My Connection with John Hartford

The date:  July 22, 1995, eighteen years ago yesterday I met the late John Hartford.

It was suggested by friends that I might want to see about taping music at the New York Mills Continental Divide Music & Film Festival.  The opportunity to capture John Hartford couldn’t be turned down.  My daughter, who was nine at the time and her friend, accompanied me on an approximate three to four hour drive.

We arrived in the early afternoon.  While strolling the festival grounds and viewing various artisans’ wares I looked up and there was John Hartford!  I said, “John Hartford?”  He said, “Yes.”  I quickly introduced myself and asked his permission to tape his performance.  I remember this.  I was wearing sunglasses and he asked me to remove my glasses.  Not too many people make that kind of request but never-the-less I obliged.  I went onto explain that I wanted to tape his performance for our town’s local cable TV.  I also mentioned that St. Peter has a music festival as well and we would be thrilled to have him perform at our festival.  I introduced him to my friends who were on the Rock Bend Folk Festival Committee and the rest is history.

This clip was his first song of an hour and a half performance from the New York Mills Continental Divide Music & Film Festival on July 22, 1995.

This next clip was from his performance at the Rock Bend Folk Festival, September 9, 1995 and his Grammy Award winning song, Gentle on My Mind.

Even if my part was small in Hartford’s performance at Minnesota Square Park in St. Peter, Minnesota, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to capture the moments and bring them back for your viewing pleasure!

Have a wonderful day!