He was playing solo-type guitar, playing with his brother Kirk. But even after he gets it back from his luthier from a fresh set up, Blake is sure to keep looking. I had considered stopping earlier, yes 2007 is when I actually quit touring, quit the road due to age and things like that. The information in this obituary is based on data from the US Government's Social Security Death Index. Just stuff Id written. I do relate a lot to Gillian and David. Day by Day is the latest offering from American guitarist and folk musician Norman Blake. Theyd make trips to see their children in Texas and North Carolina, also made two trips to Europe in the 1990s. I probably performed more commercial sessions as a sideman on Dobro than anything. Services by Shaffer Funeral Home. Back Home in Sulphur Springswas done a little differently. We always did. Oh, I dont know. We never tried to be commercial in any sense. Norman G. Blake, age 88, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 11, 2019. Of course, we did everything on the ground, driving. Norman was one of nine children and liked nothing more than visiting with his siblings, drinking coffee, eating pastries, and reminiscing stories of their childhood. Each week, through the month of April, eight skilled guitar shredders will go head-to-head to test the limits of our SC-10E. Yeah, I somehow just felt like doing that. [8][9] Blake also released an album with Mike Compton called, "Gallop to Georgia," which showcases many Old-Time tunes.[10]. These cookies do not store any personal information. Blake has also written and published songs of a political nature, such as Dont Be Afraid of the Neo-Cons.[6], Blake is known for his tastefully simple-sounding style, saying, Im more interested in the music and the tone than I am the licks.[6]. You might as well just have one guitar. Ive been playing that instrument all my life, he says of the resonator. Id never done a spoken-word piece before, she says, and of all the Hank Williams songs, that was my favorite. I asked my nephew to look for it on the net and he found two, said Blake. I played with a flat pick part of the time did that with John Hartford then I also played alternate thumb and finger style, you know, single string stuff. Passed away on Friday, March 23, 2018 at the Lewisporte Health Center, Lewisporte, NL, Mr. Norman Blake, age 76 years, formerly of Birchy Bay. It was it. See the complete profile on LinkedIn and discover Blake's connections and jobs at similar companies. Below is Norma Blake's obituary: Norma Jean Jernigan Blake, age 80, passed away at the Willis- Knighton Medical Center in Shreveport, surrounded by her family on Saturday, April 21, 2018 after being stricken with a massive stroke. Its a little slower and a little lower (in G instead of A), and the guitar tone is richer and fuller. I guess any way you can learn it is what you do. So Im pushing 80 years old. She was the life of the party anywhere she would go. His songs tell stories that reflect his experience, classics such as Ginseng Sullivan, Church Street Blues, Billy Gray, Green Light on the Southern and Last Train from Poor Valley. Ginseng Sullivan was a real person. Prince, a blind goldendoodle, fetches the newspaper for his owners every morning . Obituaries. By his Ten grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She loved to dance to big band music and Frank Sinatra songs. Location not available. I think that part of a musicians job is to soften up the hearts of people so they can receive a better message., Lately, Norman and Nancy Blake have been devoting their time to performing duets. I guess what Im getting at is, do you think if money hadnt been a part of the equation, your career wouldve been very different? Although he is best known these days as a guitar player, Blake made his bones as a multi-instrumentalist playing mandolin, fiddle and Dobro. Custom tall, wide frets on the black African ebony fingerboard provide a similar feel to the bar frets that Blake prefers along with a smaller 00 sized soundhole to enhance both bass response and dynamic range. Ended up finally just pretty well flat-picking. Norma Jean Blake passed away on November 19, 2022 at the age of 94. Well, a lot of folks have compared the current political turmoil to what happened in the late 60s. And that is what the old ones have. Blake often lists his instruments in the album credits alongside the musicians, engineers and other contributors. But the bullet point version of his career misses what makes him fascinating: a stubborn integrity in his approach to making music commercial pressures be damned and a bizarre serendipity thats led him right into the center of some of folk musics most important moments of the past half-century. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. A Martin dreadnought from that same year is just about the most desirable vintage guitar you can own. Norman Blake was one of the first pickers to recognize the tonal potential of vintage guitars. 