Comments about and for Kerry
Please share your comments and stories about Kerry here.
To view all comments or add your own, click on the “Comments” link (below right).
Please share your comments and stories about Kerry here.
To view all comments or add your own, click on the “Comments” link (below right).
July 28th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I’ve been a fan of Kerry for over 25 years, I think the Fresh Fish album is one of the finest examples of recorded dance music available. Kerry, take care and know that we’re thinking about you.
August 7th, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Hi Everybody,
I want to introduce myself and tell you a little about Kerry’s life over the past 6 months. I’ve spent most of that time by his side. My name is Annie Keohane and I was introduced to Kerry a year ago by a mutual friend, Gabriella. My mother lives on Martha’s Vineyard and I was visiting from Colorado. Kerry had expressed an interest in controlling his MS symptoms through diet and my business is preparing healthy food for those who choose it (more under Information: Best Bet Diet http://www.msrc.co.uk). And so we met. A lot has happened between then and now but what I want to share with you here concerns Kerry’s health and spirits during these months.
Kerry has more good days than bad. He never complains. He appreciates the simplest things, gets great pleasure out of moments that most of us never notice. He is always grateful for what he has, never dwelling on what he’s lost. We call him the luckiest unlucky guy in the universe. We laugh all the time. He appreciates good food and a dinner with candlelight, as always. Listening to good music. Hearing the birds sing.
We spent a month together this spring at a health clinic in Northern California. Everybody loved Kerry and treated him like a rock star because word spread of his talent as a fiddler. I read to him in the sunshine by the fountain in the courtyard. He loved going on road trips and they were memorable; we drove through wine country (can you believe he had no wine and didn’t complain?), had a fish sandwich overlooking Bodega Bay, smelled the eucalyptus when we stopped by the side of the road under the huge trees. One evening we had dinner at a quaint little Mexican restaurant in Sebastopol. It was our first meal in a restaurant together and I was apprehensive about it, it was the end of the day and I thought it would be too tiring for him. I suggested we take our dinner to go. I almost insisted. But the lace curtains in the front window were too enticing and I could tell he wanted the experience so much. We got that front window table and again, it was a wonderful time.
When we came back to Martha’s Vineyard we rented a little cottage near the beach. We had breakfast on the deck almost every morning. When I asked him how he was feeling he would always say something like this; “Ive got a bowl of fresh fruit in front of me, NPR on the radio, the sun is shining and you’re sitting beside me… it doesn’t get any better than this, Annie.” Never mind the wheelchair underneath him. Every day was full of moments like this and this is how I think he’d like you to think of him. He is amazing. His is not a dreadful life. His condition has improved since I met him, mentally and physically. He uses a walker more often than a wheelchair. And he’s ever hopeful that his illness can be stabilized, at the very least.
Please, everybody; I think it would help Kerry if your thoughts about him are positive. Think of him on that deck, breeze blowing, sun shining, birds singing and that beautiful grin on his face. Kerry has more love and laughter in him and appreciates life more than most people I know. His illness has brought certain gifts into his life and he’s very aware of that. He’s brought much joy into my life and I think we can all learn from him.
I have more to share about Kerry if anyone is interested, but have to sign off for now. And thanks for all the effort some of you are putting into the concerts. Kerry appreciates it.
Annie
August 11th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
Hello–Although I don’t know Kerry or his individual music, I do know and love the music of Childsplay. I discovered it when reading an article in The Christian Science Monitor on the founder, Mr. Child and was moved by his love for making fine instruments, as well as his love for the music. Kerry may very well have participated in the production of the wonderful Childsplay CDs which I have. If so, thank you. I am sorry to hear of your health challenges, but would like to share with you that I know of individuals who were healed of MS through Christian Science. You may want to investigate it. All the best to you.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Kerry is a perfectionist. Probably always was. This is why he was such a great fiddler, It sometimes made it challenging for those of us who didn’t want the bar held quite so high. But anyone who played with Kerry became a better musician because of that.
One night (perhaps around 1986) Fresh Fish was playing in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. It was the original band, with Steve Zakon calling, Tom Hodgson on guitar, and myself on piano. We had heard that members of the group Trapezoid might come to the dance. They were all musicians whom Kerry admired, and he was feeling a little intimidated, so there was a bit of an edge to the evening already. We did a couple of dances and everything seemed to be going along fine. Then we decided to play a set which started with a nice ethereal riff on the guitar instead of the usual four potatoes from the piano. Just before we started Kerry looked out and saw Ralph Gordon, the bass player for Trapezoid (and currently one of the most talented and in-demand bass players on the circuit). He was nervous, but he was hoping to impress him with our nice arrangement.
Tom started on the guitar and it sounded real pretty. Then Kerry glided in with the melody, and there was instant dissonance. It turned out Tom had put his capo on the wrong fret of the guitar. Well, there was no way to rescue this, gracefully or otherwise, so we had to stop and begin again. Needless to say Kerry was mortified, and of course it was awfully uncomfortable for Tom too. Personally I thought it was hilarious, but I didn’t dare even smile. I think it took quite some time for Kerry to be able to recall the incident without being upset. Some years later I mentioned it to Ralph – he seemed to think it was pretty funny too, and in any case, by the end of the dance he had formed a high opinion of Kerry’s playing which never waivered.
Gordon Peery
August 16th, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Gordon, it was good to hear your story. Yes, that’s Kerry. Your story reminded me of another incident in California. Kerry’s perfectionism and that high bar he held up for himself became apparent to me at that time, as someone who’s only known Kerry since he became sick.
I was heading out to a day alone at the beach, about a 45 minute drive from the clinic where we were staying in Santa Rosa. Someone Kerry trusted was staying with him. Still, he never felt comfortable when I was away from him so it was hard to leave him. But I set out anyway and about halfway to the beach I went by a hand-drawn poster attached to a street sign in Sebastopol – Irish Celtic Music Festival. I was feeling uncomfortable about leaving Kerry anyway, so I followed the arrow and located the festival in a small church. There was time to go back and get Kerry so I called him to see if he’d like to go, and drove back to Santa Rosa to get him.
We arrived at the festival during a break. It was hot, Kerry was a little weak, we used his wheelchair to enter the church. Waited for intermission to end. Talked about the musicians playing. Listened to them as they tuned up. About halfway into the first song, Kerry asked me if we could leave. As I wheeled him through the parking lot I appologized for being insensitive; I said it must be terribly hard to sit
in the audience and listen to, but not be able to pick up and play the instrument that had been such a part of him. He said no, that wasn’t a problem. He just realized that if he had only worked harder, been more disciplined, he could have been really great. He was kicking himself, I think he used those words, for not pushing himself harder when he was able, for not being better, not being more disciplined. He also realized just how good he had been. He was really agitated about it. I couldn’t believe that’s what was getting to him; not that he couldn’t play anymore, but that when he could he hadn’t tried harder! That high bar. I had to laugh, kissed him on the forehead and said, “Just learned something else about you, Elkin”. He laughed, too.
Later, when we were back on Martha’s Vineyard, I found copies of 2 recordings of he and Dave Surette at a contra dance, I think it was 2002. We listened to those cd’s over and over, he loved listening to them, and would point out every mistake… but would always say, “I was good”. It seems he finally has realized how good he was… it’s a beautiful thing for him.
Annie Keohane
August 17th, 2008 at 12:17 am
Hello folks-
First of all, Thanks.
Thanks for this website, Gordon, and for the opportunity to communicate with, and about Kerry. Thanks, Bob, for the great idea and energy behind the benefit events coming up. And thank you very much, Annie, for filling so many of us in on recent developments with Kerry. I love your vivid descriptions of some of the moments you and he are sharing, and the positive images you are painting for us. When you talk about breezes blowing, sun shining, and birds singing outside on the deck it is so easy to picture Kerry being happy, and being right in his element.
