I shared a bill once with John Hartford at a show in Virginia in 1990. We ate a Barbecue meal together and hung out before and after the show. He was a total trip to put it mildly, he was as interesting a conversationalist as he was a performer. He signed autographs with two pens, two hands starting in the center and writing a mirror image in opposite directions as he signed his name. His energy was absolutely inspiring. He was a real credit to his craft.
Years ago, I was on a business trip to Nashville and took the opportunity to visit Gruhn Guitars to gawk at their incredible wares. Like any self respecting music store, there were a couple of dudes hanging out jamming. On this occasion the two were on banjo and acoustic guitar and were incredible musicians, like pretty much anyone you run into in that city. After a while the older fellow on the banjo stood up and put up the instrument, and in an almost namaste-like bow, he clasped his hands together and said good bye and left. As soon as the door closed behind him it dawned on me and I said “Was that who I think it was?” “Yeah,” the proprietor said. “John comes in every now and then and just hangs out.” It is not often you get to be in close presence with what I would consider Music Royalty.
I remember seeing John Hartford in a Grocery Store west of St louis during my lunch break. I was covered in dried up mud on my jeans. He said Hi, I was in shock to see him, and he said you been working ,huh ? And smiled.
Loved Tim's comment about singing "Gentle on my Mind" at John's funeral: "Singing that song it felt like I was passing into the atmosphere in a way. Like this consciousness or something, like you're a tool of this greater thing and happy to be so." Amazing how little wooden boxes with stings and the human voice can transcend the ordinary into the extraordinary. Thanks for the memories guys.
Man, what a great interview. I could replay from 14:44 till the cows come home. Never knew the depth of Tim O'Brien; musician, incredibly talented in so many ways, not just in the music industry. He's learned things about the human condition that are worth hearing.
When I was a kid in the seventies my dad had a John Hartford album and it had these songs that were covered by other people. Seemed weird to me at the time, It was confusing to me. I liked bluegrass music, just wasn't fully immersed into it. Many years later I rediscovered him and really liked his music when O' Brother where art thou came out. That's around the same time I discovered Tim O'Brien because of the movie Cold Mountain. Thanks for sharing. I moved to Kansas in '97 and we attend the Walnut Valley Festival as often as we can.
He did so much to resurrect the original American music from the pre Civil War era. "Lorena" is a great example, as was his Mississippi River Pilot's License. From his derby to his feet he was a musical treasure. I wept when he passed in June of 2001. We will not see the like of him again. ❤
Thank you Tim and Otis for passing on these great stories. John Hartford was a great talent that many got to know from his appearances on the Glen Campbell Good time Hour
I like John Hartford very much. I remember seeing him many years ago when I was younger on I guess the Glenn Campbell show. Then he was amazing on the Down From The Mountain video. He talked about being a Mississippi riverboat pilot. There was a lot he wanted to accomplish in that respect and he seemed to know a lot about how to pilot those big boats. Always a very interesting person.
I loved his style is writing of course his banjo playing fiddle playing , gentle on My Mind it doesn’t matter how many times I hear this song and who sings it or the arrangement it always sounds like the first time it is just so good to me.
Great video. Tim O’Brien is great. Have met him and Kevin Burke here in Portland with an old (now passed) friend Al O’Donnel who was a tremendous Irish folk singer. Really great guy and really great set of stories. Loved this. Some things are just bigger than us. How true!! Happy to be so indeed!! Thanks Otis.
I was at John's funeral and I must say to this day no-one except John has ever done a greater version of Gentle On My Mind than Tim! What a bittersweet day that was.
Great stories, it just fascinates me and warms my heart to see my favorite ever musician talk about my other favorite ever musician. I don't know too much about either man personally, but what I know I like and I just adore their music and have for many years. Thanks for this.
Great stories on this one. Thank you Otis. Years ago (many years) I assumed that Gentle on my Mind would be a hard one to cover and then one night the chord structure became obvious and now it’s a tune I love to play but nearly never can recall all the verses. As far as pot brownies go, been there, done that, bought the book and the t shirt but never threw up. Lived in a two story house and couldn’t climb the stairs for some reason that night. Know your limits I think is the lesson here . These sessions with Tim are among the best.
