I'm late to this thread. I only knew of Hedy West from a couple of mp3's that I downloaded from a CD site (now, sadly, defunct), namely the one of "Down The Road," and the joke about the glacier having gone back up north for more rocks...

I took a couple of clawhammer banjo classes from Laura Boosinger at a recent festival here in Houston, Texas, and at the concert on the final night, she mentioned that Ms West had passed on. I am saddened because
1. every loss of a banjo player means that many fewer chances to hear the old tunes played, if not always the stereotypical "right" way, at least in a way that suggests the way that they were originally intended.

2. Judging by what everyone has said about her, I think she must have been one of those rare persons who are a real joy to know -- and I wish that I had.

Here's hoping she gets to play in heaven!

MWBailey