Mighty Fine Streaming Documentaries ...

FolkStreams » Homemade American Music

"A history of rural southeastern traditional American music, as told and played by Mike Seeger and Alice Gerrard. Mike and Alice recount their own involvment with this music, and briefly trace its history as we meet their mentors: the late Tommy Jarrell, Lily May Ledford, Roscoe Holcomb and Elizabeth Cotten."





Folkstreams is a collection of independently produced documentary films that have languished for decades. This one, "Homemade American Music," is one of dozens featuring blues, old time, bluegrass, Cajun and more.



You can't download them; they're for streaming only. But they are without equivocation mighty, mighty fine!

Mighty Wacked Out New Old-Time Favorites ...

The Avett Bros.

















5/30/07 Chicago, IL House of Blues 9:00 PM Back Porch Stage

I love these guys. They're nuts. Just guitar, mando and double-bass and more energy than a nor'easter.

Talk About Man Handling Your Guitar ...

glumbert.com - Guitar never seemed so hard

Thanks to Jim Polaski for finding this video. The hammer-on/pull-off technique is quite impressive. The jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan arrived on the scene in the early 1990s with an electric variant of this "finger-style" approach to the instrument. (See this video for "Willow Weep for Me" from back then - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8DCDrKX4_I).

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Folk Alley: Folk Music, Traditional Music, Celtic Music, and World Music



The Merlefest blog at FolkAlley.com as some great stories and photos from what is arguably the finest bluegrass festival out there today.



Did anybody from our group go this year? Please share stories and photos here!

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Don Sibley's Selling Two Fakebooks
He's got the Mandolin Picker's Fakebook and The Fiddler's Fakebook. Both are barely used. Contact Don at donsibley@earthlink.net for details.

Northlight Theatre :: 2006/07 Season :: Fire on the Mountain
From the acclaimed creators of It Ain’t Nothin’ But the Blues comes a poignant, passionate musical about the lives of coal miners in the Appalachian Mountains, featuring Mississippi Charles Bevel (Jeff Award-winner for Blues) and Dan Wheetman (former fiddle player for John Denver).

Alternately exuberant and soulful, joyous and gripping, this celebration of culture, lifestyle, hardships and heroics is gloriously relayed through the captivating rhythms of Appalachian bluegrass—a uniquely American art form that gained widespread popularity following the release of the film O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Featuring authentic dancing, plus stunning fiddle and banjo licks and more than 30 songs, this spiritual triumph is sure to set spirits soaring.

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Create Your Own PaloozaHead - Visit Lollapalooza.com

Mighty Fine Bluegrass at FitzGerald's on Thu, May 3rd
The Wayword Sons is one of the most interesting new bands in today's music scene. Combining the critically acclaimed songwriting of Benny Galloway (Yonder Mountain Stringband) and stellar musicianship within the unique instrumentation of keyboards, dobro, acoustic guitar and upright bass, The Wayword sound is truly something special.


Winners of the 2006 Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, Greensky Bluegrass is taking Michigan's blend of acoustic roots music on the road. Driving instrumentals and affecting lyrics contribute a fresh sound to an eclectic acoustic genre. GSBG is currently touring to promote the release of their sophomore album Tuesday Letter, produced by Tim Carbone from Railroad Earth.

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Ledward Kaapana & Mike Kaawa

Old Town School of Folk Music, Fri 4/27 at 8:00 pm

"Led continues to stretch the boundaries of Slack Key guitar, dazzling audiences worldwide with his freeboard improvisations, wide-ranging vocals, and kolohe (rascally) sense of humor."



When my daughter was a baby we lived in a small, streetside one bedroom apartment on a busy corner in Brooklyn. To help her sleep at bedtime, I'd play a Led Kaapana CD. She would relax and sleep. And so did I. But not until the last note fell beautifully from the air.

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Del McCoury Band plus Steep Canyon Rangers
Fri, 4/20 at 7pm and 10pm, 4544 N Lincoln Ave

This is an awesome double bill for hardcore bluegrass lovers. Arguably the DMB is the best in bluegrass at this time. Offering a direct link to Bill Monroe through former Blue Grass Boy and family patriarch Del, the Band features the McCoury sons on banjo and mandolin respectively. They are virtuosi in every way.

