John Hartford

Subject: John Hartford
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 07 May 01 - 10:05 AM

I've always admired John for his brilliant musicianship and entertainment in both in bluegrass and old time music, and was saddened to hear about his illness. This is a message that was posted to BANJO-L listserve the other day. Hey folks, > > > > David Holt and I went down to NAshville yesterday to visit with John > > Hartford. I think he is spending most of his day out on the porch on a > > daybed so he can watch the river, feel the breeze and all. He seemed very > > week when we arrived. Maybe drugs....he seemed to perk up the longer we > > were there. Vassar Clements and Earl and Louise Scruggs came by and we > all > > visited. I think it was good for both John and Marie to have a little > > company. The Scruggs' brought a ham and I brought brownies-although not > the > > kind John usually eats! Anyway, someone else was there massaging him. He > > feels that he is in his worst nightmare as he can't use his hands and > can't > > play. Apparently the cancer has caused nerve damage. He thinks he will > > have more chem/radiation, but MArie says it won't happen. > > > > He was still joking around even though he couldn't talk very loud. he > > definitely needs to eat more to get his strength up but that is difficult > to > > do. > > > > I think it keeps him focused when people come by. It was nice to just > > listen to Earl tell stories about playing with Monroe and Lester Flatt. > And > > John seemed to enjoy hearing that. John also told some funny jokes, that > > was amazing. > > > > Matt Combs, who played fiddle at the last few shows, lives close by and > > seems to come by every day and check on things. > > > > You might want to drop a note or go by if you can. > > we hope to go back.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: Kim C
Date: 07 May 01 - 10:22 AM

John is definitely on my list of musical heroes. I wish him well.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: Whistle Stop
Date: 07 May 01 - 10:42 AM

John is a great one, and it's sad to hear he's in such rough shape. I never met him, but saw him perform a couple of times, and enjoy his music (and the personality he projects) a great deal. It's a hard thing he's going through, and I wish him and his family and friends well.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: harpgirl
Date: 07 May 01 - 10:56 AM

...oh dear....

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 07 May 01 - 12:25 PM

I forgot to say that the original posting was from Laura Boosinger.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: richlmo
Date: 07 May 01 - 11:21 PM

Just participated in a Cancer Walk Friday night. Lost ny mother and my mother-in-law to the disease. Hope Mr. Hartford knows he is Gentle on a lot of Minds. Praying for you, John.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 07 May 01 - 11:55 PM

I talked to Marie yesterday. John was out on the porch which she felt was a good sign. I'm glad that some of his close by Tennessee friends are stopping in. Knowing how much John admires Earl Scruggs, I'm sure it was a great morale booster to have his old friend and mentor be there with him. As I've said here a few times already, it was pretty wondrous spending time knowing John on the steamboat Julia Belle Swain. He's a damn musical genius and a fine fellow.

Art Thieme

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 08 May 01 - 12:18 AM

Saw John about 15 years ago at a little theater called The Rainbow Music Hall in Denver. He played for over three hours solid, and finally, in the middle of playing his banjo, while clogging on a piece of elevated plywood flooring in rhythm with the banjo, he stepped up to the microphone and said "hey, I know it's late, and y'all won't hurt my feelings if you get up and go, but I'm having such a good time I'm gonna keep playing a while longer!" Of course, nobody left, but that's still my image of John...having so much fun he just didn't want to stop. God bless ya, John.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: GUEST,Federico Poole
Date: 08 May 01 - 03:04 AM

I only know John through his recordings (some of which are on my desert-island list) and interviews. I am overwhelmed by his musicianship, his joyous attitude towards life and music, and his absolute originality. Love from Italy, John

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: kendall
Date: 08 May 01 - 07:55 AM

So sad. One must wonder why.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: Jeep man
Date: 08 May 01 - 11:22 AM

John is a true Original and has always stuck to his music. Very sad. Jeep

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: Jim the Bart
Date: 08 May 01 - 01:39 PM

It's enough to break your heart; or make you want to shake your fist at the sky. Sometimes this world makes no sense at all.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 May 01 - 02:08 PM

So why not celebrate the fact that he is alive and still with us? If I can get a street address (PM is fine) I will send a bouquet of balloons from all of us at the Mudcat. You guys in turn each send a card with warm, positive thoughts. Art? Guest Arnie? Is this doable?
Sins

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: Tedham Porterhouse
Date: 08 May 01 - 02:12 PM

John's mailing address is:

John Hartford Box 443 Madison, TN 37116

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: SINSULL
Date: 08 May 01 - 02:31 PM

Thanks but balloons won't fit in a PO Box. I will send a card though.

Subject: RE: John Hartford
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 08 May 01 - 07:57 PM

I started another thread about John's sad situation a week or two ago. I figured anybody who knew John's work would know there is only one Mr. Hartford. I thnk it was called "Mr. Hartford ill"---or something like that. I posted his p.o. box there I think.

(I just got a new computer yesterday and my Address Book is on the old computer that my son took to Chicago last night. So if someone has John's p.o. box address, please check there for the box #.)

Art Thieme
(I seem to've lost my cookie yet again--maybe 'cause of this new compter. Sorry for thread creep.)