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B45-12 · 06-02-2007, 11:57 AM

This is a response to a question from RM.

"But since John Stewart is in that part of California, have you had any encounters with him?"

I know John Stewart in the same way that I know Gordon Lightfoot....possibly 100 encounters over the years...a few lengthly conversations...a few industry related associations from long ago. But that said, over the years, anytime I run into either one of them...they have to scratch their heads to remember my name. Understandable of course - we're not dining or fishing pals!

In March of 2001 - a very close friend of mine and a very talented singer/songwriter was a parent escort for his (then) 8 year old daughters school camping trip to the Northern California Redwoods.
Upon return, he became very, very sick and was rushed to a medical center and was diagnosed with meningitis...and near death.
Fast forward.....one month later, and after what doctors called a miracle recovery, he lost all of his finger tips and toes, and a few internal organs were badly damaged.
Some close friends decided to put on a benefit concert for him to help offset his lost income and predicted loss for unknown months to come.
This friend (Mark) was a John Stewart devotee since childhood, and knew (and knows) JS quite well.
John even wrote the liner notes to Marks debut LP back in 1979.
After many sad visits to the hospital, and about a month or more of waiting and wondering - Mark began to recover....at least physically.
We put together a small group (a concert
committee) and planned the show.
I called John and told him about Mark and within seconds he said: "when and where." He made it clear that he would attend and perform - without fee, but more importantly to me - without hesitation. Over the next few weeks I did all of the planning by telephone with his wife (Buffy) - who was sick at the time also and wearing a large patch over one eye.
The show went on to a sold out room of about 550 at a large banquet facility at a country club. Now none of us were Country Club members - but when I spoke to the owner of the restaurant/banquet facility...and I mentioned Mark - who had been a front page story for days....he offered unlimited use of his facility to us for free!
We raised a large sum of money for Mark and his daughter....and today he is doing as well as can be expected. He "mentors" about 30 young guitar students a week - using DVD's and whatever training aids he can find. Mark has even managed to play some things on the guitar - with all fingers gone from the middle joint to the nail!
This is one of a few JS stories that I have and I will always be grateful to him and Buffy for making our show such a huge success. John's presence meant the world to Mark, and induced some wealthy private donors in attendance to get out their checkbooks. ...end..

I also knew John back in the Chuck's Cellar days in Palo Alto California in the 70's. Had lots of fun back then.

".....let the big horse run...."

06-02-2007, 11:57 AM	#1
B45-12 Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Northern California Posts: 135	This is a response to a question from RM. "But since John Stewart is in that part of California, have you had any encounters with him?" I know John Stewart in the same way that I know Gordon Lightfoot....possibly 100 encounters over the years...a few lengthly conversations...a few industry related associations from long ago. But that said, over the years, anytime I run into either one of them...they have to scratch their heads to remember my name. Understandable of course - we're not dining or fishing pals! In March of 2001 - a very close friend of mine and a very talented singer/songwriter was a parent escort for his (then) 8 year old daughters school camping trip to the Northern California Redwoods. Upon return, he became very, very sick and was rushed to a medical center and was diagnosed with meningitis...and near death. Fast forward.....one month later, and after what doctors called a miracle recovery, he lost all of his finger tips and toes, and a few internal organs were badly damaged. Some close friends decided to put on a benefit concert for him to help offset his lost income and predicted loss for unknown months to come. This friend (Mark) was a John Stewart devotee since childhood, and knew (and knows) JS quite well. John even wrote the liner notes to Marks debut LP back in 1979. After many sad visits to the hospital, and about a month or more of waiting and wondering - Mark began to recover....at least physically. We put together a small group (a concert committee) and planned the show. I called John and told him about Mark and within seconds he said: "when and where." He made it clear that he would attend and perform - without fee, but more importantly to me - without hesitation. Over the next few weeks I did all of the planning by telephone with his wife (Buffy) - who was sick at the time also and wearing a large patch over one eye. The show went on to a sold out room of about 550 at a large banquet facility at a country club. Now none of us were Country Club members - but when I spoke to the owner of the restaurant/banquet facility...and I mentioned Mark - who had been a front page story for days....he offered unlimited use of his facility to us for free! We raised a large sum of money for Mark and his daughter....and today he is doing as well as can be expected. He "mentors" about 30 young guitar students a week - using DVD's and whatever training aids he can find. Mark has even managed to play some things on the guitar - with all fingers gone from the middle joint to the nail! This is one of a few JS stories that I have and I will always be grateful to him and Buffy for making our show such a huge success. John's presence meant the world to Mark, and induced some wealthy private donors in attendance to get out their checkbooks. ...end.. I also knew John back in the Chuck's Cellar days in Palo Alto California in the 70's. Had lots of fun back then. ".....let the big horse run...." __________________ DJ