-
on November 17
Werner John
commented on a projectIt's like nearing the end of a Public Radio fundraiser... where the hosts find so many unique ways to say the same thing. We need you! And that's because YOU need US, and this is why. So why does the world need this film about musician Peter Blanchette to be the best it can be? Because of what his work says to young people about their dreams. Here's a guy who discovered a totally unique path through life early on and stuck with it through thick and thin, in the process giving so much to so many. What if more people had Peter's guts? So many choose some well-traveled road or other that kind of fits their dream of life. What if young people were encouraged to know themselves more deeply and strike out from the first for what they REALLY want? The world would be such a richer place and that's what Peter Blanchette teaches. He's been bushwhacking his path through life for decades and it's only in bushwhacking that you sometimes discover an incredible new species. He discovered an exquisite new species of musical instrument and proved its viability. That in itself is an amazing gift to the world! And your gift back on this last day is to stretch yourself... pledge a little more... and help this amazing story be told. Every dollar counts!
-
on November 17
Werner John
commented on a projectAnd now.... just $16 each will do the trick. We believe in this project, right? Let's get it done!
-
on November 16
Werner John
commented on a projectAt this moment, if we each increase our pledge by $24.25 it's a DONE DEAL!
-
on November 8
Werner John
commented on a projectSo this is great! Just noticed that the total took a big leap after Nanofest. Almost halfway there, but yikes... only 9 days to go. Fellow supporters, please think of those you know who appreciate guitars... or music... or film... or soul... and let them know about this. Soul, you say? Yes. That's what Peter Blanchette has poured into his work for over 30 years, and that's something that is truly precious in this world. People should know! It's inspiring! I just doubled my pledge, it was really easy. Just press that blue button "manage your pledge" and do something cool. Do it for your soul!
-
on October 26
Werner John
commented on a projectHi Film Makers, Great project! As you go forward here are some thoughts. I imagine you know, I hope you realize, that you haven't come across just another very interesting scruffy musician who plays in the streets. No... IMHO, Peter Blanchette is actually a World Class Musical Artist and National Treasure who likes to dress like them scruffy musicians and play incognito at craft fairs and farmers markets and such. My wife and I attended his double performance in Northampton a couple of First Nights ago. The Guitar Orchestra was great. But then... a seemingly quite exhausted Blanchette sat down and gave a solo performance that equaled anything you'd hear by great classical guitarists in major concert halls of the world. Plus... demonstrating beautifully and movingly the lost art of improvisation in the Renaissance style. Plus... having designed his own instrument, a design so successful that the extra strings seem only to have enhanced the sound of the original six. Movie makers, please keep in mind that your bohemian subject is also a musical genius... and include plenty of solo classical performance in the film so people with ears to hear will get it. And don't spare the irony either. Why does this guy play out in the rain at Lincoln Center when his natural habitat is some intimate sold out hall ravishing breathless fans with exquisite harmonic beauty? Why does he still need to offer a toe to get a toe in the door when he holds in his hands the music of the spheres and mastery of the ages? Please explore these questions and what they mean for our culture. Thanks, and best of luck with the project!
-
on October 26
Werner John
backed a project
Peter Blanchette & The Happy Valley Guitar Orchestra by Jesse Epstein
A documentary adventure about success, collaboration, and surviving while doing what you love.
-
102% funded $15,371 pledged
- 178 backers
- Funded Nov 18, 2011
-
-
on March 13, 2010
Werner John
commented on a project updateHello Matthew, I think your project is great. It seems you will not be getting to your $ goal though. So I am wondering, since you have the equipment etc. will you be trying to do the project anyway? I am a musician who's been making Native style flutes for 20 years and recording with them-- and I sell my CDs in some Native shops around the country. The shopkeepers have several times said they're waiting for the next Native themed blockbuster movie to get people interested again. To me, it's shocking how little attention is paid to the original inhabitants of this land by the dominant culture. I wish you the best with this project and let me know if I can help somehow here from the Northeast.
-
on March 13, 2010
Werner John
backed a project
Native Americans Documentary by Matthew Novak
A documentary focusing on the reservation system in the United States. And hopefully a chance to film some buffalo. i love these guys.
Funding Unsuccessful (03/15/2010) -
on March 7, 2010
Werner John
Posted project update #8Success! Thank you all
Post CommentFolks, the final total raised for this Flutes and Roots project including checks is $2405! A wonderful show of support for a $1600 request. When I looked through the list of those being charged I was really moved to feel the vote of confidence represented by each pledge. Some pledged because they love and play flutes themselves; some were attracted by the flute offers I made; some were indicating their support of me personally; and a few have already seen the power of the ideas I'm pulling together in this work. I believe that these programs I've been creating and practicing have transformative potential in this society... but I don't know how much. What I do know is that the effects they do have will always be proportional to my confidence in myself and my work, and that your vote of confidence has skyrocketed my own. And that's a gift in itself that will keep on giving.
Within a few days those who have signed up for "rewards" will be getting an email from Kickstarter asking for the information I need to get you your downloads / CDs (physical address and/or email address). I already have most of this information from those who have pledged for flutes.
Thanks once again, deeply felt... and blessings to all.
-
on March 7, 2010Funded!
FLUTES AND ROOTS by Werner John
Exploring the human journey... delighting in the human instrument... expanding the human perspective... FLUTEWALKER Story Concerts by Werner John
-
134% funded $2,155 pledged
- 17 backers
- Funded Mar 07, 2010
-
Werner John
Kingston, NY
Werner John's 25 year flute odyssey has included performance, teaching, composing, recording and flutemaking. Over that time he's hand-carved 900 North American Indian style flutes and sold a quarter million recordings of his music. Werner's new FL... view more
