SAD NEWS for those who love GREAT MUSIC.

MadGolfer76 · July 9, 2016

As enthusiastic as some of you know me to be about golf, in truth, it is a bit of a substitute for a now-forgotten aspect of my life from when I was a professional musician. In truth, I took up music and golf both at the age of 13, but golf is the only one that remains, and if truth be told, I was better at music. I know that many of you who maybe enjoy an older set of irons, the occasional cigar on the course, and a good conversation with friends over drinks after the round may also have a cultivated taste in music as well, so I wanted to share with you a little bit about a rare and gifted individual who has made some very wonderful music that you may not know of yet.

Unfortunately, however, I have to start this post on a sour note (pun intended) by sharing that I got some rather sad news today that my mentor and friend, Mr. Steve Grover, has passed away at the young age of 60.

http://www.presshera...dies-at-age-60/

Steve was to music (for me) what other brilliant and (perhaps) unsung teachers of golf might be to some of you here. Steve taught himself how to play music just from listening to records, and as you can tell from the links I share below, he was his own best teacher. While primarily a drummer, Steve was an accomplished pianist and composer, and released a number of albums under his own name (look him up on iTunes). While not a household name (though he was well respected in New England music circles), Steve has performed with dozens of major names in jazz and was among the last to regularly perform with legendary guitarist Lenny Breau. Steve won the prestigious Thelonius Monk Jazz Prize in music for his "Blackbird Suite," earning him a trip to the White House to be recognized by then-Vice President Al Gore. Others to win this award consist of the most notable names currently in American Jazz.

Steve was a good friend, and as a mentor taught me the value of devoting yourself to practice and improvement, and finding your own solutions to challenges. Even though he taught these to me in a musical context, I've used them in every other aspect of my life for anything that was important. Over the years, I moved around through different career roles and lost touch with Steve around the time my daughter was born. Recently, I had begun listening to his music again, and had been thinking about getting back in touch with him only to find that he passed away yesterday in a hospital less than an hour away from me. I had been avoiding social media in the last few years, and had no idea he was sick or had been hospitalized.

I hope that anyone reading this will not underestimate the need to stay in touch with the important people in your life. While largely unsung, his music is among the most beautiful that I have ever heard and is among my favorite to listen to and play. There is a saying that once something gets posted to the Internet, it is there forever. This one time, I hope it is actually true.

I hope you agree:

MadGolfer76 · July 9, 2016

Links are to a trio recordings with pianist Frank Carlberg and bassist Chris Van Voorst Van Beest.

Original compositions from Steve.

Bob Cat · July 9, 2016

May your friend rest in peace, MG. Sorry for your loss.

MadGolfer76 · July 9, 2016

May your friend rest in peace, MG. Sorry for your loss.

Thank you, Bob.

Forged4ever · July 11, 2016

Thoughts and Prayers Bro

Always,

Richard

MadGolfer76 · July 11, 2016

Thoughts and Prayers Bro

Always,
Richard

Thanks, Richard.

braincramp52 · July 12, 2016

Thanks for the links and sorry to hear about your friend. The links are some good stuff.

MadGolfer76 · July 12, 2016

Thanks for the links and sorry to hear about your friend. The links are some good stuff.

Thank you lawson. If you liked his music there is plenty more out there.

braincramp52 · July 12, 2016

Thanks for the links and sorry to hear about your friend. The links are some good stuff.

Thank you lawson. If you liked his music there is plenty more out there.

If there's one thing I love more than golf it's music of all kinds. I played for 45 years and love to listen to great musicians and your friend and mentor was definitely one of them.

MadGolfer76 · July 13, 2016

Thanks for the links and sorry to hear about your friend. The links are some good stuff.

Thank you lawson. If you liked his music there is plenty more out there.

If there's one thing I love more than golf it's music of all kinds. I played for 45 years and love to listen to great musicians and your friend and mentor was definitely one of them.

Very kind words, and much appreciated!

What did you play, if you don't mind me asking?

bladehunter · July 14, 2016

Thanks for the links mad. And very sorry to hear of his passing. When any of us loose a mentor or teacher it is a special type loss in my opinion. Very much akin to a good parent ( they aren't all good but that's another topic ). We feel as if we are left to carry the torch. And I think that is how it should be , even though it's tough at times. So pay it forward if you get the chance. You won't regret it , and somehow I bet you already know that.

