A Salute to Travis Edmonson of Bud & Travis
Keeping His Legacy alive!
News & Additions 2009
After more than a quarter century dealing with one serious health challenge after another, following the aneurysm and stroke which left him completely paralysed on the left side in 1982, Travis Edmonson courageously faced a series of excruciating illnesses this year that finally took his life on May 9, 2009.
Though a cancerous lesion was discovered on his lung at the end of 2008, the prognosis was thought to be excellent, but a biopsy just before Christmas left Travis in critical condition with air escaping from his lungs into his entire body.
After he finally surmounted this exceedingly painful and dangerous condition, an extreme case of shingles followed, and despite encouraging signs after his recovery, his system was so debilitated that he then had to cope with a succession of infections - including pneumonia - that left no possibility for survival despite his own indomitable spirit, incredible care from the medical team, constant support from his dear Rose Marie and an outpouring of prayers/Good Thoughts from yourselves.
Heartfelt condolences go to Rose Marie and Travis' entire family at this time of unbearable loss.
(For more information, you can read the bulletins issued by his website on the page devoted to Travis' Last Illness.)
The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations in Travis' memory be made to the Pimeria Alta Historical Society.
Pimeria Alta Historical Society
Box 2281
Nogales, AZ
85628-2281
A public memorial service was held for Travis Edmonson on May 28, 2009 at St. Philips In The Hills Episcopal Church in Tucson, Arizona .
To read the wonderful eulogy by Travis' life-long friend Mike Bartlett, please go to the In Memoriam section which also includes touching tributes from around the world as well as obituaries from the New York Times and other news sources.
So many thanks to everyone who sent prayers, Good Thoughts and heartfelt wishes for Travis
News From Earlier in the Year
In March we celebrated the fourth anniversary of The Travis Edmonson Collection.
The small one-person cottage industry (remastering, design, production, marketing and distribution) owed its success to the generosity and enthusiasm of hundreds of fans who've supported this benefit project to assist Travis with the costs of long-term illness and make his solo recordings as well as the eight from Bud & Travis and those of The Gateway Singers available in respectful CD remasters.
In March we published Patricia Thompson's wonderful story about how Travis' music got a whole hospital singing.
To celebrate the official fifth anniversary (we first went online in the summer of 2003) of Travis Edmonson's website on Valentine's Day, we published a very special addition to travisedmonson.com in February, folk singer Lynn Gold's wonderful first-hand description of Bud & Travis performing at The Ash Grove in Los Angeles. An appreciation of Travis that is not to be missed!
All around the country, in response to Travis' hospitalization, admirers report holding Travis Fests with snacks and music, to introduce their friends to his fabulous legacy. A great way of sending healing vibes in Travis' direction.
Also in January, a new Travis shop opened at www.arizonafolk.net/travis.htm where you'll find wonderful goodies like a Travis poetry book and a new live recording. And we're looking forward to a third shop coming soon.
Additions to
travisedmonson.com
in June 2009
In Memoriam Section
Tributes, Eulogy & Memorial Service
Obituaries
Additions to
travisedmonson.com
in May 2009
In Memoriam
Tributes from admirers and friends
Eulogy and Memorial Service
Obituaries in the press
Recollections & Comments from
Jerry Long, Bill Flynn, Bob Cahalan, Nancy Huebner, Bob White, Bruce Collins, Conrad Watson (Connie Clark), Nina Timmendorf, Leone Kemper, Tom Coleman
Additions to
travisedmonson.com
in April 2009
FEATURES
Marti McKown Letter to Travis Edmonson
Recipe for a Travis Fest from Frank Ross
Additions to
travisedmonson.com
in March 2009
FEATURES
Patricia Thompson on the inspiration of Travis Edmonson
Additions to
travisedmonson.com
in February 2009
PROFILE
Lynn Gold on the magic of Travis Edmonson & B&T
FEATURES
Prof. Charles Philip Thomas visits Travis in January
Recollections & Comments by
Ken Evans, Rachel Nort
Feature
Hold a Travis Fest to celebrate this wonderful usician, and send healing vibes in his direction. Leann King did, and Frank Ross tells all about it
Additions to
travisedmonson.com
in January 2009
Profile
Nick Campbell discusses Travis Edmonson as a lyricist, with emphasis on "I'm a Drifter"
Recollections & Comments from
Thomas Watanabe, Harry Johnson, Michael Robinson, Ed Gunney, Bob Angus, Martin Wiggins, Racine Barton, Jim Koop
