Mary McCaslin's Roundup
June
16, 2007
WHAT: Laymon-Aid, Benefit Concert for Bill Laymon
WHEN: Sunday, June 24th, 7 PM
WHERE: Don Quixote's, 6275 HWY 9, Felton
INFO: (831) 603-2294
LAYMON-AID, THE CONCERT FOR BILL LAYMON
Journeyman bass player Bill Laymon must feel like his life over the last two
years has been a demolition derby of sorts. He has experienced a run of serious
health problems, starting with Typhus which he contracted from a flea bite
while living on the island of Maui, and continuing with a string of other
major illnesses, the latest of which is cancer of the bladder. The Typhus
(which is supposed to be extinct in the U. S.) substantially compromised Bill's
immune system and he developed Encephalitis and Meningitis, tested positive
for Typhoid, had a stroke and finally developed bladder cancer.
Bill moved to Maui a few years ago with his girlfriend Betsy, who was teaching
at the University of Hawaii. They had been friends growing up in Springfield,
Illinois, and re-connected while she was visiting her family there the same
time that Bill was home to handle affairs after the deaths of his parents
and brother.
Laymon is best known for his work with the New Riders of the Purple Sage and
in recent years has been a member of the David Nelson Band. He has also toured
with singer-songwriter Ginny Mitchell and bluegrass band Harmony Grits. Singer
Lacy J. Dalton is a longtime friend and he is a beloved member of the music
community.
Like many musicians, Bill has no medical coverage and is now deeply in debt.
He has not been able to work. He and Betsy, who has recovered from a milder
case of Typhus, are now staying in a cottage on her family's property outside
of Springfield.
On Sunday, June 24th, starting at 7 PM, a contingent of Bill's friends will
be performing at a benefit concert for him at Don Quixote's on Highway 9 in
Felton. The lineup includes Lacy J. Dalton, The Ginny Mitchell Band, Harmony
Grits, Jimmy Jackson, Craig Owens, Jim Norris, Mary McCaslin, Annie Steinhart,
Pat Nevins, Larry Hosford, Jeff and Rachel Cruse and JC Flyer. A silent auction
will take place and there will be some surprise musical guests. Money raised
will go to the Bill Laymon Health Fund.
SO LONG, LAURA ELLEN
When radio station KFAT went off the air in 1983 I was living in southern
California. For months after I would have dreams about KFAT, even though I
only heard it when I was playing in this area. The loss of Laura Ellen Hopper,
who co-founded both KFAT and its descendant KPIG, will be felt for years to
come and I'm quite sure lots of folks will have dreams of her. Happy Trails,
Laura.
Contact Mary McCaslin at roundup@marymccaslin.com.