Every year on this date I listen to some of the live recordings that I have of John Stewart. Some of the recordings are solo and some are with Dave Batti. Others are with Buffy and a few are with Henry Diltz or Tom DeLisle.

I usually wind up feeling pretty morose and missing John even more by the end of the evening.

This year I decided to turn it around 180 degrees. Let a little joy into the room.

In the spring of 2001, the World Folk Music Association honored John with a Lifetime Achievement Award. On Friday night he was honored with performances by Rosanne Cash, Nancy Griffith, Noel Paul Stookey, The Kingston Trio and many others including his band mates from the ‘world’s loudest folk band’ era. It was a great evening.

On Saturday night Dick Cerri asked John if he and the band wanted to do a few songs. Big mistake. John gathered up Buffy,  Pete and Maura Kennedy, Dave Batti, John Hoke, Chuck McDermott, Dennis Kenmore, Henry Diltz and Dave Crossland. What followed was a 25 minute jam session that, as John said to me as he was leaving the stage ‘left ’em bleeding from the ears’.

This puppy is 25 minutes long and it might take a short time to load but it’s well worth hearing.

John- we’re still running with this thing you started and we still remember you.

Johnny Stew