[Dixielandjazz] Goodbye Lois Metheny . . .Dean Hampton writes

[Norman Vickers]

To:  Musicians and Jazzfans list; djml

From:  Norman Vickers, Jazz Society of Pensacola

 

This from listmate and good friend Dean Hampton of KC.  He's written about
the death and final celebration of life of Lois Metheny-mother of guitarist
Pat and trumpeter Mike.  AS Dean says, link below gives the story of the
celebration and also some nice pictures of the brothers Metheny.  Most if
not all on the list know of guitarist Pat.  Mike is less well known
nationally and internationally but he was editor of newlsletter of KC Jazz
Ambassadors.  Having left that position now, he has some recordings of his
own and also performs.  When Mike was newsletter editor, we had some brief
correspondence.

 

Thanks Dean-what a great story!

 

Norman

 

From: Dean Hampton [mailto:jazz at kc.rr.com] 
Sent: Monday, January 02, 2012 3:03 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Goodbye Lois Metheny . . .

 

The following link opens a blog page by kcjazzlark. The story is about the
final goodbye party for the mother of Pat & Mike Metheny. That was one of
her final wishes - no sad funeral; rather, a lively jazz jam session. And it
was not to interrupt their work. She passed in October, Pat concluded his 80
city tour, then the party.

There are plenty of good photos which enlarge when clicked on. One of these
stands out to me. It is of trumpeter Gary Sivils telling his stories  about
Pat growing up and playing with the big boys. I will try my best to tell the
story as I know it.

Dave Metheny, father of Pat & Mike owned an auto dealership close by their
home in Lees Summit, MO, a KC burb. As all good high school boys do, Pat
would go to bed early to be fresh for school the next day. (Hummmmm . . .)
When all were settled and fast asleep, Pat went out the window, ran to the
dealership and took a car off the lot. Away he went to one of the KC jazz
clubs to play with the big guys. He would play the night away; then, back to
the dealership to deposit the car, home to bed for a few winks before going
to school where he would catch up on sleep in study hall. 

This happened night after night without Pat ever getting caught. Years go by
and Pat become a famous national jazz musician. During a trip home, Pat
agreed to be on a local jazz radio show as a guest. During the show, the
above story is told about Pat. As soon as the show was over, the phone in
the studio rang. Whoever answered it handed the phone to Pat. It was Mom
saying, "PAT - DID YOU REALLY DO THAT!! He admitted that it was totally
true.

http://kcjazzlark.blogspot.com/2012/01/in-lieu-of-1000-words-metheny.html

Hope you enjoy this.

Stay tuned . . .
Dean