Pete Seeger

“Being generous of spirit is a wonderful way to live.” Pete Seeger

Some forty years ago I sent a fan letter to Pete Seeger. I was young, and naïve, and beginning to taste the desperation at the writing table. I am embarrassed to admit this next part, but here goes. I sent him a song I had written. Yes, I did. And because I didn’t know how to write music, as I explained to him, I included a kind of chart of explanation for the code I had developed which basically went something like, “your voice goes up when the circles are higher.” I am blushing as I write this. And you know what? He wrote back. Not only that, but he wrote a wonderful, encouraging letter. He took the time to do that. Over the years, with my many moves, that physical letter has been lost, but it has always remained a source of inspiration for me. The measure of greatness, I believe, is in how power is wielded toward those who carry less. Thank you, Pete. You great, great man