Utah Phillips in ICU (2003), outpatient in 2007

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU (2003), outpatient in 2007
From: Joe Offer
Date: 09 Aug 07 - 11:53 AM

I hope the "outpatient in 2007" tag on the thread title reduces the potential for alarm. That's one of the advantages of living here in Northern California - I can hear Utah Phillips perform more often than I'd like to...
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU (2003)
From: GUEST,Art Thieme
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 11:57 PM

Mark, I'll be in touch real soon. Glad the man is sort of O.K.
Art

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Greg B
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 07:59 PM

It's worth remembering that it was Utah Phillips' plight a
decade or so ago--- needing heart surgery and like most folksingers,
no insurance, that led to two things:

1. A great round of benefits, including one run by the NJ Folk
   Project, to help defray the costs
2. The organization of AFM Local 1000, to bring health insurance
   and a host of other benefits, to traveling (and local) folk
   and ethnic musicians who, in spite of singing a lot of union
   songs, had been denied the benefits of union membership until
   that time.

(1) was a good idea.

(2) is still a good idea, in spite of the attempts by some of the
organizers to muddy the waters with issues beyond the well-being
of the rank-and-file membership and to use the union as a platform
for their personal (and in some cases worthy) crusades, and in
the process alienating whole segments of the very people they
sought to bring into the 'fold.'

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU (2003)
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 07:58 PM

Wow - Jean, you just made me remember something from Fox Hollow. Utah was introducing a song. About a half hour in, he said something about... well, he said that banjos were supposed to be the easiest instruments for people to learn to play, but they were teaching monkeys how to play dulcimers.

You two had a bit of a back-and-forth going.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 07:46 PM

Hello, Golden Voice of the Great Southwest! Haven't seen you in a long time, and I miss the good old times and places like Fox Hollow and those other early ones.......And if I don't hear pretty soon that you're completely recovered, I might have to come and sit by your bedside and play dull some more (your joke, not mine, and I didn't even kick you in the shins, like Sarah Cleveland did, when you sassed HER).

Love and blessings to you and yours,    Jean Ritchie

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: kendall
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 07:40 PM

Mark, I won't call because it's hard to talk on the phone, but I will send him a note. I look forward to performing with him, and, if possible, my buddy, Mick.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: jacqui.c
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 05:44 PM

Too right Amos - that thread title scared me as well.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Amos
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 05:32 PM

Mark:

A great relief -- the thread name had my fist in my mouth with worry.

He's a pure gem of a man, and I hope he lives to be 100 and more.


A

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Mark Ross
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 05:27 PM

Utah DID cancel Edmunton, but the operation is supposed to be an outpatient procedure. Talked to him yesterday and he's doing OK.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 04:52 PM

I just saw and heard Utah Phillips in person for the first time a few months ago. And today while driving home I happened to be listening to a CD of Rosalie Sorrels singing Utah Phillips songs. So this thread caught my eye. Good luck and better health to you, Utah. And wouldn't I love to hear Utah and Kendall and Big Mick singing a few...

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 04:42 PM

Awright, now, Bruce Phillips.....let's get this right, eh? I need you to recover well, and be around for a song or two with a Union Organizer/Folksinger who has had a goal for years of singing a song or two with you. C'mon, old lad, pull on through all this so' you and I, and our pal in common, Kendall, can sit around swappin yarns, and singin' songs.

Right then,

Mick

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: GUEST,Norval
Date: 08 Aug 07 - 04:29 PM

Refreshing this old thread because Utah Phillips health is mentioned in the Edmonton Journal
(Alberta, Canada) today. (2007-08-08, page D2).

=Journal snippet modified=
Utah Phillips, 72, won't be able to to perform at this week's Edmonton Folk Music Festival due to an upcoming heart operation. The folk legend, known for his songs about railroads and unions, was supposed to play Saturday at noon.

Another respected singer/songwriter and social activist, Tom Paxton, will take his spot. Paxton has written songs about the futility of war, election scandals, Tonya Harding and Michael Jackson over his 40-year career.
=end snippet=

He's not in ICU as the title suggests but seems to have some health concerns not previously discussed on Mudcat.
The above link will probably expire shortly.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Mark Ross
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 09:43 PM

Kendall, Utah is home, still on antibiotics, but recuperating. He thanks everyone for their good wishes.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: kendall
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:09 PM

I've been told that Utah is out of ICU, but they want to keep him for a couple more days to be sure.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: GUEST,Chris in Chicago
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 09:39 PM

Utah was in the hospital from November 16 through the 20th.
Utah was admitted on Sunday Nov 16 with severe back pains and a fever. He was placed on IV antibiotics and tests were conducted. The illness is still a mystery at this moment, but Utah responded well to the antibiotics and is now a great deal better. Utah went home on Thursday Nov 20 and is on bed rest and medication until they can pinpoint the cause with more testing.
Utah thanks each and every one who have left get-well messages in his guest book. He really appreciates the thoughts.
More info as we know it. Thanks! - Chris - Webmaster www.utahphillips.org

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: kendall
Date: 21 Nov 03 - 08:37 AM

Mark, when you see Utah again, tell him that if he doesn't get off his ass real soon, I'm going to hire a 5 year old to come and read to him!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: momnopp
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 09:44 PM

More info

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Hollowfox
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 12:50 PM

*whew* Thanks, Mark

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 09:35 AM

Glad the news is "Good though".

