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340 entries.
I grew up on Rock ‘n’ Roll and didn’t have an interest in “Folk”. Wait, that’s not quite true. Before I turned on to Led Zeppelin and Rush, I was a huge John Denver fan. I would occasionally hear the “Wedding Song” on the radio and thought it was great. When I finally learned who the artist was, I bought the vinyl album. I remember listening to it over and over while reading Dante’s Inferno. I really wanted to figure out how to play it, which I did – the right way, with the fingerpicking and altered tuning. Played it at my stepdaughter’s wedding on my Guild 12-string. Maybe not quite as clean as Noel plays it, but pretty good. When I turned back to John Denver in midlife, I made a study of his lead guitarist, Mike Taylor, copping many of his tasty licks. I wanted to tell him how important he was to my musical development but never did. So I appreciate this opportunity to tell Noel.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hey, thanks for the shout out! i think charlie byrd was my biggest influence guitar-wise, though the interplay of the brubeck quartet figured a lot in my harmonic excursions with the trio. but it wasn't until my folk-immersion in the village that i understood the potential of melody AND message. the inspired chord behind the inspired word is a wonder, ain't it!
Hi, i was watching a documentary on my countries civil war, El Salvador, and at the end a song titled "El Salvador" is played in which you are given credit for writing. Is there a way you can tell me the history behind you writing this song? Who did you work with to write this? And how much did you know about the war at the time?
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hello anderson! the song EL SALVADOR was written as a result of reading articles written in Sojourners magazine about what was happening in Nicaragua and El Salvador; I just happened to have the right melody at the right time for it.”
Here's a bit more detail (provided by Julie Polter, Senior Associate Editor for Sojourners magazine) After Stookey wrote the song, the trio decided to visit El Salvador and Nicaragua to see conditions for themselves. Yarrow describes the experience: 'What happened to us was explosive when we went to El Salvador — coming to terms with the fact that in the most concrete and personal of ways the U.S. was doing things in both El Salvador and Nicaragua that were contrary to everything we believed that America should be. In El Salvador we went to a church where we sang “Blowin’ in the Wind,” where people had lived for months [because] if they went outside they would potentially be captured by the police and disappeared or found in the streets, dead. The U.S. was supporting the government that was doing this. And you know, of course, about the Maryknoll nuns and Oscar Romero who were killed. Here was this extraordinarily holy place, filled with the biggest hearts and most loving with people, that was living under a dictatorial heel. The U.S. was pouring money into El Salvador’s government and for that reason the U.S. did not accept people who could leave El Salvador and come to the U.S. seeking sanctuary. So we took the song “El Salvador” and made it a single and sold it to raise money for the Sanctuary movement when we came back."
The trio had similar experiences in Nicaragua, seeing the death and devastation caused by U.S.-funded Contra forces. "It was devastating to us,” Yarrow says. But, he continues, “having that kind of experience transforms the person into deeper commitment and more love. You have one of only two choices: You either dismiss it and say ‘that has nothing to do with me.’ Or you embrace it, and in order to embrace it you have to have some sort of internal transformation that allows you to become a part of the imperative of building peace and building love in any ways that you can.”
As Stookey notes, “Folk music, as Mary used to say, requires you to live it if you’re going to sing it.”
I thank you in advance for taking the time to read and possibly respond to a question I have. I was watching a YouTube video of the memorial for John Lennon at Strawberry Fields last December and within the video I spotted two people that resembled yourself and your wife Betty. You were playing your signature size acoustic guitar and your wife was holding papers. We've always wanted to attend that memorial as well and although we've been fortunate enough to have traveled to NYC on six occasions we have not had the opportunity to be there at that time.
Within you lengthy musical career, by chance, did you ever meet John Lennon?
Also, is there a particular microphone you prefer to use when recording or playing live?
May my wife and I offer an early Thanksgiving wish for you and your family and again thank you for reading and responding to this question.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hi les! twasn't me, twasn't us. years before the crazy, tragic death of john, pp&m DID 'meet' the beatles for a photo op with ed sullivan on the set of HARD DAY'S NIGHT. the distance between our two worlds was awkward to span. i seem to recall it was john who came up with an alternative name for us: pizza, pooh and magpie.
Hi Noel,
My wife Emily and I saw you and Tom Paxton at the Birchmere on Saturday, October 26. It turned out to be a very sentimental evening for me; I was surprised at how warm and fuzzy the show made me feel. Even had a tear or two lingering on my face. Great memories!
The first LP I ever bought was the Peter, Paul, and Mary debut album, and I continued to follow the three of you through the years. I would buy anything y’all put out! I’m still listening to those records to this day. I was born in 1950, and so of course Mary was my first teenage crush, but I enjoyed listening to your parts the most, maybe because they were the easiest for me to sing along with. I particularly like “Whatshername” on Album 1700, and “Ju Les Ver Negre En Cheese” on the Paul And album. I’m embarrassed to recall how long it took me to realize what in the world that song was really about!
Best wishes, and hope to see you again someday.
