If you would like to add your thoughts to this page, please e-mail to letters@artietraum.com

Page Two -

I've known Artie for most of my time in Woodstock, over 20 years. I lived near him in Wittenberg for a few years and I would always run into Bev and him taking a walk at Cooper Lake. We always said how lucky we were to live in a place surrounded by so much natural beauty. I got to spend some time with him when we did a short tour with Livingston Taylor some years ago and recently was able to send him some photos of those gigs he hadn't seen which he said he really enjoyed, one really nice one of all of us playing at Opus 40. He was always really enthusiastic and encouraging of any of my projects I would tell him about. I gave him a CD I did about 6 months ago and he took the time to call me and tell me how much he liked it and give his suggestions. I was really honored when he called me to do some recording for him. It's quite possible that Artie was the nicest person who ever lived.

My deepest sympathy to the Traum family.
Howie Brown
7/26/08

My best friend played bass for Happy and Artie in the 70's. He was a well know Woodstock guy, I had just come from Boston with no folk or jazz background, not a lot of music background at all. I was writing songs, great songs. None of this folky shit. Artie why are you doing Crab Shack? You could be doing much better stuff........... And copasetic?? C'mon, what the hell is that? I got to know Artie and Happy as I started traveling with the band, sitting in, and listening Artie could make you listen when he played.

Artie produced my first demo at Bearsville and brought in Maria Muldaur. Billy Mundi, David Nichtern and a couple of members of The Band. I was in over my head and within 20 minutes too drunk to sing. I had wasted everyone's' time and money. Artie took me aside and treated me like a brother. He called me that night, like nothing had happened, and said he decided to do vocals tomorrow. Be ready. He was always so encouraging.

One time I was with some friends and he was playing somewhere on Bleecker. I went in the club, it was freezin out, and was stopped and asked to pay the cover charge. I said I didn't have it, just say hello to Artie for me. I walked east on Bleecker for about ten seconds and Artie came running up the icy street calling to me. No coat, snow piled up against the cars and the storefronts, he skidded to a halt. His head was smoking. He said "Where are you going? Come inside. When we walked back into the club, Artie yelled at the kid taking the money at the door. Maybe he was 19. DON'T YOU KNOW WHO THIS GUY IS? YOU ASKED HIM FOR MONEY? THIS GUY IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS WRITERS IN WOODSTOCK! He never said my name. I was a nobody. But not to Artie.

We would meet up in the village now and then, his gigs or mine. I always sent him tapes and e-mail him songs, up until last week. He was as encouraging as ever. I always had a brief rush of hope when I sent him a song. The last time we spoke he said , "Your songs are great, but I can't do anything with them. The music biz is just not the same"

Now, its really not the same.
Jerry Lawrence
New Hyde Park, NY - 7/26/08

I was so fortunate to work with Artie & Happy in the early 70's. I remember thinking that their names must have been switched: "Happy" was arty and "Artie" was happy. As I followed their lives and careers from a distance through the decades, I realized how wrong I was... they were both happy and arty! Happy and Artie Traum have always represented the best of the real Woodstock: kind, talented, humble, loving, down to earth, creative working artists. No hype, the real thing. Artie, thanks for always making me smile. You truly graced the earth. My thoughts are with you Beverly, Happy, Jane, and family.
Mark Harman
Capay Valley CA - 7/26/08

I will miss that face and that wonderful smile. I will miss his big heart and his open mind. I will miss being in the presence of a love so sweet and pure as the love Artie and Bev shared. Those things - and many more -- will be missed so much but they will be the things that I will evoke in remembering this very special man.
Pam Drellow
7/23/08

a man of infinite jest, to crib from the bard. Artie had this face when he was listening to you relating perhaps the most hilarious anecdote in the history of hilarious anecdotal relating, perhaps a frightfully mundane recollection of what one might have heard on public radio... this face, well, the funny thing is that if you clicked the sound off, you'd never know the difference. Artie's eyes would twinkle a bit, the flesh around his eyes would crinkle a bit and darn if there wasn't something else going on that really should end in "-inkle" just to make it round.

Point being, Artie always made you feel amusing and interesting. And considering his tastes in people, his skills, talents, travels, in the rhythms and strums and jangles and swoops and hollers we call music (Artie introduced me to the Memphis Jug Band and Toumani Diabate, amongst others) and his own clever wit, that always felt like quite a priviledge. and, well, it felt like one because it was. i never knew Artie without a moustache.

i loved how he and Bev seemed so warm and cozy in their home where every room felt like a den. i loved how they would avoid movies that seemed too fractured and rough. i remember laughing my face off deep into the night making alien contact jokes by their immaculate-ly vintage decorated tanenbaum. Artie always seemed warmly amused as a first-response, maybe even knee-jerk-default. what a glorious default! what a splendid sorrow, what a slight chilling of the world, to not have Artie in it right now. but he loved, was loved and lived love. and is loved. right now, then and all over again tomorrow. and tomorrow. and tomorrow.
anonymous
7/28/08

I knew Artie as a fellow Taylor Guitars Clinician and a warm, friendly soul to share space with, literally and figuratively. Aside from him being a just plain stellar musician, I'm eternally grateful for the work he did for many years as a Taylor Clinician before I was able to join the roster, as he laid the groundwork for what would become a source of real joy for myself and others. His full life unknowingly benefited mine, and something tells me I am not alone in that.
Bryan Beller
7/25/08

Loving sympathy to Happy and all who knew dear Artie, Marty and Ruthie Fondly,
Zibby Biberfeld
7/25/08

There is an energy in us
which makes things happen
when the paths of other persons
touch ours.

