GramFest, Gene Clark Tribute ..BYRDS!!!! See ya there!!!

Mur · September 28th, 2005, 10:41 PM

Hope you local tele nuts are coming out this Fri and Sat to a major music party in the high desert, Joshua Tree. Hot bands I know of this year: Jesse Harris's Rancho Deluxe (and is Flying Burrito Brother friends), Terry Hanson (my fave country band), HonkyTonk Train, which contain great singin, Teles, and pedal steel, and a couple dozen more. And lucky me, festival promoter Jon McKinney will be sittin' in on Byrds tunes with my new unruly band. So, see ya there! (find me in the beer line!).

http://www.gramfest.com/

stephent2 · September 29th, 2005, 12:01 AM

Please check out my good friend Bill Sheffield who's leaving in the morn to play at GramFest. Bill's a local Atlanta Hero and the Barbeque Bob of our generation!

http://www.billsheffieldblues.com/

jjh37854 · September 29th, 2005, 12:12 AM

ya should be fun, my dad (ex FBB) is gonna come out and do the set with me.

lotsa good tunes and hot pickin to be had in the desert this weekend

hope to see some of ya out there

Jesse

Mur · September 29th, 2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

my dad (ex FBB) is gonna come out and do the set with me.

Lookin' forward to it. Will we be seein' other Burrito Brothers as well?

jjh37854 · September 29th, 2005, 07:06 PM

I have no idea, so far its just my pops and myself, we decided to do the 2 guitar thing as opposed to me playing steel or hiring a steel player. I have had to learn Pete's parts on tele and try to approximate the chorusy fuzzy sound Pete got in the later days, so if you see me play that night just know this, I usually do not soak my tone in chorus....lol

and if you hang around, later I will be playing with Terry Hanson and I will be back to my twangy Buckkersfield self.

Twangmeister · September 29th, 2005, 07:38 PM

Wish I could come check it out, but I'm in "cover gig" mode this weekend. One of the first things I did when I moved to LA was to go out to the Joshua Tree site where Gram's "wake" was held and pay homage. And watch out for those Riverside fires on the way out....

Mur and Jesse, thanks for the props on the web site. I know my stuff's not traditional/retro/whatever, but you can be sure that there's plenty of Graham and Clarence swimming through my blood.

We all have to get together and twang soon!

flyingb54 · September 30th, 2005, 12:43 PM

I think a tribute to Gram is cool and all that..but in my humble opinion Gene Clark was one of the biggest "unsung" heros of California folk / country rock.

It was Genes deeply sensitive & personal songwriting and singing that added equally to the distict sound of the Byrds. When he left that band there was a void that was always obvious in latter day Byrds recordings. Just listen and compare.

I was a huge fan of Gene's and had the honor to have played on one of his final sessions in LA.
The Byrds impacted me with their harmonies and incredible songs and Gene Clark was a HUGE part of that influence & legacy..Yet, I see all this focus focus on Gram (with all due respect) and very little respect paid to Clark..
I think both were inovator,s but it was Gene who helped form the Byrds and give it their trademark sound, along with Roger & David. More than Gram, Gene was a heavy influence on my musical tray.

Im glad theres a tribute for him and Im only sorry I couldn't be there.
JB
www.johnbeland.com

Tim Armstrong · September 30th, 2005, 01:18 PM

How cool! As I clicked on this thread, Dillard and Clark was playing on my computer, Gene singing "Polly". What a great, great singer and songwriter, and purely star-crossed!

Have fun, guys, wish I was there!

Cheers, Tim

Twin Reiver · September 30th, 2005, 01:29 PM

It's funny that it simultaneously honors Gene Clark and Gram Parsons. There was no love lost between those guys. Clark once famously said that when he dies, he'll know he has gone to Hell if Gram Parsons is there.

It's great that Clark is being recognized, though. Parsons was cool and all, had cool friends and cool clothes and lots of potential, but Gene Clark was on a whole 'nother level, and deserves all the praise he gets.

Mur · September 30th, 2005, 03:56 PM

I think location had alot to do with it, cuz Gram hung out in Joshua Tree. But I know that festival promotor, Jon McKinney, is a huge Gene Clark fan. And Gene Clark's son, Kai, performs there. I think of the festival more as the Gene Clark Tribute too.

jjh37854 · September 30th, 2005, 04:30 PM

Leaving town now, see ya all out there

Ill be playing at pappy and harriots tonight with Terry Hanson, Mur if you make it over there bring you gear, your wlecome to come sit in a bit. Even if you only bring a guitar we can both plug into my Pro.

jesse

Paul in Colorado · October 2nd, 2005, 12:57 AM

I've heard Crosby say that the Byrds ended when Gene left.
Play well, and carry the spirit of the departed Byrds with you.

BrianF · October 3rd, 2005, 04:00 AM

Let's hear some reviews of Gramfest from those that went!

