BS: Hooray For Howard!

Subject: Hooray For Howard!
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 22 Oct 01 - 11:22 AM

On October 19-21, an Eisteddfod revisted festival was held in North Dartmouth, Mass. to celebrate the life, and impending retirement of Howard Glasser. A measure of the man Howard is, is the response that he received from endless musicians at the festival. Howard has probably encouraged and supported the traditional folk revival in this country more than any single person, other than Pete Seeger. No need to quibble about rank, here. Just let it be said that very few people have so lovingly and generously supported British Isles and American traditional music. Of all the festivals I have ever gone to, and/or performed at, the Eisteddfod was my favorite. Like all good things, it reflected the man (or woman) at the top. This time around, Sally Jones and a fine supporting staff were the ones who created the warm, relaxed environment. It was a time of reunion for the musicians. Some, I hadn't seen in over twenty years. We're all a little greyer,and most of us are heavier, but the love of the music has not diminished.

Howard encouraged my music, long before anyone knew who I was (many people still don't know who I was, and that's fine...) Most importantly, Howard tried to present the best traditional music he could find, without regard to reputation. The Saturday night concert was a testimonial to Howard, and because there were as many fine musicians in the audience as there were on stage, many people didn't have the opportunity to thank Howard directly. If you'll add you appreciation, I'll print the comments out and mail them to Howard.

He deserves all the respect and gratitude a man could get.

Jerry Rasmussen