HARRY CHAPIN & HARRY CHAPIN SONG NIGHTS

Many years ago I organized some benefit concerts---many years back. More thanI care to think of---and, as the song says---"...who knows where the time goes.."  I hope others will take up the reins for what I suggest later in this brief--well,  fairly brief, commentary.

It is a delight to see so many others also making such efforts that bring some great music and talent to us---and talent that should always  be remembered.  Back in 1983 (I am pretty sure that was the year) Sonny Ochs (sister of Phil Ochs) started her very memorable PHIL OCHS SONG NIGHTS..  They have become an event that travels the nation with some great talent doing his music and is keeping it alive and remembered---as it should be.

Stuart Marcus produces a wonderful HARRY CHAPIN (Chapinstock  aka Harry Chapin Music Event) each year in Long Island.  It is attended by thousands and the price of admission is some food for the local pantries in Long Island since Harry Chapin always supported such efforts and founded World Hunger Year (and was recognized for that effort by the government). Stuart Marcus, it must be said, is a wonderful musician and writer in his own right but this is an annual event that is truly meaningful----as is the honor paid to PHIL OCHS.

It has seemed to me, for quite some time now, that as PHIL OCHS MUSIC NIGHTS have become a wonderful event around the nation it would be a perfect time to start such an event for HARRY CHAPIN.

Think about these few things--Harry Chapin wrote music that was both topical (in a subtle way), pertinent to life's important moments,he was charismatic, and is waiting to be discovered by people who know only one or two of the "pop" hits---which, to me, were not the greatest works of all.   As PHIL OCHS needed to be introduced to a wider public that was weaned on someone that he was every bit that person's equal, so does HARRY CHAPIN needs an introduction to a wider audience than those who hear his music on Long Island each year or only know of Cats in The Cradle and Taxi. 

My suggestions are as follows---start a Facebook Page for that effort---get a leader (I am past that time in my life) like Stuart Marcus, and anything else you might think of that might make this come to fruition.  If not fruition, then, at least, pick a word and------LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN.