Announcer: And Now Rosalie Sorrels, "Way Out in Idaho" Funding for this program has been made possible by the support of the Idaho Humanities Council, A State based program of the National Endowment of the Humanities.

(CLAPPING) ROSALIE SORRELS: WHAT A GREAT LOOKING BUNCH.

I AM SO HAPPY TO BE HERE.

(CLAPPING) I'M GOING TO TELL YOU SOME STORIES AND SING YOU SOME SONGS AND I HOPE WE HAVE A GREAT TIME TONIGHT.

MAYBE A COUPLE OF TIMES YOU'LL SING WITH ME TOO.

SONG - BABY I AIN'T AFRAID TO DIE.

IT'S JUST I HATE TO SAY GOODBYE TO THIS WORLD, TO THIS WORLD, TO THIS WORLD.

THIS OLD WORLD IS MEAN AND CRUEL.

STILL I LOVE IT LIKE A FOOL, IT'S THIS WORLD, IT'S THIS WORLD, IT'S THIS WORLD.

I'D RATHER GO TO THE CORNER STORE THAN SING HOSANNA ON A GOLDEN SHORE.

I'D RATHER LIVE ON PAUPER'S STREET THAN FLY 'ROUND WHERE ALL THE ANGELS MEET.

AND THIS OLD WORLD IS ALL I KNOW.

IT'S DUST TO DUST WHEN I HAVE GOT TO GO FROM THIS WORLD, FROM THIS WORLD, FROM THIS WORLD.

(INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE) SOMEBODY ELSE IS GOING TO TAKE MY PLACE, IT'LL BE SOME OTHER HANDS, SOME OTHER FACE.

SOME OTHER EYES ARE GOING TO LOOK ALL AROUND, SEE ALL THE STUFF THAT I NEVER FOUND.

DON'T YOU WAIT FOR ME WHEN I AM GONE.

JUST KEEP THIS OLD WORLD ROLLINON.

IT'S THIS WORLD, IT'S THIS WORLD, IT'S THIS WORLD.

(INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE) HEY BABY, I AIN'T AFRAID TO DIE.

IT'S JUST I'D HATE TO SAY GOODBYE TO THIS WORLD, THIS WORLD, THIS WORLD.

OH, THIS OLD WORLD IS MEAN, IT'S CRUEL BUT I LOVE IT.

CARE FOR IT LIKE A FOOL.

IT'S THIS WORLD, IT'S THIS WORLD, IT'S THIS WORLD.

ROSALIE SORRELS: THAT'S A FAVORITE SONG OF MINE TO EITHER START WITH OR END WITH.

IT'S BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE THINKING OF ME AS RETIRED AND OLD AND I DON'T THINK OF MYSELF THAT WAY.

NOT ONLY THAT, THINGS ARE REALLY BAD RIGHT NOW AND I'VE BEEN THROUGH WHAT I THINK IS ROTTEN - AT LEAST FOUR TIMES THAT I CAN THINK OF - WHICH IS HOPEFUL TO ME BECAUSE I MADE IT THROUGH ALL THOSE THINGS AND I WANT TO COMMUNICATE THAT TO OTHER PEOPLE; THAT EVEN THOUGH THINGS GET REALLY ROTTEN YOU ACTUALLY CAN SURVIVE THEM AND THAT THE WORLD IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE AND IT'S WORTH DOING.

ROSALIE SORRELS: IT IS A GREAT WORLD.

YOU KNOW I STARTED OUT HERE.

I NEVER THOUGHT I'D GO ANY WHERE AT ALL.

I'VE SEEN MORE OF IT THAN I EVER EXPECTED TO.

I WAS 33 YEARS OLD THE FIRST TIME I EVER WENT EAST OF DENVER.

WHEN I CAME BACK THINGS WERE NOT THAT GREAT SOMETIMES AND I GOT MISUNDERSTOOD A LOT, AND I WASN'T TRYING TO MAKE ANY TROUBLE OR ANYTHING.

ONE OF THE THINGS I DID THAT JUST GOT ME IN A WORLD OF TROUBLE IS I GOT PETE SEEGER TO COME AND DO A CONCERT IN BOISE, IDAHO.

BOY, DID I GET A LOT OF FLACK ABOUT THAT.

AMAZING!

PETE SEEGER IS ABOUT LIKE THE DALI LLAMA TO ME.

YOU'VE REALLY GOT TO KNOW THIS.

SO I GOT HIM TO COME AND THERE WAS JUST THIS INCREDIBLE HOO- HA.

THEY GOT OUT THE MCCARTHY ERA.

IT WAS 1968 OR 1969, ONE OF THOSE YEARS.

THERE WAS A SORT OF RUSH LIMBAUGH STYLE KIND OF GUY THAT DID A RADIO SHOW EVERY MORNING AND HE WOULD TALK ABOUT HOW THE COMMUNIST MENACE WAS COMING TO IDAHO TO SUBVERT THE YOUTH THEREOF AND THAT WAS PETE AND HE SAID HE WROTE THE CUBAN NATIONAL ANTHEM, "WE SHALL OVERCOME," FOR EXAMPLE.

