Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP

17 Jun 00 - 10:16 AM (#243773)
Subject: Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP
From: Stefan Wirz

On June 11 2000 Cambridge Folk Pioneer Eric Von Schmidt has been honored with an ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award at Club Passim in Cambridge, Massachusetts with Musical Salute by Tom Rush, Maria Muldaur, Jim Kweskin, Chris Smither, Geoff Muldaur, Peter Wolf, Jim Rooney and Surprise Guests.
ASCAP In the News

Any further info about this event online ??!!??

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17 Jun 00 - 02:41 PM (#243834)
Subject: RE: Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP
From: Tiger

Wow! Some of my favorite people. Wish I'd known.

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18 Jun 00 - 03:57 PM (#244107)
Subject: RE: Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP
From: Stefan Wirz

Found something myself - unfortunately not of the pleasent kind I had expected:

Quote from Daniel Gewertz' eulogy "Love Comes Rolling Down on Blues Legend" in Club Passim's 'the Listening Room' July/August 2000 (Acrobat-Newsletter - takes nearly endless to download):
"The cake presented to Eric von Schmidt at Club Passim in Cambridge on Sunday simply said, 'Thanks for a lifetime of great blues.'
But by the time the ASCAP Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony was over, it was clear that von Schmidt, 69, was being honored for more than the folk-blues he sang and wrote.
Von Schmidt was the linchpin for the 1950s and '60s folk revival in Boston, teaching a new generation the forgotten folk and blues songs that would form the basis of a reborn genre.
...
Club Passim the former site of the old Club 47, was the perfect spot for the ceremony, an event that combined fond testimony, hilarious anecdotes and sublime music.
Von Schmidt, well known as a painter, illustrator,and writer in addition to his 50 years in music, sat in middle of Passim, beaming. Though whitehaired, frail and very thin, the light from his piercing eyes gave him a remarkable youthful aura.
Von Schmidt, suffering from throat cancer, underwent a tracheotomy last October. He is now in remission.
He speaks with difficulty with the aid of a larynx implant.
'I used to sing 'Love Comes Rolling Down,'' he said, 'And it still does.'
The event was also remarkable for the first real reunion of the Kweskin Jug Band in 26 years."(end quote)

I wish him a speedy recovery - may his Love Come Rolling Down for another 69 years !!!

Stefan Wirz

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18 Jun 00 - 05:18 PM (#244127)
Subject: RE: Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP
From: Tiger

Stefan.....

So sorry to read your sobering addendum about one of my music heroes. I wonder if there was much media coverage. Wouldn't it make a great PBS special?

Fascinating guy. In addition to illustrating his own books and album covers, he did a bunch of other album covers I have, including Rev. Gary Davis and Paul Geremia.

His father, Harold Von Schmidt, was a famous Western artist and illustrator (Sat. Eve. Post covers, etc.) who also founded the Famous Artists' Schools in Westport, CT. Kind of a cross between Frederic Remington and Toulouse-Lautrec. We have one of his paintings, too.

Good wishes, Eric.

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10 Jan 01 - 01:22 PM (#372268)
Subject: RE: Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP
From: Stefan Wirz

just happened to stumble over Chris Yeager's page:
A Few of The World's Hippest Geezers Return to Harvard Square to Celebrate Eric Von Schmidt's A.S.C.A.P. Lifetime Achievement Award
Lots of photos from that 'invite-only' event !!!!!

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10 Jan 01 - 02:08 PM (#372289)
Subject: RE: Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP
From: Mark Clark

Stefan,

Thanks for posting that link. You really made my day.

      - Mark

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10 Jan 01 - 03:20 PM (#372349)
Subject: RE: Eric von Schmidt honored by ASCAP
From: dwditty

Stefan, thanks from me, too, for the link. On separate occasions I saw Eric and, later, Geoff Muldaur (with Fritz & others) at a nutural food supermarket in New Haven circa 1993 or 4). Good times, both. I got Eric to give me the keys to Wet Birds off his 2nd Row (or whatever) album. Still do it. BTW, I recommend Geoff's homespun video. Check it out.

dw

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