R.I.P. MIKE KEMP (Madd Dog, DeadBeats ect.)

It's been a long month, and I'm sorry about the lateness of this sad news. I had heard rumors during the last week that local musician Mike Kemp died and while keeping my composure, I was in denial, until someone confirmed the sad news.
Local musician (bass player) Mike Kemp passed away in his sleep (heart attack) on 1/24/09.
Mike Kemp was an awesome bass player, sweet, sensitive, laid back guy, with great presence and talent. Mike Kemp has jammed and performed with such local/regional and national musicians as the Grateful Dead Cover band DEADBEATS, Dean Scala Band, Jeremy Baum Trio, Murali Coryell, Madd Dog and many others.
"Mike Bass" as I called him was a very laid back and personable guy, the kind of man that you would just gravitate to, and regardless of musical genre, would talk to you about music and life, and before you knew it, I was in the presence of some great jazz musicians, and awestruck of the awesome talent and Mike Kemp's humble nature. I haven't seen Mike Kemp in a while as he explained to me a few years ago that he was now situated in Wappingers Falls, NY. However, I enjoyed convo with Mike Kemp, as he introduced me to a great African American jazz drummer whom blew me away, whom used old school verbage such as "jamming with those cats".
I'm absolutely shocked, stunned and heartbroken at the sad news of Mike Kemp's untimely death and we send condolences out to Mike Kemps friends and family. Mike Kemp is much appreciated as a kindred spirit, sweet chivalrous man and talented musician, as Mike will never be forgotten. It aint the same without Mike Kemp.
RIP Mike Kemp, keep on jamming \m/
FROM THE POUGKEEPSIE JOURNAL:

Michael W. Kemp
WAPPINGERS FALLS - Michael W. Kemp, 32, a local resident of Wappingers Falls since 1977, formerly of the Bronx, died Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 in the Town of Poughkeepsie. Mr. Kemp was a music teacher for Alto Music and also was a musician who played with local and national music groups. Born on Aug. 15, 1976 in the Bronx, he was the son of the Robert and Joan Fahy Kemp. In addition to his parents, he is also survived by his twin brother, Robert J. Kemp of New Paltz; his sisters, Carolyn Sutton and Joe Collucci of Wappingers Falls; Maureen Reel; his brother, Paul O'Brien; his sister, Joan Foran and her husband, Michael; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m., Wednesday, at the Delehanty Funeral Home, 64 E. Main St., Wappingers Falls. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. Burial will be in Wappingers Rural Cemetery, in the Spring.

Published on January 27, 2009.
FROM PLOCHMANN LANE (Blogspot) AND MADD DOG's MYSPACE:
The Dutchess County (NY)-based band Mad Dogg has lost a great man. He left us this past Saturday (01/24/09) due to a heart attack. This blog message is posted on the band's MySpace page:


FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE AS FOLLOWS:

DELEHANTY FUNERAL HOME

64 E. MAIN ST

WAPPINGERS FALLS N.Y. 12590

(845) 297-2640

THE WAKE WILL BE WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON 2:00 TO 4:00 AND WEDNESDAY EVENING 7:00 TO 9:00

THE FUNERAL WILL BE A SMALL SERVICE THURSDAY MORNING AT THE FUNERAL HOME AROUND 10:00

IF ANYBODY IS AN ORDAINED MINISTER - MIKE WAS PROTESTANT - AND WOULD LIKE TO DO THE SERVICE- CALL ME A.S.A.P. AT (845) 721 3618 (MIKE THE DRUMMER)
FROM MADD DOG ON MYSPACE:

BIG MIKE KEMP

Thank you to everyone who came out to show their love for Big Mike Kemp The wake last night was – in Mikes words – TREMENDOUS!!. The family – especially the parents, who have been residing in Florida for the past 10 to 12 years was very impressed that so many people –from all walks of life – braved the nasty weather – ice – and rain for the chance to pay their last respects to a man who had obviously touched so many lives!!. People were lined up past the post office at one point- nobody leaving in spite of the elements. I am guessing at well over a modest 700 people attended. The .bike clubs represented were The Bishop’s. Dutchess M.C , Riding Free , and even some brothers from A Few Good Men made the funeral. We had law enforcement officers from Wappingers –Town of Poughkeepsie And the Sheriffs office there . If I missed any bike clubs – or law enforcement groups, my apologies – I went by the colors that I saw and the faces that I recognized – no disrespect intended

AS far as musicians – I was amazed myself. The list is too extensive to even begin, coming from upstate , the city, all over the place. Mike was a special talent that will surely be missed – NOBODY SOLO’D LIKE BIG MIKE!!

Thank you to the people on the air who helped spread the news of this tragedy , and for the love – support and dedications that were sent out on Big Mike’s behalf.

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And now it’s time to start healing. We are still going to play at The Keltic House this Saturday, as a very good friend of Big Mike – Gil Cruz – requested to sit in and – not replace Mike, but in his words “do Big Mike Proud”. Gil is a good friend of Mike – had Big Mike living with him for awhile also , and is willing to help us carry on So Saturday night – come out to The Keltic House and let’s hoist a few in his honor.

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We are making plans to have big jam at one of the bars Big Mike loved. That will probably be towards the end of February , and all will be welcome ,but it will be geared for everyone that played with Big Mike. We are going to do it on a Sunday so that it will not conflict with too many gig schedules. I will give out more info on that as it happens but for now…..let's pick up the pieces and carry on like Big Mike would have wanted!!
Thanks-Stay Metal, Stay Brutal-RIP MIKE KEMP \m/ -l-