Good Bye Don Broom

**bootinz** · Nov-09-2008, 9:10pm

Thursday, NOV 6, the original "Muddy Bottom Boy", Don Broom, passed away. Don was the leader of the Muddy Bottom Boys for many years...a bluegrass mainstay in Portland, Oregon. I was lucky enough to play with Don and the Boys for a few years and I have many fond memories of him. He was a good man. RIP Don.

**Pete Martin** · Nov-09-2008, 10:10pm

May I ask how old Don was? I didn't know him, but had a lot of friends who played with him in MBB over the years.

**bootinz** · Nov-09-2008, 11:08pm

Pete,
I'm not sure. I know he was in his 60's.

**Gregoire** · Nov-10-2008, 1:20pm

Yes, Don Broom passed away last week. He was 65. - knew tons of songs
as you could guess 35 yrs of bluegrass would do to you. - and evry version of them too.
Great guy and leader of The Muddy Bottom Boys, here in NW Oregon.
We will mis him big time around here.

Oregonian obit:

http://www.oregonlive.com/obituaries...630.xml&coll=7

Gregoire

**JamesBryan** · Nov-10-2008, 2:12pm

Just got word, there's a gathering in Don's memory this evening (Mon 11/10) at the Forest Grove (Oregon) Senior Center, 2037 Douglas Street.

If most of the former Muddy Bottom Boys were to show up, they'd have to move to a different venue. Like Civic Stadium. Don was connected to, and touched, most every musician around here I know.

I am personally beholdin' to Don for helping me along through my bluegrass / swing - performing adolescence in the 90's. Couldnt' count the # of times we played the Rock Creek Tavern. Great memories. (Thanks for starting the post Colonel Kevin....)

Jim

**Ed Rosney** · Nov-13-2008, 12:22am

The gathering on Monday night was inspiring. More than two hundred people jammed into the Forest Grove Senior Center to pay tribute to Don. A dozen present and former Muddy Bottom Boys were present, performing several songs as part of a program that included tributes from family and dozens of stories from the audience.

The music was heartfelt and wonderful. And the stories from the audience were works of art in their own right. Friends, co-workers, and family members all shared tales that made us laugh, cry and nod our heads in agreement.

Musicians told of a twenty year old set list that migrated from show to show...one band member linking it to the Dead Sea Scrolls!

Co-workers at Pacific University brought the perspective of Don's life as a reliable co-worker and dedicated electrician.

Young adults brought the perspective of the inclusive household the Broom family created for friends, neighbors, strangers and people temporarily down on their luck.

One of the speakers spoke about how Don didn't seem, by typical standards, to be a weathly man. But how, in reality, he was rich beyond belief: a man who raised a close-knit family, a man who supported friends and neighbors experiencing hard times, a musician whose generosity of spirit made novice players feel special.

I wish I had known Don directly (I knew of him through his daughter Callie, who manages my local brewpub). But Monday night's gathering painted a picture of a kind man and a fine musician, someone who truly left this world a better place.

I left inspired to be a better person. Thank you Don.

**Gregoire** · Nov-13-2008, 3:48pm

I too was at the Don Broom memorial evening. I am an "old" family friend. (I can just imagine Don's rye smile when saying that). We would and still will go up to Beacon Rock in the (Columbia R.) gorge every easter and BBQ/ egg hunt - kids etc. hike to the falls, drink coffee around an open fire. I'll tell you this guy was a special person who was so unselfish. In most music circles he made you sound good even if you know you were lost somewhere in the background. We'd end the song and he's say.. "see, you hung in there and worked it out... you got to have faith."

Don new so many songs and his Martin guitar showed it. The best time I had was when we were singing with his wife and daughter - such harmonies!

Donno what U got til its gone, you guys. Value your harmonies with you friends and nurture them. Coax them up and out in a song, like Don did, and you'll forever be light on your feet.
Cheers to Don Broom.

**Gregoire** · Nov-13-2008, 3:49pm

I too was at the Don Broom memorial evening. I am an "old" family friend. (I can just imagine Don's rye smile when saying that). We would and still will go up to Beacon Rock in the (Columbia R.) gorge every easter and BBQ/ egg hunt - kids etc. hike to the falls, drink coffee around an open fire. I'll tell you this guy was a special person who was so unselfish. In most music circles he made you sound good even if you know you were lost somewhere in the background. We'd end the song and he's say.. "see, you hung in there and worked it out... you got to have faith."

Don new so many songs and his Martin guitar showed it. The best time I had was when we were singing with his wife and daughter - such harmonies!

Donno what U got til its gone, you guys. Value your harmonies with you friends and nurture them. Coax them up and out in a song, like Don did, and you'll forever be light on your feet.
Cheers to Don Broom.