Odetta has passed away, but her voice, songs and committment to civil rights will endure…
December 03, 2008
By TIM WEINER
Published: December 3, 2008
Odetta, the singer whose deep voice wove together the strongest songs of American folk music
and the civil rights movement, died on Tuesday at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan. She was 77.
The cause was heart disease, said her manager, Doug Yeager. He added that she had been hoping to sing at Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Odetta sang at coffeehouses and at Carnegie Hall, made highly influential recordings of blues and ballads, and became one of the most widely
known folk-music artists of the 1950s and ’60s. She was a formative influence on dozens of artists, including Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Janis Joplin.
Her voice was an accompaniment to the black-and-white images of the freedom marchers who walked the roads of Alabama and
Mississippi and the boulevards of Washington in the quest to end racial discrimination.
Rosa Parks, the woman who started the boycott of segregated buses in Montgomery, Ala., was once asked which songs
meant the most to her. She replied, “All of the songs Odetta sings.”
Odetta sang at the march on Washington, a pivotal event in the civil rights movement, in August 1963.
Her song that day was “O Freedom,” dating to slavery days: “O freedom, O freedom, O freedom over me,
And before I’d be a slave, I’d be buried in my grave, And go home to my Lord and be free.”
Odetta Holmes was born in Birmingham, Ala., on Dec. 31, 1930, in the depths of the Depression.
The music of that time and place — particularly prison songs and work songs recorded in the fields
of the Deep South — shaped her life.
“They were liberation songs,” she said in a videotaped interview with The New York Times in 2007 for
its online feature “The Last Word.” “You’re walking down life’s road, society’s foot is on your throat,
every which way you turn you can’t get from under that foot. And you reach a fork in the road and you can
either lie down and die, or insist upon your life.”
Her father, Reuben Holmes, died when she was young, and in 1937 she and her mother,
Flora Sanders, moved to Los Angeles. Three years later, Odetta discovered that she could sing.
“A teacher told my mother that I had a voice, that maybe I should study,” she recalled. “But I myself
didn’t have anything to measure it by.”
She found her own voice by listening to blues, jazz and folk music from the African-American and
Anglo-American traditions. She earned a music degree from Los Angeles City College. Her training in
classical music and musical theater was “a nice exercise, but it had nothing to do with my life,” she said.
“The folk songs were — the anger,” she emphasized.
In a 2005 National Public Radio interview, she said: “School taught me how to count and taught me how to put a
sentence together. But as far as the human spirit goes, I learned through folk music.”
In 1950, Odetta began singing professionally in a West Coast production of the musical “Finian’s Rainbow,” but she
found a stronger calling in the bohemian coffeehouses of San Francisco. “We would finish our play, we’d go to the joint,
and people would sit around playing guitars and singing songs and it felt like home,” she said.
She began singing in nightclubs, cutting a striking figure with her guitar and her close-cropped hair.
Her voice plunged deep and soared high, and her songs blended the personal and the political, the theatrical and the
spiritual. Her first solo album, “Odetta Sings Ballads and Blues,” resonated with an audience hearing old songs made new.
Bob Dylan, referring to that recording, said in a 1978 interview, “The first thing that turned me on to folk singing was Odetta.”
He said he heard something “vital and personal,” and added, “I learned all the songs on that record.” It was her first, and the songs
were “Mule Skinner,” “Jack of Diamonds,” “Water Boy,” “ ’Buked and Scorned.”
Her blues and spirituals led directly to her work for the civil rights movement. They were two rivers running together, she said in
her interview with The Times. The words and music captured “the fury and frustration that I had growing up.”
Her fame hit a peak in 1963, when she marched with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and performed for President John F. Kennedy.
But after King was assassinated in 1968, the wind went out of the sails of the civil rights movement and the songs of protest and
resistance that had been the movement’s soundtrack. Odetta’s fame flagged for years thereafter.
In 1999 President Bill Clinton awarded Odetta the National Endowment for the Arts Medal of the Arts and Humanities.
She was singing and performing well into the 21st century, and her influence stayed strong.
In April 2007, half a century after Bob Dylan first heard her, she was on stage at a Carnegie Hall tribute to
Bruce Springsteen. She turned one of his songs, “57 Channels,” into a chanted poem, and Mr. Springsteen came out
from the wings to call it “the greatest version” of the song he had ever heard.
Reviewing a December 2006 performance, James Reed of The Boston Globe wrote: “Odetta’s voice is still a
force of nature — something commented upon endlessly as folks exited the auditorium — and her phrasing
and sensibility for a song have grown more complex and shaded.”
The critic called her “a majestic figure in American music, a direct gateway to bygone generations that feel so foreign today.”
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:34 am
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Dear People of the World…
in India...I copied the letter I wrote to her and changed the address to
"People of the World" because I want anyone who stumbles upon my blog
to hear my plea....
Dear People of the World...
It is a sad statement when members of the human race decide that they are
free to terrorize, humiliate, murder and torture others because of
absurd and mentally unbalanced beliefs. (And I include those in the U.S.
government who have aided and abetted on the side of torture, kidnapping,
and holding people without legal representation or justification.)
I completely agree with my friend, Nahid, who has condemned the heinous
acts in India that these murderers should be brought
to justice. It is horrifying what they created.
My prayer for 2009 is that people who believe that killing (innocents,
killing those of different faiths, different countries, gender, sexual
orientation or ethnicities) is the best solution to whatever radical
thinking or politically minded statements they want to make, my prayer is
that these people have an awakening. That something shakes them to the core
to WAKE THEM UP to the reality that life is sacred, to be respected and we
are to learn to communicate and work with one another on issues.