When the time
of our paticular sunset comes
our things, our accomplishments
won't really matter a great deal

But the clarity and care
with which we have loved others
will speak with vitality
of the great gift of life
we have been for each other.

Artie was a gift to us all
Mark & Aviva Heller
Ulster Park, NY - 7/25/08

He was able to open your Heart and Soul, with a warm smile and magic fingers on the fretboard.
Doc Miller
7/25/08

About 30 years ago I produced a radio commercial for Artie's first solo album: Life On Earth ... In a moment of pure Abbott and Costello inspiration, Artie prompted me to ask: " Artie...Why Rounder records? (answer) "because the square ones don't fit on my turntable"... which ... of course wound up in the commercial ... .

About 10 years ago I put together a fund raiser for the Dutchess County JCC with Orleans, Robbie and Artie ... As Artie looked out at a very Jewish crowd, his opening comment was something like: "wow..this is like playing a social hall in bialystock..and he lapsed into an eastern european dialect that would rival Robin Williams...: " it is potato festival..we dance now"......

Somewhere in my endless tape boxes is a fine cassette of Artie and Pat Alger from the Chance circa 78 or 79? ... and a poster for that show designed by my late first wife Rosalie ... also a cancer victim.

I did not have a lot of time with Artie ... but every memory is fond or better... from one Bronx jew to another....thank you.......

I met a man ... he said he ran ..a junkyard........
Stan Beinstein
LaGrange NY - 7/25/08

I wish my body could have been in Bearsville today but it couldn't. My soul was instead.

The music didn't sound as sweet today as I said "goodbye" to Artie on my own. Then, as the day went on, the music sounded better, the way Artie made me feel whenever I heard him play. I put a smile on my face to thank him for sharing his talent and his time.

You'll be missed, my friend.
Steve Raucher
Walnut Creek, CA - 7/24/08

I have had the honor to listen to Artie several times and visit with him at clinics and concerts. He was a very nice talented and articulate person. I will miss and remember him Fondly!
Tony Bermudez
San Jose, CA - 7/25/08

There's this thing about some people: Not so long ago, I was working as a typesetter for the statehouse here in Massachusetts, and there was this old-timer proofreader -- a guy named Jimmy who smoked Camel straights -- who told me one night to go home early. He'd take care of my punchcard "later". Thanks, Jimmy, but why? "You've stayed late before," he said. And then he said, "After all, one hand washes the other," gesturing, left over right, as if water were flowing over his nicotine-stained mitts.

People like this, they're not just on your side, they're with you. They are companions and supporters, enthusiasts and mentors. They are the people who hold the world together.

Reading through all the loving and lovely notes here, I realize how much Artie was one of those people. He was my teacher in the mid-70s, a spirit guide in the musical world who happily tromped across the sad little boundaries that have constantly kept cadres of player from talking to each other. Case in point: thirty some odd years after he taught me my first samba, the lesson came in handy when I sat down for the first time with my niece's Brazilian father-in-law, guitar in hand. I never would have played samba, but it was something Artie felt I ought to know.

Smart, funny, thoughtful, generous... There's all kinds of testimony here to all of these wonderful traits of the guy. But the thing that leaps out now is how beautifully Artie connected to each of us in very deep, engaging ways. He was infinitely sweet, an incredibly hard worker, and yet also someone who could let you feel that he had all the time in the world for you, sit down, chat, listen.

I confess that I thought I could call any time and we would pick up wherever it was we had left off. Sad to say the last time we spoke was some years ago, after I'd gotten married. "Get out of town," he said when I told him.

I'm not sure how to say this, exactly, but Artie made me a better person. More to the point, he made this a better place -- patiently, thoughtfully, enthusiastically... I miss him, but I also feel richer for his presence in my heart and mind.

Beverly, you chose well; Happy, you were born lucky. My warmest wishes to you and all of yours in these heartbreaking days. Love,
Jackson Braider
Boston, MA - 7/25/08

Lightning struck my heart today. It is a deep pain yet I am quieted by the memories of the dear soul that was Artie Traum.

Back in 1966 I met Marc Silber through a mutual friend and collaborator Skip Boone. Skip and I had been in a band in the summer of 1965… he lived down on west third street across from the Night Owl. It wasn’t far from fretted instruments. I was a friendly sponge who soaked up everything those village streets had to offer; knowledge of guitars, chords, licks, styles, old songs, new songs, legendary characters, charlatans and heroes. Artie became my hero.

Time moved slowly then and what seemed like a decade was only a year. It was 1967 as the leaves were turning in late September. I got a message from marc about coming to audition for a band he was in called “ the children of paradise. “ It was there I first met Artie. He, Jerry, Marc and Eric kaz needed someone to replace Artie’s brother Happy who had gone off to pursue other passions.

And so it was that I became a member of that tribe. I was seventeen. Artie’s generosity is legendary, his playing without equal, and his humor indomitable. That smile of his has been a beacon to all of us sojourners… You know what I am talking about. That light will not go out. Mortal coils are what they are, but such persons, as he, will never disappear.

