Those that have passed on-

Eric Levine
I'm very sorry to hear of Eric Levine's passing. Eric was an old friend of mine - taught me the melody to Abe Sammon's Applejack which had been collected in High Falls by his grandfather Norman Studer, the famous educator and Camp Woodland director. Eric too was an authentic folk singer -hadn't heard him in a long time, but he used to play a great 12 string guitar. - Bob

From "Stephen & Marilyn Suffet"
Greetings! This is an early heads-up for an event that is two months away, the EighthAnnual Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash in New York City. We are dedicating it to the memory of our dear friend, comrade, and fellow MacDougal Street Rent Party member Eric Levine. As you already know, Eric passed away last week atthe age of 51. He had performed in all seven of the previous Woody GuthrieBirthday Bashes, and he was planning to do this coming one as well. He had even picked out the songs he was going to perform: Pastures of Plenty, Hobo's Lullaby, and a parody of I Dreamed I Saw Joe Hill Last Night which he called I Dreamed I Saw Woody Guthrie Last Night. Unfortunately, Eric took that last song with him, so we can only guess what it said.
We know Eric will be with us in spirit if not in flesh, and we welcome you to join us in honoring his memory along with celebrating what would have been Woody Guthrie's 96th birthday.
Here are the details:
Eighth Annual Woody Guthrie Birthday Bash Round Robin Songfest Sunday . July 13, 20087:00 to 9:30 PM
Featuring...MacDougal Street Rent Party (Joel Landy . Anne Price . Steve Suffet . GinaTlamsa)
Also featuring...Hillel Arnold . Jessica Feinbloom . Emma Graves plus Carlos Vazquez on the bass
Bowery Poetry Club308 Bowery . New York CityBetween Houston & Bleecker Streets $6 cover + one drink minimum.
The site is supposedly wheelchair accessible -- Eric would never have played there if it weren't -- but like most places it could be better. Ifyou have any questions, please call 212-614-0505 for information.
Be there!--- Steve
Posted by Bob Lusk at 7:27 PM
Tuesday, May 06, 2008

Bob Norman, former SO! Editor, Passes
I considered Bob to be a good friend even though I rarely saw him. I'm shocked and saddened by his passing.
From Mark Moss at Sing Out! Magazine - Bob Norman, who edited Sing Out! from 1970 to 1977, died on Sunday, May 4th, after a long battle with prostate cancer. A songwriter and singer, Bob had 4 recordings to his credit and a 30+ year career touring and sharing his music. His gentle and relaxed demeanor belied the passion he maintained for his family and friends, as well as the broader world around us ... always a central focus of his life's work and mission. Bob was already editing Sing Out! when I first met him and began my involvement with the magazine (back in the summer of 1970). I know that wasn't the most popular period for Sing Out! (or folk music), but the stew of traditional music with politics that was emblematic of his tenure at Sing Out! was a real inspiration for me, and his friendship and guidance through the years, including nearly ten years serving on the Sing Out! board for the first phase of my tenure here, was indisputably one of my true guiding forces in helping to retool what we do here. It's safe to say that without Bob's steady hand, bridging the "old" Sing Out! and the "new" one, I simply would not have been able to learn on the job or have kept things going. He was a great friend to me, to Sing Out! and to folk music. I'll miss him.

