This is a day that we all knew was coming, yet I am still in shock and disbelief. Alice is right, it is hard to find words - and I don't think there are enough words to express the love we had for this woman and the magnificent gifts that she gave us.

The first time I met Odetta was in the late '70s. She was one of the first interviews that I ever conducted, and you can imagine the incredible sense of honor that I felt when I sat down with her that day. Cami mentioned that she spoke straight and did not pull punches - I can vouch for that! It was fascinating to talk with her and the power of her words in conversation was just as powerful as her legendary voice. What a voice - there was no equal.

Over the years she appeared on WFDU a number of times, often with Shirley Keller who hosted a show on the station during the 1980's and into the 90's. One year, we were holding a benefit concert for WFDU and Odetta agreed to appear - part of a lineup that featured about a dozen artists, but Odetta was obviously the "name" that most people wanted to hear.   The day before the event she called Shirley and informed her that she was recovering from a cold or something and could not sing, but she still wanted to appear. Shirley and I put our heads together and decided to conduct an interview with Odetta on stage. It was fascinating and the audience loved it.   As we neared the end, an audience member shouted out "sing something". Before Shirley and I had a chance to make an excuse, Odetta graciously began singing and received a standing ovation.

The last time I saw her was in Montreal a few years ago when the Folk Alliance honored her at with a lifetime achievement award at their annual concert. She was using a wheelchair by that point, but she still walked to the stage and her power had not diminished. She was singing and performing at concerts right through October, and earlier this summer I had a conversation with her agent about the possibility of presenting her at the Hurdy Gurdy next season.   I don't think anyone expected that she would succumb. Odetta was a powerful woman and I think everyone felt that she would defy the doctors and walk out of that hospital.

While we will have the recordings and memories, it is hard to accept that she is gone. Luckily, all of us who were touched by her spirit will never forget her.