Last night, December 7, 2009, a huge gathering of the musical cohorts and many friends of Rick Hendricks assembled at the Amnesia club, San Francisco's home of bluegrass and roots music, on Valencia Street in the heart of the Mission District.

Performances by many of the bands that Rick had played with over the last 30 years occured through this special evening. Belle Monroe & Her Brewglass Boys kicked things off with an opening set that featured three tunes composed by Rick: “Coyote Meadow Stomp,” (an instrumental), “Long Lonesome Day,” the first song Rick ever penned with a guest solo by Kevin Johnson on Trombone and delivered on dobro and vocals by Jordan Klein, and a sing-along rendition of Rick's ode to Southern Bar-b-Que, “Johnson County.” Belle Monroe printed up 100 flyers with the lyrics and urged the crowd to join in.

A marvelous poster (created by Misisipi Mike) of a smiling Rick Hendricks was blown up and mounted at the back of the stage and beamed over the assemblage all night long. The image served double duty as a collectible and very memorable poster and flyer for the event.

Other great acts included harmonica ace Steve Norris, a dozen or so members of the Cafe Babar Jugband, Ted Krauter and Friends, The Closet Cowboys, The Anchor Steam Hysters, The Jiffy Mellows (with special guest Misisipi Mike on guitar), and an epic performance by The Shut-Ins with Jordan Klein filling the very large musical shoes of Rick Hendricks on a Rickenbacker double neck Steel guitar.

In the midst of the celebration, well wishes and many toasts, Tom Drohan, bassist of the Brewglass Boys and Shut-ins as well as other bands to numerous and wonderful to mention announced that he had just received a call from the Hospice informing him that Rick had passed on. The celebratory vibration grew extremely somber and many a tear was shed (including many by this witness, and dear freind of Rick's). 

After about 10 minutes of stunned group silence, the music and celebration of the life of Rick continued till the very wee hours of the following morning.

Huge thanks are due to Shawn McGee, owner and proprieter of the Amnesia for hosting. Belle Monroe (aka Pam Brandon) and Tom Drohan for organizing and managing the event. Misisipi Mike for the terrific promotional artwork. Mike & Anne Altman of the Iron Springs Pub & Brewery in Fairfax for donating more than enough beer to provide all the musician's with an ample backstage supply. And all the many musicians, friends, fans and loved ones of Rick who attended and made this shindig possible.

Rick will be missed by many many people and this gathering focused so much love and gratitude upon the man that I like to think we nudged him toward his peaceful passing in the greatest way possible.

Rest in Peace our dear musical Brother Rick!

Ted Silverman
SF, CA