BlueNotes

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Jim White blogs about the blues and related music.

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BlueNotes' Stuff

BlueNotes Motto:
Doin' the lord's work for the devil's music

Blues on YouTube

Favorite photo:

Annie Raines at the Thunderbird Cafe on Oct. 31.  (Jim White photo)

Blues quote:
"If I hadn't heard blues, I would have missed a big part of myself."  -- Paul Rishell

Photos:
BlueNotes photo gallery
Pittsburgh Blues Festival '08

Some thoughts about "blues people"

I wrote here a couple weeks ago about the death of Jim Weber, the president of the Blues Society of Western Pa. Everyone knew him as a tireless fan of the music and of the society that works to forward it. 

Over the weekend, I ran into a blues society member who told me that Jim had written his final "President's Blog" post on the BSWPA the day before he passed away. Once I looked it up, I thought I should share it here. It's a genuinely moving tribute to the "blues people" he knew.

Here's what Jim wrote on April 30, headlined "Blues people are the greatest":

I have always said that the blues people were the greatest people. I said it once more after the IBC Finals on April 26. I thank everyone who "brought the blues to me." The webcast was a wonderful way to include me in the blues challenge. I felt like I was at the show and that I was still a part of the group. Watching the music on screen and listening to all of you who sent greetings live to me, was wonderful. Again I want to thank each and everyone of you. Without all of you, there would be no blues in the 'burg. Thanks for being such good friends and for being a part of my "family." Hugs to everyone. ~Jim Weber

Over this past weekend, Jim's widow, Jonnye, posted her own message of thanks on the society home page. You can read it here.

I thought it might be nice to share all this with a wider audience.


Posted May 19 2009, 01:00 AM by Jim White