News

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

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

Learn More

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)

Learn More