Parks and Trails Council of
Minnesota to Honor Nine Who Have made Significant Contributions to Minnesota's Great Outdoor Legacy
| About Charlie Maguire | Recordings | Calendar | Songbook | Publicity | Special Projects | Home |
In addition to songwriting, recording, and performing, Charlie Maguire often gets interesting opportunities by institutions to use his talent and music in a variety of ways. Oftentimes you can see the result of these collaborations at various venues in your area. Check the Calendar page for upcoming dates, and the résumé page for previous partnerships.
Here are some ongoing projects that Charlie is working on since 2005. If you have any questions about these, or would like to invite Charlie Maguire to be part of a project out of your office, please write him at mellojam@visi.com.
Parks and Trails Council of
Minnesota to Honor Nine Who Have made Significant Contributions to Minnesota's Great Outdoor Legacy
CREDIT: Minnesota Office of Tourism
| "Minnesota's parks, trails, and other assorted wild outdoor places have long been celebrated as part of our state's great outdoor heritage. On April 24, 2008, at the Nicollet Island Pavilion in Minneapolis, the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota is celebrating the extraordinary people behind these special places" -- and Charlie Maguire is one of them. Since the mid-1980s, musician and songwriter Charlie Maguire has devoted a significant portion of his career to acting as a voice for Minnesota State Parks (as their "Centennial Troubadour") and also for the National Park Service (as their first official "Singing Ranger"). Producing two albums (see Recordings) and writing over 35 songs form both agencies on themes of wilderness, unsung heroes (like the first woman ranger Mary Gibbs, Reverend Robert T. Hickman, and river lamplighter Jane Robinson) and the Mississippi River, Maguire has chronicled the establishment, triumph, and struggle for conservation in Minnesota and the heartland of the United States; further, he has taken these songs across the nation and around the world. With a 34-year career that has spanned recording, touring, teaching, musical theater, film, and television, the Parks and Trails Council award is a celebration of just one significant facet of Charlie's work. For more information on the Parks and Trails Council of Minnesota, and the honors, please visit www.parksandtrails.org. |
Minnesota 1858-2008 Sesquicentennial Book
| Challie's song Itasca: A Place of Beginnings has been quoted in the new book published by the Minnesota Historical Society celebrating a new exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, and the Minnesota Sesquicentennial in 2008. The song is only one of two in the entire book (the other one is Bob Dylan's) and the only song to have an entire verse quoted in its entirety. The song quote leads into an acknowledgment of Itasca State Park at the Headwaters of the Mississippi River as one of 150 "people, places, and things, that shape our state."
Itasca: A Place of Beginnings is from Charlie's album of songs about Minnesota State Parks; entitled: Stepping Stones. Click on the Recordings page and STEPPING STONES CD cover to hear it! |
North Country Trail Association & National Park Service-U.S. Department of Interior
For the first time in history, the North Country National Scenic Trail has an official song. Commissioned for the Trail by NCTA, with words and music by Charlie Maguire, the song "...links outstanding, scenic, natural, recreational, historic and cultural areas in seven of our northern States." Starting in New York, and continuing on into Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota, "the North Country National Scenic Trail answers the call of hikers and other trail users for pathways on which to escape from hectic lives--for a chance to explore America at a walking pace, rather than at freeway speeds. The North Country National Scenic Trail is becoming one of our country's major trails, offering unparalleled opportunities to enjoy a cross-section of American's rich natural and cultural heritage."
History Traveler: Currahee!
Charlie Maguire presents photos and music about the American Army Airborne in the Second World War based on a recent visit to Camp Toccoa, Georgia and Mount Currahee, home to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment featured in the epic book and HBO mini-series Band of Brothers.
Starting in 2004 with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (See references to other WWII research elsewhere in "Special Projects"), Charlie enrolled in parachute school in order to better understand and present the stories of veterans of "The Greatest Generation. " Upon completing a couple of static line jumps, he then traveled to Toccoa and ran and photographed the infamous Mount Currahee, a grueling "three miles up-three miles down" mountain used in the training of the 506th PIR, as well as other regiments of the early Airborne era. That trip led to the creation of History Traveler, which will feature additional stories places to "time travel " to actual historic locations in the United States and around the world.
Charlie delivers this particular program in jump gear appropriate to the time; provides a brochure which contains Airborne song lyrics, a bibliography, and information pertaining to the Stephens County Historical Society in Toccoa, Georgia home to the Aldbourne Stable and Currahee Museum. Link to the Society is at www.toccoahistory.com.