74, of Dade City, passed away December 26, 2018. I use white bronze, I use bright bronze, I use Dynamite Boomers, normally an electric-guitar string, on certain acoustic guitars. . It was just my take on what Nancy and I find not acceptable in todays world. Share a story; Recent Obituaries . Acting chief executive, Women's Aid Federation of England. They built their lives in Belfast, Maine with his children Jeffrey A. Blake, Paula M. Kavanagh, Kevin W. Blake, Jan B. Winchester, and Nicole A. Blake. In 1962, Jack was transferred to Davenport where she continued her career with Kresge as an assistant manager in Davenport and the Moline K Mart store. Its interesting to think I mean, a lot of folks listened to the Skillet Lickers back in the 20s and mustve known Riley Pucketts style, and then also were familiar with Maybelle Carters melodic guitar playing, but then you said people thought more modern pickers like Doc Watson sounded like a novelty. Why do you think that is? Norman was a graduate of Middlebury Union High School class of 1982. Norman C. Blake, aged 80, passed peacefully in his sleep on August 8th, 2019. She had orchestra training when she was young so shes used to finding a part, and thats where she excels. Its a lot of work to make a record, and I just dont have the inclination. Norman Blakes playing is understated and elegant. I dont know what the outcome is going to be. Listen to the official audio of \"I'm Free Again,\" the first single from Norman Blake's upcoming Smithsonian Folkways album, 'Day By Day' 'Day By Day' available October 22nd, 2021, on CD and digital.Pre-order/stream:Smithsonian Folkways: https://folkways.si.edu/norman-blake/day-by-dayAll other platforms: https://orcd.co/norman-blakeGuitarist Norman Blake is one of the great unsung heroes of 20th-century folk music. Norma was united in marriage to Jack R. Blake, the love of her life, in Russell, Iowa on April 4, 1947 after he returned from Europe after serving in the Army during WWII. Did you study his style, learn to play like him? I play every day. I have vowed this year like I said, we quit the road in 2007, but weve played a few gigs around home but this is the first year that I have said that I will not perform this year in public. It isnt as zingy a string as the DAddario. Smithsonian Folkways Recordings - 22 October 2021. In late 1971, he recorded his debut, Home in Sulphur Springs, the first of more than 20 solo records. He is half of the eponymous Norman & Nancy Blake band with his wife, Nancy Blake. Ill be 79 years old here in less than two months. In 1961, he was drafted into the Army and stationed in Panama, where he formed the Fort Kobbe Mountaineers, a bluegrass band that was voted the Best Instrumental Group of the Caribbean Command. . Although the character in this song seems to have the matter settled, Blake had more seeking to do. On some of these songs, like The Truth Will Stand (When This Worlds on Fire), youre combining observations about modern life climate change, the NRA, billionaires running the country with the spiritual language youve been using in traditional songs for a long time. Theyre some of my friends, and I respect what they do. Thats back when it was down at the Ryman. I just was too busy trying to survive and make a living in the music business, and it was hard enough for any of us. It was not calculated, it just came out that way. I understand why a lot of people might have elected him, voted for him, but he took them for a ride. Sam and Kirk McGee, the boys from sunny Tennessee, they were billed. When I received the pre-release copy of Morning Glory Ramblers, I spoke to Norman, telling him how humbling it was to find Precious Memories Was a Song on that list of old classics. Blake says he practices every day to maintain my basic repertoire and learn a little, maintain my technique. Think about that: Blake was already playing guitar back when Harry S. Truman was president, and he still practices every day, perfecting the basic elements that are sacred to every guitar player. I use some nickel strings. Ultimately, the heart and hands of the player matter more than the spruce, rosewood and mahogany. The guitar was heralded in the January 2004 issue of The Sounding Board for its distinctive tone and uncommon playing comfort. In keeping with his humble nature, Blake preferred not to include his signature on the fingerboard, which had been the standard for guitars in the Signature Collection. Contact Us. Norman Blake is on a tone quest. I had the artistic inclination to want to do it, but the money certainly making a living we had a family and everything and had to do something. If I was really trying to entertain people like years ago, out where people would expect me to play the guitar, I didnt feel like going out and getting too political just like a lot of performers get too religious on stage. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Sure. We also wanted to document ourselves because thats just what we sounded like at that point. Then, on the seminal, tide-turning albums of the era, he was right there. Thats what Im thinking. Norman has phone several numbers, including (317) 815-9596 (Ameritech Indiana), (317) 815-1030. He replied, Well, Jerry, I believe it belongs on that list. [4] Soon after his debut, he and Nancy recorded their first album, The Fields of November (Flying Fish, 1974), with Nancy on hillbilly cello. The family requests that donations in lieu of flowers . Born in Jersey City, he .