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"Return To Big Rock Candy Mountain" - A Historical,
Musical and Educational Experience, Targeting Libraries, Historical Societies, Town Halls and Community Centers.
Wallace Stegner leaves a legacy that includes the names of some of the most important and
celebrated figures in American History - a list that includes President John F. Kennedy and poet Robert Frost. He taught at
Harvard, and at Stanford University, his students included Larry McMurtry, Scott Turow and Ken Kesey. Stegner was named
a special adviser to the Secretary of the Interior under President John F. Kennedy. Through his efforts to save and preserve
the enviroment of the West - Stegner became the voice of modern conservationism. This year marks the late writer's 100th Birthday.
Scott
was chosen by the Eastend Arts Council to Perform at the 22nd Annual Wallace Stegner Memorial Dinner and Benefit in Eastend
Saskatchewan Canada. Deciding to make the trip itself part of the story, and embarking on a two day journey by train - Scott
went from Springfield Massachusetts, to Chicago, Illinois, and finally, to Havre, Montana, where he rented a car and drove
the remaining 3 hours to Saskatchewan. While living in the former childhood home of his favorite writer - Scott began recording several
original compositions, based on characters in Stegner's landmark novel "The Big Rock Candy Mountain." Performing
the songs on a vintage banjo (recreating the mood of the original folk song of the same title - made famous by Burl Ives in
the 60s, and, more recently, in the movie "Oh Brother Where Art Thou".) Pomeroy wrote and recorded the remaining
songs on a moving Amtrak 'Empire Builder', as it traveled back from Montana to Chicago.
To begin the project
- Scott contacted, applied for, and was granted artist residency to live in the Stegner House as an artist. Upon arrangment
to perform the benefit show - Scott's status was upgraded to "Special Guest." With radio, print and internet promotion
used to draw attention to the event - Scott performed selections from "Return To Big Rock Candy Mountain" at the
22nd Annual Wallace Stegner Memorial Benefit in Eastend Saskatchewan on march 7th 2009 to a crowd of 300+ people (in a town
with only 600 residents.) Funding for the future of this project would result in additional live performances in Libraries, Town
Halls, and Historical Societies, as well as the production of an interactive CD/DVD, which would allow people to opportunity
to listen to music, view images and read accompanying stories about Stegner, his contributions to literary arts, as well as
to learn about past and present life on the Canadian and Montana High Prairies.
Wallace Stegner's books can be found in
nearly ever library in the united states, and once people have listened to Scott's story, they immediately become fascinated
with the man's history of accomplishment, and are instantly curious to learn more about his life and his books. Anyone interested in American literature, Western Civilization, train travel, tourism, and
folk music will be amazed at the wealth of information and level of entertainment they will receive from experiencing "Return
To Big Rock Candy Mountain."
People have been equally fascinated by Scott's story of journeying to Saskatchewan, to live
in the house where Stegner spent a significant part of his childhood, as well as the tale of traveling by train for two days
and recording an album on a moving train. A modern folk music concert, featuring instruments aged from the 1960's folk
music boom and the great depression of the 1920's presents the recording of "Return To Big Rock Candy Mountain"
ties Wallace Stegner's story and his own story together, to becomes a truly memorable American experience. By telling his
own story thru song, pictures and spoken word, Scott is able to tell the story behind one of the most important authors of
the late 20th Century.
Scott's story for "Return To Big Rock Candy Mountain" has already been covered
by the Valley Advocate, and Scott's accompanying blog contains a detailed travel journal about the train trip and the journey
to Saskatchewan. Additional Print and internet publications as well as radio stations, TV stations and internet podcasts are
lining up to cover the release of the recordings and ensuing musical concerts as well. Presently, the website www.returntobigrockcandymountain.com
features music videos for the songs, and some live recordings from the Eastend Arts Council sponsored benefit. Scott has the
ability to reach tens of thousands of people already familiar with his name and his project, via the internet. Scott performs
in the area on a regular basis and has a large fan base to draw upon.
Scott is an internationally acknowledged
singer songwriter who has been praised by Musician Magazine, The Boston Globe and The Valley Advocate. He has performed in
support of a wide variety of musical artists - including Doc Watson, David Grisman, Ricky Scaggs, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Martina
McBride, Jimmy Dale Gilmore, Marianne Faithful, and members of the Muddy Waters Blues Band, The Animals, and The
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Scott Lawson Pomeroy combines a massive catalog of music with a youthful and energetic presence, to
unite lovers of Music, Art, North American History, Train Travel, and American Literature.
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