THAT WAS IN THE PAPER, THAT WAS REPEATED IN THE PAPER.

THAT'S REALLY INTERESTING.

A BUNCH OF STUFF LIKE THAT.

AND BECAUSE OF THAT THERE WAS THIS HUGE HOO- HA.

AND PEOPLE CAME FROM SEATTLE AND THEY CAME FROM COLORADO.

5,000 PEOPLE CAME.

THAT WOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED IF THEY HAD JUST KEPT THEIR MOUTH SHUT.

HE WOULD HAVE COME AND TEN PEOPLE WOULD HAVE BEEN THERE AND NOBODY WOULD HAVE HEARD ANYTHING.

SO THEY SENT THE FBI OUT TO MY HOUSE AND THEY CAME IN A BIG BLACK CAR WITH THIS DETECTIVE WHO THOUGHT I WAS TE, AND THEY CAME UP TO MY HOUSE AND THEY SAID, "YOU HAVE SOME PRETTY FUNNY FRIENDS."

AND I SAID WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

MY FRIENDS AREN'T FUNNY.

THEY ARE REALLY SERIOUS.

"WHAT ABOUT PETE SEEGER?"

HE SAYS, "HE'S PRETTY FAR OUT."

I SAID, "PETE?

PETE'S NOT FAR OUT.

HE'S REALLY STRAIGHT.

HE DOESN'T EVEN DRINK.

HE DRINKS WATER, CALLS IT ADAM'S ALE.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?"

AND HE DREW HIMSELF UP TO HIS ENTIRE DADDY BEAR HEIGHT AND HE SAID, "NORMAL PEOPLE WOULD THINK PETE SEEGER WAS FAR OUT."

AND I GOT TO THINKING, I'M REALLY IN A STRANGE PLACE.

I REALLY AM AND I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN STAY HERE BUT I DID.

I WAS STUBBORN AND ONE TIME I WAS SITTING OUT IN THE SAND IN FRONT OF MY MOTHER'S CABIN WHERE THE FLOOD HAD COME AND DUMPED A FOOT OF SILT, DRAWING PICTURES AND THIS SONG JUST CAME TO ME.

REMEMBERING ALL THE THINGS I READ THAT THOMAS WOLF SAID AND ALL THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT HOW YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN, AND EVENTUALLY WHEN YOU GET OLD ENOUGH YOU REALIZE THAT IS BECAUSE IT'S NOT THERE ANY MORE.

IT DOESN'T STAY THE SAME.

NOTHING STAYS THE SAME.

SOMETIMES YOU GET A KATRINA TO REALLY DEMONSTRATE THAT IN AN ALL TIME WAY BUT SLOWLY OVER TIME THINGS ERODE, ALL THE THINGS YOU THOUGHT WERE PERMANENT CHANGE AND THAT'S GREAT.

THIS JUST CAME TO ME MY TEACHERS HAVE TAUGHT ME THE LESSON AT LAST I LEARNED FROM THE WIND AND THE RAIN I SIT IN THE SAND WRITING ONE THOUSAND TIMES ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN DREAMS OF TAMARACKS GLOWING LIKE CANDLES IN THE TALL TIMBER STANDS BY THE LAKE THE WILD SNOW GEESE FLY THROUGH THE COLD NORTHERN SKY PAINTING A SILVER WAVE.

MY MOTHER, MY FATHER COME SHINING TO MIND PICTURES OF VOICES AND ROOMS WORDS, SHE TAUGHT ME TO LOVE BEAUTY, HE'S MADE ME SEE AH, THEY FILL MY EYES WITH MOUNTAINS, WILD ROSES IN BLOOM.

MY TEACHERS HAVE TAUGHT ME THE LESSON AT LAST I LEARNED FROM TIME AND LAUGHTER AND PAIN I'LL SIT IN THE SAND WRITING 10,000 TIMES ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN.

ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN.

(INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE) ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN ROSALIE, YOU CAN'T GO HOME AGAIN.

(CLAPPING) ROSALIE SORRELS: ALL THESE GUYS ARE GOING TO GET OFFHE STAGE AND I'M GOING TO SING YOU ONE MORE LITTLE SONG.

THE SONG I WANT TO SING YOU IS ONE I LEARNED FROM PETE SEEGER.

IN FACT IT'S ONE THAT I USE TO DESCRIBE HIM.

DURING THAT TIME WHEN HE WAS THERE AND EVERYBODY WAS HAVING THIS HOO-HA AND IT WAS SO WEIRD, PEOPLE WOULD SAY, "WHAT'S PETE SEEGER REALLY LIKE?"

YOU CAN'T PUT THAT IN A NUT SHELL.

IT'S A HUGE, LONG LIFE.

JUST AN ENORMOUS LIFE.

BUT I HAD AN ANSWER.

I SAID, "MY FATHER ALWAYS TOLD ME THERE ARE ONLY THREE CARDINAL SINS AND THEY ARE, ARROGANCE, PRESUMPTION AND BAD MANNERS."

AND SINCE PETE IS GUILTY OF NONE OF THOSE THINGS WELL I GUESS HE'S A SAINT.

