Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (1933-2009)

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: Thomas Stern
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 12:35 AM

Just noticed the following, which will be of interest:
1. article from SOUTHERN CULTURE 2000 (40th Anniversary) about the NEW LOST CITY RAMBLERS http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/southern_cultures/v006/6.4gura.html
2. 1 hour documentary about the New Lost City Ramblers directed by Yasha Aginsky, ALWAYS BEEN A RAMBLER, just issued on DVD.
3. On August 25, Smithsonian Folkways will issue a 3-CD Box set which includes the two previously released retrospective CDs (1958-1962, 1963-1973), plus a 3rd disc with source recordings: SF 40180 50 YEARS

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: NormanD
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 07:04 AM

I can only echo the thoughts and kind words written above. I never knew Mike Seeger, but still seemed to know him through his music over the years. His album, recorded with Peggy, "American Folk Songs For Children", got us through so many long car journeys, the tunes must now be in our son's DNA.

Mike may well have started to come into more public prominence recently. He plays autoharp on the last track of the Alison Krauss / Robert Plant multi-seller - it is my favourite on the album.

Let's think of him, send him our strength, help give him restful and happy days.

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,Michele Callaghan
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 09:53 AM

I don't remember a time when I didn't love listening to the New Lost City Ramblers. I saw Mike Seeger in the 70s when I was a student at SUNY Buffalo. We in the DC area were lucky enough to have a concert of Mike, Peggy, and Pete Seeger recently. That night will not be forgotten. I have been singing a medley of NLCR songs since reading this news.

May his last days be full of loved ones and peace.

Michele Callaghan

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: open mike
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 10:49 AM

further links expanded from previous post
Just noticed the following, which will be of interest:

1. article from SOUTHERN CULTURE 2000 (40th Anniversary)
http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/southern_cultures/v006/6.4gura.html

2. 1 hour documentary about the New Lost City Ramblers directed by Yasha Aginsky, ALWAYS BEEN A RAMBLER, just issued on DVD.
the film's web site
Showings:

Friday May 22, 2009 at 7:30 pm - The Coastside Film Society Community United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 777 Miramontes, Half Moon Bay

Sun. May 31, 2009 - Mendocino Film Festival - 1:30 PM -- Crown Hall, Mendocino - includes a question and answer session with Yasha Aginsky, and live music by some of the musicians appearing in the film, including Jody Stecher and Eric Thompson.

Wed. Sept 9, 2009- Pacific Film Archive, Berkeley - opening night of the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention - with a question and answer session with Mike Seeger and Yasha Aginsky, plus live old time music

3. On August 25, Smithsonian Folkways will issue a 3-CD Box set which includes the two previously released retrospective CDs (1958-1962, 1963-1973), plus a 3rd disc with source recordings: SF 40180 50 YEARS
Folkways has several recordings of NLCR

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,ewgibson
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 12:06 PM

I want to thank Mike for his generosity and kindness.   It was about two years ago, I spoke with Mike on the phone.   Now, mind you I called him out of the blue not expecting him to personally answer the phone. After all, this is a big music celebrity.   Well, he not only answered the phone, but was so patient and gracious. I told him about the project I was working on, which was to do a tribute for Leslie Riddle.   Being that Mike was the person who first brought Riddle back into the limelight, he was excited about the project. He generously gave tapes of his recording of Riddle and photos. On top of that he gave of himself and performed at the Riddlefest in Burnsville,North Carolina two years in a row.   He made that celebration of the music of Leslie Riddle not only memorable but a magical one.    With the photos Mike provided, I was able to do a oil painting and drawing of Leslie Riddle which hangs in the Town Center and in the Riddle recording studio. Mike Seeger is one of a kind individual and musician extrodinaire. God bless him and I am thankful for having met this wonderful man.
Elizabeth W. Gibson

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: MissouriMud
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 04:23 PM

Echoing what Art said - Mike and the New Lost City Ramblers were a critical force in preserving much of the traditional "Old Time" Appalachian music and maintaining the public's interest in it. While many of us caught the folk bug in the late 50's, a good many (not all) of us moved substantially into singer/songwriter material in the 60's (and later to folk rock, soft pop, country, bluegrass, newgrass etc) and those guys didn't. They just kept doing what they did for half a century until people like me, who had almost forgotten about them, came back to them, found them still there as good as ever, and came to appreciate what a debt we owed them.   Others certainly helped, including my own local hero John Hartford, but Mike and the other Ramblers were there from the get go, stayed for the duration, and never lost their way.   I never saw them perform but I listen to their music constantly. Thanks for doing it, Mike for all of us.

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,MRS FLANNERY--Tullamore
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 05:03 PM

We have no words except,------
"Every step we are taking were drifting closer ,
Over the water to that beautiful shore,
Oh Saviour with mercy look down upon us ,
Were waiting for the boatman to guide us o,er"

I think that was Mike & Tom Paley on the Sue Cow album 196?
Our thoughts are with you & your family Mike
& may your boatman guide you gently o,er.

Mar focail scoir,

Ter rissilty ,ressilty, rustical quality, inkity yonkety,
Oh dom-doffis and nickety , nicekty,-- nah -na -nah
Ta bron mor orainn ,
Ma Flannery & Oldtimer

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 05:22 PM

Such wonderful stories of his life and art. Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

SRS

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,Greg Anderson
Date: 31 Jul 09 - 09:01 PM

Mike,

You have brought me years of pleasure listen to your music and seeing you perform in person. I enjoyed the story about you wanting a mohagany Martin parlor guitar as a teen and your mother saying that it was "too commercial". You later got one and took it around the world until you realized how special it was and kept it safe at home. You are special to your many fans. You have inspired us to cherish songs of the past and simplicity and authenticity in music.

We shared the love of the music of another songwriter, Roland Lakey, who also left a legacy of great songs. Thanks for your legacy to music.

Take care,

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 12:26 PM

I remember Mike from the old days at the Ash Grove. Ed Pearl became the unofficial fourth member of the NLCR even to the point where he was sporting a vest like they wore.

Mike was undoubtably one of the most important people in folk music.
He blazed his own trail different from his half brother Pete by going into depth in Appalachian traditional music. He has left a wonderful legacy for people to study. It would be interesting to hear Tom Paley's account of his association with Mike as well as Tracy Schwartz and John Cohen (if he is still with us).

Mike and I had a distant association. I always admired his performances as so did many. I was taken with his autoharp and singing of "When First Unto This Country, A Stranger I Came".

I hope Mike is comfortable as he can be in this trying time and he
is assured that many appreciate his vast accomplishments.

Frank Hamilton

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 01:01 PM

I saw Mike in concert and met him several times over the last several years. What great musician as well as a gentleman.

I snapped this photo at a show in 2007 of Mike, Tony Trishka & autoharp wizard Drew Smith -- they were about to play "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".

Will the circle be unbroken
By and by, Lord, by and by
There's a better home awaiting
In the sky, Lord, in the sky

Godspeed, Mike!

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 02:07 PM

Guest - I had the honor of emceeing that show at a venue that I am the president of here in New Jersey - the Hurdy Gurdy Folk Music Club. That was our second to last concert in our old Paramus home before we moved to Fair Lawn.

It was a memorable night. I was hoping that we would have had a better turnout, but the crowd that was there had a real treat. Mike was amazing. He thoroughly entertained, and educated, the audience. When Tony and Drew joined him on stage at the end, it was a very emotional moment for me.

My thoughts and prayers are with Mike and his family. We owe him so much. Thank you Mike.

Guest - I would love to share a copy of your photo on the Hurdy Gurdy website. Please either PM me or write to me at [e-mail] . Thanks for sharing that amazing picture!

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,Hootenanny
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 03:51 PM

To Guest above.

Re Tom Paley yes he is still with us in the UK and plays regularly at clubs both solo and with his son Ben and fellow New Yorker Joe Locker.
He can be seen most Sundays in a pub session near "The Angel" in north London. Tom was featured in three progarmmes on BBC TV back in February as were other members of the NLCR and many other musicians involved in the "folkscare" from the beginning.
Because of these guys we now have a vast amount of knowledge and an incredible amount of archive material at our fingertips. Thankyou Mike, John, Tom and Tracy.

Hoot

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: outfidel
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 04:12 PM

Hi Ron -

I was the "Guest" who posted the pic of Mike above. Thanks again for organizing and hosting a wonderful night of music at the Hurdy Gurdy.

On that evening, I was sitting in the front row and took a handful of photos -- you can grab any or all of them in this photo album.

Of course, you can use the for the Hurdy Gurdy site. But I'll worn you that my photo skills aren't very good -- I won't make people forget David Gahr any time soon. ;)

(btw the last photo in that album is a screen shot from Mike's Early Southern Guitar DVD -- I'm amazed at how he plays guitar & panpipes at the same time. I guess you'll have to ask Homespun Tapes or somebody for rights to use that one).

Two things that I remember most from Mike's show that night:

1) How he moved effortlessly from instrument to instrument. In fact, with my pictures, I tried to snap one of him playing each instrument -- banjo, gourd banjo, guitar, Jew's harp, autoharp, fiddle.

2) When he came out for the encore, he asked for request. I shot up my hand and asked for "Will the Circle Be Unbroken". He asked me if I wanted him to play it on autoharp or guitar. Since I'm a guitar player, I requested guitar, but he was already holding the autoharp and decided to start the song on that instrument. Then he stopped and said, "Wait a second, we've got one of the greatest banjo players and one of the greatest autoharp players in the audience tonight." And that's when he brought up Tony Trishka (who had played in the first set) and Drew Smith (who had been sitting next to me; I had no idea who the guy was). Mike switched to guitar and they did "Circle" plus a few more songs for the encore.

What a show. What an artist.

All the best,
Michael

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: open mike
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 06:00 PM

Can anyone tell us anything about the guitar he is playing in that pic with the pan pipe..it looks old...and special..with a unique cut and no doubt Mike made it sound great!

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,Frug
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 07:54 PM

Sending good vibes out for Mike and family.......... I remember Mike and his then wife Alice coming to a folk club in Birmingham UK ( White Lion I think) They were accompanied by Bill Clifton I recorded the event on an old cassette tape recorder. They were kind enough to infill with lots of chat so that I could change the tapes. At the end of the gig Mike indicated that he wished to sell his guitar, a baby Martin 0018 which he had purchased for the tour he was doing. My mate Bern bought it following a trip down to Surrey and tea with Mike, Alice, Peggy and Ewan McColl, also remember from that gig a funny story about a hire car and the AA ( auto mobile association) Nice man good man great musician

Mike you are inspirational. my respect, love and blessings to you.


Frank

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: outfidel
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 07:56 PM

open mike - In his liner notes to Early Southern Guitar Styles, Mike says that it's a "1930s ladder-braded Kaycraft guitar with arched top and back." On the video, he's using it to play Henry Thomas's "Fishing Blues".

btw I *highly* recommend this DVD -- 2 disks worth of Mike teaching & playing great old songs. Since I picked it up in December, I've been working on his arrangement of Sylvester Weaver's "Smoketown Strut". Great stuff.

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: Ebbie
Date: 01 Aug 09 - 10:32 PM

I swear I posted on this thread a moment ago - but it ain't there.

Song of the Mountains on PBS reran a set that Mike Seeger did there some time back. Just Mike with his voice and his instruments, including his gourd banjo.

I think Mike's autoharp playing is about as good as I've ever heard anyone do. I first heard him via video with Alice Gerrard and Hazel Dickens. He's *good*.

Mike Seeger was Guest Artist one year at the Alaska Folk Festival but it was before I got to Juneau, so I never heard him live. I regret that.

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,Steve Goodbar
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 07:42 PM

Got to pick with Mike in Tucson once. He also gave me some invaluable mandolin tips. He is without a doubt one of the greatest musicians and folklorists of our time. Thank you Mike!

