Greetings everyone!



I'm working on a master's degree in Music and this quarter taking a class on
contemporary musicology.



My term paper is on Politically Motivated Songs in the Post Vietnam era -
more specifically, I'd like to focus on music during the GW Bush
administration (if I can find enough written material).



Interviews Are Key:

Could you offer suggestions of songwriters to approach?  And, how to reach
them?  Finding folks on both side of the political fence would also be
valuable.



Of course, Tracy is on the top of my list.



I appreciate your help and will be happy to post my paper online for anyone
who cares to read it.



Thank you,

Stephen









[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>> Could you offer suggestions of songwriters to approach?  And, how to
reach them?  Finding folks on both side of the political fence would
also be valuable. <<

Well, I can't think of anyone who's written anything on GWB's side of
the fence, so to speak, unless you want to reach out to country singers
like Toby Keith and the guy who rhymed "Bin Laden" with "have you
forgotten."

But Richard Shindell ("State of the Union" and his cover of "Waist Deep
in the Big Muddy"), Mark Erelli ("Seeds of Peace" and "The Only Way")
and Antje Duvekot ("Christian Boys") come to mind immediately.  They're
all probably best contacted through their websites.

RG

I would suggest Myshkin, who can be found at myshkinsrubywarblers.com.  All
of her albums have some political songs on them, but she has one EP of all
political songs called Sigh Semaphore, which is full of some really stellar
stuff.

Also, Eliza Gilkyson is an obvious one, she's got a lot of great political
stuff and some definite anti-GWB songs ("Man of God").

If you need more thoughts on particular songs or help with contact info,
feel free to email me.

Jess



>Could you offer suggestions of songwriters to approach? And, how to reach
>them? Finding folks on both side of the political fence would also be
>valuable.

--------------------------------------------------------------------
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Neil Young did an entire record, and CSN&Y a tour that's documented on DVD,
devoted to an anti-war message. The DVD is interesting to watch, especially if
you're a fan of Neil and the group.

________________________________

From: TracyGrammer@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Stephen
Sent: Sat 2/7/2009 8:22 PM
To: TracyGrammer@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [TracyGrammer] Need Help Finding Songwriters with Political content



Greetings everyone!

I'm working on a master's degree in Music and this quarter taking a class on
contemporary musicology.

My term paper is on Politically Motivated Songs in the Post Vietnam era -
more specifically, I'd like to focus on music during the GW Bush
administration (if I can find enough written material).

Interviews Are Key:

Could you offer suggestions of songwriters to approach? And, how to reach
them? Finding folks on both side of the political fence would also be
valuable.

Of course, Tracy is on the top of my list.

I appreciate your help and will be happy to post my paper online for anyone
who cares to read it.

Thank you,

Stephen

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Neil Young as well has an entire website devoted to anti-war songs
written by others (I believe there are over 3000+ songs you can now
download from it,) it's a treasure trove of talented singer songwriters



http://www.neilyoung.com/lwwtoday/lwwsongspage.html

Pam

--- On Sun, 2/8/09, Bob Jordan <bjordan@...> wrote:

Neil Young did an entire record, and CSN&Y a tour that's documented
on DVD, devoted to an anti-war message. The DVD is interesting to
watch, especially if you're a fan of Neil and the group.



-











































	   .

























[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi Stephen,

Those are some great suggestions so far. I'd also recommend Julie
Miller, William Jolliff (who wrote Laughlin Boy and many other similar
"reclaimed" peace songs based on old time tunes), and in Seth Martin
(http://www.myspace.com/sethmartinsmusic).

And Josh Ritter's "Thin Blue Flame" from The Animal Years is spectacular.

-Adam

Stephen:

Check out the Myspace page for Rantcaster - a central Oregon guy
writing some modern day protest songs, though admittedly one-sided.

