Tag Archives: Judy Larson

the whizbang

July 8, 2010

I had an opportunity to see many people from the community loosely known as the West Bank last night at the Hinkley memorial event. There were many wonderful musical performances in a number of genres, all having roots in traditional music of Europe, Africa and North America.

There’s a lot to say about it, and I won’t say it. Today I am thinking about the role musicians play in bringing coherence to a community. Music, even vocal music, being an abstract form that people seem to need in order to make sense of their lives, their emotions. Yes, it is abstract but it is experienced so directly, through our bodies, our ears, our dancing feet. It pulls us into harmony with ourselves and with one another.

The status that Bill had was a result of his importance to a community of  free thinkers who were trying to move into something new and to create a new world. Bill and Judy’s music helped to knit the community together. And so here we are. Still standing.

The Palm Room--photo taken by a new world at flickr.

The Palm Room–photo taken by a new world at flickr.

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waltz

June 13, 2010

I wrote a tune in honor of Bill, with Daithi Sproule’s admirable contribution,  and am messing around trying to post it to my music page. In the meantime, you can find it on the internet archive right here. The recording features Tom Schaefer on violin, Daithi on guitar and Laura MacKenzie on flute. Willie Murphy engineered and mixed the recording. Many thanks to all of them.

There will be a memorial service for Bill Hinkley at the Nicollet Island pavilion in Minneapolis, Wednesday, July 7th, 2010, from 5:00 to 11:00 p.m.

Saint Anthony Falls, 1865

Saint Anthony Falls, 1865

One of the difficulties the organizers of this event faced was finding a place big enough to hold all the people who loved Bill. The trade-off for having a lovely location with enough room is that it’ll be a catered affair, no potluck. However I have some friends on the Island, so maybe we can hang out on their front porches.

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obituary

June 1, 2010

Bill Hinkley died last Tuesday. Because links to the Minneapolis paper also die, I am reproducing below the obituary Judy Larson posted:

Hinkley, William Bradbury, Age 67, of Minneapolis, died Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at the Minneapolis VA Hospital. Preceded in death by his parents Howard and Dorothy Hinkley, brother Seth Howard Hinkley, and sister Jane Lapchak. Survived by his wife, Judy Larson; daughter Rebecca Nyros; granddaughter, Briana Nyros; sisters, Carolyn (Arthur) Green and Cindy (Richard) Reinking; nieces and nephews, Beth Kling, Sally Star, Mary Elizabeth, Seth James (Sara) Jennifer (Milo) Miller, Christina Lapchak, Sarah Lapchak, Alicia Lapchak, and Phillip Lapchak; and numerous grandnieces and grandnephews.

Blessed with prodigious recall, Bill mastered Chinese and Japanese while serving in the Air Force from 1961-1965. After leaving the Air Force Bill turned his attention to music. Always seeking knowledge,he taught himself guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, jug and a number of other traditional instruments; ever the player and instructor, he spent the rest of his life teaching others to play. Countless students learned their craft from him, and, in doing so, found that a music lesson from Bill was, on a greater scale, a lesson in life.

Bill’s five-decade long career as a musician started with a gig at the Tokyo Grand Old Opry in the early 1960’s. After moving to Minneapolis in 1970 he joined the legendary Minneapolis group The Sorry Muthas and toured with them nationally. He became musical and life partner with Judy Larson in 1972. They helped inaugurate Garrison Keillor’s radio show, A Prairie Home Companion and were featured regularly thereafter. They also toured nationally for decades. After a long engagement they married in 1990. They remained partners in life and music.

Bill was loved and respected by all who knew him and he will be deeply missed by family, friends and the greater musical community. A celebration of Bill’s life will be announced. RIP Bill. Boat for sale.

Bill and Judy

Bill and Judy, photo by Ron Miles

I have happy memories of time with Bill and Judy playing music, chatting, eating, fooling around. I am grateful especially for the encouragement Bill gave me in making and performing music. Bill Hinkley was a generous, hospitable, funny, determined, gifted man whom I am honored to have known and loved.

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my friend

May 17, 2010

There are not many people who have taught me as much, been as steadfast, generous friends and contributed to my development as a person as Bill Hinkley and Judy Larson. There are hundreds of others who could say the same thing.

Bill and Judy, 2009

Bill and Judy, 2009, from picasaweb.google.com/Kevin.Shashin/IFEL62Reunion

Bill is nearing the end of his long struggle with disease now. He’s worn out, in pain, and a color somewhere between green and yellow. He’s parked in the hospice wing of the Veteran’s Administration Hospital. He can still play and sing a little. And there is still a sparkle in his eyes.

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