Sweet Sunny South. Love his version & also Garcia & Grisman's off of the Shady Grove album. ... Great song. - Thanks for the upload & takes it smooth 🤘✌️
Natchez Whistle, Julie Belle Swain, Long Hot Summer Day, up on the hill where they do the boogie. Anything from steam powered aeroplane. Mr Hartford has been my favorite since I was a young teenager. Around the time O brother where art thou hit it big. In my thirties now ,but he put me on the path to finding the greats. Three way tie between Mr. Hartford, John Prine, and Guy Clark for my top spot. There are some great old live shows floating around on the web. Some Steamboat preservation website I found had a ton of his shows free to download. They just want to spread steamboat history and John Is certainly part of that. Love your stuff Otis!
I could start every day of my life listening to Holding. My dad grew up seeing him with my grandmother between Peoria, IL and St Louis. I got a tattoo a few months ago inspired by Vamp in the Middle!
Like most of us my first introduction to John Hartford was his LP Steam Powered Aereo-Plain. But, the song that I tend to gravitate to is Skipin' in the Mississippi Dew. I don't really have any stories. But, I remember first hearing of him while watching The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour as a teenager.
Late 70’s I was at the old K-Mart in Madison TN Christmas shopping. I came around the end of one aisle and there was John. Bowler hat, white shirt, black vest and two-tone shoes. I said how ya doing Mr Hartford. He did a couple of dance steps and said “The name’s John and I’m just tickled to death to be here”. And did the little hat flip thing. I think John was always John and damn I miss him.
John was my Grandfather and he actually raised me. This is a great story and a great example of the person he was and how much he cared about and appreciated all his fans. Thank you very much for sharing this story it makes me so happy and brings back so many great memories. Bless you🤟
One night, probably in the early 80s I turned on the Johnny Carson Show and John Hartford was a guest. It was a great interview, but the biggest part for me was when Carson said something like “I bet you’re sick and tired of Gentle on My Mind, aren’t you?” I understood that question so well. As a banjo player I was always tired of people asking for Foggy Mountain Breakdown or “that Beverly Hillbillies song”. I’d been to so many concerts and seen the looks on the performers faces when the someone in the audience yelled out the name of a song that made the band famous, but that they were obviously tired of playing. Been there and done that. But this night Hartford’s response was kind of a life changer musically for me. John said something to the effect of “Johnny, Gentle on My Mind made it possible for me to do anything I’ve wanted to do for the rest of my life. If people want to hear me play it, I’ll happily play it all day long”. Wow! I’d never heard anything like that said by any other musician! It was profound for me and though Foggy Mountain Breakdown has probably put a total of $100 in my pocket at little community shows over 50 or so years, if that’s what people want to hear then that’s what I’m playing.
Ty so much. Im 57 and I picked up the banjo because of Mr Hartford. My dad plays guitar. We listened to this together, music is a shared love between us.
I really enjoyed this video. I met and became friends with John in 1978. He was one of the most unforgettable characters I've known. He was smart, funny, cheerful in all weather, and very generous. He is sorely missed by his many friends and fans.
John was quite the character. Marie was my aunt, and we saw them a few times during the 70's. I attended one of those Nashville Christmas jams as a teen. It was amazing seeing all people that I had only seen on TV there playing in his living room. They had a big tent out in the yard for the caterer to serve food to all the people that came to the party. I wasn't really old enough to appreciate the history I was watching but glad now that I was able to have that memory. They would stay with us when they came to town (NOLA) while he was touring. He was a fun guy, and Aunt Marie loved him so.
I met John Hartford in the 1970's as a favor to a friend I drove him around Boston for a whole day as he did errands getting ready to go on tour. He was the nicest gentlest man you could imagine, not the least bit pretentious, just a regular guy. Shame he went so young.
I had the pleasure of meeting John Hartford in the 80’s. He was sitting in front of a general store prior to performing at a bluegrass festival I attended. My friend told me afterwards that we had just met a legend. I remember him dancing a jig on a sheet of plywood while playing the fiddle and singing. He had a guitar pickup mounted on it so we could hear his feet. He told us he had a bunch of the same tennis shoes because they were the only ones that got the sound he liked. We were in the woods in the California sierra mountains. I stood less than 10 feet from him for him show and walked away inspired.
Great stuff from Mr. Bub. I met Mr. Hartford once back in the late eighties at the Mohican Bluegrass Fest in OH. He did his solo set and later that evening I notice a small RV parked way behind the crowd seating area. I could see someone holding a banjo. I walk that way and the closer I got, I could make out the hat, the vest, ( he was wearing 3 vests for some reason) and the shuffling feet. I think to myself. That's Hartford! It was kind of surreal. No one else was around. It was just him playing his banjo, shuffling on his buck board by his RV. When I got close he say's "hello there young man" . I shook his hand and said how much I enjoyed his set and we talked for 20 mins or so. I thanked him again and after a departing handshake, He did the shuffle and hat trick and said "enjoy your evening young man, thanks for stopping by". I haven't thought about that moment in years until I saw this video. What a beautiful soul. Thanks Otis.
Summer of 1966 saw John in Printers Alley Nashville with Tompall and Glasser Bros .He was still unknown at the time .Later that week I made my way down to music row and met Chuck and Jimmy Glasser and Chuck listened to my songs and got me connected with BMI Canada but I’ve never had anything published ....Yes and 1967 out comes Gentle On My Mind published by The Glasser Bros ....Yep was there for that part of history
@@otisgibbs You’re my favorite channel. I love hearing all of the stories. I’m no great musician, but I don’t have to be. When me and my buddies get together and play these songs that we love, I always have a small edge and share what I take from your channel with the friends I jam with and I’ve turned them on to your show. If not for you and people like you, these stories would be lost and that would be tragic. Thank you Otis!
