* * * * * * * * * * * * *

March 30, 2002:

NICK REYNOLDS and JOHN STEWART have announced that "Fantasy Camp 3" will be held on August 15, 16, and 17, 2002, at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort in Scottsdale, Arizona. If you have ever dreamed of being a member of a certain Trio, here is your chance. The first 15 BOB SHANE wannabees to pony-up $2,500.00 will get a striped shirt and a weekend to remember. The first Camp was so amazing that some of the same participants attended Camp 2, and will no doubt be back for Camp 3, so the spaces will fill quickly. Equal opportunity: Help us curb the current glut of aging white males (unless, of course, you actually fit that description)! As much fun as those baseball camps, and no sit-ups. Interested persons should contact PAUL RYBOLT at: ryboltcox@earthlink.net, and tell him Old Ben sent you.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

February 24, 2002:

THE SHAW BROTHERS have been added to the lineup of performers at "A Tribute To The Kingston Trio" April 19-20, 2002, at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. Unfortunately, NICK REYNOLDS has withdrawn from the event.

For ticket information: 888-843-0933.

* * * * * * * * * *

November 17, 2001:

KINGSTON TRIO TRIBUTE WEEKEND!

Where: The Birchmere, Alexandria, Virginia.

When: April 19 and 20, 2002.

Who: NICK REYNOLDS, JOHN STEWART, THE LIMELITERS, THE BROTHERS FOUR, RONNIE SCHELL, and others to be announced.

More details will be posted as we receive them.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

October 7, 2001:

You are invited to click on the link below to Chillywinds.com to view "Liberty" by JOHN STEWART.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

BUFFY FORD STEWART continues the good fight against colon cancer. Click on the link below to Clack's Cellar for more up-to-the-minute details.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

June 19, 2001:

Collectors Choice Music has brought back the four Double Play KINGSTON TRIO CDs from the DAVE GUARD era of the group, deleted by Capitol Records many years ago. CCM has added bonus tracks to each, all of which appeared on Bear Family's "The Kingston Trio: The Guard Years" box set. This means that CCM now has seventeen of THE KINGSTON TRIO's original Capitol albums available on nine CDs.

Available at "Rediscover Music" (link below).

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

JUNE 19, 2001:

The Bear Family Records CD reissue of "Signals Through the Glass" by JOHN STEWART & BUFFY FORD has been delayed, while Bear Family does a more thorough search of the Capitol Records vaults for potential bonus tracks.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

JUNE 19, 2001:

NANCI GRIFFITH's 15th album will be released on July 31st on Elektra/Asylum Records. Titled "Clock Without Hands," it will feature three JOHN STEWART compositions: Lost Him In the Sun, Armstrong, and Ghost Inside of Me.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

APRIL 12, 2001:

JOHN STEWART & BUFFY FORD's 1968 classic album "Signals Through the Glass" is being licensed for reissue on compact disc by Bear Family Records in Germany. Tentative plans are for a late summer release, with two bonus tracks: Marshall Wind and Great White Cathedrals. These two songs were the "minus 2" on Bear's 1989 CD reissue "California Bloodlines/Willard Minus 2." Rediscover Music [link below] will be importing the new CD for sale through their catalog. So be on the lookout for "Signals Through the Glass Plus."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

APRIL 12, 2001:

Wrasse Records plans to reissue JOHN STEWART's "Fire In the Wind" album on compact disc on April 20th. The CD will contain five bonus tracks: Old Gunfighter, Zappata's Own Comrades, Where the Wind Can't Find Me, Where the Sun Flies Shining, and Auld Lang Syne. "Fire In the Wind" was originally released in 1977 on RSO Records and has been unavailable in any form for almost two decades. Rediscover Music [link below] will import the CD for their catalog by May 1st.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

April 12, 2001:

Collectors Choice Music has reissued the 1962 album "Dave Guard & the Whiskeyhill Singers" on compact disc, with two bonus tracks: 45 single versions of Ride On Railroad Bill and Plane Wreck At Los Gatos (Deportee). Available now from Rediscover Music [link below].

Memory refresher: DAVE GUARD formed THE WHISKEYHILL SINGERS after leaving THE KINGSTON TRIO in 1961. The other members were former Trio bassist DAVID "BUCK" WHEAT, CYRUS FARYAR (later of the MODERN FOLK QUARTET), and the incomparable JUDY HENSKE. Although the two Daves have passed on, Cyrus continues to record and perform with the MFQ, and Judy recently recorded an acclaimed comeback album, "Loose In the World," on the Fair Star Music label.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

APRIL 2, 2001:

JOHN PHILLIPS died of heart failure at the age of 65 on March 18th. He was the leader of both the MAMAS & PAPAS and THE JOURNEYMEN. He wrote "California Dreamin'" and dozens of other memorable songs. He co-wrote several songs with JOHN STEWART, including "Chilly Winds."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FEBRUARY 17, 2001:

The January 12 World Folk Music Association Tribute to JOHN STEWART was a huge success, and a great evening of music from some of the brightest stars in the folk universe, honoring one of the major singer/songwriters of our time. For details, click on our link to Clack's Cellar or the WMFA.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

FEBRUARY 17, 2001:

The KINGSTON TRIO'S original vocal coach, JUDY DAVIS, passed away on February 2nd at the age of 81. Although an injury during a tonsillectomy at the age of 19 kept Judy from realizing a professional singing career of her own, she made it her business to find out how the vocal cords worked, and then used that knowledge to improve the legacy of Sinatra and Streisand, as well as the original Trio.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

JANUARY 9, 2001:

The line-up for the World Folk Music Association's January 12 Tribute To JOHN STEWART will include:

ROSANNE CASH

NANCI GRIFFITH

THE KINGSTON TRIO

BUFFY FORD STEWART

CHUCK MCDERMOTT

DAVE CROSSLAND

PETER TORK

CHRISTINE LAVIN

THE KENNEDYS

DAVE BATTI

NOEL PAUL STOOKEY

The Friday night concert will also feature a performance by JOHN STEWART.

An encore showing of the JOHN STEWART/KINGSTON TRIO collection of television performances (see below for the listing of songs) will be held on Saturday afternoon, January 13, as a fundraiser for the Stewarts' still-enormous medical bills.

All of this takes place at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia. Seats for the January 12 Tribute are sold out, but there is hope that an audio or videotape of the event may be made available at a later date, if there is sufficient demand.......

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

OCTOBER 6, 2000:

JOHN STEWART'S "Wires From the Bunker" CD will be released in the USA by Appleseed Recordings on October 10th. I've just added a link to Appleseed's Stewart page below. Also available from Rediscover Music (also linked below) and at all Stewart concerts.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

OCTOBER 3, 2000:

JOHN STEWART will perform on National Public Radio's "Mountain Stage" program on October 29. Tune-in a NPR station near you!

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

OCTOBER 3, 2000:

Old Ben had the pleasure of attending the September 24th New England Bloodliners Reunion at the Hollis, New Hampshire home of Michelle and Ted Stevens. It was great meeting so many members of this JOHN STEWART appreciation society.

An extra treat was being introduced to the fine music of SPENCER LEWIS. There's a link to his site below. Tell him Old Ben sent you!

Thanks, Michelle and Ted, for opening your home to us so graciously.

After the Reunion, we car-caravaned to The Muse in Londonderry, New Hampshire (a venue I highly endorse), to enjoy a concert by JOHN STEWART, who was joined onstage by DAVE BATTI, DAVE CROSSLAND, and BUFFY FORD. Buffy was in fine voice and high spirits. DAVE CROSSLAND opened the show with a solo set, proving once more that he is one of the finest new singer/songwriters that we have.

Hearing and seeing this quartet finally made the whole DARWIN'S ARMY concept (minus JOHN HOKE) real for me. Definitely my favorite army!

Mr. Stewart continues to turn out great new songs, including "Cowboy In the Distance," "If You Should Remember Me," and "Walk On the Moon."

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

OCTOBER 3, 2000:

I'm more than a bit late in reporting that the August Fantasy Camp held by NICK REYNOLDS and JOHN STEWART was a runaway success, with a great time had by all.

There are already plans brewing to do it again, possibly in different locations around the globe.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

AUGUST 19, 2000:

The World Folk Music Association has announced that their 16th annual benefit concert weekend will feature a tribute to JOHN STEWART on Friday evening, January 12, 2001. As an additional honor, John will select all of the performers for the tribute, and he and Buffy Ford will also perform. The benefit will be held at the Birchmere, near Washington, DC. Details to follow in due course.

* * * * * * * * * *

AUGUST 9, 2000:

"Wires From the Bunker" is the title of the latest album from JOHN STEWART, due for release in October on Appleseed Records (USA) and Wrasse Records (UK). "Wires" consists of 18 tracks recorded in 1981 for the unreleased follow-up to "Dream Babies Go Hollywood." Those who have heard the tracks feel that this release will result in a return to the charts for John.

"Daydream Believer" continues to bring home the songwriting bacon for John. Its most recent incarnation is a recording by MARY BETH for an episode of the television series "Dawson's Creek."

* * * * * * * * * *

JULY 22, 2000:

"The Ultimate John Stewart Weekend" was from all reports just that! The Lisle, Illinois event came off beautifully, as participants raised over $3,000.00 for The Buffy Fund. Congratulations to Jeff McDonald, Ian Shaw, Allan Shaw, and Tom DeLisle on a job well done, and thanks once again to Paul Surratt for providing the great video retrospective of John's career, and thanks to Dave Batti and John for putting on a great concert.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

JULY 2, 2000:

"THE ULTIMATE JOHN STEWART WEEKEND" is the title of an event that will live up to its name!

