further thoughts on the Rev. Peyton and His Big Damn Band

If you look back, I've written about these guys before. But that was before I knew them, knew them as people. I wish I had a recording of the first serious conversation I had about them. It was about dress, imagine, and a "traditionalized" aesthetic. About how everything they do is meant to look old, in a way to make them appear "more" "authentic."

There are two sides to this.

1. Yes. That's true. They are highly aware of what they're doing and how they present themselves to the world. They are professionals and they know what it takes to make it in this cruel business where, as Gillian Welch says, "everything is free."

2. I don't think it, in any way, is inauthentic, dishonest, or fabricated.

I've been to their cabin. It really is a cabin. I've seen Rev. when he's not performing. He doesn't dress any differently. So the issue has to be taken to a larger level, to discuss the image of identify on a grand scale. And aren't well all trying to communicate something by our various self images? Is the Rev's straw hat, suspenders and plaid shirt any different than my 514 distressed Levi jeans? My J. Crew gingham shirt? My worn out Chuck Taylors?

The issue is, to me, who do you believe? John Sayles said, in the commentary of Barbara Koppel's brilliant film Harlan County USA, that he believed the movie, because it was obvious that Koppel had put in a good amount of "porch time."

Well I have put in a certain amount of porch time in with the Peytons (they make it easy) and I utterly believe them. I believe in them. I know Rev's first name. I've heard his mother call him buy it. But I've also heard his wife call him Rev. I know the story of where "Rev." comes from. I've been awake at 3am talking politics, music and food with him. I believe him. He has a good heart. They all do. They're not trying to dupe the world. This is how they see it.

I feel incredibly lucky to have made friends with them.

This is the first song I fell in love with, and it's still one of my favorites. I like songs about food. There are too few. And the connection for the desire for women - classic trope in blues songs- with the nostalgic desire for local foods ("persimmon pudding and Hoosier women") makes me very happy.

I can't wait to see my friends again.