A Guest Post

By Tommy Womack

The last time I saw Tim Krekel was at the Bluebird last winter, when we did an in-the-round with Marshall Chapman. It was a really fun night – it always had been with them, we’d played as a threesome 7 or 8 times in the last couple of years, and Tim was fine.  Just fine! He looked good and played and sang like the fleet-fingered rockin’ R&B hard man by way of Louisville guy that he’s always been.

And now he’s gone. Just like that. I’m only learning as a middle-aged man-child now how fast cancer gets people. I heard in spring he had a tumor needing removed and then I heard nothing more, until Friday the 18th of June when I heard he was in hospice. I should have called already for a long time before, and after that I vowed to rectify that soon.

I put it off, pissed at myself for doing so but datgummit I hate the phone. I hate not seeing the person you’re talking to. But I swear to God I was coming home from the Y that next Wednesday evening and I said distinctly to myself “TONIGHT! I CALL TIM!” Beth had her Facebook open when I got home and 

When I was running X Country, I watched so many other program directors have to deal with deaths "in the family" of whatever genre they programmed. During my tenure there, we were almost untouched in the Americana world by death. Notable of course were Johnny and June, and there were others we loved and lost. But it wasn't as it has been lately. 

I know that the natural cycle of life includes its end, but so many are leaving way too early. And so it is that Tim Krekel has succumbed to cancer. You might recall we wished him well from extensive surgery a short time ago, and really thought he would beat it when reports came our way that said he was back on stage performing. Alas, twas not to be. 

Tim was that rare combination of soul, technique, taste and the confidence to execute it flawlessly. He brought joy to us through his music, and that will live on. Tim passed today surrounded by family and friends. We'll miss you!

-Jessie Scott

Man, I just don't know what's going on lately with folks passing! As I was listening to C.T.M. on my iPod a few days ago, I was thinking how wonderful the writing and production was, and wondering what Jay was up to. And so when Kyla Fairchild sent his obit this morning, I was in shock. He was way too young, way too talented, and way too unsung. Here is No Depression's commentary. Jay, we'll miss you.