Mary McCaslin's Roundup
Mar 23, 2006
A
PRAYER FOR PEACE IN ARDEN'S GARDEN
How many ways can the same thing be
said? The answer, of course, is many ways. One only has to think about how many
love songs have been written and recorded.
"Take Me Home" - A Sampler
of American Artists for Peace is a compilation CD with tracks from 13 artists
performing their own "peace songs" in a variety of roots styles.
Every song is unique and memorable, and each expresses the same sentiment. The
title track, by Geoffrey Rutledge (formerly of the trio RST), was originally on
his solo CD, "The Big Top". Most, if not all of the other tracks also
come from existing recordings, though it sounds like they all were intended to
be part of this collection. Other artists featured are Joe Craven, Sherry
Austin, Country Joe McDonald, Jesse Colin Young, Joe Paquin, Bob Brozman,
Dennis McGregor, Tired Willie, Keith Greeninger, Lisa Atkinson, Scott McClatchy
and Jim Stringer. All of these artists are donating their tracks. "Take Me
Home" is an enhanced CD with an accompanying video produced by
award-winning videographer Mark Howard. It can be viewed on PC or Mac.
This project was conceived by Arden Eaton, co-host of KPIG's Sunday morning show Please Stand By. Arden
was inspired by the actions of Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a young soldier
killed in Iraq, who has done much more than make a one-time stand against the
Bush administration's war policy. Sheehan's efforts, like so many who work for
peace, have been ongoing.
Every Sunday for the last couple of years Arden has picked out a
song from the KPIG library and played what she calls her "Prayer for
Peace" right before the 10 a.m. start of Please Stand By. Eventually an
idea blossomed. Why not put together a collection of peace songs by different
artists on one CD to support the work of the Veterans for Peace? As Arden says,
"We believe the diversity of viewpoints represented here, all expressing
the need for peace, represent a true voice of people everywhere. It is our
fervant hope to spread the message of peace, galvanize folks to action and keep
a steady influx of funds flowing to the Veterans for Peace." The CD is
dedicated to her children Emily and Glenn and all the children of the world.
A CD release party and peace event
will take place tomorrow night at Carlton Hall in Monterey. Festivities run
from 6 to 9 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30. The evening will feature brief
comments from guest speakers, a half hour documentary called "The Ground
Truth," and the music of Sherry Austin, Lisa Atkinson, Keith Greeninger,
Joe Paquin, Geoffrey Rutledge, Dennis McGregor and Joe Craven, who will also
emcee. Copies of the CD will be for sale and there will be information tables
with literature from various peace organizations in the lobby. Proceeds from
this event, like those from the CD, will go to the Veterans for Peace.
Tickets are available in advance or
at the door. The "Take Me Home" CD is also available at local outlets
in the Santa Cruz / Monterey area and on-line. For complete information about
purchase locations for tickets or the CD go to www.ardensgarden.org.
Arden Eaton lives in Pacific Grove
with her husband Rob and Emily and Glenn. She started in radio back in the
early 1980s on community radio station KAZU. She wanted to play roots music and
what is now called Americana music on her show, but was having difficulty
coming up with a name. The program director at the time said it could just be
called "Country Music Mix", which somehow didn't seem to light any
fires. Arden thought about the names of some of the other programs on
KAZU: J.T. Mason's "My Sister's
House", Steve Kane's "Rock and Roll Hospital" and Tim Farmer's
"Farmer's Market". Finally "Arden's Garden" came to mind.
As she tells it, "I could see a picture of a map in my head - with all
these musical places."
Arden's Garden flourished on KAZU
for many years, until it was time to make a break. Things were changing. The
station had become an NPR affiliate and the movement by the powers-that-be was
toward all network news and talk with little or no local programming.
Fortunately for listeners, Arden had begun working weekend shifts on KPIG, so
her departure from KAZU did not mean the end of her radio career. Arden's
Garden was no more on KAZU, but in 2003 she began a new endeavor: a one-hour acoustic music television show
filmed before a studio audience at the Community Media Center in Monterey -
called Arden's Garden. Since its first airing the TV show has presented
regional and national performers with an emphasis on Americana and roots music,
and occasionally world music.
Arden can be heard weekend mornings
on KPIG playing the music she loves and co-hosting Please Stand By with Sleepy
John Sandidge. And every Sunday just before 10 you can hear her Prayer for
Peace.
Happy Trails!
Mary
McCaslin plays tonight at Don Quixote's in Felton and on March 31 at the
Espresso Garden Cafe in San Jose. Email her at roundup@marymccaslin.com.
IF
YOU GO
What:
"Take Me Home" CD Release Party & Peace Event (Benefit for
Veterens for Peace)
When:
Friday, March 24, 6 - 9 p.m.
Where:
Carlton Hall, 400 Franklin St., Monterey
Tickets:
$20 advance / $25 door
Details:
(831) 625-1229