During this time of separation, there is one thing that can unite nearly all humans on the planet…music. Musicians may not have crowds to perform for right now, but they’re getting creative and turning to social media for internet concerts that fall within the strange new guidelines of physical distancing.
Today, KNAU launches a new segment to give gig musicians another venue. We’re calling it “Play Us a Tune”, and it’s just that simple. Flagstaff-based musician Brian White kicks off the series. In addition to the stress of being out of work and missing his bandmates, Brian’s wife, Amy, is a nurse on the frontlines of the pandemic. Today, he performs a song by John Prine. The legendary singer-songwriter is currently hospitalized, battling COVID-19.
Brian White: To my Flagstaff community, my awesome wife Amy Nunemaker, and all medical staff working during these uncertain times, I love you and I miss you, and I want to ensure we all get through our current times healthy. My band, Viola and the Brakemen have had to cancel our gigs recently, but rest assured the music will never stop. Remember, our heartbeats are a beat, a rhythmn, and naturally we dance to the sounds we hear. I'm thinking of John Prine right now and would like to sing you a tune called Day is Done.
Day is Done, by John Prine
Do you like me?
Well I hope you do
Cause if you like me
Then I think I'm gonna to have to like you too
We'll share our things
And have some fun
Then we'll say goodbye
And go back home when the day is done
If you tell me
I'll tell you too
And we'll say the things
And do the things that lovers do
We'll keep it to ourselves
We won't hurt no one
Then we'll say goodbye
And go back home when the day is done
We'll carve our names
On a tree
Then we'll burn it down
So no one in the world will see
And we'll make love
While we watch the flame
Then we'll walk away
As if we never had no shame
Now we must hide
To be alone
And we can't say
Our sweet things on the telephone
If we can't stop
What we've begun
We should say goodbye
And go back home when the day is done
Do you still like me?
Well I hope you do
Cause if you still like me
Then I think I'm gonna have to still like you
We shared our things
And had some fun
Now we'll say goodbye
And go back home when the day is done
Yeah, we'll say goodbye
And go back home while
We still have one
Let's say goodbye and go back home
Now the day is done
This segment of Play Us a Tune was produced by KNAU's Gillian Ferris. If you are a recently unemployed musician and would like to play us a tune, send an email inquiry to Gillian.Ferris@nau.edu.