AND THEY WOULD GIVE ME A HARD LOOK AND I'D SAY, "WELL, I'LL SING YOU THIS SONG BECAUSE THIS IS REALLY WHAT HE'S LIKE."

AND HE WROTE IT AND IT'S A THING TO PONDER.

MY FATHER'S MANSION HAS MANY ROOMS WITH ROOM FOR ALL OF HIS CHILDREN IF WE DO BUT SRE HIS LOVE AND SEE THAT ALL ARE FREE AND SEE THAT ALL ARE FREE TO KNOW AND SEE THAT ALL ARE FREE TO GROW AND FREE TO OPEN OR TO CLOSE THE DOOR TO THEIR OWN ROOM WHAT IS A ROOM WITHOUT A DOOR SOMETIMES LOCKS OR STANDS AJAR WHAT IS A ROOM WITHOUT A WALL TO KEEP OUT SIGHT AND SOUND FROM ALL?

AND DWELLERS IN EACH ROOM SHOULD HAVE THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN DESIGN AND COLOR SCHEME TO SUIT THEIR OWN THOUGH DIFFERING FROM MINE THE CHOICE IS OURS TO SHARE THIS EARTH WHERE ALL ITS MANY JOYS ABOUND OR TO CONTINUE AS WE HAVE AND BURN GOD'S MANSION DOWN.

MY FATHER'S MANSION'S MANY ROOMS HAVE ROOM FOR ALL OF HIS CHILDREN IF WE DO BUT SHARE HIS LOVE AND SEE THAT ALL ARE FREE THANK YOU (CLAPPING) ROSALIE SORRELS: THAT'S A VERY IMPORTANT SONG.

I SING IT TO EVERYBODY WHO THINKS THEY SHOULD NOT GET TO KNOW OTHER PEOPLE OR LISTEN TO OTHER PEOPLE'S IDEAS.

PETE SEEGER: I AM SO DELIGHTED.

I DIDN'T KNOW ANYBODY BUT ME EVER SANG THAT SONG.

ROSALIE SORRELS: WELL, I ONCE RECORDED IT LONG AGO.

IT WAS A UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST RECORD THAT I RECORDED IT ON, BUT I SING IT ALL THE TIME.

I SING IT EVERY TIME ANY TIME ANYBODY ASKS ME WHAT I THINK ABOUT FREEDOM OR THE RIGHT TO SPEAK, YOU KNOW.

PETE SEEGER: WHETHER YOU ARE SINGING SOFTLY OR STRONGLY OR SINGING HIGH OR LOW, ANYBODY WHO CAN SING LIKE ROSALIE, I SAY HOORAY.

YOU DON'T SHOW OFF YOUR FANCY VOICE, YOU STAY ON PITCH, STAY IN RHYTHM; ENUNCIATE CLEARLY ENOUGH SO PEOPLE KNOW WHAT THE WORDS ARE.

THAT'S MY IDEAL.

UTAH PHILLIPS: ROSALIE HAS BEEN SOCIALLY AND POLITICALLY ENGAGED OVER THE YEARS IN ALL KINDS OF MOVEMENTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE, FOR POLITICAL CHANGE AND REALLY GIVEN HERSELF AWAY ENDLESSLY TO BENEFIT OUR PEOPLE AT LARGE.

THAT'S AGAIN, PART OF THAT FURIOUS ENERGY, THAT DEEP, DEEP FIRE THAT BURNS WAY DOWN WITHIN THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO COOL OFF AT ALL.

IT'S AN ENGINE THAT DRIVES ROSALIE AND THROUGH HER HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS A BENEFIT TO ALL OF US.

(CLAPPING) ROSALIE SORRELS: I'M GOING TO SING YOU ONE THAT MY FRIEND PATRICK SKY WROTE.

THE THING THAT I PARTICULARLY ADMIRE ABOUT THIS SONG IS IT FITS ALMOST ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

PATRICK TOOK THE IRISH PART OF HIS LIFE REALLY SERIOUSLY AND SO HE WENT TO IRELAND TO BE IRISH.

AND HE SANG THAT SONG A LOT OVER THERE AND THEY LOVED IT.

THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT VERY GOOD PLAYWRIGHTS WHO WROTE A PLAY FROM IT.

IT HAS A TIMELESS KIND OF QUALITY ABOUT THE OBSERVATION OF WAR.

WHEN YOU WALK DOWN THE STREET WHO WILL FOLLOW YOU?

SIX O'CLOCK, IT'S GETTING LATE AND THE MOON IS RISING WHERE THE STICKY DEW MOLDS ON THE GROUND BY THE GATE WITH YOUR RIFLE ON YOUR SHOULDER AS YOU WALK ALONG LISTENING TO YOUR BOOT HEELS HIT THE SOD SMOKING YOUR CIGAR AS YOU HUM A SONG THINKING OF YOUR MOTHER AND YOUR GOD.

AH YOU'RE ALONE, JIMMY CLAY AS YOU SMOKE YOUR CIGAR AND EARN YOUR PAY FIFTEEN THOUSAND SOLDIERS MARCHING BY YOUR SIDE YEAH, BUT YOU'RE ALONE, JIMMY CLAY.

(INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE) REMEMBER NEW YORK TOWN, GOOD OLD NEW YORK TOWN?

THE DRINKS, THE FIGHTS, THE FRIENDS, THE COPS AND ALL AND THE WHORES WHO TOOK YOUR MONEY WHEN YOU COULD NOT STAND AND ALL THE ROARING NIGHTS YOU CAN'T RECALL REMEMBER ALICE FAY, GOOD OLD ALICE FAY?

I BET SHE'D BEEN THROUGH LIFE TEN TIMES AROUND WHEN SHE SAID SHE LOVED YOU, WELL SHE MEANT IT, BOY REMEMBER THE NIGHT YOU NEARLY DROWNED?

AH, YOU'RE ALONE JIMMY CLAY AS YOU SMOKE YOUR CIGAR AND THINK OF YESTERDAY BUT YESTERDAY'S NO GOOD WHEN IT'S GONE AWAY WHERE DID IT GO, JIMMY CLAY?

(INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE) AS YOU LIE THERE IN THE MUD, WHO WILL TALK TO YOU?

NOBODY, JIMMY CLAY FOR WHEN YOU HAVE GONE MANKIND FOLLOWS YOU DOESN'T IT, JIMMY CLAY?

AND YOUR CHEEKS ARE GROWING MOLDY WHERE THEY KISSED YOU THERE THEY SAID PLEASE DIE FOR US JIMMY CLAY AND SO YOU DIED A SOLDIER AND A HERO'S DEATH CONGRATULATIONS, JIMMY CLAY NOW YOU'RE ALONE JIMMY CLAY AS YOU SMOKE YOUR CIGAR AND EARN YOUR PAY SOMEWHERE IN THE DISTANCE YOU CAN HEAR A FIDDLE PLAY NOT ONE NOTE HAS CHANGED JIMMY CLAY AND NOT ONE NOTE WILL CHANGE, JIMMY CLAY.

(CLAPPING) ROCCI JOHNSON: ALL OF HER PERFORMANCES ARE FOR A PURPOSE.

SHE WANTS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

SHE WANTS THE WORLD TO BE A BETTER PLACE.

SO ALL OF HER MATERIAL WHETHER IT'S ABOUT LOVE, ABOUT FAMILY, ABOUT COMMUNITY, ABOUT HEALTHCARE, ABOUT WAR AND PEACE - ALL OF HER MATERIAL IS ABOUT MAKING THIS A BETTER PLACE.

ROSALIE SORRELS: RIGHT HERE I'M GOING TO BRING ON THE DIVAS.

THIS IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF MY LIFE.

I MET THESE PEOPLE IN BOISE.

THEY'RE AMAZING.

THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT WOMEN WHO DO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THINGS BUT THEY GET TOGETHER AND DO IT TOGETHER AND IT WORKS.

ROCCI JOHNSON: I HAD ALWAYS HAD AN IDEA OF GETTING ALL OF MY FELLOW PERFORMERS TOGETHER AND IT'S JUST WORKED.

IT'S JUST A RAINBOW OF DIVERSITY.

SO SUPPORTING ROSALIE WAS AN INCREDIBLE THING FOR US BECAUSE OF WHO SHE IS AND WHAT SHE HAS ACHIEVED IN HER LIFE.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ABOUT, COMING TOGETHER AND MAKING THIS WORLD A BETTER PLACE.

AND SUPPORTING ROSALIE IN THAT, WHAT MORE COULD ONE ASK FOR?

WELL, HEY EVERYBODY, LET'S HAVE SOME FUN YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE AND WHEN YOU'RE DEAD YOU'RE GONE LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE YOUNG OR OLD, GET TOGETHER LET THOSE GOOD TIMES ROLL DON'T SIT THERE MUMBLING AND TALKIN TRASH IF YOU WANT TO HAVE SOME FUN YOU'VE GOT TO SPEND THAT CASH LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL I DON'T CARE IF YOU ARE YOUNG OR OLD GET TOGETHER LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL HEY MR.

LANDLORD LOCK UP ALL THE DOORS WHEN THE POLICE COME AROUND TELL THEM THE JOINT'S BEEN CLOSED LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE YOUNG OR OLD, GET TOGETHER LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL (INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE) HEY MR.

LANDLORD LOCK ALL THE DOORS WHEN THE POLICE COME AROUND TELL THEM THE JOINT IS CLOSED I SAID LET THEM GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL HONEY, YOU BEEN TOLD.

GET IN THE GROOVE AND LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE YOUNG OR OLD, GET TOGETHER LET THOSE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL YEAH, LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THOSE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL THOSE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL THOSE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL I DON'T CARE IF YOU'RE YOUNG OR OLD, GET TOGETHER LET THOSE GOOD TIMES ROLL LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL ROMA BARAN: SO MAYBE THEN, BARBARA, WHY DON'T YOU TAKE THE FIDDLE.

USE IT AS HAND HELD AND MOVE OVER TOWARDS ROSALIE, ALL RIGHT?

BARBARA HIGBIE: I'M VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH A HAND HELD MIKE.

