WAMC To Air Exclusive Conversation With Folk Music Legend Pete Seeger

ALBANY, NY (06/25/2008)(readMedia)-- Recently, WAMC President Alan Chartock had the opportunity to sit down for a one-on-one conversation with folk music legend and Clearwater co-founder, Pete Seeger. The occasion was the 2008 "Great Hudson River Revival," affectionately called the Clearwater Festival after the sloop that is the centerpiece of the organization's educational efforts. The two spoke before a rapt audience at one of the festival stages on a beautiful Saturday afternoon on the shores of the Hudson River in Croton, New York. Their conversation, which will air on WAMC/Northeast Public Radio at 10:00 AM on Friday, July 4th, touched upon the organization's history and mission, and Pete Seeger's love affair with the river he, along with a group of dedicated volunteers, was instrumental in reclaiming. Pete remembered the early days of the Clearwater, he and Alan talked about the "folk process" and shared a tune or two, and the audience joined in with a moving sing-along.

Pete Seeger, now nearly 90, is an iconic folk singer, political activist, and a key figure in the 20th century folk music revival. Noted for his encouragement of young artists, his influence has been felt by generations of musicians, including Alan Chartock, himself a five-string banjo player. A previous conversation between Alan and Pete has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for WAMC as a fund-drive premium. Listeners who would like a copy of this latest conversation can get one with a pledge of $100 to WAMC by going to http://www.wamc.org and clicking on "Pledge Now."

Additionally, WAMC will soon begin airing a daily audio exploration of the natural world, "The Clearwater Moment," full of environmental and historical knowledge designed to activate, educate, and inspire. These short audio pieces include fascinating stories and facts from our natural world as well as stories of people and their power to effect change. The Clearwater Moment will have interviews with influential environmental leaders discussing the latest issues and their motivation to follow their path. Pete Seeger will be a part of the Moment, bringing his sense of social justice, community building - and of course his music - to the program.

An exciting partnership between WAMC/Northeast Public Radio and The Clearwater Sloop, The Clearwater Moments are voiced by Eli Schloss and produced by Sarah LaDuke. The Clearwater Moment will debut Monday, July 7 at 11:10 am.

WAMC/Northeast Public Radio is a non-commercial, listener supported public radio network broadcasting 24 hours a day to portions of seven New England and Middle Atlantic States. All broadcasts can also be heard on-line at http://www.wamc.org.

WAMC, 90.3 FM, Albany NY; WAMC, 1400AM, Albany NY; WAMK, 90.9 FM, Kingston NY; WOSR, 91.7 FM, Middletown NY; WCEL, 91.9 FM, Plattsburgh NY; WCAN, 93.3 FM, Canajoharie NY; WANC, 103.9 FM, Ticonderoga NY; WRUN, 1150 AM, Utica, NY; WAMQ, 105.1 FM, Great Barrington MA; ; 93.1 FM, Troy; 99.3 FM, Oneonta; 97.1 FM, Hudson; 107.1 FM, Warwick; 107.7 FM, Newburgh; 103.9 FM, Beacon; 96.5 FM, Ellenville; 106.9, Middletown; 102.1, Highland, NY; 90.9 FM, Milford, PA and on-line at http://www.wamc.org.

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