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The Origin of Unity Band
by John Woodall
(from Facebook)
John Woodall August 26 at 7:28am
Hey Adrian,
You look great! I resisted being on Facebook for ages thinking it would
be a waste of time. But, it is exactly things like finding you that make
it so worthwhile. What an effort you've put into the Unity Band site!
A few points. Hayden was the engine of the forming of the band. He
signed us up for the Northwestern gig that I think the Northwestern
Bahá'í Club sponsored. I had gotten back from a travel teaching trip out
east and learned the Unity Band song from a young woman in Schenectady,
New York the previous August. We played it at the gig.
After the show, we were very excited that people actually liked what we
did, (we had practiced once or twice, to say we were raw would be kind).
Anyway, we were all crammed into someone's car really up from the gig
when we though, 'hey, maybe we could form a real band!." Then, the
question was what do we call it. We were puzzled for about 2 seconds
when Hayden, the legend, the man, started laughing and, I think his word
was, "Duh!" Then, he quizzed us, "What was our first song tonight?" The
rest is history.
We always started with "Unity Band" I sang lead, Hay and Janie back-up.
Then, more often then not, we sang "A never ending love." (We sometimes
sang that one twice.)
That's enough for now. Once again, Adrian, great to see you and nice
work!
John
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John Woodall August 26 at 7:48am
Hi Adrian,
A couple more thoughts. David Neidig was an astoundingly good guitarist
when he joined the band. I seem to remember he could already play the
mandolin. Hayden may have encouraged him. But, if he learned after he
joined, he quickly, very quickly learned. I think he took lessons from
Earl Scruggs* who, unless I'm delusional, was living in the north shore
somewhere. Is that right? Anyway, Dave took over my pathetic mandolin
playing and the band was better for it. He also added some real
musicianship along with Dave Bragman's ever better banjo playing. Mark
and I held down the rhythm. But the 2 Dave's were the flavor.
I remember also when you first played. Ron Johnson had been playing
gut-bucket until then. For pure visuals, Ron was all of that and, next
to Dave Neidig, could claim the music was his culturally. You added,
again, someone who actually knew how to play.
I remember Doug sitting in the first time. It seemed like a logical fit.
The band was taking on a real quality. I played guitar, mandolin and
dulcimer. "Stoney River" was the tune Hayden brought that I played
dulcimer on.
We played for 4 years before the 1977 Green Lake gig. Initially, just
firesides. But, the Spot and I can't remember the name now, but THE club**
for folk music in the north shore as well. A place in Evanston whose
name escapes me. We played alongside Brian Bowers who was a sensation on
the autoharp.
I had left for college in the summer of 75. That was the summer "Getting
a Round Tuit" was cut, right after I went off to school! My sister
Laurie was a back-up vocal. (Her name is misspelled "Laura" on the
cover.
The Unity Band experience was a blast, every part of it. So, glad to see
you keeping it alive. Any word what ever happened to Dave Neidig? Dave
Bragman? Ron Johnson? Mark Harries? Janie Fryee?
Best,
John
*Actually it was Jethro Burns from the duo Homer & Jethro who David
Neidig took Mandolin lessons from. **Turns out John was trying to
remember the club Amazing Grace.
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