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Guestbook Archive 2010
Vassar Clements Guestbook Archive / Guestbook Archive 2010
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Posted by MagicBus.com
These are the guestbook entries for 2010.
Hello.
Jan Hejl
Czechia - Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 06:50:19 (EST)
I like the website. (googled it) Are all recordings available on CD?
Jim Wiley
Denver, CO USA - Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 23:31:23 (EST)
I met Mr. Clements in June of 2003 at the Albuquerque Folk Festival. Vassar led a fiddle workshop for about 100 of us and when he played and spoke you could hear a pin drop, he truly was and will continue to be a true legend of our time. Vassar was truly a musician's musician... and he is truly missed. God's speed Vassar
Tony Mora
Los Lunas, NM USA - Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 11:12:29 (EST)
Great site!
Thailand - Monday, November 22, 2010 at 14:00:15 (EST)
I loved the photo gallery. Every picture tells a story.
samantha wolf
cambridge, UK - Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 09:37:07 (EST)
I saw Vassar at an event in my hometown of Elizabeth City, NC quite a while back. He was awesome!!!!
Mike Anderson
Elizabeth City, NC USA - Tuesday, November 09, 2010 at 14:44:31 (EST)
When my grandmother died, we were cleaning out her attic and I found an old fiddle and decided to learn to play it. I bought the first Circle album and heard Vassar play and was hooked. That was in 1974 and I still view Vassar as my goalpost in my playing.
Paul Stratil
St. Louis, MO USA - Monday, October 18, 2010 at 11:44:34 (EDT)
I am trying to locate a copy of this album (see below) that Vassar played on in CD or digital format; it was a favorite album of mine in the 1970's; I know it was published by Flying Fish Records who was then bought up by Rounder records; Do you know if this is still available, and if available how I would get a copy ? I am a great fan of Vassar, saw him play many times in the 70's; I was sorry to see he has since passed on. Thanks for your help. Norman Blake/Tut Taylor/Sam Bush/Butch Robins/Vassar Clements/David Holland/Jethro Burns
Doug Allen
lewes, DE USA - Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 16:57:04 (EDT)
One of the biggest highlights of my band, Riverrock, was when we had Vassar Clements record his fiddle on our Billboard Magazine "Recommended LP", "Midwest Man" in 1980. We have now released the "Midwest Man 30th Anniversary Edition" CD with those wonderful tracks digitally remastered. Fans of Vassar Clements might want to go to riverrockkc.com and check out this rare recording of his work.
Dan Smith
Kansas City, MO USA - Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 19:58:50 (EDT)
To me, no one stands taller, as a fiddler, than Vassar Clements and he stands tall as a man when he spoke of Ervin Rouse, writer of The Orange Blossom Special. Ervin Rouse who never got the credit and recognition he deserved... so when I heard the words "he was a true artist... he was a genuis" spoken by Vassar Clements about Ervin Rouse... well it goes a long way to make things right, because whose words would be more valued than Vassar Clements, truly a great artist and genius himself.
ALTON LANG
HUNTSVILLE, AL USA - Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 17:13:45 (EDT)
Great site!
Reginald Macs
Boise, ID USA - Friday, September 17, 2010 at 11:43:22 (EDT)
I played in Vassar's band (drums) for going on 3 years in the late 70's. He was like a father to me. peace to all of you,Bryan Cole
Bryan Cole
Atlanta, Ga. USA - Sunday, September 05, 2010 at 20:04:59 (EDT)
I just have to say it one more time: "How DOES it go, Vassar?" You are missed.
Dave Sweet
Franklin SQuare, NY USA - Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 12:44:53 (EDT)
I have been a life long fan and had the privillege of spending 15 minutes or so with Vassar and his wife in their RV in 1977 in Albany,NY. He was playing at the University and someone told him their was a southern boy who was a big fan of his there and he invited me in. It was definitely a high point of my life.