John was an original member of the Ozark Mountain Trio which was started by my uncle Don Brown. Later known as Don Brown and the Ozark Mountain Trio. John drew the art work on their first "LP 45" It was a gospel 2 sided 45. There was a log cabin on the cover. I still have a copy of the songs and artwork somehwere. I am working from memory here, but I believe his name was spelled as John or Jon Harford on that album. Not sure about the first name but I distinctly remember the "t" missing from the last name. John would return every year to my Uncle Don's restaurant for a jam session in Moscow Mills, MO. The last year John attended, I sat in for Don (due to being under the weather) on mandolin. After the restaurant closed, John on fiddle, my cousin Dennis on banjo, and I played continued jamming until around 2:00 a.m. It was awesome. I still have John's cassette tape. I remarked about one of his songs and John went out to the car and came back with that tape and gave it to me. A really great memory. He was a really nice man. He let me play his fiddle. To this day, I think it was the sweetest sounding fiddle I have ever held in my hands. That is saying a lot since I repair dozens and dozens of instruments per year.
I had the privilege of seeing John Hartford at the Ark in Ann Arbor, and the way he sang Gentle on My Mind, it was so sweet and wistful, just lovely. He also was willing to talk with people after the show, even though he was in so much pain that he had to stretch out flat on the floor, but there he was, still talking. A true gentleman.
“In Tall Buildings” is not only my favorite John Hartford song, but also one of my favorites ever by any artist. There is no better tune for any time when the pace of life gets to be too much. Hartford seems to be one of those folks who is appreciated more and more as time goes by, and I would guess that this is a mark of a true artist.
Was there a year ago my friends mom passed away and was buried there I’m from Arkansas we got there early so when we pulled into cemetery there’s Acuff, Jimmy Martin, Scruggs,, was floored by seeing all the inspirational people that I listened to as a kid on the radio and skipped records,, never expected to see John’s grave and really got humbled almost ghost like when we saw Keith Whitley’s grave,,, Otis big thanks again,, so good to hear stories from the people who were actually just down to earth good friends,,, 😎😎😎
Approximately 40 years ago I was at bean blossom a place that you have spoken of often and fondly to see John Hartford he played a early to mid afternoon set I was young naive inebriated I've been to a lot of concerts but never any that had the relaxed pace of bean blossom so I was at the wooden riser that was the stage and once he's commenced I was so enraptured by his music that I started pounding on said stage this didn't go on for very long when Mr Hartford pointed out to me that he had a percussion board a piece of plywood that was miked and that he danced on he was very kind about it. I heard tall buildings that day. 4 months later in early December or late November He played a nightclub in Bloomington. I made the same mistake almost again, I banished myself to a back wall. So that when His music grabbed and carried me I wouldn't mess up His rythm.
Thank you so much for sharing. I just discovered Hartford this past year. After hearing “First Girl I Loved,” I listened to Aereo-Plain over and over throughout the pandemic. His sense of humor, balanced with the emotional depth of his lyrics, played over absolutely beautiful music, has been a great source of comfort and light during some dark days. I am so grateful to have discovered his music.
John was the man....one of America’s originals. I wrote a song at Quake Lake when I heard he passed. Broke my heart....and could pull a tear, all while smiling. I met him once while he was fighting cancer, on tour through Big Sky Mt. and he was as kind as he was gentle. Mark Twang always gets me....Don’t leave your records in the sun.....ha! Sound advice and hilarious truth.
I love to see homage given like this with a smile the whole time. You can tell that John Hartford was loved and respected thru this video. Ive never heard of him before and now feel like he's a kindred spirit to me. Thanks.
My wife and I were neighbors on Falls Ave with John and Marie. Ate with them many times and his jam sessions were amazing events. Would go all day and nite, everyone coming and going and always a mixture of players. Marie was a wonderful giving person and always making sure everyone had food,drink and comfort. Took great care of John and sad that at his funeral none of us knew she would be gone so soon after. I was in the Music business too but we talked more about life, the river or went on adventures like canoe trips down the Harpeth river he loved. Still have one of his 3x5 cards he kept in his pocket to make notes on. He wanted me to learn clawhammer banjo and wrote it out on the card. I played 3 finger style so I think he was hinting I wasn’t very good and should try clawhammer. He and Marie made the whole little one block neighborhood always feel welcome and came to everyone’s cookout and parties up and down the street. We all miss them.
I once went to a small venue show of his I don't remember where and the majority of the time I spent talking to his wonderful wife at the ticket counter that she was working. I asked her what does John listen to at home and I still laugh at her answer. She said lately he's been listening to that goddamn Irish bluegrass.
I am an old man and started playing guitar back in my youth and I will always be an intermediate at best picker on guitar and mandolin. However, John Hartford was a big influence on me in the 80s when I first got started. Following John's music encouraged me to learn to play the guitar more. I believe Pachelbel's Cannon in D Major is the most recorded song.
Otis you make a difference. You help keep memories alive that are slowly being forgotten. Alot of people really appreciate what you do, not just this contribution, all of them. Afterthought: plus all this information is entertaining and down right interesting!
@@otisgibbs Hey Otis I don’t know any other way to get ahold of you - I just ran across something new “the history of O Boy records part one” (one week old) I just started watching it, only a couple minutes in and thought of you. I’m sure you’d want to check this out
I was a young rocker when I discovered John from some buddies and there was no going back. I've loved his music ever since. I was lucky enough to see him with the Dillards at the fall festival in Salem Missouri back in the early 80s. They were in the endzone of the high school football field. I still laugh about the older woman behind us who was so offended by the Golden Globes they left. She missed a great show.