For directions to the Wayzata Library for the special Veteran's Day program, link to www.hclib.org.
Subsequent performances of the first History Traveler: Currahee and Band of Brothers are available for booking. Please e-mail Charlie at mellojam@visi.com.
Minnesota Humanities Center
"Key Ingredients" is a creation of the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street series that feature professionally curated touring exhibits under the auspices of the Minnesota Humanities Center and other humanities councils nationwide to serve small and medium communities and citizens of rural America.
Continuing the great success of Barn Again! (2004-05) Charlie now takes to the road for MHC with "Key Ingredients-Singing in the Kitchen" (2006-07) a totally new program of songs and stories about the family farm, this time from a kitchen, food, and garden point of view. Opening in Shakopee, Minnesota in July of 2006, KI-Sink then continues to Slayton, Bagley, Brainerd, Waseca, and Fergus Falls. Charlie's program will also include outreach opportunities for selected teachers and students to learn the jaw harp and spoons in those counties where the exhibit appears.
See Calendar for dates and times for a "KI-Sink" program near you!
CREDIT: Henry DeWolf:Aerial Surveys-Courtesy www.charliemaguire.com
VISTA/AMERICORPS: Washington, D.C.- A National Ballad For The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Caption: In Army olive-drab wool shirts and GI dungarees; two CCC "boys" on a road-building job in fall, 1935.
Credit: Minnesota Conservation Corps/Americorps/VISTA, Saint Paul, MN
Charlie Maguire has been commissioned to write a national song for the installation ceremonies of the CCC statue on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds in Saint Paul, Minnesota (Tentatively set for October 2006).
"From 1933-1942, for a dollar a day plus room and board, the young men of President Franklin Roosevelt's 'Tree Army' went to work fighting dust storms, restocking streams, and saving the forests of America. It was a very popular force, and young men from all over the country adjusted themselves to living close to the land and in a quasi-military environment while they literally saved several 'dust bowl' states from blowing off the map, planted half the trees every planted in America, and saved their families from relief.
"The CCC protected wildlife, built roads and bridges and dams, and even contributed to the early World War II defense effort. It gave many homeless boys a place to live, a practical education, and a feeling that they were doing something worthwhile. But most important this is a government program that worked, reaping public benefit and individual growth for the men who labored together for the welfare of America." Adapted from The Soil Soldiers: The Civilian Conservation Corps in the Great Depression, by Leslie Alexander Lacy.
Words and Music by Charlie Maguire-Copyright 2006 Mello-Jamin Music-All Rights Reserved
-Verse-
We were down
But never down and out
We were lost
But never lost in doubt
We were broke
But we were never broken
Got on the March
In March and April '33
Bent our backs
Back from poverty
And became a generation
That led a Nation to believe
-Refrain-
My Land, I've held you in my hands
In ways, you still can see
Your mountains to the shore
Civilian Conservation Corps
My Land, and the C.C.C.
-Additional Verse-
We were bronzed
Under a golden morning sun
We were rich
Three square meals instead of none
We were three-million strong and more
Sending strength to our families
On and on
To a conservation melody
On an on
Starting with Army "Reville"
On and on
Proving "We can take it"
Into a new century
-Coda- For some performances)
We took care of this land for you
So you still can see it too
My Land and the C.C.C.
U.S. Department of State: Washington, D.C.Charlie Maguire gave performances and conducted residencies on the Mediterranean island of Malta in July. Concerts at the Saint James Cavalier Center for Creativity, a restored 12th Century battlement, were held in the capital city of Valletta. Sponsored by the United States Embassy, U.S. State Department Fulbright Grant, Charlie also included programs for children in surrounding towns, which provided some unforgetable moments in his first-ever U.S. State Department concert invitation. Media interest in his own brand of American folk was heavy. Charlie appeared in both daily newspapers frequently during, and after his tour was complete. A review by Maltese writers Astrid Vella, and an article by Catherine Maubert from the The Times of Malta and The Malta Independent appear below.
Click here or on one of the images above for a PDF version of the full articles (1.4 MB).
National Endowment for the Humanities-Washington, DC
An Army nurse giving an enlisted man an innoculation.
CREDIT: U. S. Army/U. S. Government Printing Office
"Khaki and Camaraderie: World War Two Men and Women" came at the invitation of the Minnesota Humanities Center and the Golden Valley (MN) Historical Society. A special initiative of the Minnesota Humanities Center and the National Endowment for the Humanities, "We the People" grants are given in support of projects that examine the history, accomplishments, and culture of the United States.
