Many years ago, while I was a student at Sonoma State College, I had the "responsibility" of hosting Grateful Dead Lyricist Robert Hunter while he played a solo concert in the Student Union. At the time, he was half of my favorite songwriting team, (Jerry) Garcia / Hunter. They crafted the excellent songs that powered the Dead, and that still provide The Dead and Company with material that we all love and adore, and hum and sing, some 50 years later (WTF!?!).
The concert promoter was Bill Bourland, a fellow student and a good friend of mine. He billed it as a "Pillow Concert", and folks were encouraged to bring soft comfy things to lay on the carpeted floor while my good friend, Bob, played his acoustic guitar. In his raspy, pirate like voice, he played the hits, including "Ripple", "Truckin'", "Sugar Magnolia", and his own "Tiger Rose". It was thrilling to hear rough solo versions of tunes we had all heard performed dozens of times by the band.
It was a little odd to be "responsible" for Robert Hunter. He was not unfriendly, but we were both a little uneasy. After all, I was to hang with Hunter, and he was stuck with me. But I had planned ahead, and proposed that we commit a small criminal offense before he took the stage. Luckily, he thought that was a grand idea!
While committing this crime, we engaged in small talk. He spoke of living out on the River, and I told him that I played the guitar. He was unimpressed. Thankfully, it was soon show time. Hunter opened his case, took out his guitar (a Martin D-35 if I remember correctly) and left my realm of "responsibility".
That's about it, not much of a story. So now I can start making shit up. I told him that in about 40 years there would be this person running for President who had absolutely no business doing so. I also told him that I was going to be in a band called The Cork Pullers, based over the hill in Sonoma. Hunter became excited, and shared some lyrics that he had written on a legal pad and stashed in a Peachee. They were to a song called "Wave that Flag", and were just a bunch of common phrases tied together musically. He suggested that I add a verse to his song, one about this jackass who was to run for President. That sounded like a great idea, so I did.
( this part is true ) "Wave that Flag" eventually became "U.S. Blues", and last night while The Cork Pullers played our second set at the fabled Murphy's Irish Pub in Sonoma, that added verse was revealed to the world. The verses to "US Blues" are rollicking, and the chorus anthem-like. Fun stuff. The crowd usually really enjoys the song, and last night was even better than usual. If you don't know the song, give it a listen…and imagine my verse tacked on to the end after the final chorus, followed by another chorus.
Burkha black, scarlet Fez
Time of year, to elect a Prez
Cast your vote, don't let it pass
Donald Trump, you can kiss my ass!
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