Steep Canyon Rangers are another one of my favorite new generation string bands from the Carolinas (others include Uncle Earl, the Avett Brothers and King Wilkie). SCR fall into a more traditionalist lineage making them a hot-picking complement to the McCoury family juggernaut.

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The Old Town School Folk & Roots Festival
Sat July 14 & Sun Jun 15

For Americana and folk fans this year's Saturday line up is pretty much unbeatable. Headliners The Knitters are a roots rock powerhouse featuring members of X plus songwriter-guitarist Dave Alvin. Before them is Bettye LaVette, a soul singer who remained under the radar until the past couple of years. The next earlier slot is held by Uncle Earl, which you may recall is one of my absolute favorite contemporary Appalachian folk/bluegrass groups.

Sunday features African, Brazilian and Mexican folk artists plus the Midwest Invitational Fiddle Contest to kick off the day's festivities. To many the juxtaposition of bluegrass with Afro-Latin folkloric ensembles would appear jarringly out of sorts; but if you look at American mountain music as an authentic expression of indigenous culture then you won't bat an eye.

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JamBase | Robert Earl Keen

Joe's [Official Venue Website]

940 W.Weed

Chicago, IL 60601

Phone: 312.337.3486

Map to Venue: Google :: Yahoo!



"The road goes on forever and the party never ends ..." is one of those lyrics that never grows old. REK is a Texas songwriter who has never gained the national following of, say, a Jimmy Buffett. But songsmiths from coast to coast know a great tune when they hear one. And once you've heard some of Keen's country-fueled three-minute stories, you're hooked.

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Telluride Bluegrass Fest

June 21 - 24, 2007 in Telluride, Colorado

I've always wanted to check out this great, big bluegrass festival in the Rockies. Last weekend I found a vinyl LP on Flying Fish from the 1977 Telluride festival featuring Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Ray Bonneville and John Hartford.



The lineup includes some rock bands. But it's overall a few spectacular days featuring the best of the best in acoustic music. Emmylou Harris, Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Darol Anger, Alison Krauss, Peter Rowan, Bryan Sutton, Chris Thile, Mike Marshall, Tony Rice, John Cowan and many more are scheduled to perform.



Tickets are on sale here.

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Petition to Nominate Pete Seeger for Nobel Peace Prize
- The Back Porch News
Now, I know you may be wondering why I'd post such a wild, wide-eyed photo since some would misconstrue the seriousness of supporting this effort. The image struck me, however, as a singular instant in which Pete's commitment to his music, human rights and the Muse erupted from his very soul. For all reasons in his long, illustrious career and life, Pete Seeger deserves global recognition.



Link directly to the online petition here.

Events Commemorating the New Steve Goodman Biography
A new biography of the beloved singer-songwriter Steve Goodman is due for national release at the end of the month. The author, Clay Eals, researched Goodman's life for eight years. He will be making in-person events at the Old Town School of Folk Music in May as well. Pre-orders are available here.



Quotes from notable supporters:
Wry, unpretentious and uplifting, Steve Goodman had a special presence with an audience. As this book recounts, he opened 200 shows for me, often for crowds of 10,000 or more. He was just one guy with a guitar, but in 30 seconds he would have them. It was amazing to see, and this biography captures every incredible detail.
- Steve Martin

Clay Eals skillfully narrates the Dickensian life of Steve Goodman, one of the most exciting and refreshing acoustic performers to grace a stage. Meticulously detailed and carefully documented, this biography reads like a riveting novel. Goodman's spirit and charm leap from its pages.
- Rich Warren, host of "The Midnight Special," WFMT-FM, Chicago

NPR : Open Mic

NPR : Open Mic
"Since it began in 2003, NPR's Open Mic from All Songs Considered has been an online showcase for nearly 800 independent, unsigned or self-produced bands. It's a virtual stage for aspiring musicians to reach a larger audience with their work and a place to discover music you likely won't hear anywhere else. Once-unkown artists like Sufjan Stevens and Regina Spektor were first heard on Open Mic."

