Square One

well I am going to go with L.A. out of my own personal affection - but I do love the music scene going on in Austin and.... Nashville is just another little world in and of itself - NY is always great too. I think I just love NY period.

This is a really lovely tribute written about him.... By PETER COOPER • Staff Writer • April 1, 2009 Duane Jarvis, the amiable singer-songwriter who commanded stages with what Rosie Flores called a “Keith Richards flair and a honky-tonk heart,” died this morning in his Los Angeles apartment. He was 51 and battled colon cancer for 16 months. Mr. Jarvis, who recorded five critically acclaimed solo albums, lived in Nashville from 1994 until recently. Known to his friends as “D.J.,” he played guitar on recordings by Flores, Lucinda Williams, John Prine, Dwight Yoakam, Frank Black, Amy Rigby, Giant Sand, Peter Case and many others. He toured with artists including Prine, Black and The Divinyls, and his songs were featured in motion pictures The Horse Whisperer and The Rookie. He was an admirable conundrum: a rock ’n’ roller known for kindness and gentility, and a shy and soft-spoken man known for his electrifying stage presence. “D.J. was such an unassuming fellow. He was quiet and sincere,” said Prine. “But he also had this Rolling Stones thing going on when he was onstage, whether he was playing country or rock. (Wife) Fiona and I would go see him whenever I was in town and whenever he was playing. I loved his songs.” Mr. Jarvis grew up on the west coast, in Oregon, Washington and California. His father — who often played country records around the house — was in the U.S. Coast Guard, and his mother was a nurse. Mr. Jarvis was fascinated by music from an early age. As a pre-teen, he lived briefly in Florida, where he saw blues legend BB King in concert. At show’s end, he moved to the edge of the stage, where King saw him and handed him a guitar pick that he kept throughout his life. As a teenager, Mr. Jarvis joined a blues band and then became a member of power pop group The Odds. “I was very quiet, and music was my big outlet which helped me communicate with people,” he told interviewer Shuichi Iwami. “I think I would have been kind of lost without it.” In concert, Mr. Jarvis would sometimes proclaim “This is what we live for,” before striking a guitar chord and singing one of his self-penned stories. Mr. Jarvis moved from Oregon to Los Angeles in the mid-1980s, and he became part of an L.A. country scene that included Flores, Yoakam, Williams, Buddy Miller, The Blasters and Jim Lauderdale. Mr. Jarvis wrote songs and worked in Long Tall Marvin, a band fronted by Lone Justice founder Marvin Etzioni, and his session work included playing guitar on Williams’ Sweet Old World album. He also played club gigs and made demo recordings, and the recordings caught the ear of former Replacements manager Peter Jesperson, who ran Medium Cool Records in Minnesota. Medium Cool released D.J.’s Front Porch in 1994, the same year that Mr. Jarvis moved to Nashville. “The careening ‘Good On Paper’ and the wistful ‘Back of Beyond’ sound like lost gems that were left off (the Rolling Stones’) Let It Bleed,” wrote Bob Cannon of Entertainment Weekly in a review of D.J.’s Front Porch. “Jarvis seems to spit out these evocative country-soul tunes effortlessly, indicating that Front Porch is built to last.” For Mr. Jarvis, Nashville offered an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded, left-of-center talents such as Tim Carroll, Amy Rigby, Steve Allen, Joy Lynn White and Dave Coleman. Music City was also a place for him to settle into healthier routines. “Los Angeles was a fast track, and I was the one driving the car,” he told The Tennessean in 2000. “I’m the eternal optimist. I feel there’s a place for my songs in Nashville.” One of those songs, a co-write with Williams called “Still I Long For Your Kiss,” wound up in a movie soundtrack and was recorded by Williams on her breakthrough Car Wheels On A Gravel Road album. He also placed songs on albums by Carroll, White, Greg Trooper, Pinmonkey, Peter Case and others. Mr. Jarvis’ music was a mash of rock, country, R&B and blues, distilled into what is now often called “Americana.” As a staff songwriter for Lieber and Stoller, he scored no major radio hits, but his songs and guitar work were key elements in a street-level movement that offered a creatively compelling alternative to the more sanitized sounds coming from Music Row. That movement was synthesized on a Bloodshot Records compilation called Nashville: The Other Side of the Alley, an album that featured Mr. Jarvis’ “Cocktail Napkin” alongside cuts from artists including Carroll, Paul Burch, Phil Lee and Jason & The Scorchers. “D.J. was amazing in his guitar playing and in his whole spirit,” said Buddy Miller, who once hired Mr. Jarvis to engineer a recording even though Mr. Jarvis had no engineering experience. “He didn’t know what buttons to press, but he learned fast and we could show him all that. The important thing when you’re recording is to have people there who bring comfort and a good feeling to the room. He was just the best guy to be around.” In Nashville, Mr. Jarvis recorded solo albums Far From Perfect (1998), Combo Platter (1999), Certified Miracle (2001) and Delicious (2003). Each album found Mr. Jarvis combining hard-won knowledge with his signature soulful wit. “It takes a worried man to sing a worried song/ Had no idea I’d be singing for so long,” he wrote on “Spread My Soul Too Thin,” from 2003’s Delicious. On Certified Miracle’s “Broke Not Busted” Mr. Jarvis sang, “I might not be what you bargained for/ I’m a discount bin, not a money drawer.” In 2007, Mr. Jarvis — who by then had moved back to Los Angeles — was inducted into the Oregon Music Hall of Fame. That same year, he was diagnosed with colon cancer. He endured multiple surgeries and round of chemotherapy, and in March of 2009 he entered hospice care. Music remained a constant through his final days. Friend Billy Block said Mr. Jarvis offered a bed-ridden but note-perfect version of the Ben E King hit “Stand By Me” last Thursday, and Rosie Flores said he entertained her last week by picking out a song on a banjo. As news of Mr. Jarvis’ death spread today, friends emailed memories to Web site guest books. They wrote of songs shared on stages and in backyards, beers shared at the old Sherlock Holmes Pub, and of the kindnesses that Mr. Jarvis bestowed upon friends. They remarked on the music that lives on, and of the peculiar grace that passed with the musician. Peter Cooper writes about music for The Tennessean

