Comments for Song, story and culture

Comment on Smaller Art by Clare

Clare — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 06:34:20 +0000

Morning Bill

Interesting words from New Zealand, thank you.

You wrote: Artists do it because they “have” to, whether they get paid or not. This creates an interesting dilemma as many people can take advantage of this passion/zeal to make art and therefore not pay well. Or worse yet, expect an artist to work for free because they enjoy their work. There is something about value and expectation worth looking at there.

Artists live on the fringe, on the periphery. We have kept our senses keen and this can often make us slightly outcast/other. I see artists not just doing it because we have to, but also that we are conduits for what is going on in society as a whole. What is brewing up in the macrocosm of the world, bubbles up in the microcosm of our work. As conduits we are forced to express this frustration, rage, joy, wonder, curiosity, questioning… We reflect in our work the trends, and the worries and the questions of all the humans. That’s the job, isn’t it?

and what else could we do with all this energy!?

thanks for your words Bill

Clare

Comment on Smaller Art by billharley

billharley — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:23:27 +0000

Thanks Marni. You’re great. I remember Aditya well. Who knows, maybe he’ll be a physicist/storyteller.

Comment on Smaller Art by billharley

billharley — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 03:22:29 +0000

Thanks so much, Annette. Give my best to your kids, and thanks for supporting Dylan – very proud of him.

Comment on Smaller Art by Annette Magjuka

Annette Magjuka — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 02:43:31 +0000

My kids and I saw many of your small shows at the Greenwood, IN library; the Indianapolis Library; and the Indianapolis Storytelling Festival. One time when my son (now 24) was about 6, he made you a mug. He was shy in those days, but really wanted to give you this gift. You were so gracious, and took the mug on stage and drank water from it throughout the performance. He still remembers this kindness. We love your music, and my 30 year old, 24 year old and 22 year old kids still bring up specific songs–”Remember My Dog Sam? Zanzibar? You’re in Trouble?” You made a difference. I am happy to see that your son is making music (I contributed to his Kickstarter fund!) Thank you for many hours of listening, and wonderful “small” performances. We will never forget.

Comment on Smaller Art by marnigillard

marnigillard — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 20:41:19 +0000

Bill, thanks for this noticing and reflecting on what makes all this small work JOY. I want you to know you made an indelible mark on the Hindu boy – Aditya Agashe – at Timpanagos as Youth Storytelling champ – by asking him to “open” for your set. THAT was his highlight – an adult artist treating him like a peer. He went on to perform at CT fest in late April and others treated him so as well. We small work folks will probably “lose” him to a big well-paying science career as he starts up at Cornell, but the artist in him lives, because of no small act of yours. This Children at the Well interfaith troupe (while “small” in ways) has been such rewarding work.

Comment on Smaller Art by megan hicks

megan hicks — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 13:42:39 +0000

Yep.

Comment on Smaller Art by billharley

billharley — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:14:26 +0000

Thank you, Kathy!

Comment on Smaller Art by Christina Lemmo

Christina Lemmo — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 02:11:49 +0000

Hey Bill,
You weren’t at our All Ages Religious Education today, were you? I say this because we talked about gits, talents, interests and intentions. (SMILE). Glad you had such a wonderful time in New Zealand.

Comment on Smaller Art by Kathy Rourke

Kathy Rourke — Sun, 09 Jun 2013 23:20:24 +0000

I think it takes a lot of courage and faith to be an artist. And, I am very thankful for those who are willing to take the risk. While I know you say it is something you have to do, it is not easy. I appreciate and value all those who follow their heart and bring much joy to the rest of us. Thank you!

Comment on The Titanic Quandary – a folk song for families? by LauraS

LauraS — Sun, 02 Jun 2013 18:36:57 +0000

This is how I remember it:

Oh, they built the ship Titanic, to sail the ocean blue.
And they said it was a ship, that the water couldn’t go through.
But the good Lord raised his hand, and said “This ship will never land!”.
It was sad, when the great ship went down

Oh it was sad, it was sad too bad.
It was sad when the great ship went down,
To the bottom of the sea-e-e-e
(Husbands and wives, little kiddies lost their lives)
It was said when the great ship went down.

Oh they were not far from England, and they were not far from shore,
When the rich refused, to associate with the poor.
So they put them down below, where they’d be the first to go.
It was sad, when the great ship went down

Oh they through the lifeboats over, into the foaming sea,
When the band struck up to ‘Nearer My God To Thee’.
Little kiddies screamed and cried, as they all went down and died.
It was sad, when the great ship went down

Oh it was sad, it was sad too bad.
It was sad when the great ship went down,
To the bottom of the sea-e-e-e
(Fishies and turtles, little guppies lost their girdles)
It was sad when the great ship went down!
Ker plunk, it sunk, like junk, P-U!