He took me under his wing and mentored me in ways that went beyond music and art. He showed me places where angels light the way to your dreams. He turned me on to the Marx brothers and Chinese food…. and shared every friend he knew. We hung out in Woodstock and the bowery in Newport and I crossed my first border with him at the wheel of that old blue ford van. If only I could have played like he did. Well at least I can sing.

It wasn’t long before he put me in a small boat and sent me up river against the current, confident and eternally optimistic. We made albums together rode on jets in broken down cars and buses, scored films and I’ll never forget the day we shared a smile when his old D-28 came back to him like a boomerang.

You have never left me old friend.

I send my deepest love to Happy, Jane and Beverly who I have never met.
Steven Soles
Santa Yne, CA - 7/24/08

Since I heard about Artie's illness and his subsequent passing, I have been thinking so much about this man and what he accomplished, what he meant to so many people, and how he left a giant footprint on the earth. In reading the wonderful tributes on his Web site, people can certainly see how many lives he touched throughout the years, and on so many different levels. I was quite upset at not being able to attend the memorial service this afternoon. Oh, how I tried to re-arrange my schedule, but it just wouldn't work out. I sat at my desk, thinking about Artie. I decided to share the following blog that I wrote for the WAMC section on the Times-Union blog page. Maybe this will tell you a little about what Artie meant to me.

Artie Traum had the magic touch. The strings on his guitar sounded as if a wizard had put a spell on them, as if they had grown from six into many more, as if someone who knew how to dance on them was performing a magnificent piece of choreography.

And that’s just what he was doing—a dance, a fine work of art, a piece of sculpture, a culinary masterpiece—but his canvas had six strings and we “viewed” it with our ears, which were treated to such incredible wonder each time he picked up his guitar.

Sometimes Artie played traditional music. At other times he delved into jazz, improvising incredible riffs on par with Django Reinhardt, Wes Montgomery or Charlie Byrd. He often wrote his own compositions, sharing his passion for songwriting with his ability to create music. He was also a teacher, never stingy with his talent; rather, he embraced his own abilities and reached out to others so that they too might find their own inner musician.

I first saw Artie and his brother, the incredible Happy Traum, perform at one venue or another in Boston, probably n 1969 or 1970. Bill Keith was also in the group somewhere, playing banjo and having a great time. They played traditional music, which I loved (and still do)—“When First Unto This Country, a stranger I came…”—and captivated my folk-loving friends and me. It was love at first sight.

Then I saw them again at the 1971 Philadelphia Folk Festival, again with Bill Keith. It was more fun, more incredible guitar playing, just sheer joy to watch. I took a number of photos of them during one of their night-time performances and recently passed those on to Artie. We both laughed (via e-mail) at the bushy sideburns and all the hair that everyone in the photo had. He said that he was writing a memoir about his Greenwich Village days, and he was glad to have any photos of “the old days” (although 1971 was well past those days) to reminisce about his early days in music.

Little did I know when I was a 20-something folk music fanatic in the late 1960s-early ‘70s that I would have the opportunity to meet Happy and Artie and actually become friends with them later in life!

In 1986, thanks in large part to Alan Chartock, I met them in person. I had spoken to Artie on the phone a couple of times after having started my show, “The Hudson River Sampler,” but I had never met them in person. Happy and Artie were going to be doing a live broadcast from what is now “pledge central,” where WAMC runs our three-per-year fund drives. They would bring amazing musicians from the Woodstock area, and others who were traveling through the area, and do live shows on Wednesday nights.

In the 1970s, two vinyl recordings—“Music from Mud Acres” and “More Music from Mud Acres”—were among my favorites. These records featured Happy and Artie Traum, along with Rory Block, John Sebastian, Roly Salley, John Herald, Bill Keith and many others.

With the advent of the new show on WAMC, called “Bring It on Home” (after a Sam Cooke song of the same name), it was like having “Music from Mud Acres” all over again. Happy and Artie brought in John Sebastian, Robbie Dupree, John Herald, Amy Fradon and Leslie Ritter, Scott Petito, and, above all, themselves, performing live at WAMC. They would do their solo material and then everyone would jam, playing backup for one another, and would play “Bring It On Home” and “Just Another Link in the Chain.”

Two CDs of those performances were released on the Sony label. These are treasured recordings, and, if you are fortunate enough to have them, make sure you safeguard them.

Happy and Artie played at the 15th anniversary show of “The Hudson River Sampler” in Lenox in 1997. I have always loved the way they do Bob Dylan’s “Buckets of Rain,” and it was my turn to make a request that night. Again, I was standing on the stage of what was then the National Music Center in Lenox, thinking, “Who would have ever thought that I could be worthy of sharing a stage with Happy and Artie Traum?”

Whenever anyone needed him, Artie was there, whether it was for advice or action. In 2001, when I told him I was planning to make a recording myself, he wasn’t incredulous (as some other people were); rather, he gave me some sound advice and actually played on two cuts. I gave him the songs before going into the studio, and he worked his magic on them. I am convinced that he brought those songs alive, just as he has done for famous singers—the major league ones. During the process, he treated me as if I were in that same league.