There ARE alternatives to violence. Killing only leads to more violence
and bloodshed. God help these blood thirsty people, help them to see the truth, whoever
and wherever they are around this world. Help them to come to their senses and stop this
senseless bloodshed, heartache and terror.
Thank you, Nahid, for all the love and peace you bring to all of us.
God bless you and your family, and all of those reading this email.
In Grace and Gratitude,
Your friend,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:23 am
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How Surreal Life is….
December 02, 2008
wrote to tell me how much he loved the song, "Salvador", and then he asked if he could include the lyrics of mine in his
magazine about Salvador Dali. I was so stoked! Since my lyrics mirrored the early days of Dali's beginnings, and then
became a surreal recollection of his life, I was honored and thrilled that someone who also loved Dali would appreciate
my song. So, over the years, Paul and I traded letters and books and, on occassion, Paul would send me something
from an art opening that had to do with Dali, as well. Tonight, I just got this letter from him, and he included a link.
If you love Dali as much as we do, click it on: quite surprising, but not surprising, for Dali was always the first, last
and eternal to know! And, once again, he beats us to the punch.
Surreally,
Sarali
Sara,
FYI: check me out, and my pals, by clicking on the button marked "A
Remarkable Story," at http://www.dalicatalog.net.
Dali is as light as a Hickman-inspired angel!
Viva Dali!
Your Dali Brother in Buffalo,
Paul
posted by Sara Hickman at 05:54 pm
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Oh, my gosh! I wish you were here so you could be laughing as hard as I am
November 30, 2008
posted by Sara Hickman at 03:46 pm
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A Christmas Poem
who choose to defend others they do not even know. I know I would earnestly give up my life to save those I
love, so I can understand those that choose to sacrifice their lives in honor of others. My fervent wish for 2009
(and beyond) is that the human race can find peaceful alternatives to war all over this world. Perhaps we will
learn how to communicate and work together in new ways that resolve conflict. That is my hope.
But for now...My mom sent me this poem, and I wanted to share it with you.
Love,
Sara
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know, Then the
sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
'What are you doing?' I asked without fear,
'Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!'
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts.
To the window that danced with a warm fire's light
Then he sighed and he said 'Its really all right,
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.'
'It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ' Pearl on a day in December,'
Then he sighed, 'That's a Christmas 'Gram always remembers.'
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ' Nam ',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.'
' So go back inside,' he said, 'harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all right.'
'But isn't there something I can do, at the least,
'Give you money,' I asked, 'or prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your son.'
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
'Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.'
PLEASE, would you do me the kind favor of sending this to as many
people as you can? Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to
our U.S service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in
this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.
Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq
posted by Sara Hickman at 02:16 pm
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Please vote for AFTERMATH, my friend, Livvy’s, band!
November 25, 2008
the $25, 000 award to help fix up her arboretum.....which she won! So thank you a thousand times
and a zillion cupcakes of love for that support...Now, I'm coming to you to ask you to help Livvy (who
plays bass and sings in Super Pal Universe) with her other band, AFTERMATH, to gain more exposure by
winning the Texas School Jam contest.
Livvy's band AfterMath was great enough to be picked as one of the semi-finalists! The deal is this: the top six bands
with the most votes goes to the finals. If they make the finals and win, then they will be going to Germany to perform on MTV!!!
And Livvy's school music program would get a terrific grant.
So please vote! Registration is simple and quick (your name and your email) and then follow instructions below:
GO HERE: http://namm.promo.eprize.com/schooljamtexas/
GO TO PAGE 4: Look for "AfterMath" , select their star rating and push the vote button for them.
You can vote once a day for one band.
Voting continues until Jan. 31st and each time you vote you are entered for prizes. You can vote everyday!
I'm going to vote once a day!
The band would really love that and it increase your chances to win a prize).
So please vote early and vote often!!
And please feel free to pass this along to anyone who might be interested.
Thank you for taking the time to read this email and for supporting kids' music as wonderful as my friend,
Livvy's!
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 04:51 am
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And now…drumroll…a joke from my Mom!
November 20, 2008
bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the
bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried
and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only
polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of
to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary.
Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot
yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even
ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and
put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and
kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep
was heard for over a minute.
Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly open the door to the
freezer, the parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms
and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and
actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions
and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and
unforgivable behavior."
John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about
to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his
behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?"
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
posted by Sara Hickman at 02:37 pm
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Fun Way to Help CARE COMMUNITIES/Austin Capital Area Food Bank!
November 19, 2008
I know everyone is probably already helping a variety of charities
due to the problems with the economy and so many groups needed
additional assistance this year....BUT...if you are looking for
a fun way you and your kids/family can help, please check this out:
Care Communities has a Christmas tree decorated at the South Austin Lacks contest...The tree that gets the most canned/boxed food goods under it's tree by December will win a cash prize from Lacks, and the foodstuffs gathered from under all the trees on display will ALL go to Capital Area Foodbank.
This year, there are only THREE trees competing, so Care Communities has a great chance of winning...if you can help, please visit the tree and put your canned goods underneath!
The Lacks is behind Furrs Cafeteria at South Lamar and Ben White (near the Target).
Thank you!
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 05:24 pm
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This is all I want for Christmas….
November 17, 2008
love,
sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 05:45 pm
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This Morning’s Gifts…This Afternoon’s Dancing…A shooting star
November 16, 2008
These are beautiful photographs from this morning's House The Homeless Sunrise Service.
