The officially unofficial site for details and discussion about the history and legacy of Mike Porco's Center of Folk Music, Gerde's Folk City (&other pertinent stuff)
This is Village stalwart Michael Mann. Once a budding Greenwich Village star, he is more remembered for being 'THAT GUY' whose past, present and future has escaped documentation. The Roche sisters remember him as does Erik Frandsen, Peggy Duncan and George Gerdes. I've put a small piece together in a video clip that most certainly won't find its way into the documentary on Gerdes on-a-count-of time running short to begin with. I'm already hard pressed to mention all the wonderful people to play Folk City.
Mike Mann was a side question of mine during the interviews.
~Bob P
Michael Mann, 2010
(Photo courtesy Peter Bengston)
Something has been planned for Israel Young each day of his visit. Today, we had plans for dinner with his long lost cousin who lives uptown by me. But first, pack up, leave Bleecker and settle in at my place before going out for chow.
Tomorrow,
I'll be making my yearly trek to the great Clearwater Festival.
The big difference is that THIS TIME I'll be going with the Wizard if Iz
which means ACCESS and escapades.
It's like parading around with Santa Claus. He'll have a blast. Check back to see what we done did.
Izzy watching Izzy
Izzy seeing a picture of his young parents
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And while Izzy napped on Wednesday, I spent time with a couple guitar giants on Macdougal Street.
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.
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.
I've been reviving distant memories of my grandfather's club. It started with the 50th Anniversary. It continues today with the film. POSITIVELY PORCO https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5O6T...
And thanks to a little help from friends, it continues. A new friend bought this guitar to bring the completion date closer. I had to play it one last time for fun.
Gerde's Folk City 50th Anniversary guitar Signed at 130 W.3rd St NYC June 7, 2010
1. David Massengill 2. Frank Caputo (Christian) 3. Happy Traum 4. Guy Davis 5. Willie Nininger 6. Jonathan Kalb 7. Nick Holmes 8. Erik Frandsen 9. The Dirty Birdies Jug Band (5 autographs) 10. Poez 11. Jack Hardy 12. Vincent Vok (inscribing: Thank you Bob P.) 13. Sylvia Tyson 14. Richard Chanel 15. Marilyn Kirby 16. Bob Horan 17. Eric Weissberg 18. Joe Virga 19. Terre Roche 20. Brian Rose 21. Dominic Chianese 22. Vince Martin 23. Lydia Adams Davis 24. Heather Wood 25. Biff Rose 26. Bev Grant 27. Steve Ben Israel 28. Victorio Roland Mousaa 29. Rod MacDonald 30. Mark Dann 31. Randy Burns
YES, friends, My grandfather's world renown Folk Music stadium - Gerde's Folk City - opened for business under the name Folk City for the first time exactly 54 years ago. For just 5 months prior to that, it was called THE FIFTH PEG. It was the brain child of three complete strangers: Mike Porco, Tom Prendergast and Israel Goodman Young. Actually, Mike had nothing to do with making his restaurant into a Folk cabaret, but we're glad he kept it open when Izzy handed the idea to Mike Porco in late May 1960.
It's just one topic in the upcoming documentary being made about Gerde's Folk City and its illustrious owner, Mike Porco.
It's nearing completion. If you have any interest in the music spawned in the restaurant, you will want to see it. Basically, the American singer/songwriter genre has its roots planted at Gerde's.
All music lovers should know. Your mother should know. And somewhere in Cincinnati, there's a kid waiting for the school bus, listening to ''his parents music'' on his headphones, and he hears the 60s in his head. HE SHOULD KNOW.
Reach him with some press for me, please. I'll give you dollars and doughnuts for publicity and HEADLINES talking UP this film.
Here are some pictures from my most recent week of action. I'm busy. Dig?
Executive Producers with large pockets should know. Operators are standing by.
~Bob
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THE NEW WORLD SINGERS
These people saw the first sneak peak of Positively Porco. You missed it.
An astounding time was had learning and listening with THE NEW WORLD SINGERS.
Yes, Bob Cohen, Delores Dixon and Happy Traum gave 60 people a rare performance from a set once touring the nation 60 years ago. Legendary. I loved it... Realized I have a thing for older black women after meeting Delores. Don't tell her.
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Mr. ROD MACDONALD
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Mr. ERIK FRANDSEN
a fixture on Macdougal Street…once a fixture at Folk City
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PS-
AND don't forget, music lovers, that POSITIVELY PORCO has a trailer. You should share it with the Cincinnati Kid and your parents. More sneak peaks will be offered for the public in coming weeks. One will be at MIKE AND RUTHY'S SUMMER HOOT in August. NYC show announced soon. Press. Publicity. Word of mouth. pass it on.
