thanks to Mike and Scott for their rememberences of Russ. And please if any of
you have any memories you would like to share with us I would love to hear them.
Just a few from me if its ok:
I first met Russ at the New England Folk Festival in 1999. He and Everett
Cowette had heard that I had been hosting a bones workshop their and were so
intrigued they and their families came up for the week end. I had never met Russ
and did not know what he looked like, but knew he was comming. On the first
night of the festival I was behind my bones booth as usual when a gentleman came
up, looked at the bones, and asked if he could try them out,"of course I
replied". He ripped off some lick I'm still trying to do, with out even moving
his body. "I'm Steve Brown" I said, "Russell B. Myers" he replied, it was the
beginning for me of a great and educational relationship, both for the bones and
any thing else I cared to learn. I was lucky enough to spend time with Russ and
his wife Wilma at bones fest IV. Russ knew more about the most incidental of
things, and yet absolutely facinating. The history of roman numeral on clocks,
the origin of common sayings, the development of mayonaise, it just went on and
on. He had the most gracious way of speaking to people, addressing my wife,"dear
lady" or just making you feel like you were very important. I really feel lucky
to have counted him as a friend. His bone playing was amazing of course. He had
his own style, not only the pitch changing, but his systematic and articulate
way of expressing a tune, "stars and Stripes forever" "Orange Blossom Special"
among a few I remember. Hope I'm not boring you guys, but Russ was and will
remain a very special bones player and person to me. Thankfully his memory will
live both through the video's and audio recordings we have. Steve Brown
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Passerotti
To: rhythmbones@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, September 12, 2006 9:41 AM
Subject: RE: [rhythm bones] Remembering Russ Myers


Russ is a good man. His memory lives on in our hearts. I appreciated the
opportunity to get to know him a little at Bones Fests. He taught many of
us how to cup our hands to change the pitch. Incredibly, that control is
only the beginning. Russ showed us the mastery of the technique changing
pitch rhythmically in time with the triplets.

Most of all, Russ mastered friendship and the art of making us all feel
welcome.

Thank you Bones Society for organizing the fests that brought us all
together. I look forward to the next one.

Mike Passerotti
Cincinnati OH





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