Mur · October 4th, 2005, 02:10 AM

I'm guessin' whoever was there isn't a poster here. But it was basically everybody else, then my band! HEE! ...We blew out the PA after Lover Of The Bayou or Eight Miles High. Jane did some sweet Emmylou songs (as only she can do)..then we did originals and Byrds. Hoots and hollers kept the band cookin' for an extra long set ..maybe the longest at Gramfest? ..right before us, Jesse Harris and his dad played and were quite hot ..lots of Burrito vibe there. And Fred Stuart (you know! ..veteran Custom Shop Tele builder) ..his band sounded like a record of Grateful Dead playing thru the PA system, but it was Fred! ..Oh, and promoter Jon McKinney got up with his '64 360/12 and played "She Don't Care About Time" and Turn! Turn! Turn!. The Fest was nice ...looking forward to the next.

Jon C · October 4th, 2005, 10:14 AM

cool, Mur, wish I could've been there, we visited Joshua Tree last March/April, very spiritual place.

I love(d) both Gram & Gene Clark and second all the thoughts.

One of the most memorable shows I've ever seen was Roger McGuinn & Gene Clark, just the two of 'em with acoustic guitars, at the Paradise in Boston (1979?)... they went on and on with one great song after another and they were totally in synch musically/rhythmically and vocally, it was really stunning.

I miss 'em both (Gram and Gene) a lot.

Jon

stephent2 · October 4th, 2005, 12:33 PM

This about my Buddy Bill sheffield's performance. Hope some of you all saw him,

"Bill Sheffield had a very successful weekend at the Gram Fest in Joshua Tree, California. It was the first time in the 10 year historyof the festival, that a solo acoustic performance received a standing ovation and an encore. It was beautiful to witness. They even brought Bill back for two more performances the following day. Joshua Tree is in the high Desert and it was if we were dropped off on another planet...awesome and mind blowing country. Today we were having to re-enter earth and it was difficult"!

September 28th, 2005, 10:41 PM	#1 (permalink)
Mur Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 772	GramFest, Gene Clark Tribute ..BYRDS!!!! See ya there!!! Hope you local tele nuts are coming out this Fri and Sat to a major music party in the high desert, Joshua Tree. Hot bands I know of this year: Jesse Harris's Rancho Deluxe (and is Flying Burrito Brother friends), Terry Hanson (my fave country band), HonkyTonk Train, which contain great singin, Teles, and pedal steel, and a couple dozen more. And lucky me, festival promoter Jon McKinney will be sittin' in on Byrds tunes with my new unruly band. So, see ya there! (find me in the beer line!). http://www.gramfest.com/ __________________ http://www.myspace.com/learstevens

September 29th, 2005, 12:01 AM	#2 (permalink)
stephent2 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA. Age: 57 Posts: 2,510 20 Photos	Please check out my good friend Bill Sheffield who's leaving in the morn to play at GramFest. Bill's a local Atlanta Hero and the Barbeque Bob of our generation! http://www.billsheffieldblues.com/ __________________ ".. Pine cones go in here (points to still), party liquors comes out here and proceed to here (mouth). Fights begin, finger prints are took, days is lost, bail is made, court dates are ignored, cycle is repeated". -- Earlie Cuyler, Squidbillies

September 29th, 2005, 07:38 PM	#6 (permalink)
Twangmeister Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lost Angeles, CA Posts: 1,251	Have a blast, fellas... Wish I could come check it out, but I'm in "cover gig" mode this weekend. One of the first things I did when I moved to LA was to go out to the Joshua Tree site where Gram's "wake" was held and pay homage. And watch out for those Riverside fires on the way out.... Mur and Jesse, thanks for the props on the web site. I know my stuff's not traditional/retro/whatever, but you can be sure that there's plenty of Graham and Clarence swimming through my blood. We all have to get together and twang soon! __________________ "The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not mov'd with concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." http://www.myspace.com/jeremendelsohn

September 30th, 2005, 12:43 PM	#7 (permalink)
flyingb54 Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: BRENHAM TEXAS Age: 59 Posts: 811	Gene Clark I think a tribute to Gram is cool and all that..but in my humble opinion Gene Clark was one of the biggest "unsung" heros of California folk / country rock. It was Genes deeply sensitive & personal songwriting and singing that added equally to the distict sound of the Byrds. When he left that band there was a void that was always obvious in latter day Byrds recordings. Just listen and compare. I was a huge fan of Gene's and had the honor to have played on one of his final sessions in LA. The Byrds impacted me with their harmonies and incredible songs and Gene Clark was a HUGE part of that influence & legacy..Yet, I see all this focus focus on Gram (with all due respect) and very little respect paid to Clark.. I think both were inovator,s but it was Gene who helped form the Byrds and give it their trademark sound, along with Roger & David. More than Gram, Gene was a heavy influence on my musical tray. Im glad theres a tribute for him and Im only sorry I couldn't be there. JB www.johnbeland.com __________________ "Son, that has nothing to do with nothin'"....Bill Monroe

September 30th, 2005, 01:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
Tim Armstrong Moderator Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Berlin, Maryland, USA Age: 49 Posts: 9,720	How cool! As I clicked on this thread, Dillard and Clark was playing on my computer, Gene singing "Polly". What a great, great singer and songwriter, and purely star-crossed! Have fun, guys, wish I was there! Cheers, Tim __________________ http://www.moodswingers.org

