interviews & articles

Carl Pagter: Leather Hat Became Bluegrass Icon

By twangthang ⋅ July 12, 2008 ⋅ Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

I first met Carl Pagter at the 2007 River of Music Party (ROMP) in Kentucky and was completely unaware of his contribution to my favorite pastime. I knew him as “that wonderful man with the crappy hat.” We even swapped “crappy hat” stories. He told me that his floppy leather head wear had been with him at festivals for many years and he couldn’t imagine being without it.

There’s a story behind this man and his hat. For you hard core bluegrass fans, you know this story better than I do. For us casual listeners, Carl’s story is new…and awesome.

In early 1970’s, bluegrass was a rare thing in California. Live performances in bars and pizza parlors from time to time in the bay area were just about all a ‘grass-thirsty fan would find. Family-oriented gatherings were rare.

Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., a picker named Carl Pagter was working up & down the coast playing his banjo with bands. But it was Carl’s day job that wound up launching a series of events in his life that would soon start a new chapter in bluegrass history.

You see, Carl is an attorney. He worked for major company that needed him to work out on the West Coast. That meant a transfer.

So Carl packed his briefcase…and his banjo…and headed West.

When Pagter started settling in to life in California, he searched for companions who shared his passion for the music. This determined artist was not going to leave his beloved “hobby” behind.

Before long, Pagter hooked up with folks like Jake Quesenberry, Jack Sadler and a handful of others with a passion for bluegrass and old-time music. Soon, the California Bluegrass Association (CBA) was formed and the hard work began. The CBA set out to create a home for traditional music in California .

In 1976, the CBA hosted its first major event. It had one major Eastern act: Josh Graves. The remaining line up was local bands.

Pagter made a couple of job-related transfers back & forth between the East & West Coast, giving him opportunities to network between the solid Eastern bluegrass circuit and the blossoming CBA.

Today, the CBA is a strong organization known as the foundation of bluegrass music in California. Their calendar is packed with events they help promote, boasting more than 3500 members including more than 200 bands. The organization hosts two major festivals each year (Father’s Day Festival and Sonoma Country Festival), a music camp, three annual campouts and a variety of concerts all year long. CBA publishes a newspaper, The Bluegrass Breakdown.

Thanks to Carl Pagter and his journey West, California can quench its thirst for the sounds of banjos, mandolins and mountain harmonies.

I had the privilege (with fellow RCR members) of being present for Pagter’s induction as a Pioneer to the International Bluegrass Music Museum (IBMM) in Owensboro, KY recently. Imagine my surprise and delight to see my friend with the “crappy hat” standing with the other Pioneers being honored for their years of labor!

Pagter and others were recognized for their contributions to keeping the spirit of our music legends alive. As a driving force behind the creation of the CBA, and for his life-long commitment to music, he has ensured a permanent home for bluegrass in California and opened the doors for many artists who may not have otherwise had the opportunity play this kind of music so far from the genre’s roots.

Now, about that hat, Carl…I owe you an apology! Your hat beats mine hands down. I’ve had to retire my worn out old straw cowboy hat. After years of service, it saw its last concert in 2007 due to a series of thunderstorms. I can’t bear to toss it though. After all, the last event it saw included getting a bear hug from James King, getting a photo with Marty Stuart….and meeting you!

Your hat has many more good festivals in it, for darn sure.

I’m glad, Carl, because we look for you and your hat at these events. Whether you are playing on stage, jamming with the other artists, or mingling in the crowd while enjoying the other acts, we recognize your hat. It is a symbol of this music and the laid-back, friendly charm unique to bluegrass and old-time music festivals.

God Bless you…and your hat.

Artist Lynn Cornish effectively captured Carl’s essence in this watercolor portrait.

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Carl Pagter performing with Country Ham on Stage at ROMP

Carl’s wife, Judie plays autoharp with Country Ham

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*Jake Quesenberry performed at River of Music Festival in June of 2007, and his Video Oral History was unveiled at IBMM (Footage was filmed in 2006). A few days later, Jake was called home to be with God. His final major appearance was wonderfully energetic and gave no hint that Jake was saying goodbye. There’s a nice article about Jake Quesenberry here: Bluegrass Hero http://www.morganhilltimes.com/nes/190932-bluegrass-hero

You can watch the video of Jake at the IBMM in Owensboro, Ky along with videos of many other music legends.

http://www.bluegrass-museum.org/masters/generation.htm