[TV static]
- NARRATOR: It was 30 years ago that the
Texas Parks & Wildlife television series,
originally known as "Made in Texas" got its start.
- ♪ We've got a thing called Earth Day. ♪
♪ Earth Day. ♪
In 1996 we introduced you to John Stark.
John combines music with an environmental message.
He's sort of an 'eco-tainer'.
- NARRATOR: John Stark had a normal enough childhood.
He grew up with conservative, small town values and did
all the normal kid things.
Even at an early age, he enjoyed performing to an audience.
His family traveled a great deal.
And over time, John developed a love for the outdoors,
the natural world, and all of its creatures.
- JOHN STARK: Everybody come over here.
Just sit in a circle right here.
Everybody sit right here.
[harmonica music]
- NARRATOR: John used to teach environmental science with the
Houston Independent School District.
Today, this modern-day minstrel works for himself,
traveling to schools, churches, summer camps,
or anywhere where people want to hear his music.
- ♪ Pulling weeds and picking stones, ♪
♪ We are made of dreams and bones. ♪
♪ I feel the need to grow my own, ♪
♪ Because the time is close at hand. ♪
♪ The old crow watches hungrily, ♪
♪ From his perch in yonder tree. ♪
What I do is come up with entirely upbeat, joyful,
serious songs.
Here we go, ready?
♪ Inch by inch, row by row... ♪
That helps someone's motivation.
When they say yes, when they have a positive attitude,
yes we can do this.
This is a wonderful journey that we're in,
this is wonderful work that we're doing.
♪ Inch by inch, and row by row, ♪
♪ someone blessed these seeds I sow, ♪
♪ someone warmed them from below, ♪
♪ till the rain comes tumbling down. ♪
Thank you teachers.
[applause]
I want to be an example, a public example of someone
who makes a good wage, a good living,
a comfortable living by doing something environmental.
That's important because until people see that an
environmentally sustainable way of living can be profitable,
they won't do it.
If they see they can make a living at it,
then they'll do it.
What's your name?
Jamie.
Hi, it's good to see you again.
- I don't want to have to ask you to be quiet,
Miss Goodwin is real stressed out right now ok.
- NARRATOR: Miss Goodwin is stressed out because she
and her students are in the middle of an intense rehearsal.
Tomorrow, these kids will be performing to nearly
a thousand parents, teachers, and school administrators.
[guitar music]
And John Stark will lead them.
- ♪ Hey my dear brother, hey brother come on over, ♪
♪ Lay your head on Mother Nature's shoulder. ♪
♪ Light a million candles and lovingly enfold her, ♪
♪ On Earth Day, it's her birthday, ♪
♪ It's Earth Day. ♪
♪ We got a new day, it's Earth Day ♪
♪ Look around it's a new day dawning, ♪
♪ Our day is your day, it's Earth Day ♪
♪ Bright sun above, it's a birthday candle, ♪
♪ It's Earth Day ♪
♪ Ole John Muir is smiling up in heaven, ♪
♪ It's earth Day, it's her birthday, ♪
♪ It's Earth Day. ♪
♪ Hey my dear... ♪
- On the tape there was a little
interlude there...
- Let's do it the way that you've practiced it.
[guitar music]
♪ Hey my dear brother... ♪
♪ ♪
- RUTH ANN: Earth Day has become such a big deal
and I think that's wonderful.
And we need to really make every day Earth Day,
and really teach them on a constant basis how to take
care of what we have or it's not going to be around
any longer.
- ♪ We got a new way, for a new day, ♪
♪ Look around it's a new day dawning, ♪
♪ It's my day, it's your day, it's Earth Day. ♪
♪ Bright sun above is a birthday candle, ♪
♪ Ole John Muir is smiling up in heaven, ♪
♪ It's Earth Day, it's her birthday, ♪
♪ It's Earth Day. ♪
- Oh, that was incredible guys.
Really, it's more than ok.
It's thrilling.
That's what it is.
- Pretty soon there's not going to be an Earth to live on.
I don't know if we can teach parents to do anything
about it.
But if we teach the kids to do something about it,
maybe they can save something of what's left.
But I feel like it's up to us as teachers to teach them.
And I know some of their parents do teach them
and I think that's great, but by and large I feel like it's
our responsibility to really teach them the things
that they need to know about saving the earth.
- ♪ Buddy you're a young girl, young boy, ♪
♪ Slipping through the trash ♪
♪ Everybody throws down these days. ♪
♪ It's all over the place, a big disgrace, ♪
♪ Soon we're gonna have to move to outer space. ♪
♪ Singing we can, we can fix it. ♪
♪ We can, we can, fix it. ♪
♪ Hey kid, nature has a cancer, but you are the answer, ♪
♪ You're the one to lead the way, ♪
♪ Start today, don't delay, ♪
♪ All God's critters got a place to play. ♪
♪ Singing, we can, we can, fix it. ♪
[kids clap and stomp feet]
- JOHN: Ooh.
That'll be impressive.
[John and kids howling]
- Ready to sing?
- NARRATOR: Like many of his colleagues,
John has discovered working on behalf of the environment has
its disadvantages, especially on the financial side.
- JOHN: Basically what's happening is I really
ran out of money.
I wasn't able to pay bills, I just wasn't making it.
I'll probably always be doing what I'm doing,
but after this year, it will take more of a background,
some way of making a living.
And, that's been hard to accept.
It's been a struggle.
But I haven't given up.
[guitar music]
♪ We got a thing called Earth Day, ♪
♪ To celebrate the land, ♪
♪ Because the fate of the planet, ♪
♪ Is resting in our hands. ♪
Here we go!
♪ It's... Earth... Day, ♪
♪ Huh, gonna rock around Texas, ♪
♪ I'm gonna pick up the trash, ♪
♪ And then I'm gonna recycle it, ♪
♪ And make me lots of cash. ♪
♪ It's Earth Day, huh! ♪
♪ Got a thing called Earth Day, ♪
♪ To celebrate the land, ♪
♪ Because the fate of the planet, ♪
♪ Is resting in our hands. ♪
♪ It's Earth Day! ♪
Huh.
[applause]
[whistles and kisses]
- NARRATOR: John Stark is busy right now.
But this is the week leading up to Earth Day.
After that, his schedule looks pretty empty.
If John had his way, every day would be Earth Day.
His environmental message would be embraced and he would
have no problem finding work.
Too bad for John, he lives in the city, where environmental
issues are often obscured by matters of simple
economic survival.
Each day he struggles to find support both financially
and artistically.
John Stark is on a voyage.
He's a messenger in search of an audience.