I have thought of you often, Kerry, and wondered how things have been going since I last spoke with you (far too long ago). I apologize for letting my own life, family, job, and general tendency to be a busyaholic, keep me from finding out personally how you have been progressing. I’m delighted to hear so many good things through Annie, and wish you all the best in fighting your illness. I hope you will be able to make it to the benefit events so we can see you again in person. And the offer to visit us in Western Mass still has no expiration date!
Another reason I am thinking of you is that, just tonight, Bettie was sharing some “how I met daddy” stories with the boys. It, of course, included the St. Paddy’s day visit to DC, when I first met her (and noticed her alot more than she did me). An then the re-meeting at NEFFA years later, when I could not pry her phone number from her, but managed only to get permission to call you and ask you for it. Thank you again (if I ever remembered to thank you the first time) for giving it to me.
I am enjoying the Kerry as perfectionist stories you guys are swapping. As someone who has never been burdened by possessing that trait, I must say it’s manifestations through Kerry always impressed me. When I met him, and got to visit the “house by the bog” I knew that this was someone who did things the right way and the classy way, and was not afraid of the hard work that it might involve. And then there was the music! My goodness, Kerry, you can say alot more than “I was good”. It was such a treat and honor to be able to work with you and to watch halls full of people dance to your music. You took your job as “dance fiddler” very seriously and really knew what it took to be the best. And you were just that-the best-for many years. Great musicians always have a high bar they reach for, and are often never satisfied, but don’t sell yourself short. Your incredibly precise, powerful, and rhythmic dance fiddling always took great care of, and inspired, the dancers, and it even allowed Gordon a bit extra freedom to Gordonize on the piano. You did another thing that I always appreciated in a musician…you made me look good! Alot of compliments I received over the years were a direct result of being lucky enough to work with you. You even gave me good calling advice in my early years when I would say or do things a bit too dumb for your taste. And at those times, athough your cards mostly were collecting dust in the box, you would remind me that you had been calling dances longer than I had!
When Gordon started writing abut the night in Sheperdstown, W. Va. I immediately thought of another aspect of that evening (although I too remembered the misplaced capo caper). I was thinking of after the dance, when we were carrying the sound system down the fire escape in the rural darkness, and I successfully did the water bottle imitation of peeing from the top level directly onto my hoped for target (your head) at the bottom which I couldn’t see at all. I still relate that story at times as one of my proudest pranks, but it was simply a long overdue payback for the long piece of red tape you and Gordon squarely placed on my butt before I demonstrated the polka to a Rehobeth crowd not knowing that the more I spun, the more my “tail” amused everyone but me. That was the other thing we did so well in those days…we laughed. We certainly weren’t being paid enough to not have fun,
and those days traveling, working, and hanging out together were most definitely fun!
Lots of loving thoughts to you from Bettie and me both…..I hope we do see you next month.
Steve
August 17th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I have wonderful memories of Fresh Fish playing the contra dance in Cooperstown and of visiting with the band at breakfast the next morning. When I moved to the Midwest my opportunities to hear live New England dance music diminished, but I still enjoy listening to recordings including two favorites Soir et Matin and Turning of the Tide. A few years ago I began dating Kevin, who grew up in County Mayo. We first connected through our mutual enjoyment of traditional Irish music (or trad as he calls it). I loaned him Turning of the Tide and he loved it. Kerry, my thoughts are with you. I was grateful to read Annie’s uplifting account of how you are facing this hardship.
Jane
September 8th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Thanks for giving us a way to stay in touch with Kerry. I have great memories of our highly spirited Morris dance team (circa 1982), Rehoboth and Rochester dances and most of all the fabulous community building parties out in Rochester. There were well organized work parties (shingling and bog building/harvesting), unbelievable skating parties (skate for hours and sing for hours) and great celebrations music,food and friendship(sometimes complete with sea plane rides) We have shared many laughs over the years and our thoughts have been with you Kerry as you face this hardship with courage.
Suzanne Elliott
ps Is there a snail mail address to send something to?
September 8th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
I really appreciate the chance to say “thank you” to Kerry after all these years. We met when I discovered contradancing in Rehoboth, MA, inthe early 80’s. The band was Geese in the Bog, and Kerry was both fiddler and caller. Those Friday nights were the gold standard by which I judged any dance experience thereafter. Twenty-five years later, I still go to the Rehoboth dances and see some of the same faces I first knew then.
Once, when I was talking to Kerry, I mentioned that I used to play electric bass in high school. He said that if I got an upright bass I could sit in with the band. I replied that I didn’t even know where to look for one but he assured me that he could find me one. In less than a week, Kerry connected me with a used bass, and I was soon standing behind the band learning the mysteries of jigs and reels.
I’ve been playing ever since in many places with many people, and those experiences have been the great joy of my life. All of these are gifts from many people, but Kerry was one of the first and most important. Kerry, all you have done goes on, the finished and the unfinished. See what happens when you help someone?
Alan Bradbury
September 12th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hey Kerry – sure am sorry to hear you’re not playing at the moment – but those notes you pumped out have always been and will always be an incredible inspiration to me. I sure loved bumping into you from time to time, and hope it happens in the future. Sounds like you are doing well at keeping the illness out of your heart and mind; I know I have admired my lovely bride’s ability to do the same for the last thirty years.
Here’s a hug and a shout
Kevin Carr
September 12th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
Thanks everyone,
These stories and the connection to you all that they bring to Kerry are so important to him right now. It’s the night of the dance and he’s thinking of you. We’re going to try hard to make it to the dance next week. I think we can do it. Meanwhile, Kerry’s sitting beside me and I’m going to type his thoughts for you. Before I do that I want to say I’m sorry I’ve been out of touch. Kerry and I have been apart for the past two months because of unfortunate circumstances. But now that we’re back together I’d like to help him keep in touch with you. He looks forward to these postings. Give us a few days to catch up. Kerry is loving this correspondence!
We’ll try to get some photos on this website soon.
Suzanne, you can get my email address from Bob Childs and I’ll send you our address. If you have any trouble, let me know.
Annie
From Kerry:
Wish Annie and I could be there. We’re going to try to make it next weekend. Meanwhile, dance the night away. Thanks also for all the memories. Love, Kerry
September 13th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
Hey all – I have many memories of Kerry over the years – the accomplished birder who could identify any of the confusing sea birds with a spotting scope or without, the inspirational dog trainer with the best-behaved little black lab that you have ever met, the phenomenal gardener with gorgeous leeks and cabbage only rivaled by Wally Zembo in my experience – and the list goes on.
One story that I recall is a time that Rob and I visited Kerry at his cabin in Maine in the 70’s. At the time, he was attempting to build a homestread in the wilderness, complete with a barn, an orchard and a garden. Kerry always instilled confidence with his strength, energy and know-how and we were inspired by the scope of his project. The cabin was tiny. I don’t think that there was plumbing, but they had had moose in the backyard and new growth in the garden. It was beautiful. The biggest problem, in my book, was the “driveway.” Kerry didn’t want to be too close to the road, so he “built” a driveway back to the building site. Was it a mile? Two miles? I don’t remember, but it was far enough into the woods so that Kerry couldn’t hear a car going past on a rural Maine road. He would just have to deal with the occassional plane overhead. But, if my memory serves me, the money ran out before the gravel could be purchased for the road, so you had to park at the main road and walk into the cabin. Not bad for a weekend visitor, but a bit problematic for building supplies, groceries, furniture, etc. I’m sure that Kerry had a plan, since he was the model of self sufficiency. Maybe he was planning to buy a tractor? Perhaps. Ah yes, those were the days!