Good luck!
Neil

John McCutcheon often includes politically themed songs.  Many of this
political songs are available on his website as free downloads.
folkmusic.com

John is reachable.

finding "both sides of the fence" is going to be hard for sure.  Folk
music has a long history of protest and being the "music of the
people"... that would be the common folks and it has long been the
avenue for spreading the message..   Look at Woody Guthrie... and those
who followed... Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips, and so many more....

LuAnna


On Feb 7, 2009, at 8:45 PM, RG wrote:

  >> Could you offer suggestions of songwriters to approach? And, how to
   reach them? Finding folks on both side of the political fence would
   also be valuable. <<

   Well, I can't think of anyone who's written anything on GWB's side of
   the fence, so to speak, unless you want to reach out to country singers
   like Toby Keith and the guy who rhymed "Bin Laden" with "have you
   forgotten."

   But Richard Shindell ("State of the Union" and his cover of "Waist Deep
   in the Big Muddy"), Mark Erelli ("Seeds of Peace" and "The Only Way")
   and Antje Duvekot ("Christian Boys") come to mind immediately. They're
   all probably best contacted through their websites.

   RG




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi, Stephen--

Somebody beat me to it on the Eliza Gilkyson recommendation, but I
second that one.  Most of her stuff isn't very political, but both
"Man of God" (mentioned) and "Highway 9" are very anti-war and
anti-Bush.

Chris Smither isn't generally political, but he says having a young
child has made him reconsider. :)  His song "Diplomacy" is a very
good anti-war song, specifically with reference to the current wars
and the Bush administration.

Definitely check out Mark Erelli.  And Mark is a really nice guy who
would probably be a great interview.

Are you specifically looking for anti-war songs?  I didn't think so
from your posting, but if that's how everybody else reads it I wanted
to check.  If other political topics are also welcome, I have to
recommend one of my very favorite artists, Greg Greenway, whose songs
include a number related to civil rights issues and other politics.
("Mussolini's Head" is IMO spectacular, and "Singing for the
Landlord" and "One Man, One Woman, One Vote" are very good; songs
like "Song for Soldiers" are also relevant.)  I'd bet he'd be a great
interview too; based on following him for a dozen years, I can tell
you he's a terrifically friendly and chatty guy.

Susan Werner:  also not very political in her songs (stage patter is
a different matter!), but check out "My Strange Nation."

Peter Mulvey likewise, e.g. "29 Cent Head."

Jack Hardy has a new song, "Worst President Ever," and I bet there's
more where that came from.

Must go, but that's a start.

Oh, and if you can find "No Straight Line" by the English
singer/songwriter David Lewis, you might enjoy that one.  Mostly
political, but in a non-American and generally somewhat subtle
expression.  (Lewis is, or was at the time the album came out--I
don't know where he is now--a professor at the London School of
Economics in his day job.)

And for fun (with a point), "Empire and the Right" by the Canadian
band Tanglefoot.

Hope this helps...

Jean
--

"There are but two refuges from the miseries of life: music and cats."

	 - Albert Schweitzer                >^.,.^<

Try Anne Feeney. I don't think she writes anything that ISN'T
political. --clytia

On Feb 8, 2009, at 1:04 PM, Jean Rossner wrote:

> Hi, Stephen--
>
> Somebody beat me to it on the Eliza Gilkyson recommendation, but I
> second that one. Most of her stuff isn't very political, but both
> "Man of God" (mentioned) and "Highway 9" are very anti-war and
> anti-Bush.
>
> Chris Smither isn't generally political, but he says having a young
> child has made him reconsider. :) His song "Diplomacy" is a very
> good anti-war song, specifically with reference to the current wars
> and the Bush administration.
>
> Definitely check out Mark Erelli. And Mark is a really nice guy who
> would probably be a great interview.
>
> Are you specifically looking for anti-war songs? I didn't think so
> from your posting, but if that's how everybody else reads it I wanted
> to check. If other political topics are also welcome, I have to
> recommend one of my very favorite artists, Greg Greenway, whose songs
> include a number related to civil rights issues and other politics.
> ("Mussolini's Head" is IMO spectacular, and "Singing for the
> Landlord" and "One Man, One Woman, One Vote" are very good; songs
> like "Song for Soldiers" are also relevant.) I'd bet he'd be a great
> interview too; based on following him for a dozen years, I can tell
> you he's a terrifically friendly and chatty guy.
>
> Susan Werner: also not very political in her songs (stage patter is
> a different matter!), but check out "My Strange Nation."
>
> Peter Mulvey likewise, e.g. "29 Cent Head."
>
> Jack Hardy has a new song, "Worst President Ever," and I bet there's
> more where that came from.
>
> Must go, but that's a start.
>
> Oh, and if you can find "No Straight Line" by the English
> singer/songwriter David Lewis, you might enjoy that one. Mostly
> political, but in a non-American and generally somewhat subtle
> expression. (Lewis is, or was at the time the album came out--I
> don't know where he is now--a professor at the London School of
> Economics in his day job.)
>
> And for fun (with a point), "Empire and the Right" by the Canadian
> band Tanglefoot.
>
> Hope this helps...
>
> Jean
> --
>
> "There are but two refuges from the miseries of life: music and cats."
>
> - Albert Schweitzer >^.,.^<
>
>

"If there was no music, I would not get through." -Shawn Colvin

"Heaven's Bar'n Grill" Fri 9-noon
KZSC 88.1 fm
Santa Cruz, CA

listen or view playlists at http://kzsc.org







[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

HI Stephen,

Yes, Eliza is political.  Her newest CD includes Runaway Train, about
society in general.  The Party's Over is pretty dark and funny.  So is
Unsustainable.  I know that she answers emails.

Melinda Pittman does nothing but political songs, many funny some quite
beautiful.  She's a bright and articulate woman.  Check out her web
page at www.broadarts.org.  Her music is generally associated with the
plays she writes, but stand alone too.  She has a great song called We
Are All In This Together that is not just about Bush, but about the
world in general.

Patty Griffin -- Bad News I think is the name of the song.

Jonathan Byrd -- The Cocaine Kid. He will also answer emails and is an
approachable person.

I could go on and on....

Hope this will help you.

Mollie in PDX

Hi Stephen and all,

I'd recommend checking out Amy Martin from Missoula, Montana
(http://www.amymartin.org). Her music is political, ecological, and
personal as well (sometimes all at the same time), and she'd probably be
happy to be interviewed.

Chris

Hey luanna how have you been?

________________________________

From: TracyGrammer@yahoogroups.com
To: TracyGrammer@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Sun Feb 08 14:22:07 2009
Subject: Re: [TracyGrammer] Political content.


John McCutcheon often includes politically themed songs. Many of this
political songs are available on his website as free downloads.
folkmusic.com

John is reachable.

finding "both sides of the fence" is going to be hard for sure. Folk
music has a long history of protest and being the "music of the
people"... that would be the common folks and it has long been the
avenue for spreading the message.. Look at Woody Guthrie... and those
who followed... Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips, and so many more....

LuAnna

On Feb 7, 2009, at 8:45 PM, RG wrote:

>> Could you offer suggestions of songwriters to approach? And, how to
reach them? Finding folks on both side of the political fence would
also be valuable. <<

Well, I can't think of anyone who's written anything on GWB's side of
the fence, so to speak, unless you want to reach out to country singers
like Toby Keith and the guy who rhymed "Bin Laden" with "have you
forgotten."

But Richard Shindell ("State of the Union" and his cover of "Waist Deep
in the Big Muddy"), Mark Erelli ("Seeds of Peace" and "The Only Way")
and Antje Duvekot ("Christian Boys") come to mind immediately. They're
all probably best contacted through their websites.

RG

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Two of my favorite Bush era protest songs are from Eric Schwartz from
NYC. Not the comedian, but the songwriter who is known for his funny,
outrageous and true songs. Don't be too offended to listen to the
lyrics, cause these are not just simple songs with shocking titles,
but scathing essays on the hypocrisy of the Bush years. The two at the
top of the list - "Clinton Got a Blowjob" and "Get Your Jesus of My
Penis".