John Campbell
Tallahasse, Fl USA - Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 21:08:36 (EDT)
I love Vassar's music and saw him play once up here in Billerica MA in a small club. Only a hand full of people showed up but he played his heart out! I talked to him after and got his autograph.I'll never forget what a great guy he was.His love of all types of music folk,country,blues,jazz,rock,and so on set him apart from everyone. Phil
Phil
Billerica, MA USA - Monday, August 23, 2010 at 20:32:59 (EDT)
In the eighties I had the distinct pleasure of working with Vassar in his backup band on two tours he made here in Alaska, for a total of seven weeks. Our band was called "Soapstone" and we were a young band, Millie and Vassar agreed to give use a chance to back Vassar because we wanted to showcase the songs he wanted to play, and we were an eager and energetic band. Working with Millie on the logistics of the tours, and working with Vassar musically will always be an incredible highlight of my musical journey. Vassar was a great and patient teacher, a one of a kind musical legend, and above all for me, he was my friend. Thank you Vassar and Millie, rest in peace.
Greg Mellinger
Palmer, Alaska USA - Monday, August 16, 2010 at 23:04:51 (EDT)
Thinking of Vassar's family today. God Bless. He loved you all so much.
Friend
USA - Monday, August 16, 2010 at 09:26:35 (EDT)
I as a older beginner {48} wish I could have heard him play in person
Randy Sandstrom
Gaston, S.C. USA - Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 20:21:04 (EDT)
I miss seeing you at MerleFest :( You were the best!!!
Gail hooks
Willis, Va USA - Saturday, August 07, 2010 at 16:34:12 (EDT)
We miss you Master.
Pat Fenn
Floyd, VA USA - Saturday, August 07, 2010 at 14:58:17 (EDT)
First came across his music on one of the "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" CD's. Could not understand why I had come across his music before. Have since enjoyed many hours listening to his great talent. The world's a better place because of him and his talent
James Sandison
Walls, Scotland - Friday, August 06, 2010 at 18:35:09 (EDT)
thank u for sharing .... love ur site .... hope all is well
connie jean
baltimore, md USA - Friday, July 23, 2010 at 12:07:58 (EDT)
Thinking of you, as always Vassar.
Friend
USA - Monday, July 12, 2010 at 23:38:04 (EDT)
I have been a fan of Vassar's since the '70's, and still have his album(in vinyl). I saw him live in Southern California, I believe it was at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach. What a concert! Then, I noted that he also was playing on John Hartford's album and, believe, John Prine's? I just found a new friend recentlym who knew who he was when I mentioned his name--I was thrilled. The world lost a great artist when we lost Vassar.
Diana
Gig Harbor, WA USA - Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 23:25:45 (EDT)
Say HI to Jerry for me!
Mark Stone
Dothan, AL USA - Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 16:31:48 (EDT)
Vassar was great!!! I first saw him when I was 16 yrs. old at Belmont, Pa. at a bluegrass festival held at a Rodeo Barn in Delmont, Pa., off of Rte, 166. He was fantastic and so too were the NGDB. All the best, TBN
Timothy B. Noone
Woodbridge, VA USA - Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 00:49:42 (EDT)
I have loved Vassar's music since I was a child. After making a living with my violin for 35 years I can honestly say that Vassar's music is still one of the biggest influences in my style and sound. He was a one-of-a-kind and dearly loved and missed by so many of us.
George Mason
Gulfport, MS USA - Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 11:14:48 (EDT)
WE ONLY MET 3 OR 4 TIMES BUT I ALWAYS FELT LIKE HE WAS MY FRIEND......I MISS HIM
CLINTON GREGORY
NASHVILLE, TN USA - Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 04:20:04 (EDT)
Had the very great honor to play with Vassar in Weiser, Idaho where he taught me to play "ain't nothing to it" on the guitar along with a terrific jam in the Grand Hotel lobby. Later when he was on a tour of South Carolina, he played a show at "Swan Lake" near Sumpter Carolina. I was there and waited for him to get off the bus to say hi. He recognized me and said "stick around and we'll catch up after the show. The show was great and later when he came off the stage, there were reporters from Bluegrass Unlimited and other well known magazines there to interview him. He said "you all take a seat,I'm gonna visit with one of my picking buddies. we had a fun time reliving the Weiser festival and sharing stories. Now that was Vassar....Let those other folks wait while he took the time to talk with a friend..There are damn few like him and I miss him..
Doc Meeks
Roswell, NM USA - Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 13:19:35 (EDT)
I fell in love with Vassar's fiddling with the first "Circle" album. I retire from teaching this month and plan to begin fiddle lessons. My wife bought me my fiddle 3 years before her death from Breast Cancer. It is in her memory and my love of Vassar's music that inspire me to try this so late in my life.
