Grass Roots to Bluegrass -JohnHartford -Gentle On My Mind

Heres John with his Hero's
showin' them his stuff
the best he ever was

[@gordeauxd]

I went to see John Hartford at a crafts fair in West Virginia in 1982. Most people there early were there for the crafts fair. I was there only for John Hartford. He had set up in a field about 50 yards from where the crafts fair was set up. I saw him and walked over just as he began playing. No one else was there. John, his banjo, his mic'ed plywood plank and me. I walked over about 10 yards from him and he played several numbers for his audience of one, including Gentle on My Mind. I was standing there smiling, amazed at the turn of events. As he played he looked off into the distance, but every now and then he'd look at me and wink or smile. After a while, a bunch of other people started wandering over. Amazing experience.

[@jjmuni]

Yeah that sounds amazing. He was one of those playing for the joy of it not for an audience. Sure if someone likes it, the better.

[@johnsrabe]

I had a similar experience with Dr John in Ft Myers c1990 and let us just say that he was not as sanguine as Mr Hartford in a similar situation.

[@kimmolingonheimo]

love him i do i do...his playin moves me to tears...

[@dean3434]

Sounds good and true gordeaux!

[@keithfreeland2811]

And WV should be into bluegrass big time. I saw him in Dayton Ohio in packed bar's 300 plus people and one club that used their outdoor back yard and he had the field full of people.

[@tripodthreefoot2268]

Yup, I'm a black man from the Caribbean watching and loving this, always did

[@caroleann_2142]

It's just so Beautiful ❤ Pure Americana, I love it!

[@johnharrington2400]

Everybody loves John Hartford. Just the way it is.

[@joesolway7636]

Brilliant song brilliantly performed. I never tire of it. Thank you John for what you brought to the world.

[@chaplaindrrichardlawrence1686]

This is perhaps the most perfect song ever written

[@dannilaser16]

Richard Lawrence I’ve been saying that for a long time. Best lyrics ever written.

[@favoritebeautytips6316]

I agree. Without a doubt.

[@robertmcnorth8317]

Chaplain, God blesses us with folks like John Hartford, Bless him and the Thank the Lord !

[@robrussell5329]

And so few people can name the author...

[@dukerbower2228]

Yes. (But also half of what Dylan ever wrote. I bet john would agree.)

[@fecklessmovies]

I had never heard the 'real' bluegrass version until today. I much prefer it.

[@jeffbates2369]

Although Glen Campbell recorded it and it had huge success with it... He always gave credit to John Hartford as being the songwriter. I remember watching John Hartford on the Glen Campbell show when I was a child... Then I was reintroduced to his music later on when I was a teenager and got into bluegrass

[@nickhuber9627]

It's a good version, but Glen Campbell perfected it. There is a reason why his version is the more popular one. But it's all a matter of taste.

[@greghall51]

Saw him in Bozeman at a free concert in the 70s with a comedian no one had ever heard of named Steve Martin.

[@willstearns3603]

John isn't dead....he flew of in his steam powered airplane and we haven't seen him since....at least in my mind! Stay high John!

[@rosscampbell1173]

I never heard of this man before an hour ago. How is that possible I ask myself. Thanks KZbin!

[@mattermen2277]

Look up "Down From The Mountain" He plays a lot and is MC with many greats.

[@ekalbkr]

I was fortunate to see John with his band in the early 70's in North Texas at WTSU. Could not have enjoyed it more until...somewhere in the SF Bay area around 1980 I saw him solo in a quite small venue. He played guitar, banjo, mandolin, hambone, fiddle , whistled and sang - all while tapping out wonderful rythymms with with his feet on a miked platform. Lucky enough to have seen some great musicians - Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Van Morrison, Townes Van Zant, Guy Clark and others - It is senseless to say who was "best". But when it comes to the warmest, most comfortable, thoroughly enjoyable time, John Hartford by his lonesome has to be at the top of the list. I still mourn his passing.

[@jonmccabe2125]

Dam tootin. John did the same for me in 74.

[@megaminiman]

I'm new to him, but you've piqued my interest. Thank you.

[@PhilipRoberts-m4k]

A very early memory of mine from about 50 years ago is out on White Road about a third of the way to the Catawba River. There was a man with a thorn in the heel of his foot. I sang like this in search of him later after my mother and I left. I wanted Jesus to be my friend. He looks out for me still.

[@carlleavey]

I dearly wish I had discovered John Hartford when I was younger. I love it.

[@kystars]

What an AMAZING video! So many classic BLUEGRASS Legends are there. This video is PURE BLUEGRASS GOLD... I am from Kentucky, the birthplace of Bluegrass. Beautiful music

[@FaqueGoogle-wo6ip]

Kind of, Ireland is birthplace. Kentucky is where they perfected it!!

[@kystars]

@@FaqueGoogle-wo6ip Well I am Irish :) My family is from the mountains of Kentucky. My moms family name is O'Farrell . Later they dropped the O and are now Farrell. I get what you are saying and I agree..we had a still back in the day, my uncle played the Banjo, so yes we are a musical family and from Ireland originally. Kentucky, Bill Monroe got it organized :)

[@jamescarroll6954]

The lyrics are one of the most evocative poems I have ever read.

[@ilovemypugdog]

I love John's mannerisms, especially his little eye twitch.

[@robertmcnorth8317]

I always got a kick out of his face when he plays the Fiddle

[@ilovemypugdog]

@@robertmcnorth8317 Yes, the way he moved his mouth! Did you ever see this wonderful man live?

[@ilovemypugdog]

I wish so much that I had of. It gets me really upset sometimes that he's gone and I no longer have the opportunity.

[@samartist9319]

RIP JOHN .. One of the best songs ever pen'd..

[@willstearns3603]

I miss him so damn much....helped shape my life!

[@johnhill8275]

John Hartford, Doc Watson, Tony Rice - was absolutely top of the world

[@runningtaters]

Mike Bubb - bass; Gen Wooten - dobro; Ronnie & Robbie McCoury - banjo & mando respectively. . . reminds me of college days going to the Station Inn on Tuesday nights. . . the memories are at once fantastically beautiful and painful because they are gone and some of the musicians are gone as well.

[@dukeofearlbanjo]

Charlie Cushman on guitar

[@cliffsandifer3877]

I had chance to see mr. john before he died.at red light café atlanta, packed house. I went met him thanked him for being a mentor and had him sign CD I brought and patted him on his knee He was not shaking hands that evening . that moment makes me cry now. God bless him....

[@georgiapeach7666]

I saw him in Atlanta at Broadview Plaza at the Great Southeastern Music Hall. Man, it was WONDERFUL!❤️

[@brettdavies2744]

As much as Campbells cover is what everyone knows and what was played so widely, I can’t help but agree with Hartford, it totally feels right as a two chord fiddle tune.

[@SMHEFtime]

The words are so real and pure it works either way...one of my favorite songs!

[@haroldgamble9781]

I recently met David Fromer who told me that Glen Campbell did all of the intricate backing guitar work on a 1964 folk album that David did with his brother Jonathan and a friend named, Elbert. The album is called “Jonathan, David and Elbert” and can still be found on e-bay and other sites. It’s a great folk album and the group should have been famous, but somehow, wasn’t. I sang with David’s younger brother Jonathan Fromer as part of the San Francisco Boys’ Chorus in the mid 1950’s. Jonathan is deceased now but during his adult life, he was a passionate and well known peace activist and some of his performances as an activist can be found online.

[@robout9562]

this performance make me always smile so nice

[@Grahamgusbull]

From the worldwide monster from Glen Campbell and the knockout album version by Tammy,here we are back to the original concept....what a song!

[@ross9581]

the original always the better...

[@dobrojoeshive]

I'm not sure this counts as the original version. John Hartford is the songwriter, but as far as I've noticed, usually he played it on the banjo. I'd guess he wrote it on the banjo, too.

