HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB DYLAN

Bob Dyaln & The Grateful Dead circa 1980's

MAY 24,1941, Robert Zimmerman, better known as Bob Dylan, US folk singer and songwriter was born. Bob released over 40 albums since 1964. He is a major influence on The Beatles and The Rolling Stones during the 1960's. Bob's biggest hits are 1965's US No.2 single 'Like A Rolling Stone', 1969's UK No.5 single 'Lay Lady Lay', 1964's UK No.1 album 'The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan'. The 2006 album 'Modern Times' entered the US chart at No.1. The Band and The Grateful Dead have performed with Bob Dylan multiple times of his career, creating some of the greatest music. Musicians like Jimi Hendrix and the Dave Matthews Band have covered mutiple Bob Dylan songs over the years. Bob is also a member of The Traveling Wilburys with music legends Tom Petty, Roy Orbison, George Harrison, & Jeff Lyne.

MOM, Seth, & Woodstock in JerseyMan

Around the beginning of February, MOM and Seth were interviewed by a gentleman named John Scalon for JerseyMan Magazine. As we were looking over the store's Facebook page today, we see and post by JerseyMan. It was a link to the article. Mr. Scanlon did a great job! His article captured the passion and love that MOM and Seth have for the business, the music, and their customers. There are interesting stories and tidbits in the article. If you have ever wondered why MOM and Seth got into the business, or why they love it, this article answers those questions. If you want to check out the article, just follow the link.
Take Care!
JerseyMan Magazine's Woodstock Trading Company Article by John Scanlon

Mom's Nostalgic Moment

Received our allotment of Relix Magazines in our store and it was truly a nostalgic magic moment.  So many of the articles and interviews are very powerful and personal to my life and the era in which we worked to put our store together.  The article “What’s Become of the Betty Boards certainly had me remembering all the fans coming into the store with their tapes to get copies of the Grateful Dead concerts.  We had to make a data base so that everyone could pick the shows they wanted us to put on tape for them.  In turn they would trade with other fans and increase their library of music.  How different it is today!  However, we still have our tape library and offer anyone free dubbing of anything that we have.  Some of the old timers have brought their tapes in for us to offer FREE  to anyone.   There was always some excitement when new tapes came in from the tapers sections and many of course from the “Betty Boards” found their way back  to us. 

When It Snows, It Snows

In July, Monstro started to shed his coat, and I knew and stated to anyone who would listen, it would be a cold, cold winter. It has been said; animal can tell and forecast the weather. I thought it was just bunk. I was wrong. Woodstock has now closed for snow on three occasions this season, and it looks like we will close again on Wednesday. Monstro & Mugsy are not happy to be alone! We don’t close to just have a snow day. I look out for my staff. If I don’t want to be on the road because of hazardous conditions, I don’t want them on the road.

 Guess who is the only one having fun in the snow...

We are happy that the weather held for our special events. Everyone had a great time-especially me- at the drum circle and wire wrap class. I am looking forward to the Valentine’s Day drum circle. The wire wrap class was very successful. Everyone got to go home with a finished piece of jewelry. They can take pride in wearing it because they made it. The next class is Saturday, March 22, from 1-4pm. We will learn to incorporate weaving into the design. It will be a lot of fine. I enjoy seeing everyone work hard at some they make for themselves and others. You can really see the love.

That is some wonderful work.

So, until next time, stay warm and drive. Most of all, stay safe.

Fondly,

MOM

Come & Bang Your Drum

What is a drum circle? Let’s take a look at the Wikipedia definition and find out (we know you can’t completely trust Wikipedia):

“A drum circle is any group of people playing (usually) hand-drums and percussion in a circle. They are distinct from a drumming group or troupe in that the drum circle is an end in itself rather than preparation for a performance. They can range in size from a handful of players to circles with thousands of participants.”- (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drum_circle)

The drum circle brings individuals together as a community, creating a new sound and rhythm. Much of the time, there are no leaders or followers at a drum circle. Someone can start the beat, but another can change it. You can follow along if you want, or do your own thing. In the end, everyone plays as one. And it is just plain fun to do.

So, you may be wondering why we are talking about drum circles. That is simple. MOM has restarted the drum circles at Woodstock Trading Company. Last Friday, January 17^th, MOM had the first drum circle in what seems like forever. Everyone had a great time. This first gathering was small, about 12 people, but it was loud. We had all different people of ages and background gather into the store. Many assume that hippies at festivals only do drum circles. Not true at all. You can be a banker, a truck driver, a waiter, a grandmother, or a kid. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do. Some join into a drum circle for spiritual and/or metaphysical reasons. Some come because it is a great way to meet and interact with people. Don’t be afraid to come if you don’t have a drum. Not all drum circles include drums alone. 

Most drum circles us some form of percussive instrument. It wouldn’t be a drum circle if you didn’t. However, it also depends on what your definition of percussion instrument is. We have had people come out with pots and pans. People have banged two sticks together. They have even played the beat of themselves or the floor. This past circle, someone used a water jug. You can really make a drum out of anything, with a few exceptions. We have also had people come with guitars, harps, and keyboards. These circles turn into big jam sessions. We have had dancers come out. Native American tribes have joined our circles. We have even had demonstrations on how to play certain types of drums.

MOM is having another drum circle on Friday, February 14^th, Valentine’s Day. She keeps saying the nothing is more romantic than beating on a drum under the Woodstock “candlelight”. If you are interested, please come out and join us. It is ok if you don’t have a drum or instrument. You can just hang out with us. All Woodstock events are family friendly, so you don’t have to worry about anything. We hope to see you all at the next drum circle.

Fondly,

Jim of the Woodstock Gang

Holiday Mode

It is Thanksgiving eve and Black Friday is rearing his ugly head around the corner. We all know that the real start of the holiday shopping season starts on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Life can get hectic and unbearable within the shopping world. There are so many individuals out there who worry about finding the right item, finding the item at a store or online, and hopping that the business still has the item when it is time to purchase. It can drive you crazy!

We, at Woodstock, understand this craziness and are here to help. Believe me; the holiday season is hard on us, too. But we know it is coming and are ready. The customer is our top priority. If you are not happy, we are not happy. Our customers are our family. We want our family to be happy. This is the truth. This is the way it has been since 1988. The Woodstock gang has seen the same customers since they were children. Now the children are bringing in their own children. We have grown with you. Therefore, when you come in to get a gift for your family, we want to help you find that perfect gift.

There is something for everyone at Woodstock Trading Company. We have beads and jewelry supplies for the crafter. If your gift is for the music fan, you know we have you covered. The rock n' roll t-shirt is the classic gift item. You want the Grateful Dead? You know we have it. You want the Allman Brothers? We have it. If you want something different from the usual shirt, we have knowledgeable staff that will find something for you. If you are getting a gift for a collector, we have things like holiday ornaments, many are very difficult to find now. There are band pins and buttons, one-of-a-kinds and hard-to-finds. Here is a little secret about our buttons. We got many of them from a gentleman by the name of Phil Ceccola. He was a photographer and friend to MOM and Seth. Look up his name and see who else he was friends with... One popular thing that people look for is bar items. We have pint sets, mugs, wine glasses, and classic signs to decorate the bar or man-cave. If you are looking for something special for your wife, girlfriend, sister, or mother, we have excellent jewelry and clothing. Take a look and take a sniff of the fragrant Auric Blends perfumes.

Come in and just ask for help. If you are ordering online, don't be afraid to give us a call or shoot us an email. The Woodstock gang understands the roughness of the holiday shopping season. We are here to help get your through. 

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Holidays!

Take Care,

Mom, Seth, and The Woodstock Gang

We Are Everywhere... We Are Family

October 21, 2013

“We Are Everywhere”. This phrase is well known to the Dead Heads of the world, and it is very true. I bet that if you took a look in the closet of your next door neighbor, you would find a Grateful Dead shirt back there, along with a few skeletons (we DO NOT suggest going into the closet of your neighbor). You never know who is a Dead Head. It could be your doctor, teacher, lawyer, or bank president. It could be all of the above. We are everywhere! With that being said, the November issue of “Bon Appétit” magazine reminded us once again of this phrase.

Located on page 38 of the November issue, in “The Foodist-Thanksgiving Edition” column, we find a small section labeled, “Hippie Thanksgiving!”...

“Whenever I cook, I listen to the Grateful Dead. No music keeps me better company in the kitchen. The Dead is also the perfect music to eat by-and no, I haven’t been smoking anything.”- Page 38, The Foodist (Thanksgiving Edition), Bon Appétit Magazine, November 2013 edition.

That little quote says it all. One of, if not the biggest holidays in American culture is Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is all about family. Some may not think so, but the Grateful Dead is a family band. There is nothing vulgar or distasteful about their music. You could bring children and adults of all ages to the concerts. The Dead Heads always lend a helping hand. Grateful Dead is family. Try playing some Dead this Thanksgiving and see for yourself. Show the world that we are everywhere and we are family.

If you are looking for something Dead to add to this Thanksgiving, or any other holiday, Woodstock has something for you. Get yourself a Grateful Dead Dancing Bear Ice Cube Tray and make decorative ice cube, gelatin, or even chocolate. We also have many wine and champagne glass available in-store. If you want something a little more relaxed, we have wonderful incense from around the world and excellent decorative, yet functional incense burners. Woodstock wants to make your family feel right at home and comfortable. Why? Because you are our family. It is all about the family.

Peace,
MOM, Seth, Jim, Guy, and the Woodstock Gang
“We Are Everywhere”