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I’m saddened to report the passing of local Lucerne Valley musician and patron of the folk music arts, Carolyn Russell on July 21, 2019 at the age of 85. She was born July 17, 1934 in Crosby, North Dakota.
Carolyn Russell was well known for her contra dances in Garden Grove California, and for her many notorious house concerts featuring such as Alasdair Fraizer, Mary McCaslin, Bryan Bowers and many more. She later played a pivotal role in quietly championing the resurgence of such legendary Cajun musicians as Wilford LeTour, Edgar LeDay, and most recently Joe Fontenot.
She had a brilliant and a sly wit, and will remain the epitome of the term “grass roots community”, and to speak of her as a “true renaissance woman” is and always will be an understatement.
Below is a collection of our correspondence over the years that I unearthed from memory lane, or my garage, whatever came first. I hope others will add to this and join me in admitting that life seems a little dumb without Carolyn, though her memory will give us ample inspiration to persevere.
Patrick and Holle Brayer / Ontario CA
Patrick John Brayer 