[@donchen1963]

Took me a while to read the lyrics, to find it is the perfect song ever written.

[@robertmcnorth8317]

Love the smile on Vassar's face. John was one of those good forces of nature, cannot see anyone not enjoying him and his music and anyone that played with him.

[@ilovemypugdog]

Vasser? I don't see Vasser! Where is he?

[@rollin19]

A good force of nature that could not be unseen because the guy was a genius!!

[@xiangqiforchessplayers9209]

I'm pretty sure Vassar (Clements) isn't there

[@alexmorris452]

What a lovely person ,,,,,,taken from us far far too early ,,,,,rip john ,,,,,your contribution to music should NEVER be forgotten

[@robertmcnorth8317]

Agree !

[@stevehanford1753]

Agree!!!!

[@jaywalker8309]

i watched john hartford as a child on country tv and was captivated by his style of singing playing and dancing

[@dylanlabiak]

Its a hot summer humid evening up on top of the Blueridge and folks have been driftin in and out of the campfire circle and yeah the gin bucket as well goatskin has been sipped from by many but funny how it never seemed to get empty. Well a young lassie started pickin no one new her name but it was her giddy up that brought in the others to join in and play. I was fussing with fry pan and spit when a banjo joined in from the back and others began too settle back as the banjo picked up a song and voice we had heard earlier in the eve began the Gentle on your mind. Well the voice just kept on ramblin on and the banjo kept up a quick trot and cowboy boots started to a tappin on the trailer full of wood and it was such a joyous jam happen . The banjo stopped and in the fire light there was John takin a big old swig from the goat skin.That smile and he pipes up mind if I try your slab of bellona it sure do smell good. Thats lancaster countys sweet lebanon and bellona John enjoy got a good smoke to now!! Smoke he says well thats very tasty heres some smoke for you all now, Two Tokes and The Joint Turned Brown was his thank you song. Never will forget that Skyline Bluegrass Festival!

[@charlesahlgren8862]

I miss him. He was one of the best. One of my heroes

[@williamwalker6392]

Fantastic Musician and Songwriter.👍

[@rollin19]

Nows he's what you would call a real class act! A man who could write one of the best songs in the world!!

[@Kontomanikos1964]

Great song, perfect company, and John was one of the best. These years maybe gone for ever.

[@jamie6405]

Gone, but never forgotten! Greatness will always live forever!

[@HenryPage]

Of course I know Gentle On My Mind, I listened to the late and wonderfully great Glen Campbell singing it, himself an Arkansas man, but when I watched it here and listened to how it should be done bluegrass style I just wept with joy. I love these jam sessions from the south with musicians that were weaned on an instrument and if one of you bluegrass folks wants to treat an Englishman to the real thing when it comes to southern sound - and I mean bluegrass - then you know where I am: invite me and I will be there!

[@lauranadeau4977]

This song makes me cry every time i hear it

[@paradoxicalbox4054]

Northern Georgia. South East Tennessee. Chattanooga city. Wonderful Bluegrass

[@Luke-pk9fe]

My favorite thing about these old clips is watching old people being understanding loving and hateful to each other.

[@leetax]

Don't write songs like that any more. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@alanattfield7174]

What a talent he was. Bless you John for giving us beautiful songs and for Glenn Campbell another beautiful soul.

[@kenvarnold3659]

Saw him live 2x at the U of Minnesota...he could fiddle, sing, tap dance all at the same time. Had the auditorium on our feet, clapping and dancing along. He was great...

[@stevehess7481]

I got to John Hartford, Norman Blake and Vassar Clements in concert together. Fantastic concert

[@donpugh9930]

John was from St. Louis in this he talks about how he got started in music seeing Earl Scruggs and Benny Martin at the chain of Rocks park in 1954 it was an amusement park in St. Louis that was on the bluffs over looking the Mississippi river just across the Illinois Missouri border. the old bridge still stands there it was originally part of route 66

[@nicolosito]

Love the guy. He absolutely rocks.

