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).
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Well I didn't expect this news when I opened Dr. Scott's email newsletter this morning. I hadn't even known Fred was ill, but that's my fault for not keeping up with the scene as much as I once did. I've had my own health issues and near-death experiences, so in many ways I'm not physically up to making very many of the festivals and various pickin' sessions anymore (I'm on the DL) though that may change Saturday in honor and memory of our friend. But who's gonna play bass? Beyond musicianship, Fred was one of the finest persons on the planet. I never heard him utter a disparaging word about anyone. One time 7 or 8 years ago, I went to the Red Light for the Thursday jam and got there early to down a few brewskis. And who should also arrive early but Fred in a white shirt and tie. Hell, I almost didn't recognize him! Quite a different appearance than he and Bob had in their (as Jim described) Hell's Angels days (just goes to show you not to be judgmental or jump to conclusions about someone's "look"). He explained that he came straight from work as parts manager at some auto dealership. He sat down and reminisced and entertained me as he told stories on (about) our mutual friends. We drank beer and just caught up, and it was like the old times all over again.
ReplyDeleteMy earliest memories of Fred are of the old Julian's Tavern jam sessions on Monday nights in the very early '80s. That's when I met all the great pickers who became Cedar Hill... Fred, Bob, Jim, Brad,Chip, Jeff, Meredith, and Dewey. Everyone was so welcoming and would let anyone sit in, which I guess is the definition of a jam session.
Takeaways from that period were that Chip was a helluva singer but was too shy to sing (he later overcame that) and that Brad can pick the hell out of a 5-string (who knew?). You can't pick good bluegrass without a bass, and Fred was always there, right on time. Those were some of the best times of my life and I will always cherish them and the people I met there (guys, remember Julian's daughter and all of our "breaks"?).
My thoughts and prayers are with Bob and his family and friends. I am thankful for the time Fred spent on this earth and thankful to have known him.
Jack Tolan
Thank you to everyone who came to FredFest yesterday. It was great to see so many old friends together again. Thank you Darlene, Carol, Bob & Duck for everything you did to make the day memorable.
ReplyDeleteBrad