Today, with the passing of Jay Smith, folk and traditional music has lost one of its most dedicated participants and supporters.

While it is highly unlikely that most of you knew Jay, it is equally likely that some of you did. While I knew Jay for nearly thirty years, it was only l;ast year that he mentioned having served in the army with Tom Paxton.

Posessed of one of the richest singing voices I have ever heard, Jay also was comfortable with guitar, banjo, mandolin, bodhran, and concertina.

It was nearly 26 years ago when Jay established The Press Room, in Portsmouth NH, a pub for good music and good beer. He offered the first draught Guinness in the state. Over the years, this club presented some of the greatest purveyors of our music, Staines, Killen, Van Ronk, Geremia, Paley, Skye, Roberts, kust too many to list; and I apologise if I left any of you off.

Soon after opening, he added jazz. Nearly every major jazz player who played Boston found time to come North to this little pub.

But more important than the famous musicians he booked were the unknowns who were equally welcomed and supported. More than a few are quite well known now. Jay was one of the factors in making coastal New Hampshire one of the richest musical enclaves in the country.

His support of the arts in general was great, yet virtually unknown as a result of his modesty.

Whether you knew Jay or not, please join me in a pint or glass in his memory, sing a song, play a tune, and if at all possible, vote Democratis. Thats the way he would have liked it -- Tom