[@georgiapeach7666]

Miss that man and his songs! RIP, John Hartford of MO.

[@acoyne174]

I'm so glad I found this classic rendition.... The best there is, in my opinion!

[@stevehanford1753]

agree

[@craigdouglasmartens7037]

Ibly the very best rendition of this beautiful song. John Hartford was one authentic bluegrass singer songwriter.

[@ilovemypugdog]

Wow. What a divine person! I'd marry him in a heartbeat!❤

[@CARNELIANTURQUOISE]

This is one of those songs that you feel vividly in your heart, the music and the words have a feeling...love it

[@stevehanford1753]

wow!! agree

[@dancochrane617]

Thanks he was a brilliant musician and songwriter. He is sorely missed.

[@Sunakfilth]

What a great song by a great man R.I.P

[@Grapevine_DJ]

Love JH. I see this older generation (which I am getting closer to) and see perspective and appreciation.

[@y.u.doodat9133]

I may be in agreement with the fellow who called this the most perfect song ever written. It’s one of my all-time favorites. And here it is by the master himself - John Hartford…

[@y.u.doodat9133]

Old John sure can sharpen a mean fiddle!

[@dean3434]

Man. Does it get better than this? All the greats right there. No glitz no showoffs, just real deal music. Thank You Dean Jackson Seattle

[@walterbrandenberger9122]

My favorite song and I love rockn` roll! Thank you Mr. Hartford!

[@johnnybullock3139]

This is singlehandedly is the best thing I've ever seen.

[@patricksmith4424]

Brilliant. Listening to this version makes me understand the song better. I have been learning the lyrics recently with some difficulty. It is written in a very country American colloquial style. When it comes to Glens and other polished versions they seem slightly at odds with the pop backing. As John said the song was written as a blue grass song, so the lyrics fit perfectly to the bluegrass style. However, Glen being the genius he was and the fact that he was a country boy himself, managed to weave the words into the superb pop song it became.

[@EECErik]

What a genuine person love to see that he stopped to get everyone involved on one of the best songs made

[@nigelbiglari4552]

Excellent excellent excellent. Top class performance. We all greatly missing John Hartford. God bless his great heart & soul. Amen

[@glencoe6305]

Doesn't get any better than that ! R.I.P. John Hartford ! The worlds best back up musicians playing along !

[@rapier1954]

John and so many others in this video have passed on but it is nice we have KZbin to see them perform on screen,

[@timjohnson1199]

So good, I can't get enough.

[@Simon_de_Cornouailles]

Absolute bloody legend.

[@sjduskin]

This was not that long before he passed from cancer in 2001. But he was so much more thaan just this perfect song.

[@Mandotwang]

What a songwriter and fiddler this man was. It is both heartwarming and sad to watch this video.

[@Luke-pk9fe]

First time I ever really comprehended the lyrics of this song it's really beautiful and better this way

[@scottsteeves]

Just an amazing talent.

[@gordonlyon2351]

this is just a beautiful, timeless song

[@jimlepeu577]

Glen Campbell made a big thing of it and one of my real favourites the great Roy Clarke did it too - but to my mind no one came anywhere near Johns version. IMHO

[@donnaking5211]

John Hartford also wrote this song. Saw him at Spring Park in Tuscumbia AL

[@myyoutube887]

He will be forever on my mind.......

[@moirahill6397]

Just...wonderful!

[@treywest268]

I got to see John Hartford about 5 times in my life. He was never in it for the money. Most musicians do two 30-45 minute sets and maybe one or two en cores. Not John though! He would do two 45 minute sets with maybe 10 minutes in between. Then his en core would run another 45 minutes to an hour and a half. He would have people push the tables back and create a dance floor. He would then start calling out country fiddle dance songs. It wasn't about the money, it was about sharing his love for music. This song, " Gentle on my Mind" was one of the most recorded songs ever. The royalties from it (lower to mid 6 digits annually) allowed him to live the life he loved. John was also a licensed Steamboat Captain and would captain paddlewheelers up and down the Mississippi River for about 6 weeks every year. He also devoted his time, and his money to rehabbing old paddlewheelers to save them. If you love his music look for John Hartford on Steamboat videos here on YT. You will find yourself even more impressed with him. Truly missed by so many.

