Greetings to Roy Harris

Subject: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 18 Aug 99 - 12:20 PM

Many of you know and love Roy Harris, one of the finest singers of English traditional songs, and one of the most funny, loving, and lovable human beings to share his music with us on this side of the Big Puddle. Roy first came into my life in February of 1976 when I, new to the Washington area and living at Helen Schneyer's, was assigned to pick Roy up at the Greyhound bus station in D.C. He stayed at Helen's for several days, did his first (of many) Washington house concert, and enchanted me with his music, his enthusiasm for America (particularly country & western music and American Diners), and his great sense of fun.

Roy has had some very hard times of late, and some of his friends in the U.K. are banding together to raise funds and cheer in celebration of his contributions to the folk community. Since few of us U.S. 'Catters are likely to be in Nottingham on October 30 for the "Roy Harris Folk Day" that is being planned, I want to put together a collection of good wishes from Roy's American friends.

If you, like I, are a Roy Harris friend, fan, admirer -- please send an e-mail greeting, addressed to Roy, to my PERSONAL e-mail address:

[e-mail] (click)

Please send your message no later than September 30. To help me out, please put "Greetings to Roy Harris" in the subject line of your message.

I'll compile all the messages received into a package of greetings from Roy's U.S. friends, and airmail them to him with a special card in time for the Nottingham celebration.

Thanks for your help in this endeavor. I look forward to receiving LOTS of e-mail for Roy before September 30th.

If you want to check out plans for the Nottingham "do," there are two websites with more info. They are:

http://www.dougporter.freeserve.co.uk
and http://www.folkwales.org.uk/roy.html

Kathy Westra

Links fixed by one of Joe's little helpers

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 18 Aug 99 - 12:26 PM

Hi Kath. Great to see you on Mudcat. How are the pussycats?

Roy is a wonderful singer and I'm so glad I got a chance to meet him at Mystic. Sorry he's been going through a rough period, but this is where the folk community usually comes through in a big way.

Rick

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 18 Aug 99 - 12:45 PM

Misty misses you and wants to know when you and Heather are coming back to D.C. because she got much more quality attention when you were visiting. Please do send a message for Roy that I can compile into what I hope will be a goodly stack of good wishes. Kath

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 18 Aug 99 - 12:59 PM

Kathy, dear:

I'll send my note of good wishes direct to Roy. I assume he still has his own address for E-pistles. If he's now off-line, please let me know. Wouldn't Roy be a great Mudcatter? Let's work on getting him into the community!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Art Thieme
Date: 18 Aug 99 - 02:38 PM

Kathy,

This is terribly shocking news! Roy and I have been communicating pretty regularly in the last 2 years---just not recently... You know how that goes. Just a few months ago we swapped all of our old vinyl recordings on cassettes. I sent him USA revival things he wanted and got some grand Ewan & Peggy work in return. I'll E-mail Elaine and the man right now, but this IS bad news. I do hope he's well---Elaine too. Met the man at Pinewoo0ds Camp when we both were on staff one fine summer...

Whw !

Art

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Liam's Brother
Date: 18 Aug 99 - 04:36 PM

I first met Roy in the mid '70s. We've been friends since then. He is, as described by all, a very sweet guy.

I last saw him about 18 months ago when he sang at the Herga folk club north of London. I last talked to Roy on the phone in January. Roy, Mike & Tony (i.e. Mainbrace) and I were going to a folk club that night. Roy lives near Cardiff and his transportation bombed out, therefore we didn't get together. My understanding is that Roy's primary challenge is that he gets down (and I don't mean boogalooing) every now and then.

Please give him my best and say I look forward to seeing him in November.

Thanks,
Dan Milner

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: katlaughing
Date: 19 Aug 99 - 12:07 PM

Sounds as though Roy is a great person. When I first saw the name of this thread, I was all set to post about the great American classical composer, Roy Harris, who used folk songs in his music, in a much better way, in my opinion, than the much-touted Copland, so I didn't think it was too much of a stretch for him to appear at the Cat, except that I was wondering how we'd greet him, as he passed on years ago. I had some great stories about him, to relate, as my brother got to study with him, privately, when he went to Southern Illinois U.