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: voyager
Date: 02 Aug 09 - 07:46 PM

In appreciation of Mike Seeger's gift to music, here's a brief look at the Seeger Family Reunion Concert in Silver Spring, MD. (March 2007) with Mike, Pete and Peggy performing. This show tops my list for FSGW concerts over many years. Group photo and annotated songlist included.

Seeger Family Reunion Concert (SetList) - March 2007

A Seeger Family Fan - for Life!
voyager

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: Rex
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 03:41 PM

You all have likely seen the PBS American Masters episode of Pete Seeger, "The Power of Song". It is my hope that someone will document Mike's story as well. It would be a worthy study for all the folks that Mike has known and performed with over the years.

Rex

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,Suzy T.
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 06:31 PM

There's a new documentary about the New Lost City Ramblers which was just released last week, directed by Yasha Aginsky and co-produced by Chris Strachwitz, Tom Diamant and myself under the auspices of the Arhoolie Foundation. Lots of great footage of Mike including some cool archival footage. Website is here: http://www.alwaysbeenarambler.org

Yasha was interested in doing a film about Mike next, but Mike didn't want it. He always has been very self-effacing. One of the things that many of us have learned from him was that thing of always serving the music (instead of putting the music to our own use) and of course the payoff is that experience that sometimes takes place where you are playing and go way deep into the tune and transcend your own ego and baggage.

Words cannot express how much Eric & I will both miss him, he has been a mentor and a good friend to us.
Suzy Thompson

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 03 Aug 09 - 09:16 PM

Mike has been an inspiration to me for close to fifty years.

Russ (Permanent GUEST)

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: GUEST
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 05:33 PM

Most recent news is that Mike is just mostly sleeping now. As noted, he's at home, with his wife, sister and son. Words cannot express.
Suzy T.

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 06 Aug 09 - 05:46 PM

Thank you, Suzy, for that update. I just heard this afternoon that things were progressing quickly. What sad news.

Dan

Subject: RE: Mike Seeger - entering hospice (July, 2009)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 02:54 AM

on the trad-dance-callers list, Dudley Laufman wrote:

"Mike Seeger is the 2009 recipient of the Bess Lomax Hawes National Heritage Fellowship. We were so much looking forward to meeting him when we go to Washington in September to take part in our involvement of getting a NEA Fellowship.

"Someone from the NEA will be travelling this week to Mike's bedside to deliver the award."

Subject: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (August 2009)
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 11:47 PM

Mike Seeger died tonight (August 7, 2009) in hospice care at his home, surrounded by his wife, his sons and his sister. He was at peace and not in pain.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (August 2009)
From: Amergin
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 11:50 PM

Well...if there is a good way to go that is it...I remember when my opa died of cancer many years ago...we were all with him, telling him that he will be reunited with his loved ones that went before...

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (August 2009)
From: ClaireBear
Date: 07 Aug 09 - 11:59 PM

Farewell, and I am glad it was a parting among loved ones and free of pain.

But it's hard.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 03:53 PM

I haven't seen Pete or Peggy perform, but I did have a chance to see Mike perform at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. I really enjoyed his performance. He was so unassuming and approachable, but he really knew his music. It was a wonderful performance.
May he rest in peace.

-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Mark Ross
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 04:08 PM

I have seen all 3 in performance(wish I could have seen them all together). Mike was my favorite.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Mary Katherine
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 04:14 PM

If anyone wants to send a card or personal note to the family, they've asked that it come to us, and we will forward to them unopened. Address is

The Family of Mike Seeger
c/o Folklore Productions
1671 Appian Way
Santa Monica, CA 90401

At some point something may be decided about when/where/whether there will be a public memorial service, and when that happens I will post it here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: gnu
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 04:30 PM

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 04:52 PM

........it's good life when someone can do what they enjoy, and at the same time bring pleasure and knowlege to others. Mike did that for me for over 45 years.

bye...

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 05:00 PM

Another man done gone.

I wish there was more that one could say.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: maeve
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 06:33 PM

Well done, Mike. We'll remember.

maeve

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Zany Mouse
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 06:34 PM

WAY too many joining that folk club in the clouds.

