North Pond Hermit Songs

NA4203 Troy Bennett, interviewed by Hilary Warner-Evans, October 14, 2013, in his house in Portland, ME. Bennett talks about the beginnings of his music career; working at the Spurwink School; playing with the Half Moon Jug Band; his musical influences; why he prefers to write humorous songs; the broadside ballads tradition; writing his song “North Pond Hermit”; his songwriting technique; the story of Christopher Thomas Knight, upon whom his song is based; sharing his music; where his band usually performs; writing topical songs; telling stories through song; and preferring major keys. Recording includes Bennett performing his song “North Pond Hermit.” Text: 20 pp. transcript. Recording: mfc_na4203_cd2601_01 71 minutes.

NA4204 Stan Keach, interviewed by Hilary Warner-Evans, October 12, 2013, in his house in Rome, ME. Keach talks about the beginnings of his music career; his early life and family; his interest in Maine; his interest in Donn Fendler’s story; his preference for acoustic music; attending bluegrass festivals; bluegrass as a Southern genre; his songwriting process, especially with regards to his song “What the North Pond Hermit Knows”; the story of Christopher Thomas Knight; upon whom his song is based; sharing his music; where his band usually performs; deciding to perform it as a duo rather than with his band; the Hermit as criminal vs. the Hermit as folk hero; and whether he would perform his song for Knight himself. Recording includes Keach performing his song “What the North Pond Hermit Knows.” Text: 20 pp. transcript. Recording: mfc_na4204_cd2602_01 82 minutes.