Pete Kartsounes Hikes Throughout Colorado To Fight Cancer
Kathy Foster-Patton
Two years ago, I camped next to Pete Kartsounes at the RockyGrass Academy. This year he had bigger things on his mind—he was getting ready to hike. It’s what he does during the end of July, all of August, and part of September to raise money and support the non-profit organization that he founded towards the end of 2007: Hike4Cancer. Kartsounes is a talented and visionary singer/songwriter who makes his home in Boulder, Colorado. Many music aficionados are familiar with his work. He is now raising his profile as someone who gives back to his community. He shared some insight around his ‘hike,’ prior to lacing on his shoes and hitting the road.
Kartsounes explained how the event got going. “I started Hike4Cancer with my long time friend John “Digger” Pelaez in November of 2007. We had both been looking for a way to “give back” and when I approached him with the idea to raise money for a cause with hiking and events he was instantly ready to get started.” The hike is actually a series of hikes that ramble around Colorado, accompanied by musical fund raisers that Pete promotes along the way. His web site, http://hike4cancer.org, lists the hikes for this year, as well as the concerts that are held to raise money.
Kartsounes talked about his love for hiking and how things came together in the structure of hiking and playing music. “I have been touring musically through Colorado for almost 15 years now and when I was asked to hike the Colorado Trail by a friend (Nean “Namie” Bacile—the only recorded triple TRIPLE Crown winner, meaning that he is the only one to hike the Continental Divide, Appalachian, and Pacific Coast Trails three times apiece) and found out the general routing of the trail was from Denver to Durango, I soon realized that I could play in towns along the way. There are also an abundance of festivals in the month of August in Colorado that are along the way as well—which is pure luck and seeming to work out!”
The Hike4Cancer organization determines a beneficiary for their yearly activity. This year, that beneficiary is “There With Care,” a group that provides services to children and families facing critical illnesses. Kartsounes elaborated, “We have raised a good amount of money for our beneficiaries. No number is too big or too small and it keeps getting bigger. One step at a time is our motto. We will most likely work with a new beneficiary each year although we are really liking what “There With Care” is about and who they are as a group: wonderful folks doing amazing things for families with children who aren’t so fortunate. We are very grateful to be working with them this year.”
Kartsounes took a moment to talk about his current band—the Pete Kartsounes Band (what else?). “I have been touring and playing with my own band for the past year and a half. It is a solid four piece band with an additional member—so is always a five piece band. It’s really nice to have complete freedom in who I have with me. There are so many amazing musicians/friends in this area we live in and it would be silly to not utilize that. My band is myself on guitar/vocals, Kevin Malone on Bass and vocals (Kevin and I have been playing for about 9 years together), James Thomas on keys/vocals (James and I have had a few bands together over the past 10 years), and Ryan Sapp on drums. (Ryan is a new addition and I went to high school with him…..we have known each other for a long time and he is an amazing drummer. We sometimes do the string band thing (without drums) as well. The 5th members have been Greg Schochet (Mando/Guitar), Andy Thorn (Banjo), Bob Hemenger (SAX), Joe Lessard (fiddle) and the list keeps getting bigger. It’s complete musical freedom and keeps everyone on their toes. It’s always fresh for all of us and we like to keep it that way, as well as original.
Many people think about doing things for charity, but don’t take action. Kartsounes is one of those inspiring folks who are out there making a difference. He said, “I have been playing music for 15 years, driving around the country, staring out the window, and wondering—what the heck am I doing with myself! I am always inspired by someone I see making a difference. There was once a man on the Montel Williams show that donated his bone marrow. He had no clue who it was going to and just wanted to help someone. He saved a girls life with that, and when I watched that I knew that I wanted to be like him. I wanted to “give back” and do something good in this life, and I found a way to do that with what I love to do (hiking and playing music). Of course we all seem to have some kind of a direct affiliation with cancer and it’s a horrible reality. We all love kids and they are our future, so it was an easy decision for us to get to when thinking of who are we going to support and why. We just are giving back and if it inspires folks to do the same then that is great! We hope that every year gets bigger and better for Hike4Cancer. More people helping, hiking, and spreading the word. Its not about us…..it’s about who we are helping.
Check out that Hike4Cancer website and donate to Pete’s cause. You can arrange to go hike part of the way with him. The pickin’ will be great!
Tapers Notes:
With a Pete Kartsounes show you never know what you are going to get. Some long jams or some classic’s like “Welcome to the Machine”. Tonight was no different. A strong “Semi-Acoustic” first set followed by and all out “Electric Set” to top off the night. – Lantz <lancifarian at gmail dot com>
Highlights: Finally Made It Home, Immigrant’s Life, The Last Dance, Those Blues and If I Can Go Back to a Moment
Pete Kartsounes – Guitar, Vocals
Greg Schochet – Guitar
Kevin Malone – Bass
James Thomas – Keyboard
Ryan Sapp – Drums
Pete Kartsounes Band Boulder Draft House
Boulder, Colorado
04/03/2009
Set 1
01. Sweet Carolina
02. Finally Made it Home
03. Song for Mr Charles
04. Immigrant’s Life
05. Good Times Spent
06. Long Lonesome Days
07. Norwegian Wood
08. Down the Road
09. Frame of Life
(Total Set Time: 53:45)
Set 2
01. Alone and Livin
02. I’ve Endured
03. A Jouney’s End
04. The Last Dance
05. Just A Part of Life
06. Stone Cold West Virginia
07. ‘Ol Bluegrass Home
08. Takes Me Home
09. Those Blues
10. Torn Angel
11. Hoedown
12. If I Can Go Back to a Moment
13. Band Introductions
14. The Funky Sounds “Lost and Found” > I Bid you Goodnight*
henrythe9th Says:
