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 20 Aug 06 - 06:49 AM

Having intruded on his privacy by writing to him, I sort of understand where Henry's hammer is coming from.

He is an intriguing artist. Rather like Maccoll was in this country, so much of what we know and the way we write, and play aand sing emanates from him, and the people who were his close contemporaries.

I would say before you bother him, make sure you don't waste time asking about stuff that can be easily answered by the folks on mudcat.

I know the stuff i asked him about could easily have been answered here. But in the early 70's, there was no internet, no one was answering the phone, to order a Folkways record from America from Free Reed or something similar, took three months. etc. Also it was damn nearly impossible getting stuff from the States, with exchange rates and bank charges lennie Pogan wanted nearly half my weeks wages for a slide that I'd seen in Sing Out.

Things are very much easier these days. As you can see there are a lot of people readily accessible here who can answer questions and will willingly. Most stuff can be ordered from Amazon or e-bay.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: open mike
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 09:22 PM

he used to write a column in Sing out magazine..
you can probalby see it on their web page...
and you could probably forward a letter to
him thru the magazine...or thru his record
label. The best way you can honor his is to
actively do some thing to improve your town,
your life or your environment and then you
would have something to write to him about!

see this article for insiration:
http://www.appleseedrec.com/theorchard/winter06/peteseeger.html

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Bill Hahn//\\
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 07:02 PM

Pete Seeger is a private person who is accessible at such things as the Clearwater Festival each year. Or at any other event in which he appears---which is usually a cause he supports.

Many years back I recall his being honored at a local MLK event in my area. A small honorarium and a plaque were given---he wanted to return the honararium so the organization could fund more good work--it was only about $100 or so.

Another remembrance---he appeared in the 1970s at the New School in NYC for a remembrance of the Spanish Civil War through song and history by a lecturer---he sang (and many people filled in the forgotten words for him). The Professor went on with slides and a lecture---the folks wanted more of Pete---he just took his shoes off and sat on the stage and said---hey, let's learn something more from the professor---then we'll sing some more---oh, by the way---anyone going back toward Beacon that can give me a ride there or at least to Grand Central Station?

He greeted the audience afterwards and one young couple wanted an autograph on a photo. I saw his discomfort as he said something like---sure---you know photography and music are a universal language and the fellow taking pictures really got some nice ones of these old vets.   He never really looked at the couple---does not believe in self adulation. Just his strongly held opinions and beliefs.

I have a few others, but do not want to belabor this like an old man telling of his memories. Suffice it say---admire him, appreciate him, and leave him to his privacy.

BH

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:59 PM

He is a very gracious man, Joe.

Many years ago he did a concert at a huge outdoor venue in Los Angeles and we didn't go even though we lived nearby (yeah, yeah, we know). He performed a song we had written, which was probably the highlight of our checkered career, and mentioned our names and, knowing we lived in the area, asked if anyone in the audience knew how to contact us. During the intermission, several people sent notes with our phone number on it.

The next morning, someone called Jerry at work and related the story and he, of course, called Bev and told her. And a good thing, too. In the afternoon, Pete called Bev and talked to her for about an hour. If she hadn't been forewarned, you can imagine what her reaction would have been if she picked up the phone and someone said, "This is Pete Seeger".

After that, we got several chances to talk to him before and after concerts and he is not only gracious, but humble as well. The way he comes off on stage is the way he is all the time. We never met a nicer person.

And by the way, either he or Toshi answers all their mail - at least they used to.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:33 PM

In the 1960's, my friend Mrs. Lev was president of the Sacramento Folk Music Club, and the club hosted a Pete Seeger concert as a fundraiser. When he arrived in town, Pete announced, I'm coming to your house for dinner tonight before the concert, Marjorie. Needless to say, Mrs. Lev was thrilled, but a bit disconcerted that Pete would invite himself to dinner on such short notice. The dinner was wonderful - and so was the concert.
The concert didn't make as much as expected - not enough to pay Pete's fee. Pete gave all the receipts from the concert to the club, and didn't take anything for himself.
And Marge has told me that story half a dozen times.

He must be a very gracious man. I wish I could hear him in concert, just once.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 06:25 PM

He actually lives in a cabin on a hill in the village of Fishkill, but it is a Beacon mailing address.

I think finding him at a public event, or getting an introduction from someone who is connected to him, is the more appropriate way to meet him, versus going to his house.

SRS

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 10:25 AM

Beacon, N.Y. 12508

There is a box number, but this ought to get to him as well.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Greg B
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 10:01 AM

email at [e-mail]

I'll reply with his mailing address

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 05:41 AM

He lives or lived in Beacon NY.

I would imagine, the post office know where to find him from that.

he did used to write his address in his song books. As apparently it was a cabin he'd pretty much built himself - I don't suppose he's moved. Not really time to build another cabin at his time of life.

I wrote to him about thirty years ago, and he wrote back saying - he was sorry he didn't have time to write a civilised reply and drew a little banjo under his name, and what looks like some Japanese writing.

that was very nice of him.

Its a letter i treasure.

Subject: RE: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 02:05 AM

He's usually at the Hudson River/Clearwater Revival or some festival name like that, held in New York along the Hudson River. Spot him out as he's walking & trip in front of him landing gently at his feet & start talking him up from down there. Silly? No, I'm sure it's happen to him plenty of times. The worst thing he can do is walk over you & keep going. Or just walk right up to him and try saying "hi, I'm Jon Anhenry an it aaaaa emm real pleasuuuuuu, dah", lift one leg high behind you with toes pointing down, 2 hands behind your back, turn your head to the side dropping your nose slightly downwards & then say "aw, shucks".
Good luck, just funning with you a bit
Barry

Subject: How can one meet (or write) Pete Seeger?
From: Johnhenry'shammer
Date: 19 Aug 06 - 01:11 AM

Well one of the things that I'd like most in life is to meet Pete Seeger. Or at least talk to him through the mail. He's just been a hero of mine for a while now and I just really want to drop him a line. I figured if there was any place to find out how to do this, it'd be Mudcat. So does anybody know?