Travis Edmonson
September 23, 1932 - May 9, 2009

Photo by Paul Rybolt
I knew it was coming. Rose Marie Heidrick, Travis Edmonson’s constant companion of many years, called me a few days earlier to let me know that Travis had taken a turn for the worse and would not likely last much longer. It was a call I’d expected for many months. Since late last fall he’d experienced one affliction after another, each one of which should have been terminal. But he held on and rallied beyond what anyone would have thought possible. But still the call, when it came, came too soon. We weren’t ready for him to go.

I first became aware of Travis sometime in 1959, when I was in college. As a folk music aficionado, I regularly checked record stores for new folk albums, and one day came upon Bud and Travis’ first eponymous album. I bought it, took it home, played it, and was hooked. As subsequent Bud and Travis albums were released, I bought them too, as I also did the earlier Gateway Singers and later Travis solo albums. And, although I had a folk group in college, we never learned any songs off those albums, as we couldn’t begin to imitate, let alone duplicate, their arrangements and performances. We did, however, learn and perform one of Travis’ songs, “The Time of Man.”

After leaving college, I devoted far too little time to folk music and my many wonderful folk albums for nearly 20 years, but in the middle 1970’s my interest was rekindled, and I started on the path that later led me to found Folk Era Records and the Rediscover Music Catalogue – my “hobby gone berserk!” Then one day the ‘phone rang, and I answered it to hear a voice say, “This is Travis.” For a moment I was speechless until the voice continued, “Travis Edmonson of Bud & Travis. I have one of your magazines here, and I love what you’re doing.” Needless to say, my speechlessness continued for what seemed an eternity until I was able to gather my wits and mumble a heartfelt “thank you.” Soon I was able to pull myself together and begin a conversation that later developed into an enduring friendship.

Although Travis and I had too little contact over the next few years, our contacts with each other increased when a couple of mutual friends brought us together to release the two “Tucson Tapes” and the “Live at UC Santa Barbara” albums of shows Travis had performed years earlier. But it was the Kingston Trio Fantasy Camps of the last several years that enabled me to spend quite a bit of time together with Travis and Rose Marie. Held each year in August, I attended to see the shows rather than be a part of them, and was enthralled by Travis’ brief performances each year. It was wonderful to see and hear him, and a real treat to see how he would “light up and glow” as the loving fans and friends in the audience would express their love and affection for him. It brought tears to many eyes, mine included.

This year’s Fantasy Camp, without Travis, won’t be the same, but it will be a great opportunity to get together with Rose Marie, and others, to laugh and cry and remember a man who touched our lives in ways that will be fondly remembered - forever. ~Allan Shaw

It is with great sadness that Travis Edmonson has left us. I started my career in 1960 on the beaches of Southern California playing Bud and Travis and The Kingston Trio. They and Jonathan Winters are the reason I pursued a show business career. I have been a professional Entertainer, Musician, Folk Singer and Comic for over 40 years.

I saw Bud and Travis at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1960 and still have the LP Double Album. I first saw them at the Garrett House, a folk coffee house on La Brea in West L.A. My dream was to get to play around that fireplace, and I did in 1961.

I cannot believe how fast the years have gone since I looked forward to every new album that was released by Bud & Travis. I have "Travis on Cue" as well. Some of the songs that were in the set pattern of my first group, The Red Mountain Boys, were Joey, Joey, Joey; Bonsoir Dame; Rayito De Luna; Malaguena Salerosa; Guess I'll Go Home, and Maria. I still play some of those songs in my long shows, but I am pretty much a full-time stand-up comic now.

I know I would never have learned to play guitar and pursue a show business career if guys like Travis Edmonson had not been around to copy and emulate, and eventually imitate, and then open my own creative juices. It was a process we all pursued in those days.

My prayers and good memories are with his family today. Thanks Travis for 49 years of enjoying and learning your music...and it was a pleasure to meet you in 1960 at the Garrett. You were, are and always will be one of my heroes.

Thanks to Rediscover on the way you treated the passing of old friends, Nick Reynolds and John Stewart as well. You are a class company, and I am glad I am a regular customer - to get CDs to replace my worn out folk albums...Continued success to you and my condolences. ~Kenny Bob Davis