Tears were flowing...and after every song, some kind soul would be standing next to me,
notice I had no gloves, and offer me theirs to wear. I wore five different pairs this morning.
It made me think of the arc of life...we are strangers, others are strangers to us, but in
the crowd along life's path, people offer their kindness when they see we are seeking
something or someone. It made me wish the whole world remembered the homeless
this way...Finding an end to the suffering of those we do not know when they are cold,
confused, lost or hungry. I so wish this with all my heart.
Please view the photos...they speak volumes more than I could ever say...Please come
next year...I challenged those there this morning to bring 10 friends each next year.
And then Richard Troxell was speaking of how he hopes there won't be a need for
a memorial service next year, and I had to bow my head and pray his words
become true....Dear God, let there be an end to suffering...It seems like
such a gigantic prayer, but I will not retract my hope...
EQUALITY NOW was a wonderful afternoon and a lovely close to a weekend of
music...The two women bartenders danced and danced with one another
as I sang with all my heart to families gathered to talk about equality for
all....gay, straight, bisexaul, transgendered (although no one mentioned
the last two groups today..)...I sang Paul Hudson's "Always a Saint" in honor
of parents involved in PFLAG and all the parents who love their children...period.
They just love their children...no ifs, ands or buts....
I brought along one of the two most exquisite handbeaded and handmade
broochs that my dear mentor, Margery Clive, gave me earlier this year when
I ran into her on a flight...which was fantastic, flying thousands of feet above
the air catching up with someone who helped transform, and save, my life...
And, there, out of her handbag, she pulled these lovely gifts she had
been carrying around to give me for who knows how long and I was
deeply touched....In honor of Margery and all the love she has
shared with me, I told the audience at Equality Now that I was donating
one of my precious gifts to the highest bidder...and it went to
a happy couple...the husband donated $500 to Equality Now!!!
Astounding!
Came home to a delicious dinner Lance created---rice, broiled salmon
and green and yellow squash. I was ravenous! Lily, io, Lance and I
ate and laughed and talked about the weekend...I was starting some
gingerbread cookie dough, wrapped it in a plastic bag and placed it in
the fridge to harden...then Lily and I rolled it out and iolana cut the
gingerbread people and we put them on the cookie trays and into the
oven....while they were baking, I whipped up the homemade butter icing
recipe and got down some red hots, jimmies, sprinkles and miniature
chocolate chips to decorate the cookies with once they were baked
and cooled... and then the girls
and I watched THE HARDY BOYS/NANCY DREW ADVENTURES on
tv...we have this hilarious retro channel on tv...we don't have cable, just
regular old tv....so we watched an episode and what a blast...I STILL love
Parker Stevenson....he played Frank, which iolana thought was the
best name ever and she said, "Frank! Frank! Frank!" all the way
into her pajamas and while she threw on a mask with feathers, wanting
to go outside and kiss Lily, who was, by then, laying under a mass of
blankets on our hammock, so out we went into the chill of the star filled
night, io and Lily giggling and then back in the house to tuck io into
bed and then back outside with a robe for Lily and a robe on me...
I warmed this lavender neck warmer and placed it around Lily's neck,
put some socks on her feet, and crawled in under the blankets with her and
we rocked and stared at the stars....I told her I wished I could see a shooting
star....and, about 10 minutes later, there one went...streaming across the sky...
I was excited and animated and Lily immediately said, "I wish that Mommy
would get her song "Edward" in the next "Twilight" movie!"
She was starting to fall asleep after about twenty minutes...it did feel
so soothing out in the cool, crisp air, snuggled together under the blankets,
but I helped her up and out and into the house, and re-tucked her into
her bed, kissing her forehead....
More than anything, I love being here....I love being a mom.
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:53 pm
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S’More Event Last Night/Homeless Sunrise Service This Morning
enjoyed a delicious meal (courtesy of a terrific adult Girl Scout) that included grilled portabella mushrooms, a fantastic
creamey, cheesy sweet potato and carrot casserole and a side of steamed asparagus. The starter was a cranberry, goat cheese
and spinach salad. The ending was a chocolatey, gooey marshmallowy looking yummy thing that I took one bite of and
had to smile...there was a long stick with three miniature marshamallows that we were encouraged to toast over the candles
on our tables. I felt like I was roasting a tiny Snowman. He was impeccably tasty!
All the ladies were drinking wineor chocolate martinis! Whoo!
I saw beautiful art and jewelry on display for the women to purchase with 20% of all sales going to the Girl Scouts of Central
Texas. You see, this was a fundraiser by fabulous women for fabulous women to raise awareness and money for Girl Scouts...
22, 000 Girl Scouts! And I was the entertainment...a sing-a-long with Sara 'round the campfire...which, gratefully,
we held inside next to a HUGE fireplace...we sang Beatles and James Taylor and Rolling Stones and Carly Simon and
Eagles and Aretha Franklin, Joni Mitchell, John Denver, Partridge Family, Girl Scout camp songs, Jim Croce, Barbara Striesand
and all SORTS of songs...! It was HILARIOUS and touching...at one point, I almost starting bawling on "You Make Me Feel Like
A Natural Woman" when all the women were standing, arms around one another, singing their hearts out, free hands raised and
waving in the air...Bee-yoo-ti-ful! I hope I get to do this AGAIN!!!! Total blast, total love...