Thank you Tim, for a fine story of one of my musical heroes. Music is so fundamental in our lives and storied musicians so important. Who knew that after John was gone we’d find out he wrote over four thousand fiddle tunes! I’ve learned a few, but what a daunting task. And I’m only talking about playing them. He wrote them! All while touring and piloting. I stand amazed.
My wife was at John's funeral. She worked with him on the Julia Belle Swain. I was home babysitting. I should have gone . . so many memorable stories! Thanks for posting, Otis.
Wonderful stories! John had an amazing life and some amazing friends! Sure wish I could have met him! Tim is a great storyteller as well as a awesome musician.
❤ Nice tribute. Wow, wonderful stories from Tim O'Brien! Such a good storyteller and such great stories. Thank you, Tim and Otis! I really liked learning about Arnold Schultz in “John Prime Thought Bill Monroe Was In the Mafia” and Jethro Burns and Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers in “Steve Goodman Remembered”. Also, "Working For Mark Knopfler" - all segments!
I absolutely loved this!! Terrific. I love Cup of Sugar, Tim. And I love all of your podcast, Otis. I want to recommend Tim's song, too on Cup of Sugar. They are all great, but "Goodbye Old Friend" is a wonderful message for me right now, as I also just lost a personal music friend. JD Hutchison and Tim I have heard were great friends, and this song is so beautiful. Thanks for that, Tim. Your set at Telluride (which I streamed from Bozeman) was also great!
Just awesome stories. John Hartford was a special guy. As someone already said, there will never be another like him. Thanks, Tim for telling it and thanks Otis for sharing it.
Been a fan of John Hartford's since I saw him in 1973 in Harvard square playing his violin/banjo and doing his shuffle....fell in love the moment he started playing!!! Saw him more than a dozen times over the years and got to meet him twice.....and God love him he remembered me!!! I have everything he ever did and miss his music VERY MUCH....a beautiful soul!
When I first started playing guitar my dad told me to learn some John Prine, I must have got confused when I was looking him up and found John Hartford instead. When I played him some Hartford songs he reminded me that he asked me to learn Prine but that Hartford was a favorite too. I absolutely love all things Hartford, thanks for the stories Tim.
Great story… it’s tough to lose people and say goodbye… I’ve done my share this past few months… never easy… Happy 4th of July… America 🇺🇸 ⚾️🌭🍔🥧🍨🍻🎇🎉… be safe and well… Peace
Thanks again for all these insights, I grew up listening and loving all these musicians and hearing these stories take me back to those years the good and the bad ❤️🎶🎶🎶🎶
Just as a fan, he had talent, presence, and seemed like a very decent human being. Unlike many in the public eye, information only positive reinforces thoughts about him.
tim obien is one of my favorites, in the old days we would see doc watson vassar clements hot rize new grass revival, john hartford and the other old greats
Great great interview, thank you both! I like Aereo-Plain. I don’t recall seeing him play at Bean Blossom back in the day but I did enjoy the John Hartford memorial festivals while they lasted.
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About three months ago, I saw Tim at an intimate little show in Elkin, NC at the Reeves. I had just bought a new Case Sodbuster (I collect Case) and he played his song Sodbuster at the end and I thought it was a sign lol. He was at his table after and I was able to give it to him. Pretty cool… he was super appreciative. I told him I was a nerd about those things and it was no longer my knife.
Saw John with fiddle and plywood in the late 80s, and was at the Old Settlers Festival in 2001. Have those “hippie” albums, Aereoplain to All In The Name of Love. Still listen.
I found my Dad's Aeroplane record in the early 80s and something about the weird cover and vibe stuck with me forever. Became a life long fan. I also was at that show in TX and it was heavy but amazing. It circulates around and is worth checking out
You could expect to have alotta fun and entertainment from John solo or with friends he never failed...Ive collected all his albums and with the internet live shows I didn't get to see..busy raising kids and pickin' cotton but we may have mourned his passing his spirit lives in his music so he hasn't gone to far....electric plyboard and all..we'll be dancin' in the bathtub....