Tom Benner
Martinsburg, West Virginia
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hey, thanks tom! i don't believe JU LES VER NEGRE EN CHEESE ever got the recognition it uh...deserved and we thank you for your good humored notice! tom's birthday WAS a special night and matter of fact i made up a little video from the appearance to share in these next few days before the election. you can see it here: https://vimeo.com/1024160666?share=copy
Thank you. At 63 years of age I was reflecting on many positive influences on my life and like most of us we never have the chance of saying thanks because of many reasons. I was browsing apple music streaming and came across "Reel to Reel" and was a able to sing along with the whole set. Remember listening to this on my own Reel to Reel handed down to me by my older brother many years ago. I then realized how this music has stayed with me over so many years. I have listened to you for many years on and off and figured I should pause to say thanks. God Bless you and your family.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hey thanks, carl for the shout out! Real to Reel was one of the first albums released out of the henhouse...although basically a 'live' recording, there were definitely some 'touch ups' done in the NEWORLD studio - including the addition of the song MIRACLES. blended in pretty smoothly as i recall...
Sunday 10-20-24, Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, NY will host 50 plus year history of wvbr's Bound For Glory. thank you, mike g.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
thanks mike! if it's all about woody, it's gotta be golden! just back from visiting the museum in tulsa and it was awesome; a tribute to his early years and to the many inheritors of the guthrie legacy...
Circa 1968, you bought our house in Greenhaven, and in 1971, you were extremely gracious to give us a tour of our/your house. I'd been a fan since your first album came out, but it wasn't until today that I listened to your song "Meanings Will Change" and the intro to it you gave at age 72. I just wanted to thank, sincerely, for the very POV expressed by those magnificent lyrics, -- belated as these thanks may be.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hey joe! thanks for the note. sorry to be so late responding - we loved the greenhaven home - our twins were born in 71 but like you say, 'meanings will change' (written by billie hughes by the way) - and we moved to the coast of maine in 74.
I have always loved and appreciated all your music but in particular, I love the Wedding Song. I was a bridesmaid to my 2 older sisters at their weddings when they played that song. I have been fortunate to have been with the love of my life, who is 10 yrs my senior, and we never married, but will be celebrating our 35th year together in 2025, me at 60, and her at 70. We have been thinking about having an official ceremony to make it legal and would be honored to be able to play your song at it. Would you allow us to tweak the lyrics just a bit to make it fit us and who we are? We would love your blessing to have someone record it to play it for us (as we know no musicians who could do this for us) and our ceremony someday. If you would like me to share what we have come up with, please let me know. I would be grateful if you could share your thoughts with me either way! Thank you so much for just considering it. And for sharing such a beautiful timeless song with all of us! I'd like to believe that He would like to see us all happy and in love, no matter who we love! All my best! Marie
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hi marie! lovely to get your note and always so pleased to hear of relationships that honor Love. alas, since i was not the author of THE WEDDING SONG but merely the prayerful servant who dutifully rendered the answer following the request '...how would You manifest Yourself at peter's wedding?' i can't really authorize any change of lyric. it is what it is. but may i suggest that a performance of just the first verse - using the original lyric of 'I AM NOW TO BE AMONG YOU AT THE CALLING OF YOUR HEARTS. REST ASSURED THIS TROUBADOR IS ACTING ON MY PART. THE UNION OF YOUR SPIRITS HERE HAS CAUSED ME TO REMAIN...FOR WHENEVER TWO OR MORE OF YOU ARE GATHERED IN MY NAME, THERE AM I AND THERE IS LOVE...' might serve your purpose well?
Good day Paul! Your music has given me countless hours of enjoyment and fulfillment. P, P and Mary was big when I was just a youngster but still around as I grew up. I used to sit outside on the porch as a young kid and listen to your songs on my sister's 45 player. Dad would come home for lunch and sit down and listen to me. I remember each moment. And, of course, the song "There is Love." You did something there that is immortal. That song and John Denver's Rhymes & Reasons to me define great music, especially finger style guitar. I am an aspiring film maker and have a romantic drama that I wrote a song for. But I cannot finger pick and am not a good vocalist. My song "Seasons of the Heart" is well rated, but could only be made successful as a finger picked song. I plan on having the song played in the film and shot from behind to make it look like the lead character is playing it in a heartfelt moment. How I wish I could interest you. You of course would be compensated, and allowed your creative changes to the song as well writing credit for improving the song. Is this something you might be interested in?
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hi robert! sorry to be so late getting back to you...appreciate the offer to be the musician in your film but would encourage you to find someone closer to the project - the lyrics DO have a way of translating well - no matter who's singing them - and tickled to be surreptitiously part of your 'soundtrack'
As a retired engineer approaching my 8th decade of life, I have never written a "fan" letter but considering both of our ages, I figured I best get it done shortly. When asked who had the best male voice I have always said Paul Stookey. Saw you in Chattanooga in the 60's and in Nashville in the 80's. I'm still right. Welcome to old age.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hey chris! thanks for the kind word. i wonder if all those PP&M years doing crazy sfx of screeching cars, rumbling engines and toilets flushing ended up giving my voice 'character'?!