PLUS! AND THIS IS BONUS MATERIAL!!!! My girls' peditrician, Dr. Elaine Hamilton ((512) 327-1177), was
SITTING IN A CHAIR right ACROSS from me for the whole sing-a-long and what a treat THAT was cuz I've always thought,
"Gosh, Dr. Hamilton is SOOOO cool...I wish we could be friends..." cuz you know how your doctor, when you really like them,
is sort of, like, a demi-god or something? Well, there we were, singing at the top of our lungs, and when I'd forget a lyric,
I'd look over at Dr. Hamilton and she'd KNOW THE WORDS!!! How INCREDIBLY COOL IS SHE!?
Yep, and THEN....then!...get THIS!...she says, "I really want to carry your guitars out to the car!" NO FREAKIN' WAY!
I was like, "Are you sure?...They are really heavy...So nice of you to ask, but..." and she was like, "I am carrying these guitars!"
And, wow....She did and it was such a help and then we hug and now I'm FRIENDS WITH MY DOCTOR!!!! Righteous!
Yea....and, then, she goes, "Well, I think I'll walk down to the dock and watch the stars..." And, wow. Off she goes,
in the dark, WITHOUT A FLASHLIGHT through the woods and I'm thinking,
"She's not only smart and STRONG but FEARLESS, too. Kick-ass!"
Ok, hopped in my car, listened to some major rock music on the way home (Incubus...The Killers...) and it was, oh,
I don't know...11:30ish...Lance came out and helped me carry the guitars in...I was falling asleep, but then we sat on
the couch and watched Beyonce....did anyone else see those outfits? Huh?....barmaids on steroids with some
serious head-jammin' and an ALL FEMALE BAND! WOW! And Paul Rudd. Could he be
more charming?
Went to bed. Did not sleep a wink.
More when I get back about this morning....off to see "Quantam of Solace" with Lance and Lily....whoo-hoo!
Daniel Craig....BEST JAMES BOND EVAH!!!!!!
Love,
You know who
P.S. Grateful my lettuce did not freeze in the freeze last night! Thank you, Lettuce God of the Garden
for watching over my fragile friends!
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:34 am
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Catching up!
November 15, 2008
So, playing catch up....Let's start with last weekend:
Saturday Night: November 8, 2008: KOLANOWSKI HOUSE CONCERT
Ok, first of all, let me say I LOVE GREG AND KIM KOLANOWSKI!!!!! They are really, really, really fabulous human beings and I am only
sorry I have seen them at shows for the last, what? 18 years!??, and only NOW getting to know them!
1) they have a super cool house...feng shui-ed out the wazoo and comfy and so many delightful photos and tchatchke's to look at...
2) they have cats...fluffy, nice, friendly cats that come when you stick out your finger and say "meow"...the universal sign for humans
to show cats they care
3) they have cool friends
4) they serve great food
5) super comfy bed
6) great space for a house concert AND they build me a SET!!!!!!!! twice now...i feel like a ZILLION BUCKS when i go there!
7) Greg's eyes well up with compassion whenever we talk about emotional, touching subjects. Ok, that totally ROCKS in my
book. Men whose eyes well up are A+ men. And Kim has a TWINKLE IN HER EYE! I don't know why I'm talking about their eyes
so much cuz I know Greg is going to read this blog and think, "Wait...was I tearing up that much?" or Kim might think, "Am I twinkly?
I didn't know I was so twinkly!" but it is all EXCEPTIONALLY WONDERFUL so don't read this blog entry, Greg, and go changin' a thing
for I will be very sad sad sad if you do.
Boy! The three of us just talked and talked and talked and then we talked some more and I couldn't LEAVE cuz I didn't want to stop talking and listening and laughing. Just A+ folks. And now we are FRIENDS! Do you know how COOL that is? Man, my job ROCKS EXTRA HARD when I get new friends
out of the deal!
And...They are thinking of inviting Betty Soo for the next one. AND I SAY THAT IS THE PERFECT person to
add to their series. I think they should be choosy! Not just ANYONE can do a KH concert, you know what I mean? They have
to be extra groovy musicians who appreciate QUALITY. And Betty Soo is the PETER PAN peanut butter of singer-songwriters.
(I believe I may have missed going on ad nauseum about Betty Soo...hmm, no wait, I did talk about her after the Folk Alliance, I think...
anyway, she is BRILLIANT and PRESENT and KIND and ADORABLE and SMART and she will fit in STUPENDOUSLY at the Kolanowski House
Concert of Jubilation and Musical Ka-pow!)
Let's see...ah, yes, so the next day!
Saturday, November 9: CORTLANDT STREET HOUSE CONCERT
MAN! Why didn't I FILM this event? I do not know. Because I am a DOPE, that is why because let me say this...
ANOTHER COMPLETELY awesome fun time with a BUNCH and I mean A TON of incredible kids who had ALL OF US in stitches!
I'm starting to really get into having the kids give feedback/thoughts/comments during a show...just amazing the stuff they come up with
and out of left field and completely original...Anyway, I LOVE Mary Scott and Daniel and their kids and all their friends kids and kids
should run this country, I'm telling you...things would make a lot more sense. Go ahead. Shake your head and call me crazy, but I'm telling you...
kids are GENIUSES! So, this was a spectacular Sunday and I was there right up until about 5:28 and then I popped in the car (after hugging
everybody about 6 gah-zillion times) and drove over to a Walgreens and got some thank you (and and anniversary card) for the Kolanowskis
and then drove over to...
