Well I'm new to the mudcat, but not to Rick and Heather, I'm one of the lucky ones who got to know Rick (and Heather) through weekly guitar lessons from him, many years ago now.

Heather, my heart is broken for you, and my tears have been flowing as I read these amazing posts. You will remain in my heart, and I hope, in my life.

Rick truly did live by his own rules, didn't he. I spent so many evenings in the basement, picking, singing and smoking cigarettes (!) and listening to his stories, about how he skipped school to see Ingmar Bergeman films at a too young age, how he couldn't stand an office job, how he finally broke out of the drunken bar scene to get the respect he deserved as a folk legend. Rick truly had an encyclopaedic knowledge of music trivia (including the truly banal - I remember a story about Lester Flatt's pistol that he told me, which actually helped me finally nail the 'G' run!), and one to be admired. He was so kind, and funny.

I'm so sad he's gone, so sad he's never got to meet my husband (who even I hadn't met when I was working with Rick). He carved me a leather guitar strap which I proudly wear and show everyone I can... My regret is not having taken time to see him in the last years...

Someone mentioned Rick was agnostic, but I have no question that he's on the heavenly side now. I just wonder who he sat down to pick with first: Maybelle Carter? Charlie Poole? Big Bill Broonzy? Bill Monroe?
in the words of our mutual friend Steve Pritchard, Rick, "Keep on Pickin'"
with ALL my love, and until we meet again,
Amanda-Lynn xoxoxo