The Plenty Band
In the mid 70's a group of volunteers from The Farm, the largest international hippy commune in the world went to Guatemala to assist the native Mayans after a devastating earthquake killed thousands of people and destroyed their homes. This non-profit relief program was named "Plenty" because they simply believed that there is plenty to share among All of us, of course if the material wealth is fairly and intelligently distributed. They believed in this humanitarian principle and acted on it.
Some of these volunteers were also talented musicians and composers and within their very busy work schedule they still managed to put a rock 'n roll band together which often played live to Mayans venues, projecting joy, hope and fun despite the hardships these beautiful gentle people were experiencing. They called it The Plenty Band.
Later on these volunteers went back home to North America after their mission was accomplished for the time being. However the Plenty Band tradition continued with some of these original great musicians, now joined by an African American, a Canadian, a Guatemalan, a Brasilian, a few Mozambican and American musicians! Together they had a meaningful and powerful repertoire and for a year they often gigged and recorded, always accompanied by their loyal music fans and technically assisted by the community's dedicated sound technicians. Team work indeed!
This page is dedicated to the people of Guatemala, all the extraordinary volunteers and musicians, and especially to their brother Pedro Gray who played bass and sang his heart out, and who has already left to the other shore, gone but never forgotten!
Some of these volunteers were also talented musicians and composers and within their very busy work schedule they still managed to put a rock 'n roll band together which often played live to Mayans venues, projecting joy, hope and fun despite the hardships these beautiful gentle people were experiencing. They called it The Plenty Band.
Later on these volunteers went back home to North America after their mission was accomplished for the time being. However the Plenty Band tradition continued with some of these original great musicians, now joined by an African American, a Canadian, a Guatemalan, a Brasilian, a few Mozambican and American musicians! Together they had a meaningful and powerful repertoire and for a year they often gigged and recorded, always accompanied by their loyal music fans and technically assisted by the community's dedicated sound technicians. Team work indeed!
This page is dedicated to the people of Guatemala, all the extraordinary volunteers and musicians, and especially to their brother Pedro Gray who played bass and sang his heart out, and who has already left to the other shore, gone but never forgotten!
Images by Plenty volunteers - Music by The Plenty Band (Village Media)
Multimedia by Mwana Bermudes, assisted by Betsy Keller
All rights Reserved - 2018
Multimedia by Mwana Bermudes, assisted by Betsy Keller
All rights Reserved - 2018