Rick and Marilyn on the Sloop Clearwater

 Rick and Marilyn played the Sloop Clearwater on Labor Day 2024. I was so very happy to be able to do this, and I jumped at the chance, right? And what a perfectly beautiful night it was. A cool wind was blowing and it looked like we would have a nice sail. 

We get there, with a few minutes to spare and we are happy about that, because I have no clue on parking. Everything is marked ‘Permit Only’, but what kind of permit and what does any of that mean? So, I parked where we could fairly easily unload and get to the boat, and the people on the boat did not have a clue on parking either, so I left it there. 

It was there when I returned. Without a ticket attached. whew.

We walked with our ‘calling cards’, otherwise known as GUITARS. LOL. We went right past the guy who was stopping people from boarding and went right to the boat, greeted by Jacob, who was just a really wonderful guy and our point person. 

We talked briefly about what we would be doing, that our gear is battery powered, that we basically did folk songs. We were asked for a labor song after the silence, but we don't have one. Should have thought of that, but really we also didn't have time to develop a song. But the captain was ok with us doing the environmental song by Joni, Big Yellow Taxi.

So, we hang out, saying hi to the folk who board. Now we are all on and the captain tells us all the stuff we have to know to be safe on the boat. Like where the life jackets are. Be sure to listen to the crew members. Do NOT step here, do not walk there. You know, the things that might help keep you alive on the river.

Oh, didn't I say? I am PETRIFIED of the water. of drowning. I can not swim. I don't have a CLUE once I am in the water, on how to keep breathing. But I have always loved Pete Seeger and his boat and his ideas on using music to bring people together.  So, here I am. To play music on Pete's boat.

We push off and prepare to raise the sail.  It goes up and up and we sing a chanty to keep the beat.

Music! 

And now it is time to make Rick and Marilyn music!!!. 

I don't remember which songs we played.  What I do remember is seeing all these people with the wind in their hair and smiles on their faces enjoying being on this majestic river on this beautiful day! What I did not know, until we got off the boat, was that MANY people, in the spirit of Pete, I imagine, were singing our folk songs, belting them, enjoying the music by making it their own! THAT is what it is all about.  

We had the traditional silent time, and watched the river, felt the wind and heard the birds around us.  And then we sang the old song ‘Ain't Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around’, with labor oriented verses (instead of Big Yellow Taxi). And headed back to shore. 

What an amazing time!