October 10, 2005
Smilin’ From the
Bone Yard
Hot Springs recently lost one of the finest musicians to play in the city of vapors. Clay Quackenbush, known for his infectious smile and his smooth trombone play, lost his long fight with cancer on Monday, October 3. Thursday evening, October 6, Clay’s family and friends gathered at Terry Martin’s Lounge to celebrate the life of one of the most courageous men I’ve ever known.
Clay had suffered with cancer some nine plus years. In spite of the weakness and pain that come with the disease and its treatment, Clay would show up to play his trombone whenever he could. He was a staple at the Spa City Blues Society’s blues jams on Wednesday nights and at Terry Martin’s jam sessions on Thursdays. Always wearing his trademark smile, Clay was a welcome addition to any jam band that was on stage. He played through his pain and his smile and attitude were infectious.
My own personal experience with Clay happened when my wife, Sherree, was ill and awaiting a kidney transplant a couple of years ago. We were busy planning fundraisers to assist with paying for the expenses associated with the operation. Among the activities were a couple of music shows. We barely knew Clay but he showed up to play for both shows. We did not know about his cancer at the time. When we found out he had come to play in spite of his pain, it made an indelible impression on both of us. He was that kind of individual.
Clay had played with almost every musician in Hot Springs over the course of his life. That fact was obvious Thursday evening. The musicians who showed up to honor Clay read like a veritable who’s who on the Hot Springs music scene. The band set up in the corner of Terry Martin’s club changed line-ups constantly, but the one theme that ran through the evening…all these individuals had been touched in some way by Clay Quackenbush. Some had played with Clay only recently while others had been playing with him for nearly thirty years. The men and women who showed up to honor their brother in arms included Terry Martin, Mike Fraz, Bill Scholl, Catfish Lefevre, Guido Cardetti, Jelly Brown, Danny Smith, Greg Batterton, Steve Danger, Larry Womack, Hampton, Tony Nardi, Ken Page, Darrin McBain, Byron Yancey, Ralph "Gypsy" McGee, Billie Cannon, Jay Payette, Shane Simonton, Randy Caylor, Chana, Dickie French, James Vandenberg, Larry Gatchel, Kathy Ball, Dale Smith, Gina Parks and Jared Roberts.
The evening was a special one. It was some of the most inspired music I have heard in awhile. Many of the musicians, when they had finished their turn on the bandstand, commented that they could feel Clay’s spirit and energy in the room. I have no doubt that Clay was there, sitting at the bandstand, blowing his trombone and smiling at all of us.