The Bakersfield Sound and Cross-generationational pollination via mentoring: A topic for the serious "Bucknik"
Posted by drblt at 9/16/2009 8:59 PM 
Categories: psychology of the Bakersfield sound, Bakersfield sound and identify formation, Robert Price, Bakersfield Sound
Tags: psychology of the Bakersfield sound psychology of music psychology of country music
Categories: psychology of the Bakersfield sound, Bakersfield sound and identify formation, Robert Price, Bakersfield Sound
Tags: psychology of the Bakersfield sound psychology of music psychology of country music
Bakersfield Sound Pioneer, Lloyd Reading with my daughter and fan, Kassidy I was sitting at Dagny's coffee house in Bakersfield, California Wednesday morning---the morning of September 16, 2009, waiting for an important person to arrive. I had actually never met Robert Price (Bakersfield Californian writer/editorial editor; blogger; university instructor; resident expert on the Bakersfield Sound) before this day.
In addition to the chance to meet one another over coffee, the purpose of our visit had to do with a tiny computer stick made of plastic that, much to our chagrin, neither of us knew the technical name for. That "magic stick" as we've come to dub it, had to do with my favorite radio show, Bakersfield and Beyond
More specifically, it had to do with this article:
It's a long story, and I won't bore you with excessive details.
We seemed to get along well, and I left with a good feeling about our brief, but fruitful visit. We both had places to go and people too see, but as we sat there at a table, eaching sipping away at our respective cups of coffee, we covered lots of topics in a short period of time. Eventually, we discussed the university classes he teaches and the ones I teach. Before you know it, we had invited one another to drop in to each others classes as guests.
The topic that seemed to bring us together or land us on common ground, given that he teaches a class on the Bakersfield Sound and I teach classes in psychology is this one: The Bakersfield Sound and cross-generational pollination via mentoring. What the..?
I will explain what I mean by "cross-generational pollination via mentoring" in a moment. What I will say to whet your appetite for this discussion we are about to begin, is that it has something to do with individual and collective identity formation, or its antithesis---individual and collective fragmentation of self and of identity. At this point I hear Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians singing, "Choke me in the shallow water, before I get too deep," so I'll lighten up a bit. Let's talk about buckniks.
What is a "bucknik," you ask? Well, a bucknik is a huge fan of Buck Owens that also has an interest in the types of intellectual pursuits and dialogues folks during the beatnik era were involved with---hanging out in coffee houses, with guitars and bongos, reading and reciting poetry, discussing the hot-button philosophical, psychological, and sociological issues of the day, and the like. Buckniks are relatively few in number, but they do exist. This newly song, the title track from a forthcoming CD of mine, which addresses the relationship of one's geography and regional cultural history to one's sense of identity, is called....
From Buck Owens Blvd to Merle Haggard Drive
Dr BLT and Rockwell
words and music by Dr BLT copyright 2009
(produced by Rockwell and engineered and arranged by Mark Yeary)
But to describe buckniks adequately enough, I would have to write another song called "From Haight-Ashbury to Buck Owens Blvd.," or "From Haight-Ashbury to Merle Haggard Drive." The whole "bucknik" thing is all about a meeting of cultures, it's a blending of styles, its an ushering of the old in order to shake up all that is new. All you have to do to be a part of bucknik underground society is to reflect on the topic at hand, and contribute to the discussion. Remember, in my world of blog n roll, I provide the topics and the tunes, and you, (the scholar, bucknik, post-beatnik, punk rocker, headbanger, grad student, undergrad student, or however you identify yourself)---provide the talk.
Today we're revisiting the topic of "cross-generational pollination via mentoring." Based on my own observations, we, as a society, have lost our sense of individual and collective connection to the past. One needs to look no further than the Bakersfield music scene to observe a prime example. The average musician couldn't tell you anything about the greatest inheritance they possess as residents of Bakersfield---the history and music of the Bakersfield Sound. Most are reaching for the stars but have no sense of grounding. The rich cultural history they possess is being squandered. Why? Well, it's not necessarily the fault of second and third generation Bakersfield musicians. In the old days, musicians mentored one another. The old dogs taught the new dogs old tricks, and sometimes the new dogs taught the old ones new tricks, (though they say that can't be done). Well, when young people don't care to understand their musical heritage, or inheritance, or to appreciate it, and old people don't reach out to mentor the young, fragmentation is the natural consequence. A generational riff, barrier, wall or gap is created.
