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A number of ideas for this focus on New York State songs began to crystallize in my mind in 1979. My pursuit of a fulltime musical career as a folk-style singer had begun about one year earlier. I had composed a song about my home region of New York State, "Leatherstocking Country," and was entertaining about the Uncas, a new cruise boat on the Fulton Chain of Lakes, out of Old Forge. The abandoned railroad that formerly was the Adirondack Division of the New York Central, and would eventually be called the Adirondack Railway, was being restored in order to haul spectators up to Lake Placid for the Winter Olympic Games scheduled for the following winter. The headquarters was in Thendara, right next to Old Forge. I had written a song about the railroad and was invited on the inaugural run. Being at the right place at the right time for some most helpful state wide attention singing this railroad song, I wound up on TV, the radio, and in newspaper stories. Then, I was invited to entertain at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. At the same time, the "I Love New York" campaign was reaching a peak of early popularity. During that summer in Old Forge, I also made up a ballad, "Adirondack Lady." In addition, I already knew a couple of canal songs. So, when all of this came together, the idea struck--why not focus on New York State?
As this idea was developing, I began searching for songs. There didn't seem to be much material, but I did believe that songs about New York State, presented in an "easy listening" style, combining folk with a touch of country, would be of general appeal. After all, you only had to be a New Yorker to have some "built in" interest in a songfest about your home! So, besides keeping my eyes and ears open, I've now written, gathered, and collected what has, I believe, become our state's largest single performing collection of songs. I don't mean to imply that it is all-inclusive regarding New York State songs. Many songs about New York City, for example, are not included in my "live" songfest or in this collection.
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All Content Herein Copyright 2007 Robin Schade and Leatherstocking Music.
RobinSchade.com
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