For those that said prayers for Duane, I wanted to let you know I received the following email. I also want to say that I posted all of this because Duane was the type of guy that was not only super talented, but also humble, gracious, kind and funny - a magical combination in a musician and I know you're all music lovers.. so.. thanks for thinking about him........ ******* Duane Jarvis left us at 1:30 AM this morning. He is now in a better place, making music with other angels and getting the place ready for us to join him when our time comes. We were blessed to have him with us in this world. "Nobody gonna take the place of you, laugh your laugh, cry your cry, dance your dance, breathe your sigh. Nobody gonna take the place of you, this happens to be true. "-- Duane Jarvis "Live for today, pray for tomorrow" -- Duane Jarvis

^ ah Brandon, I hear you! but... I have an indefinite "consulting" job and even though it's "indefinite", it doesn't feel right - doesn't feel like knowing you have stability..and the crazy thing is that it's at a company I have been at for years now. It's all so stupid. And there are these really young kids acting like they know everything. It's a little maddening. I really wish I could go back to school or rewind time and start over.

Uh... I would say it's definitely not prestigious and unfortunately I've had the experience of being one. I quit working for this person because I did have the weird feeling of "why am I devoting all my time in my life to taking care of this person's life?". Plus, she was kind of looney - or I should say "challenging" to work for. I did take away some interesting experiences from it. That's for sure.

I said Neither because I haven't seen that much of him.

Linda! Happy Birthday!! - I hope you have a wonderful day with your family and thanks for all you do on the Farm. Enjoy the day! xoxo

congratulations Marion - they are so cute and look fun! Our cats are going on 11 years old and they are the best. Enjoy! I hope you have a great time with them!

^^ wow agirl! What an amazing first concert!! could you hear above all the screaming fans???

1. What was the first concert you ever attended? How old were you? Where was it? The Kinks at the Forum (L.A.) in 1981 - I was 13. 2. What was the most recent concert you attended? Where and when? I guess the Dirty Knobs at Mill Creek in Mentone - would that qualify as a concert? Was a good one. 3. Have you ever seen your favorite artist/band in concert? Did the show live up to your expectations or were you disappointed? TPATH many times, always great!! As far as disappointed: I was going to Hawaii a couple of years ago and decided to see U2 at Aloha Stadium for their last show of the tour. The plane ride over was fun, there were all these people on it going to the show. A lot of anticipation. I was going to the show with a Hawaiian friend of mine who I used to work many moons ago and we were both really looking forward to it because we had seen them at Long Beach arena about 20 years ago and the show was awesome. Well, Aloha Stadium is HUGE and even though I got what I thought were good seats, I couldn't see that well and really wasn't that into it. I was disappointed - the show was so-so. Sometimes I really can't stand the huge arena shows. I will say the U2 3-D movie in the theaters blew this live show away. The upside was that I sat next to a couple that coincidentally lived right down the street from me here in L.A. and now we've been friends ever since. 4. Ever been to a concert where you were pleasantly surprised at the performance? Ever been to a concert where you were totally disappointed? Name 'em! Yes! Growing up, my best friend's favorite band was the Boomtown Rats and mine was TPATH. So...a couple of years ago we went to see Bob Geldof at the House of Blues. There was NO ONE there, it was practically empty and I didn't know what to expect but he was amazing. I really was surprised - It was so unexpected and one of the better shows I've been to in a long time. 5. Name five bands that would headline your own personal festival. (Along the lines of Oz Fest or Lollapalooza) ah....Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Mudcrutch, Dirty Knobs - lol - and then I'd throw in two of my friend's bands just to mix it up and make it my own little party. 6. Take this quiz How's Your Taste in Music? Alternative Rock: Highest Influence Classic Rock: Highest Influence Punk: High Influence Adult Alternative: Medium Influence Eighties: Medium Influence

