FAQ Compiled by Nick D'Amato

What is an FAQ?
What is Bloodlines?
What can I post on Bloodlines?
How do I get a Bloodlines T-Shirt
Does John Stewart Participate in Bloodlines?
Is he married?
Where does John Stewart Live?
What is John's date and place of birth?
Who is Angel Rain?
What are his hobbies other than music?
What has John Stewart been doing lately?
Where can I get recordings by John Stewart?
Where can I get a copy of "Fire in the Wind" ?
Exactly how many original albums has John Stewart Made?
Which well known singers have sung on record with John?
Which artists have recorded John Stewart's Songs?
What are some songs by other writers that John has covered?
What was the "Last Campaign"?
Is one of the ladies on the cover of "Blondes" John Stewart's sister?
If I want to get J.S. to play in my town, what do I need to do?
Who is the Saint of San Joaquin?
What is the connection between J.S. and Route 66?
Who's Johnny Flamingo and what's his connection with J.S.?
What are some of John Stewart's favorite musical writers?
Which other artists do John Stewart's Fans listen to?
Who/what is the Dancer in the cut "Because of a Dancer" off the Rough Sketches album?
What is "The Finger" and why is it called that?
Who is Oliver Makin?
What was the "drum machine" thread?
What is Backchannel ?
What is the policy about exchanging Tapes of John Stewart's Albums on Bloodlines?
What is Darwin's Army?
Is the song "Let the Big Horse Run" about the racehorse Secretariat?

Q.  What is Bloodlines?
A.  A forum where fans of John Stewart's music can meet other fans, share experiences, and exchange information and ideas about John's music.

Q.  What can I post on Bloodlines?
A.  This has been a hotly debated issue on this group.  A lot of John's music was inspired by history, human conflict, politics and the American way of life.  Often these topics can bring out passionate opinions and responses from listeners.  In order to keep this list managable, the following guidelines apply to posting messages:

    1)  Avoid posting information or responses that will only be of interest to one or a very few individuals on the list.
         Send such reponses to individuals directly by e-mail.  This is also referred to on the list as "taking it backchannel".

    2)  Avoid expressing personal political or religious views on topics and also avoid the temptation to respond to others
         that may try to incite such discussions.  Try to discuss such issues as they arise in John's music from an objective
         point of view.

    3) When responding to posts made to this list, please don't copy the entire message, only the part that is necessary to
        remind the readers what it is you are responding to.  In this case smaller is better.... but we do discourage the one line
        "me too" type  posts... in that case, more is better.

    4) To sum it up, post articles in a manner that maximizes the amount of information presented without creating so much
        traffic that information is unusable by others.
 
Q.  How do I get a Bloodlines T-Shirt?
A.  Stay tuned to bloodlines, orders go out periodically.  Orders are currently handled by Rich  email: nocknock@pacbell.net

Q.  Does John Stewart Participate in Bloodlines?
A.  Yes.  "Angel Bravo" is John Stewart's monniker on Bloodlines and on the Internet.

Q.  Is he married?
A.  Yes to Buffy Ford Stewart.  John and Buffy have one son Luke and John has 3 children, Mikael, Jeremy and Amy, from his previous marriage.

Q.  Where does John Stewart Live?
A.  John lives in Northern California.

Q.  What is John's date and place of birth?
A.  San Diego, California, Sept. 5, 1939.

Q.  Who is Angel Rain?
A.  Buffy Ford Stewart, John's wife and frequent co-performer.
 
Q.  What are his hobbies other than music?
A.  Painting, Traveling, Americana.

Q.  What has John Stewart been doing lately?
A.  The same thing he has always been doing.  John never stopped writing, recording or touring and continues to do all three.  Recently he has made a project of studying Route 66 and sketching his observations in song.

Q.  Where can I get recordings by John Stewart?
A.  If you have WWW access you can either get info or order at these sites:

    http://www.songs.com/folkera/     (online ordering)

    http://stevens.chcnost.com/stewart/  (info)

    http://members.aol.com/clackclack/rebeffa1.htm  (info)

    http://www.bite-myfoot.co.uk/cdstew.html  (info/online ordering)

    or you can write to:
    HOMECOMING RECORDS
    PO BOX 2050
    MALIBU, CA 90265, USA
    Hcoming@aol.com

Q.  Where can I get a copy of "Fire in the Wind" ?
A.  "Fire in the Wind" is not currently available, your best bet is to post to Bloodlines members for extra copies, or a tape of the album.

Q.  Exactly how many original albums has John Stewart Made?
A.  Quite a few - 615 songs recorded (Cumberland Three, Kingston Trio, Solo).

      Solo Albums/Tapes (official releases):    29 (approx.)  370 songs.