Planned for July 14 and 15 (Friday and Saturday), 2000, at the Radisson Hotel in Lisle, Illinois, tickets are available at $50.00 per person for the entire weekend.

Friday night will feature a showing of the KINGSTON TRIO/JOHN STEWART television retrospective videos that were shown to great acclaim April 1 in Media, Pennsylvania. [See the March and April postings below for the complete video program (minus Rosanne Cash).]

Saturday begins with lunch, followed by a group sing led by JEFF McDONALD (of "Thank You, Lonesome Picker" fame), a sneak preview listen to John's upcoming September CD release of previously unreleased gems "Wires From the Bunker," hosted by TOM DeLISLE (co-author with John of the "Stories Behind the Songs" book series), a second showing of the video retrospective, plus a silent auction, and possibly some recent video clips of the Ireland/Scotland tour by JOHN STEWART, BUFFY FORD, and NICK REYNOLDS. All of this will be capped-off by an 8:00 PM concert by JOHN STEWART (with DAVE BATTI on bass and backing vocals).

This event is being organized by the above-mentioned JEFF McDONALD, as well as by ALLAN SHAW, owner of Folk Era Records and the Rediscover Music Catalogue (located in nearby Naperville).

All of the funds raised will go to the Buffy Fund. [To find out why there is a Buffy Fund, see the March postings below.]

We wish Jeff and Allan well in their efforts.

This is a great event for a very worthy cause!

For additional details, e-mail:

Jeff McDonald - Ffriday09@aol.com

Allan Shaw - allan@folkera.com

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

JULY 2, 2000:

NICK REYNOLDS and JOHN STEWART have announced plans for a Fantasy Camp for Kingston Trio wannabees, to be held on August 10, 11, and 12, 2000, at the Fairmont Princess Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona.

For $2,500.00, you can be one of 27 campers, a member of one of nine trios, rehearsing and performing songs. You will get the honor of performing one song as the third member of a trio with Nick and John. All of this will be captured for you on videotape! HENRY DILTZ and TOM DeLISLE have been mentioned as possible special guests.

To saddle-up for camp, e-mail John at:

Angelbravo@aol.com.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

JULY 2, 2000:

JANE BOWERS died June 18, 2000, in San Antonio, Texas. She was 79. Jane wrote dozens of recorded songs, including THE KINGSTON TRIO's "El Matador," "Coast of California," "Senora," "To Be Redeemed," and "Remember the Alamo."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MARCH, 2000:

BUFFY FORD STEWART, wife and inspiration for the great singer/songwriter JOHN STEWART, needs our help. Buffy has undergone two dangerous operations to remove a tumor behind her left eye in the past year. The prognosis is favorable, but through a foolish technicality, the Stewarts lost their medical insurance, and are shoulder high in unpaid hospital bills. Indeed, only through the on-line fundraising efforts of a group of Stewart fans called "Bloodliners" was Buffy able to have the second operation.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

APRIL 10, 2000: I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE FUNDRAISER ON APRIL 1 (DESCRIBED BELOW) WAS AN UNQUALIFIED SUCCESS! WE RAISED OVER $5,500 FOR BUFFY AND JOHN, JUST IN TIME TO HELP FUND ANOTHER OPERATION LAST WEEK. BUFFY AND JOHN WISH TO EXPRESS THEIR THANKS TO ALL WHO ATTENDED AND/OR DONATED MONEY OR AUCTION ITEMS. MY VERY SPECIAL THANKS GO OUT TO ROSANNE CASH (THE ESSENCE OF CLASS), MIKE BUTTERS, JACK & DIANE SCOTT, AND JOE BISCONTINI AND HIS DEDICATED PENN STATE STAFF FOR MAKING IT ALL HAPPEN SO BEAUTIFULLY.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MARCH, 2000:

In the summer of 1999, Paul Surratt, a longtime fan and friend of all of the Kingston Trio members, used the resources of his business, Research Video, and called in a few favors to create two outstanding music compilation videos that span John Stewart's group and solo TV appearances from 1961 to 1980. Paul showed these videos in Los Angeles and San Francisco to raise money for what has become known as "The Buffy Fund." He then generously gave me permission to show the videos on the east coast! I immediately called upon my old friends and fellow fans Jack Scott and Joe Biscontini, and they have done the real work.

The video benefit, which we are unofficially calling "A Boost For Buffy," will be held on April 1, 2000 (a Saturday), at the Delaware County Campus of Penn State University, near Media, Pennsylvania, in the suburbs of Philadelphia. This is the site of a couple of past Stewart triumphs: the 1992 concert and art show, and the 1994 concert and songwriting seminar "Write From the Heart."

