[CB Contra] Sad News.

[Celtic Tapestry (Rob Killam)]

Hi all.

Many of you have already heard, but in case you haven't, Bruce 
Hartmann passed away, Monday, January 26.  He's been a close friend 
to many of us over the years, a great supporter of music, and also of 
contra dancing.  He was instrumental (pun intended) in starting the 
Cocoa Beach Contra Dance and helped out the dance many times as 
musician, caller, soundman, and more.  He will definitely be missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name can be made to:

Hospice of the Comforter,
480 W. Central Pkwy
Altamonte Springs, Fl 32714

http://www.hospiceofthecomforter.org/


Closing out by forwarding this tribute from Mike Scott (tiredmule) 
from the band Upsala.

>We have a lost a dear friend and passionate musician.
>
>Bruce was with his 3 daughters and Sharon and now is at rest. His 
>daughters are truly wonderful and their constant presence and love 
>through these last weeks was a great gift to both Sharon and Bruce.
>
>He was a main pillar of the Orlando Contra scene who among others 
>sustained our dance and kept it going through thick and thin over a 
>number of years. Bruce would play and call a dance at the same 
>time...while running the sound...whatever it took.
>
>Bruce and Sharon hosted the largest percentage of the Wednesday 
>Tunes old time jam sessions in recent years and they held some 
>wonderful house concerts. Many of us only got to see, hear and meet 
>some of our "old time heores" due to their efforts.
>
>He was a friend to, and student of, Stu Jamison. Bruce helped spread 
>Stu's music, turning thousands on to "Stu, Tom & Bill" through 
>mixing and posting his music on MP3.com in, as Bruce put it, "the 
>early days when MP3 was free".
>
>They welcomed countless visitors, new pickers and beginners into 
>their home and where else could you go to play old time tunes among 
>marimbas, sitars and every musical instrument imaginaeable?
>
>You have to smile when you remember Sharon and Bruce and their hats 
>at FOTMC in Dade City.
>
>Bruce was a creative chef who was quick to invite others in for a 
>gourmet meal; he pushed you to try new things you might not be 
>accustomed to in this area, just as in music.
>
>Likewise we will miss the thoughtful conversations, and very, very 
>passionate discussions.
>
>He was a unique guitar player who always gave it absolutely 
>everything he had, every tune, every song, every measure.
>
>He left us with wonderful memories and cherished times.
>He has left Elderly instruments with a vastly reduced market for 
>really strange instruments and I can only imagine what they will 
>ever do with the huge supply of Martin G strings they had to keep for him.
>
>They never ran out...but he had them working nights.


Godspeed, Bruce,

Rob