Arlo Guthrie still plays his own tune
by Nancy Dunham, washingtonexaminer.com
March 3rd 2011 8:05 PM
Arlo Guthrie is still a renegade more than 40 years after his
music debuted.
Although Guthrie is a registered Republican, he's not afraid to voice opinions
in opposition to the party line. Perhaps what sets Guthrie apart is that he
still creates music just for the joy of it, unlike some other socially
conscious artists that use music only as a political platform.
Onstage Arlo Guthrie » When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday » Where: The Birchmere, 3701
Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria » Details: $55; sold out at press time; tickets
may be available from online retailers; 202-397-SEAT; ticketmaster.com
"When you really enjoy it, the music is better," said Guthrie of his love for
performing. "People in the audience can tell the difference between those who
enjoy performing and [something akin to] a trained seal routine."
That was certainly the case when Guthrie and his family rode on a float as part
of the annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. The family was continually
cheered by fans as they waved and listened to the sound system play "Alice's
Restaurant." After all of these decades of playing music, Guthrie has never
lost sight of staying in touch with kindred musical spirits.
Want proof that Guthrie was never one who shot for the Top 40? The first album
he released in the 1960s on Warner Brothers Records was one of old cowboy songs
he enjoyed. Although the album had no marketing budget, word of mouth led fans
to find and buy the music.
"I was out in Wyoming, setting up in a little bar and an old rancher came
walking in," said Guthrie recalling the days after that first album was
released. "I heard him say, 'Where's Guthrie?' and wondered why he was looking
for me. When he came over, he said, 'I just want to thank you for that record.
Nobody records those songs anymore.' "
When Guthrie offered him tickets to his upcoming concert, the man politely
declined, saying that he didn't attend concerts, but wanted to offer his
gratitude.
"It goes to show you don't need an industry, power lunches and all those
things," Guthrie said. "You need to get your music to the people that love it.
Those are the records we've always made, specifically since 1983, and that's
what we'll keep making."
Original Page:
http://washingtonexaminer.com/entertainment/music/2011/03/arlo-guthrie-still-plays-his-own-tune
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