News

The Tiny Tent Show virtual film premiere of American Roots Revue concert at  Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua in 2015 will be Friday, August 28th, at 7 PM.   Can be viewed at no cost on either FACEBOOK or YOUTUBE.

Featuring Anishinabe and Oneida Hip-Hop Artist, Tall Paul; ‘Pavarotti’ of Gospel, Robert Robinson; Midewiwin Native Life Ways Singer & Keeper of the Song, Dorene Day Waubanewquay, and Community Builder & Troubadour, Larry Long.

“A moment in time to relax and enjoy the virtual gift of music with those you love in the comfort of your own home. Thank you for all you do,”   – Larry Long

The Longfellow Business Association is working to get resources to our community in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer.

I have lived in the Longfellow neighborhood for thirty years. This is where we raised our children.  Our son, Jacob, and others worked tirelessly, day and night,  to deliver medical assistance to those in need from a church basement three blocks from the 3^rdPrecinct.

Streets now burning beneath the sun
Good God we pray justice be done
We can rebuild imagine that
But we cannot bring George Floyd’s life back

The time has now come to rebuild.  Approximately fifty businesses and non-profits were adversely impacted.   Many individual businesses have received donations, but initial estimates place total damage at well over $600 million.

George Floyd please say his name
George Floyd don’t let him die in vain
George Floyd

Your help is critical to rebuilding Longfellow’s business and non-profit vitality.  The LongfellowBusiness Association is committed to ensuring that those impacted and displaced can remain in Longfellow. They stand in support of local businesses and non-profits, including our many black, indigenous and immigrant-owned businesses. Longfellow Business Association will work to advocate for future redevelopment is equitable and just.

Please donate in any amount to support rebuilding a vibrant and equitable Longfellow community!  

“We love it here!”

Larry Long & Tom Thibodeau will be hosting a morning radio show called  “Conspiracy of Goodness”  on WDRT 91.9 fm Driftless Community Radio and streamed worldwide beginning Labor Day, September 7, 2020 at 8:30 AM.

Since 1983, Larry Long and Tom Thibodeau have joined together as friends to form a Conspiracy of Goodness. The word conspiracy comes from two latin words com-spirare which means to be in harmony or literally to Breathe together. Goodness is one of the Transcendental Virtues which extends us beyond ourselves for the health and well being others.

Through their friendship and work for the greater good Larry and Tom are committed to expanding the conspiracy of goodness by inviting you to be refreshed and inspired by songs and stories of virtue which bring people together from differnt backgrounds for a Greater Good. We hope to strengthen connections, expand communities, and create possibilities in working for the Greater good everyday.

Songs connect us; when our voices unite we create common ground understanding that dissonance is one step on the way to harmony. Stories reminds us of our shared humanity.  Both are needed; all are gfit.

‘Conspiracy of Goodness’ will also be viewed and heard on YouTube, Facebook and Podcast.

Produced & recorded by Grammy Award winning sound engineer Brett Huus of Momentous Records.

Featuring Larry Long, JD Steele, Tonia Hughes, Billy Steele, Daryl Boudreaux, George Parrish, Yohannes Tona

American Roots Revue’s filmed performance premieres Friday, July 24th at 8:00 PM (Central Time) via YouTube and Facebook.

A good excuse to cook up some popcorn with the one you love. Relax and enjoy the blest gift of music together.

This concert in Lanesboro was the final performance of American Roots Revue’s 2019 FIVE-CITY LEGACY TOUR.  Other concerts were held in the Lower Sioux Indian Community; Live at the Levee in Winona; Milan Community Festival of Story & Song; Prairie Island Mdewakanton Dakota Community.  Available for 48 hours after its premiere, so don’t miss your chance!

Filmed by Nathaniel Nelson of Treedome Productions

About OneBook, OneLakeville:

 Now in its 12th year, OneBook, OneLakeville promotes family reading, literacy and community interaction by encouraging everyone in Lakeville to read the same book.

Announcing the release of Larry Long’s new single “Firefighter (Duty,Honor,Courage)” with American Roots Revue.

Larry Long & American Roots Revue have partnered with Minnesota Firefighter Initiative (MnFIRE) to release a new song that highlights the need to do more to protect the health of Minnesota’s firefighters. The song “Firefighter (Duty, Honor, Courage),” was written by Long with MnFIRE as an anthem for the state’s firefighters as the 2020 legislative session begins and the Hometown Heroes Assistance Program (SF2264 and HF1782) is up for consideration once again.

Receive download of Firefighter (Duty, Honor, Courage) at no cost by clicking here   (When you go to this link please enter $0.00 after clicking on ‘Buy Digital track – name your price’)

“It’s been a tough week in the Minnesota fire service. Millerville Firefighters, off duty, both perish in a silo accident and along with one of the firefighter’s 12 year old son. The fire department who responded saw their friend and co-worker deceased. Drake Hotel fire in Minneapolis on Christmas Day. Firefighters faced down a raging fire with hundreds of potential victims. Half of whom were children.