      U.S. releases with Kingston Trio (official releases):
          207 songs recorded
          8 original albums on Capitoloriginal albums  on Decca
          1 original double LP on Tetragrammation
          3 Folk Era releases of rare or unreleased cuts
          3 Best of LP's on Capitol
          1 (3)LP compilation on Capitol
          1 (4)CD Box set w/ 2 CD's from of JS-KT from Capitol w/many unreleased cuts

      Albums with Cumberland Three:
          3LP's   38 songs

Q.  Which well known singers have sung on record with John?
A.  Linda Ronstadt, Lindsey Buckingham, Nick Reynolds, John Denver, Nanci Griffith, Denny Brooks, John Phillips, Johnny Cash, Roseanne Cash, Paul Stookey, Stevie Nicks, Buffy Ford, Bob Shane, George Grove, Gary Busey, Sara Hickman, Bob Shane, Peter Asher, Doug Kershaw, Henry Diltz, Charlie McCoy, Michael Settle, James Taylor, Phil Everly, Wendy Waldman, Dave Guard, Mary Kay Place, The Jordanaires.

Q.  Which artists have recorded John Stewart's Songs?
A.  Eddy Arnold - July, You're A Woman
The Association - Little Road and a Stone To Roll
Joan Baez - Strange Rivers
Beat Farmers - Never Goin' Back
Harry Belafonte - Missouri Birds
Pat Boone - Never Goin' Back, July You're A Woman
Ed Bruce - July, You're A Woman
Roseanne Cash - Runaway Train, Dance With The Tiger
John Davidson - July, You're A Woman, California Bloodlines
Nanci Griffith - Sweet Dreams Will Come (duet,1988)
Robert Goulet - July You're A Woman
Journeyman - Oh Miss Mary, Don't Turn Around
Johnathon King - Mother Country
Limelighters - Headin' for the Hills, 1961
Lobo - Armstrong
Lovin' Spoonful - Never Goin' Back
Man Size Job - Daydream Believer
Barry McGuire - Oh Miss Mary
Modern Folk Quartet - Road to Freedom
Monkees -Daydream Believer
Peter Morse - Come Along Julie
Anne Murray - Daydream Believer
PJ Proby - 3 Week Hero
Red, White and Bluegrass - July You're A Woman
Jimmy Rogers - Come along Julie, New Land
Shaw Brothers - Road to Freedom, Cody, California Bloodlines
Spirit of John Morgan - Friend of Jesus
We Five - Never Goin' Back, You Can Never Go Home Again , Poet
Nina & Fredrick West - July You're A Woman, Looking Back Johanna
White Mountain Singers - Wings of St. Michael and Zapatta,  Road to Freedom
John Wilkinson - July You're A Woman
Kate Wolf - Some Kind of Love
Glenn Yarbrough - Friend of Jesus, Some Lonesome Picker, Where Are You
Goin' With The Rain

Q.  What are some songs by other writers that John has covered?
A.  1. Johnny B Goode/Oh Carol (Chuck Berry)
      2. Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley)
      3. Fast Freight  (Dave Guard w/KT)
      4. Suspicious Minds  (Elvis Presley)
      5. That's All Right Mama-- (Elvis Presley) (written by Arthur Crudup) Belle Via in San Diego...it was Elvis' birthday.
      6. Salisbury Hill (Peter Gabriel)  At My Place, Santa Monica, with Nick Reynolds
      7. Every Breath You Take (Police, written by "Sting") Trancas, CA
      8. Shake, Rattle and Roll," (by Jesse Stone)
      9. Lady Came from Baltimore," (by Tim Hardin)
     10. Boy in the Bubble," (by Paul Simon)
     11. Get Back"  (Beatles) in concert.....
     12. We're Gonna Move - (Elvis Presley) Media, PA
     13. Do You Wanna Dance - (Bobby Freeman) Media, PA
     14. All Along the Watchtower- (Bob Dylan) Media, PA  with Luke Stewart on lead guitar
     15. Get Rhythm  (Johnny Cash)
     16. Silver Wings  (Merle Haggard)
     17. Four Strong Winds" (by Ian Tyson) - Turning Point - Piermont, NY

Q.  What was the "Last Campaign"?
A . John and Buffy toured with Bobby Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign and sang at campaign rallies before Bobby's assassination in Los Angeles in June 1968, the night he won the California primary and appeared to be headed toward receiving the Democratic Party nomination.  John did an album of songs from and about that campaign, titled "The Last Campaign", and wrote a song of the same title that is on "Phoenix Concerts."
 
Q.  Is one of the ladies on the cover of "Blondes" John Stewart's sister?
A.  Yes, The lady on the left with the hat.

Q.  If I want to get J.S. to play in my town, what do I need to do?
A.  (Edited from original  for brevity)
    1. Find a venue.  One of the ways that I have found appropriate venues is to look at other folk artists' web sites and see
        where they are playing in your area.

    2. Get to know the owner/booking agent real well.  Buy him or her a couple of drinks, get a feel for his or her likes in
        music.  If folk music in general or any folk musicians are mentioned, provide a tape of your favorite stuff.

    3. Get on your computer and send e-mail to Steve (AKA "Spitbucket") Gordon, John's agent (Gordoom@aol.com) and let
        him know all the information you can about the venue.  Remember that John and Dave will be more apt to come if there
        is more than one gig per plane ride.  If you wanna do a Texas thing, try to get some other venues in  towns in other parts
        of the state.
 
