arlo.net and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart--your news headquarters! What would (does) Uncle Walter think? ...

...Uncle Walter is out, waltzing with bears according to Dr. Seuss.

Waltzing with Bears
Words and Music by: Dr. Seuss

I went upstairs in the middle of the night,
I tiptoed in and I turned on the light,
And to my surprise, there was no one in sight,
My Uncle Walter goes waltzing at night!

CHORUS:
He goes wa-wa-wa-wa, wa-waltzing with bears,
Raggy bears, shaggy bears, baggy bears too.
There's nothing on earth Uncle Walter won't do,
So he can go waltzing, wa-wa-wa-waltzing,
So he can go waltzing, waltzing with bears!

I gave Uncle Walter a new coat to wear,
When he came home he was covered with hair,
And lately I've noticed several new tears,
I'm sure Uncle Walter goes waltzing with bears!

CHORUS:

We told Uncle Walter that he should be good,
And do all the things that we said he should,
But I know that he'd rather be out in the wood,
I'm afraid we might lose Uncle Walter for good!

CHORUS:

We begged and we pleaded, Oh please won't you stay!"
We managed to keep him at home for a day,
But the bears all barged in, and they took him away!
Now he's waltzing with pandas, and he can't understand us,
And the bears all demand at least one dance a day!

Ira Tucker, a little man with a giant vocal range and acrobatic stage antics who as lead singer of the Dixie Hummingbirds helped propel gospel music toward a harder-edged, more emotive style, died on Tuesday in Philadelphia. He was 83.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/26/arts/ ... ref=slogin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M_OY88YYms

Thanks for the info. So sorry to hear about him. I like the Dixie Hummingbirds. Rip, he is home now...

When I heard a few moments ago, that my old friend, Dan Velika had passed away I decided to write a few words. I hadn't seen much of him lately but the memories from former times are as precious as gems.

I first met Dan about 1975, he was in a local band called Shenandoah along with David Carron, Terry Hall (later known as Terry Ala Berry), and David Grover. They were playing a gig near my home and I was there loving the show. I asked them if they wanted to hit the road with me, and for the next decade or so that's exactly what they did.

There were various incarnations of Shenandoah due to the unexpected and tragic death of David Carron soon after we started working together. But along with Steve and Carol Ide, Bob Williams and Rob Putnam we keep the music going for a good 20 years. And Dan was simply one of the most gifted bass players I'd ever worked with - To this day.

Dan was also a really good song writer and there was always one or two included in our program. Known as much for their harmonies as well as their extraordinary instrumental magic, Shenandoah toured regionally on their own when they weren't on the road with me. They were a great regional band. They packed the local road houses and small venues throughout the Northeast.

I made two recordings that were titled "with Shenandoah," 'One Night' and 'Outlasting The Blues' (by far the better of the two). But the band played with me on other recordings as well, notably 'Someday' released in 1986 - The first record under our new company name 'Rising Son Records.' We loved playing together!

At some point in the late 1980s Dan decided to get a real job. He left the band and starting hanging sheetrock (plasterboard). Eventually, the band morphed into David and Terry doing concerts and TV (with others) for children. We'd see each other from time to time and David and Terry worked me on numerous records - Still do. The last time Dan and I worked on a project was 1993 for one of my all time favorites, 'Son Of The Wind.' But, eventually I lost track of Dan. He lived in Pittsfield right down the road, but never saw or heard much.

Years went by. Then on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of Alice's Restaurant (Oct. 1997) we got the band back together for a reunion gig at a local venue. Dan hadn't been playing at all but he showed up, and although he may not have felt great about performing after so long a time, it didn't seem to matter to anyone who was there, myself included. We had one hell of a great night and I will never forget it.

That was the last time I saw Dan except for one brief moment in a bar in town a few years ago. I don't know if was the drink or the fact that I had aged a little more than expected. But, we were sitting right next to each other at the bar. When I noticed him I started talking about old times, but he kept looking at me strangely until I realized he didn't know who the hell I was. That was so weird, funny and sad all at the same time. But, it was definitely not the relationship we'd had for decades.

Eventually we caught up on things, kids, the road, work, life all the usual stuff, and said "see ya 'round." We never got to do that. Now, I'm sitting here thinking about all the countless times we shared on stage and off. I'm reliving some really funny moments. I'm sitting in the old Blunderbus while the guys are playing cards. John Pllla is there, so is David Carron. Caroly is yelling about something trying to road-manage things. Booty shows up. It's all there - In my mind. I remember everything. And I am so grateful for the times we had.

Back in the moment, I hear Dan's voice calling to me from just over the horizon. He's okay. I'm trying to talk to him while I'm writing this... "Yeah, yeah but I'm still gonna miss the F&*% outta you!" He's laughing. I hear it clearly.

"See ya 'round, Dan."

adg

Arlo I am so sorry to hear about Dan. I can still here his bass solo on "Please don't talk about me when I am gone". He was a great musician and I am sure a great friend to you. My condolences go out to his family and friends. So tonight I will put that CD in my player I will listen specifically to Dan playing his bass.

So sorry to hear about your friend from Shenandoah, hon. So sad that one of them has passed on. May God be with you & the family at this time. Rip...

i am sorry to hear about this...i do remember seeing dan!

R.I P. Dan.

I am so sorry to hear about Dan.....He sounded like a real great guy.....R.I.P.

I was so sorry when I heard the news yesterday, Arlo. My condolences to Dan's family and friends, and all who loved him.

So sorry to hear of Dan's passing. It's always sad to lose a friend, especially one you've spent a lot of time with and shared music with. Condolences to his friends and family.

Sorry to hear about your friends passing adg. It's nice you had a few words with him before he moved on.

Dan Velika was a true gentleman. I was just a kid when I knew him. But he treated me as ageless. He was effortlessly likable, humble, maintained great humor and treated everyone as equal. Dan had a kind soul and peaceful presence. I wish I knew him better over the years, but I feel I knew him pretty well. If you are acquainted with a genuine cool shit, you know what matters most. May your soul rest in peace, good man.

saw the obit today for Erik Darling who picked up with the Weavers when Pete moved on...

NYTimes Obituary

my memory is foggy, didn't we see him at Carnegie a few years ago?


I somehow missed the posting about Dan Velika, sad to hear of his passing. Thanks for the memories Arlo...