Wednesday, September 14, 2016
I knew Derek in the late 80's and early 90's through the folk scene in Toronto. He was someone who would walk that extra mile to support a musician he appreciated. There was a great vibe during that time and we all supported and watch each other learn the craft of song writing and performing. We all knew the importance of turning up, cranking it out. Just being in the audience was in fact a show of courage. Because turning up, singing your song or being there to listen meant that you believed in the power of that person, in their abilty to transcend the ordinary and to conjure the magic that happens when you get out if yr head and you write,sing or play from the heart. And we all knew Derek understood this and if he was in the audience you had someone who believed in you. Someone in your court. Someone who knew that magic could happen and we could have,once again, one helluva night.
That's the buzz about turning out for each other... It lets us work on ourselves. It helps us to fuel our own creativity, write our own poetry, sing our own songs. Derek showed up. He was present. I'm glad I knew him. He was a solid mass of love. Light of Heaven to you Derek. You played well. And I wish your family only good things.Always, eileen O'Toole