This fire got lots of well earned media coverage for the lives saved and the heroics of the firefighters. What doesn’t always get covered is how often firefighters statewide “answer the bell” in service to others. Saving lives and property at fires, crashes, water and ice rescues and countless serious medical emergencies. This is why the MnFIRE mission is so vital. Getting help to those who respond and helping those who are in the darkness of emotional trauma, job related cancers and cardiac issues to find the light and the hope and a path out.” – George Esbensen, MnFire President

“I was inspired to write “Firefighter” after I accompanied Eden Prairie Fire Chief George Esbensen and firefighters on a call to a business fire. While on that fire run I was so deeply struck by the brave and hardworking people that save our lives daily. When I discovered the high rate of heart disease, cancer and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among firefighters, I felt the calling to write ‘Firefighter’. For there’s no better time than now to urge policymakers to give all that it might take for us to support the physical and emotional well-being of those who serve us.” – Larry Long

Firefighter (Duty, Honor, Courage) will premier this Sunday, December 29th, on WCCO Radio (830 AM) during Larry Long & George Esbensen’s interview with Jearlyn Steele on Steele Talkin’ beginning at 8:34 PM. Please tune in.

Firefighter (Duty, Honor, Courage) features: Larry Long–Lead Vocal, Guitar; J.D. Steele, Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes–Support Vocals;  Billy Steele-Piano; George Parrish–Electric Guitar; Joe Savage–Pedal Steel: Yonathan Bekure–Bass; Daryl Boudreaux–Percussion; Brian Kendrick–Drums.

Studio & Mixing Engineers:  Steve Wiese & Miles Hanson

Recorded at Creation Audio Studio A; Minneapolis, Minnesota

Source of life, gift of love
To the sea she must run
To return from above
Along the Blue Highway

Traveling with Larry this weekend along the Mississippi River valley back roads for his final two shows of 2019 will be guitarist George Parrish, whose performed nationally with Seals & Crofts, Cherrell, Alexander O’Neal and American Roots Revue.

Larry’s first concert is a double-bill with one of his favorite songwriters Raldo Schnieder and his band at one of Larry’s favorite small town driftless venues.

Larry Long & Raldo Schnieder
Leo & Leonas Tavern & Dance Hall
Friday, December 6th, 7:30 PM
Bangor, Wisconsin
W1436 WI-33, Bangor, WI 54614

Larry’s final performance of the year will be held this coming Saturday in the intimate acoustic setting of Treedome Studio, where Long will pay tribute in story and song to the revival of the Mississippi River through the inspiration of Pete Seeger on this his centennial year.

Larry Long w/ George Parrish
Treedome Studio
Saturday, December 7th, 8:00 PM
Winona, Minnesota
164 EAST THIRD ST, Winona, MN 55987

“You could think of the American Roots Revue as Larry Long’s version of Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue. Well-known rockers, soul singers, folkies and other first-class musicians rotate through the line-up at different gigs, giving audiences the rare chance to see different artists collaborating on each other’s songs” – Martin Keller, Author of Hijinx and Hearsay: Scenester Stories from Minnesota’s Pop Life

Back by popular demand after debuting five years ago on the same stage, American Roots Revue’s original featured cast of artists has returned. That cast includes the ‘Pavarotti of Gospel’ Robert Robinson; R&B powerhouse J.D. Steele; ‘Anishinaabe-Ojibwe Keeper & Singer of the Song’ Waubanewquay Dorene Day; soul singer Tonia Hughes and the unstoppably gifted singer-songwriter Larry Long.

Before each show Long will debut the quirky and surreal new video for his song “All Across America,” directed by St Louis Park filmmaker Buddy Cohen.

American Roots Revue band of stellar musicians includes: Billy Steele (Keyboards), Daryl Boudreaux (Percussion), Brian Kendrick (Drums), Yonathan Bekure (Bass), George Parrish (Guitar), and Joe Savage (Pedal Steel).

The American Roots Revue is a must-see event.
“…abundant talent” – Star Tribune

Where: Dakota
Date & Time: November 23, 2019, 7 PM & 9:30 PM
For Tickets: Call 612.332.5299 or Online

Larry Long was interviewed by Phil Nusbaum for Twin Cities Weekend on KBEM (88.5FM, Minneapolis) about his upcoming American Roots Revue concert at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis, November 23rd, Saturday at 7 and 9:30 PM. For Tickets: Dakota Jazz Club

These two concerts will bring back the original American Roots Revue featured cast including Robert Robinson, Tonia Hughes, J.d. Steele, Waubanewquay Dorene Day, and Larry Long. Support band includes Billy Steele (Keyboards), Brian Kendrick (Drums), Yonathan Bekure (Bass), Daryl Boudreaux (Percussion), Joe Savage (Pedal Steel) and George Parrish (Guitar).

This 8:00 Minute interview includes rare American Roots Revue live cuts from their live shows over the last five years. It will be aired November 18th, Monday 8:20PM; November 21st, Thursday 11:20AM and 6:20PM.