Below is the official obit from the family:
Robert Stephen Norman, 61, of Lawrenceville died on Sunday at his home of metastatic prostate cancer.Born in New London, CT, he was a Lawrenceville resident since 1994 after living in New York City for 30 years. Bob graduated form Columbia University in 1969 with a degree in English Literature Bob had been a copy editor for Business Week Magazine for twenty years, but his passion and true vocation was music. He was a well-known singer/songwriter folksinger locally and across the country for over 30 years. From 1970 to 1977, he was editor-in-chief of Sing Out!, and was on its board until 1990. His CD titles include: Romantic Nights on the Upper Westside; To the Core; Love, Lust, and Lilacs; and Time Takin' Man. His music fused varied influences of blues, country, contemporary folk, and classical guitar writing about topics ranging from the streets of New York to local life in Lawrenceville.Son of the late Victor and Francis (Sharaf) Norman and brother of the late Jon Norman, he is survived by his wife Clara Haignere, his son Samuel Norman-Haignere, his nephew Daniel Norman, and his nieces: Forest Cattich and Martina Norman Botinelli.Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11 AM at Poulson & Van Hise Funeral Directors, 650 Lawrence Road, Lawrenceville. Burial will be in the Lawrenceville Cemetery.
The family extends an invitation to friends to come to their home at K18 Shirley Lane, Lawrenceville after the burial. A memorial service will be held on May 17th at a time and place to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please tax-deductible donations can be made to Sing Out! Magazine (P.O. Box 5460 Bethlehem PA 18015) or to the Westminster Conservatory Young Artist's Program. Check should include a note that it is for the Young Artist's Program in Memory of Bob Norman to Westminster Conservatory, Attn Sandra Franc, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton NJ 08540.

John Stewart

From Bob Horan

Folk singer/songwriter John Stewart has died. He apparently had a massive stroke yesterday; he was 68 years old. He replaced Dave Guard of the Kingston Trio in the early 60's. His biggest pop success came when he wrote "Daydream Believer" which was recorded by the Monkies later in that decade. John wrote big songs about little people and made every day folk come alive in his songs. He wrote "Americana" before the musical category was coined. He was and is a big influence on me. I will miss him.

"..only once around and they nail the top down on the long wooden box in the ground. Only once around you know all that I've found is right here in my own hometown.." - from You Long To See Cheyenne By John Stewart

Ron Osenenko -Woodstock Music Store
I have posted too many obituaries here in the past few years. This one is a personal shock. I considered Ron to be a good friend. I loved hanging out at his store and chatting. He recently showed up at my Phil Ochs performance at the Colony Cafe. It was the first time he had heard me perform and he was very enthusiastic. He took some great pictures of me that night. He was the kind of store owner you love to buy things from because you really believed he tried to give you a good deal. I say that as someone who grew up in retail.I'm in shock. I will post more details when I hear about them. Bob

Driver dies after crash on Route 28By Kyle Wind, Freeman staff12/28/2007WEST HURLEY - A co-owner of the Woodstock Music Shop and brother of the Middletown Times Herald-Record Executive Editor Derek Osenenko died after a one-car crash on state Route 28 Wednesday evening.State police at Ulster said that at about 7:30 p.m., Ronald J. Osenenko, 58, of Woodstock, lost control of his car while eastbound on Route 28, drove through a snow bank, struck and drove through a wire fence, and collided with a small tree.Osenenko was taken to the Benedictine Hospital where he was pronounced dead.Police said the autopsy, which was performed Thursday afternoon, indicated Osenenko lost control of his vehicle due to "medical reasons," but specific results of the autopsy were not immediately available.No other cars were involved in the accident, police said, and no other injuries were reported."

He was a great guy, he had a great sense of humor, and he loved this town," said Derek Osenenko, who co-owned the Woodstock Music Shop on Rock City Road with his brother since Ronald Osenenko moved back to the Hudson Valley in 2003.According to his brother, Ronald Osenenko ended a 25-year career in marketing when he moved to Woodstock from South Florida. Prior to pursuing opportunities in Florida, he worked for Citicorp in New York City and Texas Gulf in Stanford.He moved back to the region to be closer to his brother and sister-in-law Joanne and to return to his lifelong love of music. Osenenko played the guitar since his early teens, his brother said. The Woodstock Music Shop specializes in unique string and percussion instruments, accessories, and vintage vinyl LP records. "People came (to the Woodstock Music Shop) to play, chat, listen, and share stories," said Derek Osenenko, who described himself as "more of a listener than a player" and "not nearly the musician my brother was.

