Obit: Vassar Clements (16 Aug 2005)

Subject: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: bill kennedy
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 12:56 PM

It's been reported on his website that Vassar Clements died at 8:35 this morning at his home near Nashville. I'm sure most of you knew of his illness this past year, and we all hoped for a recovery. My condolences to his daughter Midge and all his friends and family. Another great one gone. He will be missed but his recordings will live on.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: Wesley S
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:07 PM

Sad news - a great fiddler.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: Wesley S
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:26 PM

Here's the announcement - I've lifted it from from www.vassarclements.com

Dear Friends,

On August 16th 2005 at 8:35 am Nashville time, the angels in heaven stopped singing for a moment, as they heard the most beautiful music approaching from a distance - the high lonesome sound of Vassar Clements' fiddle.

We are deeply saddened by the passing of this truly wonderful and beautiful man whose purpose in life on Earth was in spreading love and happiness to people, both through his music and through his generosity and light of spirit.

Vassar indeed has touched the lives of so many of us, and we can all count ourselves as blessed to have been witness to the musical genius and kind-hearted nature of this great yet humble man.

It is a great testament to a life when those whose paths you crossed hold you up as an example on how to treat others. Vassar's guestbook is that testament and shows how incredibly loved and admired Vassar was on this Earth by both those who knew him personally and those who knew him only through his music.

I would like to thank Vassar's daughter Midge and son-in-law George on behalf of all of us that loved Vassar for the great love and care they have shown him since the passing of his wife Millie just over seven years ago. Selfless and devoted, they not only took care of Vassar emotionally and physically, but also jumped in and learned the music business so Vassar could continue to play for all of us around the country.

I picture Vassar and Millie in heaven, reunited in the love they shared that transcends all things, him playing while she dances.

Thank You Vassar - God Bless You. Rest In Peace.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: open mike
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:27 PM

well, the suffering is over for him.
we will miss him...here is more discussion
http://www.mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=79218#1432538
this thread has a link to his web site, etc.
where there is a guest book to post condolences, etc.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: GUEST,number 6 (at work)
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:35 PM

He will be missed ... sad news indeed.

may he have found eternal peace.

sIx

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: Kim C
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 01:53 PM

Bet he and John Hartford are having one heck of a jam.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: bill kennedy
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 02:05 PM

Kim C - It's a nice thought, of a Kodak moment, and sweet, like the thought of Vassar playing while his late wife Millie dances, as imagined on his web site, but I for one am glad he and John did so much jamming while they could, and he and Millie danced whenever they had the chance, cause thier fiddles didn't go with them, nor thier shoes, and now they are all silent forever. I don't expect to find no pie in the sky, nor no jam neither. I listen to thier recordings all the time and am always grateful that I had heard them early and often, though anyone who picks up one of thier recordings any time now until recordings disappear (and we all with them) will be able to appreciate thier talent and be uplifted by thier gift of music and the sharing of themselves with thier audience. Music is one of the greatest of human accomplishments, one of our truly life changing pleasures. (btw, I don't recall there being any mention of musical instruments in the Garden of Eden)

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: Kim C
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 02:12 PM

Bill, I like to think that it's only to our mortal ears they are silent, and that the music still carries on in another dimension.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: bill kennedy
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 02:16 PM

Kim - I could share that dream, I can almost hear them, sweet....

(why isn't there an emoticon for complete sincerity? cause I really do mean what I just said!) (no, I'm not being sarcastic, really)

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: michaelr
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 03:15 PM

My friend Farley who worked with Vassar on his autobiography sent me this:

His words to 'you': "You tell 'em I love 'em all, and thanks for their love and support...wish I could read all my messages on that board!"

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: fat B****rd
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 03:49 PM

I only know the couple of things he did with the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band but maybe I'll check him out soon. RIP Mr. Clemens.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements
From: GUEST,Tunesmith
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 04:14 PM

I always meant to get the album he made with Stephane Grappelli. I'll have to buy it now!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements (16 Aug 2005)
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 05:00 PM

Think this explains the thunder I've been hearin' all day... He and Johnny tearin' it up...

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements (16 Aug 2005)
From: Willie-O
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 08:57 PM

Remember Old And In The Way? I picture him kicking back with Jerry Garcia AND John Hartford...and whoever else shows up...hell, I think I'd die now if I could hang out with them.

Kim, nice to see you posting. Just occurred to me the other day that I hadn't seen your name up in some time...

Bill

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements (16 Aug 2005)
From: rangeroger
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 10:47 PM

Got home from work and heard the news via Felton Pruitt's show on xm radio.
A truly masterful fiddler and genuinely nice man.
First heard him with the Stones on "Country Honk" on the "Let it Bleed" album. My neighbor came over knowing I was into Folk and Bluegrass music, and said I had to listen to this cut.
Wow!
Finally got to meet him a Art on the Green in Couer d'Alene. Had an awesome bluegrass piano player with him. Bought the CD from him and still have the canceled check with Vassar's endorsement signature on it.
The Angel band is jammming now.

rr

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements (16 Aug 2005)
From: moongoddess
Date: 16 Aug 05 - 11:45 PM

I remember Vassar Clements at the Folklife Festivals in Waxhington, DC. What a fiddler, especially in an old 33 I have of him named "Crossing the Catskills". Rest well you greatest of musicians.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements (16 Aug 2005)
From: Steve Latimer
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 12:15 AM

He will be missed. Apparently he and John Hartford used to visit the ailing Bobby Thompson and play for him to keep his spirits up. I'll bet that they are all having a heck of a jam now, Jimmy Martin on guitar and vocals.

We still have the likes of Earl Scruggs and Ralph Stanley with us. Let's be sure to enjoy them while we can.

Subject: RE: Obit: Vassar Clements (16 Aug 2005)
From: rangeroger
Date: 17 Aug 05 - 10:47 PM

My apologies. As I was driving home today, I had to put on sunglasses after reversing a cranio-rectal inversion and realized it was Byron Berline on the Stones album.

rr