I remember being about 14 years old when I first heard the word, “Woodstock”. My father, who was a young man in the late 60’s, shared story after story with me about what it was like to live in that decade. I loved to hear about my father’s time in Germany. The incredible concerts he attended while living there. He saw the best of the best in their prime! I think the 60’s sound is so thrilling because it was the decade of taking chances, stepping outside the box, speaking out of turn, taking your bra off, and opening up your mind to something different! Music changed and the world changed with it. What an exciting place to be . . . Woodstock 1969!
Imagine grabbing your best friends, packing your car full of camping gear, food, and your peace sunglasses. You’d borrow your mother’s car and ride out to a dairy farm where you would spend the next 3 days witnessing artist after artist show off their most popular songs right before your eyes! A place that promoted music and peace and a most unforgettable experience! It literally sends chills down my body just thinking of how thrilling that would be. Since then, there have been countless venues and business people that have attempted to replicate that 3 days of music and peace, to no avail. You just canNOT replicate unique moments in history. You can’t rewind the clock and go back to special days or events . . . but you CAN remember them!
Saturday, August 18th, Freddie Wooten (owner of Palmetto Custom Drums), will be hosting a 3 hour evening of Woodstock moments at the Handlebar. I’m a part of this incredible event as I have the chance to sing a few Janis Joplin tunes. As I researched Janis, I realized that she died just a little over a year after the famous Woodstock in New York. The more I researched Janis and her childhood, the more my heart opened up to the songs she chose to sing and interpret during her short life. She’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but she’s everyone’s glass of Southern Comfort. There have been moments when I’ve been jogging through Cleveland Park and as I’m listening to Janis sing, “Try (just a little bit harder)” there’s something in her energy that drives me to run harder. I can even feel the tears well up in my eyes when I hear her sing some of the lyrics in her songs. It’s really something for a recording of an artist who has passed to affect me so much emotionally! That’s real honest to goodness music.
There will be several local artists coming out for this Woodstock Tribute event at the Handlebar. You’ll hear some songs from the original set lists of Jefferson Airplane, Santana, Jimi Hendrix, The Who and many more! I have the privilege of sharing the stage with guitar player Larry Hoskinson, bass player Joe Jones, and drummer Freddie Wooten! I’m thrilled to share the stage with such amazing musicians and friends!
You don’t want to miss this incredible night of Peace and Music!
Katie Rockwell
Katie & Larry Music
www.reverbnation.com/katieandlarry
www.reverbnation.com/katieandlarry