IT'S NOT UNUSUAL.

YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL.

SHE'S A TRULY GREAT ARTIST.

I FEEL LUCKY THAT SOMEHOW OUR TWO WAYS OF APPROACHING MUSIC RESONATE WITH EACH OTHER AND AMPLIFY EACH OTHER AND SHE LIKES WHAT I DO AND I LIKE WHAT SHE DOES.

SHE'S A KICK.

SHE'S REALLY GREAT AND IS JUST A DEAR HEART.

SHE WANTS EVERYTHING TO BE RIGHT FOR EVERYBODY.

SHE HAS NO EGO AT ALL.

SHE'S JUST ONE OF A KIND.

ROSALIE SORRELS: I LIKE SMALL THEATERS.

I THINK OF WHAT I DO AS AHING THAT SHOULD BE DONE IN A ROOM INSTEAD OF OUTSIDE.

AND THE LIBERTY THEATER IS EXACTLY THE RIGHT SIZE.

HAL CANNON: SHE'S ALWAYS LOVED TO HAVE GREAT MUSICIANS ACCOMPANY HER.

BUT SHE PUTS A LOT OF EMPHASIS ON THE VOCALIZING.

I'VE NEVER HEARD ANYONE THAT'S BEEN ABLE TO EVEN APPROXIMATE THE WAY ROSALIE SIINGS.

SHE HAS AN ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE VOICE.

ROMA BARAN: THE LYRICS ARE EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO HER.

SHE JUST HAS A VISION OF THE WORLD AND SHE'S ALWAYS SPOKEN AND SUNG ABOUT IT.

JUST BECAUSE SHE'S FOLKSY AND RELAXED AND EASY-GOING, SHE'S ALSO VERY PROFESSIONAL AND BEING UP ON STAGE WITH HER IS GREAT FUN.

I'VE PLAYED WITH HER ON AND OFF.

I PRODUCED AN ALBUM OF HER'S IN THE '80'S.

THE FIRST MOMENT I WORKED WITH HER I SAW IN HER WHAT I STILL SEE AND WHAT I THINK EVERYBODY SEES.

SHE'S SO INTIMATE AND REAL AND SHE'S EXACTLY THE SAME OFF STAGE AS SHE IS ON AND SHE'S VERY FOCUSED.

AND SHE GETS IT.

LIFE IS COMPLICATED.

MUSIC IS COMPLICATED AND PERFORMING IS COMPLICATED AND SHE REALLY GETS IT.

SHE REALLY APPRECIATES HER MUSICIANS AND LOVES THE AUDIENCE.

ROSALIE SORRELS: CONNECTING TO MY AUDIENCE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO ME.

YOU CONNECT WITH A WHOLE ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE YOU NEVER SAW IN YOUR LIFE.

YOU WANT TO PACK THEM ALL UP AND TAKE THEM EVERY WHERE WITH YOU.

ROSALIE SORRELS: THIS IS A SONG BY MY FRIEND UTAH PHILLIPS TOO AND IT'S A WESTERN ANTHEM TO ME.

I JUST LOVE IT.

HE WASN'T BORN IN THE WEST BUT HE TOOK TO IT LIKE A DUCK TO THE WATER.

I THINK HE UNDERSTANDS IT PRETTY WELL.

MY LOVE IS A RIVER WHERE THE WHITE WATERS POUR I'VE HUNTED AND TRAPPED HER THROUGH THE GATES OF LADORE MY LOVE IS A CURTAIN OF HIGH MOUNTAIN RAIN WHERE I DUG HER BRIGHT SILVER IN THE HIGH COEUR D'ALENE BUT SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE I HAVE WON ALL HER TREASURES SO SIMPLE AND FINE BUT I GUESS SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE MY LOVE IS A CANTINA WHERE I DRINK WITH MY FRIENDS I CALLED HER DELORES, I CALLED HER CHEYENNE I HAVE FOLLOWED HER BEGGING ALL OVER THE WEST MY LOVE IS A HEADLIGHT ON THE MIDNIGHT EXPRESS BUT SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE I HAVE WON ALL HER TREASURES SO SIMPLE AND FINE BUT I GUESS SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE.

MY LOVE IS MONTANA AND THE HIGH DOUGLAS FIR MANY LONG YEARS I HAVE LABORED FOR HER MY LOVE IS THE WIND-ROWS OF DRY AUTUMN CORN THAT GROW ON THE LAND WHERE MY CHILDREN WERE BORN BUT SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE I HAVE WON ALL HER TREASURES SO SIMPLE AND FINE BUT I GUESS SHE'LL NEVER BE MINE ROSALIE: I THINK IT'S A GREAT WESTERN ANTHEM.

I JUST GREW UP LIKE THAT, WITH THIS PROFOUND AFFECTION FOR THE LAND, THIS INDETERMINATE THING THEY CALL THE WEST, WHICH IS SO MANY THINGS AND SO VAST.

