Hi everybody!

Hope your new year is getting off to a good start. Here at the Greene household we're putting away Christmas decorations, getting over bad colds, and trying to get back to the many unfinished odds and ends that await our attention.

For me, 2012 ended with a flurry of travel to Christmas concerts with the Gaithers, the Gettys, and Andrew Peterson and co., a great week in California celebrating Christmas with family and friends there, a root canal, and a great New Year's Eve retreat in TX. It was crazy but also joyful and meaningful as I interacted with so many wonderful people who continue to bless my life in countless ways. I'm a rich man indeed.

Right now, I'm listening to my favorite release of 2012, Charlie Peacock's No Man's Land. It's great, and I highly recommend it. Hope our paths cross this year, and in the meantime, I'll try to stay in touch.

Buddy

 

In memory of Doc Watson:

On May 29, the great Doc Watson breathed his last breath and entered into the presence of his savior. Doc was 89 and had recently undergone abdominal surgery. We all knew this day would come, but those of us who loved not only his great guitar playing but his winsome, fatherly manner, on and off stage alike, can’t help but mourn his passing and will be forever indebted to his contributions as a musician, performer, and curator of great American music. In my eyes, Doc was the kind of musician I’ve always aspired to be. He loved his music, his audience, his heritage, and loved playing with his many musical friends; but more importantly, he loved his dear Rosa Lee, his dearly departed son, Merle, his daughter, Nancy, grandson, Richard, extended family members, the many close friends from a lifetime of living in his community of Deep Gap, NC, and most importantly, the God whom he knew as savior and Lord.

It was my extreme privilege to get to meet my hero some 10 years ago and subsequently to become his friend and share his stage on occasion. I’ll never forget those times I had with Doc. He was always generous, kind, full of compliments for others, and an inspiration to the end. I could go on and on about Doc, but for those who want to know more about the man, his world, and his music, I strongly suggest you buy the Grammy award winning CD documentary on the life and music of Doc, entitled Legacy, and produced by longtime friend and fellow performer David Holt. It is a treasure.

Thank you, Doc, for inspiring and mentoring so many with such good stuff. We’ll miss you.

Till we meet again,

Rufus