I never got to see John live, but I have seen Tim live, the last Hartford Memorial held at Bean Blossom he was lecturing the crowd about not drinking enough water and smoking too much weed haha
Well, first off, thank you for the interview and the stories. Apparently, there's a gap in my musical education and I need to remedy that by listening to some John Hartford. Happy Monday Be good to you 🙏🏻🤍💛
John played often at the Down Home in Johnson City. I was co-owner operator for 20 plus years. John even let me record his show and include it on my radio series "Down Home Music" shared on Public Radio station across the country in the mid-'80's. He would come to town early to spend the day visiting and playing with local musicians in the area. Was privileged to have Tim O'Brien there with Hot Rize/Red Nuckles and other groups including with Tim' sister, Molly.
I think the first time I saw John he had a gig for the Lasalle Il. Bank. This would be 1977 or so. Also saw him at SIU ( asked him to sign My fiddle with a ball pt. pen. He protested til he saw Norman and Vasser had already signed it. I jammed with him at Starved Rock and he showed me how he did the waltz step on that Canoe song. First time I met him was Chicago Fest and he was standing looking over the NavyPier railing at New Grrass Revival setting up. I walked up and stood next to him but I was too scared to say anything. It is extremely difficult to sing GOMM without weeping.
GOMM, of course, but I'm a big fan of I've Heard That Tear-stained Monologue You Do There By the Door Before You Go - longest song title I know. I met him at Clifftop in the early '80s - he and Compton had driven JH's bus from N'ville that year. (I've met TO'B a couple of times; he played CLT a week or so after him mom died, and was pretty sad, but did a fine show.)
well yeah throw it up and feel better after i could a advised that tho i am a slight expert if were going off past experience with fun substances that should be taken treated with respect..... buy the ticket take the ride....
Printers Alley 1966 Nashville an unheard of John Hartford on stage with Glasser Bros and I’m there watching show and sayin who are these guys. I did meet Chuck & Jimmy Glasser at their publishing building on music row trying to get my songs published.This is all before they published Gentle On My Mind
mmmm moonshine hartford bluegrass comedy silly hillybillies moonshine glen cmapbell goodtimes ! steve martin and john hartford were wrtiers for the smothers brothers....moew miaus
I shared a bill once with John Hartford at a show in Virginia in 1990. We ate a Barbecue meal together and hung out before and after the show. He was a total trip to put it mildly, he was as interesting a conversationalist as he was a performer. He signed autographs with two pens, two hands starting in the center and writing a mirror image in opposite directions as he signed his name. His energy was absolutely inspiring. He was a real credit to his craft.
👍😊
John is a true American treasure , i can never hear enough stories about him.Thanks Otis and Tim .
Years ago, I was on a business trip to Nashville and took the opportunity to visit Gruhn Guitars to gawk at their incredible wares. Like any self respecting music store, there were a couple of dudes hanging out jamming. On this occasion the two were on banjo and acoustic guitar and were incredible musicians, like pretty much anyone you run into in that city. After a while the older fellow on the banjo stood up and put up the instrument, and in an almost namaste-like bow, he clasped his hands together and said good bye and left. As soon as the door closed behind him it dawned on me and I said “Was that who I think it was?” “Yeah,” the proprietor said. “John comes in every now and then and just hangs out.” It is not often you get to be in close presence with what I would consider Music Royalty.
WOW.
I remember seeing John Hartford in a Grocery Store west of St louis during my lunch break. I was covered in dried up mud on my jeans. He said Hi, I was in shock to see him, and he said you been working ,huh ? And smiled.
This may be the best one yet. The standing ovation part made me fucking cry
So good. Tim is a new favorite! What a cool cat!
Loved Tim's comment about singing "Gentle on my Mind" at John's funeral: "Singing that song it felt like I was passing into the atmosphere in a way. Like this consciousness or something, like you're a tool of this greater thing and happy to be so."
Amazing how little wooden boxes with stings and the human voice can transcend the ordinary into the extraordinary.
Thanks for the memories guys.