Vegetables....and exercise....and cleaning.

^^^ I second all three of you. wow. that was strange. and kind of weird.

It's a tie - theatre and/or art museum

Take care of my kids. I don't think parents get to be sick, do they? I dream of just doing nothing..........

uh oh ^ sorry that came out so big, I really don't know how to do this stuff (putting photos up) - but I do love Jason's face in this pic - he and Mike are so in sync...

ahhh.....thanks Linda! He is a really sweet guy and it's so sad - I realized I hadn't seen him around in awhile and then someone told me today about his condition worsening and then I got this email out of the blue...so.......I know his friends and family will appreciate any love and prayers that anyone can send out to him. Please send checks (however small) made payable to: Pray For Tomorrow Fund 2554 Lincoln Blvd., #1010 Venice, CA 90291 or PayPal link: https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=4033370

I hope this is okay to post here - I received an email today(with the following information) about someone I have worked with in the past year or so and while I did not include the donation information because you all don't know him, I was more hoping that you could just take a second and think a good thought for him. I know what collective well wishes can do and he deserves them: :heart: Duane Jarvis: This gypsy songwriter, guitar player, and singer has followed where the music has taken him. Strong roots in Portland, Los Angeles, Nashville and back to L.A. He’s worked an eclectic bag with some of his heroes -- a short list includes Lucinda Williams, Frank Black, The Divinyls, Dwight Yoakam and John Prine. In addition to his remarkable resume as a supporting player, Duane has released a number of critically acclaimed solo recordings. “Live For Today, Pray For Tomorrow” is a song from his upcoming album. As many of you know, our wonderful friend Duane has been waging a battle against colon cancer over the course of the past 16 months. It’s been a tough fight, but Duane has faced it with tremendous grace, never losing his sense of humor or his positive outlook on life. His music has kept him going, and us entertained. In the past five months alone Duane has endured two major surgeries, three rounds of chemo, numerous trips to the ER, and many weeks in the hospital. Unfortunately, Duane’s cancer has now reached terminal status and he will no longer be seeking curative treatment. He has recently moved into an apartment near his beloved ocean in Marina Del Rey where he is under the care of loved ones and Providence TrinityCare Hospice. PRAY FOR TOMORROW FUND has been created to help offset recent and upcoming costs related to Duane’s care and living expenses. Medi-Cal covers the bulk of his hospice care, however it doesn’t cover all of his medical needs, nor his recent trips to the ER. Some of Duane’s expenses include: rent, utilities, groceries, home health aides, medical supplies, and previous ER visits. Over the course of Duane’s cancer challenge, he has received much love and many contributions from friends and colleagues such as yourselves. This is an urgent call for help in this critical stage of his battle. The love surrounding Duane grows stronger with each contribution, good wish, prayer, song... and Duane is grateful beyond words.

I can't remember what song it was but does anyone remember on Friday night Mike running into the mic stand while he was playing? He was soooo into it that I think he lost his footing for a second and bonked his head - I held my breath and he just kept right on going. It was awesome! I am going to try and put some pictures up - WM showed me how, so I'll try later tonight.

^ Hey Kira - we share an anniversary! My husband and I went to Vegas on Halloween (we eloped after two months!.... it's almost 12 years later - they said it would never last - lol) and got married at a little chapel there and then we had the bigger ceremony on Halloween again the following year in this really beautiful little church with candlelight - with all of our friends and family. It was so great....I really loved both our weddings.

Probably sometime within the last month - I don't get them that often unless I am going through a caffeine withdrawal.....

^ congrats SIF! I love my friend Will, he knows how to crack me up at exactly the times when I need a good laugh....

Oh Brandon, so glad you made it home okay - that's one crazy (scary) story! I think you had the Knobs on your side All these pictures are fantastic - so nice to see - although the mural in the background is a little distracting - lol. thanks to everyone for posting them!

This is so sad - agirl, I hope you are okay - It's definitely harder to take when you knew the people as well. I'll keep them in my thoughts...just a tragedy.