BRUCE'S LOFT CONCERT
....for my last show of the day...and I realized I was starving the minute I walked in sweet Bruce's house because I had forgotten to eat lunch!
So I scarfed down about 12 bowls of pasta salad (mmm, it was delicious!) and then sang about an hour and forty five minutes for a room full
of very appreciative and head bobbin' folks and suddenly I realized I was really tired and packed up, got the gear in the car, drove the four minutes over
to the Kolanowski's, chatted some MORE with them cuz I just couldn't get ENOUGH! (Dear God, I sound like a stalker, but I am not!)
And fell asleep (had wierd dreams so I know I slept some) and then I got up and answered some emails and spent some more time with Greg
and Kim, where they found me sitting in their office (answering emails) and I was pretending to be a elementary school principal and then I morphed into
a guidance counselor and we had some chuckles and then some coffee and bagels and then I was off for the drive home to Austin...
...and that was my weekend last weekend and now...I must drive to Spicewood for my 8:oo show tonight...
I shall have to write about Longview another time, but let me say...whoo doggie! It was ALSO just incredible last night AND I got to
spend time with Jerry and Doris and who could ask for more????
posted by Sara Hickman at 03:28 pm
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A Day in the Life of Woman and her Guitar(s)
November 14, 2008
For aspiring songwriters, musicians, curious blog readers, and anyone who likes to read other people's lists of a day in a life,
here you go. This is what it entails to be a mom/musician/blogger:
4:30 am...get up to let Lucky out to pee
4:32 am...get back up to let Lucky back in the house
6:30 am...alarm goes off...lay in bed anyway
6:45 am...hear husband get up to pee (not outside, so I don't have to open the door for him)
6:50 am...throw off covers while saying a thank you for having covers and go brush teeth
7:00 am...wake up first child with sing-songy "Good Moooorning!" while Lucky jumps on bed and licks child's face
7:01 am...child grumbles as I leave the room that it is too early to get up
7:03 am...I pick up watering can as I walk towards the kitchen
7:04 am...reach other child's room and sing, "Goooood morning!" as giant mound of blankets grumbles "Get out."
7:05 am...filling watering can and large cup with water, scoop cat cup full of cat food
7:06 am...walk outside and water front porch plants, fill cat's water bowl with fresh water, pour in new cat food,
pet happy kitty Mimi. Meow. Think about sitting down for a bit. Sit down and hold cat in lap.
7:10 am...husband has made breakfast...warm tortillas and eggs with cheese. Mmmmmmmm!
7:10 am...husband calls out, "Breakfast is ready!"
7:101/2 am...mom, back in kitchen, rings out, "Breakfast is ready!"
7:11 am...mom and dad start singing, "Breakfast is ready!" in harmony, much to amusement of one child, horror
of other child
7:12 am...family sits down to eat and talk about the day ahead
7:25 am...people start putting on their shoes
7:30 am...one daughter heads out the door for bus
7:32 am...other daughter heads up street to school
7:35 am...phone call from one daughter who needs ride to school because she missed bus. Dad gets ready to go
give a ride.
7:37 am...phone rings from Burundi friend who also missed bus
7:38 am...second phone call from daughter demanding to know where is someone to come take her to school.
Mom intervenes and says dad is on the way. He was in the bathroom and will be right there.
7:39 am...mom calls friend to cover Burundi friend with ride to school on north side of Austin
7:39 1/2 am...third call from impatient daughter, who when informed dad is on the way (as mom watches
car drive by window with dad inside) says over phone: "whatever!"
7:40 am...house is quiet. mom lets dog outside to pee.
7:43 am...mom gets dog food out and feeds dog, refreshes water
7:45 am...mom lets dog back in...(she thinks! hmm.)
7: 47 am...mom sits down to catch up on emails
7:49 am...mom gets up to retrieve cell phone to make sure GPS tracking system is "on" after reading informative
email that warns her it needs to be on
7:55 am...after figuring out how to find the way to turn the GPS system on, which took several minutes, mom
goes to clean kitchen
8:00 am...mom notices lights on in one daughter's room, goes in to turn lights off, then notices bed needs to be spread.
after putting the wet towel up on the towel rack, mom then puts shoes in closet, spreads bed, notices cute photo on daughter's
desk, and walks out in the kitchen and thinks, "Now, what was I doing?"
8:01 am...sits down to desk to read more emails, when there is a knock at the door. nice lady and her dog are returning our dog
which mom forgot to let back in and has escaped yard somehow. Mom jots down note to check out yard later and make sure
no holes in fence.
8:05 am...remembers to go out back and water lettuce plants. They are looking good!
8:20 am...goes to take clothes off hangers from yesterday's laundry and places on bed for trip.
8:30 am...gets guitars out and decides which two to take
8:35 am...repacks cd suitcase with more cds, takes out notes and cd wrappers from last trip, re-organizes suit case so it is
ready for this evening
8:40 am...realizes cds need to be restocked in shelves, so opens boxes and pulls out cds. recognizes that none of the boxes are labeled,
so starts to label so no confusion in the future
8:45 am...gets maps and gig sheets ready for out of town trips
9:00 am...goes to shower and dress for trip
9:03 am...while in the shower, starts to realize she doesn't have oil in car, and will get some as leaving town
9:10 am...gets out of shower, blow dries hair, moisturizes skin, dresses and gets ready for 9:30 am phoner
9:15 am...phone rings and call from Folk Alliance is calling to say we are moving meeting to Monday at same time
9:20 am...start setting up email Thanksgiving cards
9:30 am...put physical mail in the mail box (bills, cards, thank you notes)
9:40 am...start packing car
9:45 am...write on blog
9:49 am...think about the fact I need to write about last weekend at the Kolanowski's, at the Cortlandt house and
Bruce's loft and regret not having time at the moment to do so
10:00 am...start driving to Longview, Tx after printing out an online coupon for a free goodie with purchase of
coffee at Starbucks
10:00 am- 3 pm---Driving to Longview, Tx for gig
HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO
I will most likely stop somewhere along the drive to read the paper and have a bite to eat.