I saw John Hartford perform one time, at the first (and only) Ozark Mountain Folk Fair in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 1973. He came on stage with his fiddle, banjo, and guitar and had a board for dancing/percussion in front of his chair. At first he had some argument with the technicians about the set-up of the microphones, and finally, after getting that sorted out, he began to play. It's my strongest memory of that music festival.
Thank you for sharing Mike Bub's stories with us, he gave me a great deal of information about John Hartford that reinforced my opinion that he was a great man. I know Mike Bub has a reputation in Nashville of knowing everyone who is anyone, I see now how he earned that. I had no idea how many awards he had earned as a bass player.
I have attended the john hartford memorial festival at bean blossom every year since its inception. It is an amazing festival. About the time i really got into bluegrass, john had passed. As a matter of fact, sam bush announced it at rockygrass. That was the first I knew of john, but considering the weight with which sam broke the news made me realize he was someone I needed to check out. One of the greatest
I have a friend from TN, Tommy Burroughs, who met Mr. Hartford when he was 12, had some wonderful stories, one of the GREATEST performers and musicians,THANK YOU for the story!!
My Dad is Norman Blake. I was raised around John. John was present when my brother was born in June of '71. John and Dad had just gotten off the road and my mother was in labor. She held on until they got home. John was a great friend of the Blake family. His son Jamie and I were childhood friends. Dad's latest album Jamie is on it. I have so many stories about John, he was great musician, yes, an even better friend and man.
John hosted the "Down from the Mountain" concert/DVD to raise $$ for the Ryman. I believe it was his last recorded appearance before he died. On the DVD he talked about his "other career" as a river-boat pilot. I remember first hearing & seeing him on the "Glenn Campbell Goodtime Hour" when I was a little shaver.
Thank you Otis for another great story. I got to meet John Hartford in the Spring of 1981 at a solo show put on by the Washington State Parks Dept. They had built about a dozen new parks throughout the the State and they contracted with name acts to come and play free music concerts for us. I had been playing gigs for about 5 years by then and I brought a "parts/frankenstein" banjo I had built out of salvaged vintage banjos. I met him before his show...outdoors...and showed him my banjo and asked his opinion of it. He played it for a couple of minutes..worked on the tuning and told me with a huge smile on his face." I kind of like it Bob...but don't quit your day job!" I still have that banjo and tell the story whenever I play it on a gig. John Hartford had a caring heart and an intense love of music. I feel that same energy from you Otis...I will be a fan forever!
I was fortunate enough to meet John Hartford at Tall Stacks in Cincinnati. I bought a vinyl lp from him that he was kind enough to sign. As much as he enjoyed riverboats and music I'd like to believe he was in a very good place at this festival which was 4 days of music and riverboats. I remember how courteous he was and he had an absolute impeccable signature. Thanks Otis for these interviews and remembrances of the greats. Still have the album and gives me great joy when I pull it out to play.
I owe ya'll a big Thank you for sending me "Way down The River Road" and into John Hartford . I swear the older I get I realize that it's always the people I meet along the way. ✌✌✌
Otis when I got my driver's license I bought a Craig 8 track player my first tape was aeroplane I didn't have a player inside I would sit in the car at night and learned Presbyterian Guitar and I still play it regularly
Hartford was the best. Maybe he is not really well known anymore to a lot of people, but he should be near the top and his influence is so huge. I discovered him by accident as a kid raiding my dad's records, which were primarily blues and jazz, but he had a penchant for folk and old time music also. So when i found the Aeroplane album, i was what the hell is this? and who is this dude? What an album. As a kid I used to sit around and play lots of songs to my dear Grandma (and she put up with me) One I remember was Howard Hughes Blues. He has so many great songs, i might have to go with Gentle on my mind as my favorite just because its really the real perfect song. I did see him a bunch mostly in Nashville and I also got to see his last show which was around Austin. I recorded it and never publicly circulated my version but others are circulated, its 4-07-01 and very powerful. He was pretty weak and couldnt play much but he was backed up by the then new Nickel Creek band. Hearing him call out tunes to and compliment Thile's real finesse playing was a joy. Thanks for doing this one Otis!
I have to say..I never realized it..but you se so much in everybodies face when they tell these stories..the inflection in their voices..starting to understand I think maybe.
I saw him at a little college in Utica NY when I was about 16 years old. We talked after the concert and he was so open and generous. About 5 years later I was playing with Jud Strunk at the Great Northern Bluegrass festival in Mole Lake Wisconsin and we met again back stage and he asked me if we had met before! He was such a nice man and always took the time to say hello. He closed that festival one year singing and dancing for thousands of people and made it look easy. I loved the Steam Powered Aeroplane album and I love and still play “First Girl I Loved”…
Otis- Bless you and Mike Bub for this. No better, musicologist, writer, songster, Man in my book. I took it upon myself to learn to play "Gentle on My Mind" when I first picked up a guitar. Been working on it for 50 years and .... I'm getting better :) But I can play it whenever I want to hear it. thanks so much for this!