- How to submit your recording for the NPR Open Mic
- Subscribe to the NPR Open Mic podcast

That's me on the left and ... guess who? ... That's right ... Peter Frampton!

• • • Sound Clip Joint • • •
Ken Cashion Plays Some Mighty Fine Ukelele

Jim Polaski found this homemade site of old time tunes and American standards for "uke." Lots of MP3s, too.

Greg Reish Recital MP3s



Greg Reish has posted free MP3 files from his recital at Roosevelt University's Ganz Hall. Follow this link to hear the tracks. The sound quality is superb. You can right click (option+click on a Mac) to save each file and make your own Greg Reish "Live" album. Then you can listen to turn-of-the-20th-century music on your turn-of-the-21st-century music player!

Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project

Cylinder Preservation and Digitization Project



There is an amazing collection of Edison cylinder recordings preserved as MP3s on this site. My new favorite section is ... no drum roll necessary ... the fiddle tunes collection.

The performances date from roughly 1902 through the first World War, and the sound quality is surprisingly easy on the ears. Keep in mind, these recordings pre-date scratchy 78s by two decades!

It's a miracle they've survived at all. Many of the performances are phenomenal with surprisingly non-traditional brass band arrangements leading into the fiddle soloists' breaks.

I highly recommend you browse the collection for jazz, marches, minstrel music, hymns, spirituals and more.

~ F.Y.I. ~
The Farmer's Market Musicians have been invited to perform at a St. Patrick's Day event at Maguire Hall, next door to St. Catherine-St. Lucy church on Austin Ave at Washington. Plans are still being hatched. Stay tuned.

2007 Chicago Maritime Festival



Saturday, Feb 24 at the Chicago History Museum
1601 North Clark Street

CD Release Show!
“Stuck in the 60s...Cooler Near the Lake” by Natural Bob & Micky Holdsworth

• Friday February 16, 2007 at 9:00 pm (doors open 8:00)
• Hammerhed Lounge (in Cigars & Stripes)
• 6715 W. Ogden Ave. in Berwyn about 1 block east of Oak Park Ave.

Special guest performances by Lila Holdsworth, Kate Early, Jim & Mary Grosso, Bob Lopardo & Lou Nutini and probably others.

Says Natural Bob, "Hammerhed is your typical folk club. A reputed biker bar, the place is also rumored to be haunted. It’s our favorite local haunt; [it's a] cozy, friendly, well ventilated room [with] excellent nachos and good ale on tap."

"SONGS OF LOVE & DEATH"
Greg Reish
A SOLO RECITAL OF AMERICAN FOLK & ROOTS MUSIC
Ballads, Parlor Songs, Old-Time & Bluegrass with Guitar & Banjo

ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY GANZ HALL
Auditorium Building, 7th Floor
430 South Michigan Ave (corner of Congress Pkwy)
- Yahoo! Map Here

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2007
- 7:30 PM
- FREE ADMISSION

Steeleye Span - A Lark in the Morning

From 1970 (and you can surely tell by the fashion choices made). Opens with a great electric dulcimer motif. Harkens back to that short window of time when Celtic folk met rock.

Big Bear Fan on a little scooter

That's Oak Park's own Mike Baldwin on that manly vehicle. Go, Mike, go!

Goin' Down Slow (Blues)

I recognize Norman Blake, Sam Bush, Tut Taylor and Vassar Clements (that's Mike Compton singing and picking the tenor guitar). The guy who posted this on YouTube provides complete credits. It's from a 11/18/2000 concert featuring a reunion of John Hartford's Aero-Plain Band. A DVD of the complete concert is available from Tut Taylor's Web site at http://webpages.charter.net/tutbro/. Who says bluegrassers can't play the blues?!?!

Good news for music lovers who kept their vinyl LP collection - Yahoo! News

Good news for music lovers who kept their vinyl LP collection - Yahoo! News: "A lot of music lovers have stashes of vinyl LPs that may be forgotten in the iPod era. Now Ion Audio has a simple way to convert those albums to digital files that can be listened to in iPods and other MP3 players. Its USB Turntable/CD player connects to your PC and records the albums as they play.