The consequence is a host of souls drifting around without anything to establish their personal and collective identies upon. Music is only one example. When we, as a post-industrial culture, abandoned the old tradition of crafts and trades being passed on from father to son, and skills or talents of both parents being shared with their children, we paid a high cost. Generations have to face life's challenges without the benefit of mentoring, and the nurturing quality it affords. This leads to identify crisis, identify fragmentation, and makes individuals vulnerable for the development of a host of psychological problems and conditions.
So, country and rock scholars, non-elitist, non-pretentious intellectuals of the Buck variety, let's all gather together in this virtual Haight-Ashbury-meets-Buck-Owens post-beatnik coffee house, grab some coffee and answer this question:
Given the realities of post-industrial civilization, and knowing the cost of a loss of a mentoring orientation, what can we, as individuals, and as groups of individuals do to break down generational walls, to encourage a mentoring mentality, and to foster among younger generations, a deep reverence, respect for, and appreciation for culture and the history and what their elders have to offer. How can we get generations to share and pass things on, form one generation to another? How can we get old dogs to treat young "dawgs" new tricks, and how can we get young "dawgs" to teach old dogs new tricks? Provide your replies in the comment section below.
In future blogs centering on this subject, we will focus on a brand new experiment spawned right here in Bakersfield that will set out to bring various generations of musicians together to support one cause: that of homelessness on the Streets of Bakersfield. Stay tuned, and I mean that literally.
In my opinion I feel that mentoring starts at home with the parents. In our society today most kids are latch-key kids, leaving them to fend for themselves before and after school. Most families are to busy to trying to make ends meet to educate their children about their families history. I feel that our current generation lacks their own knowledge of knowing how to mentor the new up and coming generations today. It maybe that the new and up coming generations may not want or know how to seek crossgeneration pollination from our generation which is sad for not only the
"old bakersfield sound but for the new bakersfield sound generation" to be. If it wasn't for "Buck we might not have ever known Dwight".
Reply to this
Thoughout history storytelling has been the only way to tell the what has gone on before. An example of this is the American Indians. The elders will tell stories of times growing up, and stories that have been passed down from generation to generation to younger members in order to teach them ideas that have worked in situations from the past and what has not worked, so that the younger member when confronted by situations similar will know what to avoid and ways to succeed. They will also teach them the history of the tribe, and teachings of their traditions. So Jamiey was on the right track when she said that mentoring starts at home. When I worked as a hospice volunteer I would take care of older terminal patients while their caregivers could have free time. When I would go over to the patients home or assisted living home I would open a dialog with them so that they could talk of their "time" or generation. The times they had gone through such as World War II, the Dustbowl, just to name a couple. This made me realize how truly blessed we are to have these people in our lives. The trials that they endured for the price of freedom, and their children, as their parents did for them. These persons have so much to offer younger people if only they would ask. I don't know why society today is the way it is but "no man is an island". They need older persons to help them through the rough times. As an older person it is our responsibility also to pass on what we know to younger people so that our history does not die. History books are written by the "winners", in that the victors write what they want to make themselves look favorably. It is our duty to pass on what history was really like, good and bad, so that other generations may learn by what we and prior generations have learned through trial and error so they don't make the same mistakes that we have made.
Music has always been one form of art that transcends time. It gives the listener a brief glimpse into what prior generations have been. So it will be with the generations of the present and future. Music has given musicians the freedom to express personal feelings, the rights and wrongs of the day, and the rallying points of causes. Music is a form of storytelling of the past, present and future. Without music the world would be so dull. It invokes feelings of passion, love, hate, and beliefs that everyone needs to express.
Reply to this
I agree with the above comments, very interesting.
Sad to say today in our society, with our fast paced lives, two parent working families, availability of technology, we have all lost to some degree that close human connection with our neighbors and extended family. We just don't seem to have the time to reach out to our elders and take the time to listen to their stories. How sad! I think society as a whole has neglected the elderly in some way or another. We see the assisted living and/or skilled nursing facilities filled with lonely people. Again, is this the "sign of our times?" I have had the opportunity to visit assisted living facilities and it is filled with wonderful people who love to talk, share, and tell stories about their family, home, and friends. All they want to do is share a little of themselves to others. Wonderful stories could be lost forever. It is our responsibility to reach out to future generations and pass on stories, history, and experiences. We just need to make a commitment. As the above comments stated, it can start at home.