"Khaki and Camaraderie" brings World War Two veterans, especially women on the front lines and the home front together with their stories, letters and photographs in a community program for everyone. The program features up to 4 veterans sharing a story of their wartime experience interspersed with music from the time. as well as original music and historical commentary.
Words and music by Charlie Maguire-2005-Mello-Jamin Music
All Rights Reserved
Looking back 60 years as we observe the anniversary of the end of World War II, there are still elements to the human story that are just now just being fully explored and appreciated. I'm speaking of the women of the United States Army Nurse Corps, almost 60,000 strong, who volunteered to serve in hospitals to care for wounded GI's under all kinds of conditions. Long known by their grateful patients who came home to live productive lives after the war, their story, aside from some brilliant early efforts, is just beginning to be told.
Two A.N.C. nurses had a positive effect on the creation of this song; one is Frances Slanger, a nurse killed in action in the ETO and the subject of a well-written and profoundly touching book by Bob Welch (American Nightingale: The Story of Frances Slanger Forgotten Heroine Of Normandy, Atria Books-NY). The other is Esther Schmaedeke whom I interviewed for "Khaki and Camaraderie" who served stateside caring for returned soldiers from the ETO, and later for wounded evacuated to Saipan and Guam from other fighting fronts in the Pacific.
Esther is the embodiment of an A.N.C. veteran, and her living inspiration added so much to this song. To me, it was as if she were speaking for Frances as well as for all of her surviving sisters then and now in the present day. "G.I. Nightingale" could not have been written without her.
(Note:To Sing like Charlie Capo 2nd fret and play in D)
First verse:
C Am F
With their hearts, with their hands, with their eyes,
G C Am
With their voice, with their touch, Nightingale,
F G
With their smiles, for the boys
Refrain:
C Am F G
"Nightingale, Nightingale, hold my hand for awhile
C Am
Hi ya Babe, you're an angel
F--G C
G.I. Nightingale"
Second verse:
C Am F
Someone's lover, someone's brother, someone's father,
G C Am
Someone's son, someone's husband, Nightingale
F G
Won't you fix what war has done? (REFRAIN)
Bridge 1:
C F G Am F G Am
And they volunteered their confidence, a healing wish upon their lips
F G Am F G
And sailed to the darkness of the war, some in brightly lighted ships
(Modulate for additional verses, refrain, etc.)
Under canvas, under fire, under the gun, under the moon
In the darkness, in the mud, in hospital, far from home (Refrain)
bridge 2
And the hours and the days
And the years have come and gone
Nightingales remembering the faces of the young
(Repeat First verse and Refrain.)
Army nurses on Okinawa washing in helmets
CREDIT: U. S. Army/U. S. Government Printing Office
Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board
In 1889, this could have been Minnesota's first state park: Minnehaha Falls.
CREDIT: www.charliemaguire.com
"A Song For The Parks": Charlie Maguire has been commissioned by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, to write the first song for the Minneapolis park system in its 122 year existence.
FACT: Minneapolis has one of the oldest parks system in the nation. "Public spirited pioneer Edward Murphy" donated 3.33 acres of land for the first park in Minneapolis in 1857, "one year before New York City had its first park, the present Central Park.." (Wirth). When the Minnesota Legislature failed to secure present-day Minnehaha Falls park as it's first state park in 1889 (They would finally succeed in doing so in 1891 with the establishment of Itasca State Park) the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners already established since 1883, "manifested its courage and good judgment to secure title to the land" (Wirth).
Words and Music by Charlie Maguire-Copyright 2006 Mello-Jamin Music-All Rights Reserved
-verses-
Theodore Wirth welcomed the children
The first to let them run and play
Soccer, tennis, basketball, baseball on the field
A continued invitation to this day
Before Minnesota was a white star on the flag
Before Central Park was in New York
The City of Minneapolis had established Murphy Square
For long parkside evening walks
-refrain-
In a city shining in the sun
With trails to gardens all in bloom
With a forest over everyone
And the Mississippi River running through
-additional verses-
The working falls of Saint Anthony
That helped build the city seen today
And the wispy beauty of Minnehaha Falls
Continue on their way
The Grand Rounds link the river to the lakes
Joining the paddle with the sail
Our heart's desire with pioneering conservation
Is seen every day out on the trail