Artie was also a filmmaker, producer, “spokesmodel” for Taylor guitars, and just all-around great person. He had an unparalleled sense of humor that came out in some of his songs, but perhaps most clearly on the “Big Trout Radio” CD he did with Christopher Shaw and Tom Akstens. I could feel him laughing between the tracks, whether through his vocals or his guitar work.

When Artie passed away on Sunday, July 20, it left a tremendous void in the music world—not just folk music, but the music world in general. He was so adept in so many different genres that it was impossible to pigeon-hole him into any one category. He was comfortable talking to people at all levels of musical understanding and knowledge.

Artie had met many people throughout his lifetime, but he was never a “name-dropping snob.” Sure, he had worked with James Taylor and members of the Band. Sure, he had traveled internationally and worked with stars of jazz and new world music. But he was still Artie, and he still returned to his beloved Beverly in Bearsville, where he got his inspiration for many songs and tunes.

I guess that, as we all get older, the best thing we can ask for is that we can look back and say that we had a life well-lived. Artie Traum can be proud of his life and what he did with it. And we, as his friends, can be inspired by the words of a couple of songs:

“How many times have you heard someone say,
‘If I had his money, I’d do things my way.’
But little they know that it’s so hard to find
One rich man in a hundred with a satisfied mind.”

And from Ian Tyson:

“These friends of mine, we shared some good times together
Days of sunshine, days of rain
Through many towns and many jobs we went and never
Cared if we saw the same town again
But one day we weren’t as young as before
Our mistakes weren’t quite so easy to undo
But by all those roads my friend, we traveled down,
I’m a better friend for just the knowin’ of you.”

Artie—I’m a better friend for just the knowing of you—a man who truly had the magic touch on the guitar and a satisfied mind.

And we can all we grateful that we have his music, his videos, his legacy to treasure.

To Beverly, Happy, Jane, and all of his many cherished friends--my deepest sympathies, but we go forward in knowing that we were so fortunate in having been able to cross paths with this extraordinary musician, friend, humorist, author, filmmaker, Renaissance man.

He was, indeed, a link in the chain, and we have cried buckets of tears at his passing. But we move forward knowing how much we have been enriched just by having been in his presence for even short periods of time.
Wanda Fischer - WAMC-FM
7/25/08

I loved Artie.

My position was to know him as a "presenter." He played the cafe on August 25, 2007. At the beginning of this summer he emailed me to see if I wanted him to play again at the end of August. He wanted to do something with a trio that "showed the more jazzy side of moi." Yes, he was bilingual, fluent in the speechless language of music, and even more fluent in the language of human kindness.

When you present an artist it's like inviting someone to your home for dinner. Some folks are not the best guests. Artie was the superlative guest. He deftly erased the boundaries of club owner VS artist. We co produced his show for the good of the community. But I would have Gladly worked for him, and I hope I afforded him every courtesy because that was my intention. When he wrote in May I was delighted and flattered. I hoped it meant that his previous experience had been acceptable.

A few years back I wrote song about the Hudson River. After a great deal of anxiety Tom Mark convinced me to record it at the Make Believe Ballroom. Right after we finished Artie arrived on some recording business. I shrank in moderate horror at his presence. Tom played him the song and Artie pronounced it to be pretty good, even good, after correctly identifying the weakest line in the song. It was like being in the presence of a master, maybe what aspiring golf pros feel around Tiger Woods. But mainly it was Intelligence and kindness, revealed with humor. If only the current pope could figure this out.

Well, I had an almost confirmed date with Artie coming this August. Artie, Beverly, and everyone else, I want you to know that no matter what happens with the cafe, or how long it lasts, I will wait for and honor that date. I will never give up on Artie.
Mark
7/25/08

i am much surprised and deeply saddened at Artie's passing. i had no idea that he was suffering. It has been less than a week that i had been reviewing the lessons that i have on one of his teaching dvd's that i own.....makes it a double shock that he is gone....i will long remember meeting him at the Roanoke Virginia, Taylor clinics....Artie's passion for teaching the less experienced player made him my favorite......his unassuming personality and his ability to make the complex seem simple were just two of his many talents.........Thank you Artie for touching me deep......and thank you Beverly for sharing him with us.

"the peoples are better cause he came"..........God bless you, Beverly. i will never forget.
Mike Whitlow
Salem, VA - 7/25/08

I'm am truly saddened, that such a beautiful soul is no longer with us...
TJ Colatrella
7/24/08

This was the all time "Meeting With Remarkable Friends"....

Love always,
Bobby, Dj, Amelia and Anna Kaminsky
7/24/08

Dearest Traum Family,

Your family has brought so much joy to the world through music, and music education. We are in your debt. Artie's music made a strong and lasting impression on us, yet in the most gentle and subtle ways. His graceful and dignified musical tones will resonate in our heads, and hearts, forever.

Our deepest regrets,
Nicholas, Geoff, Eric, Tony, and Christopher Parker
7/24/08

I just ran across the news on the Taylor Guitars website. I met Artie through my employment with Taylor Guitars from 2002 thru 2007. We did workshops and clinics together. I am so moved to write about a man who I actually knew only briefly but who always made me feel like I knew him forever - I really feel that and the sadness of his loss from the planet. Wow.