Love this guy , another great person that knew everyone keeping the history of these great artist alive. OTIS you hit it out of the park again.
Man, what a great interview. I could replay from 14:44 till the cows come home. Never knew the depth of Tim O'Brien; musician, incredibly talented in so many ways, not just in the music industry. He's learned things about the human condition that are worth hearing.
When I was a kid in the seventies my dad had a John Hartford album and it had these songs that were covered by other people. Seemed weird to me at the time, It was confusing to me. I liked bluegrass music, just wasn't fully immersed into it. Many years later I rediscovered him and really liked his music when O' Brother where art thou came out. That's around the same time I discovered Tim O'Brien because of the movie Cold Mountain. Thanks for sharing. I moved to Kansas in '97 and we attend the Walnut Valley Festival as often as we can.
He did so much to resurrect the original American music from the pre Civil War era. "Lorena" is a great example, as was his Mississippi River Pilot's License. From his derby to his feet he was a musical treasure. I wept when he passed in June of 2001. We will not see the like of him again. ❤
John and Tim have always been favorites of mine. I love the fact that they seem like guys you could just talk to you on the street corner.
Thank you Tim and Otis for passing on these great stories.
John Hartford was a great talent that many got to know from his appearances on the Glen Campbell Good time Hour
I like John Hartford very much. I remember seeing him many years ago when I was younger on I guess the Glenn Campbell show. Then he was amazing on the Down From The Mountain video. He talked about being a Mississippi riverboat pilot. There was a lot he wanted to accomplish in that respect and he seemed to know a lot about how to pilot those big boats. Always a very interesting person.
I loved his style is writing of course his banjo playing fiddle playing , gentle on My Mind it doesn’t matter how many times I hear this song and who sings it or the arrangement it always sounds like the first time it is just so good to me.
What a lovely memory.
Thank you Otis and Tim
Check out Tim's new record and tell him Otis sent ya!
timobrien.net/
Own it! Loved Tim since Songs From the Mountain. Cluck Old Hen. 🥰
What a wonderful story. Thank you Tim and Otis for the chance to hear it. I'm sure John Hartford truly loved and appreciated you guys !
Man. One great, unmatched interview.
RIP 😢 thank you for sharing your moments with us hope you and everyone here are doing well through the most unbelievable time in our life
Great interviews with Tim O'Brien. So talented and humble. I love these stories, Otis keep em coming!
These visit with Tim are beyond precious. Thanks to the both of you for making this available.
Well, these just keep getting better. Otis Gibbs interviewing Tim O'Brien about John Hartford - no words to describe how good that is!
Great video. Tim O’Brien is great. Have met him and Kevin Burke here in Portland with an old (now passed) friend Al O’Donnel who was a tremendous Irish folk singer. Really great guy and really great set of stories. Loved this. Some things are just bigger than us. How true!! Happy to be so indeed!! Thanks Otis.
I was at John's funeral and I must say to this day no-one except John has ever done a greater version of Gentle On My Mind than Tim! What a bittersweet day that was.
Really enjoy these story telling sessions.
Great stories, it just fascinates me and warms my heart to see my favorite ever musician talk about my other favorite ever musician. I don't know too much about either man personally, but what I know I like and I just adore their music and have for many years. Thanks for this.
Great stories on this one. Thank you Otis. Years ago (many years) I assumed that Gentle on my Mind would be a hard one to cover and then one night the chord structure became obvious and now it’s a tune I love to play but nearly never can recall all the verses. As far as pot brownies go, been there, done that, bought the book and the t shirt but never threw up. Lived in a two story house and couldn’t climb the stairs for some reason that night. Know your limits I think is the lesson here . These sessions with Tim are among the best.
Excellent interview, really very interesting.
Thank you Tim, for a fine story of one of my musical heroes. Music is so fundamental in our lives and storied musicians so important. Who knew that after John was gone we’d find out he wrote over four thousand fiddle tunes! I’ve learned a few, but what a daunting task. And I’m only talking about playing them. He wrote them! All while touring and piloting. I stand amazed.
Thanks for preserving these stories Otis. I especially love the ones with these Bliegrass guys like Tim and Mike Bub.