Kerry – lots of love and hugs. We think of you often and love the image of you sitting on the deck, listening to the birds. Please send us a snail mail address.
xox Suzy
September 13th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Kerry, I just found out about your diagnosis. I hope that you continue to stay in good spirits and have love and help nearby – you know you have it from afar. The wonderful thing about being a musician is that people all over the world have had the opportunity to get to know you, at least in some small, or sometimes large way.
I treasure the memories of our times together at Pinewoods, as well as at other dances, dance weekends, etc. One special memory – in fact I was just thinking about it the other day – was the time that you all (Steve and Fresh Fish) ended up coming to my house in Silver Spring for an impromptu party when the “Blizzard of ‘93″ canceled our “spring” dance that you all drove from NE to come play for. The best non-dance I’ve ever been to!
As you may or may not know, I’ve been diagnosed with MS since spring ‘97. I started experiencing symptoms about two weeks after I got married – they do say that stressful events will bring stuff like that on. I spent the first five or so years in worse shape than I am now – I can even dance and play bass once again. I am truly one of the lucky ones, and have been blessed to stay off the drugs (so far), but I have had enough stuff going on over the last 10+ years that I can truly say that I am both sympathetic and empathetic.
If you want to get in touch, or if Annie does, I would be pleased to be in more contact. Till then, know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Mamlin
(now in Durham, NC)
September 13th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I wish I could blame Kerry for getting the dance date wrong last night – he’s the one with the short term memory problems, after all. I guess that’s something else we have in common. Anyway, we thought of you last night and will again tonight. Have a wonderful time! Kerry’s friend Woody is about to read these latest postings…
Annie
September 13th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thank you all for setting up this website. Reading these messages reminds me of how many ways Kerry impacted my life back in the early Rehoboth Dance days.
Playing, singing, and dancing (sometimes finding weak spots in our recycled wood floor and stepping right through) before and after potlucks.
Giving us one of Margiana’s puppies, which we named Abby, and although we taught her to “sneak” never approached the seemingly telepathic bond Kerry had with her mom. I remember one time a cross country ski got loose and went about 50 yards down the hill before Kerry sent her after it, she runs it down, looks back up the hill at him, he somehow communicates that we need the ski so she joggles it around in her mouth until its balanced and runs it back up the hill.
Being a willing participant in whatever crazy adventure we were planning whether helping to move our house or finding some sheltered water to continue our great monster canoe adventure after we rolled it in the surf off Woods Hole just a few yards into our planned voyage to Nashon Island.
Giving us the frame to a boat shop which we brought back from Martha’s Vineyard and which stands today as a beautiful skeleton awaiting skin and windows.
Soooo… thank you Kerry for all you have met to us and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Bob and Suzanne Elliott
September 14th, 2008 at 1:25 am
Kerry– I thought of you all evening as I danced in Greenfield. You were definitely there! I have very clear memories of watching you dance with your fiddle when you played. It has been an honor to dance to your playing, and I am so grateful to have known you, laughed with you and traveled a little with you as well.
In my new adventure as an occupational therapist, I think of how your journey through has changed and will continue to change. It sounds as though you are going forward with a strength of spirit and will that serves you well. And you have great support close to you as well!!!
I hope to make it to the Concord dance next Friday, and I hope you make it too. It would be a joy to see you again. Much love to you, Amy
September 14th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Dear Kerry,
Wally, Anna & I made it out to Greenfield last night and what a spirited hall full of great dancers and musicians we found…and of coarse Steve Zakon calling zesty dances! I was delighted and moved to see a dancer sporting a vintage Geese in the Bog T shirt! We got to visit with Peggy Hart briefly in Shellburne Falls before the dance and you know that is one of the wonderful aspects of the community that your music and contradancing creates and sustains…lasting friends from far and near that on a moments notice say “Well, come for dinner before the dance!” She sends her regards.
Kerry, your magical and masterful music was the sound track for Wally & I as we courted, fell in love and had a rolicking contradance & pig roast picnic wedding 25 yrs ago. Your music and the community it enlivened is part of the sweet memories that are a solid rock in the foundation of our loving relationship(and I’m guessing quite a few others). To balance and swing as you turned the tune to a minor key and hastened the pace was a visceral pleasure way up there on the list with chocolate and well…you know the saying about Contradancing being the most fun you can have with your clothes on?……Is that why they call it an improper dance?
Your friendship that began back then as we were all starting our “adult lives” finding our way and our ways of being in the world is a fine and defining one for me, despite the distances of time and different directions our lives’ works have taken. Still now all these years later whenever we get a decent blanket of snow here on the south coast I think fondly of the day you, Wally and I tooled around Rochester in your truck(with Margie the all time best behaved and loved dog) over snow packed roads, you sharing with us beautiful spots to walk and be and marvel in that crisp, reverential silence the snowfall offers. Your knowledge of and deep abiding respect for and joy in the natural world is yet another gift you have freely shared. Thank you!
So, now as you work through this challenge do know that many loving and healing thoughts are coming your way. Let us know if we can help with visits, meals or other tangible tasks…
Big Hugs,
Cindi Zembo
September 17th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Hello to all. We are Woody & Susie Bowman. We first met Kerry when he and Ruth came from time to time to Martha’s Vineyard to play for the then-monthly dances here. (These were always the BEST dances!) In recent years, Susie has played with Kerry at weekly sessions in Oak Bluffs. Once Kerry began to suffer a rapid decline from MS, we found ways to come alongside, and a deeper friendship developed.
Kerry and Annie are now staying with us on Martha’s Vineyard while Kerry recovers strength. We’ve made ferry and hotel reservations so that Kerry can join this Friday’s dance in Concord for at least a little bit, and hope & pray that he will be strong enough to make the trip. It’s an exciting prospect for all of us! At the very least, we will be there. We look forward to dancing with many of Kerry’s old friends (we suspect that we’ve crossed paths with some of you) and enjoying an evening of lively music.
After two months of very limited activity, due to difficult circumstances, Kerry is now active every day; he’s been up and about, listening to music and conversing, outside on wheelchair excursions around our home, and touring the island by car. Kerry’s enjoyed the activities and stimulation, reconnecting with the things that are important to him, but we have to take care as he tires easily. Today he’s hoping to treat Annie to a fine restaurant meal!
We’ve been reading the notes on the website to him, and they mean so much to him and spark important memories. Keep them coming!
Some have asked about snail mail. Letters to Kerry can be addressed care of us at P.O. Box 335, West Tisbury, MA 02575.
Woody & Susie Bowman
Martha’s Vineyard
September 19th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Dear Kerry and dear friends,
It was our total pleasure to be the site of so many Fresh Fish rehearsals over the years. Our house rang with the wonderful music, and Molly and Spencer (who were quite young at the time) were in love with and probably in awe of Kerry, Tom, Sam, Steve, Gordon, and all the other great musicians who sat in with the band. What is so special about listening to musicians rehearse, I think, is hearing how a piece is created within the ensemble, sometimes with stops and starts, tempo changes, and all the other fine-tuning, over and over — and that great feeling of success when it all comes together and works. So satisfying! Kerry, you could be a stern task-master, but what made Fresh Fish such an exciting dance band was the precision and fire that came from being so well-rehearsed.
So I love thinking back to those Fresh Fish days. The band felt like part of our family. Kerry, you were so unfailingly kind and patient to our kids, and they just adored you. I know you recognized in Spencer something of a kindred soul, musically, and let him sit with you and feel like one of the band as he sawed away on that little fiddle he loved. (He might not have known how to finger the notes, but he sure did have the rhythm right.)
