MEDICINE HAT & DISTRICT LIVE MUSIC CLUB Live Newsletter NOV 2019 Music Club Editor: Betty Bischke [email protected] In Memoriam Albert William “Billy” Jones, beloved husband of the late Nina Mabel Jones, passed away peacefully on Thursday October 24, 2019 at the age of 88 years. He leaves to cherish his memory his children Carolynn and her daughter Lindsay, and David (Tammy) and their children Alexander and Connor. He was predeceased by his wife of 53 years Nina, his parents Doris and Henry and his sister Margaret. It is difficult to capture the depth and richness of life in so brief a span. Billy’s life was dedicated to his family, friends, music and to God. Originally born and raised in Toronto, ON, Billy early on became dedicated to music. Although he also explored talents in Tool and Die Making, electronics and other passions, music and the steel guitar were the consistent theme of his professional life and for most that knew him, they were an inseparable combination. It was in Toronto that he met his wife Nina and together spent years touring the continent driven by the country and western sound that dominated his musical focus. His talent for the steel guitar was legendary. He played with some of the greats: Stompin’ Tom Connors, Hank Williams Sr., King Ganam and Tommy Hunter (to name but a few). Billy and Nina went on to pursue a family, with their children Carolynn and David, eventually moving out to Medicine Hat, AB, where they enjoyed the remainder of their lives building new relationships with great friends discovered there. Billy was very dedicated to the local music community, as it was important to him that live local talent needed to be seen and heard. The Bar 10 Ranch Party, The Live Music Club, involvement with service clubs such as the Moose and Elks clubs, were all very dear to his heart. In 2007 he was recognized by the City of Medicine Hat with its annual Cultural Award for his contribution to the community. He was an immensely talented, giving and humble man who lived life the way it was meant to be lived. - Carolynn Jones ********************* The family of Billy Jones would like Thank Youto express our gratitude and appreciation to the Live Music Club for all their help and food donations for Billy’s Celebration of Life service at the Legion on November 2nd. The Live Music Club was very dear to our father, and the coming together of friends and musicians to honour and remember Billy touched us deeply. Your kindness and generosity during such a difficult time will never be forgotten. Dad would have been proud. - The Jones Family TRIBUTES We were all saddened to hear of Billy’s passing. As a charter member of the Medicine Hat & District Live Music Club, Billy played a huge role in the success of our club. Since the first meeting in the summer of 1990, Billy has tirelessly devoted countless hours to promoting Live Music and helping fellow musicians. He served as the first club President, from 1990 to 1994 and again in 2007 and 2008. The club became incorporated as a non-profit society in February of 1992. The first edition of the Live Music Club Newsletter was in October of 1991, with June Bertrand heading the committee of Publicity and Promotion. In February of 1992, Billy Jones took over as newsletter editor, and continued in that role for many years. His many articles were always an interesting read. His last contribution to the newsletter was December of 2018. Billy often said that the people in the Live Music Club were like family to him, and we can certainly see by the many tributes, that everyone feels the same way about him. We have lost part of our family. It goes without saying, that Billy was a friend and mentor to many musicians in Medicine Hat, including myself. He was always happy to share his talent, and pass on his knowledge. “You have a verse and a chorus to learn the song,” is advice he gave me, when I first started attending jams. Anyone who has ever played with Billy, can verify that’s exactly how long it took for him to learn a new tune. He was an amazing talent. His dedication to the club, fellow musicians and friends was tremendous. We will miss him. - Betty So sad but now he can rest in peace with no pain. He will be missed by all of us. - Carol Eisenbarth Billy was such an interesting individual, and I loved hearing his stories of life and music. The world is a richer place because of people like Billy. - Brad Pavelich I am truly sorry to hear the news. Let me know if there is anything the Elks can do for LMC and his family. - Kim Rausch Billy was significant in the local music scene and well-loved. He will be greatly missed. - Wayne Spackman Sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. We were lucky to have him this long R.I.P. Billy. - Emilie Landrie Sorry to hear of Billy ‘s passing. A great talent has left us to play for the Angels. He will be surely missed. - Ray Harris & Dorothy Patry I am so sorry to hear of Billy’s passing Although I haven’t been there for a few years I think of all of you often. - Bernie Girardin TRIBUTES So sad! A great loss for the music community of Medicine Hat. - Rachel McGean I’m really sorry to hear that Billy passed. I only knew him through the club newsletters and know he had a long and rewarding life in music. I’m sure he was a positive influence on a lot of musicians. - Bill Glockner Fortunately I was able to see Billy the day before he passed. He looked very peaceful and I had the opportunity to express my love and say goodbye. Unfortunately Brian and I are away on Nov. 2nd and will not be able to attend the gathering which has been arranged by the family. - Ali Sellin It’s been a long time since I heard Billy Jones play, but I will never forget his wonderful steel playing. l last heard him at the Patsy Cline tribute at the South Side Centre. What a wonderful musician and individual. Yes, he will always be remembered and greatly missed. - Wayne Bodin Unfortunately, we are in Ontario and unable to attend. Patrick played in a band with Billy for probably 50 years. Please give Carolynn & family our condolences. - Patricia & Patrick Vitelli So sorry to learn of the passing of our good friend, Billy Jones. Billy was a professional in the true sense of the word, personality and musically. Billy was always around to lend a hand or help a new musician get started! He was a wealth of knowledge and he didn't hesitate to share it. He was a hit at our steel guitar shows; a more lively showman you couldn't ask for! Just remember, memory is a gift of God that death cannot destroy. Forever in Memory, - Wayne & Joan Link Billy worked for us in the store for approximately 25 years. He was so good at it, that after 2 weeks he was better at it than I was. He was excellent with the customers and became a very good friend. He always had a hug for Sheila. - Ken Chisholm I heard Billy Jones perform with his steel guitar at the ground floor Imperial Room, while I was employed downstairs in the Piano Room at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. His musicianship and smile were a perfect example of true professionalism. Occasionally, while I was a student in Toronto and playing piano for income, we would meet, or hear each other perform and say it would be nice to get together. Twelve years later, both of us having left Toronto, we met by coincidence on 3rd street in Medicine Hat. Finally, I got to play with Billy Jones. The ability to teach and share in music and friendship is missed in Billy's passing, never to be forgotten. - Bill desBarres He was the best, and he will be missed. - Len & Eileen Wotschell TRIBUTES I can't remember exactly when I met Billy Jones. I was interviewing country star, Orval I know it was a while before Aug 8, 1989 (I know Prophet at CHAT one day, and he said, that date because I searched my home videos “Did you know there’s a guy that is a great and Billy and Jan Schmall were at a party at Tim steel player and part comedian, living in and Darlene Hermans' house in Redcliff.) So that Medicine Hat?” I said, “No, where?” He makes it more than 30 years ago. Wow, how time said, “Come to the Legion tonight, and I’ll has flown by. introduce you.” That night I met Billy Jones, It seems like yesterday we surprised him with his and this was the start of a long personal 60th birthday at the Eagles, hosted by Bob and and musical relationship. Sharon McNabb (the first Metronome award). He seemed to me an old man back then. (he he) Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with many very good musicians, I am glad to say we became very good friends and working with Billy was also an amazing over the years. I spent may hours and many time. Aside from being the musician he coffees at the Jones' house. He and Nina said to was, I found a dear and precious man.