Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band

Subject: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: Banjer
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 06:22 PM

Just received this in e-mail. The article will be accessable for a few days:

Newspaper Article

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: GUEST, Dale
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 07:17 PM

One of my favorite groups, and for sure my all time favorite festival to go to. Raymond will be missed. I think I have all 14 of those albums mentioned in the article.

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: catspaw49
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 07:46 PM

Very sad news. I was pleased to see they used some comments from Loyal Jones as he had a sincere appreciation for Mr. McClain and his family. They actually started trying to organize some "Family Band" fests in the mid 60's and Loyal, a very young teacher at Berea, was perhaps the biggest fan.

Not enough can be said about the influence he had and I think we'll see some comments here reflecting that. There was certainly nothing new about family bands, but when he brought so many together....well, that was a kind of new idea and you have to go out to Big Hill, just outside Berea, to appreciate the venue. It was a wonderful and almost perfect place for it to happen.   

One early morning in maybe '68 or so, I was out at Indian Fort Theatre to help set up for a weekend music and arts festival. Early as it was, there was already music coming from the stage and through the morning fog we walked along almost unbelievingly that anyone was already up and playing. But it was the McClains and already a group of probably 25 or more who had camped that night were circled around and listening. It was one of those special moments that stay with you long after they're gone.

He left a legacy and no man can do more.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: GUEST, Dale
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 08:50 PM

Right, Catspaw ~~ perfect. That is where I first saw so many of my favorites. McLains, Fosters, Vincents, Whites, Poverty Playboys, McReynolds, on and on. You said it all better than I could.

Ruth's "Bound For Gloryland" is as stirring as gospel gets, and I'm hearing that in my mind as I think about Raymond. I expect that is the truth of the matter.

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: Mark Clark
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 09:04 PM

I saw the McLain Family Band perform many times back in the 70's. The great Don Reno was a mentor to young Raymond and would always bring him out during his set if they were playing the same show.

Mr. McLain will surely be missed.

      - Mark

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: Bill in Alabama
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 09:52 PM

We've kept up with the McLains ever since their festival at Big Hill ceased to be. We worked every one of their family band family festivals, and we have, thanks to the McLains, a good many of those special moments as a result. We still work with Ruth at the Museum of Appalachia every October. Raymond was a creative, devoted, incredibly talented musician, who helped spread our music all over the world. We'll all miss him.

Bill Foster

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: sed
Date: 19 Feb 03 - 02:26 PM

I remember being amazed that for years the McLain Family Band was able to travel the world as musicial ambassadors making friends in so many countries. How different our world is now. How special are the gifts of those who have passed on.

Ecclesiastes 3

1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 19 Feb 03 - 04:25 PM

So sorry to hear that. I've done quite a bit of playing with Raymond McLain jr. when he's been in Toronto (occasionally with Mike Stevens as well) and he may well be the nicest guy I've met in the business.

If you haven't heard Ray and Mike together and they come to your town...go see 'em.

Rick

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: wordfella
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 08:22 AM

Raymond K. had a set of "rules" for performances. Things like:

"Never expose your limits."
"If 70% of your show was right, it was a good performance."
"You're performing from the moment you arrive till the moment you leave."

And Ruth's road rule: "Never pass up a chance to go to the bathroom."

I learned a lot from him.

He was generous, too. In 1983, I totaled my motorhome in Berea. He loaned me $20,000 to buy a new van.

The whole family is like that: gentle, genuine people. I miss them.

And you're right, Rick. Raymond W. is the nicest guy in the business.

Subject: RE: Obit: Raymond McLain of McLain Family Band
From: Tam the bam fraeSaltcoatsScotland
Date: 06 Apr 03 - 08:55 AM

I'm sorry to hear about this, I never heard of the group, however it's always sad that someone dies, that's him away to the big Folk club in the sky.