I will be listening to Christmas cds for ideas of new songs to learn for Junior League and Cactus Cafe gigs.
I will be singing big swing songs for DWS practice and calling friends on the phone to catch up.
I will stop at a rest stop, get out my chalk bucket, and draw something fabulous for other travelers to see, while leaving
chalk sticks behind so others can join in the merriment.
I will get to Longview and go to Carla's house, where I am staying.
I'll see my friends, Jerry and Doris, and be very happy about that.
I will call Marilyn, who is now NOT coming to Longview (sad face here on me), but I will call to catch up and see if everything
is alright in her world.
I'll change clothes, put on make-up and get ready for tonight's performance.
I will get to the gig for soundcheck.
I'll tune up guitars and get cds set up for sale.
I will perform two 45 minute sets to a full house of happy, delightful and insightful people in Longview.
I will sell a bunch of cds and decorate them if anyone asks me to...
I'll pack up my guitars and the cds and throw away any trash I might have created (or recycle it, if I'm able.)
I will go back to Carla's house for fun and frivolity.
I will sleep.
I will get up in the morning to pastries and coffee, great conversation, hugs goodbye and hit the road for
my next gig in Spicewood, TX with Girl Scout Leaders (all women...woo-hoo!)
I'll drive the 5 1/2 hours home to unload, repack and change for the evening.
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:50 am
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Super Pal Universe on Docu-bloggers!
November 13, 2008
http://www.klru.org/docubloggers/index.php?page_id=31
Watch the compelling first story...ours is in the middle...
I was told we would be on KLRU tonight at 7:30, so I'm thinking SPU will also be on tv tonight.
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 11:30 am
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PALIN’ BY COMPARISON
November 11, 2008
anyone to anyone else is problematic. So, with that said, I am a bit flumuxed
as to why this idea came to ME, but I was compelled to finish it out.
I think it could be a great history lesson for students to research the women I am
referring to at the end. See if you can recognize all the women and their contributions
to humanity without Googling them first.
Love,
Sara
PALIN’ BY COMPARISON
Words and Music by Sara Hickman
Last week you came a – callin’
Seemin’ mighty proud
Like you’ve got all the answers
And you haven’t gotta doubt
You’re makin’ all these promises
I know you’ll never keep
I guess someone forgot to tell ya
Talk comes cheap
I can see that you’re smart
You think you got it goin’ on
But let me tell ya a little something
About an awesome woman:
Joan of Arc is known for being burned to the stake
Believin’ God sent her on a mission
Not many 19 year olds would take
Helped the French defeat the English
In 1431
And she helped King Charles to regain his throne
She’s been in movies, in music, in paintings and books
Even the pope named her a saint
For the bravery it took
So you’re palin’ by comparison
Yea, you’re palin’ by comparison
Oh, you’re palin’ by comparison
Yep, you’re palin’ by comparison…I hate to have to be the one…
To tell ya you’re palin’ by comparison
Back in time I’ll take your mind to 1852
When Mrs. Tubman (known as “Moses”) knew exactly what to do
In the dark of the night she set to settin’ others free
Determined to break the chains of slavery
Thru the swamps
And the fear
With no where certain to go
She led 350 people home to freedom’s shores
So you’re palin’ by comparison
Yea, you’re palin’ by comparison
Oh, you’re palin’ by comparison
Yep, you’re palin’ by comparison
I hate to have to be the one…
To tell ya you’re palin’ by comparison
Helen Keller was a woman who will really blow your mind
Coulda given up hope… born deaf, dumb and blind
She had a teacher who could reach her and taught her how to sign
She led the world to see no child should be left behind
She learned how to speak
How to read , how to write
She turned the world on it’s ear and helped to set things right…
So…You’re palin’ by comparison
Yea, you’re palin’ by comparison
Oh, you’re palin’ by comparison
Yep, you’re palin’ by comparison….I hate to have to be the one…
To tell ya you’re palin’ by comparison
Now I’m bringing up two women that are daughters of my own
Who may grow up to call the mighty White House their home
But whatever they decide
And wherever they go
May they always remember
What you may never know:
That it takes more than a suit
Or a smile or a wink
And you can betcha they’ll be mavericks
Who can think on their feet
So…You’re palin’ by comparison
Yea, you’re palin’ by comparison
Oh, you’re palin’ by comparison
Yep, you’re palin’ by comparison….I hate to have to be the one…
To tell ya you’re palin’ by comparison
Aspasia, Frida Kahlo, Juana Ines de la Cruz
Rosa Bonheur, Rosa Parks
And Wilma Mankiller, too…
Pearl Buck, Emily Dickinson,
Maya Angelou…
Sappho, Sojourner
…and the ruler T’zu
Carol B., Lily T.,
Gilda Radner and Whoopee
Betty Friedan, Sally Ride,
And announcing: Oh-prah! Winnnnnfrey!