    4. You may find that working with someone from this list who is nearby geographically can help with a) emotional support
        and  b)critical mass.  Two venues from each of you can bring them to your town!  Think about getting information from
        Earl (earlkctsr489@webtv.net) and/or Rickster (RGodwin495@aol.com) and/or Pete Crossland (PeteCross@aol.com)
        who have each had a hand in bringing about a couple of great "JS Weekend" experiences.

    5. Another thing to think about is helping promote the concert once you have it booked. b Remember, the better the turnout,
        the more likely the owner/promoter will wanna have him back and you won't have to work so hard at getting the booking
        for the next year!

Q.  Who is the Saint of San Joaquin?
A.  This topic has been debated on "Bloodlines", and besides the obvious reference to describe what the narrator of the song "July Your a Woman" is not, it is is up to the listener to decide.

Q.  What is the connection between J.S. and Route 66?
A.  J.S. has been traveling the road for several years and documenting his travels in song.  Route 66 is often a metaphor for the growth and change of the face of America.

Q.  Who's Johnny Flamingo and what's his connection with J.S.?
A.  "Johnny Flamingo and the Blue Dream Road" is a folk opera written by J.S.  It is about a man who reinvents himself and goes looking for his innocence and America on the Mother Road (Rt. 66).

Q.  What are some of John Stewart's favorite musical writers?
A.  In John's own words, these are a few of his favorite artists:
     Leonard Cohen (the champ)
     John Fogerty (also the champ)
     Roseanne Cash
     Randy Newman
     Jesse Winchester
     Peter Gabriel
     Paul Simon
     Pierce Pettis
     Lightning Hopkins
     Steve Earle
     Merle Haggard
     Sting
     Pete Seeger
     Bruce Coburn
     Bruce Springsteen
     Jaque Brell
     Otis Blackwell
     Leadbelly
     Lee Hayes
     Nanci Griffith
     John Ims
     Mary Chapin Carpenter (older material)
     Eric Anderson
     Phil Ochs
     Bob Dylan
     Bob Marley
     (that's a start)

Q.  Which other artists do John Stewart's Fans listen to?
A.  A poll conducted on "Bloodlines" in the summer of 1997 returned aproximately 300 favorite artists.  These were a few of the more popular choices (almost in alphabetical order):  Jackson Browne, Johnny Cash, Roseanne Cash, Guy Clark, Elvis Costello, Leonard Cohen, Iris DeMent, Sandy Denny/Fairport, Nick Drake, Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, Robert Earle Keen, Joe Ely, Flying Burrito Brothers, John Fogerty, Nanci Griffith, John Gorka, Arlo Guthrie, Judy Henske, John Hiatt, Richie Havens,  Leo Kottke, Gordon Lightfoot, Lyle Lovett, Joni Mitchell, Van Morrison, Bill Morrisey, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Rick Nelson, Willie Nelson, Mickey Newbury, Phil Ochs, Tom Paxton, John Prine, Loudon Wainwright lll, Linda Ronstadt, Tom Rush, Pete Seeger, Bruce Springsteen, Richard/Linda Thompson, Ian Tyson, Townes Van Zandt, Tom Waits, Jerry Jeff Walker,  Jimmy Webb, Cheryl Wheeler, Lucinda Williams, Kate Wolf, Jessie Colin Young, Neil Young, Warren Zevon.

Q.  Who/what is the Dancer in the cut "Because of a Dancer" on the Rough Sketches album?
A.  Buffy.

Q.  What is "The Finger" and why is it called that?
A.  John Stewart's Newsletter.   Is it called that because of his finger-picking style?  Or because he just liked the idea of 'giving everyone "the finger" every so often?  It's anyone's guess…

Q.  Who is Oliver Makin?
A.  Oliver Makin is a poet and short story writer from Kansas who died in 1909.  It was rumored for while that Oliver Makin was in fact John Stewart.  According to John, he is in fact a real person and an actual writer.  Quotes from Oliver appear on "Sunstorm" and "Wingless Angels".  Bloodliners continue to debate today whether Oliver is real or not, and no one has as yet been able to find a book by Mr. Makin.

Q.  What was the "drum machine" thread?
A.  A thread on bloodlines where users debated John's use of drum machines in his recordings.  It lasted quite a while and it is sometimes used to describe a very long unending discussion, as in "not another drum machine thread...".

Q.  What is Backchannel ?
A.  Sending directly to a bloodliner's personal e-mail address without posting the message to the entire group.

Q.  What is the policy about exchanging Tapes of John Stewart's Albums on Bloodlines.
A.  This process is obviously illegal.  This is unfortunately true even for out of print albums.  Also, Bloodlines members who are in the business recommend that you do not contact a record company and attempt pay royalties as this may cause more problems than you planned for.  All such business should be taken BACKCHANNEL.

Q.  What is Darwin's Army?
A.  Darwin's Army is a band made up of John Stewart, Buffy Ford-Stewart, John Hoke and Dave Crossland.  Their debut album is on Appleseed Records.

Q.  Is the song "Let the Big Horse Run" about the racehorse Secretariat?
A.  Yes.