I was rolling east on US 2 across Montana, my 17-year-old son behind the wheel of my UAW-built Ford truck, when I learned that Jimmy Buffett had passed away. I disclosed to him that his grandparents were “Parrot Heads.” He was curious, not knowing too many Jimmy Buffett songs aside from
Steve, Ylonn Jackson's story touched my heart and brings a similar story that I'd like to share with you. About 18 months into the pandemic, I was talking to one of my management team. She and her husband traveled extensively every year, to Japan, China, and other places far away. They were going stir crazy. I told her my husband and I were renting an RV to take a road trip, and perhaps that might be a good trip for them during Covid-19 time. She haltingly told me the reason she and her husband traveled abroad is that they felt safer there, and didn't feel safe traveling in the US. You see, she's White and her husband is Black. It broke my heart, for them and this country. We had talked about racism in the US, and their being stopped by cops because of her husband being Black, and the denial of her grandparents (Trump fans) of racism. But for some reason, the fact of one of the basic freedoms and joys I've been able to experience (being White), that of traversing the US, strikes terror into their hearts. Says so much about where we are today. Thank you for letting me share this story.
Dear Steve!, Good Morning from Greenwich Village in NYC!, I have to re-read your piece here later today because it was making me cry, in a very joyful way about sharing our music with our children!!!!!! I’m an artist (painter) and you’re my 2nd favorite ex-Republican after Nicolle Wallace! Thank you SO much for ALL you write, this is the first one that’s made me relate so closely that it made me CRY! I love you! 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷Love, Rosemarie Tishelman, NYC & Chappaqua, NY! 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
This article was so inspiring! I live in South Texas and have been depressed and discouraged on the current affairs in Texas. Although I was born in South Louisiana I grew up in Texas and now all I can think about is how my family and I could leave. Where would we go? Where can we afford to go? I've lost so many friends and family to MAGA I feel like I've been grieving for almost 10 years now. To you Sir thank you for speaking the truth and inspiring people like me.
“The pattern and schtick is utterly tedious at this point. Aldean provoked the situation deliberately, consciously and with premeditation. The reaction was exactly as he expected, and hoped it would be. Now, he is denying the reality of what everyone heard him sing and watch him sing on video (the YouTube version of the video, shown above, was quietly edited, removing news clips of Black Lives Matter demonstrations and several other images). “--Steve Schmidt
Steve, this is incredible and thank you for introducing me to Maren Morris; she’s amazing. And by the way, you are an incredible poet as well, I don’t care what anyone says...:)
That said, I was always confused about Andean’s song and the controversy. I never actually listened to it because it immediately became a “right-wing” anthem. I wouldn’t call it a conservative anthem because these people who appropriated the song, are anything but conservative.
That said, I always knew Aldean was a fraud and that his true intentions were anything but small town values; whatever that even means. As though small towns don’t have drugs, crime and political corruption. The days of the Andy Griffith Show are long gone; replaced by an idea, that may or may not have ever existed in the first place.
And Aldean’s song was always an anthem against BLM; I just couldn’t prove it. However, that’s why I subscribe to your newsletter. You do the work for us, and we have no need to fact check you like with most political pundits these days; you bring the receipts.
Thanks again, and have an incredible week. By the way, your narration of your father and son trip brought tears to my eyes as well. An amazing journey by a great guy and his son. Truly inspirational....:)
You forgot Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot, Canadian icon, died May 1st and was not a baby boomer, as he was born 1938. Sailor, avid canoist through the Canadian wilderness (10 month long trips over 20 years).
Jimmy Buffet said he was his guide through the music business. Billy Joel revered him.
Bob Dylan and Gordon met in the 60's as their careers began. Two friends. Two competitors. A lifetime of two artists admiring and inspiring each other.
