Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009

Subject: Nigel Russell?
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:24 PM

The only thing I know about Nigel Russell is that he wrote White Collar Holler, a song that has been discussed here before and is probably best known from the Stan Rogers recording.

Does anyone here know anything else about Russell? like, what else he wrote?

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:37 PM

Picture

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 09:49 PM

Dumb question here, but is he possibly connected with The Studebakers?

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:52 PM

He's an associate of the late Stan Rogers. I don't know where he is now, but was living in Austin, Texas (actually just outside of town on one of the Highland Lakes in the Texas Hill Country, where he built an incredible boat) for a number of years. Fine singer, good attitude. Wife & a set of twin boys. Duncan and Brady, I think. Tw

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Peace
Date: 13 Mar 05 - 11:59 PM

Mr. Nigel Russell - Musician "The Studabakers" - Austin, Texas

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Peace
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 12:01 AM

http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6705234/a/Now+And+Then.htm

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Peace
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 12:06 AM

Their e-mail address is on the site. Send an e-mail and ask if he is he.


Here's their website

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Tannywheeler
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 12:25 AM

That's the Nigel Russell I know and love. All around good guy. Tw

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 05:54 PM

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: Peace
Date: 14 Mar 05 - 08:13 PM

Welcome.

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: GUEST,John Kelso
Date: 17 Aug 09 - 11:19 AM

Nigel was an all round good guy. I would sit for hours and chat with him at the coffee shop. We would talk on just about every subject you can imagine.   Sadly he passed away just just a few days ago.   He will be missed dearly by all that knew him. I wish I got to know him better before he left us.   His sense of humor always seemed to cheer me up when I needed it the most. I got to see him play a few times at the coffee house early in the a.m. when he was all alone.   The fiddle was an extension of his character even though he played the guitar when I saw him at Artz.
I will miss his early morning fiddle sessions at the coffee house those early mornings that he called "waking up his brain".

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: GUEST,Frank Hill
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 12:35 PM

Nigel was a good, consistent long time (since the 70's) friend, mentor,
positive critic, "pickin' pal", teacher of time and timing, wonderful
guitarist, songwriter, singer, picker, KFF campground buddy, who
welcomed me with open arms upon my return to Texas after some 15 years.
Loved as a brother who shall be forever missed and remembered.

May blessedness and serenity hold him in peace.

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: GUEST,The East Side Flash
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 01:52 PM

Nigel hooked you in immediately with his big loving heart.

My friendship with Nigel extends to the late 70's. We were neighbors, played in various musical incarnations and he was one of the most encouraging humorous cats I ever met. Fiddle, guitar, nail-gun, artist, songwriter, hunorist, boatbuilder, father --- the hole he leaves is large. Sail On
--------- on the upbeat ---------- Flash

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: GUEST,Bill Oliver
Date: 18 Aug 09 - 02:45 PM

Last time I saw Nigel was at a very fun party for Linda Overton at Joe Kendall's ... just a few weeks ago. Nigel was about to leave ... someone asked me to play a song, but it was a classic standard that I'd probably butcher with my "arrangement" ... ("Since I Fell For You" i think it was), and I stated such. I nodded towards Nigel, heading for the door, and said "But I bet he can do it right." And he came back, got out his guitar, and nailed it. Typical Nigel moment.
We'll really miss him at our island and river parties ... bill oliver

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell?
From: GUEST,Cindy
Date: 20 Aug 09 - 08:36 AM

Gone to the big gig in the sky...
What I will miss most is the twinkle in his eye.

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell, RIP
From: GUEST,Kim in Peterborough, Ontario
Date: 22 Aug 09 - 09:36 AM

I knew Nigel in the mid to late 70's when he was living in this area. He had built a house up near Elephant Lake/Wilberforce. I have long missed Nigel's warm heart, kind soul and well, the banjo.
Namaste, Kim

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell, RIP
From: GUEST,Guest - Betty Vornbrock
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 04:35 AM

I first met Nigel while fiddling a dinner-music gig at a small French restaurant in Austin - maybe 1980-81. No one was paying much attention, but someone called out for "St. Anne's Reel". We obliged, and then he wanted "Devil's Dream"....
needless to say, we got acquainted that evening. He was new to town but quickly entered just about every sphere of music going. He proved to be a very helpful, encouraging, and open friend through the years I was still in Texas.
Hadn't seen him in a few years, and it is sad news indeed.
I think of him every time I hear "Blue Hairs Driving in My Lane" (ooops - I mean....)

~ peace, my friend

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell, RIP
From: GUEST,Lesley Russell
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 02:50 PM

Hello ..

I'm Nigel's sister in Hamilton.

My dear brother died on August 14, 2009. His son Garrett was killed tragically in February, 2008 ... at the young age of only 15. This was a huge loss and sorrow for him.