[@mizzmead8077]

John Hartford has been a love of mine for years... Meaning I buy his music. Thank you for posting. So much in his music and stories are relative to me.

[@treesplease4053]

Greatness, Miss John. ❤❤❤❤

[@michaelnoneya7342]

OMG .. that was wonderful

[@dabprod]

I just know this man was fun to be around.

[@davidhoule5288]

This songs royalties allowed John to do what he wanted for the rest of his life. Including becoming a paddle wheel riverboat captain. I love and miss John , his personality and banjo, fiddle, shuffling . One of a kind .

[@butchjackson4428]

Absolutely one-of-a-kind musician!

[@joschkahurst]

What a joy to see John doing this tune with the gang

[@Edward-turtle]

man that was good.......really enjoyed it

[@chriscosby2459]

That Derby hat is so John Hartford. RIP

[@ardshielcomplex8917]

An immortal work that enabled legendary status to an truly gifted composer and lyricist.

[@xiangqiforchessplayers9209]

I thought I knew Country and Bluegrass, but there are a lot of faces there I don't recognize. I see Del McCoury and the younger guys in the back are Del's band. I think the guy next to John with the maroon jacket is Webb Pierce.

[@yazidnurullah3623]

jaket merah jesse mc reynolds

[@ClintonCaraway]

@4:20 J.D. gives the nod of approval or appreciation 🤔 and @4:30 Del gives the smile like he's a fan...... Either way it's well deserved.

[@richardsimpson7886]

Amazing from Scotland of course glen Campbell Scottish magnificent

[@chrisamadon279]

how can you not like this man,,,

[@blueblur6447]

Afterwards they all went to Ponderosa. Great video, thank you!

[@jamestessman1433]

Seeing Jesse just sit there and take it all in is incredible

[@cjnav7832]

I think what is possibly more astonishing than the vibe that night - is the thumbs down, above, that it got???? RIP Johnny H

[@alfemurphelps7224]

Just gotta get out of your seat for this one!!

[@chrismccauley5365]

I think his brilliance is really only just being recognised.

[@myyoutube887]

Gentlemale on my list.......on my buckets list.......

[@anthonymaccherone]

Absolute joy!

[@jacekdobrowolski2148]

John! I love you very mutch!

[@laurentfarsy3722]

love love so much this song.

[@Hans-yb5jc]

Very good recording work. Underestimated

[@RoyVegas]

I so love this.

[@nateldredge9538]

I agree with John about some of the best musicians I in the world are in attentance.

[@mattw.keating7019]

This series is available for like $20 on itunes, a great investment folks, especially when you consider how many of these great performers are no longer with us.

[@mattw.keating7019]

+M.W. Keating It's actually more like $15

[@1AvW1]

i-Tunes hates culture, just loves money!

[@hatcherluke]

And purchased. Thanks for the heads up.

[@myyoutube887]

my ears thank you for the pleasure trip

[@jonmccabe2125]

I was 15 or 16 and they let me in anyway at a Harvard Sq club, anyone else remember the name, near Club Casablanca? If i remember it right, and that's always qestionable, i saw Hartford and Rodney and Doug Dillard. Hartford played solo and then hooked up with the dillards on stuff like What's Time To a Hog? Mid 1970s. These boys were in their prime, and teenie wannabe country player got a front row seat... lucky boy...

[@johncorrigan8381]

Thee best version of a great great song. I just wish that they all had played the song and tune to a frazzle...

[@peterkarlsson937]

So Good from Sweden 👏👏

[@ANobodiemyspace]

Even after the last train yard is gone. There will be a place where men go when down on there luck and looking for a way out. And they will stare into the fire and will realize their hunger is not the problem. And will see things and remember things and understand. That she will always be gentle on your mind.