Love songs, political songs, environmental songs, story songs, celebrating life and children, doting father of six, grandfather, A rich, beautiful baritone voice. 20 original albums. Many live albums.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Beautiful, Carefree Highway, Alberta Bound, If You Could Read My Mind, The Pony Man, The Canadian Railway Trilogy, Sundown, Rainy Day People, Black Day in July (Detroit riots of 1967 banned from American radio), Early Morning Rain,
Summerside of Life, Shadows, If Children had Wings, Christian Island, Don Quixote, High and Dry, Softly.
I hope someday you take your essays and create a book. The topics ,varied as they are ,reflect a special understanding of the country and world in this sliver of time
You highlight the purpose and value of art well beyond normal enjoyment. You are showing conflicting cultures. In some hollowness of small towns and in others the suffering expressed in songs of protest and solidarity
Steve, this is wonderful. Music became a meeting point for me with each of my children and then grandchildren. My adult son stopped by a couple years ago to show me his new bike. As we got to the bike, he said hold on and had a song we once listened to all ready to play for me on his custom sound system. It touched me, that he remembered and the connection. I laughed and felt such pleasure as my granddaughter showed me all her pictures of Taylor Swift, during her concerts. She went to two. As I read this, many memories came back of my children and me, singing to our favorite music and then repeated with my grandkids. Different styles with the different generations, but it has always been the very best connection.
Thank you so much for this experience this morning.
Your Parrot Head Mom feels as if she was with you in the truck on your adventure. So much of the music you listened to with J played in our house through your teenage years. Your essay touched my heart. I was so happy that we were your final destination on this road trip❤️
As I read your words, and listened to the songs, I couldn't stop the tears running down my face. As a 73 yo white woman, I didn't grow up with the fear expressed by Ylonn, but the stress and fear of experiencing my childhood with an alcoholic father and my mom working 2-3 jobs to pay the bills and keep the electricity on.
So many emotions are flooding my mind and body. Remembering where I was when I heard that President Kennedy was assassinated. As a senior in high school watching my first political interest, Bobby Kennedy, be assassinated was devastating. Recalling the hope, and passion, of campaigning for Barack Obama (I felt the same exhilaration campaigning for Pete Buttigieg), compared with the fear and exhaustion of the Trump experience for 8 years. Living with the fear, and helplessness, about the division in our country and the deterioration of our democracy. I'm experiencing quite the rollercoaster of emotions.
I'm envious of the relationship you have with your son, and the memories you will both have from this amazing trip. I can't remember ever having a conversation with my father.
Thank you for sharing with this community, and giving us an outlet for whatever we are thinking and feeling. 💙
Absolutely perfectly said. I’m 81 now and I’ve seen, and lived through, and sung a good part of it. My 52 year old son made me a Parrot Head. And my 25 year old grandson and I just yesterday talked our way through breakfast.... our conversation was so in synch with your writing today.
Steve, you know how I feel about you, lol. Ditto to Ms. Tishelman, above.....
Music. Also one of my great loves. Telling the story of our lives, of our world. Thank you for emphasizing that gift.
You sharing the moments of your travels with your son, reminds me of a trip I took with my Mother when she regaled me with stories of her life, things I would have never known, otherwise. I absorbed every word, for she was ill and there wouldn’t be another chance, and we both knew it. It remains one of the most important trips I’ve ever had.
Thank God you’re doing this for another reason- and thank you for letting us in on the trip of a lifetime. Nothing is more important than listening to our parents stories, their sharing beliefs, personal observations and history, is the greatest of teaching. The best learning. To be able to tune out the hustle and bustle of daily lives, to get to know a father or a mother, is a gift, for both sides. Happy for you both, and for your gracious sharing. Another thank you kind sir.
Your essay shares a wonderful trip with father and son. While the physical beauty of your trip was wonderful , it was narrated and enhanced by a Modern day Leonardo da Vinci. Your debt of knowledge is deeply impressive. It is such an extreme variance with American fascination with such a narrow and shallow man as DJT. How could a person read your thoughts and analysis then compare your enlightened conversation with the current Republican front runner. How can so many Americans be so uninformed, uncaring and ignorant. Thank you for sharing your tour and insights. Your son is a very fortunate man.
