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20 Jan 10 - 03:13 PM (#2816928) Subject: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: Wesley S http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100120/NEWS/100119648/-1/SITEMAP By DEBORAH MEDENBACH Times Herald-Record Posted: January 20, 2010 - 2:00 AM CROTON-ON-HUDSON — Folk icon Pete Seeger's banjo head, ringed by the words "This Machine Surrounds Hate and Forces It to Surrender," has been vibrating under plucked strings for 30 years. It has been around the globe and in every state of the union. The banjo head was in Seeger's hands as he played "This Land Is Your Land" at President Barack Obama's inauguration. It was also on his instrument for his 90th birthday celebration at Madison Square Garden. Now this little piece of folk music history is hitting the eBay auction block to benefit charity. "Every 30 years or so, I have my friend R.J. Storm fix up my banjo. I should have had it done a long time ago," Seeger said from his home. "I had him put a new banjo head on, and he said he wanted to raise money for Haiti. I said anyone who wants to have the old banjo head can, for a price, and you can raise the money that way." Storm, a Port Jervis acupuncturist and instrument repairman, said auction proceeds will go to 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, whose tree-planting work in western Kenya reforested clear-cut mountains. Seeger hopes Maathai will teach the women of Haiti her methods of land restoration. "I read her book, 'Unbowed,' about her experiences in Kenya," Seeger said. "It's a glorious story. If you fly over Haiti, as I have, you can see a straight line between the forested Dominican Republic and Haiti, which is almost bereft of trees." Though the small Caribbean nation is in the throes of earthquake recovery, Seeger said he wanted his proceeds to benefit the Haitian environment. "The good and bad are all tangled up in this world, but some awful things are followed by good results," Seeger said. |
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20 Jan 10 - 07:38 PM (#2817158) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: kendall I've played that banjo and would love to have the head. |
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20 Jan 10 - 07:40 PM (#2817160) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: SINSULL Where do we find the auction? Doubt if any of us can afford it but...who knows. |
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20 Jan 10 - 07:46 PM (#2817168) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: Jeri Pete's banjo head on E-bay |
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20 Jan 10 - 07:57 PM (#2817184) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: olddude Up to over 4K ... wow I am impressed !! Good for you Pete, Good for you!! Any want one of finger picks !!, I will auction it off ... LOL somehow I don't think I will get a bid LOL |
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20 Jan 10 - 08:22 PM (#2817202) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: GUEST,CLETUS HARDDINGER I doan git it. Thet thair banjo hed looks purty well usd up ta me and thizzeer Pete feller is gittin shed of it hissef so i cant figger why i otta git me sum old used up thing wen i cud git me a nu un mayd uv plaztik stuff like thizzeer banjer hed. Sheetfar....iffen i had me 4oo0 bucks i cud git me a rite nice pickup with a gun rack. CLETUS |
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20 Jan 10 - 09:11 PM (#2817221) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: katlaughing Cletus, You could have that banjo head implanted where your brain should be and be a might more intelligent, I am sure. |
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21 Jan 10 - 07:14 AM (#2817433) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: GUEST,Kendall Sniff, it's out of my reach. He gave me my first banjo lesson on that banjo.Well, at least I still have the instruction book he gave me. |
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21 Jan 10 - 08:43 AM (#2817480) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: Folkiedave Nice one Kendall. |
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21 Jan 10 - 11:22 AM (#2817598) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: Dan Schatz That banjo head belongs in a museum, and I sincerely hope someone over at Smithsonian has the sense God gave a goat and buys it. Dan |
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21 Jan 10 - 03:03 PM (#2817850) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: mkebenn What Dan said...Mike |
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21 Jan 10 - 04:10 PM (#2817937) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: RoyH (Burl) What Dan and Mike said. Burl |
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21 Jan 10 - 04:17 PM (#2817947) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: olddude what dan, mike, burl said from me also. it is a national treasure |
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21 Jan 10 - 09:59 PM (#2818169) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: Leadfingers For THAT Cash I'd want the whole Banjo - And a set of lessons to do it full justice ! LOL ! Agree - Its Smithsonian material |
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21 Jan 10 - 10:37 PM (#2818179) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: katlaughing What dan, mike, burl, olddude & leadfingers said...I, too! |
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21 Jan 10 - 11:10 PM (#2818194) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: WFDU - Ron Olesko Do we really need it to be in a museum? I can't speak for Pete, but the message I always got from his work is that music is something to be experienced, not to be put up on a shelf to look at. Future generations do not need to look upon his banjo head, if Pete succeeded in his life's work, he will be remembered and honored everytime a folk song is sung and a community gathers together to sing. I hope whoever purchases the piece will place it upon a banjo and share the music with others - perhaps teach others how to play and sing. Play the instrument until that banjo wears away to nothing - the music will still carry on. |
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22 Jan 10 - 01:51 AM (#2818222) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: GUEST,Ralphie Ron. From what I understand, It's got a hole in it! So, looks like a museum piece to me, rather than a working banjo head. But all in a worthy cause. Good luck to him. |
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22 Jan 10 - 06:15 AM (#2818325) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: Mooh With all the tribute series, phony relics, signature models, counterfeits, and the like diluting the market, it's cool to see this one of a kind iconic article do some good. It should be donated after the auction to the Smithsonian or somewhere. Peace, Mooh. |
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22 Jan 10 - 01:25 PM (#2818672) Subject: RE: Pete Seeger banjo head to be auctioned From: olddude The music does survive, but why do we have a rock and roll hall of fame and see Elvis costumes or country music hall of fame and see the guitar of Hank or their hat etc ... they are important artefacts that provide some inside into the person and give the visitor some experience of what they played and dressed et c ... along with the recorded music that will always be with us ... Yes it does belong in a place for all to enjoy .. but I can't buy it ...LOL unless they want to take Weiner dogs instead of money |