Remembering Fred: 2009

Thursday, May 7, 2009

IMPORTANT UPDATE: FredFest Sat May 9, 2009

Saturday, May 9, 2009 - Celebrate the Life of Fred MacIsaac - 12pm - 3pm at The First Existentialist Congregation of Atlanta (the Stone Church across from the Golf Course in Candler Park) 470 Candler Park Dr., NE Atlanta, GA 30307. Please join us to Celebrate the Life of Fred MacIsaac - long time bass player for Cedar Hill and radio personality at WRFG 89.3 FM - who passed away April 21. Please bring your instrument and any photos or stories of Fred you would like to share (written stories will be placed in a memory book and there will be an opportunity to share stories with the group as well).

Fred "Slackey"

Dana Serby sent us these fabulous photos of Fred in another of his incarnations. Here he is as "Fred Slackey" playing with the Slackey Family Band. (Bet a lot of you didn't know he was also in that band!) That's "Doc Slackey" on harp, "Frank Slackey" on electric guitar, and "Fred Slackey" on bass. Once a Slackey always a Slackey! That Slackey bloodline runs wide and deep.

Thanks, Dana for sending those!
"Brad Slackey"

Friday, May 1, 2009

Dear Visitors...

There are many posts with lots of great photos of Fred on this blog. If you're a little lost just expand the Blog Archive listings on the left side. The posts are listed by under April & May. And don't forget that many of the photos can be enlarged simply by clicking on them. I encourage you to leave a comment on any of the pages. I know that Bob and Fred's many friends are reading these comments. If you have a special photo you'd like to add send it to me at autobug at comcast dot net. Thanks, everybody!

And now... a photo of Fred with HIS fire truck...

BL

Victory Lap

A lot of folks knew Fred for his music and because of his radio show, but I don't think many people realized what a cracker jack mechanic he was. As one half of "Two Bros. Racing" Fred was very active in SCCA racing. Here are a couple of photos of Two Bros. in their celebratory victory lap at Road Atlanta. Always seemingly content to "mechanic" and "crew chief" while Bob climbed in behind the wheel, Fred did hop aboard to wave the checkered flag.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

On the Jumbotron

Duck sent a good shot of Fred and the central cluster of pluckers at the Earl / Guinness Record Banjo Event. You can clearly see Fred with his bass banjo--an instrument of his own invention, built by Bob & Fred combining parts of a bass drum and a standard upright bass neck. "The Beast" as I call it, is bound to be in the Cedar Hill museum one day alongside "The Pharoah Garb", 6 retired "Duckwave Cases" (aka "Ark of the Sacred Vestments") and "The Folding Cedar Hill Sign".

BL

Vintage Cedar Hill

Thanks, Duck for this photo of classic early Cedar Hill. Am I the only one who think "village people?"

BL

Saturday, April 25, 2009

Brothers Always

From Bob:
"I've attached a couple of pics that maybe you can add to the blog.

The first one dates back to the late 50's. I'm guessing that fred was 10 or 11 and I was 5 or 6.
The second one was taken in Mom's den in Ellenwood, Christmas '88. Fred was at his most Scottish in this shot."

Friday, April 24, 2009

A Photo From Bo in Sweden

Thanks, Bo for sending another photo of Fred doing what he loved best! This is an interesting photograph and shows the more introspective side of musicians interacting. I have not a clue what was being played at the moment, but each guy seems to have found his little zone in the X-Y-Z coordinate system where the muse is most focused. I've heard a lot of people over the years say "how's a come all them bluegrassers ever do is look down at thar instruments when thay's a pickin?" and I admit that deadpan seems to be the order of the day at times. The clowning around and goofin' off is mostly for the audience. Times like this instant are only for the pickers and those with ears instead of beers. But each musician hears it in a slightly different space and, despite the stereotypes, bluegrass can get very intense and detailed beyond comprehension. This photo was taken on Mike Este's back porch and shows Bob, Fred, Ed Davis, myself, and Bob Putnam. I have a lingering suspicion that Mike's fiddle is just out of view and that's what we were all focused on. I am quite sure this photo only depicts about half of the musicians wh0 were in the circle.