The Giving Tree Band at the Devils Garden Campground in Arches National Park.
Arches National Park is the backdrop for this episode of the National Park Sessions, in which The Giving Tree Band plays Friends of the Devil.
The five musicians are slowing working their way around the National Park System, playing acoustically arranged songs in park settings to promote unity, harmony, and the well-being of all people and the planet.
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Comments
Sorry; but, I absolutely do not 'get' "National Parks Sessions" and do not believe the wonderous world of National Parks is enhanced in any way. Obviously, somebody must have WAY too much money!
It's part of the "feel good" program. It cost money and has no meaningful impact but it "feels good" so it must be done. After all, who could be against "unity, harmony, and the well-being of all people and the planet." Kumbaya!
And, of course, there are those who would prefer to help people to 'feel bad', and those people often prove themselves to be against unity, harmony, and the well-being of all people and the planet, as you say. These folks usually make themselves pretty obvious in any group they associate with.
[I may be a hippie, but even >I< don't do kumbaya.]
Rickb, I watched the video, fun. I must agree, it is constructive to have a a group of musicians singing about peace , inclusiveness, harmony, etc., best wishes to them.
I don't know any such people. Maybe you need to change the groups you are associating with.
QED.
I think someone struggled in geometry.
The Giving Tree Band is based in Illinois and performs at venues and festivals all over the country. The band performed at SXSW in Austin back in March and looks like they filmed these park performances around that time. They would have needed to obtain a special use permit at each park to do the filming. A permit at Arches would cost the band at least $180($100 application fee, $80 administrative fee). If the permit required any monitoring by an NPS employee or a scouting trip that would have cost them an additional $40-50/hr.
http://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/specialuse.htm
So rmackie, is the money better spent for singers or addressing the maintenance backlog?
I enjoyed it, too, rmackie. Not sure that song is about peace, inclusiveness, or harmony, but a great one for the parks, nevertheless; that song, that band, along with the parks being spread out around the country--makes one think of the picaresque as an American genre. Heading to Petrified Forest and Saguaro at the end of the month, and my exictement just kicked in.
re: is the money better spent for singers or addressing the maintenance backlog?
A good question - if the money is coming from the NPS. I didn't see any indication in the story that the agency is funding this "tour." Perhaps someone knows the answer to that.
I don't think the NPS underwrote this endeavor. In fact, I don't think the band obtained a special permit, either...
From the opening comment I assumed National Park Sessions was an NPS sponsored event. If that assumption is wrong and there are no NPS funds involved then my question regarding the tradeoff is moot.
[edit] Well not totally moot. One could argue that the expense and effort going into the series could be better spent.
Yes. One could always argue.
"Well not totally moot. One could argue that the expense and effort going into the series could be better spent."
I thought Tea Party Members do not like others telling people how to better spend their own money.
duplicate
Actually David, you can suggest all you want - i.e 1st Amendment. Want we don't like is forcing someone to spend their own money in certain ways. And when you waste your money, don't come crying to me because you are broke.
'the blastoff point for the crusade to spread deregulated capitalism around the world.'
Could you tell me where we can find this "deregulated capitalism'?
My thoughts are the bands is probably self promoting themselves through the videos they are creating at each stop. It conforms to their image they want. More power to them. Hopefully they paid for any fee the NPS charges. If they go broke i am sure they won't come crying to you.
OMG - commercial activity in the parks. Say it isn't so.
Missed the metaphor I see.
My view is; that it truly is capitalism. And as Sara points out, there are fees involved that they may of paid. This is what they do for a living. Fortunately, some may enjoy their music along the way but I am sure some will be annoyed. Some will agree with what they are promoting and some will disagree. I looked at their web site, it is interesting what they promote.