Song lyricist lampoons land dispute
Photo by Cliff Grassmick
Don Wrege, a satirical Boulder songwriter, has lampooned the city's high-profile property dispute in a series of songs.
On Nov. 17, Don Wrege already had been following developments in a high-profile property dispute in south Boulder when he received a call from the couple who found themselves on the losing end of the case.
Don and Susie Kirlin had just lost about 34 percent of one of their two vacant lots next door to neighbors Richard McLean and Edith Stevens and wanted Wrege -- a Boulder singer, songwriter and media producer by trade -- to provide entertainment for an impromptu rally being held on their property the next day.
"I'm easily irritated and I'm very vocal with my opinions," said Wrege, noting that made it easy for him to accept the Kirlins' request for help.
Wrege said he was outraged by the details of the case -- in which McLean and Stevens used the legal principle of adverse possession to win their neighbors' land in court -- especially after hearing directly from Don Kirlin.
AUDIO
Local singer Don Wrege composed several songs about the land dispute.
1. Stealing Land From Our Neighbor
"I was raised with a great respect for the law and its practice, and everything about this land case offends me, from what I know and respect about law," Wrege said.
So the songwriter got to work rewriting the words to the American classic "This Land is Your Land."
With sharp, pointed lyrics -- "They paid their taxes, you ground your axes, devising your plot, to take a third of their lot" -- the song helped rally the hundreds of people who showed up at the Kirlins' Hardscrabble Drive property for a protest and picnic on Nov. 18. It was subsequently played frequently during the "Caplis and Silverman" talk radio show on KHOW-AM (630).
Silverman said Wrege is "consistently clever, poignant and entertaining" in his musings and has been featured on the show because of his relevant commentary.
"He is bright, and has a sense for the issues of the day," Silverman said.
Wrege, who made headlines a few years ago as an Ozzy Osbourne look-alike, started writing parody songs for Peter Boyles' show on KHOW during the JonBenet Ramsey investigation in 1997, with tunes such as "(Hang Down Your Head) Tom Koby," "Grand Jury, the Ramseys" (to the tune of Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy") and "The Ballad of John and Patsy.
Ongoing
Coverage
VIDEO: Nov. 18 protest picnic in support of the Kirlins. WATCH
VIDEO: Take a look at Don and Susie Kirlin's land and hear them speak about the case. WATCH
MAP: Satellite image Google map of Hardscrabble Drive.
AUDIO: Listen to NPR's report on the case.
AUDIO: Local singer Don Wrege composed several songs about the land dispute.
- 1. Stealing Land From Our Neighbor
- 2. This Land Belongs to Don & Susie
- 3. Edie & Dick (The Grinch Theme)
The popularity of his recent appearances on "Caplis and Silverman" inspired Wrege to continue his campaign against McLean, a former Boulder judge, and Stevens in recent weeks.
During the holidays, Wrege rewrote the words from "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," to, "You are Weasels, Edie and Dick."
Monday, Wrege will release a third parody song about the land dispute on "Caplis and Silverman."
The song, titled "This Stealing Land From Our Neighbor," is a rip on the classic children's show "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood."
"(Mr. Rogers) was this seemingly nice man and nice neighbor, but he creeped me out," Wrege said. "That's what caused me to think of Judge McLean as Mr. Rogers."
"It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood; and the lot next door is looking good; could it be mine? It could be mine!," the song begins.
Wrege said he is not concerned about hurting McLean's and Stevens' feelings with his songs, but he also said that's not his mission.
"I'd love to meet and talk with (McLean)," Wrege said. "I'd talk about how I was raised in a family of lawyers and try to get his perspective about why he thinks it's OK. I don't think anybody of any decency can really see McLean and Stevens' side of this, and I would love for him to try and convince me."
Reached Saturday, McLean said he doesn't listen to "Caplis and Silverman" and declined to discuss Wrege's songs.
Wrege said the inspiration for his work, which he said he is not paid for, is simply a way for him to express his opinions about issues in his city.
"These are coming out of my gut, because I'm irritated and I'm angry and I'm otherwise powerless," he said. "Boulder is a wonderful place to live because there is a never-ending source of lunacy to comment on."
Documents:
PDF: Read the Motion for Amendment to add an additional nine inches to "Edie's Path."
PDF: Read the judge's order denying the additional nine inches