Gerde's Folk's memories

The title makes hardly any sense, but what the hey. It's cyber space. Corrections…bah!

An update on the progress being made for those who those care.

Thanks to gracious folks who know a bandwagon when they see one, POSITIVELY PORCO will sweep all other Gerde's documentaries out of the water and stand in its place. Actually, there are no other Gerde's docs. So at least POSITIVELY PORCO will be first. Not only THAT, but this near finished film will feature many of the living treasures telling the story in first-person. Dig

It's fucking awesome, I must say. I'm partial. But I'm currently distilling the best memories of the finest moments from music history into a 100 minute film.

But if you know someone who wants to make it a mini series, operators are standing by.

Until that eventuality, I've dipped into the 'crowd sourcing' web for a wild fling.
indiegogo

I've already sold my treasured guitar to hire seasoned veterans to help me make the film. It was a steal at 5k. But hey…I needed a new one anyway. Maybe an electric bass instead… drifting.

Take me up on a previous offer and take my 100 bucks for initiating one print media article featuring the GERDE'S FOLK CITY DOCUMENTARY.

And here's a video blog if you're into that sorta thing.

and here's another clip I like.

See ya down the road. Spoke at length with Larry Campbell last Sunday. Heading to Clearwater at Croton Point this weekend. Interviewing Eric Andersen Monday. Going to the Bitter End, Paul Colby tribute Monday night. It's a wild time, someone has to do it.

Mike Porco outside Folk City

Marlon Cherry, Bob Porco

Oscar Isaac and 'Mike Porco, M.D'

GERDE'S FOLK CITY/ PHIL OCHS artifacts

            It's gonna be tough to top my good fortune this weekend. Wise Elder and generous host, Sonny Ochs, welcomed me to a far away land over the hills and through the woods. There, a happily situated cabin was the setting for another interview to be seen in the upcoming documentary POSITIVELY PORCO. It's about Gerde's Folk City and Sonny has a long history there.

           One might say her 'career' began there as an organizer of shows, volunteer extraordinaire and keeper of the flame. She began hosting tribute shows for her late, great brother Phil at Folk City in the early 80s and ever since, she's been a staple at Folk gatherings all over the Northeast and beyond.

           Apart from the interview, Sonny and I shared down-home time together off camera. I was more than happy to offer some manual labor (shoveling and cooking) in return for her letting me have a gander at some of Phil Ochs' personal items. I also got to play her guitar which was the last guitar played by Phil. It was also played by a few of his friends since 1976.

           Sonny wasn't the only personality I spoke with on film. Peggy Duncan worked for Mike Porco as a barista on 4th Street and then extensively at the second location on West 3rd. She also worked for Robbie Woliver who bought Folk City from Mike and for her loyal service, she was rewarded with some pretty cool artifacts. (see below)

           So as I said, the vibes were in rare form these past 24 hours. I played a guitar played by Phil Ochs and held the original signage from outside of the original Gerde's. I have no doubt things only become more fun and exciting going forward because that's the way it's been. But today…priceless.

~Porco

How one stays young

Sonny showed me the path

The 'Phil drawer'

Sonny and Peggy:
a garage somewhere in upstate NY

'Says it all'

Close enough to visit

POSITIVELY RATSO

LARRY ''RATSO'' SLOMAN joins me for a discussion about Gerde's Folk City and its notorious owner, Mike Porco. Footage will be added to the first documentary on GERDE'S FOLK CITY, Positively Porco.

Mr. Ratso's first novel is the stupendous and tremendous chronicle of the legendary 'ROLLING THUNDER REVUE' starring Bob Dylan and his troupe of troubadours. The book is the most intimate and complete account of how the tour developed and rolled on through the historic first leg. Near the end of the tome, Larry has included the most extensive interview with Mike Porco known to exist in print.

Ratso and Porco crossed paths backstage at Madison Square Garden during the 'Night of the Hurricane,' a concert devoted to springing Ruben Carter from jail for something he never done. It was a cause Bob Dylan was committed to which the book and song 'Hurricane' explains in full. He coulda been the champion of the world, ya know.

Nearly 5 pages of ON THE ROAD WITH BOB DYLAN was given to Mike Porco's conversation. In the background, the concert rages on. It's classic. Mike tells early stories of making sandwiches for the young Dylan and encouraging him to comb his hair once in a while. Mike tells the story of visiting Dylan in France where they shared some Father/Son moments. If you need confirmation from anyone that the two shared THAT kind of relationship, read the book.

Larry consults the Old Testament

Of course, the ROLLING THUNDER REVUE kicked off at Folk City on Mike Porco's 61st surprise birthday party on October 23rd 1975. Bob Dylan has footage and hundreds have the memory of the night. Ratso's book has it in black and white.

Our interview was conducted in the Village Underground, the space that was once Mike Porco's office at 130 W3rd Street. If walls could talk….

Incidentally, Ratso and I hung out 53 years to the date of Bob Dylan's first appearance on stage at the original W4th Street Gerde's. After proving to Mike that he was at least 18 years old, he played the HOOT. You may know the rest.

~Porco

P.S.-

DO NOT FORGET

to check out the official trailer for 

POSITIVELY PORCO