MY LOVE IS THE LIFE THAT A BOOMER WILL LEAD YOU CHAINED HER WITH LIES AND YOU TRAPPED HER WITH GREED MY LOVE IS A DREAMER, I'LL FOLLOW THE DREAM SOME SAY SHE'S A BEGGAR, I SAY SHE'S A QUEEN AND SOME DAY SHE'LL BE MINE SOME DAY SHE'LL BE MINE I HAVE WON ALL HER TREASURES SO SIMPLE AND FINE BUT I KNOW SOME DAY SHE'LL BE MINE SOME DAY SHE'LL BE MINE SOME DAY SHE'LL BE MINE I HAVE WON ALL HER TREASURES SO SIMPLE AND FINE BUT I KNOW SOME DAY SHE'LL BE MINE (CLAPPING) ROSALIE SORRELS: I WROTE THIS SONG FOR MY DAUGHTER.

BUT I WROTE IT PARTICULARLY WHEN THIS DAUGHTER WAS 14 YEARS OLD.

FOURTEEN IS USUALLY PRETTY AWFUL FOR EVERYBODY AND I WROTE IT RIGHT AFTER WE HAD THE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THE LIBRARY STAYS OPEN TILL 4 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

AND I SAID I HAD BEEN TO THAT LIBRARY MYSELF AND MY MOTHER NEVER BOUGHT THAT STORY EITHER.

IT'S SO MUCH EASIER TO SING WHAT YOU MEAN THAN TO SAY IT SOME HOW IT WORKS BETTER AND IT WORKED.

SHE LIKED THE SONG.

SHE BROUGHT FRIENDS AND WE'VE BEEN FRIENDS EVER SINCE.

WHAT CAN I SAY BUT THAT IT'S NOT EASY I CANNOT LIFT THE STONES OUT OF YOUR WAY I CAN'T CRY YOUR BITTER TEARS FOR YOU I WOULD IF I COULD WHAT CAN I SAY?

AH, WE'RE NOT ONE, WE'RE WORLDS APART YOU AND I CHILD OF MY BODY, BONE OF MY BONE APPLE OF MY EYE LIKE A YOUNG TREE I SEE YOU SWAY AND BEND I'M SO AFRAID.

I'M AFRAID YOU MIGHT BREAK TOSSED BY THE WIND OF THE STORMS THAT COME YOUR WAY AND CARELESS STRANGERS SEEING FRUIT WHO REACH OUT TO TAKE AND WE'RE NOT ONE, WE'RE WORLDS APART YOU AND I CHILD OF MY BODY, BONE OF MY BONE APPLE OF MY EYE (INSTRUMENTAL INTERLUDE) I KNOW MY LOVE MUST SEEM A DISTANT THING TO YOU AH, THERE'S SO MANY I MUST GIVE IT TO.

IT WILL FLOW LIKE A RIVER TO THE SEA THERE WILL BE NO END TO IT TILL THERE'S AN END TO ME AND WE'RE NOT ONE WE'RE WORLDS APART, YOU AND I CHILD OF MY BODY, BONE OF MY BONE APPLE OF MY EYE (CLAPPING) MY MOTHER HAD A WAY OF MAKING EVERYONE CURIOUS AND TEACHING THEM HOW TO SATISFY THEIR CURIOSITY.

I GREW UP IN A VERY LITERATE FAMILY.

EVERYONE HAD A PROFOUND SENSE OF LITERACY AND EDUCATION BEING THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU COULD HAVE.

IT WAS BETTER THAN MONEY.

IT WAS MORE USEFUL THAN ANYTHING ELSE YOU COULD HAVE.

I MUST HAVE SUNG ALL THE TIME BECAUSE EVERYBODY SANG IN MY FAMILY.

I HAVE MADE THAT MY LIFE AND I DID IT FROM THEN ON, AND I NEVER DID ANYTHING ELSE.

AND I DID NOT MAKE VERY MUCH MONEY EVER.

I BET I DROVE MORE THAN A MILLION MILES ALL BY MYSELF.

AND SOMETIMES I HAD MY CHILDREN WITH ME AND A LOT OF THE TIME I DROVE BY MYSELF.

I REALLY LOVED IT.

GINO SKY: SHE'S JUST A COURAGEOUS PERSON.

DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY IN AN OLD DODGE VAN WITH HER KIDS AND IT'S SNOWING LIKE CRAZY, SHE'S GOT BALD TIRES AND SHE'S GOT A GIG AND SHE'S FIVE HUNDRED MILES AWAY FROM HER GIG, AND SHE KEEPS GOING, AND IT'S ICE, AND, YEAH, THAT TAKES COURAGE.

ROSALIE: I THINK FOLK MUSIC IS MUSIC THAT YOU MAKE BECAUSE YOU NEED IT.

NOT BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO SELL IT OR BECAUSE YOU'RE GOING TO PERFORM IT.

YOU MAKE IT BECAUSE YOU NEED IT.

I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER.

AND I KNEW I SHOULD DEAL WITH IT, WHICH I DIDN'T WANT TO DO, BUT I DID, AND IT WAS MASSIVELY UNPLEASANT.

CHEMO-THERAPY IS NOT YOUR BASIC PICNIC.

BUT IT WORKS.

THE ANEURISM WAS A WHOLE LOT SCARIER.

IT REALLY WAS.

A REAL NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE.

