Mourners make music for Jody Breedlove
DEL NORTE — Musicians and friends gathered at Wildwood Sounds on Saturday, April 13 to play music in memory of Jody Breedlove (1948–2019). Part open mic, part jam session, the memorial service lasted more than six hours.
“I think Jody would appreciate this,” noted guitarist Raife Paulson before he performed. “Instead of being in suits sitting around crying, we’re here playing the blues.”
Breedlove had been in Del Norte for roughly six years, teaching guitar (and more) to people like Stephen Crawford, the man who runs Wildwood Sounds with his wife Konnie Kennon.
Stephen wrote the opening song about Breedlove and played it with Konnie and Karla and Scott Stockley from the east side of the Valley, close friends who had shared music with the man. Throughout the afternoon and evening, tunes were either inspired or written by Breedlove and the blues. Most of the musicians knew the high-energy guitar player, but some performers were not familiar with him until flyers appeared around Del Norte. One particular songwriter pulled over when he saw the announcement in front of Wildwood Sounds.
Passing through town, Shawn always thought Wildwood Sounds was a guitar shop. But after Stephen and Konnie welcomed him to the memorial jam session, he put his name on the sign-up sheet. He was listed toward the end of the lineup, choosing and re-choosing songs while performers painted a picture of a man he never met. Shawn said he changed his set list as he learned more about Breedlove.
“I know this is a very hard time for a lot of you, but I’ll try to play something that’s appropriate,” Shawn said.
The We Be Jammin’ Tribute flyer noted that “Jody loved the blues, so put on your blues hat and join us to celebrate our good friend.”
“I don’t know any necessarily ‘blues,’ but the lyrics in my songs are blues,” Shawn said. For his second song, he guessed, “The man you’re here to honor obviously liked comedy, so I want to sing you a song I wrote about my daughter.” Hyperbole with a jaunty beat, the tune brought levity and laughter to the room.
After everyone left at the end of the night, Stephen and Konnie said they would make this an annual event, but they’ll move the date closer to Breedlove’s birthday, March 5.
“I met Jody in 2016 when he was trying to record an album for his buddies,” Paulson recalled. “He told me he didn’t need another guitarist, but we just clicked. We were very good friends. So for two years… it just shows you. It doesn’t matter how long you’re friends. You still can have a deep impact. He taught me that. He taught me about love and family. At the end of the day, he didn’t just teach me music. He really challenged my character.”
Connie Bacus, a close friend of Breedlove’s known as “Sis,” proposed a toast following a drum circle Ken Frye initiated on behalf of the inspiring musician.
“He was an extraordinary human being in so many ways,” Sis said. “The world is a smaller place without him in it. Brother, we love you. We miss you. Rock on.”