There's a comment I'll never forget that Artie spoke to me at a NAMM Show in Anaheim. I guess Artie knew that I grew up and cut my teeth in guitar stores in New Jersey. I said hello to him at NAMM and he commented, "hey, everyone on the east coast knows you!" Recalling that now I have to say to you Artie, no dude, everyone on the east coast knew you and loved you!

Thanks to John D'Agostino for bringing such a quality guy to the Taylor Guitars fold.

With sympathy to Beverly, Happy and family.
Jay Morrissey
7/24/08

I only know Artie through his solstice and local concerts - my heart goes out to all of you - I only wish I had known him
Carol Johnson-Zasuly and Michael Zasuly
7/28/08

Just having returned from the moving memorial celebration for Artie, it's easy to bask in the remembered glow of Artie's warmth and love. If anyone on the stage would have asked for those audience members who were Artie's "best" friend to raise their hand, I bet 90% of the hands would have been high in the air.

I remember him so well, the inspiration for so much laughter, wit, conspiracy theories, tips on growing garlic (he was my garlic guru) and of course unparalleled music. He was also the driving force behind our popular DVD, "Deep Water," and I feel honored to be, with Robbie and Artie, one of the "three morons"...Just another inside joke that makes all Artie's best friends smile.

Our love to all the Traum family in this time of sadness.
Tobe & Meg Carey
7/28/08

Dear family and friends, we were all deeply saddened to hear of Artie's passing. We extend our deepest sympathies and would like to share the following poem, which we think reflects Artie's spirit ...

"Do not stand at my grave and forever weep.
I am not there; I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn’s rain.
When you awaken in the morning’s hush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and forever cry.
I am not there. I did not die."
Please call on us if there's anything we can do for the family. Our hearts are with you.
Brad Wendkos
7/24/08

Dear Artie Traum Loved Ones,

I am so sorry to hear about the untimely death of Artie. Unfortunately, I share in your pain as my 36 year old husband was also diagnosed with ocular melanoma with liver metastasis this past year. We are currently trying to establish a research fund for ocular melanoma at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where we live and believe there is good research taking place in this area, but is being hindered by lack of funding. We would like to establish the fund and then, ultimately, continue to raise money throughout the years with the hope of establishing a center of excellence in this area here.

I am in the process of gathering families together who would be interested in helping me along this journey and I am wondering if you might be interested. I am just in the beginning stages of this process but am excited about the prospects of establishing a world-renound center for research and treatment of ocular melanoma and hope you will join me in this fight.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss and for your pain over the past several months. We are in this fight together. I wish you peace in this time of grieving.
Sara Selig
7/24/08

If heart & soul were electricity, Artie Traum would be the powerhouse. He was passionate, caring, kind, funny, a great musician & an amazing listener. I had the pleasure of playing on the “Letters From Joubee CD that Artie & Robbie Dupree, our dear friend, produced. It will always be a treasured moment . When Artie & Bev would come to LA, we would get together in between all that was going on in his touring schedule & enjoy some quality time. He once stayed @ our home while our family was on vacation . It was a 4 day house sitting gig. Artie would email us each day to let us know that everything was fine with the house including dogs & cats. The best sitter we’ve ever had.

I saw Artie & Bev in Feb, when they came out to CA. for a few gigs & we sat on the deck of my home enjoying the morning visit. I showed him Steve Goodman’s book “Facing The Music” & a picture inside the book, of Steve, Happy & Artie on stage in England @ the Cambridge Folk Festival. He was surprised, honored & eloquent in his praise of Goodman. When I offered to give him 1 of my 2 copies, he declined. He wanted to buy it to support the cause. He told me that he was working on his memoirs & hoped to add getting it finished on his to do list. On this day, July 24, the day of Artie’s memorial, all of us who’ve been touched by his giant soul, have our own wonderful memories of Artie & can move forward knowing that our lives are so much better having been touched by his. Artie Traum will live in our hearts forever.

To Bev & the entire Traum family, we send our deepest condolences & continued love.
Peter, Tracy, Julian & Damon Bunetta
Calabasas, CA - 7/24/08

It is with great sadness that I write this, but with beautiful cherished memories of when I first moved to Woodstock and met Artie and Bev in 1969. Life was simple, we were flower children who loved life, music and each other. It was all about peace, love and music.

Thanks to Artie we should all continue to live in peace and love through his memory and music. When I think of Artie I think of sweet music, beautiful flowers, his distinguished smile, his kind heart & his endless love for Bev.

Flower petals falling
I look up...the sky,
a clear crisp moon
-------- carole 7/24/08

Great Person. Great Musician. Great Loss.
In Sympathy,
Ed Surowitz
7/24/08

Hello Beverly,
I just heard, I am so sorry, my thoughts are with you. I remember the last time I saw you both, the laughter we had drinking coffee. He will be missed. I feel honored that I got to know him and will remember that for the rest of my life. You are in my prayers.
Susan Schnieder
7/24/08

Perhaps more than any other family I am aware of, the Traums have delivered the gift of music to the world. I met Artie on one occasion at a music festival and Taylor workshop and 2 years later at the NAMM show he was there. I went to say hello and he remembered who I was! I can’t imagine how many people cross through his life day to day. Many people are courteous with there time but I had the feeling that when Artie took the opportunity to meet and greet he was present and sincere in his interest to get to know people. I was overwhelmed with his warmth and enthusiasm for people. The world is a better place for the fact that he came through. My heartfelt sympathy goes to his family and the music world at large for the loss.
Gideon Besson
Shelby, NC - 7/24/08

It's still hard to believe, and to accept that tomorrow morning I won't get a one word e-mail, "bean?" That we won't share those breakfasts with buddies - those warm times, those best of times. Won't be called to put some bass on a new song... try a new musical direction, play a show somewhere, or bounce my ideas off Artie, have him eager to help out, always generously, always with his special combo of intelligence and love.

