Saw this on the folk music newsgroups & thought ya'll would be interested.

Subject: Seeger's banjo taken!
From: Stephen Suffet
Date: 08/14/2000 6:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time
Greetings:

Posted below is a message just received from a well moderated and
very reliable private e-mail list. The person sending the message is
on the Clearwater board of directors and is in close contact with
Pete. If you have any information, please pass it along to her.

--- Steve
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Lost, Stolen, or Strayed:
On  Tues, Aug. 8, a one-of-a kind 5 string banjo in a green cloth case
was removed from the back of folksinger Pete Seeger's vehicle  either
as he stopped briefly in Poughkeepsie, NY or in the small town of
Rosendale where he was attending a political rally. This banjo was
built by Seeger as a prototype which was later produced and sold by
the Vega company. It has the following words written around the head
of the instrument: "This Machine Surrounds Hatred and Forces it to
Surrender". Any information leading to the return of this banjo would
be deeply appreciated, to say the least! A cash reward is also being
offered. Please check your local pawnshops, check e-bay, and in
general keep your ears to the ground for any clues. Owner and fans
heartsick! Thanks in advance for your help.
: (
Sarah [Underhill]

Gosh, I hope that banjo turns up quickly! Poor Pete.
Let's all wish it back to him.

wow, that's really awful. lots of good thoughts going out that the banjo is returned to pete soon!

I hope the banjo is returned soon...

~peace~

What a no good rotten person! That's like someone who tips over headstones! What goes around comes around. I can just hear Pete sayin, I'm sure it'll come out in the wash.

Best of luck Pete!

Poughkeepsie is not far from where I live, although a few countie's away. You have to remember the county I live in (St Lawrence County)is larger(in land mass) than the whole State of "Rhode Island"! I'd say it was a 2 hour drive at best.

*Did any say to Pete, call the FBI? (Find Banjo Immediately). He's probley 1/2 laughing, and wondering if this pathetic piece of a person, can even play?

**If the thief were smart they'd turn it in for the reward. I can hear it tonight on the 6 o'clock news. P. Seeger finds ransom note, I'll return the banjo, when you up the reward money.

***not tryin to make light of this. If it were me, I'd be boiling. Just thought a little humor can't hurt. Long as people know you ARE kidding. I have this strange feeling Pete will get his banjo back. I just worry about the condition. I pray if it turns up 10 or 20 yrs. from now, it is confiscated and left to the R&R Hall of fame, or returned to his son. Sounds to me like something kids did...It happens here (in my town every so oftern) and usually people get there stuff back, with apologie's and the kids get a terrible ass kicking...

***just for the record, I no longer watch the evening news. If I want to hear depressing type material, I go over to my mother-in-laws!....................

****NO Joke! Seriously..............

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Arlo alawys said he never cared much for Poohkeepsie. Yet he kept coming back there. Whoever did this to Pete is a mean person!

PETE BANJO STORY:


http://www.sonicnet.com/news/story.jhtml?id=1123119

Pete got his banjo back!!!! Read it today in the folk newsgroup!

Great news, Larry! Thanks for sharing the info.

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moved post to Folksinger Spottings Related Artists

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