Comments for Merri's Dance and Music eNews

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Robin Brown

Robin Brown — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 22:05:47 +0000

Thank you Merri for this beautiful tribute. It transports me back to the many times when we got to work with Richard at community dances. I admire fully how he could get a chaotic group of youngsters dancing and having a great time even in a room with poor sound quality. He also always took care of the musicians, from taking care of the sound system to making sure they were fed.

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:43:09 +0000

What impressed me most was how he MC’d Tom Hunter’s wedding — the most beautiful reception I have ever seen, creating a real sense of community and belonging. Does anyone else have any good MC or wedding stories about him?

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Betsy Lombardi

Betsy Lombardi — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 23:19:29 +0000

Ahhh, Merri, thank you for writing so beautifully about the dancing joyful spirit of Richard and his wonderful family that continues to ignite our community with the Wilson music and compassion.

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Bev & Larry Dandurand

Bev & Larry Dandurand — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:01:40 +0000

Richard was a fine gentleman. What a neat example he was to others. We will miss him and remember the good times. We will never forget the twinkle in his eyes at every dance.

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Barb, Rob & Kerry

Barb, Rob & Kerry — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 22:23:29 +0000

A poignant tribute to a good man and wonderful dancer and caller who gave so much to the folk community in New Mexico and elsewhere. We are grateful to have had the chance to play some tunes for him on the porch while rain dripped through the leaves a few weeks before he passed away. Even in his weakened state, his slippered feet padded out the beats to waltzes and hambos and he seemed dreamily transported back to the dance floor. I was hoping it wouldn’t be our last chance…. but his wonderful and musical family will carry on.

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Pamela Sterling

Pamela Sterling — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 20:44:38 +0000

Thank you for sharing your love for Richard and your love for English Country dancing. Although I never met Richard, I feel as though I know him a little through your testimony, and am saddened that I never danced with him…on this earth:-).

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by lois

lois — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:10:45 +0000

so beautifully said; a graceful, sparkling and joy-filled tribute, just like Richard, and yes, his whole family. Thanks Merri, and the portraits of those twinkling eyes on the dance floor, PRICELESS !

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Lew Suber

Lew Suber — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:46:38 +0000

Wow, Merri! What a wonderful tribute! Richard’s family is certainly well equipped (by him) to carry on his loves & traditions. We will all miss him immensely.

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Michael Satterwhite

Michael Satterwhite — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 18:43:41 +0000

Merri, thank you for writing such a fine tribute to a man all of us in the dance community will miss. But we won’t miss him completely because he will live on in his choreography and his talented family. The community will cast off and wonder how they can fill the void now here…until one moment they will picture that grin and twinkling eyes Richard shared with us all.

Comment on Farewell, Richard Wilson, August 4, 2011 by Patti Elledge

Patti Elledge — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Merri, that was such a beautiful and honoring tribute. I am sad to learn of his passing, but so glad to have known him and the wonderful Wilson family during my years in NM. Thanks for sharing.