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Post by pattip on Jul 9, 2017 11:50:55 GMT -5
Yesterday marked two months since Lonnie's passing. I intended to post about him yesterday because of that numerical footnote, but words simply failed me, an uncommon occurrence. Today I played guitar at a happy, happy occasion in a lovely, lovely setting with wonderful, wonderful people all around. And deep inside I was miserable, but I tried to channel Lonnie's trouper-ness and seize the positive energy of those gathered, and the will of my own inner being, and try to make beautiful music. I made something that I guess could be called music, but it sure didn't sound beautiful to me. It sounded sad, it all sounded painful to me. I rarely consider myself an artist, to be frank. I love the arts, and I feel as though I hover around the perimeter of them, more often than not a devotee, not really a participant. But today I wondered if maybe I was closer to artist-ness than ever before, because I was truly unable to play in any manner other than what was in my heart, which was an ache. I have always assumed that that is how true artists operate -- they don't paint what they see, they paint what they feel. What was in my heart today, sadly, was not happiness over the glorious day, the glorious setting, the gorgeous bride, the handsome groom, the beaming parents. It was sorrow, splayed out against a very pleasant demonstration of younger lives entwining and setting off on their journey with broad smiles and an abundance of love-fueled energy. I have the love, I have some energy. But I don't know how to get it to Lonnie. I just miss him so fucking much.
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Post by pattip on Jul 9, 2017 11:58:06 GMT -5
Tears rolling. My heart feels the sorrow you express, Bill.
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Post by Village Idiot on Jul 9, 2017 14:40:50 GMT -5
Patti, we all feel the sorrow all you who were close to Lonnie have. Even those of us who saw him but once a year feel sorrow. Multiply that by how close you were, and your relationship with him, I can't imagine the pain. You lost a partner and Bill lost a brother, and I think I can safely state collectively here that our hearts and thoughts go out to you as much as they go out to Lonnie.
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Post by casualplayerpaul on Jul 10, 2017 9:50:12 GMT -5
This is my first post here. Thanks for letting me in.
For two months I have been trying to find the right set of words regarding my feelings towards Lonnie and his slipping off the bonds of this earth. Part of my difficulty in doing so is that Lonnie himself, was so eloquent. But if I always held myself up to being as good as Lonnie in any area, that would be a dead-end and I would surely never pick up another guitar, so here goes…
I first heard of Lonnie as a kid, reading Connie’s Insider. I was too young to see get into Magoos or similar venues. “Teen clubs” required that you be 16 to get in. I was probably about 13. So, I never saw the Jokers Wild or the Rave-Ons. But my adolescent-self had a feeling they must be awesome.
I finally saw him perform at the Coffeehouse Extempore in 1971. I was a junior in high school. It was one of my first real dates. I may remember Lon’s set even more vividly than the pretty young woman who eventually became my girlfriend. Van Morrison’s “Crazy Love,” Cat Steven’s “Moonshadow,” Tom Rush’s “Child’s Song,” “Darling Be Home Soon.” A handful of originals.
Holy Jesus! This guy has it all!
To this day I would put his talent so high on the list of any of the greats I have had the privilege to see and hear live. But you all know that.
I am and always have been a guy who loves music and playing here and there, but never with any illusions that I had was going to go pro. I just like playing and singing and doing a bit of writing.
In 1977 in the spring I somehow got a slot opening for Lonnie at the Extemp. That was probably the first time I ever actually talked with him. And I have considered him a friend ever since. The amount of time we spent together waxed and waned over the decades. Years might even go by, but the thread never broke. The last couple of years, we were down to every-now-and-then coffee. I keep having trouble with the idea that the next coffee hang is not going to happen now.
Between facebook and here and, even real life, I have read and heard so many memories of various good times and highlights and hard roads. Some of my favorite moments seeing and hearing LK go back to his stint in City Mouse in the late 70’s. Lord! A fine band, and he brought them up to a whole new level- as he almost invariably did with anybody he played with.
Our coffee get togethers were probably most frequent during the early 2000’s. Coincidentally, it was around this era that one of Lonnie’s musical paths was hosting open stages. The Atelier, Coffee Grounds. A few electric ones as well.
While he might groan, “Please, do not make me hear ‘Free Bird,’ ever again,” in private conversation, he was always, always, always generous on stage.
Whether it was another established player passing through town who happened to stop by or someone who had recently learned their first three chords and might have been better advised to wait just a bit before stepping up to a live mic, Lonnie played, with, backed-up and encouraged them all equally.
I play in an informal jam group most Thursdays over the noon hour. I have been missing a few Thursdays due to being out of town and other commitments. So a couple of Thursdays ago was the first time I’ve played with other people since Lonnie passed away.
