Melvin Wine news

Subject: Melvin Wine news
From: BanjoRay
Date: 15 Mar 03 - 07:54 PM

The following sad news has appeared in various newsletters from Carl Baron:

Info from Clark Prouty in Elkins, WV
I have just come from the Augusta Offices, where I learned that Melvin
Wine has suffered a massive stroke [Friday morning] & is hospitalized in
Charleston. Apparently, his family has asked that the hospital let
nature take its course.

Further information will follow.

Carl

Melvin (of Copen, West Virginia), a wonderful fiddler and very special
human being, will be 94 next month.

From me: I've seen him a couple of times at Clifftop festival in West Virginia, and heard many recordings. He's an ex-miner who has a wonderful touch on the fiddle, and is the source for many great old tunes.
Ray

Subject: RE: Melvin Wine news
From: BanjoRay
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 01:05 PM

Well,it's happened. This from Betty Vornbrock and Billy Cornette via fiddle-l:
We are sad to pass along the news that Melvin Wine has passed away. He
had a massive stroke on Friday, and died this morning (Sunday, March 16)
about 7, in a hospital near his home in Braxton County, WVa.

Melvin would have turned 94 next month, and had lived a full and happy
life, with a large and loving family. His greater music family will
remember not only his fiddling, but his generosity in sharing his music,
and the strength of his spirit which always shone out from his eyes and
his smile.

We'll miss him.....

~Betty & Billy

Very sad - Ray

Subject: RE: Melvin Wine news
From: BanjoRay
Date: 16 Mar 03 - 07:02 PM

For those of you who've never heard (or heard of) Melvin Wine, here's some useful links. Here's a sample of his playing: Devil In The Woodpile.
This features on a CD recorded at his home in 1989 called "Hannah At The Springhouse", with Ron Mullenex on banjo and Gerry Milnes on guitar and banjo. This can be bought atAugusta Heritage. Another superb CD "Cold Frosty Morning" can be found at Fiddle Tunes.
No connection, just a fan.
Cheers
Ray

Subject: RE: Melvin Wine news
From: RangerSteve
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 06:28 AM

He was a great fiddler, and he'll be missed.

Subject: RE: Melvin Wine news
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 08:08 AM

Clifftop won't be the same without him. Melvin would come to Clifftop every year and sit on the porch at the main lodge and play; his fiddling got better and better even as his body aged and he moved more slowly. I'll miss him and so will lots of other people.
PETE

Subject: RE: Melvin Wine news
From: GUEST,Arnie
Date: 17 Mar 03 - 11:34 AM

Melvin was one of the first southers old timers I ever heard back in Glenville W.V. in the 1970's. Anyone who heard and saw him play was immediately struck by the rythmic power and style, and great tunes that he played. I was fortunate to hear him play again at Clifftop this past summer. My friends Erynn Marshall and Chris Coole become good friends with Melvin and visited him often. His repetoire will fortunately be carried on by a good number of great young musicians.