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When Larry Long & Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott were in their 20s, they lived the life of Woody – hitchhiking, hopping freight trains, & passing the hat from bar to bar across the western states playing & writing songs for the people.

Larry went on to write & perform hundreds of ballads giving voice to struggling farmers, embattled workers, & veterans for decades. He assembled the first hometown tribute to Woody Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma in 1989.

Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott has his own brand of high energy traditionally based music. Pete sings ballads of the people & places he’s experienced along the way.

Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott & Larry Long’s performances at WoodyFest will be a reunion of these two old friends & great musicians.

Larry & Fiddlin’ Pete reunite on Thursday, July 11th at 11:00am at the Crystal Theatre in Okemah, Oklahoma for WoodyFest July 10 – 14.   For Tickets: woodyfest.com/tickets

Lanesboro Arts presents Larry Long’s American Roots Revue with Tonia Hughes, Daryl Boudreaux, George Parrish, Yohannes Tona, JD Steele & Billy Steele at the historic St. Mane Theatre in downtown Lanesboro on Friday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m. The American Roots Revue will bring together several of Minnesota’s most gifted performers and arts educators for an extraordinary evening of artists sharing the stage and each other’s songs!

The American Roots Revue reinvents itself with a different line up and a unique performance at each stop it makes along the road. In Lanesboro, Larry Long will be joined by JD Steele (JD and his dynamic vocal siblings, “The Steeles,” have garnered nearly every major music award and accolade that Minnesota has to offer), Tonia Hughes (Tonia’s powerhouse vocal style is colored with melodic acrobats and elements of Gospel, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Rock and Worship), Billy Steele (keyboard player and vocalist who is also another member of the dynamic Steele family and the producer of the Grammy Award-winning act Sounds of Blackness), Yohannes Tona (bass player, composer, session musician from Ethiopia with roots in Afro, Latin, Funk, Reggae and Jazz), Daryl Boudreaux (percussionist for Sounds of Blackness, Sara Renner & T. Mychael Rambo) and George Parrish (guitarist for Alexander O’Neal, Eumir Deodato, Cherrell, Seals & Crofts, Robert Robinson and the Twin Cities Gospel Choir.)

As part of the Performing Artist Engagement Program, Larry Long will visit Lanesboro prior to this concert for a series of community engagement events utilizing his songwriting curriculum to assist community members in the process of sharing local stories and turning that collective narrative into a song that celebrates commonalities across various groups. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Please click here for more details on the community song events with Larry Long.

This concert is presented by Lanesboro Arts and sponsored by the Wisconsin Public Radio, Commonweal Theatre, Inspire(d) Magazine, High Court Pub and Granny’s Liquors.

May 3rd, 2019  Pete Seeger would have turned 100 years old. In commemoration of his centennial year, long time friend, Larry Long has created a one-hour radio broadcast: “For Pete’s Sake,” with production assistance from Ursula Ruedenberg, the Pacifica Affiliate Network manager.

“Pacifica had a long-standing friendship with Pete Seeger so it was a special opportunity to find one of his friends to help honor him,” says Ruedenberg.

The Motivation Behind “For Pete’s Sake”

After Pete passed away in 2014, Long felt a spiritual calling to organize a tribute concert in his honor, also named ‘For Pete’s Sake.’ Later that year after zealous planning and reaching out to fellow activists, civic leaders and artists, the concert was held at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul, MN.

Long wanted to plan another grand celebration for what would have been Pete’s 100th birthday on May 3rd, 2019. Hence the creation of ‘For Pete’s Sake,’ a moving collection of his songs, life, legacy and spoken word. Many of the recordings heard on the broadcast are from the 2014 tribute concert.

The broadcast begins with a skillfully pieced together layover track from Long’s Smithsonian Folkways recording: “Well May The Word Go,” while a recording of Pete’s voice can be heard sharing a story from his childhood.

Pete Seeger was an activist, songwriter, performer, story-teller, husband, father, and a dear friend to many. Certainly to Long. The two were introduced to one-another by Elmer Benson, former governor of Appleton, MN, who upon hearing Long’s music told him he sounded “just like Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie.”

“I think the world’s gonna be saved by a million small things.”

Benson knew Pete and told him he could reach Larry by calling the American Agriculture Strike Office. When they met through that initial phone call, the two hit it off instantly. They were both of the same grassroots mindset that performances weren’t for the money, but to spread the word of what’s really happening in the world. One of Larry’s favorite quotes of Pete’s is: “I think the world’s gonna be saved by a million small things.”

To add to those million small things, listen to “For Pete’s Sake,” part one of two of a celebration for Seeger’s centennial year.

Musician, activist, humanitarian, Pete Seeger was a giant of a man who walked humbly on this Earth and inspired us all to be a little less selfish and more courageous in our giving.