IN BOTH CASES, WHEN I REALIZED I WAS REALLY GOING TO MAKE IT, AND I WAS GOING TO BE FINE, IT WAS JUST A VERY JOYFUL FEELING.

ALL MY FRIENDS RAISED A TON OF MONEY.

I STILL HAVE NO INSURANCE.

ROMA BARAN: SHE'S JUST SUCH A FIGHTER, THOUGH.

SHE JUST FOUGHT HER WAY THROUGH, LIKE SHE'S FOUGHT HER WAY THROUGH A LOT OF VERY DEVASTATING THINGS THAT HAVE HAPPENED TO HER.

ROSALIE: WHEN PEOPLE CARE THAT MUCH ABOUT YOU, IT JUST MAKES YOU FEEL MORE DETERMINED TO LIVE LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE SOMETHING BACK.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I WOULD HAVE HESITATED TO TALK ABOUT OR SING ABOUT SOME YEARS AGO, BUT I SEE THAT IT'S HELPFUL TO PEOPLE.

I WANT VERY MUCH TO HELP PEOPLE.

THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I TRY VERY HARD TO FIND A WAY TO TELL THOSE STORIES SO THEY RELATE TO EVERYONE.

SOME PEOPLE TALK ABOUT SAD SONGS, BUT IT'S A LAMENT, WHICH IS A DIFFERENT LEVEL.

IT'S ALSO A LAMENT FOR MY SON DAVID WHO TOOK HIS OWN LIFE IN 1976.

I WANTED TO MAKE A SONG FOR HIS MEMORY, WHICH IS MOSTLY A GOOD EXPERIENCE.

IT'S TOO SHORT.

I SAW HIM YESTERDAY STANDING IN THE RAIN.

BARBARA HIGBIE: SHE HAS KIND OF DEATH AND LIFE RIGHT THERE ALL THE TIME, WHICH IS WHAT REALLY MAKES YOU REALLY REALIZE THAT LIFE IS PRECIOUS AND EMOTIONS ARE PRECIOUS AND PEOPLE ARE PRECIOUS.

REVEREND BILLY: IN OUR PURITANICAL SOCIETY WE'RE NOT REALLY PREPARED FOR SORROWS.

WE'RE NOT VERY GOOD AT IT.

GRIEVING IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO WORST IN THIS CULTURE.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE FROM A SUCCESSFUL ROSALIE SORRELS CONCERT ARE GOING OUT THE DOOR WITH A KIND OF PREPARATION FOR THE SORROWS THAT THEY WILL HAVE.

ROSALIE: I'VE GOT A MILLION DOLLAR HORSE AND A TWO BIT BRAIN.

AND THEY MAY NOT PUT ME IN THE HALL OF FAME, BUT I'VE GOT A REPUTATION AND A WELL KNOWN NAME AND I LIKE IT THE FOLKS BACK HOME MIGHT CALL ME A FLIRT IT'S BEEN A MIGHTY LONG TIME SINCE I TURNED ANY DIRT I'VE GOT PINK AND ORANGE FLOWERS ON MY TURQUOISE SHIRT AND I LIKE IT YEAH, I LIKE IT, LIKE IT FINE HEY KEEP ON ROLLING THAT SHOW ON DOWN THE LINE I'M GONNA FINISH UP HERE AND MAKE DALLAS BY NINE MAKING COUNTRY MUSIC DON'T LEAVE YOU ANY TIME BUT I LIKE IT OH YEAH A THIRTY DOLLAR BAND ON MY TWO A THIRTY DOLLAR BAND ON MY TWO DOLLAR HAT I'VE GOT A SNEAKY OLD AGENT WHO'S GETTING TOO FAT, SPENT MY LAST DIME ON COFFEE IN THE LAUNDRY MAT, BUT I LIKE IT I'VE GOT A FANCY GUITAR, I'VE GOT A THOUSAND DOLLAR AMP I'VE GOT PRETTY GOLD SEQUINS ALL OVER MY PANTS AND I'M BROKE AND THEY WON'T PAY ME IN ADVANCE AND I LIKE IT YEAH I LIKE IT, LIKE IT FINE HEY KEEP ON ROLLING THAT SHOW ON DOWN THE LINE I'M GONNA FINISH UP HERE AND MAKE DALLAS BY NINE MAKING COUNTRY MUSIC DON'T LEAVE YOU ANY TIME BUT I LIKE IT OH YEAH UTAH PHILLIPS: ROSALIE IS SINGING BETTER THAN SHE EVER HAS IN HER LIFE.

IT'S PHENOMENAL.

TERRY GARTHWAITE: SHE HAS THAT BREADTH OF TONE.

CUTS LIKE A KNIFE, PURRS LIKE A KITTEN.

NANCI GRIFFITH: NOBODY'S VOICE SOUNDS LIKE THAT.

SHE'S SO UNIQUE.

SHE'S HER OWN GENRE.

SHE'S JUST ROSALIE SORRELS AND THE MINUTE SHE OPENS HER MOUTH AND THE NOTES COME OUT YOU KNOW IT'S HER.