Music and arts are emotion captured in time. You sharing the soundtrack of your cross-country round-trip touches my soul. Each song/artist you mention fills me with memories and feelings. The best songs evoke faint memories and blows the cobwebs and dust away, allowing wistful moments. Thank you for this. May each person be aware of their life's soundtrack and enjoy a moment or 2.
Steve - your journey with your son is a gift. If you haven’t yet watched the entirety of Ken Burns Country Music series - you can see our country’s state of affairs brewing thru his story telling. I feel like Trump tapped right into the narrative. Your son will get A’s in history.
The Ken Burns Country Music series was totally amazing and enlightening as have been everything he has been involved with that I have watched. It’s a must see for anyone that loves music and has a soul because as Steve says it’s all about love. 💕
I loved the Ken Burns series and have been listening to “Willie’s Roadhouse” pretty much non-stop ever since, except sometime in the summers I list to “Yacht Rock”. Unfortunately, racism has always been intertwined with country music. It’s a shame because it’s roots tie back to blues. Hank Williams grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and learned how to play in the blues bars in the Black part of town. The racism has always been about the industry catering to its audience rather than the beliefs of the musicians. Looks like Aldean may be an exception, and that video is further proof that the culture wars are taking us back to the 1950’s. Most of the new artists have strayed far from the genre. I encourage people to listen to the classic artists, many of whom rose above the hatred. Chris Stapleton and Jamey Johnson are holdouts. There are some young musicians out there following the traditional music. Both of Willie’s sons (Lucas and Micah) are excellent. I really like Charley Crockett (“ley” like Pride and two t’s like Davey) and bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings. Both have incredible backstories. I encourage people to check them out.
Steve, Ylonn Jackson's story touched my heart and brings a similar story that I'd like to share with you. About 18 months into the pandemic, I was talking to one of my management team. She and her husband traveled extensively every year, to Japan, China, and other places far away. They were going stir crazy. I told her my husband and I were renting an RV to take a road trip, and perhaps that might be a good trip for them during Covid-19 time. She haltingly told me the reason she and her husband traveled abroad is that they felt safer there, and didn't feel safe traveling in the US. You see, she's White and her husband is Black. It broke my heart, for them and this country. We had talked about racism in the US, and their being stopped by cops because of her husband being Black, and the denial of her grandparents (Trump fans) of racism. But for some reason, the fact of one of the basic freedoms and joys I've been able to experience (being White), that of traversing the US, strikes terror into their hearts. Says so much about where we are today. Thank you for letting me share this story.
Dear Steve!, Good Morning from Greenwich Village in NYC!, I have to re-read your piece here later today because it was making me cry, in a very joyful way about sharing our music with our children!!!!!! I’m an artist (painter) and you’re my 2nd favorite ex-Republican after Nicolle Wallace! Thank you SO much for ALL you write, this is the first one that’s made me relate so closely that it made me CRY! I love you! 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷Love, Rosemarie Tishelman, NYC & Chappaqua, NY! 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷
This article was so inspiring! I live in South Texas and have been depressed and discouraged on the current affairs in Texas. Although I was born in South Louisiana I grew up in Texas and now all I can think about is how my family and I could leave. Where would we go? Where can we afford to go? I've lost so many friends and family to MAGA I feel like I've been grieving for almost 10 years now. To you Sir thank you for speaking the truth and inspiring people like me.
I live in Indiana and feel your pain. Know you have friends out here. And Steve is our light.
Ditto..from Idaho!
“The pattern and schtick is utterly tedious at this point. Aldean provoked the situation deliberately, consciously and with premeditation. The reaction was exactly as he expected, and hoped it would be. Now, he is denying the reality of what everyone heard him sing and watch him sing on video (the YouTube version of the video, shown above, was quietly edited, removing news clips of Black Lives Matter demonstrations and several other images). “--Steve Schmidt
Steve, this is incredible and thank you for introducing me to Maren Morris; she’s amazing. And by the way, you are an incredible poet as well, I don’t care what anyone says...:)
That said, I was always confused about Andean’s song and the controversy. I never actually listened to it because it immediately became a “right-wing” anthem. I wouldn’t call it a conservative anthem because these people who appropriated the song, are anything but conservative.
