Humbletown: A gentle but solid affirmation of American Identity and Legacy

The Time: June 24th 2020, 4:30pm Central
The Band: Humbletown
The Music: folk Americana
The Place: Pasley Park, Sioux Falls, SD
The Occasion: The unveiling of a statue honoring a local hero
The Connection: virtual, spiritual, patriotic

In the heart of a country that is in midst of a long deferred, but hopefully and peacefully culminating national catharsis, lie soft but hopeful sounds and words to help guide us. Momentarily absent are the protests, slogans, epithets, executive orders, stubbornness and even weaponry rising simultaneously to defend, revise, or destroy the pieces of the puzzle needed to solve America's identity crisis. On a green and quiet hillside adjacent to a bike path that follows the Big Sioux River through Pasley Park, local band Humbletown begins to play 'Long Way to the Ground'. A community has come together in intimacy of spirit while socially distancing their bodies. A blue eyed 6 month old boy named Guthrie watches his parents strum their instruments from a nearby stroller, his great Aunt kneeling beside him .

This community has gathered to honor the legacy of local hero, Rich Byrd Greeno, with a selection of Humbletown tunes and the Star Spangled Banner to set the tone. Mr. Greeno, who passed away in 2017, appears to have run more than a good race. According to those he touched, he was "an inspiration in both word and deed" and "taught respect, compassion, and dedication to things beyond ourselves". Both sound like great operating principles. Some of the youth who joined him during his race, dot the hillside, and literally back up his legacy with t-shirts listing some of the nearly 60 Cross Country Titles and State championships, that the venerated track and field coach racked up over the decades. Upon his passing, Greeno's community raised funds to memorialize the man they say "never raised his voice, but whose words were heard deeply". The result was a life size bronze statue by a local artist, that seems to suggest the endurance our country needs.

Mr. Greeno's Legacy and Humbletown's music are a gentle yet solid affirmation of American identity, impressions in and of the landscape. The Bronze sculpture marks a hillside he often ran through with his cross country teams. On this day in 2020, he is joined by South Dakotans on ground held sacred by Native peoples, cultivated by numerous strains of European immigrants, and central to a country reassessing its national identity. The legacy of his soft admonitions and the gentle sounds of Humbletown seem fitting to shape the demeanor of national debate. They are sounds hearkening the the value of the past and words always pressing for an optimistic future. The sculpture suggest we pace ourselves and never give up on the race. The guitar seems to capture the journeys of settlers and the meandering of the river. The Banjo, traveling from as far away as Africa, and through the hands of Appalachians, reflects sonic impressions its own journey.  May the legacy of the man, the peace of the music, and the dream of a united America LIVE ON.

For a more in depth look at superb legacy, music and artistry, check out the following links:

Rich Greeno Memorial: https://www.richgreenomemorial.org

Humbletown Band: https://humbletownband.com/videos

Sculptor: https://www.argusleader.com/story/news/city/2019/09/05/coach-greeno-memorialized-life-size-sculpture-placed-near-tuthill-park-sioux-falls/2210505001/

Photo credits: Humbletown, STC photography