If I should die before I wake…would someone make sure that there’s a going-away party like the they had for George Hammonds at The Down Home ?
As it happens, I spoke to George a few weeks ago at Bristol Rhythm and Roots. As usual, he was friendly and seemed in good health and spirit, enjoying the festival and listening to Lightning’ Charlie at Java J’s. Unfortunately, that would be the last I would talk to George who died of heart problems on Tuesday, October 9th. A talented musician, radio personality and veteran, George’s death was another jolt for the Tri-Cities music community as we bid farewell to David Burton just a few weeks earlier.
I’ve known George for a number of years and we first met at WETS-FM in Johnson City. This was several years ago as our band was scheduled to perform a live set on Studio One. George helped run sound that day and from the first time we met, he established himself as a gentleman and real pro. He made us feel comfortable and his love of music was obvious over the years as he performed with The Groovemasters, The Billy Crawford Band, Lightning’ Charlie and many others.
I didn’t make the funeral, but certainly made plans to go to a very special celebration hosted at George’s favorite stage. The Down Home is the area’s oracle for live music and songwriters from all over the world have left plenty of memories in this rustic room. It’s a special place and that’s where we gathered to celebrate George’s life on Sunday, October 14th. This event was memorable too and nothing could compare to this warm send-off with family and friends.
Autumn was a bit late this year and even though it was October, it still felt like Summer. I walked up the street to the Down Home entrance and on the marquee – R.I.P. George Hammonds. Inside the door, I immediately met George’s wife Ann. We’ve never met, but she shook my hand with a cool gentle hand. I shared my name with her and she seemed delighted to meet George’s friends as she said, “I’ve always wanted to meet the people he spoke so often about.”
It was a bit early but Lightning’ Charlie was settling in to his table in his signature cowboy hat and slim Western suit getting the band ready on the stage. I walked to the back of the room and ordered a Newcastle and around my first sip, Keith Smith materialized from the shadows. Keith is still working from his Greenwood Studios and we always have plenty to talk about. We ordered another beer and although it felt bit strange cupping a frosty glass on a Sunday afternoon, our friendship with George made it more appropriate as the guys started to take the stage.
Earlier in the week, I heard that Billy Crawford had heart-felt words at the funeral. Billy and George played in the same blues band with Kevin Shinnault and his wife and together they performed the most cutting-edge blues in the region. Billy is a local icon on the Fender Strat too. His recent influence of faith has rendered him humble and well-spoken and although his introduction was understandably awkward, when the band kicked in, it wasn’t long before the mood in the room elevated to joy.
Their opening set was incredible too. Something you’ll only be able to understand as a “local.” It was so special that we all felt like family as this unadvertised and impromptu gathering of players seemed void of the competition that surfaces among musicians. For me, it was a real to hear Lightning Charlie and Billy Crawford together on the same stage. Each of these performers have a wicked supply of talent and Billy never thought about any shortcuts as he played the 16 bar blues patterns into a voodoo-like trance – his eyes closed and George Hammond’s bass, stage right, on a stand with his blue denim hat perched on top of the frets.
Joining Billy on stage was the charismatic bluesman Lightning’ Charlie whom George had been working with for the past several months. He’s a terrific performer and leads a blues band like no other with a voice that is distinct and original music that earns him a poet’s personna. It was only a few weeks ago that he surprised me on piano at Bristol Rhythm and Roots.
Kevin Shinault was playing drums tonight and he a strict back-beat that kept he mood above the melancholy moment, but what overwhelmed me the most was bassist Charlie Aesque.
Dave Carter with The Loafer and Studio One agreed with me that Charlie Aesque is the most under-rated bass player in East Tennessee. I couldn’t have imagined a better stand-in for our late friend. Charlie is humble, warm and stern with every note he played this afternoon and as he backed up his old Fender jazz bass closer to the drummer, he gave a performance that shimmered with a style and archetype of the world’s best bass players – always in the background, but never away from his post.
I’ve know Charlie for a long time. We both have worked in the media for many years and he still works for Holston Valley Broadcasting where he enjoys his career in radio. He loves old AM radios and has an interest in the Internet too, but when we get together, we always turn to the music and talk about great players like Jaco Pastorius and Jamie Jamerson. Charlie loves warm soul and solid backbeats and he’s been a life-long member of The Reflections – one of the most popular big-bands in the region.
