Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Friday, January 13, 2012,
I recall, when, at 5 years old, (me, not my mom), mother would always have the radio on in the house. I would sit and listen to it for hours. It was always “big band” music. I liked it, but, I kept waiting to hear someone sing. When the announcer would say, “so and so and the orchestra”, I would think to myself, “so and so”, would be a singer, and I would listen, (anxiously awaiting a voice). To my disappointment, it was always just the orchestra with no singer. I knew mom wou... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Monday, October 17, 2011,
Thanks to Terry Jones,the lead guitarist on the Oceanside Vineyard worship team, for his coaching and patience for making it possible for me to learn and play my new bass for last Sunday's worship service.I got to fill n for Phil Heroshige while he takes a few weeks off....maybe if he takes a few months off, I may get good at the bass... :-) It was very basic as I have never played bass before. iI turned out ok although I missed playing the hrmonica. A rehearsal I was absolutely sureI was losi... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Thursday, October 13, 2011,
Probably one of the most well known Canadian folk singers is poet/songwriter,Gordon Lightfoot. I first heard this song in the very early 60s, again, recorded by the Kingston Trio. (I think that's all I ever listened to back then). The Kingston Trio were quite often the first to record alot of songs (after the writers of course.) I sang Early Morning Rain alot as I worked at airports in the Navy while stationed in Georgia and longed to fly back home to the West, so the lyrics had very specia... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Tuesday, October 11, 2011,
This passed weekend was the Canadian Thanksgiving. There have been many contributions to folk music by some great Canadian ledgends that I truely love.Ian Tyson and Gordon Lightfoot to name a couple. I will add some of their lyrics in the next few days. Yesterday was Ian Tyson's Someday Soon. Today is another of Ian Tyson's best, Four Strong Winds. I enjoyed playing all these songs in my shows while I could still sing. Someday soon I hope to be able to sing them again :-)
FOUR STRONG WIND... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Monday, October 10, 2011,
This is one of my favorite songs. I first learned it from a Kingston Trio album. It has been recorded by many artist but the most popular version was probably done by Judy Collins. The goup I was in (The Travellers) sang it in the 60s. I did a solo version in my performances in the 80s and 90s.
thank you Peggy for reminding me.
Someday Soon
Ian Tyson
I am a young man, so you'll know, my age is twenty-one. I come from out in southern Colorado.
Just home from the service and I'm looking for m... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Saturday, September 10, 2011,
I ran out of music stories for now, but since I recently made a flight on Southwest Air Lines, thought this would generate a few laughs.
SOUTHWEST FLIGHT ATTENDENT
August 10, 2010
Seattle to San Diego
Flt. SW 240
3:45 pm departure
While boarding the Southwest Flt 240 in Seattle, we discovered we had a very talented comedienne as our flight attendant.
Her first announcement (and clue to her secret identity) was the following statement, as we boarded:
“There are plenty of open s... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Wednesday, August 10, 2011,
I wouldn't normally post a story like this because it is only remotely related to my music (since when has that stopped me before? ). But Mike did have me bring my guitar over to his house one afternoon after school. It was a setup for me to meet his neighbor, Sheila. Thanks Mikey. Mike died in the Marine Barracks bombing in Beirut Lebanon on 23 October 1983.
http://www.beirut-memorial.org/history/
· ETC Michael W. Gorchinski - A Navy electrical technician, was killed in the bombin... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Thursday, June 16, 2011,
WHAT PUPPY?
A true story by Steve Andersen
Yes, it’s true. There was a time that I really didn’t like dogs. I guess I inherited it from my dad. I say this because, when we lived in base housing, he used to say “ There’s only one good place for a dog, and that place ain’t been dug yet!”. I don’t think he ever really meant it, after all, he had a Saint Bernard while growing up in Redfield. We learned to walk in the yards at base housing always looking down so we wouldn’t s... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Monday, June 6, 2011,
I am unable to edit blog entries after they are posted. I did notice some spelling and grammar errors in the last entry (Flying to Redfield). My appologies. Hopefully I will be more carefull before i push the "go" button. :-) Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Monday, June 6, 2011,
DRIVING AROUND THE STREETS OF REDFIELD
The other night I took a little trip.
