| Author | Message | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 448 Registered: 6-2014 |
It happens to everybody eventually I guess... but I got a shocking phone call yesterday evening from another bass player over in neighboring Tennessee... a mutual friend of ours, gifted guitarist, and mentor to both of us and many more, just suffered a massive heart attack yesterday afternoon. He's currently in an ICU on a ventilator, his condition listed as serious, but (thankfully) stable. If you're from this part of the world, Tony Collins is well-known for being one of those "best-guitar-players-you-never-heard-of" cases, albeit an extraordinary one. His style is incredibly distinctive and nuanced, bringing to mind the influence of Norman Blake, Tony Rice, and Clarence White just to name a few. Flatpicking Guitar magazine once did a story on him to that effect, after a project we worked on together got some national-and-beyond exposure. I first met Tony back in the early 1990's, we bonded through music of course, and became fast friends. Though I went on to play professionally, (sort-of) Tony had a wife and two young kids by that time, and a family-owned jewelry store to run... the road just ain't a life for a family man, at least not with those responsibilities. Anyway, he's just one of those guys, where the first time I met him, I knew we were gonna' be buds. We have stayed friends for years, and still jam a few times a year, (though not enough) occasionally we get to record some together. (wish I had a way to post some of that here) The past day has been a flurry of blast email and text updates to the musical community around here, but now that there's really nothing new to report, I feel numb and helpless. I know they're pretty good at treating cardiac patients anymore, even these extreme cases, but that's my buddy laid up down there in Bristol, in some state of induced hibernation and life support. And there isn't a thing I can do but pray for him, and hope that some of our brothers and sisters who went on before will send him back here. | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 2049 Registered: 7-2007 |
((((( Prayers to Tony in Bristol ))))) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11862 Registered: 5-2002 |
Hoping the best for your friend. If you're wanting to post some music, one thing you could do is put it on soundcloud; and if you need to keep it somewhat out of public view, you can make the tunes private when you upload them, and then share the private link here with us. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4344 Registered: 5-2009 |
((((((( Healing Vibes Sent ))))))))) | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1702 Registered: 2-2011 |
Praying for a complete & speedy recovery. | ||
| pauldo
Senior Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 1532 Registered: 6-2006 |
Send prayers and healthy wishes to Tony, his family and friends. | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 236 Registered: 8-2013 |
Prayers of healing and comfort for Tony. | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 810 Registered: 8-2002 |
Prayers going out to him, his family and friends slawie | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 450 Registered: 6-2014 |
Thanks fellas - Really. We did get one piece of good news this morning - the neurologist says his brain function looks good, which is big deal, given how long he was down. Also, I'm told (by a trauma unit nurse) that intentionally keeping him unconscious is standard practice for cases like this... keeps the patient from pulling out tubes, etc. We're all just waiting now. A bunch of us are organizing a Tony-Jam this weekend. Again, thanks all for the well-wishes. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 2071 Registered: 5-2002 |
I just had a visit with my cardiologist. Thanks to my genetic inheritance, I was in the fast lane on this road. Thanks to diligent exercise and modification of my diet, my calcium score is stable, my BP has gone from hypertensive to normal, and my blood sugar went from well into pre diabetes to normal. A huge relief. 3 out 4 grandparents had heart attacks in their 50s. I'm 54, beginning to feel like I'm living on extra time. We have to wake up one day and realize that we're not 25 anymore and things have to be addressed. Having Xander has been a powerful motivator (especially after he lost heart function twice and suffered a brain injury. We are so delicate. But yet, so resilient). My best wishes to your friend and I'm so glad he didn't succumb. Tony Monaco just went through the same thing about 3 weeks ago and 2 weeks later was playing High Sierra. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 2395 Registered: 11-2004 |
Hope he recovers well | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 456 Registered: 6-2014 |
As of yesterday evening, his condition is unchanged... still on ventilator, and cryogenically sedated. The thing that most likely saved him - his wife is a hospital administrator, but before she had that job, she was an ICU/trauma unit nurse. She heard him hit the floor, and immediately administered CPR. They live a good half-hour out of downtown, but she kept it up until the lifesaving crew got there with a defibrillator. That was enough to get him to the hospital still alive, however barely. I get a lump in my throat thinking about what that 30 minutes must have been like... the woman is made of cast-iron, plain and simple. If there's a point here, it's this - *go take a CPR class*. I have to re-certify every couple years for CPR and AED for work, but usually there are classes offered at no charge by local health dept's. It's one day's worth of class, but this story could be yours one day. We're very much hoping and praying for an upward trend soon. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 462 Registered: 6-2014 |
