Come in, she said, I'll give you...shelter from the storm...

Back in the Summer of '69, I wasn't a blip on anybody's radar screen except for the "Big Man" upstairs (Clarence is thankfully still with us..so we'll refer to him as the "Big Man" downstairs)...But during those times, Koosman and Seaver were in the midst of a season that would lead the Mets to a World Series upset over the Orioles, Muhammad Ali was getting paid to speak at colleges instead of box (who knew Ali and Dennis Haskins had something in common?), Heileman's Old Style could be found not only in Green Bay and Wrigleyville but across this great land, and of course, John married Yoko and proceeded to spend most of the year traveling to various hotels "bedding in"...but it was the highway jammed with broken heroes (and stoned ones too) heading up to a field in Bethel, NY for what turned out to be a weekend to be remembered (only by those who weren't there...those who were there remember rainbows and leprechauns) as arguably the most significant one-day event in music and social history. Woodstock.

In an age of the entrepreneurial spirit, where we find everybody and their grandmother putting a label on and selling a nautral resource that encompasses 75% of the planet earth, not one person has announced plans for an all-out Woodstock '09, complete with 3 days of great bands and a message that ties the spirit of the old with the reality of the new?

Every great big idea has to fill a need....OK... Our generation NEEDS a Woodstock. People try to put us down, but we shouldn't talkin' bout my "Generation Y" like some of the others that have come before us. We're a paradox to many. While extremely self-absorbed, we are more socially-conscious (and less angry) than our flannel wearing, Dr. Marten rocking, Eddie Vedder worshiping predecessors (OK, they didn't have that the latter wrong..Dr. Marten's either) Using the faux sociological degree that I earned through one course at Rutgers (it's more training than Mark Consuelos had to serve as Rev. Mark Consuelos for a day to officiate the wedding of Howard Stern to Beth Ostrosky) to so much of it has to do with September 11th - more than we'll ever know...And after '08, where many (OK...maybe more than many...remember what circles I travel in) peers ushered in the era of "the One" with their votes and persistence. We've done just as much to rebuild New Orleans with our sweat and beer money as the government. We "Teach for America" in districts across the country whom need role models. In the midst of our material trappings and mini-dramas that we lose ourselves with daily , we have a heart. Sure, there were Woodstocks in 1994 and 1999...but aside from a few fires and outrage over $4 bottles of water and mass-marketing on Pepsi cans was there any lasting impact? Can your average "person on the street" even remember what bands even played?

Music has always been an outlet for social commentary all bands, even for those who are the most commercially successful. Hell, even going to your local arena to see Neil Diamond, you'd hear about his favorite song about immigrants and how they changed this country. Bono hawking white bracelets for the ONE campaign. Bruce imploring the people of Asbury Park to rise up to rebuild their city, as well as legions of concert goers who at first sound are seemingly booing him (but they're really saying "Brrruuuuccceee) to donate to the Community Food Bank of Monmouth County..and let's not forget is assertion that the government seems to f*ck up a lot. And let's not forget Britney Spears imploring her audience to support the President.

There are so many great festivals across the country. From Austin City Limits to the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival (I've been twice..missed this year, but definitely will not next year) to the numerous others out there. People gather for something larger than the music. Whatever message it is now, we need it. So many of us losing our jobs. Reality is setting in and we're finding security back in the houses we grew up in. (which in many other respects is an excellent thing in regards to family, but that's something for another time) Things are seemingly falling apart around us and it's not only affecting my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend who heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with the girl that saw Ferris pass out at 31 Flavors last night. And yes, its pretty serious. We need something to believe in regardless of who is in charge down in Washington and our own lives. Want to unite us? It's simple....Put us in a field with a bunch of kick-ass bands and beverages. Consider it like a confirmation retreat...We'll enjoy each others company and listen to songs that make us examine our lives, except for the fact we will team build through "flip-cup" and not trust-falls.

On the site of the original festival today lies the brand spanking new Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts. Yes, there will be a concert with some of the acts such as Jefferson Starship and Levon Helm (see him live at least once in your life) on August 15th, but I don't want to go with my friends and listen to stories about how things used to be. Our generation didn't have didn't have Live Aid which had some amazing performances set in London and Philly. Live 8 in 2005 doesn't count. Live Earth was a total Al Gore/celebrity blow-hard, carbon off-set laden sham.

But there's hope. After all, the man with one of the biggest known egos brought his quartet to the campus of Fordham....(on the other hand, he/they did play all new stuff). So that begs me to ask the question that makes me want to cry: What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding? (other than that this is coming from a pastel pants wearing Republican)