Joan Baez once said you could sing a Carter Family song around any campfire in the world and someone would know the song. I'd like to test that notion and take it further.

I WANNA SING GOSPEL SONGS IN RUSSIA

I have been invited by my friend, Mitya Kuznetsov, to perform in his summer festival in Rybinsk, Russia. Mitya is an acclaimed Russian folk musician and founding member of the folk group, Seventh Water from Russia. I want to take these Carter Family gospel and spiritual songs and more to Russia and teach the harmonies to the musicians and the people there. I want to open the door to the discussion of these regional country melodies and harmonies. I am looking to explore and chronicle how they stir the soul of Russians half a word away.

MUSIC IS AS CLOSE AS WE GET TO WHERE WE'VE COME FROM

I grew up in a fundamental Christian church singing hymns with no accompaniment. I learned harmonies from singing and listening. My grandmother taught me to read shape notes and to sing these songs from the heart. She was a huge fan of the Carter Family. Particularly their gospel songs, "Keep On The Sunny Side," "Never Grow Old," "Working on a Building" and "Will the Circle Be Unbroken." The lyrics of these songs reach for an understanding of the spirit. But to me the melodies and the harmonies are just as important. Even without the lyrics, many of these songs tell a story. Stories of yearning and regret. Stories of searching deep inside ourselves for an understanding of our own spirits. As the Persian poet Rumi asks, "Where did I come from and what am I supposed to be doing?"

THE PLAN

Here's what I'd like to do. I will travel to Rybinsk, Russia in mid-July and stay for three weeks. During that time I will teach Russian folk and country musicians these songs and the harmonies that are traditional to these songs. I am looking to mix the old-time gospel and country flavor with the Russian flavor. My fellow explorer, Mitya Kuznetsov is an accomplished Russian musician and producer of folk music from Russia, China, Scotland and the music of Native America. I will bring home the results of our collaboration.

Your donation will help cover:

-Transportation costs to and from Rybinsk, Russia.  And travel within Russia

-Housing and boarding costs

-Production costs for the project, including studio fees and post-production costs