 REMEMBERING NICK REYNOLDS
As I was trying to absorb the news of Nick’s death, a line from one of John Stewart’s songs kept running through my mind, “I was calling back my youth, pardon me, did you want to use the booth,” and I was puzzled about it for a time. Then it hit me; not only was Nick gone, but so too was a wonderful aspect of my youth – my love of The Kingston Trio - and with that a large part of my entire life and, most importantly, a very dear friend. No, I didn’t “want to use the booth.” For the first time in many years my call would go unanswered.
I first heard The Kingston Trio as a senior in high school when a local DJ played their single of “Scarlet Ribbons.” I bought it and played it over and over through the summer. I had scarcely started college (in Colorado) when “Tom Dooley” came over the air waves, including the incident when a Denver DJ played it for 24 hours, following which some students stormed the station. I was hooked and bought their album, even though I knew I’d not be able to play it until I went home for Christmas, since I didn’t have a record player at school.
I subsequently saw the Trio in concert - a couple of times with Dave, and later with John – and bought all their records. I even learned to play guitar and banjo, formed my own folk trio and sang a lot of Trio songs. Although I’d met and gotten to know several of the Trio members in the seventies, I didn’t meet Nick until at the Kingston Trio Reunion. Meeting him was a particular treat. He was everything I’d ever imagined him to be, and then some. He was friendly, warm and gracious – to use but a few appropriate adjectives – and in only a few minutes, he made me feel as though we’d been friends for years.
I subsequently had several ‘phone conversations with Nick and spent some wonderful time with him while in California putting together our “Rediscover The Kingston Trio” album for which he wrote the liner notes, as well as a note for our Limited Edition flyer. I remember him showing us around Coronado, in particular the house where his sister was living – the house in which L. Frank Baum, who wrote “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” had lived for a time.
I was delighted when Nick re-joined the Trio in 1988, as I was able to see and spend time with him when the Trio was in the area, but subsequent to his second retirement our visits were limited to an occasional ‘phone conversation and some visiting at the Fantasy Camps.
The music and memories of The Kingston Trio will always be with me, and especially memorable are those, which Nick gave me. I’m so thankful for them as I am also pleased and privileged to have known Nick as a friend. ~Allan Shaw
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