Oh, well, I continue to learn about so many wonderful artists here. Thanks for adding another.

Katwhoneverpaidattentiontofolkdetailswhenakid

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 19 Aug 99 - 02:32 PM

Just got a phone call from Sara Grey in Scotland, and she will hand-deliver all of our messages of cheer to Roy at the Nottingham event in his honor on October 30.

Art -- could you send an e-mail to me at with Roy's e-mail? and yours?

Kat -- WHENEVER you discover something new in folk music you're a kid again. Roy's worth discovering! It's fun for us old jaded folkies to catch the enthusiasm of people like you who are discovering stuff for the first time. Sandy and Carolina Paton helped me discover much in this folk music world -- music and people -- for which I'm eternally indebted. Keep digging! By the way, composer Roy Harris IS extremely interesting. Think how musically well-rounded you are! Kathy

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 02:47 PM

I've heard from a few of you, and from Sandy and Art who promised to write Roy directly. Actually, if you guys could also send a greeting to be included in the BIG BUNCH to be presented to Roy in October, that would be great.

Keep those messages coming!

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 02:52 PM

Will do, Kathy.

Grandpa Paton (rescuer of gentle maidens in Michigan)

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 02:59 PM

My hero! K.

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Art Thieme
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 11:00 PM

Kathy,

I still can't find a way to send personal messages and I don't have your E-mail address. Did you get Roy's address yet? I do hope so.

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Barry Finn
Date: 20 Aug 99 - 11:30 PM

Never had the chance to meet or hear him but for many years now I'd been listening to him on recordings & was thrilled to find his name on the list for this past Mystic Seaport Festival but he couldn't make it with the rest of Mainbrace & I was sorely bummed. If water does seek it's own level, then Roy must be one hell of a fella, I did get a chance to meet & sing with Mike & Tony & a couple of better folk you'd be hard pressed to find & you certainly can judge someone by the company they keep, I'm sure I missed meeting a great man, best of luck. Barry

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Art Thieme
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 10:45 PM

Dear Roy, Greetings from Peru, Illinois. Things are fine on our end--at least when I'm listening to those wonderful cassettes of your vinyl LPs. Thanks so much for doing 'em for me.

Yep, you have left some wonderful musical artifacts for the edification of those lucky enough to find your recordings here at the doorstep of the new century. Damn it man, you've got so very many of us absolutely KNOWING that you're gonna be hale and hearty and real quick. Our son, Chris, just married Shannon---and they send best wishes to you from their place in Chicago too. Right at this moment, I'm downing a shot of Glenlivet after holding it high with you and Elaine in mind and hoping for wonderful things for you good people---and very soon!

Send me an e-mail that things are indeed looking up & it'll make my whole month of September.

Love to you both,

Art

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: katlaughing
Date: 30 Aug 99 - 11:05 PM

Thanks for your comments, Kathy. I love amusing the jaded.**big grin**! I do feel pretty lucky to have grown up with so much diversity in music: mom & dad playing for dances, all of us singin, in the car, around the campfire, the piano on Sat. nights, dad still going out and playing at 82, then the classical side of all us kids taking lessons, my brother's compostions, etc. I've got a darn good ear because of it all!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 02:05 AM

I sent a personal message to Roy, and another to Kathy for public delivery at the big shindig. Any more of you able to contribute your thoughts and wishes to this wonderful fellow? He's one of us, folks, and it sounds as though he needs some hugs and encouragement. Let's provide both!

Sandy

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Joan Sprung
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 12:34 PM

Hey, Kath, Just poking around the messages, and was delighted that Roy's old pals are responding to your e-note--and thereby, a few lucky folks will get to discover him. Besides his years of performing, he ran one of the finest and best organized folk clubs in Nottingham for many years, setting a precedent on "how to do it right!" That he's a kind, perceptive man to boot, is gravy. Joan

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 12:59 PM

Hi Joan. Glad to see you on the 'Cat! Yup, Roy is the best. So far, I've only heard from you, Art, Sandy, Rick, Nancy Mattila & Dick Swain, and Dick & Marlene Levine. Would love to amass some additional well-wishes for the giant greeting card to be presented to Roy on October 30. Keep 'em coming!