My wife and I are re-watching the 25th anniversary special. As you performed the wedding song, it brought us back to our ceremony, which a friend sang this song for us. The words, melody and intentions mean the same today as they did over 51 years ago. Thank you for this wonderful gift.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
thanks david...as you probably know, i was just 'passing it on'...and congrats on your 51st! betty and i just celebrated our 61st!
Nice to meet you. I am 29 years old and Japanese. I have been a fan of PPM since I saw a PPM video on YouTube when I was in high school.
PPM taught me how great American folk music is.
My favorite song by Noel's vocal is CACTUS IN A COFFEE CAN. Are you planning to come to Japan again? I would love to see your performance .
Please stay well and bring us your wonderful music.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
Hi Yuki! thanks for the greeting! i've been hoping to get back to japan (had to cancel in 2023 when my tsuma Betty broke her wrist) and as soon as i have a date, i'll let the PP&M fan club know as well as post it on facebook and here!
Hey Noel. I'm in Melbourne Australia. I just saw a 57 min Youtube of you, Mary and Peter, from 1965. It reminded me that I saw you play, here in Melbourne around 1980-ish. I met you in the hallway as you were leaving. A bunch of us from our church went to see you that night. I kind'a miss those days. Your solo version of Puff still makes me smile. Just wanted you to know, you gave many of us Aussies some special moments to remember. Many thanks, Andrew.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hey...thanks andrew for the kind word! many wonderful memories from down under for me and my family. just about to release a NEWORLD SAMPLER with 3 songs from your countryman peter campbell...keep an eye (and ear) out!
My favorite P,P&M videos are BBC 1965 and Early Morning Rain w/ lyrics.
I love your heart, you bring the emotion to the table and never disappoint.
Mr. Stookey, I'm a disabled veteran with hemiplegia and would like to be in your prayers. If I ever recover I can play guitar with you.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
alton...just sent a prayer your way. i have a long-time good friend who also has had hemophilia since birth - if it's an encouragement, he's in his sixties now and yes, he's learned to play guitar but hey, if it's a challenge, you might do what i did before playing the guitar: pick up the ukulele! and who knows...you might matriculate to the MANULENJO!
Hope you come to Colorado someday!
Love your music!.
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hey daniel! been a long time since i sang in boulder for sure - thanks for the invite (and the thumbs up)!
Hello. I am on the Board of Directors of FAR-West, Folk Alliance International-West. At the present time we are working on redefining our mission/vision etc, and what always comes up is "what is folk music?" I was watching an interview you did in which you made the comment "not every singer/songwriter is a folk musician." I was very intrigued by that statement and was wondering if there is somewhere else I could look to hear more about what you mean. Let me know if you can direct me somewhere. Thanks
Also, would love to see in the Ventura/Ojai area soon!
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
hi karen! nice to see/read you here. i expect you're referring to the keynote i gave this past february at the FAI. don't get me wrong, i think ALL music could be viewed as 'folk'. like louis armstrong said "y'never heard horse sing, didja?" short answer? the focus of my talk was to point out that the early musical expressions of singer/songwriters tend to lean more into songs of 'self-realization' (ala taylor swift) before commenting on the world around them. at least that's my story...to be continued march 3rd at the rubicon in ventura...thanks for the stop by. n
Hi Noel - I have been listening to your music for 60 years or so and still love it. My husband and I saw the three of you at Wolf Trap many times and you solo at the Barns. The last time we saw you and Peter was a few days before Mary passed. We were terribly sad because we knew Mary did not have much time left. Even though she wasn’t onstage, I swear I could hear her voice when you sang Blowing in the Wind. Do you think you and Peter will ever return to Wolf Trap? Perhaps at the Barns?
I do want to thank you for the decades of joy your music has given me. From your early PP&M albums to your solo work (especially Real to Reel), and then your later work with Peter and Mary, I still listen often and will be listening for the rest of my life
Admin Reply by: Noel Stookey
awww...thanks for the kind words and memories. feel equally inspired by the inherited legacy and encouragement from folks like you.
Thank you for years of joy. Your (personal and group) songs were how my dad taught me words, especially in music, have meaning. Being 4th row with him in the late 90s in KCMO was an amazing experience.
Mostly though I’ve always wanted to thanks to you and Peter for possibly saving my sister’s live 24 years ago. On 2 separate occasions in Owensboro Ky you both took the time after concerts to speak to the college kids. It made a huge impact on her. Being seen by YOU , members of one of the 2 music groups our family considers “sacred”—truly being SEEN as a person and not just a part of a group—inspired her and has continued to. Sept 9 she will be 44. In the intervening decades life has not been kind but she has continued to dream and believe. And you guys have continued to inspire her and give her (and her 3 siblings) joy. Thank you for doing this for my sister and best friend and roommate. Always know your music has helped make us and we are better for it!