Showing posts with label Gary Smith. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Gary Smith. Show all posts
Friday, October 1, 2010
Gary Smith Memorial Page
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Bringing Back The True Blue
Okay, after that last post I need to put something up that will make me feel better:-)
These guys were the true blues. These bluesmen played the blues not for the money, because lord knows there was no money to be made playing blues in Iowa, but they played it for the love the of music. Of all of them Perhaps Jimmy Pryor was the most remarkable. He started playing the blues in high school which would make him one of those artists who was both Pre-war and Post-war. From the 1930s until his death just a few years ago Jimmy Pryor played the blues as much, and as long as he could. He left Detroit Michigan, to move to Des Moines Iowa in 1960, because Des Moines in 1960 still had clubs open 24 hours. He played his heart out, and kept on playing until he died in 2006.
Louis McTizic was a wonderful man who despite daily dialysis that HE TOOK BY HIMSELF EVEN ON THE FREAKING ROAD, kept performing until he died. Louis was a kind man that took time to talk to his fans, and he held together one of those wonderful jam/blues bands that true blues lovers love to watch. Louis had some great side performers like Frenchy Campbell who could belt out Muddy like the old man himself, Sam Cochran an outstanding bass player, and Ethaline Wright who was a fine guitarist and singer herself.
Chicago Rick Lussie was a dear friend of mine that learned to play the blues on the Southside of Chicago. Much like Mike Bloomfield, and Paul Butterfield. Rick was one of those white kids who loved the blues and learned from the masters himself. Rick came to Iowa in 1960 to work as a teacher by day and musician at night. He stumbled upon Center Street in Des Moines, which was the black business district, and joined in with the rest of the blues players. He played the blues until he died much too young a few years ago.
John Woody Wood, a good friend (we shared a birthday) and always first call drummer. He lived life large, and was always pursuing a career in music. They Call Me Mr. Cleanhead was one of his favorite songs, and he performed it often. He was a brother to me, and almost every blues cat that played in Iowa. He left for California in 2002, and many of us took bets on when he would return, since he always returned home in a year or two. However, Woody never made it back. He suffered from Cancer and we lost one of our dearest friends in the blues.
Gary Smith died just a few months ago, and I am still saddened by his death. He had such a positive outlook on life, and considering his early life, or his childhood that was amazing. I think Gary was someone who certainly had a right to sing the blues because he lived them. However, no matter how bad things got with the death of his love Clover Buckingham, and his eventual loosing fight with Cancer he never seemed down. When I talked to him a few weeks before he died he told me he was going to get back to playing soon. I guess he didn't want me to worry about him, which was typical of Gary. He was such a kind person looking out for everyone else but himself. We truly need more Gary Smiths in the world.
I suppose that when I read something that riles me up, it is always important to think about what is right in the world, and about the people who have helped me be where I am. I suppose I get angry thinking of the hard work that my friends have made and never made a dime at it, versus bands that seem to fall into money and fame. However, I think that if I had the money and fame it would just bring more grief. It is nice to be semi anonymous and to be able to perform what I what and not want some corporate hack wants. Perhaps Capra was right. It is a wonderful life:-)
These guys were the true blues. These bluesmen played the blues not for the money, because lord knows there was no money to be made playing blues in Iowa, but they played it for the love the of music. Of all of them Perhaps Jimmy Pryor was the most remarkable. He started playing the blues in high school which would make him one of those artists who was both Pre-war and Post-war. From the 1930s until his death just a few years ago Jimmy Pryor played the blues as much, and as long as he could. He left Detroit Michigan, to move to Des Moines Iowa in 1960, because Des Moines in 1960 still had clubs open 24 hours. He played his heart out, and kept on playing until he died in 2006.
Louis McTizic was a wonderful man who despite daily dialysis that HE TOOK BY HIMSELF EVEN ON THE FREAKING ROAD, kept performing until he died. Louis was a kind man that took time to talk to his fans, and he held together one of those wonderful jam/blues bands that true blues lovers love to watch. Louis had some great side performers like Frenchy Campbell who could belt out Muddy like the old man himself, Sam Cochran an outstanding bass player, and Ethaline Wright who was a fine guitarist and singer herself.
Chicago Rick Lussie was a dear friend of mine that learned to play the blues on the Southside of Chicago. Much like Mike Bloomfield, and Paul Butterfield. Rick was one of those white kids who loved the blues and learned from the masters himself. Rick came to Iowa in 1960 to work as a teacher by day and musician at night. He stumbled upon Center Street in Des Moines, which was the black business district, and joined in with the rest of the blues players. He played the blues until he died much too young a few years ago.
