Travis Edmonson of Bud & Travis Official Website
Keeping his legacy alive! - Bud & Travis albums on CD
Profile by Jonathan Karesh
Judge Jonathan Karesh, who was in Phoenix to attend a George Straight performance on February 3, 2007, was able to include a visit to the home of Rose Marie and Travis Edmonson on the following day, and offers here a diary of the occasion which featured their attending a Kingston Trio performance together as well.
“Rose Marie opened the door of the house where she and Travis have lived in Mesa for the last 20 years, and greeted me with a big hug. We then went to the living room, where Travis was. He was in great spirits, and for about a half an hour, the three of us sat down in the living room and caught up on everything that is happening in our lives.
Travis and Rose Marie wanted to be sure that I came to the exhibition which the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum is staging about the hungry I from March 28- August 25, and I said that I would. Travis is one of the honored guests at the gala opening, and will be joined by such legendary artists as Mort Saul and Tom Lehrer for the occasion.
Next it was time for some singing of Bud and Travis songs. (I had previously downloaded some of the lyrics from the Bud and Travis Website.) I took Bud's parts, and Travis took his. We started with "Cloudy Summer Afternoon," and then sang a number of other songs together, including "Gimme Some," "Everybody Loves Saturday Night," and perhaps my favorite Bud &Travis song, "Myra."
 Rose Marie with Travis signing CDs for Jon Karesh
However, the song that I enjoyed singing most with Travis was "Better Than Anything." This is a song written by David "Buck" Wheat, the bass player for Bud and Travis, and earlier, for the Kingston Trio. Travis and I traded singing the verses, and made some really nice harmonies. I wish our version of this song could have been recorded!
We would have continued to sing, but it was then time to go to the Kingston Trio concert. The Trio was playing that night in Chandler, Arizona, and Travis, Rose Marie and I were invited to the show, and given backstage passes.
Before the performance, we stopped at a Chinese buffet restaurant for dinner. This gave us more chances to chat. One of the things we talked about at dinner was how Travis met Bud. I had forgotten that Travis met Bud because he was in the army with Travis' brother. Travis remarked that when he first met Bud, Bud spoke French but not Spanish. However, he soon learned Spanish to sing the many Bud & Travis Latin songs that the two did together.
 Jon Karesh with Travis Edmonson February 2007
After dinner, we drove to the Chandler Performing Arts Center, for the sold-out Kingston Trio concert. We went to our seats and were pleasantly surprised that they were front row center. I sat between Travis and Rose Marie. At one point early in the show, the Kingston Trio introduced Travis in the audience, and sang a song that they said he taught the group long ago. They shone the spotlight on Travis, and he got a great round of applause.
The Trio sounded great. Travis was enjoying the concert tremendously, and made many remarks to me about how well they sounded - not just their singing and musicianship, but also their timing. This is the 5th configuration of the Kingston Trio that I have seen (Bill Zorn, Rick Dougherty and George Grove), and I really enjoyed the show.
At one point, as the Trio was singing "Raspberries, Strawberries" Travis leaned over and whispered to me that he also taught the Trio this song many years ago.
 Jon Karesh photographs Bob and Bobbi Shane with Travis
At intermission, Travis, Rose Marie and I went backstage. We were immediately welcomed by Bob and Bobbie Shane. I introduced myself to Bill and George, and had an opportunity to chat with Rick for a while. I also had the chance to spend some time with Bob and Bobbie.
This was the first time I had been in the green room, and the performing arts center had beverages and food (including a nice vegetable spread) available for those of us backstage.
It wasn't too long before the Trio got the call to return to the stage for the second part of the show. Rose Marie decided to remain backstage with Bob and Bobbie, but Travis and I wanted to see the second half of the performance, so we returned to our front row center seats.
I was happy to see that Travis was enjoying himself so much. We made comments to each other throughout the show about the music, and it was fun to hear his insights.
 Present-day Kingston Trio with founder Bob Shane
Towards the end of the second set, the Trio introduced Bob Shane, and he told a couple of his hilarious Bob Shane jokes, and then launched into a spectacular rendition of “Scotch and Soda.” His voice sounded better than ever. Bob then sang “Tom Dooley” to a huge ovation. He then left the stage so the Trio could finish the concert. They concluded the second set with the song "A Worried Man." The Trio then returned for a two-song encore--"Where have all the Flowers Gone" and "Road to Freedom'" which they noted was written by John Stewart.
Travis and I returned backstage to meet Rose Marie and spend some more time with Bob and Bobbie Shane. After another great session back stage, Travis, Rose Marie and I left. As they got into their car, we said our goodbyes, happy in the knowledge that we will see each other again shortly in San Francisco for the hungry i exhibit.
It was truly a wonderful experience to spend the day with two of my favorite people. It has been a privilege to become close friends with them over the past year and a half. And then when you add the Kingston Trio show to the mix, and the warm hospitality of Bob and Bobbie Shane, it made an outstanding day even better."
Jon Karesh
February 2007
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 Judge Karesh with another folk legend, the late John Stewart
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DIABETIC CALENDAR
FOR 2012
  Travis Edmonson made his breakthrough with The Gateway Singers, resident group at the hungry i
Be sure and check out the website celebrating the great San Francisco club at www.hungryi.net
 For More of the best in 1960s entertainment, Click the logo above to check out the ultimate illustrated guide to "I Spy" with Robert Culp and Bill Cosby at www.l23.org
 Travis Edmonson Recommendation! Love the music of Bud & Travis? then you're sure to enjoy the fabulous STREET MINSTRELS.
If you're in Arizona, you can experience their music live, and even have them perform at an event you're arranging. But music lovers all over the US and beyond can experience the great STREET MINSTRELS sound on CD. Just go to www.streetminstrels.com to hear them and get ordering info!
Have a ton of fun at the Julie & Brownie website
 Check out the newest CD from Ava Victoria. To listen and buy "Hybrid songbird Kickin' Up Life," just click the allbum image below
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