Reply to this
Our society has become quite individualistic. The newest technologies, Ipod, MP3 players, texting, cell phones to mention some, have taken the place of personal contact with other people. Yes, cell phones help us to stay in contact with others, but at the same time it can isolate us from the human contact. We have a wealth of experience in older people, but the nature of young people is " We can do it on our own and we can do it better than those old people! Technology is so much more advanced now than when they were young that we don't need them"
There was an experiment done by a young lady who dressed up as an old lady to see how she was treated. When it was all said and done she said she felt she had become invisible to people. Is that how the older people feel? Do they feel invisible? When they are the ones with a wealth of information.
Historians study history carefully when looking at what is happening in the present. History gives us a huge insight to the present! What are we missing by not learning from the older generations? They may not have had the technology but they had wisdom.
There is a volunteer organization that does a great job of "cross generation-pollination" It is called "SCORE", where older retired business men volunteer their time and talk to young people who are starting a business and give them advise. What a great way to pass on knowledge and information!
Some churches have older ladies meet with young mothers and mentor them.
As a society we need to do more of this.
The older generation has much to offer the younger generations.
I would hope our older generation never feels invisible.
Yes, I agree, it has to start at home. Children can learn to value older generations by observing their parents, respect and admiration for the older generation.
We live in a very disposable society thus it is easy to think of older people as disposable.
Cross generation-pollination has a cultural aspect to it. In many cultures the elder hold a very special and important place!
Reply to this
I think this is an important topic to discuss; one that has become extremely important in my life during my traineeship. I believe a mentoring relationship has to begin with breaking down barriers between the old dogs and the young dawgs. It seems that ego may play a role in the old and young not being able to form a good mentoring relationship. The young believe that they know everything and have the mentality of what can this old person teach me, so they tend to discount the mentoring relationship believing they already know everything. The old mentor believes that the young mentee is not willing to understand the path that it takes to get to where the mentor is, causing the mentor to feel discounted and no longer willing to teach the mentee. The barriers are strong on western society; we don’t value the elderly, traditions, or take the time to understand the past. As I have learned through my traineeship, I don’t know everything and I am grateful for the old dog that has taken the time to teach me and help me understand the path is long, but worth being patient, learning the history, taking advice, and being open to constructive criticism.
Reply to this
Mentorship is necessary in any educational and training goal. Knowledge has historically been handed down through various modes throughout history, and while innovation is certainl part of our human intellectual evolution, most innovations or advances still come on the backs of previous research or knowledge. that being said, as far as being rooted in an area and learning about how that area is related to you is a different subject. for example, lets say i wanted to become a musician, the old buck owens or bakersfield sound would have nothing to do with my own experiences, history, family, or musical taste. music speaks to the heart and as such the music that speaks to a person may not necessarily be of his geographical location or ethnic heritage. California is one or many examples of places that have residents with little actual history to the State, their histories are tied to other parts of the Country or maybe even other places around the world. to assimulate is good, but it is always good to maintain heritage on some level, also it is important for people to develop their own minds and interests, and be free to be influences from various sources. it is not the point to be part of a history, or to be part of what someone saids you should be, but be instead part of the future and leave your imprint for future generations wheather that be legions of fans across the nation, a local celebrity, or just a hero to your own kids or friends. traditions are important, but they are meant to help build up a person not pigeon hold them, and innovation is good, but respect is also important. likewise, we all can of all ages recieve constructive criticism and advice.
Reply to this
This is such a good point. Working at a foster family agency and with the emancipated foster youth population, I see 1st hand the deleterious effects that lack of mentoring and relationships with elders has on young people. There is a lack of depth and richness to their lives and they have no connection to the past, to their heritage, to the tapestry that makes them unique. Their lives focus on survival as they struggle to learn the basic life skills that no one took the time to teach them. These skills, once acquired, are broken and shaky as they are often learned trial and error and error again and not through the careful modeling of a mentor or memorable story. We have a mentoring program at the agency I work for that matches caring adults to foster children and emancipated foster youth. I think it is an invaluable service. The history and experiences of those who came before us offer more lessons than stumbling and failing at day to day life.....we should all be so generous as to devote a moment of our time to mentoring the mentor-less.
