The summer concert season is going out with a bang this weekend, especially if you're into country, rock, folk or any combination of the three. From the sold-out Kid Rock show at the Taft Theatre on Saturday night, to the country trio of Brad Paisley, Rodney Atkins and Taylor Swift at Riverbend today, and Cowboy Crush, Danielle Peck and the Grascals at the Farmer's Fair in Aurora, Ind., on Saturday, there's plenty to hear. Not to mention a chance to see two of the men who helped integrate folk, rock and country sounds more than 40 years ago, David Crosby and Graham Nash.
The duo come to Belterra Resort & Casino Saturday. We spoke to Nash about two-part harmonies and the upcoming Pray For Peace concert in Washington, D.C.
Question: How long has it been since you two toured together?
Answer: We did it a few years ago in Europe and had such a good time that we decided we'd bring it to America the first chance we got. Before that, we hadn't toured the U.S. together for 15 years.
Q: Is there something special about having just the two voices when we're so used to hearing the three-part harmonies with Stephen Stills, or four-part with Neil Young?
A: It is my favorite musical combination of any of the four of us. I love singing with Crosby. I don't have to think. I just have to sing. He trusts me and he knows I only want the best for his music.
Q: What kinds of surprises might people hear on this tour?
A: One song you'll hear is "In Your Name," which is applicable for the Pray for Peace concert, since it's about a letter from me to God asking, "What the hell is happening here?"
Q: Tell me about the Pray for Peace concert? How did you get involved?
A: David and I were invited to see the Dalai Lama speak at the National Cathedral two years ago, and we were about to leave when we were told that the bishop, John Chane, wanted to meet us. He invited us into his private quarters and opened this door and he had this complete drum set in there, and on his desk was a picture of him in a rock band from the '60s. He might be the bishop of Washington, but we figured we could relate to him. I said, "John, where is the religious response to religions killing each other in the name of God?" I said we'll get Crosby and we'll do a concert at the National Cathedral for peace! So we invited a huge cross-section of religious leaders across denominations to speak about peace (at the Oct. 16 show, along with musicians Jackson Browne, Keb' Mo and Krishna Das).
Q: Your voices have managed to hold up remarkably well for over 40 years. To what do you attribute that? Do you see hanging up public performance anytime soon?
A: I have no idea how my voice has held up. I don't treat it differently. There are no potions or ointments. I don't have my throat massaged by 12 marching ducks every night. I take care of myself and I'm not in bad shape for 65. I see myself creating music for as long as I can.
E-mail gilkco@aol.com