Every rehearsal also meant a great potluck meal, with fresh cranberries in season from Kerry’s bog. Gordon and I got so many good recipes — our Thanksgiving dinner just wouldn’t happen without a big bowl of cranberry-maple-ginger sauce (one of the best things that ever happened to a cranberry). If there’s a better combination than good food, good music, and good conversation, I don’t know what it is, and your presence in our home meant all of those.
So Kerry, know what a big part of our lives you are. Do you remember sitting on the beach on Martha’s Vineyard, I think in the summer of 1986, while you, Gordon, Steve, Tom (maybe others?) debated what to call the band? I know one of the other ideas was Compass Rose. That would have been confusing with the SalmonChanted Evening t-shirts, so it was probably good to go with Fresh Fish after all
We all love you, and you are in my prayers.
Susan Peery
Nelson
September 21st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Thank you Susan, I loved hearing your letter. Thank you for having Fresh Fish reherse at your house. Those were fun and great times.
Kerry
September 23rd, 2008 at 1:17 pm
Kerry is not only a sublime and dynamic musician, but has been a very generous and inspirational teacher. I have enjoyed the music for years, both on the recordings and during the times you have been out to Seattle and the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes. On the first year I was brave enough to register for the whole Fiddletunes week (with a fiddle), I was lucky enough to chose Kerry’s afternoon tutorial sessions. In addition to the hour or so a day, Kerry offered a private session to everyone in the tutorial group – what an encouraging start for a beginning fiddler!
Kerry, you have remained an inspiration and one of my favorite fiddlers. I’ve had a few chances to come to the Rehobeth dance while visiting my sister in New Bedford. One of the times you were playing, my ‘hyper-active’ nephew (who had gotten a little too much sugar raiding the cookie table and had begun adding karate kicks as an embellishment to the dance before I suggested we take a break) got fascinated with watching and listening to music he would never listen to at home.
I’m glad you’re reissuing the recordings – my Soir et Matin cassette tape wore out long ago.
My sincere thanks to all the music you have shared with others and very best wishes during this challenging time,
Valerie
Seattle
October 6th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Hi Kerry,
We’d like to send you greetings, and encouragement, and say that we always have enjoyed seeing you and hearing you play, and will keep you in our thoughts.We saw Steve Z-A in August, and he filled us in as to what was going on.
So here’s to progress and positive thinking.
Regards, Barbara and Mike Gilman, Chester,NY
October 6th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Dear Kerry: I had heard somewhere about your illness, and I talked to Michael Gorin last week. Just now the Gilmans sent me this site. I have a strong memory of a time when you and Fresh Fish stayed at my house in Poughkeepsie after a dance. Every one else went on up to bed, and you walked into my darkened living room, sat on the coffee table, and began to play. I have no idea how long you played — you started at perhaps 1 AM. It was heavenly.
My heart and good wishes are with you.
Warmly, Susie Deane-Miller
October 27th, 2008 at 2:37 pm
Hi Everyone,
We regret being out of touch, but life’s been very busy. We’ll give you an update soon as we settle into our life in beautiful Colorado. We have been very fortunate to get an appointment with a doctor here who has MS and sees patients from around the country. She only takes patients with MS, and doesn’t often take new patients. We’ll keep you updated once things settle down. I’m about to email Gordon a photo for the website and look forward to sending more asap. Does anyone know how I can reach Nancy Mamlin? Would like to get in touch with her regarding her experience with MS. And anyone else who would like to share info, we’d love to hear from you.
Thanks to all of you for your support. We’ll be able to keep in better touch soon!
Annie
October 28th, 2008 at 5:34 pm
Kerry, I received the two wonderful CDs the other day to replace my worn out Fresh Fish cassettes. I have vivid memories of hearing you at the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes (in the early ’90s?) and dancing to your joyous music. I am inspired anew to learn all those delicious tunes! Although I have never known you personally, you are most certainly a part of my life, both musically and in spirit. Thank you so much!!
November 15th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Annie,
You (or anyone) can reach me at nmamlin@nccu.edu or nmamlin@nc.rr.com. I check them both regularly – but probably my work email (nccu) more often. I’d be happy to talk to you – my experiences with MS have been very different from most folks I know of… so far, at least.
Nancy Mamlin
Durham, NC
November 16th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
Dear Kerry,
I recently learned about your health situation and have been thinking of you.
Steve Zakon-Anderson wrote about how you made him look good as a caller and oh my, you certainly did that for me as well. One fond memory — perhaps it was at a dance at the VFW in Cambridge — I tried to tell you about the dance coming up so you could pick tunes to fit. You said you didn’t want to know. You’d just play. And of course whatever tunes you picked were always perfect for the dance. That’s when I really learned that an excellent fiddler can take a tune and fit it so it seems inevitable — of course that’s the tune for this dance!
Thanks for reissuing your CDs. I’m looking forward to getting my copies.
Here’s to you, Kerry.
Mary
Portland, Oregon
November 17th, 2008 at 12:53 am
Dear Kerry,
I just heard today. I’ve enjoyed your forays out Washington way, both for your music and your self! Positive, upbeat folks are always a joy!
I have been diagnosed with MS since August 1989, and been pretty darned lucky. Sounds like you’re doing the right things – keep cool and positive! And naps are our friend
Like Nancy Mamlin, I am (usually) doing better than the first while: I pray as much for you.
In solidarity,
Sheila
Seattle
November 17th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I met Kerry, along with the rest of the Fresh Fish guys, years ago, back in the mists of time. I remember dancing to Fresh Fish and being stunned that just three guys could produce that driving wall of music – even without a sound system, it would have been a wall of gorgeous sound, each of them weaving their own notes together to drive my body and my heart through the dance. Every tune they played was beautiful, but what Kerry could do to jigs made me wait in anticipation for every Fresh Fish dance that came my way. I live in New Jersey and didn’t see enough of them, but I remember visiting Kerry’s house once, a house full of light and air, and I know that wherever Kerry lives, there will be a spirit of light and air.
A period of years went by, after Fresh Fish stopped playing, when I didn’t cross paths with Kerry, but just a few years ago, Laurie Andres asked me to call at Camp Wannadance and, as exciting as it was to think of going to Wannadance again, he said the very best thing, that Kerry had been convinced to come out of retirement to play. I know Kerry was feeling uncertain about playing at Camp because it had been some time since he’d played for dancing, but he played with power and brought back to me that wonderful old New England sound I’ve always loved. It was a very special camp to me because Kerry was there. While we were there at Camp Wannadance, I sat in on another caller’s workshop that Kerry was playing for, and the caller called Trip to Lambertville, a Steve Zakon-Anderson dance that was debuted in Lambertville, NJ. Fresh Fish had played for that dance, and it was a wonderful moment for me to catch eyes with Kerry and to remember together with him a great dance with a wild bunch of people in a great old hall all those years ago.
Kerry, I’m sorry to know that you’re in the grip of MS, and I hope that it helps knowing that your old friends are thinking of you and wishing you well with all our hearts.
With love,
Sue Dupre
November 17th, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Dear Kerry:
I enjoyed learning from you at Fiddle Tunes in Port Townsend some years ago. I fell in love with your fiddling and you were patient with us. Thanks so much for helping us ‘little fiddle people’ along the way–you made a lasting impression–and very best to you with the challenges in front of you.
With kindness–
Jenny Van West
Portland, Maine
November 17th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Dear Kerry,
I send you a hug and warm wishes from Portland, Oregon, where Nick and I and the kids relocated last year. Your imaginative, exuberant, and uplifting fiddling has touched so many lives–including mine. The spirit behind the playing is what makes that kind of music possible, and it sounds like it is helping you to keep your joy and focus through very challenging circumstances. You are much beloved by many, and I join my voice in wishing you well.