You can hear Larry’s interview now by going to: KBEM Twin Cities Weekend & Larry Long Soundcloud

Larry Long & Fiddlin’ Pete will be performing on Saturday evening, September 28th, at the Laws Railroad Museum outside of Bishop, California in the Owens Valley beneath the High Sierra Mountain Range as part of a three-day Curley Fletcher Birthday Poetry Rendezvous.

Joining Larry & Pete will be old musical companions Neil Gelvin, Larry Dalton, Dan Connor, and more!

About Larry Long & Fiddlin’ Pete:

When Larry Long & Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott were in their twenties, they lived the life of WoodyGuthrie hitchhiking, hopping freight trains and passing the hat from bar to bar across the western states and the High Sierra Mountain range playing and writing songs for the people.

About Curley Fletcher:

Carmen William “Curley” Fletcher (1892—1954), also known as Curley W. Fletcher and Curley Fletcher, was an American composer of cowboy songs and cowboy poetry. A prolific creator of this material, he is best remembered for the classic cowboy song “The Strawberry Roan”, written in 1915, and for his 1931 book Songs of the Sage.

Curley Fletcher was a local Owens Valley writer and poet, whose literature had a profound impact, not only in his lifetime, but is remembered and recited around the world today, and certainly will be for many years in the future.

Curley arrived at the town of Laws as a baby in 1882, and after death was buried at Bishop Pioneer Cemetery in 1954. Fletcher’s collection of poems, Songs of the Sage, was reprinted in 1986 by Peregrine Smith Books with a preface by Hal Cannon, Folklorist, The Western Folklife Center.

About Laws Railroad Museum:

Before Inyo County existed there were towns along the Owens River populated by miners castoff from the declining California 49er Gold Rush. They were drawn to the Owens Valley River Valley, as it was called back then, by reports of riches coming from its eastern mountains. In the early 1860s miners, followed by merchants, coalesced into bustling communities along the eastern edge of the Owens River: Owensville, San Carlos, and Bend City. There was no local government, no infrastructure, a couple of roads, and initially few if any services.

These river towns were iconic mining communities that lived hard and died young. Many towns rose and fell so quickly they left little trace in the sand, or the pages in history.

All three River Towns began their lives in the early 1860s on the east banks of the Owens River. Bend City and San Carlos sprung up about 5 miles east of present day Independence. To the north, Owensville was established three miles northeast of Bishop, near the present-day Laws Museum.

Schedule of Event:

Friday, September 27,5:00PM Hidden Creeks Ranch,BBQ Dinner Reception and Afterglow Dinner prepared by Duane Rossi, Curley’s first cousin! Duane is a published poet, back country cook, mule packer, and Owens Valley cowboy! This Friday evening dinner is available only with purchase of a Full Rendezvous Pass. The dinner is limited to 150 attendees.

Saturday, September 28, Laws Railroad Museum & Historical Site
10:00AM-4:00PM Poetry and Music Rounds on the 1883 Carson & Colorado Depot loading dock. Enjoy food and vendors and the museum’s 11 acres of historic buildings and exhibits. Visit the Curley Fletcher exhibit in the Library building!

Saturday Evening, Sept 28, 7:00PM Concert Program at Hidden Creeks Ranch Featured poets including Bimbo Cheney, Vess Quinlan, KC LaCourse, Duane Rossi, and a reunion of the band, “Nevada Swing” with Larry Long, Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott, Neil Gelvin, and friends Larry Dalton, Dan Connor, and more!

Sunday Morning, September 29, 9:00AM
Bishop Pioneer Cemetery
Curley Fletcher Graveside Farewell Toast

For Tickets call 800-838-3006 or online.

Join Larry Long and others at WoodyFest’s annual Wednesday kick off show in honor of Woody Guthrie & Pete Seeger in celebration of Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon & Guy Logsdon. Hosted by Joel Rafael with David Amram & Radoslav Lorkovic Dueling Pianos, Fiddlin’ Pete Watercott, Chris Buhalis, Nellie Clay, Butch Hancock, Jaimee Harris, Lauren Lee, Larry Long, Miss Brown to You, Dan Navarro, Barry Ollman, & Robert Williams.

Where: Crystal Theatre, Main Street

When:  Wednesday, July 10th, 2019, 7pm – 11pm || $20

More information: wowoodyfest.com/tickets

Tickets on sale now!

Larry Long will present a one workshop entitled ‘Bringing Woody Home’ on Saturday, July 13th, 11am
at the Okemah History Center located on 407 W. Broadway in Okemah, Oklahoma as part of WoodyFest, July 10 – 14. Free of charge and open to the public

Long assembled the first hometown tribute to Woody Guthrie in Okemah, Oklahoma in 1989. His work in schools and communities sparked the creation of a non-profit organization, Community Celebration of Place, which creates intergenerational and multicultural opportunities for students to learn and grow through his program called Elders’ Wisdom, Children’s Song. Long is a recipient of the prestigious In The Spirit of Crazy Horse award.

Larry’s WoodyFest multi-media presentation will guide us in story, narrative, and song.

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