Michael Dinsmore
Palmyra, TN USA - Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 22:26:06 (EDT)
Although I just recently heard that this amazing musician is no longer with us, I wanted to tell his friends and family I always enjoyed his music, especially when seeing him perform live. That didn't happen nearly enough. His influence spanned the generations. I never met him but my guess is this was as much due to the kind of person he was as it was due to his talent. I watched him at the Iowas State Student Union about 1977. He wore a cotton golf shirt, dbl knit sans-a-belt slacks and hushpuppy shoes. And he could lead the very talented "kids" in his band in the best versions of "Southbound" and "Jessica" I ever heard. And while the kids were workin' their asses off, Vassar was barely breakin' a sweat. Simply an awesome thing to behold. The memory can still bring a smile to my face. The last time I saw him was in Chicago at the Old Town School of Folk Music, probably not terribly long before he passed. He still had it all! Talent and presence! God bless.
Keith Stohlgren
Lake Forest, Il USA - Friday, May 07, 2010 at 21:26:48 (EDT)
DO YOU HAVE ANYMORE "OLD AND IN THE WAY" CD'S.
WILLIAM LOU
CERRITOS, CA USA - Friday, May 07, 2010 at 14:43:38 (EDT)
I Had the honer to play Piano ,Steel Guitar and Banjo in Vassar's band from 1982 for a couple of years. i was only 18 years old when he hired me from a recording i made for him as a audition. He nicknamed me Jonesboro and Cheesewhizz. Vassar taught me so much about rhythm and how to build solos. When Millie would allow me to take my fiddle up on the bus, Vassar would show me different licks on the fiddle and boy i sure loved that! Vassar took me under his wing and worked with me molding me into a much better musician. I am forever grateful to Vassar and Millie and cherish all the wonderful memories. Thank you Vassar. John Scott a.k.a. Jonesboro, CheeseWhizz
John Scott
Nashville, Tn USA - Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 13:12:08 (EDT)
I hope your health is better, Midge. You are in my prayers.
Dianne
St. Louis, MO USA - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 14:03:53 (EDT)
Jan Hejl
Czechia - Thursday, November 25, 2010 at 06:50:19 (EST)
I like the website. (googled it) Are all recordings available on CD?
Jim Wiley
Denver, CO USA - Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 23:31:23 (EST)
I met Mr. Clements in June of 2003 at the Albuquerque Folk Festival. Vassar led a fiddle workshop for about 100 of us and when he played and spoke you could hear a pin drop, he truly was and will continue to be a true legend of our time. Vassar was truly a musician's musician... and he is truly missed. God's speed Vassar
Tony Mora
Los Lunas, NM USA - Tuesday, November 23, 2010 at 11:12:29 (EST)
Great site!
Thailand - Monday, November 22, 2010 at 14:00:15 (EST)
I loved the photo gallery. Every picture tells a story.
samantha wolf
cambridge, UK - Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 09:37:07 (EST)
I saw Vassar at an event in my hometown of Elizabeth City, NC quite a while back. He was awesome!!!!
Mike Anderson
Elizabeth City, NC USA - Tuesday, November 09, 2010 at 14:44:31 (EST)
When my grandmother died, we were cleaning out her attic and I found an old fiddle and decided to learn to play it. I bought the first Circle album and heard Vassar play and was hooked. That was in 1974 and I still view Vassar as my goalpost in my playing.
Paul Stratil
St. Louis, MO USA - Monday, October 18, 2010 at 11:44:34 (EDT)
I am trying to locate a copy of this album (see below) that Vassar played on in CD or digital format; it was a favorite album of mine in the 1970's; I know it was published by Flying Fish Records who was then bought up by Rounder records; Do you know if this is still available, and if available how I would get a copy ? I am a great fan of Vassar, saw him play many times in the 70's; I was sorry to see he has since passed on. Thanks for your help. Norman Blake/Tut Taylor/Sam Bush/Butch Robins/Vassar Clements/David Holland/Jethro Burns
Doug Allen
lewes, DE USA - Thursday, October 14, 2010 at 16:57:04 (EDT)
One of the biggest highlights of my band, Riverrock, was when we had Vassar Clements record his fiddle on our Billboard Magazine "Recommended LP", "Midwest Man" in 1980. We have now released the "Midwest Man 30th Anniversary Edition" CD with those wonderful tracks digitally remastered. Fans of Vassar Clements might want to go to riverrockkc.com and check out this rare recording of his work.