I flew to my hometown of Redfield South Dakota. I hadn’t been there since I left in 1964.
Lots of changes sense I left. No one greeted me when I arrived because no one I knew still lived there.
I drove around the streets for several hours looking for some familiar spots.
My tour started on 7th Avenue where we lived with my grandfather, only to find a Ford Dealership where grandfather’s home once stood.... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Sunday, June 5, 2011,
Ten Things I Hate
An observation by Steve Andersen
Waking up in the middle of the night is not always pleasant. I woke up one night to turn over and my elbow was imbedded firmly on the zipper of my pillow slip. My immediate response was, “ouch!”. Next I said, under my breath was, “Oh, I hate that”. Thus , my list was born.
Ten Things I Hate
1. Pillow slips with zippers.
2. Rectal exams.
3. Holes in my socks.
4. Crashing computers.
5. Drivers who... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Saturday, June 4, 2011,
As Promised on my home page, we’ll uncover the mysteries of the musical connections in my family.
There are no stars in my family to claim, so I’ll just give you our musical interests. My grandmother, Hedvig Andersen, was from Denmark. She played piano and was the church organist in my hometown of Redfield South Dakota. My earliest remembrances of her music was listening to her play her piano in her living room when we came to visit from California while my dad was in the Navy. Sh... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Wednesday, June 1, 2011,
Today is my youngest child's birthday, Stephanie Carol Andersen. She turned 23 today (not much of child anymore). The youngest of 4. She has one older brother, John, and two older sisters, Marnie and Alaina. All the girls are ,of course, "Daddy's little girls", no matter how old they are. Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Monday, May 30, 2011,
Memorial Day Week end
The holiday
Memorial Day was originally set aside to honor the members of the armed forces who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. The origin holiday was Decoration Day that began shortly after the American Civil War. It became a national holiday in 1971. The last Monday in May is designated as Memorial Day.
Gateway to summer
Although summer doesn’t officially start until the Summer Solstice on June 21st, Memorial Day is considered the kick-off of the summ... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Saturday, May 21, 2011,
As promised on the cover page:
THE BEGINNINGS
I began playing the guitar in Evansville Indiana. Teaching myself and learning folk music.
In the early fall of 1963, during football practice, I would often take my guitar to school and practice in the laundry room where I worked for the athletic department as a student manager (a glorified name for “water boy”). I tried out for football as a freshman but I was so small that the coach made me a student manager, and it paid my tuition... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Saturday, May 14, 2011,
RUB A DUB DUB, THREE MEN IN A TUB
A memorable fishing trip with Vic
A true story by Steve Andersen & Vic Brockenborough
I’m sharing the credit for this story with Vic for several reasons. One , he reminded me of the incident. Another, I didn’t want to take all the blame for my stupidity myself. The third fellow in the boat with us that day, was Wayne McCormick. (Maybe we should just blame it all on him since he can’t defend himself here!!!!)……….Sure, why not? All t... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Saturday, May 14, 2011,
FAERY MUSIC
A true story by Steve Andersen
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to play folk music with Nancy Vivolo. Nancy was Karen’s former sister-in-law who lives in Port Angeles, Washington. Nancy was host of a folk music venue in Port Angeles much like the venue I was hosting in Kent. We played concerts at each others venues. We soon started playing music together around the Port Angeles area. Nancy is a gifted song writer and was very good about getting musical gigs... Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Friday, May 13, 2011,
I changed my banner and ridded myself of the alien flower. (maybe I should have kept it). Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Thursday, May 12, 2011,
The flower on my site banner is probably an "Alien" from who ever or whatever dropped me off. Continue reading ...
Posted by STEPHEN ANDERSEN on Wednesday, May 11, 2011,
A true story (I think) by Steve Andersen
I was born in Redfield South Dakota on November 14th 1947. I know this even though I have no memory of this time in my life. I have proof though; photos, witnesses in my family (cousins, aunts, uncles, etc.) Besides, it says so on my birth certificate.
My first recollection is actually about three years later. I was suddenly standing in the middle of the street, in front of our house in Richmond, California. Richmond is located somewhere... Continue reading ...
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