"In a statement by Derek Osenenko on the shop's Web site, he said his brother should be remembered "for his love of music and his musicianship."While his family in the area is small, Derek Osenenko said his brother will be missed by numerous friends he made since returning to the Hudson Valley and patrons of the music shop. And he will, of course, miss his brother too."There is emptiness now I've never felt before," Osenenko wrote in the statement on the shop's Web site. "I could not have had a better brother."Born in Queens, Osenenko "spent the first half of his life in New York City," according to his brother, and he graduated from Long Island University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. According to obituary information provided by the Lasher Funeral Home, he spent many years honing his photography and graphic design as well, and Osenenko was described as "a skilled, creative photographer and a fervent reader, largely of books on architecture, photography, and music."

Private funeral services will be held Monday, followed by burial at the Woodstock Cemetery, according to the funeral home.©Daily Freeman 2007

Dan Fogelberg
From Drew Ferraro

I don't know if any of you are aware, or care, but I thought I would pass around the word that another hero has moved on.

Dan Fogelberg died Sunday morning at 6:00 at his home in Maine. He was 56.

There are a lot of heros we all have; some matter to us more than others. I remember the moment I heard that John Denver had died. Shock is all I remember.

Even though I knew that Dan discovered that he had advanced prostate cancer in May of 2004, I always wondered...... more so in the past day or two, if he would make it. Still, it is a shock.

Amongst the things he said recently, was to stop being afraid to have yourself checked by your doctor. In his case, he referred to a prostate exam, but it refers to all of us, man or woman: Don't neglect your health, do the right thing, whatever it is; fear won't save you. Action will.

To a slightly different twist, I happed upon one of his lyrics that I know I heard before but forgot to listen:

"Death is there to keep us honest / And constantly remind us we are free".

But he was, apparently known -recently- for saying something else that hit home too:
"You've got to just follow your heart and do your best work … There is no doubt in my mind or heart that everything I've done is exactly what I intended to do."

Value your heros, there are things that we can learn and emulate.
But do not worship them - if you worship them, you will miss out on becoming a hero
to yourself.

Be good to yourselves.
The future really is now.
All we have.....is now.
And then it is gone.......

Peace,
Stay in Tune,
~ Andy/Drew

Jackie Alper
From the Sing Out list- Jackie Alper, 86, social activist and long running host of Mostly Folk onWRPI 91.1, Troy, NY died last Thursday, September 6, 2007.She will be missed.http://timesunion.com/AspStories/storyprint.asp?StoryID=620972

Tommy Makem
Tommy Makem passed away on Wednesday after a long battle with lung cancer. He was 74. Fans of folk music will always remember Tommy as the bard who helped introduced Irish folk music to a wider audience. Tommy performed for the better part of five decades, and his legacy will continue on through his sons as well as the numerous musicians that he inspired.
Posted by Bob Lusk at 9:41 AM
Sunday, July 29, 2007

Andy McGann

July 12, 2007 Tribute to Andy McGannFrom:Brian ConwayAlbum in Tribute to Andy McGann A Tribute to Andy McGann is a new CD from Joe Burke,Brian Conway and Felix Dolan in tribute to New Yorkfiddler, the late Andy McGann. Andy McGann was born and raised in New York to Sligoparents and became one of the key figures intraditional Irish music in the US. He grew up in acommunity that was loyal to the Sligo-American styleof music that had been established in the US ageneration earlier by immigrants from Sligo includingMichael Coleman and James Morrison. Andy beganplaying the fiddle at the age of seven and was tutoredby Michael Coleman, a family friend, and he playedwith him many times until Coleman's death in 1945.McGann's playing was beautifully sweet without beingsaccharine, deeply expressive and elegant, and it is astyle than many young musicians have tried to emulate.He would eventually become the standard-bearer of theSligo-American style made famous by Coleman and,indeed, pass the tradition on to other playersincluding his protégé Brian Conway.

