MTA: Nick Reynolds and John Stewart With Jim Moran

Between the years 2000 and 2007, former Kingston Trio members Nick Reynolds and John Stewart conducted an annual event that they named "Trio Fantasy Camp" in Scottsdale, AZ. Following the rough outline of the many sports fantasy camps, TFC "campers" were able to spend several days in joyful conclave with those folk music legends - conversing, going to songwriting and Q&A meetings, and spending quite a bit of time just playing Trio songs and jamming.

The highlight event for the campers, however, was the chance to join Reynolds and Stewart on stage during the shows presented each evening, picking a favorite KT number and performing it with the two, living out the fantasy for about three minutes of being a member of the Kingston Trio. And just as sports fantasy campers are issued authentic uniforms from their favored teams - each Trio fantasy camper was issued an authentic, regulation three-quarter length sleeved striped shirt, the Kingston trademark from their heyday fifty years ago.

John Stewart died in January of this year, and Nick Reynolds followed him on October 1st. While remaining Trio founding member Bob Shane has promised to continue the camp with its festive celebration of KT songs and folk music in general, the "fantasy" element at the center of the original concept is now but a memory - a splendid one for those fortunate souls who were able to leap on stage and play a tune with Nick and John.

Here on our Chilly Winds channel, we have been delighted to present some of those "fantasy performances" of our friends and fellow campers Tom Ivey, Steve Cottrell, and Nikki Sherwin, as well as a now poignant duet with Reynolds and Stewart singing "Sloop John B."

When it was my turn in 2004 to perform with the heroes of my boyhood, I chose the song most closely associated with Nick Reynolds, the rollicking "MTA" in which hapless commuter Charlie is marooned on the Boston subway for want of a nickel to pay the exit fare. Standing on stage and singing the song that Nick made famous as he beamed at me throughout the performance was one of the highlights of my musical life.

So this upload of the classic Kingston Trio song "MTA" is my memorial to John and Nick (who can be heard at the end of the number grumbling the same "Et tu, Charlie?" that he did on the original 1959 recording). May they both rest easy with the knowledge of the joy that they provided for millions of people over scores of years.

Jim Moran from The Chilly Winds
aka Sensei 48

Category:

Music

Tags:

• KingstonTrio
• NickReynolds
• John
• Stewart
• MTA

[UMIBL]

I bet you were walkin on air til the next FC Jim.

[sensei48]

Still am, Mick, every time I see it.

[KoolTunes4Daze]

Thanks to a friend(Joey Harris, a former Beat Farmer) I had the honor to meet Joey's Uncle Nick and his mentor John Stewart. Nick was a sweetie in a manly way...John was as I remember a quiet man; seemed so very stoic and proud.

[folkiejim]

...this is where I am...

[CadillacL]

WOW! What an honor to be on the same stage w/John & Nick. John's era w/the KT was my favorite, IMO.

[capt777737]

Jim,

We really need you up here for the fiddlers championships in Thermopolis WY.

The guy heading it up is Ed Capin from Worland., and he requests me of doing this this song every time we have jam sessions, which I'm damn glad to oblige.

Ed was there in Boston at the time this happened.

We need to use him in a performance, and him tell the real story of MTA, which is true.

I ask you guys for your help.

But we need you guys to come, even for just a jam session.

True Story of MTA

[novapup2001]

Jim, this is a precious experience and now a great piece of music history. RIP Nick Reynolds.

[Blinkymyt]

I really miss Nicky. Our family grew up together in Coronado, with Nicky's mother (Aunt Jane) and father (Uncle Stu) moving to Alpine during the WWII years as we joined them. Nicky started out by playing the ukelele and singing with his sisters, Janey and Barbara. Lots of good stories to tell about livng in Coronado, Jim.

[kiwibridge]

Jim how awesome that you got to sing lead with two of the greatest of all time.  Incredible to have such a memory on video.

Regards Gary

[rbassmanw]

Awesome Jim!