I too have had a terribly strong feeling of loss since Joe emailed me the news of Barry's death. Somehow I felt this loss, viscerally, even more than I have felt at the death of people I've known much better.

I can't actually say I "knew" Barry - except for occasional online exchanges in Mudcat threads and, finally, being in the same room with him at the 2008 Getaway and getting to hear him several times and record videos of 3 of his songs. But, of course, his was a presence that had a powerful impact. Not just the voice, but the wonderful warmth, wit, and energy that emanate from this man.

The first time I hear him was when he and Ken Schatz were doing some spontaneous singing in the room where the auction items were at last year's Getaway. Jaw-dropping singing, to say the least.   Next day I learned who these two were. And then Barry dropped in about 4 or 5 AM in the Peace Cabin on Sunday AM -- just as we 'residents' were about to finally hit the sack.   Couldn't do that, of course, with Big Mick playing bodhran while Barry belted out "Salonika"and "Woolloomooroo Lair" "now, could we? *g*

Then on Sunday night Barry sang his own sardonic "Guantanamo Bay"" at the Sunday night concert.

I was so fortunate to be able to capture those 3 on video and, as I realize now, even more fortunate that the Barry Finn videos were not among the casualties of my hard drive crash earlier this year.   And Barry had added those 3 to his own, recently inaugurated YouTube channel: "MrBarryFinn"

I was sad to have to miss this year's Getaway and looked forward to hearing Barry again next year and maybe having the chance to get to know him a little better. So sorry that won't happen now.   But I do so value the contribution Barry has made to Mudcat and to the folk community.   
And, yes, that heavenly "choir"/"jam band" will now have another angelic voice. But that choir is growing too big, too fast to suit me.   (Bobert, it's looking like your Blues Band (w Floozies) workshop is gonna have strong competition again next year. This has got to stop.)

My condolences to Justine and the rest of the family.

Genie