Utah Phillips Tribute

I was introduced to Utah Phillips more than eleven years ago. The woman I was dating was an Ani di Franco fan. I had never heard of either.

It was sometime around Christmas and all the anxiety in the world was forcing itself upon me. We were on our way to her mothers house when she switched the CD from one Ani to another. I had grown appreciative of Ani's music over the preceeding weeks. She has one those voices that has the to ressurect the dead and hibernating goose bumps in me. What I heard first was not Ms. DiFranco but a gruff old man who reminded me a bit of Geroge Carlin. In fact at first I mistook the voice and vocally misidentified it.

As I listened I found myself hearing each and every word. Unlike my normal listening habits where the melody and the beat of the music was all my mind processed. I felt as though Utah was speaking to me. The more I listened the more I was certain that he was.

That relationship died. Its one of my largest regrets in life. Not the end of the relationship but how I allowed it to end. The only positive I remember of my time with Jennifer is listening to Utah Phillips tell the greatest stories I've ever heard.

When my relationship ended with Jennifer I let Utah go too. It wasnt something I planned or even thought about. It just happpened. I left alot of other mutual friends too.

I was tooling around on Myspace today, just looking for old friends. Oddly Jennifer's name came to mind. Its the first time in many, many years. As soon as I thought of her I remembered Utah and quickly forgot Jennifer again.

My first search for Utah broke my heart. The first and most recent hit was a death announcement.... I've spent the last 4 hours watching videos of him on YouTube wishing I didn't let him go without a fight.

Utah Phillips taught me so very much through his stories. Most importantly how not to be an indifferent pedistrian in life.

If his Friends and Family should happen to see this message, please know that my heart aches for your loss.

With Metta,
<a href="http:// myspace.com/shakesxxix">Joseph Kelly</a>