Fairly Conservative

In August of 1963 as a young boy my father told me at supper one evening not to make plans for the next day. I remember him saying it was more important some times to participate in history rather than study it. On that Wednesday we left early and traveled to Washington D.C. to observe the March on Washington. It was out of character for my father, a quiet, conservative, southerner to do such a thing but I’ve always been glad he did. I was there for Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech and was among more people than I had ever seen. It was on this historic day that I first heard a little known group called ‘Peter, Paul and Mary’ sing ‘Blowin in the Wind’ at the DC Mall.

Fast forward to my Junior year in college and on a cold, snowy night I attended my very first concert, given by PP&M. I was amazed at their musical and vocal sound and especially the voice of the golden haired blond, Mary Travers. As she later belted 500 Miles, Leaving on a Jet Plane, Puff the Magic Dragon, Early Morning Rain, and others I grew to love their music. Politically we were on different roads but over the years I attended 9 of their concerts.

Sadly Mary Travers died yesterday at age 72. She has left a treasure chest of music that I, for one, will continue to listen to and enjoy. She will be greatly missed by this southern conservative.

Rest in Peace, Mary