Chris Wood on bass lessons, philosophy & Saugerties

What makes Saugerties unique?

I think the location of it. It’s right next to the Catskills but it’s not in it. I mean for me, for my job I’m traveling all the time. Saugerties is this perfect kind of compromise between really living up in the mountains in the middle of nowhere and being in the city. Location is a big thing about it for me. And I’ve just enjoyed over the last ten years seeing Saugerties really changing and a lot of great restaurants and shops opening up. And we kind of just had this feeling I think when we moved here that here’s this place that’s gonna grow. It just seemed like it had a lot of potential to just develop. We felt like were part of a statistic; some of these people moving up from the city. We felt like were just one of many people doing this, so the area’s going to change in this certain way but it also has so much history and has people who have lived here for generations. I just makes it feel neat, it makes it feel real rooted.

What’s your favorite virtue?

Patience. That lets you have compassion to let people get something out of their system before making judgment.

What profession, other than your own, would you life to attempt?

I’m a big gardener. I always have fantasies about farming. I love that kind of work. I know I’d probably feel a lot different if I were actually relying on it for my income. But there’s something about it I think I’d really enjoy. (Second choice: historian)

What’s your favorite color, flower and animal?

Green, Forsythia, Owl

What do you like most about this community?

I like how it’s this mix between people who have lived here for generations and the influence of New York City. There’ something about the two of those things together that makes it interesting.

Who’s the most interesting person you’ve met here?

I met Levon Helm, which was great for me as a musician. I got to be a part of his rambles and play with him a little bit.

What’s your idea of a perfect Saturday?

I travel so much that I just like the idea of being home on a nice day when I can work in the garden. We have a big vegetable garden. So basically just working in the garden and having the family around to help and hang out with.

What qualities do you admire most in others?

Fearlessness!

Do you have any heroes?

Charles Mingus, Ray Charles, Michael Pollen.

What’s your idea of happiness?

A good night’s sleep.

What’s your idea of misery?

Trying to figure out what the future is going to be like. It’s what I have to do when I pack for a tour.

What talent do you wish you’d been given?

Spontaneous orator extraordinaire.

What’s your main fault?

I’m too good at making “to-do” lists.

For which fault do you have the most tolerance?

Overthinking!

Your favorite motto?

If you think you got it you don’t got it.

You can’t hold on to it but you can’t get rid of it.

When you speak it’s silent. When you’re silent it speaks.

What historical figure would you most like to have met?

Charles Darwin, Robert Johnson, Cleopatra…hard to pick one

What characters in history do you most dislike?

Ruthless dictators for a thousand please.

What is your present state of mind?

Hopeless. Keeps me in the moment.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear St. Peter say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?

Adam is out of town and the garden needs tending. Eve will show you the way.