Ani and Ellen
are Two Nice Girls
Evita, Catherine and Indira
All changed the world
Josephine , Ella, Bessie, Sarah , Marian
Bonnie, Alberta and the Divine Miss M
Billie Jean, Mother Teresa,
Sacagawea, Susan B.
Georgia O”keefe…of course, we all love Lucy!
Madame Curie… Anne Frank…
The Guerilla Girls
All of these women
Should rock your world…
posted by Sara Hickman at 02:48 pm
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What a Wonderful World We Live in…
These cartoons put a lump in my throat. I hope they move you, too.
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:24 am
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WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 04, 2008
CONGRATULATIONS, PRESIDENT OBAMA! What a glorious new path you have achieved!!!
We are so happy for you!!!!!!!!!!!
HALLELUJAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Crazy happy with tears for you, for America, for all of us!
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:06 pm
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A new change is coming…
I can see it, I can taste it, I can FEEL it in the air!
posted by Sara Hickman at 03:43 pm
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My new song, “State of Emergency”…and how you can help children with autism…
October 31, 2008
just visit my website, http://www.sarahickman.com, and click on "State of Emergency" at the bottom of
my site. It will take you directly to a site where your purchase of the song will deposit money
into a fund for children with autism.
About two months ago, I received a really sad letter from a couple who asked if I wouldn't mind
talking about their new book, "I Wish My Kids Had Cancer", on my site. They sent me a copy of the book
to read, and when I finished reading it, all I could think was, "This is insane. I had no idea...." and I called
the family up and offered to write a song for them to have to, hopefully, help raise money and awareness
of their, and hundreds of thousands of other families, plight.
The book is written by Mike, the dad, and shares the gripping, real glimpse of his family's struggle to survive with
two children with Autism. His book intimately, honestly and powerfully addresses the emotional, social, financial,
political and medical aspects of this family fighting for their very existence.
When you visit the site, you can purchase the book for $20. My song is $1. All of the money goes to the foundation
to help families struggling.
I know money is tight these days....but if we can all pitch in on causes that we believe in supporting, it DOES make
a difference.
Thank you,
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:30 am
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Things to Ponder about Obama and McCain…
October 30, 2008
I will post about this extremely important election. I hope you have a moment to read through
and think about what it all means....
What if things were switched around between the candidates....?
Think about it. Would the country's collective point of view be different?
What if the Obamas had paraded five children across the stage following the debate,
including a three month-old infant and an unwed, pregnant teenage daughter?
What if John McCain was a former president of the Harvard Law Review?
What if Barack Obama finished fifth from the bottom of his college graduating class?
What if McCain had only married once, and Obama was a divorcee?
What if Obama had met his second wife in a bar and had a long affair while he was still married?
What if Michelle Obama was the wife who not only became addicted to pain killers but also acquired them illegally through her charitable organization?
What if Cindy McCain graduated from Harvard?
What if Obama had been a member of the Keating Five?
What if Obama couldn't read from a teleprompter?
What if Obama was the one who had military experience that included discipline problems and a record of crashing seven planes?
What if Obama was the one who was known to publicly display a serious anger management problem?
What if Michelle Obama's family had made their money from beer distribution?
You could easily add to this list. If these questions reflected a reality, if the tables were turned, do you believe the election
numbers would be as close as they are?
This is what racism does. It covers up, rationalizes and minimizes qualities in one candidate and emphasizes negative characteristics in another when there is a color difference.
And, think of this - the candidates' educational backgrounds:
Barack Obama:
Columbia University - B.A. Political Science with a Specialization in International Relations. Harvard - Juris Doctor (J.D.) Magna Cum Laude
Joseph Biden:
University of Delaware - B.A. in History and B.A. in Political Science.
Syracuse University College of Law - Juris Doctor (J.D.)
John McCain:
United States Naval Academy - Class rank: 894 of 899
Sarah Palin: Hawaii Pacific University - 1 semester
North Idaho College - 2 semesters - general study
University of Idaho - 2 semesters - journalism
Matanuska-Susitna College - 1 semester
University of Idaho - 3 semesters - B.A. in Journalism
Education isn't everything, but this is about the two highest
offices in the land as well as our standing in the world.
Love,
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 09:31 am
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Zippity ZAPPITY song/Giant Stained Glass Cross for Church
October 29, 2008
Ah......zippity!
....because so many people have been emailing us and asking about this song I did for the Texas Department of Tourism, here it is...
a direct link! Have fun! Get zippity...zappity!
Yes, that really is me singing...and Marty (Lester) and Danny (Levin) did the music!
I'm so excited because today many things started becoming reality:
I met today with Jim (stained glass maker) and with Mark (lighting guru and frame designer and proud papa of Riff/Evan from
Super Pal Universe!) to start talking about the creation of a 9 foot stained glass cross I designed for First United Methodist Church
to place in the chapel!!!!
And Marty and I are shipping out the DVD to Gene and it will be sewn up and sent out from his magical hands
to all the folks who have pre-ordered!
And Friday, I meet with Mike Henry to discuss the lay out of the documentary I've been filming for over a year of
the "Music For Life" events....Dave Tatge has come on board as the executive producer and I am really, really
excited to be making a film...We are submitting it to SXSW!
And.....Docu-Bloggers is under way, a 9 minute piece on Super Pal Universe...
we are giving it to PBS for their series of the same name...thanks to Matt at Make Media for working on this...
it's going to be fantastic!
And...Paul Gandersman is finishing up the graphics on the Super Pal Universe pilot which will then be going
to sound for finishing...!
