Damn. Another one gone.

[mdlbear]

Just learned from everywhere on my friends list that tnatj -- Dave Alway -- joined the immortals this morning. His brother peteralway posted this announcement. ohiblather has some great pictures here. He was 56 -- much too young.

I first met Dave two years ago when I was Interfilk guest at GAFilk. He was a joyful, welcoming presence in the lobby, with his tableful of buttons. This year I bought one of his new Pengu the Filk Safety Penguin buttons and listened to the silly song his stuffed Pengu sings. I also had the opportunity to chat with him at some some length, and we wound up in the same small circles more often than not. It saddens me greatly that I'll never have that opportunity again.

Fare well, Dave. If filkers go someplace appropriate when they die, say hello to Cindy for me.

Comments

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

If filkers go someplace appropriate when they die, say hello to Cindy for me.

You're right. An appropriate hereafter for fen would not be complete without a proper filk circle. Or three.

I never really knew him; I only remember the one time in the wee small hours of Sunday with you and I and cflute and others... but so many of you knew him... 'tis sad to see another light go out.

[mdlbear]

A lot of great jamming in that circle. He made me want to go out and look for a dulcimer...

[technoshaman.livejournal.com]

Well, you could wander up our way and look at Dusty Strings (http://www.dustystrings.com), or you could talk to our favorite dulcimer pusher, pondside.... :) Let me know if you want to wander our way, you'd certainly be welcome, schedules permitting...

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

There might be some confusion here. I was playing the dulcimer. My brother Dave would have sung or recited poetry. Of course he might still have persuaded you to look for a dulcimer, but Dave rarely played in recent years.

I'm going to miss be mistaken for my brother.

they whistled and they sang 'til the whole con rang

[callibr8]

I don't remember Dave singing at this year's GAFilk, but I do remember him reciting both Song of Sherwood and the Leprechaun poem. I'll always treasure the copy of his "(The Song of) Filkers" that he gave me at Confluence in 2005. My friend L (winolj) has set Song of Sherwood to music, so I shall have to see about getting her to work up a recording of Dave's filk, perhaps with tfabris's help, or even mdlbear's, if we can get him to bring his recording gear up our way sometime...

Re: they whistled and they sang 'til the whole con rang

[mneme]

I've got him down as reciting Dosemandius and "Zhonebu Dinubi: Dances in the
Harmonic Minor", and singing "Come and Play Tunes With Me" and a song about a loch-tender and a mermaid. (I didn't write down -everything-, though).

Re: they whistled and they sang 'til the whole con rang

[peteralway.livejournal.com]

I think it would be spelled "Dulcimandyas" in reply to the tune Cat and I played.

Re: they whistled and they sang 'til the whole con rang

[mneme]

Thanks! I should really post my full (if really lazy) gafilk writeup/songlist, upon which I expect to get many more corrections.

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

Ah that explains it. Dave W said "no, you're thinking of Peter, he plays dulcimer." I said "No no! Dave plays too!" But the last time I saw him play was the Duckcon where I was a GoH. So that may explain why not as many people knew he played. I remember for years (before he dragged you into our nefarious clutches bwwaaaa haaa haaa) him being one of the few other people in filkdom who really played dulcimer with any regularity.

Alas.

[mdlbear]

Ah... you're right, of course. So you're the one my wife is going to blame if I go out and buy one. Maybe I can persuade her to try it...

[folkmew.livejournal.com]

You know, I really like the image of a heavenly filk circle with Dave and Cindy in it.

Thanks.