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Thread: Curly Seckler

  1. #1
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    Default Curly Seckler

    I heard from a usually reliable source that Curly died today, can any one confirm this. If true one of the few 1st generation left has passed.

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    Registered User Rodney Riley's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Seckler

    Searched, several places listed that he had passed on the 27th at 98 years old.
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Jan-02-2018 at 8:53pm. Reason: Changed spelling in title

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    Spencer Sorenson Spencer's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Seckler

    There is a write up about it and funeral arrangements on the Bluegrass Today website. Unfortunately true.

    Spencer
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Jan-02-2018 at 8:53pm. Reason: Changed spelling in title

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    Mando accumulator allenhopkins's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Seckler

    Just finished reading his biography, Foggy Mountain Troubadour; The Life and Music of Curly Seckler by Penny Parsons. Sad that I guess the last of the Foggy Mountain Boys (well, Mac Wiseman played with them for a while, but I don't consider him one of the main members) has left us.

    I recommend the book, if only to show what the reality of playing country and bluegrass music was, between World War II and the recent past. Seckler was a musical gypsy, starting in a band with his brothers, working with Charlie Monroe, who called him "Smilin' Bill" to suggest an heir to Bill Monroe's role, then playing in band after band, roaming around from radio station to radio station in the upper South. When his first wife deserted him, and he was left with their children, he had to leave them, first with relatives, then in an orphanage, while he tried to make a living through music. Though he worked constantly, he was never able to afford to settle down and buy a house, until he took a "day job" as a truck driver, delivering mobile homes. His years with Flatt & Scruggs were some of the more stable ones, and he garnered praise both among fellow bluegrass musicians, and from the fans, for his singing -- but he was never more than a few paychecks from insolvency. His second wife, with a long history of mental illness, ended up a suicide; he finally found a home with fiddler Paul Warren's widow, and continued to front versions of the Nashville Grass after Flatt's death. It struck me deeply when Parsons described Seckler's series of retrospective awards and honors from the bluegrass community, while he was still only able to afford a trailer as a home.

    A long and distinguished career, that offered limited material rewards, and little stability. Parsons' book portrays an affable, modest man, with many stories to tell of the musicians with whom he worked, and the ups and downs of a life spent following his music wherever he needed to go. None of the bitterness or defensiveness we can read in others' late-career memoirs; however, the objective facts of Seckler's life might well have pushed another person into feeling victimized or disrespected (cf. Jimmie Martin).

    So long, Curly, and glad you got a chance to tell your story in your 90's. Another of the first bluegrass generation leaves us.
    Last edited by MikeEdgerton; Jan-02-2018 at 8:54pm. Reason: Changed spelling in title
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    Ursus Mandolinus Fretbear's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Secler

    Curly's autobiography sounds like the "True-Life" adventures (and Blues) of The Soggy Bottom Boys.
    It's great that he got to see it published in his own lifetime.
    But Amsterdam was always good for grieving
    And London never fails to leave me blue
    And Paris never was my kinda town
    So I walked around with the Ft. Worth Blues

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    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Secler

    One of the under-rated greats. I have all of the 'Flatt & Scruggs' show DVD's and Curly's influence on the band was considerable. A superb vocalist. He clearly sacrificed a lot for his art and dedication (thanks, Allen, for the abbreviated biog, lots I didn't know there).
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    Default Re: Curly Secler

    Lester always said Curley was the best tenor singer that he ever had in a band...He also spoke of his mandolin playing saying, "Curly ain`t all that good playing the mandolin but he sure holds one real nice"...

    I loved his tenor singing myself and have quite a few recordings with him singing on them...

    Willie

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    Administrator Mandolin Cafe's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Seckler

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandoplumb View Post
    I heard from a usually reliable source that Curly died today, can any one confirm this. If true one of the few 1st generation left has passed.
    It was on the Cafe home page for 24 hours before you posted your inquiry, since Thursday afternoon. Still is. For the record, his last name is spelled Seckler.

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    Default Re: Curly Seckler

    Quote Originally Posted by Mandolin Cafe View Post
    It was on the Cafe home page for 24 hours before you posted your inquiry, since Thursday afternoon. Still is. For the record, his last name is spelled Seckler.
    Sorry I don't look at the home page every day, too busy with the forum and of course I must check classified to see if there's anything I can't live without.

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    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Secler

    Here's my brother's and my humble try at an old song I believe Curley Seckler wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZwUia2nexA

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    Registered User almeriastrings's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Secler

    Quote Originally Posted by Henry Eagle View Post
    Here's my brother's and my humble try at an old song I believe Curley Seckler wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZwUia2nexA
    Lovely job... perfect!
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    Default Re: Curly Secler

    A great song, I do believe Lester and Earl recorded it with Curly playing and singing on it...

    Willie

  19. #13
    Registered User Hendrik Ahrend's Avatar
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    Default Re: Curly Secler

    Quote Originally Posted by Willie Poole View Post
    A great song, I do believe Lester and Earl recorded it with Curly playing and singing on it...

    Willie
    Yessir, in 1953; I also love Benny Martin's fiddle playing.

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