Nigel died in his sleep as a result of seizure .. a condition he had for many years. It was speculated that it was cased by a brain injury as result of a motorcycle accident many years ago. Although the disorder only affected him in his sleep ... and was usually fairly well controlled by medication ... he still had episodes ... and this one was fatal because he suffocated during the seizure.

His family and friends are heartbroken.

Nigel was a member of The Studebakers based in Austin Texas. You can see a couple of videos of Nigel's music as well as his obituary if you visit this link:

http://www.kateandchris.net/nigel

His memorial service was yesterday .. a fitting and beautiful tribute to a unique, talented and joyful man who generously shared his music and his dear self with friends (old and new) in many far flung places.

hugs and peace to you my dear brother.

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell, RIP
From: Willie-O
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 03:09 PM

Wow, it's quite something to see the connections Nigel had--seems I must have nearly missed knowing him. I know where Elephant Lake is cause I lived only a couple of beers away for seven years (starting in late 70's)...I got to know Frank Hill when at Kerrville in 89--hi Frank, good to see you still posting, join Mudcat!--and who the heck is Kim in Peterborough?--I must know you! And OF COURSE I know White Collar Holler, was singing it to myself just the other day.

Wish I"d known him--but Jeez, I figure we must have met somewhere sometime.

Condolences to family and friends.
W-O aka Bill Cameron

Subject: RE: Nigel Russell, RIP
From: GUEST,Rev Ken Ramsden
Date: 23 Aug 09 - 06:31 PM

My condolences to Lesley, and to Nigels immediate family. I am so saddended by hearing about Garretts death as well. Fond memories of Nigel playing with Stan, jamming with me, and what a great friendly attitude he had. I only wish I could have seen more of Nigel in the last 25 years. My memories are like Kims...of the music in the '70s and the early '80s, of his life in the Peterborough area.
My thoughts go out to all those who loved and miss Nigel Russell.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009
From: GUEST,Claude Cossette- Montréal
Date: 01 Sep 09 - 05:25 PM

I will miss you Nigel, I'm glad we always kept in touch. The Nigel Russell Tribute on You Tube is beautiful.

Condolences to your family

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009
From: GUEST,Philip Brent
Date: 21 Sep 09 - 11:06 AM

I met Nigel the 1st day of school at Trent University in 1967? (so long ago)He, Paul Wison, Stan Rogers and Ian Tamblyn were the 4 leading acoustic folkies at the school. Interesting guy.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009
From: GUEST,Judy
Date: 31 Jan 10 - 08:04 PM

He was an amazing person. He had that smile and made you feel important.I just found out and even a short period of time, cofffee, friends, skating and listening to his songs. You will be ttuly missed.
Thank you for your kindness and thoughts

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009
From: GUEST,Tina S. Larkin Fiddler and Harpist
Date: 17 Mar 10 - 12:10 AM

Very saddened to hear of Nigel's passing. He was a good friend and a terrific musician as well as my favorite piano tuner of all time!
Nigel was very kind and an inspirational to many people.
Rest dear friend

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009
From: GUEST,Steve Wykes
Date: 05 Jul 10 - 04:56 PM

In the mid-seventies, I worked my way through Queen's University as a bartender in the Frontenac Hotel in Kingston, Ontario. Nigel was a frequent guest in Finnegan's Pub. I was glad to work when Nigel played - the crowd loved him. People who heard him for the first time on a Thursday, were often back on Friday and Saturday just to hear Nigel. It certainly was not for the excellent bar service, beause when Nigel played his song about "Nimble Pete" nobody got service til he was done.

I just recently lost to cancer friend who was a Nigel fan from these days. So sorry to hear of his passing.

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009
From: GUEST,Nigel...
Date: 11 Nov 10 - 02:40 PM

Funny how you think of things and flip around on the internet and only to find out that the very soul you were thinking of has passed away. In the late seventies and early eighties Nigel and I crossed paths, dated for awhile and shared time and thoughts in and around the Toronto area. Used to go watch him play and once sent him a cookie gram to request that he play one of my favorite tunes for me one evening...'Beat Me'...would never get away with this politically incorrect tune these days but then it always made be laugh...scuba flippers, burlap, cream cheese and all. Thanks for the memories, especially the ones where the dog howled while you learned to play the fiddle....you were a one of a kind my friend....Catherine Norman-Donovan, Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia

Subject: RE: Obit: Nigel Russell, RIP August 14, 2009
From: GUEST,Dyan Maracle
Date: 21 Jul 11 - 06:29 PM

Almost 2 years later I find out Nigel died. I knew and sang with Nigel in Toronto back in the 70s and lost touch through the years. I'll always remember the time we (Nigel) were driving somewhere down in the U.S. and stopped at a roadside bar because Nigel wanted us to get up on stage and play with whatever band was booked. We received the best welcome from everyone. I hadn't done anything like that before and had a great time with him on stage. His excitement, enthusiasm, courage and joy to live was inspiring...and yes, those beautiful blue eyes, his smile. I am deeply touched to hear of his passing and express my sympathy to his wife and son Duncan.