The turntable (model iTTCD10, due in June for $399) works like a standard turntable. And you can listen as the album is transferred to the PC. "

Orrin Star - Whiskey Before Breakfast Lesson

Online video is a fabulous source of lessons (beyond performance clips). Here's a six minute long deconstruction of "Whiskey Before Breakfast" that clarifies every constituent part.

Norman Blake - Nashville Blues

Here's a wonderful look at what is now "vintage" Norman Blake. The fluidity of his lead lines gives the impression of effortlessness and simplicity. Of course, once you try this yourself you get a hearty helping of humble pie. It's wonderful to see Nancy Blake picking the bass line on her cello; in fact, this trio instrumentation is among my personal favorites.

Doc Watson - Deep River Blues

Amazing finger picking technique from one of the all-time greats, Arthel "Doc" Watson. The camera hangs on Doc's left hand a good long time so you can pick up some of the passing chords in the changes. Then it pans to his right hand whence you can clearly see he's mostly using his index finger to picking the melody line. Pure Travis picking technique at its best!

[ The Return of a Native Son ]

David Bromberg Band
with special guests The Angel Band
$35, $33 Old Town School members, $31 kids and seniors
Saturday, January 20 at 7:00 & 10:00 pm at The Old Town School of Folk Music Concert Hall, 4544 N. Lincoln Ave.

The great Chicago blues/folk/roots guitarist David Bromberg skipped town for the chance to operate his own community arts center in Wilmington, Delaware. And he rarely returns to the Windy City. So take this opportunity to see this long-struggling, now-thriving artist in the friendliest confines of The Old Town School.

Trad Fest 3 - Old Time Stringband Weekend: Concert
Starring the Foghorn Stringband (pictured above), the Dirk Powell Band and the Clack Mountain Stringband
$25, $23 Old Town School members, $21 kids and seniors
Saturday, January 27 at 7:30 pm in the Old Town School of Folk Music Concert Hall, 4544 North Lincoln Avenue

Friday night, Jan 26th, is an open house at the OTSoFM with all pickers welcome. They're asking for folks to bring a dish for the pot luck. Members of all three bands will guest host jam sessions, etc.

Saturday afternoon, band members will host workshops then host a group jam session. The evening's grand finale is all three bands in concert. Get more info here.

Bill Keith Banjo Workshop - Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival 2003 - Part 1 of 2

Called "Bluegrass Banjo 101", but it's more like "Advanced Melodic Banjo and Music Theory" ... Here's the first of two amateur videos posted on Google Video showing Bill Keith's master class from the Grey Fox Bluegrass Fest in 2003.

More Online Music Instruction Sites

Harmonica Country
The site offers ten free lessons.

Mars Music
Lessons for $11.95 per year. You need to download their proprietary software.

Tonos
Access to guitar or piano lessons is $15.95 a year.

Wholenote
Offers more than 900 free lessons plus a free metronome via the Net.

There's a free video over at the Gibson guitar and musical instrument company's web site featuring Earl Scruggs, his sons Randy and Gary, Sam Bush, Phil Leadbetter on Dobro(R) and Ricky Scaggs jamming on "Jingle Bells" in the Ryman. You can even download an iPod-ready video free. (This link courtesy of Jim Polaski)

Josh Graves, Marty Stuart, Vassar Clements - Great Big Woman

Here's proof of the common roots of bluegrass and the blues.

Merle Travis - Cannonball Rag

I never noticed before seeing this, but Merle Travis used only his thumb and forefinger. I'd always been taught he used three fingers a la Scruggs banjo picking technique. Now I know.

[ From the expansive mind of Jim P., we present ... ]
Trillium The Band

Jim's connection to Trillium comes through its guitarist, Ed Hall, who is a fingerpicking champion and was once Jim's teacher. Visit the band's site here.

An MP3 Blog Worth Reading (at least every now and again)
From Edinburgh no less comes Said the Gramophone, a daily record review blog that offers free mp3 downloads of the songs its reviewers write about. There's a great list of links to other music blogs down the home page on the right column. Best of all, it's a labor of love. No major labels or media conglomerates pay for or otherwise underwrite the making of Said the Gramophone. Check it out.