Back in the 70's, early 80's I worked at a restaurant across the courtyard from a legendary venue in Evanston, Illinois called, Amazingrace. After closing I would meander thereover, get let in for free and help clean up after the second show. It was a musical education unto itsself....(sigh) I saw John there numerous times, got to hang out with him a bit, and served him breakfast numerous times at The Main Café. A more genuinley warm, considerate and talented human being have I yet to come across. When I got the news of his passing, I cried all day. I get the comfy feelings when I think about him.❤️🙏❤️🙏
What a great remembrance of a great musician, man, human being. I had the pleasure of seeing John at the Ann Arbor folk festival (in the late 80's) and you could feel his joy of life in every song he played. Thanks you Otis
Met him one time On the loading dock Going into the opera house in Seattle For I think was the 1st bumper shoot. Draging a couple Instrument cases. Big smile Asked " Anybody have a joint". We had shared what we had. I REMEMBER he did a song he did I hadn't heard before called " Golden Globes" It was humorous. Great concert .
Thank you for this tribute, memories of John Hartford.He was very popular in the 70's due to The Glen Campbell Show.I got to see him in my home town at the height of his popularity.He opened up for Poco ( all orginal members ).He was very good , he had people backing him up i think a trio or maybe a quartet.I will fondly remember him.Thank you for this post.
I got to see John twice. I saw what I believe was his last show in Oklahoma at Byron Berline's festival in Guthrie. You could tell he was not exactly up to snuff, but it was still a great show. He asked the crowd for applause for a couple of different things, and then he said "Now how about a round of applause for no particular reason at all." Back in the goodle days, aereo plain, watching the river go by, and the crosseyed child are some of my favorites. Gentle on my mind is a true masterpiece in my humble opinion.
I used to always park in the lot behind the Vogue when I was shopping in Broad Ripple. Once back in the mid 80's I was returning to my car and saw a man wearing a distinctive hat and facing the back wall of the Vogue, playing the banjo and doing some dance steps that I had seen many times before on TV. I knew immediately who he was. He turned and looked right at me, smiled and extended his hand. I gladly shook it and let him know what a huge fan I was of his songwriting. I didn't wear out my welcome but he couldn't have been nicer to me. Sadly, I never saw him perform live except for those few brief moments right then and there.
Hey Otis. I have a couple of stories about John. I met him the first time in New Jersey.. around 1975, I think. Strange. He was playing at some club there and my sister told me to check out this Fiddler. He made me laugh and dance. We met after the show and chatted it up. Later, I was living in Dallas Tx. I went to bar one night called Poor Davids, or Poor Richards, can't remember. 1984 maybe. While in there they have this big mirror behind the stage of a Fiddler with a Boler hat engraved in, bigger than life. I said to the bartender, "Hey, that mirror looks like John Hartford, You know him?" The guy says, It is John Hartford. He comes here when he can. sure enough, John played there a week or so later. So we met again and chatted about the bar in New Jersey. He said he played there regularly when up North. I learned to play a few of his tunes. He was a master. Thanks for the story here. Very cool.
My favorite Hartford songs... all of them! All of the flying fish albums, the fiddle albums, any unreleased song that comes out occasionally. The covers at the memorial in bean blossom, the new/old fiddle tune projects, I have a deep desire to watch or listen to anything that he was apart of! Thanks for posting the Hartford stories! Cant wait for more!
What are your favorite John Hartford songs? Did you ever see him live or meet him? I'd love to hear your stories.
Sweet Sunny South. Love his version & also Garcia & Grisman's off of the Shady Grove album. ... Great song.
- Thanks for the upload & takes it smooth 🤘✌️
Julia bell swain
Natchez Whistle, Julie Belle Swain, Long Hot Summer Day, up on the hill where they do the boogie. Anything from steam powered aeroplane. Mr Hartford has been my favorite since I was a young teenager. Around the time O brother where art thou hit it big. In my thirties now ,but he put me on the path to finding the greats. Three way tie between Mr. Hartford, John Prine, and Guy Clark for my top spot. There are some great old live shows floating around on the web. Some Steamboat preservation website I found had a ton of his shows free to download. They just want to spread steamboat history and John Is certainly part of that. Love your stuff Otis!
I could start every day of my life listening to Holding. My dad grew up seeing him with my grandmother between Peoria, IL and St Louis. I got a tattoo a few months ago inspired by Vamp in the Middle!
Like most of us my first introduction to John Hartford was his LP Steam Powered Aereo-Plain. But, the song that I tend to gravitate to is Skipin' in the Mississippi Dew. I don't really have any stories. But, I remember first hearing of him while watching The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour as a teenager.
Late 70’s I was at the old K-Mart in Madison TN Christmas shopping. I came around the end of one aisle and there was John. Bowler hat, white shirt, black vest and two-tone shoes. I said how ya doing Mr Hartford. He did a couple of dance steps and said “The name’s John and I’m just tickled to death to be here”. And did the little hat flip thing. I think John was always John and damn I miss him.
That's tremendous, Chuck! : )
Great days, it’s a small world
That's incredible!
John was my Grandfather and he actually raised me. This is a great story and a great example of the person he was and how much he cared about and appreciated all his fans. Thank you very much for sharing this story it makes me so happy and brings back so many great memories. Bless you🤟
@@dustinphillips8125 were you one of the grandkids I saw “wrassle” at the Station Inn during one of John’s shows?
One night, probably in the early 80s I turned on the Johnny Carson Show and John Hartford was a guest. It was a great interview, but the biggest part for me was when Carson said something like “I bet you’re sick and tired of Gentle on My Mind, aren’t you?” I understood that question so well. As a banjo player I was always tired of people asking for Foggy Mountain Breakdown or “that Beverly Hillbillies song”. I’d been to so many concerts and seen the looks on the performers faces when the someone in the audience yelled out the name of a song that made the band famous, but that they were obviously tired of playing. Been there and done that.
