It was May 18th, 1980, and the Rainy Day Band was on tour. Our travelers included me (guitar and vocals), Laura Smith (banjo and vocals), Jim Zito (bass and vocals) and our guest artist, Larry Hanks. Jim and I also brought along our six-month old daughter, Kristin. As I recall, we first played in Eugene, and were having our morning coffee at our hosts when the windows shook. Not much noise – just the shaking of the glass. On we went towards Portland where we were playing a concert in Bob and Betty McFarland’s living room, sponsored by the Portland Folklore Society. It was likely on that journey that we both heard and saw that Mt. St. Helens had blown that morning.
Recently, the amazing Mark McPherson ran across cassettes in the archives of the Portland Folklore Society. He recognized Laura and I and proceeded to digitize this concert. I was amazed at how good the quality is! You’ll hear a first set with Laura, Jim and I. Then there’s a short set with Larry and Laura. Then Laura, Jim and I finish off the evening. Our band’s focus was on Washington songs, since The Rainy Day Songbook had just been released.
Of course, the mountain’s eruption dominated everything. We headed home the next day, stopping while Laura took a ride on an airplane to see the destruction. We watched the plume all the way home. Kristin’s first tooth erupted, and for her, was likely more traumatic. Recently, Kristin and I went to visit Mt. St. Helens, and Kristin did not want to be anywhere close! I think she absorbed some of the trauma of that day.
I hope you enjoy this look back at an amazing event in our State’s history and in our lives. I am delighted at how good the quality is! Thanks for listening -
Linda