It's 2 a.m., I just got back from Toronto and I wanted to check in on this thread before slipping into a coma for the night. Thank you Heather for inviting me to come, and Peter for taking care of me, and Tony for organizing this great tribute concert.

We had such a wonderful time remembering Rick and enjoying the music of good friends, old and new-- I'm very grateful that I got to be part of it.

As I listened to an one amazing performer after another light up the stage, Peter T. sat beside me whispering little bits of history and context, and revealing the incredible depth of influence this man had in people's lives.

Some of my favorite moments included the aforementioned eulogy by Mose... great stories about performing with Rick by nearly everybody... non-stop musical prestidigitation by Tony Quarrington... beautiful voices of Mary Kelly, Eve Goldberg and the sweet sounds of the Patons...

The songs Garnet Rogers sang especially for Rick, one called Blood Brothers and the other a new piece he wrote just after hearing of Rick's death, both wonderful... some fine, fine pickin' by Ken Whiteley and Cathy & Arnie & Naeman and Chris Coole and on and on...

I loved Chris Quinn's irreverent memoirs of being Rick's student-- "...He told me I should give up, I'd never amount to anything, and who was I to think I could get up and play..." Joe Hall's brilliantly insane music... Paul Mills' chicken (followed by a great song done with an instrument Rick had given him)... the astounding talent of the very, very silly Grit Laskin...

I was also taken by Jeri's brave and touching example of the the courage Rick gave his students... and an incredibly powerful piece of poetry by our dear Peter T. on Rick as a teacher and guide. Peter's words had us all sobbing backstage just before we had to go on, and Tony Quarrington said "I knew there was a good reason I asked Peter to prepare something for tonight, but I didn't know just what the reason was until now."

I'm forgetting to mention things-- there were so many wonderful moments last night, but you'll hear about them all eventually as this thread unfolds.

One parting thought: We got a serious scare when Mick didn't show up or call and we couldn't find him. We were spending the night in the company of people we loved, missing Rick and aching over his loss, and all too present was the fear that something might have happened to another dear friend as well. I'm so glad that scare is over.

I'm awfully glad to hear that you're safe and recovering now sweetie-- I know you wanted to be there last night and I wish you could have been, but I sure am glad you're okay. Of course now you're in danger of having the STUFFING hugged out of you when we see you next, so tell the doctors to get your stuffing in good shape.


hugs all around,
pj