This is one of my fav channels on TH-cam. Great stories man. I'd LOVE more John Hartford tales!
The word that Tim was looking for is "cauldron."
Tim, you are a treasure, like John was. Thank you for this remembrance.
My wife was at John's funeral. She worked with him on the Julia Belle Swain. I was home babysitting. I should have gone . . so many memorable stories! Thanks for posting, Otis.
Thanks so much for this one, Otis.
Priceless stories!
Wonderful stories! John had an amazing life and some amazing friends! Sure wish I could have met him! Tim is a great storyteller as well as a awesome musician.
That was a nice posting folks , thank you for this it made my evening ..!!!!
❤ Nice tribute. Wow, wonderful stories from Tim O'Brien! Such a good storyteller and such great stories. Thank you, Tim and Otis! I really liked learning about Arnold Schultz in “John Prime Thought Bill Monroe Was In the Mafia” and Jethro Burns and Red Knuckles and the Trailblazers in “Steve Goodman Remembered”. Also, "Working For Mark Knopfler" - all segments!
I absolutely loved this!! Terrific. I love Cup of Sugar, Tim. And I love all of your podcast, Otis.
I want to recommend Tim's song, too on Cup of Sugar. They are all great, but "Goodbye Old Friend" is a wonderful message for me right now, as I also just lost a personal music friend. JD Hutchison and Tim I have heard were great friends, and this song is so beautiful. Thanks for that, Tim. Your set at Telluride (which I streamed from Bozeman) was also great!
In about 1977 we were invited by our bank in Athens, TN to take a riverboat cruise and the captain on that riverboat was John Hartford.
Just awesome stories. John Hartford was a special guy. As someone already said, there will never be another like him. Thanks, Tim for telling it and thanks Otis for sharing it.
Been a fan of John Hartford's since I saw him in 1973 in Harvard square playing his violin/banjo and doing his shuffle....fell in love the moment he started playing!!! Saw him more than a dozen times over the years and got to meet him twice.....and God love him he remembered me!!! I have everything he ever did and miss his music VERY MUCH....a beautiful soul!
“Cauldron.” ❤😢❤
Wow. heavy duty stuff here. Thanks so much for this.
I really enjoyed this video thanks so much!
When I first started playing guitar my dad told me to learn some John Prine, I must have got confused when I was looking him up and found John Hartford instead. When I played him some Hartford songs he reminded me that he asked me to learn Prine but that Hartford was a favorite too. I absolutely love all things Hartford, thanks for the stories Tim.
Thank you for this guys ...the Aereoplane album is one of my all time favorites ...he was amazing ! Great stories please tell us more !! 🎻🎶
Great story… it’s tough to lose people and say goodbye… I’ve done my share this past few months… never easy…
Happy 4th of July… America 🇺🇸 ⚾️🌭🍔🥧🍨🍻🎇🎉… be safe and well… Peace
Thanks again for all these insights, I grew up listening and loving all these musicians and hearing these stories take me back to those years the good and the bad ❤️🎶🎶🎶🎶
Just as a fan, he had talent, presence, and seemed like a very decent human being. Unlike many in the public
eye, information only positive reinforces thoughts about him.
tim obien is one of my favorites, in the old days we would see doc watson vassar clements hot rize new grass revival, john hartford and the other old greats
Terrific
"And happy to be so." . Yes sir.
Another great story
Great great interview, thank you both! I like Aereo-Plain. I don’t recall seeing him play at Bean Blossom back in the day but I did enjoy the John Hartford memorial festivals while they lasted.
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I found the version of Kathy Mattea and Tim singing this song at the tribute concert on TH-cam
thanks otis. thanks tim.
About three months ago, I saw Tim at an intimate little show in Elkin, NC at the Reeves. I had just bought a new Case Sodbuster (I collect Case) and he played his song Sodbuster at the end and I thought it was a sign lol. He was at his table after and I was able to give it to him. Pretty cool… he was super appreciative. I told him I was a nerd about those things and it was no longer my knife.
