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The Hemingway Brothers Bluegrass Band
In Memory
Older Entries
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Mon, 27 Aug 2007
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| Brian Mason |
Let Me Rest At The End Of My Journey.
It has been a very tough year for the Maine
Bluegrass Community and August 9th marked yet
another tragic loss to us all, with the passing
of an icon in Brian Mason. Not to make light or
forget all the others who have gone on and also
deserve praise and remembrance. This combined
with the loss of my friend John Sanborn has hit
particularly close to home. Brian was not only a
mentor but was a friend to us all in the
Mountaineers.We had the pleasure of having him in
the band for 3 years as well as having jammed
with him for many years.His knowledge of
Bluegrass music was beyond compare, as well as
his overall take on life in general. He was, as
many of you who knew him, not without his faults
but there again who among us can cast a stone?
Certainly not I. He had a passion for playing
many types of music and that passion burned in
him till the end.We had the honor of jamming with
him for the last time just this past Saturday.He
was on fire with the fiddle and sang countless
old favorites.The last one being "Ocean of
Diamonds". In this world which is a big ocean
there are many diamonds some polished some rough
but they are all still jewels and Brian was a
special jewel. Although already quite ill when I
asked him to fill in for our fiddler at the Bill
Smith Memorial Festival, Brian said yes . Even
though the site was only 20 min. away from us and
Brian was an hour away he was there first as
usual and ready to "pick"! Today he got there
first again. I hope he is looking up his old
friends and setting up an all night jam ! Our
thoughts go out to Sharon and their 2 kids, and
hope they can find something to help them with
this loss. I hope I can. God please let him rest
as he has reached the end of his journey.
Wilf Clark
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Posted 16:17
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| Huey Jandreau (Sandy Cormier's Dad) |
Huey Jandreau, passed away yesterday afternoon
(Aug.8) due to complications from surgery and a
long battle with cancer. He was 67 years old. His
wishes were no visitations and no funeral. There
will be a mass on Tuesday (August 14) at 11:00 at
Notre Dame Church on Silver St. in Waterville .
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Posted 16:14
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| Bill Smith |
In Memory of Bill Smith: Son, husband, father,
brother, friend.
It was a special weekend at Yonderhill a week
ago. We thank everyone for coming out and all the
bands who unselfishly donated their time in honor
of Bill Smith. Special thanks to Bernie Coombs
(the hardest working man in Maine Bluegrass) and
all the folks at Yonderhill. Also to Norm Furrow
for donating the Washburn mandolin that was
auctioned off. Thanks should also go to Bubba,
emcee and beauty pagent contestant
extraordinarre. You are a good sport, man.
It was an emotional time for us all, but the
important thing was we went through it together
and I think everyone is a bit more healed. It was
a solid next step. We all just have to keep
putting one foot in front of the other and
continue to find Bill in the music, or in nature,
or in the smiles, hearts, and souls of those we
hold dear. As for North Star, we got to play a
little bit together and that was an unexpected
thrill for all of us. We will continue to stay
together as a band supporting each other and
talking regularly. In terms of music, we will
take it slow and see how it goes. For the rest of
the summer Bobby and I will be pickling with
Erica Brown and Ken Taylor, and a host of friends
and celebrities to be announced, but probably
play without a banjo...just doesn't seem right.
We'll leave that seat unfilled in honor of Mr.
Bill. For sure we'll be at White's Beach, Ossippe
Valley, and Apple Acres. Bobby and I are grateful
to Erica and Ken for filling in, and much more
for the love and support they've unconditionally
given.
Couple of things: There is a beautiful video on
YouTube of the Misty Mountaineers singing and
playing "He Walks Tall Among Us," a song that
Carolyn Lary wrote for Bill. It was a very moving
moment on last Sunday. Please check it out. I've
also posted The Carpenter's Prayer for those of
you who might want to read it. It is actually a
song written by Eddie M. Carr. Finally, I've put
up some live songs we did at Johnson Hall in 2006
(I think). I'll be posting cuts from that show
now and then. I'll be talking with you soon.
Thanks a bunch,
Ted
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Posted 16:06
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| John Sanborn SR. |
JOHN SANBORN 69,PASSED AWAY SEPT.12,2006.
(more to come.)
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Posted 15:54
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