I came across this lovely piece from Duane Fernandez (the festival’s official photographer) following my trip to Okemah, Oklahoma, a few years ago. He also took some great photos of me playing – great, that is, in terms of being taken in poor light and thus fairly complimentary. The photo of the Crystal Theatre – allegedly where Woody once played – is my shot.

‘When I think back and try to determine my favourite memory from this year’s Woody Guthrie Festival, I am continually drawn back to the performance by one Maurice Baker. To understand my reasoning, you must sit where I sat and hear what I heard. Maurice found his way to Okemah by way of hope and fate. My favourite way to travel.

I arrived at the Crystal Theatre that morning eager to find my seat and begin the day. I knew I would be shooting the next seven hours and I had this feeling that I might witness something grand. It was uncomfortable outside, temperatures were soaring above 100 degrees and the humidity was off the charts. I was wearing shorts. My camera pack was about 25 pounds. The theatre was dark and cool. An oasis on main street.

Okemah is about an hour east of Oklahoma City. The population is roughly around 3000. However, Okemah is home to Woody Guthrie and every year they celebrate his birthday with a folk festival.

Maurice Baker is a kind fellow from Newcastle, England. I had the pleasure to chat with him for a few moments following his performance. I decided halfway through our conversation that I’d like to take my wife and travel to the UK and have a pint in his hometown. After all, he was kind enough to venture out and visit us in ‘ours’. (I’m not from Okemah but my wife is, so I can use ‘ours’ loosely for this story.) From what I gathered, Maurice was surfing the net one day and stumbled upon the Woody Guthrie Festival web site. He says that Woody was an inspiration to him and he was intrigued about the festival. He told his wife he would like to attend Woodyfest, but she wasn’t thrilled with the idea. After all, Maurice is a school teacher and not only that the trip would be costly and would take him away from work. He didn’t mention it again. He did, however, submit a song he had written about Woody into the song writing contest – ‘Hard Travelling Man’. Needless to say, Maurice’s song placed and he had an opportunity to perform at Woodyfest.

Maurice was perfect. His songs were brilliant. His smile was contagious and in the heart of a man I saw a boy. I really wish you could all have been there.

I like this story because it has to do with following the heart. Sure it doesn’t make sense to fly halfway around the world to perform a couple of songs in a town an hour east of Oklahoma city. Most of the beautiful things in life are done by listening to your heart and taking that risk. I imagine this world would be a far better place if we put aside logic and reason every once in a while. Thank you Maurice.’

One of Duane’s photos is at the top of the blog heading. Below is one I took of a busker singing outside the Crystal. The place was in in fact rather shabby and in need of restoration, hence the sign SAVE THE CRYSTAL.

PS – I still sing my Woody Guthrie song occasionally and, in fact, did so at the Bridge Folk Club in Newcastle last Monday night. One of these days I hope to return to the States and sing at Woodyfest again (along with other festivals).