John Woody Wood, a good friend (we shared a birthday) and always first call drummer. He lived life large, and was always pursuing a career in music. They Call Me Mr. Cleanhead was one of his favorite songs, and he performed it often. He was a brother to me, and almost every blues cat that played in Iowa. He left for California in 2002, and many of us took bets on when he would return, since he always returned home in a year or two. However, Woody never made it back. He suffered from Cancer and we lost one of our dearest friends in the blues.
Gary Smith died just a few months ago, and I am still saddened by his death. He had such a positive outlook on life, and considering his early life, or his childhood that was amazing. I think Gary was someone who certainly had a right to sing the blues because he lived them. However, no matter how bad things got with the death of his love Clover Buckingham, and his eventual loosing fight with Cancer he never seemed down. When I talked to him a few weeks before he died he told me he was going to get back to playing soon. I guess he didn't want me to worry about him, which was typical of Gary. He was such a kind person looking out for everyone else but himself. We truly need more Gary Smiths in the world.
I suppose that when I read something that riles me up, it is always important to think about what is right in the world, and about the people who have helped me be where I am. I suppose I get angry thinking of the hard work that my friends have made and never made a dime at it, versus bands that seem to fall into money and fame. However, I think that if I had the money and fame it would just bring more grief. It is nice to be semi anonymous and to be able to perform what I what and not want some corporate hack wants. Perhaps Capra was right. It is a wonderful life:-)
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Update Gary Smith Memorial
Here is updated information from the Des Moines Register. GARY LEE SMITH
DES MOINES
published in The Des Moines Register on October 04, 2007
Gary Lee Smith, 55, passed away at Kavanagh Hospice House, Des Moines, on Monday, October 1, 2007.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 6, 2007 at Caldwell- Raddatz Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA.
A visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, October 5, 2007.
Gary was born in Des Moines on July 9, 1952 to Chester Smith and Mary Louise Swinehart.
He attended William Jewell College in Liberty, MO.
Gary worked as a warehouse man at Emco Enterprises.
Gary enjoyed music, the St. Louis Cardinals, and Kansas City Chiefs.
He was the lead singer in the band "Land Sharks" and also a member of UAW.
Survivors include his sisters, Judy (Ronald) Noyes, Peggy Higday;
brothers, Randy (Alice) Smith, Greg Higday, Jeff Higday;
cousin, Crystal (Alan) Farnsworth; nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by the love of his life, "Clover Buckingham"
A Celebration of Gary's life will be at Orlando's,
4337 Park Ave. in Des Moines, starting at 1 pm Saturday Oct 6, 2007.
The family would like to thank all Gary's musician friends for their time and talents.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Iowa.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Gary Smith Rest In Peace
I received an email this morning from Randy Smith in regards to the death last night of his brother Gary. Gary will be sorely missed on the local blues scene. He was a nice guy who helped out all musicians, and always ran jams that were fair to everyone. He played in a lot of bands over the years, including the third installment of the Tom Gary Blues Band. He played with us at Spaghetti Works one night during one of blues fests. He played Gary Moore's Still Got The Blues For You. He smoked that song that night, and the audience went wild. Gary was a good friend, and one that you could always count on. I was glad that he carried on the tradition that Jimmy and me started at Hull Ave. The Sunday night jam session was a great gig, and Gary keep it going on. I will miss him a lot. Rest in peace Gary
I received this photo and words from Randy as a memorial to his brother:
Gary Smith
MAY HE REST IN PEACE -
BELOVED BROTHER,
MUSICIAN, AND FRIEND
July 9, 1952 –
October 01, 2007
MAY HE REST IN PEACE -
BELOVED BROTHER,
MUSICIAN, AND FRIEND
July 9, 1952 –
October 01, 2007
Randy also sent along a link to Larry Berenguel site that has pictures taken during a jam session at the Kavanaugh House held for Gary. CLICK HERE Randy also was nice enough to send some MP3s of his brother. I don't have any way of posting them here, but I am going to look into putting up a podcast of some local music in the future, and I promise to put those songs in it.
At this point there is a planned celebration of life for Gary to be held at Orlando's in Des Moines sometime this weekend. As soon as I hear more details I will let you know.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Gary Smith In Hospice
Gary Smith, (With guitar) one of Des Moines great blues guitarists is in Kavanah House, a Hospice out on the westside of Des Moines. Gary was one of those legendary jam masters, who ran some great blues jams in the city. He took over the Sunday night jam at the Hull Ave, after I left. He also had a great band called the landsharks, among many others over the years. I will update the information as soon as it comes in. In the meantime keep Gary in your thoughts.
Rick Mosqueda, Dave Andrews, and Gary Smith.
UPDATE
Just talked to Gary on the phone. He is in good spirits and is staying at Kavanah House for awhile while his stomach gets better from Chemo Therapy. He plans to return to home once he is well. He did say he has his guitar with him, and that is a good sign! Get better Gary and hope to see you soon on the jam cirrcut:-)
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