Sad to report, but Tony's situation seem to be worsening. There are indications now of brain damage, though we're waiting for more testing to confirm that. He's unresponsive to pain stimulus, which is not good either. I'm leaving in the morning, driving down to Bristol... I've made this trip hundreds of times before, always looking forward to a gig with my buddy. Kinda' dreading the trip tomorrow, but I need to go spend some time at the bedside of my fallen Brother, and somehow try to comfort his family. Thanks for all your kind thoughts and prayers for someone you only know through association with someone else you don't really know. This place *is* different. You guys are the best. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11866 Registered: 5-2002 |
Be love. | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 8575 Registered: 6-2000 |
Hope you have a safe trip, and I know you won't regret going to be with him. | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 464 Registered: 6-2014 |
He's gone away now. You were right Mica... no regrets. The only regret I have is we didn't play more music together than we did. I'll post some of it later... just gotta' let this moment pass right now. Thanks again *All*. | ||
| growlypants
Intermediate Member Username: growlypants Post Number: 141 Registered: 3-2011 |
Very sorry for your loss. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11867 Registered: 5-2002 |
You are in my heart. | ||
| rustyg61
Senior Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 1705 Registered: 2-2011 |
I'm so sorry for your loss Gregory. I pray that God will replace your sadness with many fond memories of great times with Tony. | ||
| fc_spoiler
Senior Member Username: fc_spoiler Post Number: 1757 Registered: 5-2006 |
Huge hug from this side of the pond... :-( | ||
| flpete1uw
Senior Member Username: flpete1uw Post Number: 525 Registered: 11-2011 |
Gregory, My deepest condolences for the loss of your friend. You were there for him and his family and that will never change. As hard as that might have been it was righteous. We should all be so lucky to have a friend like you. I was there for both my parents and I would not have traded a second of it. Thoughts and Prayers, Peace, Pete | ||
| jcdlc72
Senior Member Username: jcdlc72 Post Number: 433 Registered: 11-2009 |
May all the music you played together soothe the pain, and all the nice memories ease your loss. A hug from this side of the planet. | ||
| slawie
Senior Member Username: slawie Post Number: 813 Registered: 8-2002 |
May he be lifted up by angels wings and wrapped in the arms of those that prepared the way for him. Peace be with all. You are a good man and wonderful friend Gregory, blessings upon you. Hugs from here. slawie | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 466 Registered: 6-2014 |
I'm still a mess today... but as if it were a sign my buddy was watching, while looking for contacts on my old smartphone that didn't make it to my last upgrade, I found some demos of the last couple tunes Tony was showing me. We recorded them late one night in his "man-cave" the last time I was down there for a weekend of gigs. Been listening to them all morning... crude as they are, it just reinforces what everybody knew anyway - he was a musical genius, and an absolute peach of a guy. After all this settles, I'm going to clean-up/edit and post them in some kind of format, along with some professionally recorded tracks we did together a while back. There's a memorial service planned for Thursday, but this came out before we knew that: http://bluegrasstoday.com/tony-collins-passes/ Thanks Again - All of You. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 11876 Registered: 5-2002 |
Nice article. | ||
| edwin
Senior Member Username: edwin Post Number: 2073 Registered: 5-2002 |
A nice tribute to a good friend. I'm so sorry to hear about his passing. | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 239 Registered: 8-2013 |
Condolences and prayers, I am so sorry about your loss. | ||
| moongerm
Advanced Member Username: moongerm Post Number: 240 Registered: 8-2013 |
Very nice tribute as well. (Message edited by moongerm on July 21, 2015) | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 3689 Registered: 10-2002 |
So sorry for your loss Gregory. You can be sure your extended family will be offering whatever prayers and thoughts we can. Graeme | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 2051 Registered: 7-2007 |
RIP Tony. Condolences Gregory. | ||
| zomnius
Member Username: zomnius Post Number: 64 Registered: 9-2013 |
Rip Tony, condolences | ||
| zomnius
Member Username: zomnius Post Number: 65 Registered: 9-2013 |
Rip Tony, condolences | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 478 Registered: 6-2014 |