That said, I always knew Aldean was a fraud and that his true intentions were anything but small town values; whatever that even means. As though small towns don’t have drugs, crime and political corruption. The days of the Andy Griffith Show are long gone; replaced by an idea, that may or may not have ever existed in the first place.
And Aldean’s song was always an anthem against BLM; I just couldn’t prove it. However, that’s why I subscribe to your newsletter. You do the work for us, and we have no need to fact check you like with most political pundits these days; you bring the receipts.
Thanks again, and have an incredible week. By the way, your narration of your father and son trip brought tears to my eyes as well. An amazing journey by a great guy and his son. Truly inspirational....:)
Before the Andy Griffith show there was Andy Griffith in A Face in the Crowd. It is worth consideration now. Past time, well past time.
I agree completely how powerful music is.
You forgot Gordon Lightfoot. Lightfoot, Canadian icon, died May 1st and was not a baby boomer, as he was born 1938. Sailor, avid canoist through the Canadian wilderness (10 month long trips over 20 years).
Jimmy Buffet said he was his guide through the music business. Billy Joel revered him.
Bob Dylan and Gordon met in the 60's as their careers began. Two friends. Two competitors. A lifetime of two artists admiring and inspiring each other.
Love songs, political songs, environmental songs, story songs, celebrating life and children, doting father of six, grandfather, A rich, beautiful baritone voice. 20 original albums. Many live albums.
The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Beautiful, Carefree Highway, Alberta Bound, If You Could Read My Mind, The Pony Man, The Canadian Railway Trilogy, Sundown, Rainy Day People, Black Day in July (Detroit riots of 1967 banned from American radio), Early Morning Rain,
Summerside of Life, Shadows, If Children had Wings, Christian Island, Don Quixote, High and Dry, Softly.
400 songs from the 60's on.
Love Gordon Lightfoot too! He also was on our playlist.
Steve
I love the songs of Gordon Lightfoot! Thank you for mentioning this great artist.
I hope someday you take your essays and create a book. The topics ,varied as they are ,reflect a special understanding of the country and world in this sliver of time
You highlight the purpose and value of art well beyond normal enjoyment. You are showing conflicting cultures. In some hollowness of small towns and in others the suffering expressed in songs of protest and solidarity
Thank you for reminding us
YES!!!!! We need a BOOK of Steve’s essays!!!
Steve, this is wonderful. Music became a meeting point for me with each of my children and then grandchildren. My adult son stopped by a couple years ago to show me his new bike. As we got to the bike, he said hold on and had a song we once listened to all ready to play for me on his custom sound system. It touched me, that he remembered and the connection. I laughed and felt such pleasure as my granddaughter showed me all her pictures of Taylor Swift, during her concerts. She went to two. As I read this, many memories came back of my children and me, singing to our favorite music and then repeated with my grandkids. Different styles with the different generations, but it has always been the very best connection.
Thank you so much for this experience this morning.
What a read to start my day! I could cry and at the same time I feel uplifted for your exquisite reflections!
Thank you Steve
Your Parrot Head Mom feels as if she was with you in the truck on your adventure. So much of the music you listened to with J played in our house through your teenage years. Your essay touched my heart. I was so happy that we were your final destination on this road trip❤️
As I read your words, and listened to the songs, I couldn't stop the tears running down my face. As a 73 yo white woman, I didn't grow up with the fear expressed by Ylonn, but the stress and fear of experiencing my childhood with an alcoholic father and my mom working 2-3 jobs to pay the bills and keep the electricity on.
