Encountering a folk music legend

Max Kutner, a 2007 graduate of South Side High School who is a junior at Vassar College, was chosen to open for legendary folk singer Pete Seeger at an Oct. 10 concert on the school's Poughkeepsie campus. Seeger was invited to celebrate the anniversary of the Hudson River's Exploration and his visit also coincided with a new Hudson River-related exhibit at the school.

Seeger's worldwide fame came as a folksinger and songwriter of such well known classics as "If I had a Hammer" and "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?," and his work with other famous performers such as Woody Guthrie, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

The concert was held outdoors on the green at the foot of the Vassar chapel. Kutner had a 30-minute time slot to sing and play guitar and harmonica. He opened with Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe," and followed with several of his own original songs, closing with Leonard Cohen's  "Hallelujah." 

Seeger showcased his famous singing, guitar and banjo playing and included storytelling in his performance. One of the concert's highlights was Seeger's rendition of his classic "Turn, Turn, Turn," and, as is his custom, he encouraged an audience singalong. 

At 90, Seeger engaged the audience with song and story, and promoted peace and environmental causes. He ended his appearance by pulling several books pertaining to environmental causes out of his canvas bag, recommending them to the crowd of approximately 1,000 people. 

Following the concert, Kutner attended an small reception in honor of Seeger. “During the reception,” said Kutner, “Pete Seeger had a story to tell about everything. He never stopped."