These gentlemen are completely unique in that they each helped in their own way, to see new light in my musical understanding ... and not just music, but life too ... Ray Charles was the first ever concert I went to - I was 4, but I remember having an absolute blast! He put on a show every time he played ... he played with such feeling - the kind of feeling that you can't explain but know it's there ... it's a generic term I know, but the way he played was pure magic ... Derek Bell was the harpist, piano, oboe, and tiampan player of the Chieftains - famed Irish group that have been playing for 40 years together! They helped me see new light on the dark path I was travelling, literally, they saved me and opened my eyes to a new and better life through Celtic musical direction - and my love for them was cemented when I got to play my Bodhran with them in 2001... Walt Conley - well, what can I say about Walt. What can't I say about Walt ... he played folk music in the Colorado community for over 50years ... He wasn't as famous as the other two ... he wasn't as rich as the other two ... but he was famous to the people he knew, and he enriched our lives by being a part of it. He was a consumate gentleman who loved folk music, and was a staunch supporter of all things Celtic, including the pipes and drums band I was a member of for a few years ... this poem I wrote for him in lieu of his wake in 2003, but I think he would have liked me to share it with everyone ... Herbert Walker, believe it or not, played the accordian. He didn't go very far with his musical career. Country German, born and bred. I was too young to understand him, and I took everything he had to say as nothing more than old person speech. All I have left are memories strewn with confusion, but they are slowly being pieced together through time. He taught me humility, ethics, civility, and morality. He taught me all of life's little nuances. He was a lover and a fighter, a poet and writer; he lived life. Most importantly he was a grandfather, father, brother, husband, and friend to everyone who knew him ... and I wish I had payed more attention ... Ich liebe dich, Grossvater. Frances Smith Walker - Please read my eulogy here ... |
BluudyGreg's Celtic Conundrum |
As I walked A wind did blow To a forked path It urged me go Without a thought Without a sound I walked my feet Upon the ground One side is worn The other is green A river flows south Birds are between Without a thought My heart does glow Ah, but the river Flows to and fro The worn old side Has in many ways Lost the running river Lost the shining rays Much was the use Of the older part The birds had song The trees had heart The winds have changed Above and shallow Now that the ground Groweth fallow Such as it is As all things pass We will truly miss The greenest of grass The world does turn I say with a sigh But, grateful to be touched Than nary touched by. ~GPW/03~ Copyright-2003 |
Changing Winds |
Walt Conley - Musician - Friend - 1929 - 2003 |
Ray Charles - Musician - 1930 - 2004 |
Derek Bell - Musician - Cheiftains - 1935 - 2002 |
Dedication |
These gentlemen are completely unique in that they each helped in their own way, to see new light in my musical understanding ... and not just music, but life too ... Ray Charles was the first ever concert I went to - I was 4, but I remember having an absolute blast! He put on a show every time he played ... he played with such feeling - the kind of feeling that you can't explain but know it's there ... it's a generic term I know, but the way he played was pure magic ... Derek Bell was the harpist, piano, oboe, and tiampan player of the Chieftains - famed Irish group that have been playing for 40 years together! They helped me see new light on the dark path I was travelling, literally, they saved me and opened my eyes to a new and better life through Celtic musical direction - and my love for them was cemented when I got to play my Bodhran with them in 2001... Walt Conley - well, what can I say about Walt. What can't I say about Walt ... he played folk music in the Colorado community for over 50years ... He wasn't as famous as the other two ... he wasn't as rich as the other two ... but he was famous to the people he knew, and he enriched our lives by being a part of it. He was a consumate gentleman who loved folk music, and was a staunch supporter of all things Celtic, including the pipes and drums band I was a member of for a few years ... this poem I wrote for him in lieu of his wake in 2003, but I think he would have liked me to share it with everyone ... Herbert Walker, believe it or not, played the accordian. He didn't go very far with his musical career. Country German, born and bred. I was too young to understand him, and I took everything he had to say as nothing more than old person speech. All I have left are memories strewn with confusion, but they are slowly being pieced together through time. He taught me humility, ethics, civility, and morality. He taught me all of life's little nuances. He was a lover and a fighter, a poet and writer; he lived life. Most importantly he was a grandfather, father, brother, husband, and friend to everyone who knew him ... and I wish I had payed more attention ... Ich liebe dich, Grossvater. Frances Smith Walker - Please read my eulogy here ... |
CHEERS! To those that have made our lives special ... and to those in passing that have enriched our lives in full extent... I raise my glass To those that pass Before and beside us, And never will they truly know How much they were loved From our general consensus ... |
Herbert Walker - Grandfather - 1904 - 1995 |
Frances Smith Walker - Grandmother - 1909 - 2007 |