But through the fog of this week it starts to take shape how, through the wonder of the human spirit, someone like Artie spreads the light of his persona, not just to us here in Woodstock, but to many, near and far. All those lives brightened and enlightened. Lessons learned and passed on by example - a kind of immortality - a candle, especially bright, kindling and re-kindling others to light the night.

Artie was one special dude, and the effect he had on people won't leave our presence even though he has.

I'd like to pass on to the family my deepest sympathy. Each in our own way, we share your loss, but especially feel it's magnitude for you.
tony levin
Woodstock - 7/24/08

Artie will remain an inspiration forever.
Peace and love to the Traum Family.
Phil Minissale
7/24/08

I'm so sorry to hear about Artie. His hands and heart touched so many people, including me. I used his instruction books many, many years ago, have seen him on PBS, and he played with Pete Seeger. This, in particular, is so special to me because I grew up listening to Pete and The Weavers. My heart aches for his family and close friends. My heart goes out to all who loved him and I hope the legacy he's left the world will bring them some comfort. Sincerely,
Lois
7/24/08

Artie led a Taylor Clinic in Roanoke, Virginia about 2 years ago. The following morning, in the lobby of the hotel, Artie graciously listened to my son, Vander Warner, age 13, play a few tunes on his acoustic guitar.

Artie's interest and encouragement will never be forgotten.
Martha Warner
7/24/08

I did not know Artie really well, and only saw him occasionally, at NAMM shows at sometimes at a Midnight Ramble at Levon's. But there are people whom when you do see them are always, without fail, warm and very easy to reconnect with. Artie was one of those people. It seems like it should be a simple thing for someone to be unfailingly welcoming, but it's a quality that is not nearly common enough. Artie really epitomized it. He accomplished a lot in his life. And touching people the way he touched me would have to go high on the list, I think. He will surely be missed by lots and lots of other people who he touched in the same way. Love,
Paul Siegel
7/24/08

I had the privilege of hearing Artie play several times, once with his brother, and then several times as a soloist. I remember a very special afternoon of music at Border's Books in North Kensington, MD just a few short years ago. Artie owned the room with his brilliance. How unfortunate that we will no longer be the recipients of his musical gifts in concert.

All the best to his family and friends everywhere.
Len Jaffe
7/24/08

When I was at Colgate University in the mid-to-late-1970s, my roommate and I ran the college coffeehouse. The first two shows we hosted were one with Tom Akstens and the other with Artie and Happy Traum -- I can't remember whether Akstens or the Traums played the first show.

The coffeehouse was a shoestring operation. We did not receive much support from the university, and the cover charge barely covered the modest musicians' fees. When Artie and Happy came to perform, they asked about their accommodations. We told them they'd be staying at our rental apartment. My roommate and I slept on the floor so that they could have our beds. They were a little surprised, but appreciated the home cooking!

I remember both Artie and Happy being very nice people.

I'm so sorry about Artie's untimely death. Earlier this year, I lost a younger sister to breast cancer. I really don't know why bad things happen to good people. They deserve to live forever.

My warm wishes to Artie Traum's family and friends. May the good memories and his musical legacy sustain you.
Linda Keenan
7/24/08

Dear Beverly, Happy, Jane, and Family -
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your monumental time of grief. Artie's personality embodied the true spirit of Woodstock. With deepest sympathies
Don and Linda Gregorius
7/24/08

Artie,
I remenber.
You gave me grateful music.
Thank you so much.
Maximum respect
Issey Murakami
7/24/08

As with all gathered...........it has been my honor to have cared for ....and cared about ...and shared with Artie.

A bit of Country Doctor Wisdom: Something that is Real and Tangible and that cuts across all religious and spiritual beliefs, in the way our friends and loved ones so profoundly touch our lives .... even when they are gone .... part of them is still with us -- inside of us. It is True !!! and even Artie knew this was real and true !!!!

he died the way he lived .... with grace and class and he didn't want to share all of his sadness or burden any of you with his condition .... he was an entertainer and could be nothing but an entertainer
.... and so he passed in quiet and in peace with his BELOVED BEV

he did indeed touch so many lives .... NOT JUST with his music, BUT with his grace
what an honor for me ... and my partner Marty Krakower... to call him "friend"
Randy Rissman
7/24/08

I am so sad that Artie left us . My deepest sympathy to Beverly,Happy and all family and friends. Artie always made me smile , it is an honor to have known him. love and peace,
diane chetta
7/24/08

Late in 2007 I first encountered his disc 'thief of time' through his radio publicist, and it received a good deal of airplay on my show.
On April 3, ironically enough, his birthday, I had ranked his music in a quarterly airplay chart. Upon the news, he sent this reply:

" Thanks for adding me to this prestigious airplay list. It's much appreciated. Keep on playing great music - I know the singer/ songwriter, folk and alternative music community appreciates your support.
Hope you can come to one of my live shows sometime.
Cheers,
Artie"

Happy and Artie appeared on April 17th, 2008 in the "On Patriots Stage - Kaplan Series," hosted by Woody Mann, a concert that will live on forever in the memories of those of us who had the honor and delight of being on the stage that night.