ROSANNE CASH has generously donated her time to host the event!

We plan to have a silent auction at intermission, featuring some great Kingston Trio/John Stewart items that are being donated. Among items already donated are a framed and matted 1965 black and white photo of the Kingston Trio donated by NICK REYNOLDS, who even went out of his way to have Bob and John add their signatures to his for our auction (Thanks, Nick!); and a shirt and CD from the Crazy Horse Saloon, personally signed and donated by BOB SHANE (Thanks, Bob!).

Tickets are $25.00 per person, and ALL of it will go to The Buffy Fund.

The first video of the evening will feature the only surviving TV performance by John's first folk group, THE CUMBERLAND THREE ("Johnny Reb"), and a fine selection of TV tunes by THE KINGSTON TRIO (Nick Reynolds, Bob Shane, John Stewart). Just a sampling of titles: "Coming From the Mountains," "Goin' Away For To Leave You," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," "I'm Going Home."

After intermission, we roll the second video, with highlights of John's TV appearances from 1968 to 1980, including "Armstrong," "Mother Country," "Clack, Clack," "Just An Old Love Song," and "Let the Big Horse Run." John and Buffy do a great version of "Signals To Ludi." And these are just SOME of the titles! [Complete program listed below]

Those who saw the videos in California will attest to how great they are. Paul has done wonders cleaning up the picture and sound.

This will be a fun evening for a great cause. Buffy is one of the planet's nicest human beings. Her smile can light up a room, and her laugh has been known to stop wars in mid-battle!

We hope to see you there on April 1st (and this is not an April Fool's joke!). THANK YOU for helping John and Buffy.

And now a few words from "A Boost For Buffy" treasurer Jack Scott:

"We need to hear from you (and receive your checks) NOW! If you want to attend (who wouldn't?) or if you think a $25 contribution to The Buffy Fund is worthwhile even if you cannot make it to Pennsylvania on April Fool's Day, send checks payable to Jack Scott (write "Buffy Fund" on the memo line) and mail them to me at 125 N. Providence Road, Wallingford, PA 19086."

THE PROGRAM - April 1, 2000, 7:00 P.M.

[Please note: no live musical performances are

planned for this event. This is a video

presentation, hosted by a live, in person,

Rosanne Cash!]

Silent Auction begins.

VIDEO, PART ONE:

THE CUMBERLAND THREE

Johnny Reb

THE KINGSTON TRIO

(NICK REYNOLDS, BOB SHANE, JOHN STEWART)

Jesse James

Take Her Out of Pity

Coming From the Mountains

Goin' Away For To Leave You

Little Light

I'm Going Home

Oh Miss Mary

Rovin' Gambler/This Train

Where Have All the Flowers Gone

Early Morning Rain

Little Maggie

Tom Dooley

INTERMISSION

Silent Auction of Trio and Stewart items concludes.

Light Refreshments

Surprise Guests ? (Anything is possible...)

VIDEO, PART TWO:

JOHN STEWART

July, You're a Woman

Armstrong

Mother Country

Just An Old Love Song

Never Going Back

Clack, Clack

Let the Big Horse Run

Chilly Winds

She Believes In Me

Signals To Ludi (with BUFFY FORD)

Kansas

Spinnin' of the World (with LINDSEY BUCKINGHAM)

Gold

Over 90 minutes of vintage TV music milestones by some of the finest artists in American music, and all for a great cause! Please try to work this important event into your schedule. If you simply cannot attend, please consider sending a donation to the Buffy Fund c/o Jack Scott (see address above). We will see that Buffy and John receive ALL of it.

"A BOOST FOR BUFFY" is a not-for-profit fundraiser, a labor of love from the East Coast chapter of the Buffy Ford Stewart Appreciation Society: Joe Biscontini, Ben Blake, Jack Scott.

We'll be there, and we hope you will be, too!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

APRIL 10, 2000:

NOTE: ALTHOUGH THE APRIL 1 FUNDRAISER IS HISTORY, THE CAUSE THAT LAUNCHED IT IS NOT. BUFFY AND JOHN STILL NEED YOU HELP. ALL CHECKS SENT TO JACK SCOTT WILL CONTINUE TO GO TO THE BUFFY FUND. THANK YOU!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Below are some links to some excellent sites that do more justice to the artists mentioned here than this one is yet capable of. I urge you to visit them and support them. They're good folks!

Ben is co-author (with Jack Rubeck and Allan Shaw) of the book "The Kingston Trio On Record," and co-writer (with Bill Bush) of the liner notes for The Kingston Trio box sets "The Capitol Years," "The Decca Years," "The Guard Years," and "The Stewart Years."