Dan Smith
Kansas City, MO USA - Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 19:58:50 (EDT)
To me, no one stands taller, as a fiddler, than Vassar Clements and he stands tall as a man when he spoke of Ervin Rouse, writer of The Orange Blossom Special. Ervin Rouse who never got the credit and recognition he deserved... so when I heard the words "he was a true artist... he was a genuis" spoken by Vassar Clements about Ervin Rouse... well it goes a long way to make things right, because whose words would be more valued than Vassar Clements, truly a great artist and genius himself.
ALTON LANG
HUNTSVILLE, AL USA - Sunday, September 19, 2010 at 17:13:45 (EDT)
Great site!
Reginald Macs
Boise, ID USA - Friday, September 17, 2010 at 11:43:22 (EDT)
I played in Vassar's band (drums) for going on 3 years in the late 70's. He was like a father to me. peace to all of you,Bryan Cole
Bryan Cole
Atlanta, Ga. USA - Sunday, September 05, 2010 at 20:04:59 (EDT)
I just have to say it one more time: "How DOES it go, Vassar?" You are missed.
Dave Sweet
Franklin SQuare, NY USA - Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 12:44:53 (EDT)
I have been a life long fan and had the privillege of spending 15 minutes or so with Vassar and his wife in their RV in 1977 in Albany,NY. He was playing at the University and someone told him their was a southern boy who was a big fan of his there and he invited me in. It was definitely a high point of my life.
John Campbell
Tallahasse, Fl USA - Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 21:08:36 (EDT)
I love Vassar's music and saw him play once up here in Billerica MA in a small club. Only a hand full of people showed up but he played his heart out! I talked to him after and got his autograph.I'll never forget what a great guy he was.His love of all types of music folk,country,blues,jazz,rock,and so on set him apart from everyone. Phil
Phil
Billerica, MA USA - Monday, August 23, 2010 at 20:32:59 (EDT)
In the eighties I had the distinct pleasure of working with Vassar in his backup band on two tours he made here in Alaska, for a total of seven weeks. Our band was called "Soapstone" and we were a young band, Millie and Vassar agreed to give use a chance to back Vassar because we wanted to showcase the songs he wanted to play, and we were an eager and energetic band. Working with Millie on the logistics of the tours, and working with Vassar musically will always be an incredible highlight of my musical journey. Vassar was a great and patient teacher, a one of a kind musical legend, and above all for me, he was my friend. Thank you Vassar and Millie, rest in peace.
Greg Mellinger
Palmer, Alaska USA - Monday, August 16, 2010 at 23:04:51 (EDT)
Thinking of Vassar's family today. God Bless. He loved you all so much.
Friend
USA - Monday, August 16, 2010 at 09:26:35 (EDT)
I as a older beginner {48} wish I could have heard him play in person
Randy Sandstrom
Gaston, S.C. USA - Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 20:21:04 (EDT)
I miss seeing you at MerleFest :( You were the best!!!
Gail hooks
Willis, Va USA - Saturday, August 07, 2010 at 16:34:12 (EDT)
We miss you Master.
Pat Fenn
Floyd, VA USA - Saturday, August 07, 2010 at 14:58:17 (EDT)
First came across his music on one of the "Will The Circle Be Unbroken" CD's. Could not understand why I had come across his music before. Have since enjoyed many hours listening to his great talent. The world's a better place because of him and his talent
James Sandison
Walls, Scotland - Friday, August 06, 2010 at 18:35:09 (EDT)
thank u for sharing .... love ur site .... hope all is well
connie jean
baltimore, md USA - Friday, July 23, 2010 at 12:07:58 (EDT)
Thinking of you, as always Vassar.
Friend
USA - Monday, July 12, 2010 at 23:38:04 (EDT)
I have been a fan of Vassar's since the '70's, and still have his album(in vinyl). I saw him live in Southern California, I believe it was at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach. What a concert! Then, I noted that he also was playing on John Hartford's album and, believe, John Prine's? I just found a new friend recentlym who knew who he was when I mentioned his name--I was thrilled. The world lost a great artist when we lost Vassar.