On this Centennial year of his birth on May 3^rd 1919 we pay tribute to this great American in this one-hour radio broadcast, where community leaders and activists recite the words of Pete Seeger and musicians perform songs that Pete Seeger either wrote or popularized.

The program begins with Pete Seeger himself sharing his life story with us in spoken word within his song Well May The World Go from my Smithsonian Folkways & Appleseed recording.

Pete Seeger cared deeply for his neighbors, and we cared deeply for him, because the entire world was Pete’s neighborhood.

Pete Seeger and I were dear friends for over thirty years.  Con­versations with Pete just kept flowing into laughter and inspiration to keep on trying to make this world a little better than it was when it was handed down to us.

Please take the time to listen. You’ll be glad you did.

For credits and more information about this program visit audioport.org

Produced by Larry Long

Production assistance from Ursula Ruedenberg, Pacifica Radio Network

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As Executive Producer of Dodging Bullets, Larry Long is honored to announce it’s Mexico Premiere: Fundraiser for the Huichol Scholarship Fund.

Dodging Bullets – an award winning film documentary about the historical trauma inflicted on Native Americans by colonialism Wednesday February 27, 6:30 PM at the IFC office – tickets are 150 pesos at the door. (IFC office is located at Edificio Parian del Puente #13, Calle Libertad at the corner of Miramar, above the HSBC Bank)

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Thank you for taking the time to read this important message.

For 4 years I have donated my time as Executive Director of the award-winning indie film Dodging Bullets. This film affirms most everything I have learned through bringing Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song to communities large and small throughout this nation. The film documents Historical Trauma which is prominent in Native American communities. Historical Trauma is a term used by social workers and psychologists, it refers to the cumulative emotional and psychological wounding of a group of people caused by traumatic experiences. This trauma is epigenetically passed down from one generation to another and causes health care problems in today’s generation.

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On Friday, November 30th Larry Long will be sharing the evening at Leo & Leona’s with Servant Leader and storyteller, Tom Thibodeau; Mississippi River balladeer Eddie Allen: singer-songwriter from the farm fields of Iowa, Raldo Schneider; master bass player, Larry Dalton; and the  musical soul of the Wisconsin Driftless Region Dan Sebranek on guitar and vocals.

Recent woes and disasters visited upon the Wisconsin Driftless region in the past season have, at times, left folks feeling helpless and insignificant. But we are neither of those things. In this magnificent corner of the world and anywhere else you will find people working hard to help those in need and strengthening their communities.

Join us in a celebration of those efforts and of the inimitable human spirit that makes our community the greatest of our many treasures.   This will be a night to measure time from.

When: Friday, November 30th, 7:30 PM
Where: Leo & Leona’s Dance Hall 
W1436 WI-33 Bangor WI 54614

 

“A Night Celebrating Water Protectors” in A Benefit for Honor the Earth

LEGENDARY SINGER-SONGWRITER LARRY LONG & FRIENDS TO PLAY AT THE HISTORIC HOLMES THEATER DECEMBER 12 IN DETROIT LAKES WITH ANISHINAABE LEADER WINONA LADUKE AS A SPECIAL GUEST IN A NIGHT HERITAGE FOODS, LIVELY MUSIC AND STORIES

Mark your calendars on December 12, 2018, for a special evening of music and storytelling with legendary singer-songwriter Larry Long and Friends, along with special guest Winona LaDuke, Anishinabe leader and co-founder of Honor the Earth.  “A Night Celebrating Water Protectors” will also feature a fine meal of heritage foods from Winona’s Hemp and Heritage Farm on the White Earth reservation – and a select short films and slides — as part of a benefit for the indigenous environmental justice non-profit, Honor the Earth. Artisan gifts and products will also be available for purchase at the event.

Long and company will perform at the Historic Holmes Theater (806 Summit Ave, Detroit Lakes, MN 56501 /218 844-7469)with percussionist Daryl Boudreaux (Sounds of Blackness), bassist Sid Gasner, pedal & lap steel virtuoso Joe Savage (Prairie Home Companion). Doors open at 5:00 p.m. The concert and dinner start at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets are $25 the day of the concert and $20 in advance; $20 is the suggested free will donation for dinner. Seating is limited. Tickets are on sale now at www.honorearth.org/larrylongconcert.

For the Historic Holmes Theater, call (218) 844-7469or visit the theater’s website at  www.dlccc.org/holmes.html

“The best singers and players anywhere in the country are in the Twin Cities. I tell people that all the time, whether I’m in Los Angeles or New York, ‘cuz it’s true!” – Jevetta Steele

There’s a Soul Train coming and you better get on it! The ever-changing American Roots Revue** will feature an extraordinary line-up of Soul Power when singer and playwright Jeveeta Steele of the legendary Steele Family joins the core members of the Revue, singer and actress Tonia Hughes, gospel master, Robert Robinson, and songsmith, community builder and American Roots Revue producer, Larry Long, * for two shows at the Dakota November 10, 2018, at 7:00 and 9:00 p.m.

