Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006

Subject: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 12:47 PM

Well, if I write this I guess it will make it true. Last night I dreamt that he walked into the room and I rushed to his side and took his arm. I said Do you know what they've been saying about you?
He chuckled. Yes, I heard, he said.

Don was, quite simply, the best musician in his class that I've ever heard. He sang the old country songs, never had much use for the new country or most of today's country singers. He did like Alan Jackson though and a few others.

Don was an extraordinary historian of country music; many, many times we would ask him about a certain song or singer and he would almost always know the song and what year it was recorded, by whom it was written and what kind of success it had had.

He sang impeccably. Rarely ever did he forget words or bobble a line and he sang in a true - a magnificent- voice.

You can read about him by googling 'Don Drew, Juneau'.

I will miss him.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 10:58 PM

I'm sorry to read about the death of your friend. Dreams like that can help you sort things out.

I hope you'll post a link to an obituary when it appears. He sounds like a real gem.

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: katlaughing
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 11:15 PM

Oh, Ebbie...he must've been wonderful. Knowing you, I would suspect the dream was a way of saying "goodbye and love, always." Saw your note in another thread. May your way be lighted with memories of good times with him and may his music fill the air in moments of silence.

In sympathy and love,

kat

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 11:20 PM

Thanks, Stilly. That article doesn't even say the half of it. I recognize that every human is unique but Don was- well, unique.

I never heard him hit a false note and he had tremendous range. He sang everything from Buck Owens to Slim Whitman and round and round about. His favorite singer was Faron Young but he gave equal value to every singer's songs he sang.

I have his voice recorded on a lot of CDs and I'm thinking of combining them into fewer ones and giving them to people, especially at the memorial we are planning.

I met his mother a couple of times when she visited him from New Jersey and Don brought her to the house. In due time I want to find out if she'd like a couple of CDs of him.

Damn.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: Ebbie
Date: 03 Nov 06 - 11:21 PM

Thank you, kat.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: KT
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 12:19 AM

Yes, he was all of those things and more....and the two qualities that come to my mind immediately are kind...he was so very kind, and humble. My last conversation with him was two weeks ago, when I called to tell him how deeply appreciated he was. Though he was exquisitely talented, he was so sincerely humble.

KT

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 03:31 AM

I know, KT. The last two days I've been playing a lot of his music. When the audience goes wild after he finishes a song he is mightily pleased but he always sounds surprised too.

There was only one of him in this town.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: JennieG
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 04:42 AM

Ebbie, I'm so sorry, he sounds like he was a wonderful person, you will miss him very much.

JennieG

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: kendall
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 05:34 AM

It's hell to lose someone like that, and, they always seem to go before their time.
PM on its way to you.

Subject: RE: Obit: Don Drew- AK Musician- Nov. 2006
From: Ebbie
Date: 04 Nov 06 - 11:26 AM

KTOO Radio Tribute and a Song Clip Click on 'Listen to Story'.

Thank you, everyone.