ROSALIE: NEVADA MOON, SHOW ME THE WAY TO GO NEVADA MOON I NEED TO GET BACK HOME TELL ME YOUR STORY AND I'LL SING YOU MY SONG SO THIS OLD ROAD WON'T STRETCH OUT FOR TOO LONG NEVADA MOON, IF I FOLLOW YOU I KNOW TOMORROW I'LL GET HOME TO IDAHO NEVADA MOON YOU SHINE SO CLEAR AND BRIGHT NEVADA MOON COME ON AND TAKE ME THROUGH THE NIGHT THOSE SPACES ROLL LIKE AN OCEAN MADE OF STONE I'M A STAR SAILOR AND I'M BOUND TO MAKE IT HOME AND I'LL BE SAFE AND SNUG AT HARBOR SOON YOU KEEP SHINING DOWN NEVADA MOON OH NEVADA MOON YOU SHONE SO OH NEVADA MOON YOU SHONE SO CLEAR AND BRIGHT NEVADA MOON YOU JUST TOOK ME THROUGH THE NIGHT THOSE SPACES ROLL LIKE AN OCEAN MADE OF STONE AND THIS STAR SAILOR FINALLY MADE IT HOME NEVADA MOON I FOLLOWED YOU AND SO TONIGHT I'M SAFE BACK HOME IN IDAHO NEVADA MOON, I FOLLOWED YOU SO TONIGHT I'M SAFE BACK HOME IN IDAHO JEAN RITCHIE: ROSALIE'S PLACE IN AMERICAN FOLK MUSIC IS VERY IMPORTANT.

SHE HAS ALMOST SINGLE-HANDEDLY FILLED IN THE PARTS OF THE COUNTRY I DON'T KN MANY OTHER PEOPLE FROM THAT PART, SO SHE HAS BEEN IT.

HAL CANNON: SHE WAS SORT OF LIKE THE HINTERLAND WESTERN AMBASSADOR OF FOLK MUSIC.

I MEAN, THAT'S THE WAY I LOOK AT IT ANYWAY.

ROCCI JOHNSON: WE'VE GOT TO GET EVERYONE IN ON THIS ONE.

READY WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN BY AND BY, LORD, BY AND BY THERE'S A BETTER HOME A-WAITING IN THE SKY, LORD, IN THE SKY I WASTANDING AT MY WINDOW, ON A COLD AND CLOUDY DAY WHEN I SAW THAT HEARSE COME ROLLING FOR TO CARRY MY MOTHER AWAY WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN BY AND BY, LORD, BY AND BY THERE'S A BETTER HOME A-WAITING IN THE SKY, LORD, IN THE SKY I SAID MR.

UNDERTAKER WON'T YOU ROLL THAT HEARSE REAL SLOW CUZ THIS LADY YOU ARE HAULING LORD, I HATE TO SEE HER GO WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN BY AND BY, LORD, BY AND BY THERE'S A BETTER HOME A-WAITING IN THE SKY, LORD, IN THE SKY OH, I FOLLOWED CLOSE BEHIND HER TRIED TO HOLD UP AND BE BRAVE BUT I COULD NOT HOLD MY SORROW WHEN THEY LAID HER IN THE GRAVE WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN BY AND BY, LORD, BY AND BY THERE'S A BETTER HOME A-WAITING IN THE SKY, LORD, IN THE SKY TERRY GARTHWAITE: I THINK OF TERRY GARTHWAITE: I THINK OF HER AS A FOLK LEGEND BUT NOT AS A FOLK SINGER BECAUSE SHE'S SO MUCH MORE THAN THAT.

ROCCI JOHNSON: SHE IS AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF WISDOM WHEN IT COMES TO PERFORMANCE, WHEN IT COMES TO FRONT LINES OF LIFE, RAISING FIVE CHILDREN, ALL OF HER INCREDIBLE DIFFICULTIES WITH ILLNESS THAT SHE'S SURMOUNTED.

JEAN RITCHIE: IT WAS VERY HARD FOR HER.

SHE HAD ONE OF THE HARDEST LIVES OF ANYBODY I COULD IMAGINE.

SHE HAS REALLY SURMOUNTED MANY, MANY OBSTACLES.

ROSALIE IS ONE IN A MILLION.

I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING THAT SUMS HER UP, BUT IT'S BEEN MIGHTY GOOD KNOWING HER.

WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN BY AND BY, LORD, BY AND BY THERE'S A BETTER HOME A-WAITING IN THE SKY, LORD, IN THE SKY.

WILL THE CIRCLE BE UNBROKEN BY AND BY, LORD, BY AND BY THERE'S A BETTER HOME A-WAITING IN THE SKY, LORD, IN THE SKY ROSALIE: THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU EVERY ONE OF YOU.

WE'VE GOT JOHNNY SHOE, BARBARA Announcer: For more information on Rosalie Sorrels visit pbs.org Announcer: An expanded version of Rosalie Sorrels, "Way Out in Idaho" is available on DVD.

For information call 877-224-7200.

Funding for Rosalie Sorrels, "Way Out in Idaho" has been made possible by the support of the Idaho Humanities Council, A State based program of the National Endowment of the Humanities.