But this night Hartford’s response was kind of a life changer musically for me. John said something to the effect of “Johnny, Gentle on My Mind made it possible for me to do anything I’ve wanted to do for the rest of my life. If people want to hear me play it, I’ll happily play it all day long”.
Wow! I’d never heard anything like that said by any other musician! It was profound for me and though Foggy Mountain Breakdown has probably put a total of $100 in my pocket at little community shows over 50 or so years, if that’s what people want to hear then that’s what I’m playing.
Ty so much. Im 57 and I picked up the banjo because of Mr Hartford. My dad plays guitar. We listened to this together, music is a shared love between us.
I’m obsessed with “Steam powered aereo plain” which is from his wordy period. Glad to see that song covered by today’s bands.
I really enjoyed this video. I met and became friends with John in 1978. He was one of the most unforgettable characters I've known. He was smart, funny, cheerful in all weather, and very generous. He is sorely missed by his many friends and fans.
What a great commentary on a great man. John Hartford stories always for good stories. The Cape is just right.
John was quite the character. Marie was my aunt, and we saw them a few times during the 70's. I attended one of those Nashville Christmas jams as a teen. It was amazing seeing all people that I had only seen on TV there playing in his living room. They had a big tent out in the yard for the caterer to serve food to all the people that came to the party. I wasn't really old enough to appreciate the history I was watching but glad now that I was able to have that memory. They would stay with us when they came to town (NOLA) while he was touring. He was a fun guy, and Aunt Marie loved him so.
Hard to believe John has been gone 20 years. Time flies.
I met John Hartford in the 1970's as a favor to a friend I drove him around Boston for a whole day as he did errands getting ready to go on tour. He was the nicest gentlest man you could imagine, not the least bit pretentious, just a regular guy. Shame he went so young.
I had the pleasure of meeting John Hartford in the 80’s. He was sitting in front of a general store prior to performing at a bluegrass festival I attended. My friend told me afterwards that we had just met a legend. I remember him dancing a jig on a sheet of plywood while playing the fiddle and singing. He had a guitar pickup mounted on it so we could hear his feet. He told us he had a bunch of the same tennis shoes because they were the only ones that got the sound he liked. We were in the woods in the California sierra mountains. I stood less than 10 feet from him for him show and walked away inspired.
Great stuff from Mr. Bub. I met Mr. Hartford once back in the late eighties at the Mohican Bluegrass Fest in OH. He did his solo set
and later that evening I notice a small RV parked way behind the crowd seating area. I could see someone holding a banjo. I walk that way and the closer I got, I could make out the hat, the vest, ( he was wearing 3 vests for some reason) and the shuffling feet. I think to myself. That's Hartford! It was kind of surreal. No one else was around. It was just him playing his banjo, shuffling on his buck board by his RV. When I got close he say's "hello there young man" . I shook his hand and said how much I enjoyed his set and we talked for 20 mins or so. I thanked him again and after a departing handshake, He did the shuffle and hat trick and said "enjoy your evening young man, thanks for stopping by". I haven't thought about that moment in years until I saw this video. What a beautiful soul. Thanks Otis.
That's beautiful, Bob! : )
Summer of 1966 saw John in Printers Alley Nashville with Tompall and Glasser Bros .He was still unknown at the time .Later that week I made my way down to music row and met Chuck and Jimmy Glasser and Chuck listened to my songs and got me connected with BMI Canada but I’ve never had anything published ....Yes and 1967 out comes Gentle On My Mind published by The Glasser Bros ....Yep was there for that part of history
Washington Square Reunion in September each year. Great Pickin!!!
Priceless stuff. I hope you realize how much we appreciate you, Otis. Thank you.
Thank ya kindly, Ted!
@@otisgibbs You’re my favorite channel. I love hearing all of the stories. I’m no great musician, but I don’t have to be. When me and my buddies get together and play these songs that we love, I always have a small edge and share what I take from your channel with the friends I jam with and I’ve turned them on to your show. If not for you and people like you, these stories would be lost and that would be tragic. Thank you Otis!
🏆
I’m still looking forward to getting old and getting all my friends together down at the city dump and talking about the good all days.
You pass the weed, and I'll pass the wine!
John was an original member of the Ozark Mountain Trio which was started by my uncle Don Brown. Later known as Don Brown and the Ozark Mountain Trio. John drew the art work on their first "LP 45" It was a gospel 2 sided 45. There was a log cabin on the cover. I still have a copy of the songs and artwork somehwere. I am working from memory here, but I believe his name was spelled as John or Jon Harford on that album. Not sure about the first name but I distinctly remember the "t" missing from the last name. John would return every year to my Uncle Don's restaurant for a jam session in Moscow Mills, MO. The last year John attended, I sat in for Don (due to being under the weather) on mandolin. After the restaurant closed, John on fiddle, my cousin Dennis on banjo, and I played continued jamming until around 2:00 a.m. It was awesome. I still have John's cassette tape. I remarked about one of his songs and John went out to the car and came back with that tape and gave it to me. A really great memory. He was a really nice man. He let me play his fiddle. To this day, I think it was the sweetest sounding fiddle I have ever held in my hands. That is saying a lot since I repair dozens and dozens of instruments per year.
That's beautiful! Thank ya kindly for sharing this with us. : )
John's given name was Harford. A story is told that Chet Atkins suggested he add the t and become Hartford.
I had the privilege of seeing John Hartford at the Ark in Ann Arbor, and the way he sang Gentle on My Mind, it was so sweet and wistful, just lovely. He also was willing to talk with people after the show, even though he was in so much pain that he had to stretch out flat on the floor, but there he was, still talking. A true gentleman.
