Wednesday, April 1, 2009

D.J.

For three days, I've been walking around with a card in my purse. A note and a picture to send to my friend, Duane Jarvis, who's been fighting cancer and recently moved to an apartment at the beach near Los Angeles to wait things out.

Duane was one of the coolest people in Nashville when I moved down there almost ten years ago. He and Denise, his wife at the time, put me and my daughter up in their cute house on the east side of town. When our car died, Duane loaned me his snazzy late 70's cruiser, until I got the money together to buy something else.

I'd first seen him playing guitar with Lucinda Williams. He always dressed sharp but not showy, like his playing. A Ray Davies-style pinstripe jacket, or tailored Western shirt, black jeans and those sturdy Australian boots, the outback version of Beatle boots. Great hair! I don't know why I'm talking about something so superficial as appearance, because DJ was a deep guy. I say was, and I still can't believe it, as I write this. Whatever I write is not going to do him justice. How do you sum up a person in a few paragraphs? Duane passed away last night.

I feel lucky to have known him, to have rocked and written with him. We did lots of gigs together, talked about so many things. New Hope to New York, Knoxville to Nashville, San Francisco to Portland. Late night drives, I'd be ranting and raving - I don't think I ever heard him say a cross word. Maybe he knew it was all so temporary.

He had a spare, soulful style of playing that always complemented, underscored - never got in the way. And he was sweet, and kind. Class.

I wish I could've talked to him this past week. I wish I'd gotten the card to him. I left a voicemail for him, but before I did I got to hear his voice one more time, on the outgoing message. He sounded so calm, like always. Whatever battles he was fighting, he stayed positive.

Temporary? He's all over the place, on records he made and played on, forever. And the way that everybody who knew and loved him is connected to everyone else who knew and loved him. His family, his Nashville gang, L.A. friends, fans, Portland people, all the clubs in all the towns. Notes, tones, songs, memories - floating around out there.

But damn, it makes me sad.

12 comments:

the sandwich life said...

ahhhhh.....fucking cancer...so sorry...

Robert Lloyd said...

This is lovely, Amy. We got to see him on Sunday. Denise was there, too, and Ben Vaughn and Billy Block. Peter Case had been by the night before and there was apparently much playing and singing. He was a lovely guy, a much-loved guy. And so much cooler than I'll ever be.

xo
Robert

sexy said...
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Unknown said...

I'm very sorry to read that news Amy. When we met Duane he was such a gentleman & really modest. And he played and sang (with Joy Lynn White) like no-one's business as ever.
Take care Amy.

Janine said...

Sad news.

I love the copy of Certified Miracle that I bought at one of your shows in Chicago.

At least he died with his friends around him and that he will be missed.

amy said...

You've been through a lot Cynthia, I don't know how you do it. You must miss your sister so much.

Thank you Robert, it makes me happy to think of everyone sitting around playing and singing.

Alex, he and Joy wrote some great songs together - Girls in Apartments!

He was so loved Janine - I think he knew it.

Rosie said...

he is living on with all the people who knew and loved him...

travelling, but not in love said...

Well done for such a lovely post Amy. Fitting tribute for a guy who sounds like he was a lot of fun and a good friend to you.

Marina said...

thank you Amy for the beautiful thoughts, and thank you for carrying my present to DJ last summer. i only got to know him for nine months, but he completely changed my life and i will never stop loving him.

amy said...

thank you TBNIL - I had to write something, he meant too much to not mention it.

Marina I so appreciate you getting in touch (I went on your myspace but couldn't bring myself to send a message through there...so here I am doing it on blogger - but I don't have your email!) If you drop me a note with your address at amy@amyrigby.com I would like to write to you.

Non Je Ne Regrette Rien said...

Amy, I'm sorry for your loss of a dear friend. xx

Nancy said...

A awesome songwriter. I was never able to meet Duane but loved his songs. My friend Nancy Apple knew him and from what I understand he was just as wonderful a person as he was a songwriter. Sorry for your loss.