~daughter of the west~

July 16th, 2010

Is there a Hollywood? Exene and John Doe, the Ma and Pa of my hometown (in my era anyway, and Lux and Ivy not withstanding), philosophically debated Hollywood’s relative beingness at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park Friday night. 

Hghlights included:  See How We Are, Because I Do, and I Must Not Think Bad Thoughts, which has since been swirling around my brain with its traintrack melody.

Everyone was so gracious, much like old friends, the protesting lyrics felt wistfully naive (which is to say hopeful). The night led me to ponder the 80s I once knew, old Hollywood, the Wild West of my (Country and Western-singing and playing, cotton-picking) grandparents experience, and my own small place in the history of both (or perhaps their places in me). “Woody Guthrie sang about b-e-e-t-s not b-e-a-t-s!”