George’s best friend Phil Leonard was running back in forth from the stage to the sound board as several players moved in and out of the Down Home including local bluesman Jimmy D, Sonny Leonard on blues harp and the incredible Ron Baisden on saxophone. 
Baisden was in top form throughout the afternoon too and although he had his work cut out for him with Crawford and Lightning’ Charlie on guitar, he found plenty of space to carve out some mystifying improvisational solos that still has me star-struck.
Ann took a moment during one of the earlier sets to read a note that George had written some time ago. He mentioned that if anything should ever happen to him that he didn’t want any sadness, but rather, “he wanted a party at the Down Home – one they would have to call the cops.” My friend Keith and I couldn’t help but to cheer that one on.
Many other musicians continued to arrive as the second set began including bassist Josh Young who used to perform with Virginia Ground. We talked about his new act in Bristol and all the friends that were gathered today. Alan Gamble and Greg Smith who worked with me in Reagan Boggs band joined us at the bar with Richard Houser. Not long after another pitcher, I was surprised to recognize Tad Dickens dark shadow walking through the glare of the sunset at the front door.
Tad and his friend John arrived from Roanoke as he continues to keep an interest toward our local music scene. He certainly has a place in our musical history too for his work with Brian and The Nightmares and The Groovemasters where he played with Billy and George. I was glad to hear about Tad’s recent successes at Roanoke.com and was excited to discuss his new role as music editor. I respect Tad for his creativity, but recently, I’ve come to respect his passion for music and sensitivity for his friends. It wasn’t long before he joined Tom Bettini on stage with Billy Crawford.
John Bartok’s name was familiar name from the days when fronted the original Groovemasters who ruled the Tri-Cities in the nineties and I enjoyed hearing him live for the first time today. Together with Hammonds on bass and Crawford on guitar, these guys were quite the sensation in their time. Bartok gleamed behind his dark sunglasses and sang another great set of blues behind the backup of Aesque, Shinault and Crawford.
Jason Lloyd wrestled with his 88-note Roland piano through the back door and it didn’t take long for him and his partner Lynda Lawson with Ivy Road to mystify the audience with their celtic blues energy. Jason is the hottest piano player in town and the fact he sings, plays guitar and has a great time playing music has him at the top of my list. Together they have a great set list and continue to build a large audience to. They had just returned from Nashville after playing a gig on the road with Adam Graybeal.
Graybeal is young Gen Y blues guitarist with a great smile and a fresh style that seems to come natural. His father encouraged him to play at a very young age and they still work together in the Nomads which perform regularly in Bristol. I was surprised to look up during their set to see that Charlie and Crawford had both left the stage and this one guitarist sounded like the two together. This young player will be something to watch in the coming year.
Jared and Vanessa Bentley looked radiant as a new couple this afternoon and seemed to be having a great time. Vanessa had worked with George and was gleaming with a baby on the way. I regret we didn’t get to talk with Eric Quesenberry and Saundra Reynolds who made a short appearance at the Hammonds celebration and I would have certainly liked to talk with Eric and Jared. I met them both when they were performing with Yukon, but a difficult band split still has wall built between these creative and talented personalities.
This was a great afternoon of music at the Down Home. I kept thinking to myself about the family of musicians that live and work here in the Tri-Cities. It’s not an easy lifestyle and for the most part, all the players still have to keep day jobs, but when it comes to a passing like George, we all come together to celebrate our life here in our musical mountain home.
I hung out with Jared, Vanessa, Tom Bettini and Keith Smith till the party ended sometime close to six-o-clock. This celebration of George’s life was a wonderful healing party that will long be remembered for a long time. We all know we have a round-trip ticket in this life and although it’s awfully easy to get wrapped up in the particulars of our life, it could end without notice.
So to that end, I know that I’m thankful for all my friends and George would be too. He left a great legacy and his life mingled with some of the region’s most creative and enduring musicians. Whatever sorrow that was felt over the past few days was turned to warmth at the Down Home and I can’t think of more fitting tribute for a friend/musician.