As for music I've always had a very eclectic taste. I like a lot of music ..,, you might be shocked at what sometimes catches my ear. I'm not musically inclined myself ( I've never tried ) but I think I have a good ear. Some sounds that are my favorites are because of certain guitars in them. I don't always know the model etc but some sounds are just intoxicating to me. One example is John lee hooker. His music isn't particularly well known compared to most in world of blues. But I simply love the sound... I'm also absolutely love Eric Claptons guitar sounds but I'm not always in love with his lyrics ( some yes some no ) ....

On the other hand I could listen to Slash and/or Joe perry play all day long. I sometimes think I hear actual words come out of slashes guitar , and I know that sounds nuts. Lol. And I don't mean like Peter frampton. lol. Although when he actually plays and gets on a run I love him too. Ha , this has me trolling YouTube listening to music .... I love it all !

braincramp52 · July 14, 2016

Thanks for the links and sorry to hear about your friend. The links are some good stuff.

Thank you lawson. If you liked his music there is plenty more out there.

If there's one thing I love more than golf it's music of all kinds. I played for 45 years and love to listen to great musicians and your friend and mentor was definitely one of them.

Very kind words, and much appreciated!

What did you play, if you don't mind me asking?

Played Bass and sang for most. A couple of bands I played guitar in. Mostly in bars and festivals doing classic rock.

Tcann32 · July 18, 2016

While largely introverted about many of the details, or at the very least it's not something I advertise, music has been a large part of my life for a very long time. I still play guitar quite frequently, but regret never pursuing anything further as like yourself, I am probably better at music than golf.

Music creates a deeper connection between people than most things would in life. You feel like you know an artist and can relate to them and their life from just one, well written, song. Music can, and does, touch soles and change lives. I guess it sounds poetic to say, but it is true for those who know the difference between listening to music, and really listening, along with creating and playing.

Understanding as best I can, the man taught you much more about yourself than musical instruction, and I am sorry for your loss.

Palauan Hammer · July 29, 2016

Mad,

So sorry I'm late took a "Wrx break". I'm am incredibly sorry for your loss Mad! Like you I have been a musician most of my life as well, I am lucky to have a few mentors that have taken me under their wings, gave me a chance, and taught me how to be a professional. I can't ever imagine losing any of them, they are like Father figures to me. I'm listening to a recording of Mr. Grover right now on youtube, what a wonderful player! Gonna definitely listen more, lots to learn, his spirit lives on in the music!!!

Hope you are well, perhaps sometime we can talk drums! :)

MadGolfer76 · October 16, 2016

Mad,

So sorry I'm late took a "Wrx break". I'm am incredibly sorry for your loss Mad! Like you I have been a musician most of my life as well, I am lucky to have a few mentors that have taken me under their wings, gave me a chance, and taught me how to be a professional. I can't ever imagine losing any of them, they are like Father figures to me. I'm listening to a recording of Mr. Grover right now on youtube, what a wonderful player! Gonna definitely listen more, lots to learn, his spirit lives on in the music!!!

Hope you are well, perhaps sometime we can talk drums! :)

I took a WRX break too, and then a bit of a pause for the cause health-wise too. Thanks for your post, and I am up for talking drums any time!

All his compositions are original works that he wrote. Usually, it isn't the drummer who does that, but he was brilliant, and was an accomplished pianist as well.

Palauan Hammer · October 16, 2016

Mad,

So sorry I'm late took a "Wrx break". I'm am incredibly sorry for your loss Mad! Like you I have been a musician most of my life as well, I am lucky to have a few mentors that have taken me under their wings, gave me a chance, and taught me how to be a professional. I can't ever imagine losing any of them, they are like Father figures to me. I'm listening to a recording of Mr. Grover right now on youtube, what a wonderful player! Gonna definitely listen more, lots to learn, his spirit lives on in the music!!!

Hope you are well, perhaps sometime we can talk drums! :)

I took a WRX break too, and then a bit of a pause for the cause health-wise too. Thanks for your post, and I am up for talking drums any time!

All his compositions are original works that he wrote. Usually, it isn't the drummer who does that, but he was brilliant, and was an accomplished pianist as well.

Hope all is well health wise, sometimes I need to unplug from the site (don't we all lol).

That's awesome, your right, not to many song writing/musical director drummers out there. I did take piano as well, but HATED it. I really believe the Piano is the best place to start and I wish I had taken it more seriously.

So what's your set up?? "WATG" what's at the gig?? Actually, I'll start a "Drum Thread" so we talk drums and hopefully more will come out of hiding and join us! This thread is for Mr. Grover!