We got another voice in a fast growing chorus of artists who take a stand of dissidence. I present to you Pat Dawson! Hi and welcome to the eZine how are you? I received an email about your song "Chic chic Chicken Hawk" And after listening to it I just had to contact you! Tell us about the spirit of the song?

Thank you, Claude. I am honored and humbled by your interest in my work. It was of course inspired by waht I perceive as an orchestrated national madness to engage this country -- and therefore the entire world -- in a costly military campaign of unknown consequence. One certain consequence of war, of course, is death, injury, destruction and pain for countless surviving families on all sides.

As the song tells it, I was drafted in 1968 to help in the U.S. effort to stop what was essentially a regional civil war. The French pulled out of its Indochine colony after the debacles of 1954, but we were too arrogant, thinking our superior technology and sense of anti-communist righteousness would easily triumph over a people united with indomitable will.

All this geo-political philosophizing aside, the song is simply one American military veteran’s response to a new war being waged by Bush, Cheney and others who escaped genuine military service at the time. Bush is one year older than me, and I consider him a “Chickenhawk,” because he is ignorant of the ultimate price of war, yet wants others to go and do what he was not brave enough to do in his prime of life.

I like the term "Emergency single"! Tell us about who did what on that single?

The timing of the U.S. Congress vote on granting Bush war powers helped rush this song onto record. Obviously, it did no good, but at least I showed that we are not all acquiescing in the ill-considered madness.

I wrote the words and music, and played acoustic guitar, Fender bass and electric lap steel guitar, and sang. I was coming down with a bad cold, and so it was a real strain, and probably shows it. But I guess it is the message that is important here. Brad Edwards played drums and was the recording engineer, using his multi-track digital system at Woods Recording in Montana. Brad is an excellent jazz drummer, and has played with many greats, including touring last summer in the West with Mose Allison. After this recording was made, he went to play with a U.S. combo at the Prague International Jazz Festival in late October.

Why did you choose the blues as musical style?

Because the blues is there

You believe there is not much of a Resistance Movement or is it that they are not given a voice?

What I see is a glaring lack of public discussion or forums for this monumental move into making big history for Bush. Unlike the Vietnam War era, we don’t see much media coverage of protest rallies -- but they are out there, and they are ofetn very big, though you would never know it by checking the U.S. news media reports. Also, there is a sense among many that any exercise of our Constitutionally guaranteed criticism of the government is somehow “unpatriotic,” or even, at the extremes, “treasonous!”

I liken the present Bush Administration to the Vichy government in France from 1940-44. Both invoke nationalistic, “high moral values” in imposing their legitimacy, and neither were legally, democratically elected. Vichy served the interests of the Nazis at the expense of France, while Bush serves oil companies, banks, military manufacturers and other corporations at the great expense of America. Also, we have multitudes of Americans eager to collaborate with this unelected government. Unfortunately, we do not seem to have much of a “Resistance,” yet, nor a deGaulle out there agitating.

I would like to touch on your next CD. You are already working on the project? What is the basic theme of the cd?

Unlike “Chickenhawk Boogie,” my long-term project is not that overtly political. It is songs about traveling and working and observing life in the West of the U.S.

The songs are about winos, cowboys, cowgirls, Indian bars, Nevada gambling, a little enviromental degradation, oppression in Texas, etc. They are all different, though many have somewhat of a bluesy feel to them. I strive for good tone in the voice of my instruments.

I love the creative process of recording, and learn more each time I go into the studio. I feel very good about the project, and perceive it as something with a traditional feel in places, yet unique in the world of formulated Nashville schlock. I guess it is truly “Americana” music.

One philosophy of mine is: The words may portray some of the rough parts of life. That’s Realism, Verite -- we cannot change human behaviour, just report it. But the music itself can be a thing of beauty, and should be. For me, the combination of Realism, humour, soul and dynamic music is what makes it. As Charlie “Byrd” Parker put it long ago, “Now’s the time!”

Who will figure with you?

Again, this is mainly a solo expression, with me playing most of the instruments, (6 and 12 string acoustic guitars; slide guitar, lap steel, bass, harmonica and mandolin) Brad on drums, and then a lady vocalist coming in to help out greatly on some of the songs.

What is for you, the hardest of creating?

For me, the hardest part of creating is raising enough money to pay for the recording! Otherwise, it is like this: Some of my songs began as fragments years ago, and finally came together -- after much effort. Others come complete so rapidly that I wonder how it was done! But it is all rolling now, and I am happy with it.

Do you have a certain "Ritual" or "special place" to recharge your energies?

I live here in Montana, but much of my life has been spent absorbing the West, from Mexico to Alberta and B.C., from the Indian reservations and oilfields of the prairie to scenes on the Coast. Always moving, down the highway, where I felt a great sense of freedom. But I also value more quiet time spent in the mountains, wilderness, the rougher the better. The Road is great for observations; the mountain trail is great for putting it all into perspective.

I would like to thank you for talking with us Any special words in parting?

It was my honor and pleasure, Claude. I will notify you as soon as the CD is finished. The tracks are nearly finished. It will have at least 12 songs, probably more. And then on to the next one. At my age (55), you have to use your time to the fullest. Had I been this productive when I was younger, I might not be alive today. So I am trying to do it right, and concentrate on the art -- to hell with the vanity and the market!

email your comments to:patdawson@att.net