Jeff Hickey, a wonderfully humorous and witty man, father and gifted musician, who along with Harvey Reid, founded the Third Hand Capo Co. in 1979, died on June 14, two weeks after a single car accident.
I’d known Jeff since the late 80s, when he was the National Sales Manager for Larrivee’ Guitars. He’d roll through Salt Lake City paying visits to the acoustic music stores in a big RV stuffed with guitars, and he knew how to sell em and play em.
Jeff knew how to have a good time, and I learned a lot from his merry prankster ways. We met up at Telluride Bluegrass Festival several times back in the early 90s. He was the presenter of a sweet Larrivee’ Jumbo I won in a fingerstyle guitar competition at the festival in 1990, and I’d been in touch a few times since. Last time we spoke in 2005 or so he was working on his “debut” recording, Loose Ends.
In Harvey Reid’s words:
“Since he has left behind a family with no income, I would like to lead an effort to encourage all those who loved him or enjoyed his company to express their condolences in a way that is consistent with Jeff’s lifelong love of music and participation in the underground “indie” music economy. Rather than sending something like flowers…
In addition to being an industrious and creative guy and a devoted father, Jeff was also a fine musician. To help his family, we are encouraging people to buy a copy of Jeff’s marvelous and award-winning CD “Loose Ends” while they last. He left behind a couple boxes of them, and buying a CD is a great way to remember this fine man and to help his family in their time of need. The CD’s are real, replicated, full-color, shrink-wrapped CD’s, of just Jeff singing with his guitar. Up-close and personal, and brilliantly done...
For more information about ordering a copy of Loose Ends, visit Jeff’s page.
I ordered mine this morning, and I’m sure it’s wonderful. Jeff was a strong fingerstyle player, he had excellent taste and tone, a good voice, and he always had a ton of tunes at his fingertips.
Ah Jeff, I’ll miss you. But I’m glad you left something of your musical self behind to be savored by the people who knew and admired you.
Loose Ends, indeed. You always had a way with words.
Happy Trails, old pal. Please let us earthlings know about any cool celestial capos you come across.
