[Harp-L] RE: the passing of Bob Berthiaume

["Tom Stryker" <tstryker1@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Denny,

 

The Indianapolis connection is still there but no activity because of
copyright issues.  The arrangements for the Big Harp and Sharp Harp are
already there from Chuck Fendall's library.  What is in Bob's library are
copies.

 

On the balance, I suggest you go to www.harp-l.com/ and join.  Then post
what you have for sale.  Unfortunately, we all face this problem as there is
not much market for this stuff.  I am doing my best to get rid of my stash
to avoid leaving the problem to the kids.

 

I reviewed your website and good to see you doing so much.  You are a fine
player.  I am keeping busy up here (Reno) in clubs, restaurants and
symphonies.  However, as with other places, the pay stinks.

 

Best,

 

Tom

 

 

 

From: denny berthiaume [mailto:dennyberth@xxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 10:25 AM
To: Tom Stryker; Jon Eriksen; Steve Malerbi
Subject: Re: the passing of Bob Berthiaume

 

Tom, Jon & Steve:

 

Please excuse the nearly 4 years since the passing of my dad, Bob
Berthiaume.  This morning I FINALLY finished the inventory of dad's
harmonica treasury.  I guess that waiting so long was a feeble attempt to
stave off the final recognition of his passing, what it meant to me, and the
musical legacy he left me.  

 

I still like the idea of donating dad's goods to SPAH.  Even better, of
course, would be the Indianapolis Symphony as a repository for distribution.


 

Here is the INVENTORY of dad's goods

 

HARMONICAS

*4 Super R Hohner Chromatics

*1 Herings 48 Chrom

*1 Hering 48 Velvet Voice Chrom

*1 Hohner auto-valve harp

*1 box of diatonic harps

   --1 Regan & Sons Triumph

   --1 Hohner Golden 

   --8 assorted diatonics

   --3 empty boxes

*4 empty Super R Hohner Chrom boxes

REEL TO REEL TAPES

*13 Sharp Harp

*6 Larry Adler, etc

*5 Cappy Barra, etc

*3 European artists

*5 Big Harp

*3 Borrah Minovitch

*2 Stagg mcmann

*1 Harmonicats

*3 repair kits/harmonica tools (reset)/Eb assembly

ARRANGEMENTS

*1 folder of Sharp Harp

*1 folder of Hindustan

*misc MILW Harmonica Club

*Larry Adler folder

*Trios/solos

*"When Day is Done"

*"Begin the Beguine" (trio)

*Christmas tunes

*Leo Diamond arrangements

*fake book

*"Peg of My Heart"

*"Caprice for Harmonica"

*Irish songs

14 COPIES OF DAD'S HARMONICA ARCHAEOLOGY

CASSETTES

*1 Sharp Harp

*1 Music Minus One (C. Huang)

*1 Big Harp (live in Reno)

7 PROFESSIONAL CDs: Toots, Harmonicats, etc

6 BOOKS: biographies, histories, etc

5 PROFESSIONAL INSTRUCTION BOOKS

6 VIDEOTAPES: 3 SPAH/3 pro harmonica players

1 Lps: European Troups

1 DVD: Toots

3 CDs: misc

 

Looking forward to any response from all of you.  Please forward to Pete
Blasburg and other players who knew dad.

 

Thanks

Denny Berthiaume

126 Stillings Ave

SF  94131

415.333.2092

www.dennyberthiaume.com

 

----- Original Message ----- 

From: Tom Stryker <mailto:tstryker1@xxxxxxxxx>  

To: 'denny' <mailto:denny42@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>  

Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:17 PM

Subject: RE: the passing of Bob Berthiaume

 

Hi Denny,

 

Thanks for the notice.  I am sorry to hear of your dad's passing.  He was
quite a guy and I first knew of him in 50's from Visitacion Valley where I
was raised (Raymond Street, I think.)  Then Uncle Ralph went to work for my
brother and I later met Donny at Farmers.  A long and pleasant family
relationship.

 

I wish you and Marsh the best as I know it has not been easy all of these
last years.

 

A scholarship is a nice idea but tends to fall flat in a smaller
organization such as SPAH.  We tried to do it for Ray but the donation (1)
was nominal.   Unless there is a substantial up front donation it is likely
doomed because harmonica players are not so benevolent. 

 

When Chuck Fendall passed, his family gave SPAH all of his harmonica
arrangements and transcriptions.  We put them into a library at the
Indianapolis Symphony for electronic distribution to SPAH members.  All are
scanned but we cannot yet get passed the copyright laws allowing us to
distribute them.  So sad as these are historical pieces worth little to most
of the world.  That being said, if you want to donate your Dad's
arrangements to SPAH, I can help you with that but cannot guarantee when
they will be released to others.

 

Please give my regards to Marsha.  It has been a long time since I have seen
her.  Also, please provide your mailing addresses.

 

Again, sorry to hear of Dad's passing.  I did have the privilege to enjoy
his and mom's visits for years.  I wish you and Marsha peace.

 

Best,

 

Tom 

 

Note my new email address: tstryker1@xxxxxxxxx

 

From: denny [mailto:denny42@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] 
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 3:40 PM
To: tstryker1@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: the passing of Bob Berthiaume

 

Hi Tom:

Saddened to tell you that our father, Bob Berthiaume, passed away on Monday,
September 14, at 6:30AM in Clovis, CA.  I now have most of his arrangements
and many of his harmonicas.  If you ould be so kind to contact any harmonica
players that knew him, I would be ever so grateful.  It is my family's
desire to see some fund/scholarship/library established by SPAH in dad's
name.  Do you think this is possible?  

 

If there is anyone that knew dad, would you please let them know of his
passing.  There will be a grave sit service this Saturday, Sept 19, at
11:30AM, at

 

Los Gatos Cemetary

2255 Los Gatos-Almaden Rd

 

Best regards

Denny Berthiaume (415 333 2092)

Marsha Adams (daughter)