[FAR-West] Jim Nunaly, Utah Phillips ... RIP

[Bruce Hayden]

I thought this from Jim Nunally needed to be read by others.

Bruce
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I must add a comment about this great and inspiring songwriter. 
I have a job that takes me around the world, I'm a musician. I play guitar,
sing, and write songs. As a musician I often look at, hear, turn songs
inside out, upside down, even backwards. What exactly did that person mean?
I really need to know! 
 I was performing bluegrass with John Reischman and the Jaybirds at the
Vancouver Folk festival in Canada about 4 years ago. On this particular
sunny day I went to the hospitality tent to get a bite to eat. I saw a man
whom I had heard the music of. I, when a teenager, had an LP of Lester
Flatt, Earl Scruggs, and the Foggy Mountain Boys. On this LP were two
wonderful songs by a person named Utah Phillips. The songs were Rock Salt
and Nails and You're Gonna Miss Me When I'm Gone. I love those songs. I
learned those songs. I was 15 years old. 
Move ahead 30 years. Here I am with a plate full of food, looking at the
gentleman who wrote the songs I admire so. He was just sitting down for some
lunch. I took the opportunity to tell him how much I loved his songs, how
much, I loved the way Flatt and Scruggs did those songs. He invited me to
sit down. He was quite friendly. He was quite honest, and genuine in his
response. The first thing he said, "I learned a lot from Louise Scruggs
about the music business". There are many colorful stories about Louise, but
he didn't elaborate, he let my imagination take hold. He then went on to
comment on many things. Since we both lived in California he talked about
how much he enjoyed Nevada City. He spoke about young songwriters today
being a bit self indulgent. How there was so much in the world to write
about, but many tended to write about themselves and their broken heart -- I
guess he had heard enough of that. He told me he didn't collect royalties
for his songs, the money went into a trust for musicians in need. He spoke
of riding the rails. He spoke of hard labor. He spoke wisdom. He was a great
man. 
I was humbled by him. 

So long Utah, we do miss you. 
Jim Nunally

 

Bruce Hayden

P O Box 125

Garden Valley, Ca. 95633

http://www.myspace.com/folkmuse1

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August 10-14- American River Acoustic Music Camp 

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