Hug and a kiss,
Lisa
November 17th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hi Kerry,
Twenty-four years ago, at the house I shared with Barbara Greenberg and Robert Mills, I bought your “second fiddle” – the one I still own, use and cherish. You played it for me as incentive, and I was sold in less time than it took for an AABB. I’ve kept your shaved down bridge, and because I am so consciencious about keeping up with such things, there’s a possibility I still have one or more of your original strings on there… I suppose I ought to change them, but they have such lovely karma. I wish you all the ease that beautiful music and dedicated friends can bring. I will send good thoughts each time I play.
Debbie Goodkin
November 17th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Kerry,
I just learned of your illness from an e-mail sent out by Sue Dupre today. I send you lots of good energy and positive thoughts! I’d like to remind you of the time the Fish and Steve stayed with me when I was living in Lansdowne, PA, and you guys were going to play a dance at the Commodore Barry club in Philadelphia (home of the Philadelphia Ceilidh Group and general “headquarters” of the Irish community in Phila.). In honor of the occasion, I went down to the Italian Market in Philly, stopped in at Fiorello’s and bought several pounds of their homemade and handmade hot Italian sausage, then went to Sarcone’s and picked up the largest Italian bread I could find. I made my best “gravy” (as we like to call marinara sauce here in Philly…), made a huge salad, and opened up several bottles of a chianti of dubious heritage. Well, we all ate like kings, and then went over to the dance. While out dancing during the first set I noticed that the band was playing in a rather subdued manner, with very relaxed tempos. I remembered looking up on stage and you (and the rest of the band) had a rather glazed look in your eye and were red in the face. At the break, you came up to me, and (somewhat breathlessly) said; “Look…that meal was great, but next time we stay over, can we have something a little LIGHTER for dinner???” A good lesson in the care and feeding of bands!
I wish you the best and it sounds like you are in good hands.
-Bob S
November 17th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
Dear Kerry,
You may not remember me, but I believe we crossed paths at Lady of the Lake in 1990. Or maybe it was Wannadance. I would have been 15. While I don’t remember a shred of conversation in words with you, I do remember transfixedly watching you play, and also that round about that time my dad gave me Dad Lecture #54 about its okay to fall in love with music, but be careful about ever falling in love with a musician….
I do remember in crystal clarity spending the next two years listening to the Soir et Matin cassette practically nonstop. Your driving rhythms and precise balance of joy, melancholy, and movement was my soundtrack to the pouring out of my passions, questions, and general growing up into my journal during some wonderful and rocky years.
I still find the tunes inside me, and catch myself beating time with my fingers at the keyboard, singing the melodies as I’m biking, staring into space breathing the air of contra dances long ago.
I’m pretty proud of where I am in the world, the “adult” I’ve become and the work I do. Your music was a huge part of my growing up, and your artistry continues to influence mine. Thanks for reaffirming that the “performing arts”, transient though they may feel, nonetheless survive the immediate playing and resonate long after the last note is played.
Sincerely,
Shana Bestock
Seattle, WA
November 23rd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
Yo, Kerry, greetings from the Heartlands! Steven Trampe told me last year, with great grief, of your MS diagnosis, but I didn’t know til now that it has been so aggressive. I too was diagnosed with MS around the same time, in Dec 2006. I can look back to at least 6 years before that and observe episodes of inexplicable fatigue, cognitive fogging and neuropathy, so by the time I got my diagnosis I was just relieved to give it a name and get on with it. My symptoms wax and wane, and I can be pretty gimpy, but fortunately the progression is fairly slow. The most important thing to me is to get my kids raised up.
I find it odd, and wonderful, that MS has in many ways contributed to the quality of my life. I call it ‘the silver lining’. Yes, there is tedium, discomfort and terrible uncertainty associated with MS. At the same time, I have learned to slow down, appreciate the moment, and especially to accept the love and support that others have to give. There is such great richness to life each day, no matter what our state of physical being — as long as we are open to it.
I grieve with others that you can no longer pick up that bow and immerse yourself in the intense focus of your music. Yet I take comfort that you have not lost the capacity to focus that intensity on the preciousness of the other moments that make up your life. Self-acceptance and a certain ironic humor will take us a long way towards happiness! Kate Garst, now of Des Moines, Iowa
November 28th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Hi to all,
I found out about the benefit dance in Seattle too late, and wish I could have been there. I started Contra dancing in Olympia, WA in 1993 – the same year that I had full paralysis of my legs for several minutes. It went away, and doctors attributed it to the solvents I was working with at a print shop. In 2004, I again had attacks of paralysis, and was finally given the official diagnosis of MS.
I can only echo what Kate (above) says. It’s been the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I’ve slowed down, even during the good days (and REALLY slow down on the bad days
).
The best part, though, was deciding to try to dance again after a three-year break. I didn’t think I could deal with the twirling and the fatigue. But I missed it so much! I went to the Phinney Ridge and Lake City dances in Seattle, and told each partner that I might need a little extra “hand-holding” because I have MS. That was about a year ago. EVERYONE, without exception, has been great! I can only dance a few dances now, and I pay for it the next couple of days, but it’s worth it. So if anyone who has MS is reading this, don’t give up. A positive attitude and, like Kate says, appreciating the accomplishments that we used to take for granted make our lives rich.
Good wishes to you Kerry!
Mary D.
Seattle
November 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Hello Everyone,
I have to make this a quick one since I’ve been having problems with my internet connection. But we wanted to touch base and say hello. And thank you all SO MUCH for keeping these letters coming. I read them to Kerry, over and over, and it’s great for his spirit. I hope Kerry gets better, at least enough so that we can come back East to visit and have a big party and see you all! Kerry loves this idea. Meanwhile, I hope you all take comfort in knowing that Kerry is doing alright. He’s still weak but his mood is good, he’s eating well, and he’s enjoying lots of music and a warm, beautiful, peaceful but stimulating environment. It’s as though this house were designed for Kerry. It’s a bird lover’s paradise – I didn’t realize that until we moved in and I tell Kerry I think they”re flocking here to this property just for him. I can’t keep the bird feeders stocked and a woodpecker landed on the porch today within a few feet from where Kerry was sitting near the picture window. And there’s a small tree full of berries on the other side of that window and the birds are always coming and going. And the mountain views… I always ask Kerry if he can see this or that – the snow on the mountain tops, the birds in the tree, and he says he can. Which is great, as his vision at times is poor. But lately it’s been good. There are huge picture windows like this in the three main rooms – livingroom, diningroom and kitchen – so wherever Kerry is hanging out, the great outdoors is there for him, close enough so you can really feel it.
Okay, you know I could go on and on, but I want to send this before it gets lost in cyberspace. And we’ll be in touch again soon. I did want to let you all know that Kerry got some medical test results back and he has very high levels of mercury in his system. Most of you know this is pretty serious and we’re going to discuss treatment with his doctor tomorrow. We don’t know where it came from; right now it’s just important to deal with getting it out of his sytem. Maybe that will help relieve some of his symptoms. Mercury poisoning affects the central nervous system and brain, as does MS. We can all hope for that.
Please continue to stay with us through these postings. It’s quite a journey and I have no doubt that the love and support from you all makes a big difference.
Much love,
Annie and Kerry
December 5th, 2008 at 12:26 am
Thanks, SEATTLE friends and fans…
We’ve been so busy we didn’t even notice the postings on the website about the dance in Seattle. Then Kerry recieved a bundle of letters and cards in the mail, with 51 notes (I just counted them) written to him at the dance! He was so happy when I read those notes to him. I can try to convey Kerry’s response to your love and support, but you really have to see that grin on his face when I open his mail and read it to him to understand what you all mean to him.