“In Tall Buildings” is not only my favorite John Hartford song, but also one of my favorites ever by any artist. There is no better tune for any time when the pace of life gets to be too much. Hartford seems to be one of those folks who is appreciated more and more as time goes by, and I would guess that this is a mark of a true artist.
We used to see him in the early 70’s when he played in the Student Union at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee.
Was there a year ago my friends mom passed away and was buried there I’m from Arkansas we got there early so when we pulled into cemetery there’s Acuff, Jimmy Martin, Scruggs,, was floored by seeing all the inspirational people that I listened to as a kid on the radio and skipped records,, never expected to see John’s grave and really got humbled almost ghost like when we saw Keith Whitley’s grave,,, Otis big thanks again,, so good to hear stories from the people who were actually just down to earth good friends,,, 😎😎😎
Thank you, Shawn!
Approximately 40 years ago I was at bean blossom a place that you have spoken of often and fondly to see John Hartford he played a early to mid afternoon set I was young naive inebriated I've been to a lot of concerts but never any that had the relaxed pace of bean blossom so I was at the wooden riser that was the stage and once he's commenced I was so enraptured by his music that I started pounding on said stage this didn't go on for very long when Mr Hartford pointed out to me that he had a percussion board a piece of plywood that was miked and that he danced on he was very kind about it. I heard tall buildings that day. 4 months later in early December or late November He played a nightclub in Bloomington. I made the same mistake almost again, I banished myself to a back wall. So that when His music grabbed and carried me I wouldn't mess up His rythm.
What a thoughtful, well-spoken fellow Mike Bub is...
I'm not sure I could possibly love listening to this any more than I did. Just wonderful.
I like the song Back in the Goodle Days. I bought the CD John Hartford Aeroplane used on eBay for $65 just to get that out of print CD at the time
Thank you so much for sharing. I just discovered Hartford this past year. After hearing “First Girl I Loved,” I listened to Aereo-Plain over and over throughout the pandemic. His sense of humor, balanced with the emotional depth of his lyrics, played over absolutely beautiful music, has been a great source of comfort and light during some dark days. I am so grateful to have discovered his music.
Thank you, Jes!
Thanx John was one of the treasures of our lives,play on brother...
John was the man....one of America’s originals. I wrote a song at Quake Lake when I heard he passed. Broke my heart....and could pull a tear, all while smiling. I met him once while he was fighting cancer, on tour through Big Sky Mt. and he was as kind as he was gentle. Mark Twang always gets me....Don’t leave your records in the sun.....ha! Sound advice and hilarious truth.
Wonderful! And remember: don't leave your records in the sun...they'll get all wavy and they just won't run.
I love to see homage given like this with a smile the whole time. You can tell that John Hartford was loved and respected thru this video. Ive never heard of him before and now feel like he's a kindred spirit to me. Thanks.
Thanks, Tim!
RIP, JH👏, Otis and Mike thanks so much!!! JH a life well lived.
Thank you, David!
Back in the mid 1990s, I had the pleasure of jamming with John at Gruhn's Guitars. It is truly one of the most treasured of my memories.
Thanks Mike for sharing these wonderful stories. -Jim
Thanks. Love this. Real music is truth music. These guys were true.
My wife and I were neighbors on Falls Ave with John and Marie. Ate with them many times and his jam sessions were amazing events. Would go all day and nite, everyone coming and going and always a mixture of players.
Marie was a wonderful giving person and always making sure everyone had food,drink and comfort.
Took great care of John and sad that at his funeral none of us knew she would be gone so soon after.
I was in the Music business too but we talked more about life, the river or went on adventures like canoe trips down the Harpeth river he loved.
Still have one of his 3x5 cards he kept in his pocket to make notes on. He wanted me to learn clawhammer banjo and wrote it out on the card. I played 3 finger style so I think he was hinting I wasn’t very good and should try clawhammer.
He and Marie made the whole little one block neighborhood always feel welcome and came to everyone’s cookout and parties up and down the street.
We all miss them.
Bluegrass Jams and Pickin Parties!!! Nothing better!!! Been there and It Is Fantastic. Galax, Clifftop, Greyfox
Thank u Ottis
I met Mike Bub twice. What a nice fellow. And through Matt Combs, I got to eat breakfast with John Hartford one time.
I just always loved to hear him tell stories. I actually worked on the river barges for about 2years.
I once went to a small venue show of his I don't remember where and the majority of the time I spent talking to his wonderful wife at the ticket counter that she was working. I asked her what does John listen to at home and I still laugh at her answer. She said lately he's been listening to that goddamn Irish bluegrass.
Hilarious!! Crying....
Yep that’s exactly what my Nanny would have said 😊💙
I am an old man and started playing guitar back in my youth and I will always be an intermediate at best picker on guitar and mandolin. However, John Hartford was a big influence on me in the 80s when I first got started. Following John's music encouraged me to learn to play the guitar more.
I believe Pachelbel's Cannon in D Major is the most recorded song.
Otis you make a difference.
You help keep memories alive that are slowly being forgotten.
Alot of people really appreciate what you do, not just this contribution, all of them.
Afterthought: plus all this information is entertaining and down right interesting!
Thank you, Troy!
@@otisgibbs Hey Otis
I don’t know any other way to get ahold of you - I just ran across something new “the history of O Boy records part one” (one week old) I just started watching it, only a couple minutes in and thought of you. I’m sure you’d want to check this out
Thanks Otis for another great story!
Thank you, Randy!
I was a young rocker when I discovered John from some buddies and there was no going back. I've loved his music ever since.