In 1965 Andy McGann together with two good friends andmusicians, Joe Burke and Felix Dolan, recorded thealbum A Tribute to Michael Coleman. More than fortyyears later, on 1 April 2006 in the Irish AmericanHeritage Center in Chicago, Joe Burke, Felix Dolan andBrian Conway performed together in a concert titled 'ATribute to Andy McGann', honouring a great musicianand friend who had passed away in 2004. It was entirely appropriate that the two musicians who hadplayed with Andy on the landmark Coleman album shouldhave chosen Brian Conway, Andy's protégé, to play withthem on this occasion. Four tracks recorded live at that concert are included on A Tribute to Andy McGann together with several other tracks chosen to commemorate and celebrate the life of Andy McGann andto represent the Sligo-American style.The CD booklet includes extensive notes on Andy McGannand on the three musicians on the album. A Tribute toAndy McGann is available in music shops and from http://www.cic.ie/

The CD will be launched at the Willie Clancy festivalin Miltown Malbay on 8 July. The Traditional Festivaltaking place as part of the annual Catskills Irish Arts Week in East Durham, New York, is dedicated tothe memory of Andy McGann this year and the CD will be launched there on 21 July. Further information fromhttp://www.east-durham.org/The Musicians Joe Burke is a master box player from east Galway anda long-time friend and musical colleague of AndyMcGann. Felix Dolan is from New York and ranks as theleading Irish-American piano accompanist. BrianConway is a fiddler from New York and is the leading player in the Sligo-American style.

Gary Emmons -Cracker Box Music 1958-2007
Hi Folks, I don't know if you all knew Gary who ran craker box music, a little instrument repair shop on route to Newburgh. He was a great guy and a fine luthier and unfortunately recently died. See notice below. -Mira
We have received several notices regarding the untimely death of Gary Emmons. This following is from Mary DeBerry:
Gary Emmons, 49, died Thursday, May 31, 2007.
Gary is survived by his loving wife, Nancy Mary Emmons; his parents, Guy and Glenda Emmons of Walden; his sister, Penny Marcucci; and his former brother-in-law, Mario Marcucci of Palm Bay, Fla.
Gary was the owner and operator of Cracker Box Music in Cronomer Valley, Newburgh, and was an area resident since 1959. Gary was born in Winchester, Va., on May 26, 1958. He was a graduate of Wallkill High School, class of 1976, and was a self-taught luthier, a craft for which he gained world renown and acclaim.
To those who knew Gary, he ran a repair shop for mostly wood instruments. He had entered his 25th year in his business. He also worked prior for steinberger guitars in Newburgh (they made headless bass's and guitars) .
He died from a aneurysm.
We are organizing a memorial service so people can chat and play music. I will keep you posted.
If anyone needs to get in touch with anything about the store, contact me and I'll get you in touch with who is handling things.
Mary DeBerrythirdstone@usadatanet.net

Roscoe "Rocky" Maxim
I sang with Jim Donnelly at Rocky Maxim's funeral last night. Rocky was a great guy, he and his wife Margaret were our biggest fans. He loved Irish music and would go out of his way to hear it whenever he could. He especially liked the Jimmy Walsh band.I played an evening of anti-war songs some years ago with Melissa Ortquist at the Canal House on Veteran's Day. Rocky, a Navy Vet of WWII came and although I'm sure his politics were very different than mine, sat and enjoyed the show. He will be missed.

Mark Spoelstra

From Mark Spoelstra's son Joshua:

Dear Friends,Today my father passed away here in his lovely but modest home in the Sierra Foothills of California. There was snow on the ground and we could see the trees which surround the house like sentinels sway with the force of another approaching storm. We held him as he left us and I know he had no fear and felt no pain, and even though his life was cut short he found the strength to remind each of us that he loved us. I will miss him greatly.