RtS

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: GUEST,Jon Dudley
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 07:39 AM

If anyone is able to, please pass on all good wishes from The Copper Family to Utah Phillips. The time we've spent together has always been 'interesting'. How else would we have known how to extract the cork from a wine bottle with the sole of a boot, if it were not for the knowledge gained from this remarkable man.

Be well. We wish you many more years of singing, storytelling and sticking up for what's right.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Melani
Date: 20 Nov 03 - 01:20 AM

So glad things are going better. May it continue that way.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: karen k
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 11:55 PM

Our best for a speedy recovery Utah from the Sounding Board community in Hartford, CT. We look forward to another visit from you someday.

Be well and take care,

karen kobela

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: georgeward
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 10:20 PM

I imagine a whole bunch of folks out here around Albany and Saratoga NY would join me in sending good thoughts and prayers if they knew. And I'll try to make sure that they do.   - George Ward

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Susan A-R
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 09:45 PM

Glad to hear that things are looking up. What a wonderful, thoughtful man with the best/worst puns imaginable. I'm not ready to lose him. We need him in the years to come.

Susan

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Naemanson
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 08:56 PM

Whew! What a shock to see this thread. I am so happy it is turning out OK.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 05:37 PM

Very happy to report that Utah is much improved. He was released from Intensive Care this morning, but will remain in the hospital another couple of days, while they continue testing to try to determine what the infective agent was.

He and Joanna have been deeply touched by the response of the community, and thank you all so much for your prayers and good wishes, which have, without doubt, contributed to his rapid stabilization.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: open mike
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 03:13 PM

if you want to send a card or
a protest song or a joke or
how about a pie?
historical wobblies poster?
a rail road spike, or???

U. Utah Phillips
No Guff Records
P.O. Box 1235
Nevada City, CA 95959

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Mark Ross
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 03:07 PM

I'm not sure that is necessary, he has insurance.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Hollowfox
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 01:51 PM

Is there an address where we can donate toward the hospital bill?

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: kendall
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 01:36 PM

a great sigh of relief!!

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Mark Ross
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 01:31 PM

I just talked to Joanna and she told me that Utah is responding well to the antibiotics. The prognosis is good. She said to thank everyone for their good wishes.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Peace
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 10:39 AM

Dear Utah and Joanna,

Bruce has been through tougher and he's still here. Septicemia is no joke, but the antibiotics available today are pretty powerful. I'll send some prayers to the Big Guy for the big guy. Please say hello to him for me and let him know I'm thinking of him.

Love,

Bruce Murdoch

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: open mike
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 10:03 AM

did you find out who the guest is who first posted this?

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Mark Ross
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 09:44 AM

Utah seems to be doing OK, considering. I talked briefly on the phone with him yesterday. I say briefly because Joanna had warned me that he gets overtired easily. The docs aren't quite sure what's going on, but they seem to have caught it in time. tT least they haven't done a humorectomy yet.

Mark Ross

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Fortunato
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 09:25 AM

What Kendall said.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: kendall
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 07:27 AM

Oh Lord, we're never really ready when it comes...Tom Paxton.

I've been dreading this for years. Sending as much loving energy as I can muster my friend.

Subject: RE: Utah Phillips in ICU
From: Tinker
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 06:06 AM

Blessings and Light ,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Subject: RE: Utah in ICU
From: open mike
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 12:57 AM

Oh I hope he pulls thru...
he is a treasure and we
need to send all the
healing energy we
can muster!!
Thinking of all the
wonderful stories and songs
and fights he has fought
for so many others...
now our turn to rally
around him. Blessings..

Subject: RE: Utah in ICU
From: Joe Offer
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 12:55 AM

I don't know anybody I can call this late at night to get details. Utah Phillips spends a lot of time at the local public radio station, www.KVMR.org, so I called there and they verified that he's in the hospital and that he's pretty sick.
I do know that the name of the hospital is incorrect - the hospital in his area is Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. I called the hospital, but got an answering machine (hey, this is small-town America). If the original poster could give us any more information, we would appreciate it.

Thanks.

Bruce "Utah" Phillips is a wonderful musician and storyteller, and he has done a lot for our commuities here in the Sierra Foothills. I wish him a speedy recovery.

-Joe Offer-
[e-mail]

Subject: RE: Utah in ICU
From: Padre
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 12:40 AM

I will pray for him in tomorrow's Mass.

Padre

Subject: Utah in ICU
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Nov 03 - 12:28 AM

Utah Phillips is now in Intensive Care at Sierra Memorial Hospital. He had the flu last week, and relapsed over the weekend. He has septicemia, and is on antibiotics. His wife Joanna joins us in requesting that your prayers and good thoughts be directed his way, to help him towards a full and speedy recovery.