A few months back, my wife and I were fortunate enough to visit the Ryman Auditorium and see The Counting Crows, Augustana, Michael Franti & Sprearhead spend three solid hours on stage and wow us beyond belief. The bands sent out an email before the show warning fans not to show up late expecting an opening act... all three bands would perform together all night. This jam session began with
Van Morrison's "Caravan" and ended with a cover of Woody Guthrie's famous tune telling us "This land was made for you and me." I had never expected to see such a song in that sort of context and I developed a relationship with the lyrics since.
At an art opening recently, I was mingling with a friend, Jonathan, who inquired about a portrait of Woody Guthrie. I had no idea what the guy looked like or anything about him aside from this song which came up again and again to me since seeing its inception on stage. Being well schooled in Socialist thought, Jonathan also schooled me on the meaning behind my new lullaby and Mr. Guthrie's roots with Socialism in America as well as his guitar reading "This Machine Kills Fascists."
Beasley buddy, this was a true delight to work on!