Reply to this
I liken this discussion to an absent father-child relationship. When a father abandon his responsibilities and duties, they leave their seeds in a heartless world where they don’t know how to do manly task. These young men never learn how to treat a woman or fix things in their house or car. They have to learn these things on their own when their father should have been in their lives to teach them. I believe mentors should step up to the plate to teach the up and coming how to conduct themselves. By mentors taking the time to teach the younger generation, they are guaranteeing their heritage or culture gets passed along to the next generations. This act preservers and keep the culture alive. I think the older generations just have to make themselves available to young individuals. On the other hand, the younger generation has to accept the sayings and teachings of the old generation and have a listening ear to what they have to say. It seems like some up and coming individuals don’t appreciate where they came from. They are only interested in making a name or identity for themselves. They want all the recognition and acclaim to go to them. They are unwilling to be taught by someone who has been where they are going. I believe both parties need to let go of pride and foolish thinking in order to save our history. There is an old saying that states, “If you don’t know you history, you are bound to repeat it.” I think it takes being humble and having an appreciation of the past to be able to accept the mentor’s teachings. I relish the times when I can sit under an older person because they have a wealth of wisdom to pass on to anyone who wants to listen.
Reply to this
I definitely agree that our society has lost some of its very important aspects of mentoring and most especially respect for its elders. In our society in particular, we treat our elders with very little respect and expect that they have nothing "relevent" to offer us. We have become a society of "I want it NOW" and to sit and listen to a story about something that can't benefit us RIGHT NOW is something most people do not want to do. I think it is very important if you are a parent to take the time to spend with your chidren one on one. And teach them about things that are part of your history. Not only about your history, but also encourage close relationships between your chidren and their grandparents and even great-grandparents if possible. My children actually love to listen to stories that my grandma tells them about when she was younger, or when my grandpa was in the war, etc. I think it is still possible to foster these kinds of relationships, it is just all in whether we take the time to do so.
Reply to this
I enjoy music, and have in recent years become intrigued with psychology. I recall as a young child growing up with an intact family, listening to the music my parents played regularly. It was melodic, almost soothing to listen. Marvin Gaye, Dianna Ross, those soulful tracks from Motown, the Temptations, Mary Wells, and the Four Tops. Suddenly, the music took a backseat, and I found myself listening to the story coming from them. The stories were of a generation that only they could have experienced, I was just merely a member of the audience with a ticket to that show. I didn't understand how it was created or why it was made. What I did know was that I understood the meaning.
I would return to my room, popping a tape I made from the music I listened to. I had a different way of reaching me. I enjoyed the beat, and now I was having a harder time making sense of the meaning of the lyrics. When I played it to my parents in the car, they were shocked I had such music in my possession.
My point is, I bridged a gap, a generational gap. I shared a common interest with them; music. The genre was different, the stories were the same, but it was how they were expressed. I guess that was my great ability at a young age, to adapt. I enjoyed the romance, and love of the 60's and the smooth, playeristic style of the 90's. Same method, but different approach.
Learning,... I was able to use a cassette tape well, and record player too, but they were not able to use a CD well. I taught them what quality to look for, how to handle them, and how fast a CD player should read the disc so it doesn't skip.
Mentoring at any level is a great way to bridge gaps of the unknown.
Reply to this
I agree with Dr. BLT. Our “society has lost the sense of individual and collective connection to the past.” I believe the first step will be to teach our children the importance of what their elders have to offer. By doing this children will learn how to “appreciate and encouraged mentoring mentality to foster a deeper reverence, respect for, and appreciation for culture and the history and what their elders have to offer.” The importance of communication skills is undeniable because of this. Parents no longer enforce their children to have dinner with them or make the time to spend quality time that promote opportunities to build a good communication. The importance of communication skills lies in the fact that these skills help with the pass things on, from one generation to another. The biggest importance of communication skills is the fact that it is the way through which our civilization continues to flourish. The act of passing on knowledge from generation to generation is communication.
Reply to this