Remember Eric von Schmidt

On this page we post notes from folks remembering how important Eric von Schmidt was to them. Most recent posting is at top.

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October 24, 2007

I'm very sorry for this horrible news.

Carlo Carlini, Italy

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April 28, 2007

Dear Megan and Caitlin,
I'm sorry to hear of your father's passing. I remember meeting both of you at your father's home in Henniker NH 30 years ago. I was a close friend of your cousin, Paul. As an impressionable young woman who had been raised by a somewhat conservative father, you can imagine the eye opening conversations I might have had with your father. Knowing your family (I also knew Reb and Von and Peter) opened a world for me. Your father was working on the Custer painting during the time, and I remember being introduced to Chance Brown. Everyone was making music that evening, amid the warm historic interior with its creaky farmhouse walls and smoky wood fire smells. The exposure was inspiring. I have followed your father's work over the years and, as a former student of art and music, have always been so taken by the richness of detail, virtuosity of skill and magnitude of his accomplishments. I hope you will find comfort in the many loving and beautiful messages being left by others who felt inspired.

Sherry Britton
Maine

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March 16, 2007

People of my generation used to talk about where they were when they heard the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper album for the first time; for me it was "Who Knocked The Brains Out Of The Sky?"  I was so taken by its lyricism and soaring creativity, I looked von Schmidt up, and found he lived about an hour away on Longboat Key.  I drove by his house, but in the end was too bashful to stop.

Many, many, many years later, I was working on an article for Sarasota Magazine about sea turtles, and the man-made perils they face returning to their ancestral nesting grounds on Southwest Florida's barrier islands.  I tracked him down again (he was living in Connecticut), called and asked his permission to use a few lines from his song "Turtle Beach", which deals poignantly and eloquently with this subject.  He chuckled and said sure.  It was a brief conversation, and I guess I got pretty tongue-tied, but I was finally able to tell him the impact his music had had on me, and to thank him. If he was embarrassed by all the praise, he didn't let on.  He just said he'd give me a call next time he was down this way and we'd have a beer.

Sadly, we never spoke again, but I'm glad I had the chance to honor him.  When I get married later this year, it will be on Turtle Beach. His will be some of the music we'll play, and among the toasts will be one to his memory.

James Phillips

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March 13, 2007

I read Bullwhip Griffin (By the Great Horn Spoon) as a child and loved it.  When I got older, I read my copy to the kids at Camp when I was a Camp Counselor.  When my children were born I read it to both my boys (now 18 and 11).  Tonight I pulled up one of my many copies and looked up the illustrator - to my surprise it was the venerated Eric von Schmidt.  I am looking at my copy of Baby Let Me Follow You Down (von Schmidt and Rooney) right now.  I had no idea they were one and the same person. 
I am very sorry for the loss of such a terrific person.  He touched a lot of lives. 
Thank you,
Neal Collier
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March 13, 2007

I just found out last night that Eric had recently passed.  While checking out his web site I saw this notice to share stories, and impressions and thought everyone would appreciate this fairly recent act of kindness.
 
One of my volunteer hats I proudly wear is the marketing VP for the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival held each summer in Woody’s hometown of Okemah, Oklahoma.  Years ago I came across an album cover (1967 I believe) that Eric had painted on three pieces of wood, of the best caricatures of Woody ever!  Long story short I finally made contact with Eric via the fax machine and through his benevolence we were given permission to use his work for our annual logo for the 8th Annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in 2005.  Absolutely one of the best logo’s we have had in our 9 years of existence. 
 
Through this brief interaction it was obvious his pure character, his willingness to lend his talents and abilities to the support others.  He will be missed and will have a lasting impact on me.
 
Thank you for the opportunity to share this little story. 

John
Oklahoma Economic Development Specialist
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March 2, 2007

Following up on different links after news of Eric’s death, I was amazed at finding his artwork. I would truly love to see a book of color plates along with a directory of where the originals could be viewed. I got the sense that the paintings were also in very large scale. Thank you too for your heartfelt post-obit note on Eric!
 
I’ve long liked his music, but I never knew about his art.. too late too soon, I guess.
Regards, 
Phil Gullion
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February 11, 2007

I entered the folk scene in St Petersburg, Florida, in 1965. Eric von Schmidt was living on Longboat Key in those years. We local folkies, being very young and impertinent, would come to his home without prior notice to pay homage. He and his wife Katherine, the shark biologist, were most gracious hosts, no matter what we had interrupted.

There is a much-told tale of the time that a bunch of attendees at the Longboat Key Folk Festival got hold of an old fire truck, loaded themselves on board, and drove it to the von Schmidt home. Eric came on occasion to the Beaux Arts Coffeehouse in Pinellas Park, near St. Pete. The first that I recall was for a folksong festival held there 27 Feb 1966. The song I remember best is "Stick to Rum." Among those he brought with him were Mitch Greenhill, Megan, and Caitlin. When my daughter was born in 1967, her dad and I named her Caitlin. Although we are well aware of how difficult it is to live with artists and musicians, and Eric was both, we loved and revered him and felt privileged and honored to be in his presence. He is now thoroughly woven into our local lore.