Kerry’s doctor is very optimistic that his condition will improve. Meanwhile, all of you are playing a big role in keeping Kerry’s spirits up. He is so lucky to have you all out there. And thankyou for your support through the CD sales – it really helps.
Kerry wants to thank everyone who played and danced for him in Seattle. And to everyone behind the scenes who put it all together. I asked him if he thought he might like to take a trip to Seattle when he gets better and, of course, he would love to. Meanwhile, I’m hanging your cards and letters on a big board by his bed.
xxoo Annie and Kerry
December 7th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
Hi Kerry,
I just came upon this website, and what wonderful memories and associations folks have shared. We never know what twists and turns life’s journey will hold for us, and it saddens me to know your journey has entailed such personal difficulty and pain. But there’s such inspiration you have given us over the years, and that inspiration from you continues despite your health battles.
December 7th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Hi again, Kerry.
Well my computer thought I was done ……. but:
Blue Hill, Maine, Summer 1985 (?). The Town Hall hosts Fresh Fish for a dance, and the Sunday morning-after in our Brooklin home includes coffee, a backyard of birds, and a few fiddle tunes shared before Gordon and Steve stumble down the stairs. It didn’t take long for us to realize how close were our approaches to making Irish fiddle tunes into great contradance tunes. I remain inspired by your playing, Kerry, and those “Fish” CDs still make regular appearances on my radio program.
The last time we met was a few years ago at a Down East Country Dance Festival. We shared a few tunes in a session, and I absorbed every moment of your fiddle tune tutorial later that day. In my mind you remain the fiddler that exemplifies the music style I most admire.
There was a first-Saturday dance in Blue Hill last night. And one of the next generation of fiddlers was playing Miss Monaghan and Miss Thornton’s. I taught Fiona those tunes years ago as part of Oakum Bay’s repertoire, and of course you know where I first heard them! The Blue Hill dance starts its 34th year in January, and I’ve been fiddling for 25 of them. If there’s an Irish reel in a set, chances are very good there’s some Kerry Elkin inspiration in its execution.
Pat & I send you & Annie all our best wishes from Maine to Colorado. What a view (and it sounds like pretty good birding too).
December 8th, 2008 at 2:34 am
George,
Thanks so much for writing. I need to photograph Kerry’s beautiful smile as I read these letters to him so you can all see that you’re really reaching him, how important this is to him. His memory is not very good at the moment and that makes these postings especially important. They definitely spark his memory. And make him very happy.
Thank you, belatedly, Kate Garst and Mary D for sharing your experiences with MS with us – this has also meant alot to Kerry and has lifted his spirits. And good luck to you. We’ll keep you informed about Kerry’s experiences and we’d appreciate you keeping us informed, too.
Shana, thanks for sharing, Kerry loved your letter, please let us know what you’re up to in life! Our contact info is now on this website. Sorry I’ve been too busy to respond before now. It helps that our internet connection now seems solid. Moving into a new place, getting phone and TV and internet, etc. hooked up and working smoothly is not as easy as it should be! It’s been crazy.
The weather is still pretty mild here in Paonia. We have views of mountains topped with snow but they’re 10 – 12,000 feet high and fortunately, we’re at less than 6,000 ft. Makes a huge difference. No snow here yet. I’m happy viewing it from a distance! I discovered 2 walnut trees in the backyard yesterday and although most of the walnuts had fallen and been harvested by someone who had expected the house would be vacant this winter, I managed to knock a few remaining nuts from the trees and hammered them open for Kerry… they were sweet and delicious. We also have an apple and a plum tree; 2 as yet unidentified fruit trees (we hope they’re peach trees, or cherry, this area is famous for them); a beautiful, established vegetable garden and lots of old herb gardens around the house. How perfect for Kerry. An old-timer who knocked on our door by mistake last week, and came in and met Kerry and talked with us for half an hour, said he thought this might be one of the oldest houses in the valley. It’s such a beautiful place. And, this is very new news, some friends of Kerry on Martha’s Vineyard are buying this house for him so that he has a stable place to live. He is a lucky guy, in so many ways.
Please continue to keep Kerry in your thoughts as we begin this road to recovery. We have a long road ahead of us, no doubt. He’s got a great team around him; the nurses and home health aides who come to help us are wonderful, they all go way out of their way to provide us with what we need and are so kind to both of us. And his doctors are equally concerned and very available. And he looks fantastic. His skin looks great, his flexibility is good. I tell him it’s because of all that good food that he eats! He’s just happy to hear that he’s still in good shape. Most importantly, Kerry feels he can get better. He has a very positive view of his life right now. He’s comfortable and his life is relatively stress-free. And he has LOTS of music in his life! And birds, and friends coming by to read to him, and a massage therapist coming by regularly, and good food (including very fresh walnuts),… he feels like he’s a lucky man.
Thank you all for continuing to provide Kerry with that other, very important component of his rehabilitation – a connection to his music world and all his friends out there. Do you know his fingers are STILL always moving, as though he’s playing his fiddle? Always. Rarely do I look at Kerry and see his hands still. When I sit with him and hold his hand, he plays his music on my hand. My hand is his violin. It makes me cry, and it makes me smile… I think it’s great and very important that Kerry is keeping that connection between his brain and his fingers.
As you all know, his music was everything to him and you’re all keeping it very alive for him.
Love, Annie
January 4th, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Hi Kerry,
We’ve never met, but your name and web site information was given to me today. I was diagnosed with MS in July 2007. I am an elementary music teacher by day, contra dance fiddler by night:) You are probably aware of all possible treatments. I chose to follow the Swank MS Diet and use Copaxone. Sounds like you are doing all you can to remain positive and you’ve got a good support team.
Blessings,
Carla
January 7th, 2009 at 1:46 am
I’d be playing with Kerry at some small New Hampshire dance, and I swear every single tune we’d play would not only great, but one I’d never heard before. He’s the master at finding the good melody, he’s got amazing taste. And of course, a fanatical devotee of fine coffee – I’d be in the cabin next to his at Pinewoods and hear the espresso machine going at 7 AM.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Thanks for the comments! Kerry continues to enjoy hearing from you all. I guess that’s an understatement.
After a month of chelation therapy, and after two years of rapidly declining health, Kerry is showing small but steady signs of improvement. His mind is clearer, his upper body strength is increasing and his voice is getting stronger. His doctor says this is exciting news. It will be a long process; he has very high levels of mercury and other metals in his system. But now every day we can look forward to positive changes.
Meanwhile, this is a beautiful place for him to recover and we have wonderful people surrounding us. I’m working on getting some photographs together to post here.
Gordon, thanks again for this website. What a gift it’s been to Kerry.
We’ll keep you posted.
Love, Annie
January 19th, 2009 at 1:43 pm
Some years ago, Bill Black, Gary Newman and I risked a night crossing to Martha’s Vineyard to join Kerry and company at their weekly session. What a night! Mighty music. Have just been reading, above, Kerry’s dry acknowledgment that he was “good.” Oh yes, you were good! But admit a little more worth than that, won’t you? If you peg yourself at merely “good,” where will that leave the rest of us?!
“Good.” Hmmph.
Thanks, Kerry.
Best wishes from–
–Rick Gagne, now in Clinton, Mizsippi
February 6th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Kerry and Annie,
I have just stumbled across this news and website while researching the tune Glencolombkille. Tom & I learned the tune (along with many others!!) from Kerry and one of the Fresh Fish recordings.. I think that’s what it was — years ago.
It would take a long time to describe the musical debt that I owe to Kerry, never mind the birdwatching fun!
I will write to the snail mail address soon – I got so far out of touch that I didn’t even know you were on Marthas Vineyard. Wish I could send you some warm weather from here in north Florida, but there isn’t much here either, believe it or not. Love to you both -
March 14th, 2009 at 12:36 am
Hi everyone,
I can’t believe our last posting was so long ago. Life is very busy and as we all know, time does fly by.