September 29th, 2005, 12:12 AM	#3 (permalink)
jjh37854 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Francisco Age: 35 Posts: 1,163 7 Photos	ya should be fun, my dad (ex FBB) is gonna come out and do the set with me. lotsa good tunes and hot pickin to be had in the desert this weekend hope to see some of ya out there Jesse

September 29th, 2005, 07:06 PM	#5 (permalink)
jjh37854 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Francisco Age: 35 Posts: 1,163 7 Photos	I have no idea, so far its just my pops and myself, we decided to do the 2 guitar thing as opposed to me playing steel or hiring a steel player. I have had to learn Pete's parts on tele and try to approximate the chorusy fuzzy sound Pete got in the later days, so if you see me play that night just know this, I usually do not soak my tone in chorus....lol and if you hang around, later I will be playing with Terry Hanson and I will be back to my twangy Buckkersfield self.

September 30th, 2005, 01:29 PM	#9 (permalink)
Twin Reiver Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 588	Funny It's funny that it simultaneously honors Gene Clark and Gram Parsons. There was no love lost between those guys. Clark once famously said that when he dies, he'll know he has gone to Hell if Gram Parsons is there. It's great that Clark is being recognized, though. Parsons was cool and all, had cool friends and cool clothes and lots of potential, but Gene Clark was on a whole 'nother level, and deserves all the praise he gets. __________________ never got a flash out of cocktails....

September 30th, 2005, 03:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
Mur Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 772	I think location had alot to do with it, cuz Gram hung out in Joshua Tree. But I know that festival promotor, Jon McKinney, is a huge Gene Clark fan. And Gene Clark's son, Kai, performs there. I think of the festival more as the Gene Clark Tribute too. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/learstevens

September 30th, 2005, 04:30 PM	#11 (permalink)
jjh37854 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: San Francisco Age: 35 Posts: 1,163 7 Photos	Leaving town now, see ya all out there Ill be playing at pappy and harriots tonight with Terry Hanson, Mur if you make it over there bring you gear, your wlecome to come sit in a bit. Even if you only bring a guitar we can both plug into my Pro. jesse

October 2nd, 2005, 12:57 AM	#12 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 55 Posts: 4,341 3 Photos	I've heard Crosby say that the Byrds ended when Gene left. Play well, and carry the spirit of the departed Byrds with you.

October 3rd, 2005, 04:00 AM	#13 (permalink)
BrianF Friend of Leo's Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Carlsbad, Ca Posts: 2,155 7 Photos	Gramfest Reviews??? Let's hear some reviews of Gramfest from those that went!

October 4th, 2005, 02:10 AM	#14 (permalink)
Mur Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: California Posts: 772	I'm guessin' whoever was there isn't a poster here. But it was basically everybody else, then my band! HEE! ...We blew out the PA after Lover Of The Bayou or Eight Miles High. Jane did some sweet Emmylou songs (as only she can do)..then we did originals and Byrds. Hoots and hollers kept the band cookin' for an extra long set ..maybe the longest at Gramfest? ..right before us, Jesse Harris and his dad played and were quite hot ..lots of Burrito vibe there. And Fred Stuart (you know! ..veteran Custom Shop Tele builder) ..his band sounded like a record of Grateful Dead playing thru the PA system, but it was Fred! ..Oh, and promoter Jon McKinney got up with his '64 360/12 and played "She Don't Care About Time" and Turn! Turn! Turn!. The Fest was nice ...looking forward to the next. __________________ http://www.myspace.com/learstevens

October 4th, 2005, 10:14 AM	#15 (permalink)
Jon C Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mid-Atlantic USA Posts: 225	cool, Mur, wish I could've been there, we visited Joshua Tree last March/April, very spiritual place. I love(d) both Gram & Gene Clark and second all the thoughts. One of the most memorable shows I've ever seen was Roger McGuinn & Gene Clark, just the two of 'em with acoustic guitars, at the Paradise in Boston (1979?)... they went on and on with one great song after another and they were totally in synch musically/rhythmically and vocally, it was really stunning. I miss 'em both (Gram and Gene) a lot. Jon

October 4th, 2005, 12:33 PM	#16 (permalink)
stephent2 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA. Age: 57 Posts: 2,510 20 Photos	This about my Buddy Bill sheffield's performance. Hope some of you all saw him, "Bill Sheffield had a very successful weekend at the Gram Fest in Joshua Tree, California. It was the first time in the 10 year historyof the festival, that a solo acoustic performance received a standing ovation and an encore. It was beautiful to witness. They even brought Bill back for two more performances the following day. Joshua Tree is in the high Desert and it was if we were dropped off on another planet...awesome and mind blowing country. Today we were having to re-enter earth and it was difficult"! __________________ ".. Pine cones go in here (points to still), party liquors comes out here and proceed to here (mouth). Fights begin, finger prints are took, days is lost, bail is made, court dates are ignored, cycle is repeated". -- Earlie Cuyler, Squidbillies