And some more of my all time favorite political songs in no particular order:

The Cocaine Kid - Jonathan Byrd
Black Brown and White - Big Bill Broonzy (referenced by Rev. Lowery in
the Obama inauguration benediction)
MANY Bruce Cockburn songs... "They Call it Democracy" and "If a Tree
Falls" for starters.
Diplomacy - Chris Smither
29 Cent Head - Peter Mulvey

That's a few...

Jeff Nye
Portland, OR

Anais Mitchell's Hymn for the Exiled is an outstanding piece of
political and social commentary set to music.

www.anaismitchell.com

Dan Bern and Steve Earle, also both on the (very) left side of the dial

Pat Humphries and of course, Phil Ochs, but you won't be able to contact  him.

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy
steps!
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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Howdy---



Howdy---



Has anyone mentioned Dar? Also the criminally under-known Greg Greenway.
There's also the whole Dixie Chicks fallout-issue...



Ciao,



Joe



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi there,

I just wanted to let everyone know that tickets for Tracy's next
Portland show on Friday, April 3rd at the Alberta Street Pub are now
on sale.  You can get them here:

http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/3617

A lot of the shows I've been putting on at this venue have been
selling out, so I recommend getting tickets in advance since it's a
smallish space (about 80 capacity).

Also, by the way, the Kris Delmhorst and Jeffrey Foucault show on Feb
27th did sell out so we added a late show.  You can get tickets to
that at the same link.  Its not always possible to add a late show
though, depends on what's going on at the venue.  So get yer Tracy
tickets.   :)

Jess

www.shiningcitymusic.com

TG and Jim H played to about a half-filled house on a (very) rainy NorCal
evening.
The Freight is a familiar venue and Tracy considers Berkeley a second home
since she attended Cal.   There was considerable entertaining banter
and story-telling and the following set list:

Red Dirt Girl
Croc Man
Ordinary Town
Hard to Make it
Evangeline
1952 Black Vincent Lightning (brought house down) - JH lead

Blue Wing
Tecumseh Fountains (unreleased Dave Carter song "from TG's archives" -
awesome!)
Mountain
Midnight Train?? (JH)...not sure of title
Ruby (JH)
Waking Hour
Dirty Little Town
Gentle Soldier of my Soul (brought back by special request for friends
celebrating anniversary)
Verdant Mile

Enc: Gentle Arms of Eden

-------------
Gonna try to catch the Felton, CA show Feb 17th...weather permitting.  Pretty
sure Tracy
will be solo the remainder of the West Coast tour.    RG, can you make it up
to any
of the upcoming S Cal shows?   I notice they are mostly LA area tho'

Hey-a,
Paul C in Fremont, CA





**************Need a job? Find an employment agency near you.
(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=employment_agencies&ncid=emlcntusyelp00\
000003)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In TracyGrammer@yahoogroups.com, paulchiu88@... wrote:

> Tecumseh Fountains (unreleased Dave Carter song "from TG's archives" -
   awesome!)

When I read the words "Dave Carter" and "archives" together, I get
goosebumps.  I'm hoping to hear this one sometime soon.


> Midnight Train?? (JH)...not sure of title


I am guessing this was "Sound of the Whistle Blow" - my favorite Jim
Henry tune, also capable of inducing goosebumps.

>> Tecumseh Fountains <<

So glad she's doing this one.  I heard it at the White Eagle show in
Portland back in July, and it blew me away.  Looking forward to more
unreleased Dave songs.

>> Tracy will be solo the remainder of the West Coast tour.  RG, can
you make it up to any of the upcoming S Cal shows? <<

Yep, I'm planning to head up to Culver City on Friday for the show at
Boulevard Music.  It'll be my first solo-Tracy show.

