Sad news – hope for the future – info on this week’s show:

By Helen ~ December 20, 2011

First off, I must report some sad news: Our friend Warren Hellman has passed away at age 77. We’re all in shock here at eTown: Warren and his band, The Wronglers, were just with us in eTown several weeks ago. He had privately shared with us that he had leukemia, but he was upbeat, positive and hopeful that he would be able to overcome it; it was not to be however.

Warren was a remarkable person, with a diverse background (former president of Lehman Brothers – back when, as he liked to say, it was still a good company – who evolved into an arts patron as well as a musical performer in his own right). Nick and I knew him as someone who was sweet, smart, unassuming, gentle, generous and funny. He was an incredible supporter of the arts, particularly of music. He was perhaps best known in recent years as the founder and driving force behind the renowned outdoor festival called Hardly Strictly Bluegrass. Warren was a dear man who will be sorely missed by a ton of us. I’m just so glad he was able to come and be with us, and that you all got a chance to hear him sing and play.

L-R: Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Abigail Washburn, Nick Forster, Kai Welch, Warren Hellman and Helen Forster

As sad as I am right now, I have to tell you that it’s people like Warren who give me hope for the future. Here’s a person, obviously very well to do, who so clearly recognized the importance of the arts in the success and health of any society; who very generously supported musical performers of all genres; who shared his passion and his own personal success with his community, in this case with the citizens of San Francisco, in the form of a free music festival of the highest quality.

Warren embraced his responsibility, as both a citizen and as a person of wealth, to give back. It’s a particularly important concept to think about, during this holiday season. How can each of us find ways to give back to our community? Whether it’s adopting a family in need for the holidays, or contributing some canned goods to your local food pantry at any time of the year, volunteering at a homeless shelter or reading to the visually impaired, there are endless things we can all find to do. Maybe we don’t all have Warren’s resources, but we do have his example and his generous spirit to inspire us. And it all has an impact. Each little thing you do can make a positive difference to someone who may have less than you.

Mark O'Connor

Re: this week’s broadcast (airing the week of Dec. 21 – 27, check your station’s schedule for its particular day and time): It’s the final of three shows we’re featuring this month, all with a special holiday theme. This is our official 2011 version, which features Grammy Award winning composer and violin virtuoso  Mark O’Connor and his band ‘Hot Swing!’ plus talented newcomer Matt Wertz, each providing a special Yuletide flavored set. Mark began as a child prodigy and is considered one of the more prominent violinists and composers in the world. The LA Times calls him “one of the most talented and imaginative artists working in music – any music – today.” And Matt shares songs from his recent holiday release, Snow Globe. He’s enjoyed a well-deserved rise in attention of late, due in part to some of his original tunes being featured as part of the soundtrack for popular television shows and movies. So it’s a pretty festive time here in eTown this week, full of great music, interesting conversation and, as always, an inspiring E-Chievement Award story. I’ll hope you’ll join us.

Wishing you all a safe and satisfying holiday season,

Helen