When it came my turn to pick a tune, I chose Merle Haggard’s “Big City.”
The first time I ever heard it was around the mid-80’s in some funky bar in North Minneapolis where Lon was leading a band called Arizona.
I can’t sing like Lonnie and I can’t play like Lonnie.
But I closed my eyes and tried to conjure up his spirit. Tried to pretend that his beautiful tenor and his ability to connect so completely to the musical moment was getting channeled through my being during that Haggard tune.
I felt great and utterly sad in the same moment.
I had the chance to share most of these thoughts in one way or another with Lonnie over the years. It’s weird when one of your best friends is also one of your heroes, though. I hope I was as clear as possible and that he heard and knew these things as clearly as I am trying to communicate them now.
"And if you ever wonder why you ride this carousel You did it for the stories you could tell" - John Sebastian
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,852
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Post by Dub on Jul 10, 2017 10:04:18 GMT -5
Thank you, Paul, for that wonderful account. Yes, we are all still hurting and your memories help.
Welcome to The SoundHole. I hope you'll stay and hang with us. We need all the help we can get.
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Post by fauxmaha on Jul 10, 2017 11:27:12 GMT -5
Tears rolling. My heart feels the sorrow you express, Bill. You're not alone, Patti. We're all with you. Thanks for stopping by.
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Post by Village Idiot on Jul 10, 2017 14:00:39 GMT -5
What a wonderful account, Paul. Thank you so much for posting this, it means much.
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Post by billhammond on Jul 10, 2017 16:57:45 GMT -5
Paul, a warm welcome and thank you for such a moving and detailed account of your history with Lonnie and your feelings about the man and the music -- anyone who has met him, heard him live or on recordings will resonate with your lovely and touching insights.
You and I must have crossed paths over the years -- I hosted the open mike at Coffee Grounds for the better part of a decade, and I met Lonnie at Atelier when I checked it out to see if it was a place I wanted to venture out to and play.
I hope you become a regular here -- this is truly an amazing community, and one that gets better every time someone such as yourself joins the fold.
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Post by casualplayerpaul on Jul 11, 2017 14:00:16 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome, Bill, VI and Dub.
I have occasionally lurked here, and LK encouraged me to join more than once. My problem is that I am fully capable of getting so absorbed in a place like this that I start to get sucked into a vortex and begin to ignore other things that need tending.
That said, I may pop my head in occasionally. I have truly appreciated reading some of Lon's old posts and seeing the deep connections among his fellow song chasers and rhyme runners.
And, Bill, thanks for the reminder. No doubt we've crossed paths.
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Post by billhammond on Jul 11, 2017 14:43:44 GMT -5
Thanks for the welcome, Bill, VI and Dub. I have occasionally lurked here, and LK encouraged me to join more than once. My problem is that I am fully capable of getting so absorbed in a place like this that I start to get sucked into a vortex and begin to ignore other things that need tending. The more you get sucked into the vortex, the more you realize that those other things didn't really need tending at all.
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Post by Village Idiot on Jul 11, 2017 16:41:02 GMT -5
Very true. For example, what are you doing in September?
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Post by Don Clark on Jul 11, 2017 17:02:49 GMT -5
Very true. For example, what are you doing in September? Oh yes! September! How you would like September! We drop what we're doing and get distracted at the slightest mention of September. (Interrupting these sedimentalsentimental moments to add my greeting and welcome to the Soundhole. Nice to "meet", Paul.) You must join us in September in Vinton,Iowa for the annual IdiotJam. You'll have so much fun with us, and realize that we are just the same "live" as we are here. Second weekend in September. Write it in your calendar. Others can explain in more detail what goes on. I'm coming for my 6th time and bringing my older son Joshua to meet these crazy folks. He'll fit right in.
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Dub
Administrator
I'm gettin' so the past is the only thing I can remember.
Posts: 19,852
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Post by Dub on Jul 11, 2017 17:36:50 GMT -5
…and realize that we are just the same "live" as we are here. Actually, we're much better live than we are here. In 3D there's no politics, no snarks, no name calling, no hurt feelings, only the joy and camaraderie of music and shared appreciation.
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Post by t-bob on Jul 11, 2017 22:17:29 GMT -5
All amazing thread. (SIR) LONNIE KNIGHT - Rest In Peace
I could probably say a little bit more but it's very difficult for me to talk all the time
But I will say one brief paragraph
I had a great conversation with Lonnie and Patti at the Depot 2016 Idiot Jam. Lonnie & I talked 10 minutes and Patti listened carefully. We were talking about spirituality, music, and more (private) Next week...Lonnie and I texted a little bit on the Ijam. Lonnie told me “The weekend was the conversation was the best thing for my entire weekend “ I was absolutely flabbergasted.
*I will always remember that*
Peace everyone!
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