The Folk Alliance will hold its national conference Feb 21-25, 2007 at the Marriott Hotel and Cook Convention Center in downtown Memphis. Check the web site for details.

Len Polumbi's Links for Online Music Lessons

Workshop Live
http://www.workshoplive.com/

Berklee College of Music
http://www.berkleemusic.com/

True Fire
http://www.truefiretv.com/

Farmer's Market Band Call For Players
Music for Life Foundation will hold it's annual fund raiser on Saturday, February 24, 2007 at First United Church. We'd love to schedule the return engagement of the Farmer's Market Band. You guys were such a hit last year and Len knows you'll add your special touch to the show again this/next year.

Tentatively, the time will be 7:00 p.m. We can schedule your performance time around the groups' availability.

You may recall from last year, Music for Life raises money to provide private music instruction to needy students who otherwise would not be able to learn an instrument. It's a great cause that really fits within the "mission" of the Farmer's Market Band -- music for everyone!

[ Mighty Fine Holiday Gift Ideas ]



BLOODSHOT RECORDS presents THE OLD TOWN SCHOOL of FOLK MUSIC SONGBOOK VOL. 1
"The Songbook contains 23 archetypal songs performed by a wide range of artists. Some are nationally known like Jon Langford (Mekons, Pine Valley Cosmonauts, Waco Bros), Dan Zanes, John Stirrat (Wilco), Janet Bean (Freakwater, Eleventh Dream Day), Alice Peacock, Robbie Fulks, and Danny Barnes (Bad Livers), and some are instructors from the School---performers themselves with decades of teaching experience. Included is a hefty booklet written by folklorist Paul Tyler that gives a detailed history of each song."

Visit the Bloodshot Records website to download two tracks free. (Scroll down until you see the links at the lower left corner of the product page.)

JERRY DOUGLAS plus Mike & Amy Finders
Old Town School of Folk Music, 12/2, two shows

Get this, Jerry Douglas plays The Old Town School followed by a two night stand at Town Hall in New York City. Ummm. Let's see. We get Jerry Douglas at our very own Old Town School's intimate, acoustically magnificent small concert theater and they get him in a huge hall. Makes the choice pretty simple really.

A History of Bluegrass
Here is one of several (at least four) videos posted on YouTube.com that touch upon the major contributors to the Bluegrass tradition.

Back Porch News
Jim Polaski sends us a link to this folk and old-time music blog that originates in Ithaca, New York. There's lots of great content, reviews and links, like this for example:

Blueground Undergrass @ Martyrs
Sunday, December 10th - 8pm

I really dig these guys. They're projenitors of the current resurgence in "Newgrass" and related string bands (such as Old Crow Medicine Show). However, BU plays a bluegrass-rock hybrid that captures the best of both worlds. Here's what Martyrs' site has to say about the band:

Formed originally in 1998 by Jeff Mosier, Blueground Undergrass has developed a solid reputation and nationwide following by playing its multi-faceted music mix coast-to-coast. The band has always been known for exciting performances and eclectic arrangements. Its sonic wall of twang type sound pleases the whole spectrum of fans from hippies to cloggers to rockers, taking Blueground Undergrass to the brink of almost moshpit energy, yet guiding each show with song-driven clarity along the way.

By successfully parlaying an extensive knowledge of bluegrass music with major elements of jazz and Southern rock, Blueground Undergrass has forged a unique, new listening experience, one rooted in the essentials of great American genres. Their Landslide Records debut, Faces, represents a strong culmination of the bands lengthy musical experience as well as its legendary live shows.

Speaking recently of Blueground's sound Mosier said, "I never want our music to lose the tradition of the porch no matter how much remodeling was done to the house over time. The band will continue in that spirit and tradition by re-creating old Blueground Undergrass originals, rocking out bluegrass standards, and by introducing new songs and sounds to their live shows. "

For sure, Blueground Undergrass will be doing what they have always done best, which is to provide every audience with an energetic and unforgettable live show of great music. And with the superb studio offering that is Faces, the band is poised to take on a whole new set of devoted listeners.

Welcome Back
We're back at the Buzz (above left) and the Oak Park Arms (above right). Remember, the Buzz gets mighty crowded and the Oak Park Arms session begins a bit later ... around 9:00 a.m. ... and jams ’til about lunchtime.