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Melodeon
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 02:53 PM

Kath, Please give Roy and Elaine lots of love from Roger and Viv Grimes, We are hoping to be able to get back to Nottingham for his day but may not be able.

Melodeon

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 03:07 PM

Will do! Hope you're able to make it to Nottingham on the 30th of October. Where's home for you? Kath

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Melodeon
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 03:24 PM

Hi again Kath, Home for us now is Gloucester, but we lived in nottingham for many years and Roger was one of Roy's sucessors at NTMC and in fact sang with Roy as part of Notts Alliance many years ago.

Melodeon

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 04:17 PM

Pleased to make your acquaintance! As Joan Sprung said, the Nottingham Club had the reputation of "doing it right" by traditional music. I'm sure Roy will be delighted to hear from you. Kath

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: bill\sables
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 07:10 PM

Hi Cath, I knew Roy in the 60s when he sang at Shotley Bridge Folk club we traveled around a lot together and stayed at each others homes in those days. Roy got me a lot of bookings when I started singing pro and we kept in touch for years. When my daughter went to college in Nottingham she stayed for a few weeks with Roy and Elaine who looked after her very well for me, It was good to know she could call on them if she needed help. I have always considered Roy one of the best and most professional singers the UK has ever produced and am proud to number him among my friends. I remember well one night after playing the Topic Folk Club Bradford we were traveling to Roy's home in the worst fog I have ever known I was driving that night and Roy spent the whole journey hanging out of the passenger window keeping me on the road, We got to his place safely after hours of driving and very tired. Please give him my best regards Cheers Bill and Lorna Sables

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: aesop
Date: 31 Aug 99 - 09:19 PM

Dear Roy, Greetings from Anne Price in New York. I'll always remember the times we shared at Pinewoods Camp, and elsewhere. Best wishes and warm thoughts.

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 04:39 PM

Thought I'd give this thread another boost. Would really like to have LOTS of greetings for Roy. Either post them here, or send them to my personal e-mail () with "Greetings to Roy" in the subject line. I'll be collecting well-wishes until the end of the month. The more the merrier! Kathy

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: Lorraine
Date: 01 Sep 99 - 06:14 PM

Hi Roy I was lucky to hear you on your last tour in Washington,D.C.(Silver Spring, Md., acturally) What wonderful house concert that was. You were wonderful!! I truly enjoyed the concert and keep my fingers crossed to see you again, while counting myself lucky to have seen you in person. Thank you. Lorraine Van Buren

Subject: Greetings to Roy Harris
From:
Date: 02 Sep 99 - 11:49 AM

Hi All,

If you want to send your message direct as well as posting here then my dad's email address is:-

[e-mail]

Cheers..

Neil.

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 02 Sep 99 - 11:51 AM

Hi Neil. Thanks for the address. Actually, I'd love to have people do both. We're putting together a big card as a surprise from your dad's U.S. friends, and will deliver it to him on the 30th of October. But I know lots of folks want to write him directly as well. Kathy

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From:
Date: 07 Sep 99 - 02:53 PM

Hi Roy. Long time no see. I'm still singing, still teaching, Still travelling. Just a line to say all the best. Pat Ryan(as was!!!!)

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 27 Sep 99 - 03:21 PM

Refresh.

The gathering in celebration of Roy Harris' contributions to the folk music scene, both in America and in the U.K. is a month away. I am still collecting greetings from Roy's friends, to be incorporated into a card that will be presented to Roy on October 30.

If you have not yet sent Roy a greeting, please send e-mail TO ME AT MY PERSONAL E-Mail ADDRESS, with "Greetings to Roy" in the subject line. I need to have all greetings and well-wishes in hand by the end of this week in order to get the card made and shipped off in time. Thanks for participating!
Kath

Subject: RE: Greetings to Roy Harris
From: KathWestra
Date: 27 Sep 99 - 03:40 PM

It would help, I suppose, if I gave everyone my personal e-mail address to which "Greetings to Roy" should be sent. It is: [e-mail].
Kath

Hi, Kath - angle brackets <> are read as HTML commands by the 'Cat, and they make things invisible. I fixed it for you.
-Joe Offer-