To embrace the world with open arms of curiosity. To listen without judgment to the subtle magical rhythms and musicality of an ancient language spoken, as it rolls off the tongue of hard working people. To embrace each breathe, each step, and each new day with joy and laughter. To see one’s own reflection within the sparkle of the eyes of another. To fall in love with the wonderment of it all. To be alive.
-Larry Lon
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“To honor the life of another is to honor oneself…The word “honor” simply means to listen.” Songwriter Larry Long, this season’s final TED Talk-PV-Style presenter, on Tuesday, April 18 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at Boutique Theater, will share inspirational examples of how he has embraced that philosophy in his work as a modern-day troubadour, committed to celebrating the lives and struggles of ordinary people in narrative and song. His message, in short, is to be kind to all.
A social advocate, Larry has had the unique experience of living inside the lives of communities at important moments in history and utilizing these experiences as the focal point of his music. As a Midwestern young man he rode with farmers on their tractorcade to Washington DC. On the East Coast he came to know Pete Seeger, who shared his efforts to clean up the Hudson River. This led Larry to go back home to Minnesota and create the Mississippi River Revival to celebrate and help restore that great river. Along the way, he was adopted by the American Indian Movement and traveled with their caravans to affirm their sovereign rights. His great respect for Woody Guthrie led him to Woody’s hometown of Okemah, where after many years of silence, Larry was able to help create their first tribute for Woody.
Martin Luther King Weekend, Saturday, January 14, 2017 at the Dakota Jazz Club American Roots Revue will celebrate America’s richest musical traditions of gospel, blues, folk, rock and R&B.
This January, the revue returns to its roots with its original line up that includes acclaimed gospel vocalist and community leader JD Steele! JD joins musicians that will also include the show’s producer, award-winning singer-songwriter, Smithsonian Records recording artist and community builder Larry Long, with powerhouse gospel and soul singer Tonia Hughes, and the American Roots anchor artist — the “Pavarotti of Gospel” — Robert Robinson.
Join Larry Long, Raldo Schneider, Clay Riness & Eddie Allen at Leo and Leona’s, December 2, 2016
These four amazing songwriters have not graced the same stage since the final episode of M*A*S*H* was aired on broadcast television and compact discs were about to replace the vinyl record. In that brief season they combined forces to regale audiences along the Mississippi River with their clarion call for celebration. No one who was there has forgotten those performances.
“The late Johnny Cash coined the phrase “a dove with claws” to describe the fierce pacifism that grew from his first-hand look at America’s endless wars while entertaining soldiers in Vietnam. Cash’s words are a perfect description of the life and work of Larry Long.
“Larry has joined forces with his cousin, the legendary Melvin James, in his continuing musical battle for peace, justice, and dignity for all people. The claws of Melvin’s guitar sharpen the urgency of Larry’s message in a way that will surprise you. And delight you. And take your breath away.”
—Eddie Allen, Writer & Recording Artist
Join Larry Long in celebration of his 65th orbit around the sun and the release of his new album, Dove with Claws, as he returns to his musical roots at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis on Armistice-Veterans Day. Opening: Annie Humphrey
Join an all-star cast, including Larry Long, Prudence Johnson, Kevin Kling, Dan Chouinard and the Blue Canvas Orchestra, as they honor one of the world’s most influential folksingers, Pete Seeger, celebrating the many phases of his life in song, spoken word, and multi-media.
WHEN: Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 7:30 PM
WHERE: Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua
32525 Ski Hill Rd
Bayfield,WI 54814
www.bigtop.org
TICKETS: $22 for adults
Half price for children 17 & under / 3 and under free on laps or lawn
An all day event of musical healing and honoring Veterans will be held at the Eagles Healing Nest in Sauk Centre, Minnesota this Friday, July 15, 2016 from 3 PM to Dark. All Ages. Free & Open To The Public.
Musicians performing include: Larry Long, Billy Peterson, Rodney Allen Volker, Greg Inhofer, Tim Sparks, Glenn Swanson, Marcus Wise, Willy Williams, T.C. Whol, Rick Sanders, Miles hendrickson, Kevin Hendrickson, Mick Butenhoff, Tim West, Fred Nicks.
“Larry Long, ‘Living in a Rich Man’s World’ video. The good-hearted, liberal-minded Minneapolis singer-songwriter has rearranged his 37-year-old folk song as a Don Henley-like rocker, with Melvin James’ guitar punctuating the potent words and poignant visuals.”
—Jon Bream
Star Tribune: Pick Six
Sunday, July 10, 2016
*Pick Six is a half-dozen cool things in music, from two points of view.
The death of Philando Castile is personal, as I’m sure it is for many of you. Mr. Castile went to High School with my oldest daughter. I didn’t know Philando, but what I do know is that he was a good man with a bright future. The senseless killings we have witnessed in the last few weeks alone in St.Paul, Orlando and Dallas is beyond the pale. The time has come to recommit ourselves to the daily practice of nonviolence, as we continue to work towards a world where no child is born to lose.
I met Clark McGuiness on the Nebraska plains, while working on a combine crew for three months from Burkburnett, Texas to Scranton, North Dakota. We called ourselves wheat whackers and what we did is cut wheat, cut wheat, cut wheat, and then cut more wheat.
The wheat in the fields stood ten feet high. The tassels waved golden in streams of currents from the prairie winds. After the combines came through there was nothing left of them, but barren stubbles cut close to the ground.
This photograph of mother and child was taken in the heart of the Amazon region near the confluence of the Solimoes and Negro Rivers, which joins to form the Amazon River. After performing in Manaus, Brazil I traveled by boat with her family downriver, where fresh water dolphins swim freely. The shoreline an endless sea of green filled with choral beds of music. Everything alive and breathing. As we walked from the boat through the rainforest I was told that Jaguars might be hiding in the shadows. After we drank water from vines cut with a machete and swam in waters filled with piranhas I took this photo. The kindness of the indigenous people of Brazil is beyond measure.
This photo of Slater Huff Jr., taken by Andrew Goetz, is a featured image in Larry’s new Living In A Rich Man’s World video. Mr. Huff was born July 6, 1924 in Packers Bend, Alabama, which is located on the banks of the Alabama River. Most of the folks who live there are direct descendents from slaves who grew cotton on the King-Garrett Plantation. When the State of Alabama refused to build a bridge across the river to their small rural community, Slater’s father built a ferry of his own to take people across.
Smithsonian Folkways Recording Artist, activist, community-builder and troubadour, Larry Long, brings his popular American Roots Revue to the FGC Gathering on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 – 7:00pm to 8:45pm
Join Larry Long and an all-star cast at the Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua near Bayfield, Wisconsin on Sunday, July 24, 2016 at 7:30 pm, as they honor one of the world’s most influential folksingers, Pete Seeger, celebrating the many phases of his life in song, spoken word, and multi-media. Featuring Prudence Johnson, Kevin Kling, Dan Chouinard, Larry Long and the Blue Canvas Orchestra.
Saturday, May 21 is going to be epic! Free books. Live storytelling, poetry and music. A 100-Library build. Free haircuts for kids. Larry Long will be present with his friends and guests to absorb the spirit of the Little Free Library Festival that they will transform into a “Lyrical Mural” to be performed at the close of the day.
Larry Long will be performing his song, Blest DeGalynn, in honor of DeGalynn Wade Sanders at her memorial on Friday, May 20th. DeGalynn passed away May, 14th, at age 43. She had a vibrant and caring spirit. She was an attorney, mentor and volunteer. DeGalynn was an honor student, and one of the initial Page Scholars.