Desert Messenger

January 20, 2016 www.DesertMessenger.com 47 First locally-owned and operated music station in Quartzsite, Arizona. Proudly serving the communities of Quartzsite, Bouse, Brenda, Rainbow Acres, La Paz Valley and beyond, since 1988. Quartzsite Radio • Quartzsite's Favorite "CLASSIC HITS" • Local Information • Weather • 24 Hours Day / 7 Days Week! KBUX 94.3 FM 928-927-5111 http://kbuxradio.com couldn't make it that year, but he had another friend who had offered to fill in. This is when I met Jerry Mullins, and it was the best thing that had happened in a long time. Jerry Mullins and his band came out that year, and unfortunately, it rained all day—we were devas- tated—this was before the pavilion was built and there was no place to get out of the rain, so we had to can- cel the party that weekend. Jerry stayed with me while we told ev- eryone we couldn't do it, and then surprised me by telling me that he would make sure we could do it the next weekend because he believed so much in what we were doing that he felt he wanted to do it as long as we would have him. Thus a great friendship was born, and for the past 17 years he showed up in town from where he lived up north for every party in the park, and we had both bands, his and Stillwaters for many parties, and it really brought people out to the park to see them. When we started doing the spa- ghetti dinners as fundraisers, again Jerry came through for us, with first his band, then Barefoot and Boots for the past 8 years. When Grant Young, his next door neighbor up north and in Quartzsite for many years passed away several years ago, Jerry carried on doing both events, and never once let us down in all that time. He got many of his musi- cian friends to come as well, and we all had a great time. For many years, Jerry tried to get Paul to start playing piano again and join in the music at the parties, and after a lot of excuses, Paul finally decided to get back to playing when he was invited to go back east for a benefit concert as a special act. Af- ter coming back from a very success- ful concert, Paul resumed his music career and Jerry was invited to play with him in all shows and concerts in town and some in Parker. They loved playing together—the country western rhythm guitarist and the boogie woogie piano thumper—you wouldn't think it would go together, but they made some sweet music! Two years ago, Jerry came into the bookstore with his new bride Donna, and told us how happy he was and how much love they shared. We were so happy for him!! She is a lovely lady, and just what he needed in his life since being alone was no fun for him. They cut down on some of their music gigs so they could travel and spend more time with each other, but he promised me that he would never let me down and would be there for every spaghetti dinner and party in the park for as long as he could. When he came back this fall, he came to see us and to find out the date for the dinner to be sure he would be there. The day of the spaghetti dinner, Jerry didn't show up for the rehears- al, but we didn't think anything of it because they had been away for awhile in Death Valley and were just coming back to town. We started to worry when he didn't show up for the show, but figured maybe he got sick or they weren't back yet. We all missed him at the show, and it wasn't until later that we found out that he had passed away. We were all devastated that he would not be here anymore, as was everyone who ever met him or knew his music. Although we were friends, we didn't hang out together, so we didn't know a lot about his early life until we went to his memorial service We were really surprised to find out that he was a pilot for many years, for instance. It was a beautiful gathering of over 300, with special music of his favorite songs, testi- monials from his friends and fellow musicians. We are honored to have known such a special man and will miss his beautiful smile and laugh and he will always be remembered in Celia's Rainbow Gardens as well. When Grant died, his band mem- bers and friends chose a space across from the amphitheater where music will be played and his memorial is very special. Now, we are planning to put a special memorial place for Jerry right next to his so these life- long friends will be neighbors again. We are hoping that any friends or band members who would like to work on this with us will call and let us know and we will work to make it a very special place for such a spe- cial angel. GARDENS CON'T FROM PAGE 12 The 2015-2016 Quartzsite Visitor Guide & Business Directory is now available for RV Parks, Swap Meets, and businesses to distribute. This year 50,000 Guides were printed, which is 30,00 more than in previous years. 10,000 copies have already been distributed since mid-August; at the League of Arizona Cities & Towns Annual Conference, Arizona Off- Road Expo, and in many local chambers. The Visitor Guide is also avail- able to view online at www.QuartzsiteVisitorGuide.com. To arrange for pick up, call Janet at Town Hall 928-927-4333. Town Hall is located at 465 N. Plymouth Ave. Quartzsite. Visitor Guides available from Town Hall

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