And Gene did this today!!!! http://www.sarahickman.com/kids/
And, lastly, I just froze a wart off my daughter's foot....you can buy the same stuff doctor's use and use it at
home! That was amazing! And then we were giggling and she was acting like she was the weird little creature
from "Lord of the Rings" and telling me about her "prec-ious, my prec-ious" in reference to her wart!
And it is almost Emmaline's birthday! Happy Birthday, Emmaline!
And Halloween is coming and I am going to be a giant pineapple!
And Lance is sick! Say something positive out to the universe/say a prayer that he will feel better soon!
And io made trophies to hand out at our Halloween party!
And Saturday I'll be in Padre Island with Willle Nelson and Grupo Fantasma making music for kids
and big people!
And then Sunday I'll be back in Austin for the Texas Book Festival!
And then I'm going to lay down in the front yard and smile and thank God and think about the
orchestra in Idaho Falls and all the stuff that can happen in a week when you put one foot
in front of the other and just keep believing, no matter what!
Oh, and I visited the Khabele school yesterday...what a really lovely place it is.
And, now. Sleep.
Sleep well anyone reading this. Sleep deep and peacefully and
May you wake up to live your dreams, too.
XO
Sara
posted by Sara Hickman at 07:03 pm
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It’s Been Awhile…but here I am, back on MTV! Woo-hoo!
October 28, 2008
posted by Sara Hickman at 06:28 pm
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www.babybunching.com write up on my “Newborn” cd
He continued to scream and I started to cry. Until the song "It's Alright" came on, and its cricket sounds in the background finally calmed him down. It was like magic. He stopped. I don't know if it was the song or the way the song made me feel as I held him. But I stopped crying and he stopped crying and that become "our song."
I carried Sara Hickman's "Newborn" CD around the world with me--twice--when Alex was little. When I couldn't find a CD player, I would sing the songs. (This included a 6-hour plane ride.) Instantly he'd calm down. The entire CD is filled with sweet renditions of classic songs and some of Sara's own. We loved the CD so much that for Alex's first birthday, we bought her second children CD "Toddler," which was equally as beautiful for young kids. We actually listened to it in the car yesterday.
As soon as Anna made her appearance, I introduced her to the CD hoping this would again be the magical CD. And it was! She loved the songs but didn't make a connection with one particular song like Alex did, which was fine. I loved the idea that he and I had "our song." For her first year, we would listen to it as I nursed her late at night, and it still had some magical quality to it. Anna's song came around later and even at the age of three, I'm still singing it to her.
Because I'm so fond of the CD, she and I are giving away both the "Newborn" and "Toddler "CDs as a special Baby Bunching package. It makes a great gift for Baby Bunching moms since each child gets his own CD. A onesie with the child's name is included with the CD and will be sent from her directly. Here's what you have to do: Tell us about a special song you have with your child or one you had with your mom. I'll take responses by Nov. 3 and randomly pick a winner.
Linda Kerr
http://www.babybunching.com
posted by Sara Hickman at 02:30 pm
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One of My Best Friends, Marty…Read About This!
October 27, 2008
Many of you know my dear friend, Marty Lester, from our years of working together in the studio. Here's an update
from his girlfriend, April, on a project he just completed. If you are in Austin, please tune in Thursday night to watch
the show!
Love,
Sara
FROM APRIL:
Marty has been extremely busy over the last few months. One of the projects he was working on was a film, "Tattooed Under Fire".
Marty spent countless late nights at the studio enhancing the sound quality of a film that was produced in a tattoo parlor.
This means removing the sound of multiple tattoo guns from the film in order to hear the deeply emotional conversation.
I don't know the ends and outs of audio mixing, but I can imagine the challenge.
"Tattooed Under Fire," will air on KLRU on this Thursday, October 30th at 9pm. Please feel free to watch it then or DVR it for later.
I think you will find it incredibly moving.
"Tattooed Under Fire" is a film set in Fort Hood, Killeen, at the River City Tattoo Parlor. In this tattoo parlor,
many of the war-bound and returning soldiers go under the needle, share their secrets and confess their deepest fears.
The film looks at the unconventional work of tattoo art as an affirmation of personal identity while weighing the human
and cultural cost of a futile war.
April
posted by Sara Hickman at 08:50 am
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sarahickman.com | Bio | Music | Shows | Press | Store | Community | Zooks
Copyright © 1993-2008 Sara Hickman/Sleeveless, LLC | 471393
Whether you've learned about Sara Hickman through her music, her family, her causes, or her films, you know that her originality, creativity, and enthusiasm bring a fresh meaning to the well-worn phrase "living life to the fullest."
What makes Sara tick? What has she been up to since she first hit the ground running (well, at least crawling in the early years)?
Read a complete bio at sarahickman.com.
Visit Start the Dialogue
Click here to preview!
Click here to Order!
Press Coverage
KUT's Austin Music Minute
Jupiter Index interview
Motherlode Reviews
Sara heads the Austin Chronicle Fortunate 500 Music List once again!
Here's the 2006 list.
Listen and vote for Sara on the American Idol Underground, featuring on-demand streams of popular artists like Sara!
Check out this cool map showing where Sara fans are across the nation -- and add yourself to the map!
Motherlode
Click here to preview!
Click here to order!
Faithful Heart
Click here to preview!
Click here to order!
Big Kid
Click here to preview!
Click here to order!
Featuring "Look At Me" as heard on American Idol!
I Am Going On A Journey: the DVD
Click here to preview!
Click here to order!