I was lucky enough to see him with the Dillards at the fall festival in Salem Missouri back in the early 80s. They were in the endzone of the high school football field. I still laugh about the older woman behind us who was so offended by the Golden Globes they left. She missed a great show.
In Tall Buildings makes me think of my Dad and now I go to work in tall buildings. Always brings a tear to my eye.
Good yarn,
heard the talkin,
didn't hear the twangin.
All Gentle on My Mind,
Thanks Otis...
Beautiful tribute to a true master.
Thank you, David!
I saw John Hartford perform one time, at the first (and only) Ozark Mountain Folk Fair in Eureka Springs, Arkansas in 1973. He came on stage with his fiddle, banjo, and guitar and had a board for dancing/percussion in front of his chair. At first he had some argument with the technicians about the set-up of the microphones, and finally, after getting that sorted out, he began to play. It's my strongest memory of that music festival.
Thanks for taking the time to do this...
Thank you, Ben!
Really admired John, sure miss him! Like steam powered aeroplane, and of course Gentle on my mind!. There will never be another like him.
Wait! I missed this one too? I just spent this entire afternoon listening to Aero Plain again. God, I miss John Hartford!
Thank you for sharing Mike Bub's stories with us, he gave me a great deal of information about John Hartford that reinforced my opinion that he was a great man. I know Mike Bub has a reputation in Nashville of knowing everyone who is anyone, I see now how he earned that. I had no idea how many awards he had earned as a bass player.
I have attended the john hartford memorial festival at bean blossom every year since its inception. It is an amazing festival. About the time i really got into bluegrass, john had passed. As a matter of fact, sam bush announced it at rockygrass. That was the first I knew of john, but considering the weight with which sam broke the news made me realize he was someone I needed to check out. One of the greatest
Thanks for the insightful interview Otis. Interesting take on the great John Hartford by another terrific artist Mike Bub.
Thank you, Brian!
That was so cool! Prayers from Wales
I have a friend from TN, Tommy Burroughs, who met Mr. Hartford when he was 12, had some wonderful stories, one of the GREATEST performers and musicians,THANK YOU for the story!!
I always thought Bub was the cat’s meow! Never had pleasure to meet him but he’s my fave !
Thanks for this video Mr Otis!
Awesome ! Made my morning!!!
If you ever see Mike out somewhere, you should definitely say hey to him. He's a great guy and he's very approachable. : )
My Dad is Norman Blake. I was raised around John. John was present when my brother was born in June of '71. John and Dad had just gotten off the road and my mother was in labor. She held on until they got home. John was a great friend of the Blake family. His son Jamie and I were childhood friends. Dad's latest album Jamie is on it. I have so many stories about John, he was great musician, yes, an even better friend and man.
Thank you for sharing
John hosted the "Down from the Mountain" concert/DVD to raise $$ for the Ryman. I believe it was his last recorded appearance before he died. On the DVD he talked about his "other career" as a river-boat pilot. I remember first hearing & seeing him on the "Glenn Campbell Goodtime Hour" when I was a little shaver.
I've been to a couple of those Hartford Christmas, Birthday, Newyears Jams AND Larry Perkins place too! Really special times.
And I think the Cape was Dustin's...
Thank you Otis for another great story. I got to meet John Hartford in the Spring of 1981 at a solo show put on by the Washington State Parks Dept. They had built about a dozen new parks throughout the the State and they contracted with name acts to come and play free music concerts for us. I had been playing gigs for about 5 years by then and I brought a "parts/frankenstein" banjo I had built out of salvaged vintage banjos. I met him before his show...outdoors...and showed him my banjo and asked his opinion of it. He played it for a couple of minutes..worked on the tuning and told me with a huge smile on his face." I kind of like it Bob...but don't quit your day job!" I still have that banjo and tell the story whenever I play it on a gig. John Hartford had a caring heart and an intense love of music. I feel that same energy from you Otis...I will be a fan forever!
Thanks for the kind words, Bob! : )
That was beautiful.
Wonderful piece. So much affection and respect for these great personalities. Nice touch to have that moment of quiet at the end, too.
I was fortunate enough to meet John Hartford at Tall Stacks in Cincinnati. I bought a vinyl lp from him that he was kind enough to sign. As much as he enjoyed riverboats and music I'd like to believe he was in a very good place at this festival which was 4 days of music and riverboats. I remember how courteous he was and he had an absolute impeccable signature. Thanks Otis for these interviews and remembrances of the greats. Still have the album and gives me great joy when I pull it out to play.
Thank you so much for putting that here.
Thank you, Kevin!
Met John several times at Randy Howards home,he was a special talent and person
I owe ya'll a big Thank you for sending me "Way down The River Road" and into John Hartford . I swear the older I get I realize that it's always the people I meet along the way. ✌✌✌
Always love John Hartford
In the eighties I used to watch classic country on PBS it was all the old TV shows
Danny Martin was my man
Benny Martin
Got to see John and his wife several times - he was a good man and a wonderful musician!
Always trust your cape,. Great line
Otis when I got my driver's license I bought a Craig 8 track player my first tape was aeroplane I didn't have a player inside I would sit in the car at night and learned Presbyterian Guitar and I still play it regularly
Hartford was the best. Maybe he is not really well known anymore to a lot of people, but he should be near the top and his influence is so huge. I discovered him by accident as a kid raiding my dad's records, which were primarily blues and jazz, but he had a penchant for folk and old time music also. So when i found the Aeroplane album, i was what the hell is this? and who is this dude? What an album. As a kid I used to sit around and play lots of songs to my dear Grandma (and she put up with me) One I remember was Howard Hughes Blues. He has so many great songs, i might have to go with Gentle on my mind as my favorite just because its really the real perfect song. I did see him a bunch mostly in Nashville and I also got to see his last show which was around Austin. I recorded it and never publicly circulated my version but others are circulated, its 4-07-01 and very powerful. He was pretty weak and couldnt play much but he was backed up by the then new Nickel Creek band. Hearing him call out tunes to and compliment Thile's real finesse playing was a joy. Thanks for doing this one Otis!