Sympathy sent from Worksop, UK

Blessings
Rhiannon

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Ref
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 06:44 PM

What a too little-known treasure this man was.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 06:51 PM

Truly I'm sad at his passing. As I write this I am listening to "Mike Seeger, Third Annual Farewell Reunion" from about 15 years ago.

I did see him in concert at UCLA, perhaps about ten years ago, maybe more. I think Tom Paxton was the, more or less, headliner. Seeger shared the stage with Louden Wainright and a couple of others as I recall. While it was all good, I was disappointed that he didn't have more to do.

Unlike Joe O., I scored the trifecta--Pete at Santa Monica Civic 1962 or '63; Peggy, solo, at CalTech Folk Music Club concert late '80s or early '90s; Mike as noted above.

Thank you and RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: ex-pat
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 07:34 PM

There seems to be an awful lot of folks dying this year.
Mike Seeger was a stalwart in his chosen genre for most of my lifetime. A true great RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Tradsinger
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 08:00 PM

What a great contribution he made to folk music. RIP Mike.

Tradsinger

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Andrez
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 08:15 PM

Just a small, humble and very respectful contribution of sadness and regret for Mikes passing from the other side of the Pacific. Surrounded by family..... well I cant think of a better way to go.

Now the question is whether Autoharp and Banjo players can actually get past St Peter at the Pearly gates. If not where do they go?

:-)

Cheers,

Andrez

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: GUEST,Bruce and Debbie Hutton
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 08:25 PM

Mike was a true mentor to so many. When we were in college in Ohio in the late sixties Bruce took me to hear Mike on one of our first dates. It was my first introduction to folk music. I don't think bruce ever imagined that he would one day sit in our own living room or at the home of friends let along on a stage or even briefly in a recording studio to make music with someone he admired so much.
We will miss him greatly.

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: GUEST,Allan S
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 08:28 PM

God bless old friend Rest in peace

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Little Robyn
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 09:54 PM

We've been listening to my old Folkways FA2325, Mike Seeger Old Time Country Music.
We'll play 'I'm a man of constant sorrow' on our radio show in a couple of hours.
Mike came to NZ back in 1969 and 1970 - for Banjo Picker's Conventions in Hamilton and again in October 1970 with Alice for a series of concerts and then a festival at Palmerston North.
We were there and thoroughly enjoyed it!
Much love to Mike's family.
Robyn and Mitch

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Padre
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 10:15 PM

RIP Mike

Padre

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 10:20 PM

On March 17, 2007, Mike, Peggy & Pete played a concert just north of Wash DC. As far as I know, it was the last time they played together.

Here is one picture of them together...it's the best one of Mike I got. (no flash, and a bit washed out under stage lights)

Seegers

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 08 Aug 09 - 10:33 PM

Bill-

Thanks for posting that picture.

We also hosted Mike with the Portland Folk Club (Maine) in the 1980's, and had a great turnout and a wonderful evening of traditional songs, played with an amazing array of musical instruments.

The New Lost City Ramblers were one of my favorite recording groups to mine when I was first learning songs. I felt they were folks that I could rely on, and I still do!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: mark gregory
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 01:19 AM

Sad to hear he's gone, I met him when I was a young folkie in Sydney, he came with the rest of the New Lost City Ramblers to Australia back in 1965.

They performed at the Wallace Theatre (lecture theatre) at Sydney University at a packed concert organised by the late Chris Kempster and other students and we were all enthralled. I actually recorded that concert but the reel of tape has long since disappeared I'm afraid

Subject: RE: Obit: Mike Seeger RIP (7 August 2009)
From: GUEST,astro
Date: 09 Aug 09 - 02:04 AM

I was so happy to see him in Los Angeles last year, the only time I saw him. I was looking forwards to the Berkeley Old Time Music Festival to see him again, but will now look beyond the pearly gates to see him instead some day.

The best to his family and to him.

Astro in Los Angeles with a sad Desert Dancer who knew him personally some time ago...