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When the quiet came - the loss of Keith Ranson Carper (Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 2:15pm) In 1979, when I was 29 years old, I began work on my very first record--back then we called them records--at Threshold Recording, in Roanoke, Virginia. Threshold was a basement studio in a downtown office building, and my mission was to make an album of my own songs. One of the brilliant musicians who worked on that album was my husband-to-be Gene Elders. The other was an incredible young 20-year old bass player named Keith Carper. Last night we lost Keith… Keith not only recorded nearly every song on that album with me, but was my bassist in the not-famous Betty Nicley Band, who once opened for Donna Fargo, the Happiest Girl in the Whole USA. Child prodigy Keith did not really have an opportunity to shine in my old band, but surely shone in Gene's jazz band, Science Fiction. Keith, Gene, former Austinite Andy Bullington, Wes Crawford, and Mike Furey wrote and performed original jazz compositions that were ahead of their time, and certainly exhibited Keith's formidable musical gifts to a larger audience. In 1984 Gene and I made Austin, TX our home. By 1988 Keith, too, had moved here to find work. We helped him get a gig with friend Bow Brannon's Band, replacing bassist Arthur Ford. Later, Scott Neubert helped Keith find a musical home with Hal Michael Ketchum. Keith went on to find additional work and friendship with Austin legend, George Ensle, and Big Doug Floyd (formerly of Bow Brannon's Band, most recently, the beloved Wimberley Volunteer Fire Ants), among others. Last night, Keith was home working on remodeling a bathroom in his home, a place he loved to unwind--he was also an avid gardener. Sometime near midnight his heart gave out. Just gave out... I now ask that you keep his brothers David and Alan, girlfriend Carol, and daughter Chelsea, in your prayers. Keith's gentle heart, brilliant mind, and multitude of gifts will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. We will be working on a memorial; stay tuned. Betty |
There couldn't have been more poignant or appropriate or more heartfelt words spoken on behalf of Keith Carper as what Hal Ketchum uttered Sunday, with faltering voice, at Gruene Hall. Thank you Tracie Ferguson for having the wisdom to capture them while the rest of us stood, breathless, caught like proverbial deer in headlights, the pain still too fresh... See: "Wings of A Dove"- Hal Ketchum dedicates to Keith Carper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCn16CPP4ks ~ courtesy Tracie Ferguson ~ ALSO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4L3X951U-c&feature=related Source: www.youtube.com (Both from Keith Carper's Memorial Gathering - Gruene Hall Sept. 27, 2009) |
His former hometown, Roanoke, Virginia remembers Keith - http://blogs.roanoke.com/ |
Just type his name into Facebook, or Google.... |
He has earned his wings. God bless. |
***Keith's Texas Tribute/Benefit will be November 17th at Gruene Hall. For info go to: www.KeithCarper.com |