RG

Paul (Hey-a) Chiu is putting us all to shame. First he hits Berkeley
for the TG & JH Freight & Salvage concert last Friday and then he
wades through a deluge to make it to the TG show at Don Quixote's in
Felton, CA. Apparently, neither rain nor sleet nor hail nor gloom of
night shall deter him from his Tracy Grammer/Dave Carter appointed rounds.

A song or two may be missing and this is NOT necessarily in order but
here's the list from Tuesday evening (from a slipping memory):

Red Dirt Girl
Croc Man
Ordinary Town
Hard to Make it
Evangeline
Lord of the Buffalo
April, Come She Will
You Can Call Me Al
Travis John
Mother I Climbed
Tecumseh Fountains
Gentle Arms of Eden
Blue Wing
Tecumseh Fountains
Dirty Little Town

Encore: Pancho & Lefty

>> You Can Call Me Al <<

Really?? I ain't gonna believe it until I hear it in Culver City on Friday.? And
even THEN, y'know, I might not believe it.

RG


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Does anyone know if the Alberta Street Pub is wheelchair accessible?

Regards,

Helen

--- In TracyGrammer@yahoogroups.com, Jessica Byers <jess@...> wrote:
>
> Hi there,
>
> I just wanted to let everyone know that tickets for Tracy's next
> Portland show on Friday, April 3rd at the Alberta Street Pub are
now
> on sale.  You can get them here:
>
> http://www.brownpapertickets.com/producer/3617
>
> A lot of the shows I've been putting on at this venue have been
> selling out, so I recommend getting tickets in advance since it's
a
> smallish space (about 80 capacity).
>
> Also, by the way, the Kris Delmhorst and Jeffrey Foucault show on
Feb
> 27th did sell out so we added a late show.  You can get tickets
to
> that at the same link.  Its not always possible to add a late
show
> though, depends on what's going on at the venue.  So get yer
Tracy
> tickets.   :)
>
> Jess
>
> www.shiningcitymusic.com
>

I don't remember any stairs, but I think it may be rather narrow.  Pam,
do you know about access?

Mollie in PDX

I have a gig that night, so I won't be able to be there (sob).  Keep
good notes for posting, K?


>
> Does anyone know if the Alberta Street Pub is wheelchair accessible?
>
> Regards,
>
> Helen
>
>

--- On Fri, 2/20/09, mahart51 <mahart51@...> wrote:











             I don't remember any stairs, but I think it may be rather narrow. 
Pam,

do you know about access?



**********************it's definitely is accessible!!  let Jess know ahead of
time, Helen . . . there's a
place right up front that's perfect for a wheelchair ~ but I wouldn't
wait to get a ticket, as you know, Tracy fills the house in these neck
of the woods :))

Kim ~ Nancy . . . it'd be great to see you guys up here.

Pam
(heading out to see Steve Kerin and his band Atomic Gumbo)







































[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Any listers at TG's  S Cal shows last weekend    RG, did you make it to
Culver City?
Interested to hear reports.

Paul C in Fremont, CA
**************Get a jump start on your taxes. Find a tax professional in your
neighborhood today.
(http://yellowpages.aol.com/search?query=Tax+Return+Preparation+%26+Filing&ncid=\
emlcntusyelp00000004)


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

>> RG, did you make it to Culver City? <<

Indeed.  Great show at Boulevard Music on Friday night.  First time
seeing Tracy solo.  Little strange, even to the point that during what
WOULD have been the dobro break during "Crocodile Man" (over which
Tracy just strummed the guitars chords), I found myself hearing her
saying "That's Jim Henry on the sassy dobro" in my head!

Playing solo allowed Tracy to take some liberties with pacing and
phrasing, which brought a nice freshness to the set.  No real surprises
in the set list except, yes, "You Can Call Me Al," which cracked me up.

Definitely worth the trip!

RG

"No real surprises in the set list except, yes, "You Can Call Me Al,"
which cracked me up"

Amen....and hallelujah, Betty!

gerry

ps Any other incidents, accidents, hints or allegations?