I'm on the way home from Tony's Memorial... I must have seen 200 of our fellow musicians there tonight. I was lucky enough just to know him, but that we got to play music together all those years ago, and friends for life since... it was a privilege and a pleasure. One last time, I'd like to thank the members of this board for your prayers and thoughtful comments for my friend. This was the hardest goodbye I've had to say in my 46 years. I've hardly played a note this week, very rare for me. Life and music goes on though, starting tomorrow. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 4373 Registered: 5-2009 |
I send my condolences as well . | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 2412 Registered: 9-2002 |
These things are never easy, and never easy to begin to understand. I often think God makes all of these ripples or reverberations of some being born, some staying, some going, all the interactions by the million knowing full well how each bounce affects each life. I often feel that me trying to understand Him is about like an earthworm trying to do nuclear physics, so I simply fall back on faith that He's always right. Not that it's easy. I always say if it were up to me, they'd still be here . . . . but it's not up to me, and I can only trust he knows better. I lost my wife to cancer in 2005. Almost a year later to the day, I lost a good friend, a master fiddler and my next-door neighbor, suddenly. He was a friend of Kenny Sears, another master fiddler, a veteran of lots of sessions, road miles, and many, many Opry appearances. So earlier, this year, Kenny lost his wife, Dawn, to cancer. Dawn was a gifted singer, yet one of those awfully talented people that 'fell thru the cracks' when it came to the labels and big success. Her biggest fan (and there are LOTS here in town) was Vince Gill, and Vince never toured without her. Kenny and Dawn were in on the formation of The Time Jumpers, an around-town Monday night project for a lot of session/road guys to let their hair down and blow on a lot of old faves. Became a sensation in town, got a record deal, and it's great stuff if you love steel/fiddle/swing/old school country. Here's Dawn at her best with the TJ's. Another gone-home soul in this video is John Hughey, a long-time pedal steel stalwart, played with Conway for years, and later played all the steel on all of Vince's hits. I used to help him with his Nikons when he'd come by the camera store I worked at. Really tugs at my heart to watch this. Her husband Kenny is the middle of the three fiddlers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Fi-BhsKOMA I recently saw Annie Lenox in an interview on the BBC, and she remarked that regardless of time and tide, one day, someone stepped up to a mic, recorded something, and we have it forever, that moment and performance, frozen in time, like a photograph, and we are fortunate for it. But it makes it no easier. But I utterly know that if Tony Collins, or my wife, or Dawn Sears, could get word to us, they would absolutely insist that we go on, for ourselves, with their memory upon our hearts. Sweet Memories, indeed . . . . yet so achingly bittersweet. Joey | ||
| edwardofhuncote
Senior Member Username: edwardofhuncote Post Number: 482 Registered: 6-2014 |
Thanks for that Joey. I have a lot of memories from the stage (& the green room!) at the Station Inn! Last gig I played before coming home to Virginia was there. It was Tony as much as anyone who by example, let me see that maybe it was okay if I let music be my passion and let my work be separate from that. That's what he did from behind the counter of that little jeweller's shop on State St. in Bristol, and the music he left behind will inspire forever. There's precious little of it on tape, but what there is of it, is going to be collected and organized. Several of us are already working on it. One thing happened at the memorial service that really hit me... out of the blue, the pastor brought up a show years ago that he'd asked Tony to get an opening act together for. It was to be held at Emory & Henry College near Marion, Virginia, the headliner was John McCutcheon. Tony assembled a five-piece band to showcase several of his original pieces of jazz driven acoustic music. According to this pastor, McCutcheon was absolutely thunderstruck by this tall guitarist and band of other fellas you never heard of. Well... I was the bass player on that show, along with Teddy Francisco, an absolute prodigy of a banjo player who left us way too soon in 2005 from pancreatic cancer, scarcely 40 years old. The remaining three of us that were in that band - the other two guys were sitting next to me on the pew. After Teddy died, we were worried Tony might not play out anymore. In addition to being like-minded musicians, he and Teddy were very close personal friends, and it hurt him badly. Of course Tony soon realized what we're all feeling today - our job is to play on... sometimes together, sometimes separately, but always remembering the ones who went before. I like to think Tony and Teddy are tuning up, and waiting for the rest of us. | ||
| peoplechipper
Senior Member Username: peoplechipper Post Number: 616 Registered: 2-2009 |
I am sorry for your loss...he's a jeweller/musician named Tony is like I'm reading my own obituary except for the style of music...hope he's rippin' it up in the hereafter...Tony PS. the time jumpers are GREAT...I really like old country and am glad some people still play it and base themselves on it... (Message edited by davehouck on July 29, 2015) |
