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Country Joe and Me

By Jim Wachtendonk

I first met Joe in 1984, in Madison, Wisconsin. The Milwaukee and Madison Chapters brought him in for a concert downtown in the Arts Center, and I had the privilege to open for him.

Before the gig, Joe met with my wife, Sukie, and me, and we spoke about our Agent Orange (AO) family, how it devastated our lives, and how I'd hoped my music spoke to those who were struggling with the same poison. He was gentle, concerned, and welcoming. I finished my set that night with my Agent Orange song "Hurting More" a song that I would go on to perform on PBS in 1985 and on HBO's Welcome Home Tribute To Vietnam Veterans in 1987. As I left the stage, Joe came up, a tear in his eye, saying, "That song you wrote about your kids just blew me away Jim, a classic," and so a friendship began.

Over the years, we did a handful of gigs together, and I, new to the whole music biz, would ask his advice now and then. For example, when Joe found out I got the HBO gig, he called me saying this was my shot and don't fuck it up, ha ha ha. He mentioned the distractions I would have: producers, directors, line folks, PR, fans, not to mention a full house, national coverage, and all the STARS performing that night. Because of Joe's advice, I was better able to navigate the scene, ending with a standing O.

Joe was right back in 1984 about "Hurting More" because, as I gigged across the country, I was privileged to meet thousands of AO kids and their families dealing with AO. My song touched them like it did my friend Joe McDonald back in 1984. I recall a Rambo vs. Reality gig the Madison Chapter offered on the UW Madison Campus with Joe. We were in a church to sing some songs, the main event was in Memorial Hall that evening. Joe walks on and says, Jim, a lot of fans want the fuck cheer, what say you. Joe, I said, we are in a church, man. See that priest over there? This is his sanctuary. No, do the FISH cheer instead, and he went with that.

Watching Joe on stage was always a pleasure and an education for me. His wit and wisdom, mixed with a healthy dose of sarcasm, always won over his audience. So I thank my friend Country Joe McDonald for a lifetime of advice, his music, and his dedication to the Peace Movement, and for being a good friend of VVAW. Rave on, my brother, Rave on, my lovely...Gimme an F.

Making Art Not War, Jim Wachtendonk is a VVAW member of The Zak Wachtendonk Memorial Chapter, Gillingham, Wisconsin.

Country Joe and Jim Wachtendonk.