Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: GUEST,AL O'DONNELL DUBLIN IRELAND
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 12:15 PM

I saw recently a TV documentary about Woody and his homeplace. It sadly showed that his home had been deliberately allowed to decay, and virtually disappear. It is obviously difficult for some people in American society to get a handle on the idea of a socialist view. This is understandable to a certain degree, due to recent 20th century history; however, let's hope McCarthyist paranoia is now finally put to bed, and a more balanced view may prevail. Woody's powerful songs have cataloged an entire generation's social history, as a living history; as real every time you hear them as the day he first penned and breathed life into them. We can be sure that they will live forever. The Very Best of Wishes to your new Centre in Texas, and to all concerned in it's creation.

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: Sourdough
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 01:05 PM

It's great that this is happening. I was disappointed twenty-years ago to go to Okemah and find they had nothing about Woody Guthrie there except a water tower that said "birthplace of Woody Guthrie". In the years since, I've watched his house disappear as brush and then trees took over the Guthrie house.

Now there is a festival there but nothing more that I know of. I recently was in Okemah on a not Festival weekend. AS I walked down the Main St., I heard a singer and a guitar. I followed the sound and found it was coming from a tiny speaker mounted outside a furniture store. It was playing an overly slick arrangment of a Hank Williams' tune with the singer backed by a string section that matched his loungelizard voice. I figured if Woody Guthrie had disliked "God Bless America", he would have hated this particular recording.

Thanks again for the News From Pampa".

Sourdough

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: Wesley S
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 01:17 PM

I heard a Joe Ely interview recently and he was talking about the panhandle. He said you can stand out there and see 50 miles in any direction. And if you stand on top of a tuna fish can you can see 100 miles in any direction.

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: DougR
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 12:57 PM

You got it Wesley S., and it's not too far from Dumas, Sunray, and Gruver either.

Sounds like an excellent project.

DougR

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: Wesley S
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 11:09 AM

I understand that Pampa is in the panhandle of Texas up in the northeast corner - about 50 miles from Amarillo. Thanks for letting us know Suffet. It's appreciated.

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: Suffet
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 09:17 AM

Thelma never mentioned a website, there is none mentioned in the printed flyers, and I couldn't find one by searching Google.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: pattyClink
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 09:06 AM

Thought I knew a lot of towns in Texas, but not Pampa. Anybody out there have a clue?

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: Joe Offer
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 01:45 AM

Does the center have a Website, Steve?
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: Suffet
Date: 21 Aug 01 - 01:17 AM

Refresh. This subject deserves some attention. But if the thread dies out again, I'll throw in the proverbial towel, at least for the time being.

--- Steve

Subject: RE: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: katlaughing
Date: 04 Aug 01 - 12:08 AM

Wow, Steve, that is really neat! Thanks for telling us about it! What a great project.

kat

Subject: Guthrie Folk Music Center in Texas
From: Suffet
Date: 03 Aug 01 - 09:33 PM

Greetings:

This is an entirely unsolicited plug. I have no connection with this project other than that I donated some material relating to the USS Reuben James.

Anyway, some good people down in Pampa, Texas, are in the process of putting together the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center, to be housed in the now abandoned building at 318-320 South Cuyler Street which at one time was the site of the Harris Drug Store. That's where Woody worked as a soda jerk and sign painter from the time he was 17 into his early twenties. That's also when Woody began his musical career, first on the harmonica, and later on the madolin, fiddle, and guitar.

The purpose of the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center will be fourfold:

1. To tell the story of that creative and enigmatic person.

2. To promote and encourage the musical heritage of Pampa and the area.

3. To increase tourism to Pampa and the area.

4. To improve the economy of South Cuyler Street south of the railroad.

The center will comprise four parts:

1. A display area which will tell the story of Woody Guthrie's life. Each display will include electronically activated music which corresponds to the respective period of Woody's life. Affitional displays will tell of artists who followed Woody, including Arlo Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Joan Baez, and others.

2. A performer's corner where visiting musicians can play. This will include a small stage and also have several benches to seat listeners.

3. An office - work area with fireproof storage space, and restrooms.

4. A walking tour of Woody Guthrie's Pampa which will start and end at the center. The tour will visit buildings and sites that were in existence during Woody's time in Pampa (1929-1937).

This whole project is taking place under the auspices of Pampa's Tribute to Woody Guthrie, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation which has been holding an annual Guthrie celebration and concert each fall. The prime mover and shaker is one Thelma Bray, and she deserves the wholehearted thanks and support of Woody Guthrie fans everywhere.

Thelma is also in the process of writing "Reflections: The Life and Times of Woody Guthrie." It is not meant to compete with Joe Klein's excellent biography, "Woody Guthrie, a Life." Instead, Thelma's book will complement Klein's work by presenting vignettes, remembrances, tributes, documents, photos, and resources that are not otherwise available. "Reflections..." will be released this coming October.

If you want to find out about how you can help the Woody Guthrie Folk Music Center, you should contact Thelma Bray directly. Her address is 1305 Hamilton Street, Pampa, TX 79065 [USA]. Her telephone number is [phone]. You can mention my name when you write or call. I presume that monetary donations are welcome, but there are certainly many other ways to can contribute. Perhaps some of you would like to volunteer your talents (musical or otherwise) for one of their future annual celebrations.

Go for it!

--- Steve Suffet