Freddie Harris of Belleville, Michigan, passed away on Friday August 28. Freddie had suffered a brain aneurysm on July 15, and had been at home with hospice assisting his family for some time. He was only 54 years old. Papa and I received the news by e-mail, as did many friends and acquaintances who had been kept informed by his daughter, Melissa.
Papa and I had watched Freddie play with various area musicians since we arrived in Detroit almost twenty years ago. Freddie was heavily influenced by his time with Jimmy Martin, and performed a lot of Jimmy’s material. We always enjoyed seeing him, and visiting.
Arrangements are posted on the funeral home site. I will post some of Papa’s photos of Freddie here, when we get home on Monday.
All night, all I could think of were these words from a song written by our friend Matt:
“…Pain and Sorrow won’t be close by,
Only Good News when I die….”
–Matt Despain, from his song, Good News When I Die, on the recent Charlie Sizemore CD, Good News.
We’ll miss Freddie, and so will all the Detroit bluegrass community.
2 comments
Hello, I was a family friend of Freddie Harris. His daughter Melissa has set a date for the 2nd walk in her fathers memory. I was part of the first one and will be part of the next! The walk is held in Belleville MI, his hometown. Save the Date September 18 2010!!!
Thank you for letting me know the date!