Regretfully, Joshua Spoelstra

Eric Von Schmidt
From: Suffet@worldnet.att.netTo: peoplesmusic@yahoogroups.comSent: Fri, 2 Feb 2007 5:30 PMSubject: [peoplesmusic] RIP: Eric Von SchmidtGreetings:More sad news: Eric Von Schmidt, the great blues and folk singer and guitarist from Cambridge, Massachusetts, died in his sleep last night, February 1, 2007. I have no further details at this time. It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of the role Eric Von Schmidt played in the folk music revival of the 1950s and 1960s. Brother Eric sits among us in our souls. May he rest in peace.--- Steve

Margaret McArthur

Just saw a post on the People's Music network newsletter from Steve Suffet regarding Margaret McArthur, wonderful Vermont Ballad singer, who passes away recently. I went to a workshop of hers at Old Songs Festival a few years ago. She was a wonderful person and did a lot to promote regional and historic folk music

Herbert Haufrecht, 88, Pianist, Composer, Folklorist and Editor
By ALLAN KOZINN
Published: July 3, 1998
Herbert Haufrecht, a composer, pianist, folklorist and music editor, died on June 23 at the Albany Medical Center. He was 88 and lived in Shady, N.Y.

Mr. Haufrecht was born in New York City and studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where his teachers included the composers Herbert Elwell and Quincy Porter, and at the Juilliard School, where he studied composition with Rubin Goldmark. He also studied piano with Severin Eisenberger and chamber music with Arthur Loesser.

Soon after he completed his studies, he was hired as a field representative in West Virginia for the Resettlement Administration of the Federal Department of Agriculture. During his four years there, he collected folk songs and stories, organized square dances and began an oral history project that occupied him for nearly four decades.

He developed educational materials based on folk music and wrote several publications, including ''Folk Songs in Settings by Master Composers'' (1970) and ''Folk Songs of the Catskills'' (1982), a three-volume work on which he collaborated with Norman Cazden and Norman Studer.

When he returned to New York in 1939, Mr. Haufrecht became a staff composer and arranger for the Federal Theater and composed incidental scores for several plays. He also organized an annual Folk Festival of the Catskills, in Phoenicia, N.Y., in 1940 and composed several stage works for it, including a musical theater work, ''We've Come From the City,'' and a folk opera, ''Boney Quillen.'' He worked with several folk singers, including Pete Seeger, Burl Ives, the Weavers and, in the 1960's, Judy Collins.

Mr. Haufrecht's symphonic music reflected his folk interests, as well as an interest in jazz. Among his works are a set of ''Fantastic Marches,'' which were given their premiere by Leopold Stokowski on an NBC Symphony broadcast in 1939; a Symphony for Brass and Timpani; ''Blues and Fugue'' for viola; two string quartets, and several children's works. His final work was a setting of Mark Twain's ''War Prayer,'' which had its premiere in Kingston, N.Y., in 1995.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters, Marsha Haufrecht and Joy Lugo; a son, William Robert Haufrecht, and two grandchildren.

NORMAN STUDER
Norman Studer (1902-1978), educator, folk enthusiast, poet, and humanist, was the founder and, for all of its twenty-four years, educational director of Camp Woodland. Inspired by the ideals of progressive education, the camp was unique for introducing young people to local Catskill culture through folklore and for its integration of African-American youngsters. Born on a farm in Ohio, Studer came east as a young man spurred by his desire for knowledge and curiosity about varied cultures. At Columbia University, he studied with educational philosopher John Dewey. In 1933, he became a teacher at the "Little Red Schoolhouse" in Manhattan and went on to become director of the Downtown Community School. Norman Studer’s philosophy of education and humanitarian values made an indelible imprint on countless educators, students, and campers.

Studer was the author of many articles on the tradition bearers of the Catskills, which he researched with Herbert Haufrecht, Norman Cazden, and scores of counselors and young campers from 1939 to 1962. Some of Studer’s articles appeared in the New York Folklore Quarterly, and some later reappeared in the book I Walk the Road Again: Great Stories from the Catskill Region, edited by Janis Benincasa and published by Purple Mountain Press. He was a coauthor of Folk Songs of the Catskills. He also wrote A Catskill Woodsman: Mike Todd’s Story, and a narrative poem about Mike Todd called All My Homespun Days, which was released by Smithsonian Folkways Records.