Kerry’s health continues to be stable. To me, this is good news after witnessing his very rapid decline. But someone I spoke with recently thought I was painting a much too rosy picture on this website. I don’t intend to. Kerry is definitely better than he was a few months ago. But most of you don’t know how far Kerry had fallen. By the time he got to Colorado he was bedridden. So, with that as a baseline, you can better understand that the improvements he’s experiencing now are substantial.
He’s made it through the winter without any sickness, not even a slight cold. That’s a big deal for someone in Kerry’s condition. His physical therapist said today that his muscle tone is good, his joints aren’t stiff, he’s definitely gaining strength. We’re going to boost his physical therapy sessions to prepare for the transition from bed to walker. All of the doctors and nurses and health professionals who see Kerry are amazed at his health given the circumstances. I do knock on wood every time I say these words.
Life isn’t easy for us. But it’s so much better. Kerry is stronger. We both carry on knowing that there’s a good chance he’ll be back on his feet again. Meanwhile, I think I have a good lead on a wheelchair accessible van which will allow us to get out now that the weather is beautiful here. There is a fiddler’s festival here soon, the crane’s annual migration brings them to our neighborhood for a couple of weeks in April… with the right vehicle we’ll be able to easily get out and about.
Keep in touch everyone. One of these days I WILL get some photos up for you all. I still read your postings to Kerry to keep him connected to the world he shared with you. When Woody and Susie visit soon they’re bringing his fiddle! Those hands never stop. Actually, they did once for a day or two and it made me very nervous, it was so unusual. But he’s back at it.
Love, Annie
April 15th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
Dear Kerry and Annie,
I think of you so often, Kerry, and I still miss playing music with you. I was heartened to find this web site and the news of your beautiful new home in Colorado, the loving care Annie is providing, and your increased strength and health.
I am going to be doing a concert & workshop tour in Seattle and Portland, Oregon in early May, and when I am there I will be remembering how great it was to play with you at the Wannadance Uptown weekend in Seattle all those years ago. Please let me know if you will be back in New England for a visit, as I would love to see you.
Sending blessings and love,
Laurel
April 28th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Laurel,
Kerry was so happy to hear from you. We will be visiting New England in the near future and will let everyone know in advance. Kerry would love to see you.
Kerry is still moving along in the right direction. We got a van with a wheelchair lift which combined with beautiful weather, fruit trees blossoming and the rivers running has been a blessing after a home-bound winter. To be able to sit by the river in the sunshine and hear the water rushing and birds singing is really heaven to him. I never could have imagined such simple things would bring us so much pleasure. His spirits are good.
He recently, with renewed strength, lifted his arm as though to play his fiddle and said, “Annie, I want my fiddle now.” I asked him if he had a choice would he choose to walk or play the fiddle again. I already knew the answer. I told him we’re working on both and he smiled. All of you who know him can appreciate the discipline and determination he is applying to his recovery. He’s not lazy about it in spite of being weak and tired. We’re taking it slowly but steadily. His physical therapy is going well. Everyone is surprised by his progress.
Keep on keeping in touch everyone. Kerry is alive and well enough and loves to hear from you. Thanks again, Laurel.
Love, Annie
May 5th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
Hey Kerry,
Happy Spring! After a long winter here in New England the brilliant green grass and flowering trees and shrubs are so very welcomed even if it is still cold and damp this week. Are there March peepers out there in Colorado? It was nearly April before we heard their exstatic chirping this year. Wally is busy in the garden, redoing the fences for the chicken yard and making water tight the canoe we aquired from Bob Elliott’s impressive fleet.
I am so glad to hear that you came through the winter with improving health and are finding pleasure in the moment in your days. I had the chance to hear and see the Dalai Lama (at Gillette Stadium of all places) and his gentle message about the importance of a peaceful mind for a healthy body was made clear by his own amazing example…The best part was how he just chuckled and laughed and was such a calm and dear man up there on his Buddhist throne type seat…So unassuming as he donned a red Patriots baseball cap to shield his eyes from the bright afternoon sun.
That’s all for now…Just wanted you to know you are in our thoughts and healing wishes are coming your way. We’d love to see you when you are in New England.
Cindi
May 10th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Cindi,
Kerry says hello and great to hear from you. The weather here continues to be beautiful, much like New England this time of year. Lots of birdsong and flowers blooming, in the 70’s every day. Kerry and I are visiting a friend who has a hot springs pool fed by a little waterfall. It’s been great for him to sit outside in the sunshine and hear the water falling over the stones and feel the breeze on his skin.
It was a long winter and Spring is feeling awfully good to him.
See you when we make it back for a visit.
Love, Kerry and Annie
July 12th, 2009 at 11:54 pm
Hi All,
Busy, busy, but it’s been so long wanted you all to know Kerry’s doing alright here in Colorado. We recently went to a clinic where they specialize in removing mercury fillings – silver amalgams – and had other necessary dental work done. He sailed through it.
In fact, the doctors were amazed at his blood chemistries especially that he has “the liver of a 16 year-old” and that the blood analysis showed his muscles are in good shape, not deteriorating as would be expected. So though he’s not back on his feet yet, there’s reason to hope. When he gets stronger and is able, they said there’s no physical reason he can’t walk again. We’re looking into hydrotherapy, getting him into a pool with a trained therapist. And cognitive therapy, especially music therapy. Still a long road ahead of us but we keep moving along.
Meanwhile, we have a beautiful screened-in porch overlooking the valley and the mountains which is like our summer living room and just harvested 12 quarts of cherries from our own trees and daily receive fresh-picked produce from friends and neighbors; peas, potatoes, basil, lettuce, parsley, carrots, cabbage, garlic, onions, cilantro… which I try io turn into something palatable for Kerry in the kitchen. He loves to eat good food, as you all know. So I’m very grateful for the abundance of fresh food here.
Write when you can. It so clearly engages his mind, his memory, when I read to him from this site! So I do quite often.
And Fred Park, thank you so much for that phone message while crossing the Mississippi on your way to a gig and describing the sunset, and that laugh of yours!
And offering to keep your cell phone on the stage so Kerry could hear the music; I kept that message on the machine for a long time because listening to it gave Kerry so much joy!
Our love to you all,
Annie and Kerry
August 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Thank you Kerry, for gracing our lives… with your fiddling, your smile, your gentle presence. Go forth, and play on to your heart’s content.
Blessings on your next journey.
Much love,
Amy
August 24th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
Kerry, I missed my opportunity to write an appreciation to a living you, but I am plowing ahead here anyway. I suppose this is consistent with the banter you and I had going so many years ago, driving around to gigs in your volvo. “ Sam is crazy….literally.” I can hear you saying that to Ruth or to Mattie and laughing. I was never exactly the musician you wanted me to be in your band–I was too in love with bad taste and the nastier side of fiddle music, and I was unpredictable– but you hired me consistently for two years probably because we would always end up laughing together, and that is what you need when you’re doing another ridiculous gig and driving home trying to stay awake at 3 am. We really passed some hours together, driving mostly, but also eating, practicing, pawing through your stacks of fiddle vinyl, and being philosophical in the early hours. And of course we had our moments picking together, but….I think we were together for different reasons. I think we found brothers in each other that we both needed and at times, repelled us.
My appreciating of you: oh man….if you only knew. I still and will always play tunes you taught me…when I tune my mandolin, I play a few notes of the French schottishes…still play Seargent Early, Hughie Shorty’s, the C reel from Charlie Mulvahill that everyone else plays in D…you know the one….Though you are the king of the beautiful music, you very specifically handed me the cassette tape with Arty McGlynn playing Lead the Knave when you got back from a trip to Ireland. You said, “this is you, Sam. this is what you’re looking for.” and you were right! Though it wasn’t your taste, you knew I liked it when trad music sounded like a garage band. You also got great pleasure out of giving me back my own medicine: waking me in the early hours before leaving for a trip with Brave Combo playing the Happy Wanderer.
