Though it breaks my heart, I too will be absent from this event. Distance and schedule conflicts make it impossible to be there to celebrate the life of my friend. Art was among the first people I met when I moved to Chicago in 1963. He was the only folksinger honoring "the tradition" with dignity and entertaining people at the same time. He used to tell me I was the only one he knew that could pull off singing "Tom Joad" in a Chicago bar. in the 1970s I was playing bluegrass so we didn't often cross musical paths but played a few shows together. It was always a joy. I think of him often.

      - Mark