It was a magical evening, with a sweet feeling that reached out to all of us from the brothers who clearly loved performing together, joking with each other and playing off of one another. The rest of us had the opportunity to get a peek into the musical and brotherly partnership of two extraordinary fellows.

As the evening progressed, Woody Mann joined Happy and Artie onstage, and soon, so did Saul Broudy. The experience for the musicians, audience members and stagehands soared exponentially with the fun, fabulous and free-flowing exchanges being passed, with such generosity and love, between the musicians.

On a very personal note, I will be forever grateful for the moment after the audience was gone, the crew was breaking down, and just before the guys packed up - when Artie acquiesced to my request for a longer rendition of James Taylor's "Gone to Carolina in My Mind," which he had teased us with only a few bars during the concert. Happy took up the challenge, as well, along with Woody and Saul, and I sat on the stage singing with these incredible musicians, tears streaming down my face. The tears are streaming down, again, with such sadness at Artie's passing.

For those of us associated with the "On Patriots Stage" series, we send our deepest condolences to Beverly, and to Happy and Jane, and we just want to thank you all for sharing Artie with us for that one very special night.

With great sadness for your monumental loss,
Molly Sword McDonough
7/24/08

I'm one of those who only knew Artie as a generous performer who spoke to me after a show on several occasions. There was no particular reason why he should have remembered me but he always made me feel as if he did. That was one of his many gifts. Artie's name and music and talent was known to me for as long as I lived in the Hudson Valley, about 34 years. A song I've been writing for some time centers on the idea that we all live as long as someone else remembers our smile or can hear our song or read our words. Long live Artie Traum.
My deepest sympathy to your family.
Bud Buckley
Venice, FL - 7/24/08

I am so sorry to hear of Artie's passing. I have known the Traum Family since I was a little girl. They are the nicest family you could ever know. My thoughts go out to you all, Beverly, Happy, Jane, Merry, April, Adam and the entire gang. Artie will truly be missed.

Peace and much love to The Traum Family.
Samantha Chetta-Carroll
Saugerties, NY - 7/23/08

Dear Family,

We will miss the beautiful, loving, humorous ,witty, talented Artie--and we will always love to hear his spirit in his music, over and over again...Love to all,
Jan and Warren Bernhardt
7/23/08

Dearest Beverly, Happy, Jane, April and Adam:

All my heart and love to you on Artie's passing.

My oldest and true Woodstock friends for more than 25 years, Happy and Artie loomed huge in my life living in Woodstock from 1970 to 1994.

Artie, you blessed me with your great friendship and humor, let me be involved in your art and life and you and I traded pretty good Van Morrison, Bob Dylan and Rick Danko impressions too!

Thank you for your grace, honesty and kindness and a true friendship that had a profound effect on me and I am sorry I didn't have the opportunity to thank you sooner.

You lived your life with such dignity and class, much the same way as you were on stage, and leaving all those you touched wanting more. With love,
Andy (Bruce) Robinson
7/23/08

At WAMC's Linda Norris Auditorium, Artie set the standard of by which other performers are measured:
"He was a really nice guy..." "Yeah, but was he as nice as Artie Traum?"
We are all so sorry for your loss.
Selma Kaplan
Woodstock, NY - 7/23/08

Fare thee well, old,dear friend.
Danny Kalb
7/23/08

I've only met Artie once, it was in May at Crandall Public Library in Glens Fall's New York. I helped with the audio crew. Even though I only talked with Artie for a short time he was so nice and caring. His music inspired me to listen to many more genre's of music. He was an amazing artist and will never be forgotten. My condolences go out to his family. R.I.P. Artie Traum your inspiration and kindness will always be in the hearts of many people.
Nick D'Andrea
Queensbury, NY - 7/23/08

My memory of Artie will always include his warm smile, his positive spirit and his contagous enthusiasm (and this recollection is whether he was holding a guitar or not!). There are few who possessed Artie's authenticity, his genuine nature and his quick wit...I am profoundly grateful to have witnessed and experienced his humanity, his music and his engaging spirit.
Rick Hasenauer
7/23/08

It is quite a measure of a person's life when the joy they have given me spans almost forty years and yet our interactions were mostly in passing at places like the supermarket. Dick is fortunate to have spent more personal time with Artie. As an avid fan I vividly remember evenings spent in musical grace with Happy and Artie (a wonderful show at the Byrdcliffe Barn so many years ago and numerous Woodstock Mountain Reviews and Solstices) and delicious, insightful and delicate performances by Artie on his own. One of my favorites was the songwriters' round at UCCC a few years ago. Artie was so appreciative and generous with other performers and had so much fun sharing with the rest of us. I left every one of these evenings with such gratitude for the presence of Artie and Happy and for my own good fortune to be a part of the sharing that song singing is.

