Me with two hands on Richie Havens
©bobporco, Vincent Vok photo
HAPPY CHINESE NEW ERA!
Exactly 5 years ago……
I was at the bar that was once Folk City on 3rd St with Vincent Vok. We were just talking. And he said, 'If you build it they will come.' He was right.
And later that night Vincent barged his way backstage at Carnegie Hall using, of all names, mine.
He was right on that scheme, too.
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2.20.15
exactly 5 years ago, on 2.20.10, I woke up and got ready for my second day of work.
I was meeting with Happy Traum
and Eric Weissberg to interview them in person. I was just armed with a pen and paper for my interviews back then, but for some reason, I recorded Happy and Eric with my old DV cassette recorder. I saw it once. It's around here somewhere….
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Exactly 5 years ago on February 19, 2010, I got the grand idea to host a 50th Anniversary concert for Gerde's Folk City.
It was quite a day. Unlike any other. And many of my days have since have also been quite unique.
Vincent Vok told me, "If you build it, they will come."
The party went off without a hitch, thanks to help from friends.
Later in 2010, I continued to informally interview many of Folk City's stable of artists. In 2011, not much happened. In 2012, I hosted a monthly concert at the Gaslight in Macdougal Street. In 2013, I started filming the documentary in Gerde's. In 2014, I marched on with the material I've gathered on Mike and Gerde's.
Along the way, cool things have happened.
One day, I ran into Peter Yarrow on Bleecker Street. Another day, I was invited to Arlo Guthrie's house to interview him. Another day, I spent an afternoon with José Feliciano. What happens tomorrow is anyone's guess. Joan Baez may fall in love with me... but I'm stretching it.
I have an idea of what may take place tomorrow.
Even if you don't believe in sending distant "POSITIVE VIBRATIONS" as my Rasta friend says, maybe just give it a try.
I was involved in- not one- but TWO meetings where the future of Positively Porco was sent down the road with more rubber under the cushion. It's all good. But I thought I'd ask for an extra dose of "good."
This isn't an "oh by the way, I happen to be raising funds for the film" kinda post. Just a mention that, your good wish will only translate in more entertainment for YOU some day in the future. You're welcome.
The film is a part of it but it includes more concerts, benefits for kids' music lessons and just more good-deed-doing in general. It's the Folk process- Porco style.
Five years ago, I didn't plan to meet Terre Roche, Suze Rotolo and Richie Havens all in one day. That's just how it happened.
Don't be shy. Think Porco.
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As Uncle Bobby said on a recent album: "If ya see me go by/ put up a prayer"
Positively,
Bob
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2.20.15
Richie Havens didn't make the 50th Anniversary. Neither did Suze. Richie was touring and toured on until a year ago. Suze was ill, and that was the only day I met her. Just that day. Day one.
(blog post under construx……..