Saw John with fiddle and plywood in the late 80s, and was at the Old Settlers Festival in 2001. Have those “hippie” albums, Aereoplain to All In The Name of Love. Still listen.
I found my Dad's Aeroplane record in the early 80s and something about the weird cover and vibe stuck with me forever. Became a life long fan. I also was at that show in TX and it was heavy but amazing. It circulates around and is worth checking out
You could expect to have alotta fun and entertainment from John solo or with friends he never failed...Ive collected all his albums and with the internet live shows I didn't get to see..busy raising kids and pickin' cotton but we may have mourned his passing his spirit lives in his music so he hasn't gone to far....electric plyboard and all..we'll be dancin' in the bathtub....
I never got to see John live, but I have seen Tim live, the last Hartford Memorial held at Bean Blossom he was lecturing the crowd about not drinking enough water and smoking too much weed haha
Awesome!!
Well, first off, thank you for the interview and the stories.
Apparently, there's a gap in my musical education and I need to remedy that by listening to some John Hartford.
Happy Monday
Be good to you 🙏🏻🤍💛
moonshine country ham bisucits great stories amazing musicians loving artists....sign us up yall
Somebody in our family bought the _Mark Twang_ album because it had his name on it. It's certainly worth a listen.
What's your favorite John Hartford song? Did you ever see him live?
John played often at the Down Home in Johnson City. I was co-owner operator for 20 plus years. John even let me record his show and include it on my radio series "Down Home Music" shared on Public Radio station across the country in the mid-'80's. He would come to town early to spend the day visiting and playing with local musicians in the area. Was privileged to have Tim O'Brien there with Hot Rize/Red Nuckles and other groups including with Tim' sister, Molly.
I think the first time I saw John he had a gig for the Lasalle Il. Bank. This would be 1977 or so. Also saw him at SIU ( asked him to sign
My fiddle with a ball pt. pen. He protested til he saw Norman and Vasser had already signed it. I jammed with him at Starved Rock and he showed me how he did the waltz step on that Canoe song. First time I met him was Chicago Fest and he was standing looking over the NavyPier railing at New Grrass Revival setting up. I walked up and stood next to him but I was too scared to say anything. It is extremely difficult to sing GOMM without weeping.
GOMM, of course, but I'm a big fan of I've Heard That Tear-stained Monologue You Do There By the Door Before You Go - longest song title I know. I met him at Clifftop in the early '80s - he and Compton had driven JH's bus from N'ville that year. (I've met TO'B a couple of times; he played CLT a week or so after him mom died, and was pretty sad, but did a fine show.)
Early '90s. It's hard works, being an idiot.😉
He's got a jam with Bela Fleck tomorrow😅
❤❤❤
Tears
Is that the bus from the Red Knuckles album?
Everybody loves brownies😊
🤩
i just can't imagine what a funeral that was w/homemade likker & weed! 🤣🤣🤣🤣too cool!
Favorite hartford song is When the guiding star came to tell city
Love that song!!
nice .
Tim O. is a Saint btw.
......cauldron....
I want you to guess what time it is right now as I'm listening to the pot brownie story....
well yeah throw it up and feel better after i could a advised that tho i am a slight expert if were going off past experience with fun substances that should be taken treated with respect..... buy the ticket take the ride....
I’m sure you did when it mattered
Obrien for Speaker of House.
Printers Alley 1966 Nashville an unheard of John Hartford on stage with Glasser Bros and I’m there watching show and sayin who are these guys. I did meet Chuck & Jimmy Glasser at their publishing building on music row trying to get my songs published.This is all before they published Gentle On My Mind
oh better try some of this first....words to live by....in certain areas....lol
👍
Lyric he was searching for …. Jim Stafford, Swamp Witch. Maybe?
gurlgin', cracklin' cauldron...
I see many share stories but whats your stories? U seemed to duck all the rowdy times.
The Alabama
gurgling, crackling, cauldron at some train yard
Pat Paulson for President
mmmm moonshine hartford bluegrass comedy silly hillybillies moonshine glen cmapbell goodtimes ! steve martin and john hartford were wrtiers for the smothers brothers....moew miaus