When I think back and try to determine my favorite memory from this year’s Woody Guthrie Festival, I am continually drawn back to the performance by one Maurice Baker. To understand my reasoning, you must first sit where I sat and hear what I heard.
Maurice found his way to Okemah, Oklahoma by way of hope and fate.
My favorite way to travel.
I arrived at the Crystal Theatre that morning eager to find my seat and begin the day. I knew I would be shooting the next seven hours and I had this feeling that I might witness something grand. It was uncomfortable outside, temperatures were soaring above 100 degrees and the humidity was off the charts. I was wearing shorts. My camera pack was about 25 pounds. The Theatre was dark and cool. An oasis on main street.
Okemah is about an hour east of Oklahoma City. The population is roughly around 3,000. The city doesn’t see much traffic. However, Okemah is home to Woody Guthrie.
Maurice Baker is a kind fellow from Newcastle, England. I had the pleasure to chat with him for a few moments following his performance. I decided halfway through our conversation that I’d like to take my wife and travel to the UK and have a pint in his hometown. After all, he was kind enough to venture out and visit us in “ours.” [I'm not from Okemah, but my wife is. So I can use "ours" loosely for this story.]
From what I gathered, Maurice was surfing the net one day and stumbled upon the Woody Guthrie Festival web site. He says that Woody was an inspiration to him and he was very intrigued about this festival. He told his wife he would like to attend Woodyfest, she wasn’t thrilled with the idea. After all, Maurice is a school teacher and not only would the trip be costly, it would take him away from work. He didn’t mention it again. He did however, submit a song he had written about Woody into the song writing contest – “Hard Traveling Man.”
Needless to say, Maurice’s song placed and he had an opportunity to perform at Woodyfest.
Maurice was perfect. His songs were brilliant. His smile was contagious and in the heart of a man, I saw a boy.
I really wish you all could have been there.
I like this story because it has to do with following the heart. Sure it doesn’t make sense to fly halfway around the world to perform a couple of songs in a town an hour east of Oklahoma City.
Most of the beautiful things in life are done by listening to your heart and taking that risk.
I imagine this world would be a far better place if we put aside logic and reason every once in a while.

Thank you Maurice.

Photo: I took many photos of Mr. Baker. Here he is at the Crystal Theatre in Okemah Oklahoma. I will be posting more soon.