After playing alongside Pete Seeger more than 50 times from 2003 to 2013, I am recording a CD and touring throughout the U.S., Canada, and other parts of the globe to share Pete’s songs, stories and message because I am determined to “KEEP THE FLAME ALIVE.” I need your help!
www.indiegogo.com/projects/pete-woody-me-volume-i-keep-the-flame-alive
A Shared Message
It may come as a surprise to those who know me and my mission that I knew very little about Pete Seeger before we met in 2003. I had heard his name and knew he had written “Where Have All the Flowers Gone?” and “If I Had a Hammer,” but I had no idea what an amazing human being he was. After getting to know him, I agree with Harry Belafonte that Pete’s image should be carved into Mount Rushmore. Pete was as much the embodiment of the American Soul as the others represented there.
What got me most about Pete was his belief that we have all the tools we need to shape ourselves and our world into what we wish them to be. For some, these tools are within our grasp. For some, they are at arm’s length. And for others, they are just beyond arm’s length. But they are still attainable IF we work together. That belief – that message – was embedded in all of Pete’s songs and stories, all of his actions and in every interaction he had with others. I share that belief wholeheartedly. I feel it is so important that it MUST be made more present in our public consciousness. So, I set out shortly after Pete passed to share that message everywhere I go. It is the thread that holds the “Keep the Flame Alive” CD and the “Remembering Pete Seeger” World Tour together.
What is Crowdfunding? It is way for lots of people to make financial contributions – large or small – so artists can continue to make art in an economy that no longer supports them to do so. More and more, artists are finding it impossible to continue their work because of lack of funding. Some of them are quitting but some are turning to “crowdfunding” in order to survive.
People ask me all the time if I am making a living as a full time touring musician. I used to be too embarrassed to tell the truth. But the truth is that while my audiences are getting bigger, my gross income is lower than in was ten years ago. And my expenses have grown to the point where I really can’t continue touring without people helping out. This is because very few people pay for music anymore and funding for the arts has been drastically slashed. But I have chosen to take the proactive route and put together a crowdfunding campaign so I can continue my work.
Think of it as an Investment: If you believe, as I do, that Pete’s music and message need to be kept alive you can think of any contribution you make as in investment in making that happen.
How it works is simple. My friend Art helped me put together a website on Indiegogo.com. When you go to the page you can read about what I am doing and it will allow you to a contribution if you so choose. You can preview this page by clicking on this link: https://www.indiegogo.com/project/preview/e37c032d#/
As you will see, producing my CD will cost me over $33,000. I hope to raise $20,000 – $30,000 through the crowdfunding campaign. This will allow me to pay the bills I have accumulated recording the CD and continue bringing Pete’s music and message around the world. I will also be able to promote the CD the way it deserves to be promoted – starting with hiring a radio promoter to get it out to hundreds of radio stations.
The way the page is set up, people are welcome to make any level of contribution they wish – including nothing. But, at certain levels there are “Perks.” Most of the perks are unlimited – meaning no matter how many people choose that perk, they will get it. For instance, I will never run out of CDs to give as perks because I can always manufacture more. (And don’t worry, CDs will still be available for sale at gigs just like they always have been.)
There are a limited number of some Perks. For instance, one contributor will be the first to know the full story of how I got my name. Only one person can receive that perk. Only two people can choose to be “Executive Producer.” Other perks are also limited in number, too. On top of that, because of timing issues …
Certain perks need to be claimed by April 15: This is because these perks get your name in the CD credits. All of the text for the CD cover and booklet need to get to the CD manufacturer by April 15. So, the perks that involve getting your name in the CD credits need to be claimed by then.
I am telling you and a small number of others about the campaign before it officially launches on Monday, March 7, because you have been a tremendous supporter of mine over the years and I want you to have first dibs at the perks. You can look at the page now by clicking this link https://www.indiegogo.com/project/preview/e37c032d#/. This way you have time to decide if you want to participate and if you want a particular perk.
Some of the Perks are expensive, so there is no expectation that you or anyone else give anything at all. I understand that the time needs to be right for someone to donate to this campaign. So many people have already given and will continue to give me a lot of support in other ways. But for some people, the time is right and they might feel left out if I didn’t tell them about this.
You also have the option to Make up your own Perk. Let me know if you have something original in mind. If it makes sense, I’ll consider it.
THANKS YOU !! – Whether the time is right or not, whether you choose to contribute or not, I thank you for all the support you have given me over the years. Remembering you can contribute any amount including nothing, whether you choose a perk or not.
If you have any questions, let me know. My phone number is 732-418-1340 and my email is spook@spookhandy.com.
Pastures of Plenty!!
– Spook :->
CHECK OUT SPOOK’S CROWDFUNDING CAMPAIGN on Indiegogo.
(More info coming in the next day or two)
to support his new CD “Pete Woody and Me, Vol. I – Keep the Flame Alive”
and the “Remembering Pete Seeger” World Tour
of all 50 U.S. States, all 11 Canadian provinces, many other countries, all 21 NJ counties
Spook Handy
109 Nichol Ave # B
New Brunswick, NJ 08901
732-418-1340
Dr. & Master Sha