Vassar Clements-fiddler-Grateful 'Dead', etc

[Spearit]

A legend has died and you young pups missed a great fiddling giant. Vassar Clements---Below is an article from a festival I like -Merlefest is in NC each year- It is a festival commemorating Merle Watson-brother of Doc Watson. Peter Rowan is the godfather of Bluegrass now and also played with Jerry Garcia - making the song-Panama Red.

MerleFest lost a true friend with the passing of fiddle giant Vassar Clements on August 16. Vassar, 77, played several MerleFests including his 75th birthday jam at MerleFest 2003. Per his wishes, he passed at the home of his daughter Midge Cranor near Nashville. His wife Millie preceded him in death in 1998.
Since starting with Bill Monroe in 1949, Vassar played with everyone from the Grateful Dead to Jim & Jesse to Paul McCartney to Woody Herman. Like Doc Watson and Jimmy Martin, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's first "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" set introduced Vassar to new audiences. Calling his music "Hillbilly Jazz," he toured widely as a band leader, while continuing to add his fiddle to many projects.
Vassar's music and truly lovely personality will live on in the memories of those who enjoyed him at MerleFest and countless other venues.
Visit the MerleFest Web Site

[moondog22]

sorry to hear the news

[Udog]

I played in Waylon's band for 30 years. Vassar was a great friend to our band. I will really miss Vassar and John Harford, both, hanging around our dates and sessions. Vassar was as good a man as he was a fiddler. He was a good friend, Spearit, and I thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for your thoughts. I will let everybody at Vassar's memorial know that you did this.

[Spearit]

Udog- My condolences to you and others- Vassar was a monument here in Fla as well as so many other places his music and personality touched. His hillbilly jazz music thrilled us all. Tony Rice and so many others that either played the instrument or played with him as you have- along with thousands who enjoyed the days of watching him play are a tribute to this music legend. I have a favorite album of Old And In The Way- Vassar with Peter Rowan, Jerry Garcia, John Kahn and David Grisham. Feel like a part of me has left.

[Udog]

Old And In The Way is one of the greatest records ever made in any genre. Wonderful album!!! Thanks for your kind words, Spearit.

[larryonion]

I have only seen him at Mearlefest a couple of years ago, but he will be missed. I have been trying to make a point of seeing all of the old masters before it is too late over the last three years. Latest was Del McCrory - awesome...Sorry UDOG for your loss, but it is great for us who just knew his music to also know he was a great man, so thanks for passing that along...

[Udog]

There is a little good news in it, guys. Vassar had been suffering terribly for quite a while and now a very good man is finished with all that! The line-up of people who want to play for Vassar's memorial is already just mind-boggling! Everybody loved him!