Dean Arnold, who had married into my "family," the Martins, built the boat that Eric sings of in "Gulf Coast Blues." John Martin and I used to run into him at the Club 47 when we lived in Somerville, MA. Eric generously donated the beautiful cover painting for the CD insert and J-card for the recording "Will McLean Live at Van Wezel Hall" (released 1997), which as graphics designer I composed for printing, during the production of which I was delighted to correspond with Eric. Like him, "I love to drink my liquor way down in Costa Rica," and here, I stick to Mount Gay (makes me wanna sing "Kay is the Month of May").

As Florida is being voraciously devoured by the cancer of development, we treasure Eric's songs more than ever, especially "Gulf Coast Blues": "You ever see the sun shine on that Gulf of Mexico..." and "Spin an old rum bottle, baby; be my compass 'til I die." Thanks for being so much a part of our lives, Eric! You go with all our love. We'll sing with you next life.

Llyn F., St. Petersburg

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February 9, 2007

My heart is very sad with the news of Eric's passing.  I regret never having made the opportunity to meet him. A fellow von Schmidt and fellow artist, not so far away on Long Island -
Chuck von Schmidt

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February 7, 2007

I wish to express my sympathy to Eric's family. His music has long been an integral part of my life. I have listened, at least once a year, every year of my life, to "All My Own" since it first came out. It is a timeless work that stands head and shoulders above many of the fine recordings of its era. Something seems to have been caught in that recording that seems, to me, to be of a very special and rare essence. I know of no other record quite like it. To this day it continues to be magical, mysterious and elusive. It is blues, but not blues, folk, but not folk. It weaves a dreamlike spell out of earth born materials. It transforms and entrances the soul, transporting the listener to a unique place only Eric could create.

A few years ago I was honored and pleased to interact a bit with Eric when I arranged and produced two of his songs for Greg Kihn. Eric could not have been more enthusiastic and generous in speaking and writing to me. He was a wonderful and special spirit that we shall not likely see in this world again, but his creative legacy will grace us for a long, long time.

Farewell good sir, and thank you for touching our lives.

 
Wall Matthews
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February 5, 2007

Bob,

Thanks for sharing this sad news!  I worked with Eric on our Last Stand Hill wayside and I know that he was very happy to see his work help visitors visualize Custer's Last Stand here at the battlefield. I saved all our correspondence and treasure my copy of "Here Fell Custer" always!  I will say prayers for him.

Regards,

John Doerner

Chief Historian Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

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February 5, 2007

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February 5, 2007

At these times, words often seem inadequate to express our feelings of sorrow and our offers of support.  Eric touched the lives of so many of us in so many ways.
 
Please excuse the long post; I wanted to pass along something written by Dick Waterman (liner notes from "Avalon Blues: A Tribute to the Music of Mississippi John Hurt").
 
"One of the last times I was with John was at the Cafe Lena in Saratoga Springs, New York.  As we were packing up the guitar after the show, a young man came into the dressing room. "John,' he said. "When will we see you again?"  John laid a towel over the guitar and closed the lid of the case.  He turned and spoke slowly.  "Well now, you can see me any time you want."  The young man was puzzled by the response.  "I mean when are you coming back here?"  John smiled and shook his head.  "You'll have to talk to Dick about that.  But, you know, I don't have to come back here for you to be seeing me again."
 
"The room was quiet while the young man and I waited for John to explain.  He touched his chest with the fingers of his right hand.  "Now that I met you, I took you to be my friend and I brought you down here into my heart.  And if you take me to be your friend, then I'll be right down there in your heart.  So any time you want me to be with you, all you have to do is think about me, and I'll just come right up out of your heart and I'll be there with you.  That's the way it is with friends.  They live forever in our heart.  Any time you want me to be with you, you think about Mississippi John, and I'll come right up out of your heart and I'll be with you forever."
Even for those of us who knew him only by his works, Eric lives forever in our hearts.

Tom H.
Royal Oak, MI

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February 4, 2007

Such sad news, and Eric, we miss you already.  Your music and art and books and stories will live on, inspiring, delighting, illuminating the world.  Best wishes to the von Schmidt family-hearts are with you. 

Patty Hall

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February 3, 2007

Dear Caitlin,

I heard the news on the radio that your Dad passed away.

My thoughts are with you and your family. May the pain soon leave place to serene memories.

Con affetto,
Fausto
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February 3, 2007

Gosh. I remember when Eric was working on many of his large paintings. I am a friend of his daughter(s) and while I haven't been in touch with Kate in a long time, his daughter Megan and I correspond on a regular basis.

I remember with great fondness; our summers at the farm, the music played on a hot summer night, riding horses into town and putting ice cream sundaes on Papa's tab at the Pharmacy.  We were only 8 or 9, maybe 10 and the world was safe enough that we could make that 4 or 5 mile horse ride by ourselves! The best night was July 4th, when the fireworks that Eric had brought with him from Florida came out and we lit the punks and set off the bottle rockets.  

I sincerely hope that his daughters are able to remember those days and happier times!  

With Love,
Jenny (McAlevey) DiRocco

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February 3, 2007

Damn.

Growing up in the Sixties, I was fortunate enough to have liberal parents who'd let me take the bus or train alone into the City from Morristown, New Jersey, and I'd go down to the coffeehouses to see all the folk singers and topical folk singers.  Eric von Schmidt was one of those damned talented musicians I was so fortunate to see, and be influenced by.  He was a helluva writer, and I'll hang on to his beautiful lyrics, and be thankful for his contributions, for his very life. 

Right now, in my head, I'm singing, "Baby, let me follow you down................"  

Susie

(age 59)

Santa Clarita, California

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February 3, 2007

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