The scintillating foursome will be backed by a superlative band led by rising star, guitarist, songwriter, and producer Cory Wong (international touring artist & guitarist for Vulfpeck), with Joe Savage (pedal steel), Yohannes Tona (bass), Billy Steele (piano) and Petar Janjic (drums).

The evening will mark the six-song CD release by Larry Long, Slow Night*, in what might be his most musically rich and exciting work yet.

It’s going to be a night to remember as the group offers up hand-picked material by Jevetta Steele, Tonia Hughes, Robert Robinson, selections from Long’s new release, and tasty cuts from Wong’s latest recording.

It’s a truly special night whenever American roots Revue is onstage that has produced some exceptional performances that will never be seen again! Learn More

Larry Long with be joined by Daryl Boudreaux (Percussion), Joe Savage (Pedal Steel), Sid Gasner (Bass) and special guest poet Larry Schug on Friday, November 16th, for an intimate main series concert at Bo Diddley’s in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

Where: 129 25th Avenue South,  St. Cloud, Minnesota 56301

When: Friday, November 16^th    Showtime:  7:30 PM   For tickets call: 320-252-9475

Larry Long is a chip off the old block of American hardwoods, a spoken word poet, a singer-songwriter, rouser, seeker, storyteller and conservationist. Well traveled across the world, wherever he goes, he celebrates people and places in song. Long’s sense of place and time is eloquently captured in his recorded music and in the powerful community building he’s done with elders and children all over the country and abroad. Never far from his gaze are the struggles and poetry that bring people together, whether through headline historical events or the quiet celebrations of everyday lives.

“Larry Long is doing what more singers and songwriters should be doing: using music to help people learn to work together, and bring a world of peace.” —Pete Seeger

 

Flipping the Script for a Legacy Folkie to Find theModern Gems on

Slow Night – 3 New Larry Long Tunes and 3 Re-Imagined Classics!

Larry Long’s new release, Slow Night, transports the venerable singer-songwriter with folkie roots into the contemporary realm inhabited by musician-producer CoryWongand Antwaun Stanley(lead vocalist for Vulfpeck), plus members of Prince’s brass section, The Hornheadsand Cory Wong’s Green Screen Band.

Slow Night mixes 3 of Larry’s older songs that were hand-picked by Wong and deliciously re-imagined: the trademark “Blue Highway,”an unforgettable ear worm, “Chicky-Chicky Boom,”and the ever-tender,“I Love You.”

“These 3 old tracks are some of my favorite Larry Long songs from his recording legacy. We gave them a modern edge,” Wong says. “We flipped Larry’s folk-roots script, especially on ‘Blue Highway,’ which now has a more Delta blues edge, and we messed a bit with vocals on that wonderful spoken word poem at the end of the tune, written by the late Bill Holm, a well- known Minnesota poet and writer. To me it now sounds like a Native American rap piece by the late wordsmith and First Nations’ artist, John Trudell.”

As for the new three new tunes, Wong and band provide a rich, polyphonic edge to the title track: “We really played with the song’s cool vibes, ‘cuz it’s the best modern pop tune he’s ever written – and it’s very tasty!” Long’s new song to his daughter, “My Love For You,”and the picturesque postcard from “Puerto Vallarta”round out a satisfying set created by Long, Wong and the rest of musicians on this sweet, funky – AND YES, “very tasty” six-song CD.

 

Slow Night by Larry Long was produced by Cory Wong and mixed by John Fields (Miley Cyrus, Switchfoot, Jonas Brothers, Pink, and Demi Lovato).

 

Listen now:  www.larrylong.bandcamp.com

Slow Night available on iTunes, AmazonMP3, Rhapsody, and other e-tailers

Milan is the featured community for a multi-artist collaboration highlighting story and song on Saturday, October 13th, from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The Milan Community Festival of Story and Song features traditional Micronesian and Dakota music, the culmination of memoirist and sailor Glenda Reed’s storytelling workshops, original ballads by Smithsonian Folkways artist Larry Long with American Roots Revue featuring the soulful Tonia Hughes, Adam Levy of the Honeydogs, JD & Billy Steele from Grammy Award-winning Sounds of Blackness and the dynamic Steele family. GoodSpace Mural’s will also announce the project design for their upcoming public art piece in Milan. Free and open to the public.

Milan Community Festival of Story and Song
Saturday, October 13th
Burns Park, Milan, Minnesota

Rain and/or Cold weather:
Milan School Gym, 408 S 4th Street

3:00 – 4:30 pm Hometown Revival
Community storytellers and music
Free refreshments served

4:30 pm GoodSpace Murals
Public Art Design Presentation

5:00 – 6:30 pm Larry Long Presents American Roots Revue with Tonia Hughes, Adam Levy, Billy & JD Steele.

Burger Feed Fundraiser at the American Legion from 4:30-7:30 or until gone, plate includes a burger, beans, and chips for $7.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.