Unbelievable. Another folk music friend has died. The email came in yesterday that Bruce Rouse died over the weekend. I talked with his family some in the past few hours, and they have asked me to help lead the funeral on Wednesday. It’s an honor, but one I’d rather not have. What a shock. Apparently, he had a heart attack while driving around the Austin area on Sunday. From what I can tell, he never had a heart problem before…

Bruce and his wife Liz are two of the kindest people I know in the folk music world. They hosted a very successful and celebrated house concert series in Austin for 15 years. And they hosted a breakfast at a Kerrville during the weekends. That’s the place I remember Bruce the best…always hovering around, making sure everyone had fresh coffee and a new bagel.
Hosting all sorts of songwriters, to play an early morning song, and share a story. In many ways, Bruce and Liz were like surrogate parents to a whole lot of folks.

I’ll be heading down there tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon, and help with the service on Wednesday.

That night, there’ll be a song gathering at Live Oak UU Church (home of the Live Oak Coffeehouse) where folks will be invited to play and share stories.

Still, quite an unbelievable shock. I can’t say that I’ve ever had a several-week period where so many people I know have died. (see below). It’s been very strange and surreal, and this is yet another piece of the strangeness of it.

Bruce will be sorely missed by many. I’ll write more once I’m back.