Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio (1956-2021)

Subject: Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio 1956-20
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 22 Sep 21 - 03:25 PM

Those who are familiar with North Texas music may be familiar with the Fort Worth Guitar Studio, founded by Michael Dailey, and where he taught for many years. His long-time student and friend Will Douglas announced Michael's sudden death yesterday.

Friends, it is with profound sadness that I must inform you all that my dear friend, mentor, and teacher, Michael Dailey passed away yesterday morning at his home. I cannot properly tell you all how deep a sense of loss I feel today as I sit in his studio chair to give you this news. My first lesson with Michael was 20 years ago this November and it changed my life. I went from a kid who was lost, spoiled, and about to fail out of college, to the person I am today because I met this wonderful man. He leaves behind a giant footprint and I have tried to reach out to many of you, but I have become exhausted beyond my capacity, as Michael touched so many of you. That was the blessing of knowing Michael. To know him was to love him.

His studio is an institution, which I promised to him that I would continue. I will honor that promise. The Guitar Studio has brought a lot of love and music into the city of Fort Worth for 40 years and it will continue to do so. To any of his students just reading this, I know how you must be feeling if this is the first you are hearing about your beloved teacher. Please know that I am here for you if you need me.

I ask you all one favor as I help Michael's family, please pray for peace and wisdom for his children, Tess and Phoenix, and for me as well. I will need the Lord's guidance. I will miss my friend, Fort Worth's Father of the Classical Guitar, James Michael Dailey.

With love and condolences,
Will

The Guitar Studio / Classic Guitar Center

Michael was an excellent classical guitar performer and instructor, but his early guitar roots were in blues and rock and opening for big bands at regional concerts. Students pursued several types of performance at his studio (my son, a student for four years, alternated between classical and blues).

On a personal note, Michael was recommended to us through Mudcat. Wesley Smith I think is the one who first told me about Michael and his work not just at his studio but in running a guitar program in a northside school (middle or high school) and how funding for that was raised via several concerts sponsored every year with performers who flew in from around the world. I've stayed in touch with a number of those performers and students - it will turn out to be a large and diverse family that Mr. Dailey touched in his years of performing and teaching.

R.I.P.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio 1956-2021
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 21 - 03:31 PM

I am so saddened to hear this news about Michael! He was a good long-time friend, guitar teacher, and conductor of Guitar Fort Worth - classical guitar orchestra. Michael played at my wedding. I will miss him immensely!

Jon Gustafson

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio 1956-2021
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Sep 21 - 01:35 PM

I only knew Michael for the last six months but can say that he was the best guitar teacher I'd ever learned from and just an all around great guy. I so looked forward to our conversations every week and will really miss that. I'll be praying for all of his family and loved ones.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio 1956-2021
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 27 Sep 21 - 01:53 PM

Apparently Michael had been ill, and with the pandemic there wasn't as much teaching to help pay for anything, so his daughter has started a GoFundMe account to help pay for his funeral costs.

Michael Dailey Funeral and Memorial

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio (1956-2021)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Oct 21 - 11:09 PM

The coroner's office released his cause of death. It is ruled natural - he died of COVID-19. Damn.

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio (1956-2021)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 10:39 AM

The memorial for Michael Daily is this evening.


Please join us as we celebrate the life of Mr. Dailey:
Celebrating the life of James Michael Dailey
Adjunct Professor of Classical Guitar
Texas Wesleyan University Campus
(9/14/56 – 9/21/21)
Service
Polytechnic Methodist Church on the Texas Wesleyan University Campus
1310 Collard Street
Fort Worth, Texas
Friday, October 15th
7:30 PM
Preliminary music performed on piano by Echo Wilson (Adjunct Professor and co-worker of Michael Dailey’s from TCC)
"Un Sospiro" Franz Liszt
*"Clair de Lune" Claude Debussy
*"In My Life" P. McCartney & J. Lennon
*Recuerdos de la Alhambra” Francisco Tárrega – performed by Dr. Will Douglas
*”Julio Florida” Agustin Barrios Mangore performed by Jose’ Andrade (Michael Dailey’s student)
Eulogy by Dr. Will Douglas
Slideshow: Music to be played in the background of the slideshow:
* “Bach Suite” performed by Jared Harvey (Michael Dailey’s student)
*”Romance de los Pinos” Federico Moreno Torroba performed by Adam Folvag (close friend and fellow performer of Michael Dailey)
Bill Gradante – Mariachi instructor from JP Elder speaks
*”El Testament d'Amelia” by Miguel Llobet performed by Jessica Salas (Michael Dailey’s student)
*”Capricho Arabe” Francisco Tarrega performed by Froylan Cepeda (student of Michael Dailey’s)
Dr. Randy Phillips D.O. speaks
*”Dedicatoria” by Enrique Granados performed by Dexter Collins (Michael Dailey’s student)
Deanna Valone speaks (Michael and Phoenix Dailey’s student)
* “Michael” – original piece written in honor of Michael Dailey and performed by Deanna Valone
Adam Folvag speaks
* “Life of a Millionaire” performed by Adam Folvag
*”Malaguena” Ernesto Lecuona – performed by Adam Folvag saying “and Michael finished all this acts with this piece”’
*Indicates pieces that Michael Dailey frequently played and taught

Subject: RE: Obit: Michael Dailey, FW Guitar Studio (1956-2021)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 Oct 21 - 10:40 AM

For those who are not able to attend the Memorial Service in person :
You are invited to a Zoom webinar.

When: Oct 15, 2021 07:00 PM Central Time (US and Canada)
Topic: Celebrating the Life of James Michael Dailey (9/14/56 – 9/21/21)
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84890111861
Or One tap mobile :
    US: [phone],,84890111861# or [phone],,84890111861#
Or Telephone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
       US: [phone] or [phone] or [phone] or [phone] or [phone] or [phone]
Webinar ID: 848 9011 1861
    International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kbvql35vq7