One of the things Dick remembers most about Artie is his ability to communicate his concern and on a professional level the integrity with which he approached problems that came up, as they always do, in the music business. He always admired his sincerity and honesty.

I first met Artie in 1970 as part of a lesser known moment in his career. He and Happy were music consultants on a late-nite live TV show, Free Time, which was produced at Channel 13 in New York. I was the "in-house" associate assigned to set up the musical segments. They were a breath of fresh air and the Woodstock Living Room, complete with all the (at the time) usual suspects and funky decor, made its debut on New York TV. When Dick and I moved to Mt. Tremper in 1971, Happy and Artie were the only two people we knew.

Of course, there is a much more private, personal Artie. We can only imagine the loss Bev, Happy and Jane and "the kids" are feeling. He has left us all with so much and so large a space as well. We send you all much love and hope that you find comfort in the very full life you had for too few years.
Susan and Dick Goldman
7/23/08

I first met Artie re 15 years ago when he and Happy hosted Bring It On Home, Live from WAMC--long before the Linda Norris Auditorium. The show was always great fun. Artie & Happy always had first-rate guests and the show was always first-rate. It was sort of Hee Haw minus Buck & Roy! Artie was always very approachable and willing to answer questions from me--a classically trained musician--opera singer--with eclectic tastes in music! He and Happy were always very gracious and loads of fun! I still have the CD he autographed for me. My sincerest condolences to Happy & the rest of Artie's family. Artie is now singing in heaven with Roy & Buck, Hank Williams, Leadbelly and all the other greats. (The Immortal Odetta sang here in Albany's Washington Park, Monday night and did several Leadbelly songs including her own unique version of Midnight Special!) Artie will be missed but never, ever forgotten!
PK Miller
Albany NY - 7/23/08

I only knew Artie for a few years in the early 1970's when I was playing music in Ulster County with the Montgomeries and other bands, but he was a regular visitor to the house and I remember him well as a gifted musician and a truly warm and decent human being. He would come out and see people play and was always kind in his comments and supportive of other musicians. This is a loss of a great talent and and fine person, and I extend my sincerest condolences to his family and the many others who have been affected by his loss.
Michael Esterowitz
7/23/08

How sad to come across an old favorite this way. I go back to 1953 summer camp Brookwood where I met Ruth & Marty Traum and the boys were very young. We were good friends of Ruthie and I stayed overnight with my boys on overnight ski trips. Artie or Happy would always drop in for a quick hello. Haven't seen you guys since mom's passing but always check on your travels. Life is not fair when friend's "children" pass on. Happy, what splendid examples you are to any generation. Your daughter Merry and mom spent time finding housing for my son Howard when he worked at IBM. Our family has so many wonderful memories. Our condolences.
Lila & George Miller
7/23/08

I met Artie in the early 1970s in Woodstock. Since then we've been 'bumping into' friends. Whenever we did see each other, I enjoyed his sweetness and his humor. I am very sad that I won't be seeing him again.

My sympathy and love to Beverly, Happy and Jane.
Alix Colow
July 23, 2008

Artie was forever young, forever vibrant, a forever friend.
It seems like I knew him forever too.
When I called him, way back in the '70s, to help launch a music festival at Chautauqua in Boulder, Colorado, he remembered me from Washington Square Hootenany days and cheerfully said yes. He was so helpful that he and Pat Alger travelled cross country two, maybe three times, that same year to bump up the box office and establish our highest standards of guitar picking in the West.
Thank you, Artie, for your love and mastery of music, your contagious joy and boundless energy. I will miss you lots.
Wendy
7/23/08

Please add my name to the list of the many who were saddened by the news of Artie's passing. I send my condolences to his family, friends, and his many fans.

I was introduced to his music by my Marist College roommate, Kevin, in 1971. We were a music duo, and we loved to listen to and play songs by Happy and Artie. We played those songs all over Poughkeepsie in clubs, at parties, and during our nightly impromptu jams in our room. Soon all of Marist was aware of Happy and Artie Traum. We continued to play together thru the years as a duo, and on many occasions we added Kevin's brother Corey on a third harmony. In fact in August 1975 we sang " Hungry Dogs" in three parts for Artie ( he loved it ) in the basement of The Old Coat Cabaret in Poughkeepsie following a gig he did there with a bass player. We were sort of the house band at The Coat, and we couldn't wait to show them how much we loved those songs. We also saw Happy and Artie at a club in Pawling around the same time.

Kevin and I continued singing for a few more years after college until we ended up on different coasts, We're still in close contact and we still talk music. In fact Kev sent me a photo a few years ago of him with Artie at a music festival in Colorado. I'm sure the next time we see each other in person we will play "Hungry Dogs", "Rabbits Luck" and "Farmers Almanac" in honor of a nice guy, a fine musician, and a true renaissance man who will be missed by many. RIP
Bobby C.
7/23/08

I was honored to meet and hang with Artie at the NAMM show every year with our mutual friend Jeff Pevar. I looked forward to seeing them both play at the Taylor booth and always was surprised at how they tore it up and had so much fun! Even the year that John Sebastian jumped up onstage with them and jammed.... Arty - It was an honor to have met you - and thanks for remembering my name year after year....
Aloha my friend!
John 'Moo" Mooy
7/23/08