What a blur these last two weeks have been. From the Oklahoma hills to the Rocky Mountains, with big city stops in between. Again, I am deeply moved by what it means to be an American and to travel this great land. Beans and I made a pledge in Austin, as we had not yet cut off our WoodyFest wristbands. We decided to keep them on until we wrapped Telluride. It was a talisman of sorts, and we wanted to keep the spirit of Okemah with us for this second roadtrip. Woody Guthrie wrote the book on real. He planted the seeds that grew folk music, and then the kindred Americana movement. We have just finished the Telluride Americana Music Weekend, and everyone's back at their respective home base. We had to get our ducks in a row in order for WoodyFest videos to come your way. What with the crew in transit going every which way, it was hard to get to "The Assets," as we like to call them.
Jimmy LaFave, David Amram, Jessie ScottWoodyFest was amazing. We had a great time, though it felt like we were on the surface of the sun, as we pierced through heat indices of 105 to 115 degrees! Okemah in July. Ouch. Might have just been the luck of the draw, though, as it was in the low 80's during the week prior. But to celebrate the life and music of Woody, you just have to bite the bullet. I think being there helps to understand the motivation, the grounding, that Woody had growing up. We filmed some kick ass performances, some of which will be coming your way this week. But the first has to be one of the most magical moments we have ever experienced. Jimmy LaFave brought his compadres with him to our studio space, The Thompson's Loft, after the Pancake Breakfast on Saturday morning. Joel Rafael, John Inmon, Andrew Hardin, David Amram, Radoslav Lorkovic, Glenn Schuetz and The Cherokee Maidens. A seeming cast of thousands, but aided and abetted if you sing along. "This Land Is Your Land." Thank you Woody Guthrie!
- Jessie Scott