So many emotions are flooding my mind and body. Remembering where I was when I heard that President Kennedy was assassinated. As a senior in high school watching my first political interest, Bobby Kennedy, be assassinated was devastating. Recalling the hope, and passion, of campaigning for Barack Obama (I felt the same exhilaration campaigning for Pete Buttigieg), compared with the fear and exhaustion of the Trump experience for 8 years. Living with the fear, and helplessness, about the division in our country and the deterioration of our democracy. I'm experiencing quite the rollercoaster of emotions.
I'm envious of the relationship you have with your son, and the memories you will both have from this amazing trip. I can't remember ever having a conversation with my father.
Thank you for sharing with this community, and giving us an outlet for whatever we are thinking and feeling. 💙
Absolutely perfectly said. I’m 81 now and I’ve seen, and lived through, and sung a good part of it. My 52 year old son made me a Parrot Head. And my 25 year old grandson and I just yesterday talked our way through breakfast.... our conversation was so in synch with your writing today.
Thank you, Steve.
Steve, you know how I feel about you, lol. Ditto to Ms. Tishelman, above.....
Music. Also one of my great loves. Telling the story of our lives, of our world. Thank you for emphasizing that gift.
You sharing the moments of your travels with your son, reminds me of a trip I took with my Mother when she regaled me with stories of her life, things I would have never known, otherwise. I absorbed every word, for she was ill and there wouldn’t be another chance, and we both knew it. It remains one of the most important trips I’ve ever had.
Thank God you’re doing this for another reason- and thank you for letting us in on the trip of a lifetime. Nothing is more important than listening to our parents stories, their sharing beliefs, personal observations and history, is the greatest of teaching. The best learning. To be able to tune out the hustle and bustle of daily lives, to get to know a father or a mother, is a gift, for both sides. Happy for you both, and for your gracious sharing. Another thank you kind sir.
Steve
Your essay shares a wonderful trip with father and son. While the physical beauty of your trip was wonderful , it was narrated and enhanced by a Modern day Leonardo da Vinci. Your debt of knowledge is deeply impressive. It is such an extreme variance with American fascination with such a narrow and shallow man as DJT. How could a person read your thoughts and analysis then compare your enlightened conversation with the current Republican front runner. How can so many Americans be so uninformed, uncaring and ignorant. Thank you for sharing your tour and insights. Your son is a very fortunate man.
Music and arts are emotion captured in time. You sharing the soundtrack of your cross-country round-trip touches my soul. Each song/artist you mention fills me with memories and feelings. The best songs evoke faint memories and blows the cobwebs and dust away, allowing wistful moments. Thank you for this. May each person be aware of their life's soundtrack and enjoy a moment or 2.
You hit so many like thoughts I have had and expressed them so well. Thanks
Steve - your journey with your son is a gift. If you haven’t yet watched the entirety of Ken Burns Country Music series - you can see our country’s state of affairs brewing thru his story telling. I feel like Trump tapped right into the narrative. Your son will get A’s in history.
The Ken Burns Country Music series was totally amazing and enlightening as have been everything he has been involved with that I have watched. It’s a must see for anyone that loves music and has a soul because as Steve says it’s all about love. 💕
I loved the Ken Burns series and have been listening to “Willie’s Roadhouse” pretty much non-stop ever since, except sometime in the summers I list to “Yacht Rock”. Unfortunately, racism has always been intertwined with country music. It’s a shame because it’s roots tie back to blues. Hank Williams grew up in Montgomery, Alabama and learned how to play in the blues bars in the Black part of town. The racism has always been about the industry catering to its audience rather than the beliefs of the musicians. Looks like Aldean may be an exception, and that video is further proof that the culture wars are taking us back to the 1950’s. Most of the new artists have strayed far from the genre. I encourage people to listen to the classic artists, many of whom rose above the hatred. Chris Stapleton and Jamey Johnson are holdouts. There are some young musicians out there following the traditional music. Both of Willie’s sons (Lucas and Micah) are excellent. I really like Charley Crockett (“ley” like Pride and two t’s like Davey) and bluegrass guitarist Billy Strings. Both have incredible backstories. I encourage people to check them out.
Thanks Greg!