Thank you, Haze!
I have to say..I never realized it..but you se so much in everybodies face when they tell these stories..the inflection in their voices..starting to understand I think maybe.
Thank you for sharing this with us, facinating memories that Mike shared.
Thank you!
John passed right around the time I was born but I sure would’ve loved to meet him.
I saw him at a little college in Utica NY when I was about 16 years old. We talked after the concert and he was so open and generous. About 5 years later I was playing with Jud Strunk at the Great Northern Bluegrass festival in Mole Lake Wisconsin and we met again back stage and he asked me if we had met before! He was such a nice man and always took the time to say hello. He closed that festival one year singing and dancing for thousands of people and made it look easy. I loved the Steam Powered Aeroplane album and I love and still play “First Girl I Loved”…
Otis- Bless you and Mike Bub for this. No better, musicologist, writer, songster, Man in my book. I took it upon myself to learn to play "Gentle on My Mind" when I first picked up a guitar. Been working on it for 50 years and .... I'm getting better :) But I can play it whenever I want to hear it. thanks so much for this!
Thank you!
Back in the 70's, early 80's I worked at a restaurant across the courtyard from a legendary venue in Evanston, Illinois called, Amazingrace.
After closing I would meander thereover, get let in for free and help clean up after the second show. It was a musical education unto itsself....(sigh)
I saw John there numerous times, got to hang out with him a bit, and served him breakfast numerous times at The Main Café.
A more genuinley warm, considerate and talented human being have I yet to come across.
When I got the news of his passing, I cried all day.
I get the comfy feelings when I think about him.❤️🙏❤️🙏
Good stuff Otis. Mike Bub is the best! Thanks for posting.
Thank you!
What a great remembrance of a great musician, man, human being. I had the pleasure of seeing John at the Ann Arbor folk festival (in the late 80's) and you could feel his joy of life in every song he played. Thanks you Otis
Great stories guys! Thanks for posting
Another amazing video!! Thank you Otis. Keep em comin brother
Thank you!
Met him one time On the loading dock Going into the opera house in Seattle For I think was the 1st bumper shoot. Draging a couple Instrument cases. Big smile Asked " Anybody have a joint". We had shared what we had. I REMEMBER he did a song he did I hadn't heard before called " Golden Globes" It was humorous. Great concert .
Listened to several of these stories. Thank you for doing this Otis.
Thanks mike loved your stories about john love from the the emerald isle
WOW! Awesome! Thanks for sharing this!👍
marvelous glimpse, thank you.
Thank you
Thank you for this tribute, memories of John Hartford.He was very popular in the 70's due to The Glen Campbell Show.I got to see him in my home town at the height of his popularity.He opened up for Poco ( all orginal members ).He was very good , he had people backing him up i think a trio or maybe a quartet.I will fondly remember him.Thank you for this post.
Really enjoyed the video. Thank you Otis and Mike. Much love !!
Thank you, Davis!
Thanks Ottis
Thank you!
I got to see John twice. I saw what I believe was his last show in Oklahoma at Byron Berline's festival in Guthrie. You could tell he was not exactly up to snuff, but it was still a great show. He asked the crowd for applause for a couple of different things, and then he said "Now how about a round of applause for no particular reason at all." Back in the goodle days, aereo plain, watching the river go by, and the crosseyed child are some of my favorites. Gentle on my mind is a true masterpiece in my humble opinion.
wonderful. thank you.
Thank you, Patrick!
A friend just turned me on to your interviews. Thanks for what you do.
I used to always park in the lot behind the Vogue when I was shopping in Broad Ripple. Once back in the mid 80's I was returning to my car and saw a man wearing a distinctive hat and facing the back wall of the Vogue, playing the banjo and doing some dance steps that I had seen many times before on TV. I knew immediately who he was. He turned and looked right at me, smiled and extended his hand. I gladly shook it and let him know what a huge fan I was of his songwriting. I didn't wear out my welcome but he couldn't have been nicer to me. Sadly, I never saw him perform live except for those few brief moments right then and there.
How did I get this late !! Thanks Otis !! ☮️❤️🌸
Thanks Otis
Hey Otis. I have a couple of stories about John. I met him the first time in New Jersey.. around 1975, I think. Strange. He was playing at some club there and my sister told me to check out this Fiddler. He made me laugh and dance. We met after the show and chatted it up. Later, I was living in Dallas Tx. I went to bar one night called Poor Davids, or Poor Richards, can't remember. 1984 maybe. While in there they have this big mirror behind the stage of a Fiddler with a Boler hat engraved in, bigger than life. I said to the bartender, "Hey, that mirror looks like John Hartford, You know him?" The guy says, It is John Hartford. He comes here when he can. sure enough, John played there a week or so later. So we met again and chatted about the bar in New Jersey. He said he played there regularly when up North. I learned to play a few of his tunes. He was a master. Thanks for the story here. Very cool.
My favorite Hartford songs... all of them! All of the flying fish albums, the fiddle albums, any unreleased song that comes out occasionally. The covers at the memorial in bean blossom, the new/old fiddle tune projects, I have a deep desire to watch or listen to anything that he was apart of! Thanks for posting the Hartford stories! Cant wait for more!
Maybe my favorite is When Guiding Star Came To Tell City