Friday, June 20, 2014

Gerde's Folk's memories



The title makes hardly any sense, but what the hey. It's cyber space. Corrections…bah!

An update on the progress being made for those who those care.

Thanks to gracious folks who know a bandwagon when they see one, POSITIVELY PORCO will sweep all other Gerde's documentaries out of the water and stand in its place. Actually, there are no other Gerde's docs. So at least POSITIVELY PORCO will be first. Not only THAT, but this near finished film will feature many of the living treasures telling the story in first-person. Dig



It's fucking awesome, I must say. I'm partial. But I'm currently distilling the best memories of the finest moments from music history into a 100 minute film.

But if you know someone who wants to make it a mini series, operators are standing by.

Until that eventuality, I've dipped into the 'crowd sourcing' web for a wild fling.
indiegogo

I've already sold my treasured guitar to hire seasoned veterans to help me make the film. It was a steal at 5k. But hey…I needed a new one anyway. Maybe an electric bass instead… drifting.

Take me up on a previous offer and take my 100 bucks for initiating one print media article featuring the GERDE'S FOLK CITY DOCUMENTARY.

And here's a video blog if you're into that sorta thing.


and here's another clip I like.



See ya down the road. Spoke at length with Larry Campbell last Sunday. Heading to Clearwater at Croton Point this weekend. Interviewing Eric Andersen Monday. Going to the Bitter End, Paul Colby tribute Monday night. It's a wild time, someone has to do it.

Mike Porco outside Folk City

Marlon Cherry, Bob Porco

Oscar Isaac and 'Mike Porco, M.D'





Tuesday, June 3, 2014

FOLK CITY at 54

Rod MacDonald watches POSITIVELY PORCO
YES, friends, My grandfather's world renown Folk Music stadium - Gerde's Folk City - opened for business under the name Folk City for the first time exactly 54 years ago. For just 5 months prior to that, it was called THE FIFTH PEG. It was the brain child of three complete strangers: Mike Porco, Tom Prendergast and Israel Goodman Young. Actually, Mike had nothing to do with making his restaurant into a Folk cabaret, but we're glad he kept it open when Izzy handed the idea to Mike Porco in late May 1960.
It's just one topic in the upcoming documentary being made about Gerde's Folk City and its illustrious owner, Mike Porco. 
The documentary is called POSITIVELY PORCO.
It's nearing completion. If you have any interest in the music spawned in the restaurant, you will want to see it. Basically, the American singer/songwriter genre has its roots planted at Gerde's. 
All music lovers should know. Your mother should know. And somewhere in Cincinnati, there's a kid waiting for the school bus, listening to ''his parents music'' on his headphones, and he hears the 60s in his head. HE SHOULD KNOW.
Reach him with some press for me, please. I'll give you dollars and doughnuts for publicity and HEADLINES talking UP this film.

Here are some pictures from my most recent week of action. I'm busy. Dig?
Executive Producers with large pockets should know. Operators are standing by.
~Bob


~~~~~~~~~~~
THE NEW WORLD SINGERS





These people saw the first sneak peak of
Positively Porco. You missed it.


An astounding time was had learning and listening with THE NEW WORLD SINGERS.
Yes, Bob Cohen, Delores Dixon and Happy Traum gave 60 people a rare performance from a set once touring the nation 60 years ago. Legendary. I loved it... Realized I have a thing for older black women after meeting Delores. Don't tell her. 


~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. ROD MACDONALD




~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mr. ERIK FRANDSEN








a fixture on Macdougal Street…once a fixture at Folk City
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PS-

AND don't forget, music lovers, that POSITIVELY PORCO has a trailer. You should share it with the Cincinnati Kid and your parents. More sneak peaks will be offered for the public in coming weeks. One will be at MIKE AND RUTHY'S SUMMER HOOT in August. NYC show announced soon. Press. Publicity. Word of mouth. pass it on.