A very personal suggestion of my own is that you consider alternating somewhat between the two venues on a regular, semi-regular or ir-regular basis as fits your temperament.

The Buzz tilts toward the fiddle tune repertoire whilst the Arms tends towards songs from the old time, string band, bluegrass, roots and country catalogues.

Lisle Station Museum
I just received this note from the organizers of the Ruralfest in Lisle. Unfortunately, the Lisle Park District has informed them that they can no longer host the event. No word on another venue yet. Meantime, they're hosting an event in the old depot here at Lisle Station Museum. Discover the Banjo! will take place on Saturday, November 11th from 3pm-8:30pm. Programs by Bob Carlin, Cheick Hamala Diabate, Mark Dvorak, Dan Gellert, Kinney Rorrer and Keith Collins will be presented throughout the day. Reservations are required, as seating in the depot is limited. To reserve a seat, call 630-968-0499.

OCMS | 11/10/2006 | House of Blues | Chicago, IL
A week after The Avett Brothers (see below) is Ben's fave young upstart string band ... the Old Crow Medicine Show at House Of Blues on Dearborn. Tix are $20. New CD out now. It's even better than their debut. Visit the band's official Web site for details.

The Avett Brothers @ Back Porch Stage @ House of Blues Chicago :: Fri, November 03
To be perfectly clear, The Avett Brothers are (a) brothers but (b) not traditional bluegrass. They are (a) authentically Southern and (b) acoustic musicians but (c) of a decidedly uncorked temperament. If you like Old Crow Medicine Show, you're likely to enjoy this trio as well. Check out the band's official Web site for MP3s and additional info.

Late Breaking News
Don't miss the Bluegrass Festival at the Chicago Botanic Garden! Come to hear the area's best bluegrass bands, enjoy a mouthwatering barbeque, and take part in children's crafts and straw maze while surrounded by outstanding fall color at the garden. The annual Bluegrass Festival promises great music, but that's not all! Pumpkins and gourds will be available for purchase. Green Youth Farm, the Chicago Botanic Garden's high school growers in North Chicago, will be selling their freshly grown produce.

Bands including the Freeway Rangers and the Special Consensus will perform on the Esplanade, and the Fruit and Vegetable Island will be humming with activity on Saturday, September 30, and Sunday, October 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The First Midnight Special Folk Festival
Sunday, September 17, 2006 at the Harris Theater in Millenium Park

Featured artists include guest emcee Christine Lavin, along with Ronny Cox, the Four Bitchin&aps Babes, Greg Greenway, Kim & Reggie Harris, Bonnie Koloc, Magpie (Greg Artzner & Terry Leonino), Anais Mitchell and Garnet Rogers, as well as special guest appearances by Megon McDonough, the Sons Of the Never Wrong and others. Click here for details.

Celtic Fest Chicago - 9/16 & 9/17
One of my favorite fiddlists is a headliner at Celtic Fest next weekend ... Natalie MacMaster. (Her set's on Sunday, 5pm, at the Petrillo Bandshell.) She's only one of many excellent acts playing for FREE in Grant Park next weekend. Parking beneath the new Millenium Park area is very convenient. And the underground facilities include rest rooms that are spacious and clean. See details by clicking the image below.

BluegrassMusicUSA.com
This online store offers 22 full length Louvin Brothers CDs. It's the most complete collection I've seen ... anywhere! Plus they've got the King/Star-Day records re-issues. All great stuff. And the prices are excellent as well. Don't miss out.

Shipping charges are just $2.50 for any order within the United States and are shipped within 24 hours of payment verification.

“Girl From The North Country” – Bob Dylan

Bob Dylan was a guest on Johnny Cash's first variety TV show in July 1969, and this duet was taped at Nashville’s famed Ryman Auditorium.

More Bob Dylan on Google Video
To promote the newly released "Modern Times" CD, Bob Dylan's record label has released about a dozen videos spanning his entire 45-year career. Some are brilliant. Others merely curiousities. A few are downright embarrassing. But ... ain't that just like Bob Dylan?!? See them all here.