Diana
Gig Harbor, WA USA - Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at 23:25:45 (EDT)
Say HI to Jerry for me!
Mark Stone
Dothan, AL USA - Sunday, June 27, 2010 at 16:31:48 (EDT)
Vassar was great!!! I first saw him when I was 16 yrs. old at Belmont, Pa. at a bluegrass festival held at a Rodeo Barn in Delmont, Pa., off of Rte, 166. He was fantastic and so too were the NGDB. All the best, TBN
Timothy B. Noone
Woodbridge, VA USA - Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 00:49:42 (EDT)
I have loved Vassar's music since I was a child. After making a living with my violin for 35 years I can honestly say that Vassar's music is still one of the biggest influences in my style and sound. He was a one-of-a-kind and dearly loved and missed by so many of us.
George Mason
Gulfport, MS USA - Saturday, June 12, 2010 at 11:14:48 (EDT)
WE ONLY MET 3 OR 4 TIMES BUT I ALWAYS FELT LIKE HE WAS MY FRIEND......I MISS HIM
CLINTON GREGORY
NASHVILLE, TN USA - Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 04:20:04 (EDT)
Had the very great honor to play with Vassar in Weiser, Idaho where he taught me to play "ain't nothing to it" on the guitar along with a terrific jam in the Grand Hotel lobby. Later when he was on a tour of South Carolina, he played a show at "Swan Lake" near Sumpter Carolina. I was there and waited for him to get off the bus to say hi. He recognized me and said "stick around and we'll catch up after the show. The show was great and later when he came off the stage, there were reporters from Bluegrass Unlimited and other well known magazines there to interview him. He said "you all take a seat,I'm gonna visit with one of my picking buddies. we had a fun time reliving the Weiser festival and sharing stories. Now that was Vassar....Let those other folks wait while he took the time to talk with a friend..There are damn few like him and I miss him..
Doc Meeks
Roswell, NM USA - Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 13:19:35 (EDT)
I fell in love with Vassar's fiddling with the first "Circle" album. I retire from teaching this month and plan to begin fiddle lessons. My wife bought me my fiddle 3 years before her death from Breast Cancer. It is in her memory and my love of Vassar's music that inspire me to try this so late in my life.
Michael Dinsmore
Palmyra, TN USA - Saturday, May 08, 2010 at 22:26:06 (EDT)
Although I just recently heard that this amazing musician is no longer with us, I wanted to tell his friends and family I always enjoyed his music, especially when seeing him perform live. That didn't happen nearly enough. His influence spanned the generations. I never met him but my guess is this was as much due to the kind of person he was as it was due to his talent. I watched him at the Iowas State Student Union about 1977. He wore a cotton golf shirt, dbl knit sans-a-belt slacks and hushpuppy shoes. And he could lead the very talented "kids" in his band in the best versions of "Southbound" and "Jessica" I ever heard. And while the kids were workin' their asses off, Vassar was barely breakin' a sweat. Simply an awesome thing to behold. The memory can still bring a smile to my face. The last time I saw him was in Chicago at the Old Town School of Folk Music, probably not terribly long before he passed. He still had it all! Talent and presence! God bless.
Keith Stohlgren
Lake Forest, Il USA - Friday, May 07, 2010 at 21:26:48 (EDT)
DO YOU HAVE ANYMORE "OLD AND IN THE WAY" CD'S.
WILLIAM LOU
CERRITOS, CA USA - Friday, May 07, 2010 at 14:43:38 (EDT)
I Had the honer to play Piano ,Steel Guitar and Banjo in Vassar's band from 1982 for a couple of years. i was only 18 years old when he hired me from a recording i made for him as a audition. He nicknamed me Jonesboro and Cheesewhizz. Vassar taught me so much about rhythm and how to build solos. When Millie would allow me to take my fiddle up on the bus, Vassar would show me different licks on the fiddle and boy i sure loved that! Vassar took me under his wing and worked with me molding me into a much better musician. I am forever grateful to Vassar and Millie and cherish all the wonderful memories. Thank you Vassar. John Scott a.k.a. Jonesboro, CheeseWhizz
John Scott
Nashville, Tn USA - Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 13:12:08 (EDT)
I hope your health is better, Midge. You are in my prayers.
Dianne
St. Louis, MO USA - Wednesday, April 14, 2010 at 14:03:53 (EDT)