I remember walking around on the frozen lake by your house and looking at float planes. You were so keen to own one and to fly wherever you wanted to go. I am happy that you can fly around now. You can bounce between County Clare, Donegal, Cape Breton Island, and the Nelson Dance…Please swing by here on your travels You will always be my brother.
August 25th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Oh Kerry,
I wish you well on this new journey and am so sorry that I didn’t figure out how to contact you when I first heard you had MS. Getting to know you as our fiddler for GMV was one of the highlights of my dancing career. You made dancing and performing to your music such a joy.
Having been diagnosed with MS myself in 1993 I really felt for you when I heard you also were living with this condition. I only hope, in some small way, the many thoughts I sent your way did reach you, even though I let life get in the way of actually writing to you. What a lesson in letting folks know you are thinking of them when you have the chance. I will always treasure the memory of having danced to your music,
With love,
Marianna
August 26th, 2009 at 3:44 am
I’m very sorry to have heard about Kerry’s illness only in the last couple of days!
One of the finest and funnest hours of music I’ve ever played was jamming with Kerry at a dance weekend somewhere in Kentucky. Gave my ear a workout with some great tunes I hadn’t heard before. It was as fine an introduction as those tunes are likely to get.
The Fish were in fine form for the dancing that weekend, too – well remembered across the many years. Our paths crossed not nearly often enough.
Thanks, Kerry!
August 27th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
Kerry’s death was so unexpected, is so difficult for me. I live near Kerry and Annie in Colorado and we recently became good friends. I also have MS, but mine is secondary progressive, not the type that Kerrry had. His was the type that is a rare and extremely aggressive form of MS (the name eludes me). Kerry and I both chose not to do “chemo” since it reduces the quality of life so much and doesn’t offer much hope. We had the same doctor in Colorado, who also has MS, and elected not to go on the harsh drugs. I met Kerry about six months ago when I brought an IV from the doctor’s to him. He gave me his CD, Fresh Fish, and when I listened to his music I knew what a special person he was.
It seemed so recently that we sat together on his front porch with an atlas and planned the route he and Annie were taking to Texas. I know a lot of the beautiful back roads of the hill country, and what birds are in the area. Kerry and I shared a love of birds and nature. Before I had to recently retire because of my MS, I was the head of the local Audubon chapter. He had really looked forward to getting out of the house and going on that road trip. And he seemed to be doing so well when he returned.
I really thought Kerry was going to get better. His mercury levels were high, and that is something treatable and could have certainly contributed to his MS. He had had Lyme Disease which is also often misdiagnosed as MS. And Annie was looking into testing for bacteria and viruses and other possible reasons for his illness. She and Kerry never accepted that he was suddenly stricken with MS for no reason.
Kerry was the healthiest sick person I have ever seen. Those big, beautiful blue eyes of his were so clear. His skin just glowed. I never expected that he wouldn’t get better.
I visited once a week and it was a joy to be there with them, to sit with Kerry and talk of birds, read to him, or just rest in the chair beside him when I was weak with my own MS. Annie, his caretaker and soulmate, provided laughter, compassion and beauty. There were always fresh flowers, wonderful food, good friends dropping by and always, always the search for an underlying cause of Kerry’s MS.
He never gave up hope, and we all felt that he WAS going to get better. Kerry felt that optimism and shared it. It was so good for his spirit. And continues to be good for my spirit.
Be well and happy, Kerry. We were lucky to have you. And we miss you.
Cheryl Day
Hotchkiss, CO
September 13th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
September 13th, 2009
This afternoon I “happened” to go to Kerry’s website and so found out that he had passed in August.
I had just one week with Kerry, as a live in caregiver, in December ‘08. I totally fell in love with his spirit during that time. While in Paonia I wrote the following:
“Kerry has a round head, balding, curly brown hair; thick eyebrows, a pug nose, beautiful lips. His torso is like that of a well man. His beautiful fiddler’s hands have articulate, square, shapely fingers with much energy in them still. They continually move rhythmically on the sheet. I asked him yesterday whether he was playing, and he nodded yes. I asked him if he was hearing the music, and he nodded yes with a delighted smile.
…Kerry appears to be acutely present much of the time. He makes eye contact deep like a young child, just looking, completely open. Several times he has looked at me and said “Thank you,” very earnestly.
Yesterday I asked Kerry to name his favorite fiddlers, and he thought about it slowly then announced “Too difficult.”
I said “Too difficult to name one favorite?”
“Yes!”
“How about a couple, then?”
More deliberation, then: “Too difficult.”
…Seeing Kerry bed-bound like this, he manifests an enormous amount of sheer human dignity and grace.”
Kerry was – as I guess everyone who knew him knew very well – an extraordinarily fine human being, let alone fiddler. I felt very honored to know him, even briefly.
Jane Seaton
Boulder CO
September 28th, 2009 at 2:48 pm
Kerry and family and friends,
I just found out that Kerry died, and have to talk to him and others a little bit, here! I only found out he was sick in July, when I bought a Childsplay CD and read the liner notes – in the midst of my own illness with cancer. Kerry is my favorite fiddler in the world. My top three were always Kerry, Rodney Miller, and Ruthie Dornfeld. I met him at Lady of the Lake in north Idaho. We had a lot in common besides the music and dance – birdwatching, boatbuilding.
Kerry taught a fiddle workshop at Lady of the Lake that first time I met him, and it was the best music teaching I ever experienced. I have forgotten most of the tunes I’ve ever known, but the ones Kerry taught have stayed in me. But the most important thing is that I play them better than most of my tunes! He understood the whole nature of a tune and not to break it up in meaningless pieces or try to learn it from little black dots on a page. The way he taught was to play the whole thing somewhat slowly but not so slow that it changed its meaning, over and over, while we played along. And then maybe he would pay extra attention to a trouble spot. By teaching this way, he taught the big picture, the point, what the tune was saying. He didn’t work on technique, but said, “Say it like you mean it!” This has universal implication to our current school systems and methods of teaching. I am raising my two little boys now, Tommy and Joey, the oldest just starting in kindergarten, and thinking of starting a school. I think I would have to name it in some way after Kerry.
Kerry, I am also facing the uncertainty of serious illness, having gotten a cancer diagnosis this year. I have moments of the kind of delight and happiness in the present that Annie described for you, but it ain’t always! I hope some of your peace will rub off on me, if I listen more to your music! I would guess that I have listened to Soir et Matin more and for more years than any other album in my collection. It always gave me joy! I have a casette of Fresh Fish playing at a dance that a friend recorded, and used it for years to clog to in my living room. Kerry’s fiddling on one particular set would always send my core into a spiraling spin of energy and joy, I don’t know how to describe the feeling, but somehow it was the essence of life and joy.
Kerry, although I only knew you from a few dance and music camps over the years, you are one of the sparkling jewels of the planet. I got to see a sunrise over the Idaho mountains yesterday, something I rarely catch any more. Those brilliant golden rays breaking over the mountains, so stunning and so daily and so life-giving – that was you and your music.
Love, Helen Ulmschneider
Boise, Idaho
October 15th, 2009 at 8:03 am
News travels slowly in my part of the world. I just heard this morning. I’ve seen and heard Kerry play in many many places and always enjoyed listening and dancing to his fiddle. He was one of the best! Vicki knew him as well before she left the Vineyard. He will always be missed. He was a great, friendly, and gentle man.
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