Here is an interview I did for my show in Asbury Park by www.AsburyMusic.com
Still Pickin'
Bill Hudson

1) You've been involved in environmental activism for some time, what first
Interested you towards that?

Well, I was living in Beacon, NY at the time and I met this young guy who was booking Don Mclean. He told me all about theses folks trying to clean up the river. He asked me if I wanted to meet Pete Seeger who was one of the folks spearheading the project. I told him, “sure” and off we went. At the time Pete had a store front in Beacon. We got there and he was cleaning up the place. He handed me a broom and it all went from there. I joined the Clearwater and crewed on it for about 12 weeks. I also helped out with Clearwater festival back then. It was then; I met Toshi Seeger who knows loads about how to put on festivals. She makes the best pea soup in the world!

2) This is a return trip to Clearwater for you, what are your thoughts on
the festival?

First off, the reason why I love going to this festival is the Saturday night music circle. It’s fun to sit around and hear other folks sing their songs. I think it was last year Guy Davis joined us. But anyone can come and listen too. I brought a friend from the mountains (Southern VA). He heard one of the sea shanty folks sing, “Oh Shenandoah”. He never knew it was not about our valley but a sea shanty, it was funny as hell.
Another reason why I like going to this festival is I not only play but get to help out and roll up my sleeves and chip in and do my part. The one thing about the Clearwater is anyone can help out and I have always liked that about the Clearwater.
Another thing I like about this festival is we create a safe place for all kinds of folks to let their hair down and enjoy the day, kids and all. I know the first year we were at Asbury Park about a week before, I think a Greek Festival they had some troubles. So everyone was on pins and needles. But it turned out really good, thanks to many folks who worked very hard!
So if anyone wants to help out feel free to ask this year. Its lots of work and no money but loads of fun.

3) Who are some of your favorite songwriters? Your influences?

Yes there are a few. I guess the one that first did it for me was Bob Dylan. I use to listen to WNEW with Alison Steel. When I first Heard Bob’s music it was like he knew right where my head was. I did not feel so alone in a way. And maybe there are others out there that feel the same way.
I use to drive Pete Seeger to gigs and I would watch how he got the audience singing. It would some times make your hair stand on end to listen to so many folks sing their heart out. I still don’t know how he did it but I try to always get folks involved
Arlo Guthrie is another. At the time Arlo was talking about the war and some very heavy things. He had a very funny, laid back way of putting it all. So I guess you could say I was an Arlo head, very much so!
Tom Waits is one I really love too. The way he wraps words around is something to behold! I first heard him from some folks who I was living with. I think it was Fla. And it was this really big factory. It was all closed down but theses folks were living in it. There were taking over the offices and turning them into living spaces. They turned me on to Tom’s music and I was floored! I think I sat by a window watching the ocean listening to his music, over and over.
Bruce Springsteen was also one person to remind me to have fun while I was up there playing. Years ago I met his Bass player Garry Talent through a friend, Albee from Key West. There is something about Bruce’s music that is a bit dark which I really love. I think he spent as much time as I did in my room when I was a kid. It was very kind of him and his crew to show up at our first Clearwater Asbury Park festival.

4) You mentioned in your post about playing outside of your Roanoke area,
why do you think it's so difficult getting people to support local acts?

OK, that’s a good one. I think its a few things.
One is bands sometime play way too much in one area. We have the same problem here. Some bands play so much, that after a while they wonder why people do not come out all the time.
Another might be people see you all the time and say, “Oh that’s him, yea I see him all the time. Why should I pay to go see him?” I call this the prophet syndrome. Remember all those prophets getting kicked out of town because the town folks did not want to hear it? Another words play your music were it works, not where it does not work.
Another reason is, it’s just hard to get folks out of their home. Their warm nest you might say. And how one draws one out of that I just don’t know. In a way I think laziness, and fear has something to do with it. And in the bigger scale of things I think the way this culture treats the musicians is not the best. Another words, there is not always a friendly community to support it. i.e. radio, press
So musicians play in spite of all the walls that gets in the way. So where do people get the idea music is not work?

5) How much effect do you think the state of radio has on the lack of local
music scenes these days

I am glad you bring that one up. I go to a music summit each year, www.futureofmusic.org and we talk about that. And no matter where someone is from they seem to be saying, “Man, in our area radio really sucks!” So why is this happening? The way I look at it Clear channel is taking over way too much! If I hear stair way to free bird one more time, I’ll scream. What ever happened to the cool FM stations? Well, they’re out there but one has to do some digging.
The cool thing about all this is folks are flying under the radar. It always happens this way. Big, big companies try to dominate the music and the cool music is on some small web site out there. Take for example Michael Roberson who started MP3. He is a musician (The Ugly Mugs). Why did he start this? Maybe because there was a big need for it? People out there are so hungry for new music. I just wish he did not sell it to a big company. Now look what happened to MP3.
Some good news from what I understand is low power radio will be approved. The workshop I went to at The Future of Music Summit sounds like this could really happen. For few thousand dollars you have your own radio station for “your” own town, this is cool.
So going back to your question “”How much affect do I think the state of radio has on the lack of local music scene”? Well it is different from town to town but people will figure out a way to fly under the radar and that is where the cool music is.
Example #152 who would think someone in a 12x12 shack in Alaska would have a cool web radio, www.wholewheatradio.org They have a damn good format and if anyone out there pops in, tell’em I say hello.