Hudson River Festival 2026

I am sitting in a cheap room, 15 mins from  Tanglewood, waiting for the grounds to open so i can go in and eat and walk that beautiful grounds. I have had a bunch of music situations lately, and they are, well, musical, i guess. I want to talk about them...

I have had a bunch a gigs, sometimes twice a day, with a radio show coming up on the 4th of July. My first where I am singing. (I was interviewed once!) I am so nervous about that, so I will certainly be practicing. And tonight is going to be Paul Simon. 

And last  sunday was the Hudson River Festival.  Wow.

I am getting nervous these days about driving at night. Partly because of the deer, but also because i have a hard time staying  awake late at night as i am getting older. Sigh. So I decided to take the train. 

I love the train! I like not having to drive, for one. I can sleep, I can take a walk, the seats are  better than most airplanes. BUT, they do not wait for you, so i did leave way earlier than i had to. Next time.

I get off the shuttle, and NOTHING looks like the Croton park i remember from YEARS of going to this festival. I used to camp, spending the entire weekend on this bit of land. So, per my usual, I walk around. I want to know where everything is... the stages, the areas. I really like checking it out. Lots of food offerings, the beer is hazy, all the workers\volunteers are pleasant, the day  is warming up, the river is LOVELY. I finally figure out the schedule and go to watch my friend play with his group. 

Fantastic!! Seriously!! Most all the songs are about progressive causes, and i feel full of excitement over the idea of being in this space, with other people who are concerned about the world and where we are headed and what our priorities should be. And it is easy to believe that we all share the idea that we need to clean up our environment, feed people healthy food, make sure they have a place to live and good work to do. In other words, we are all about that idea of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness! 

Then it struck me... the way things are going, a festival like this could be called a terrorist activity under the current administation (they are currently arresting people for TOUCHING the reflecting pool, to remind you of the sin of the day, which is NOT about touching children, it is fine to do that, but dont vandalize the pool....)

And that is when i realized how special this show is. Pete said that we absolutely can change the world with songs, and i know that is true. He also said that a good song reminds us of what we are fighting for. YES!!  And every song i heard at the Hudson River Festival made me want to work harder for the environment, for peace, for taking care of our human family in all its colors and other differences that some folks want to separate us over. 

That part of the show got me up and moving. I ate well, had a few drinks, and got really excited about the future, that we  DO have a chance to make the changes that must be done. I saw and heard Tom Chapin and LOVED the set with Warren Haynes and the one with Jesse Welles (i have to find it and watch on YouTube i guess, because i left early to get the train.) I visited the booths and signed petitions. I bought a guitar strap that used to be a sail on the Clearwater! I sang along on all the sing alongs. 

I know it might get darker, but it will also get lighter. People are realizing that we have to stand up. I  thank the Hudson River Festival for happening and i am so thankful i was able to go. I wish anyone who reads this, an increase in hope. Sing some songs. It helps.