Pete Sutherland RIP

Some of you may be familiar with Pete Sutherland, a creative fiddler in the traditional vein. I first became aware of him through the group Metamora from Indiana, in which he played circa 1990. My sweetheart knows him through Pete's Posse from Vermont, and as a contradance fiddler. Pete is described as a multi-instrumentalist (with fiddlers, that usually means there's a mandolin involved). Pete played very well and wrote some fine tunes. I've never met him or heard him live. Still, it's a shame to see him go. (Added: Cancer, apparently.)

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/...t?oid=37055160

Here's a mandolin interpretation of one of Pete's tunes, "Sunday Waltz," posted by someone using the name "crisscross".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXmg...nel=crisscross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXmg...nel=crisscross

I knew Pete and spent time with him in small doses over the years. Everything that people are saying about him is true. He was an inspiring both as a musician and a person. RIP.

I met him here in Scotland once when he came over with a bunch of young (mostly) fiddle players from Vermont, who I think he was mentoring.
Actually he wasn't playing fiddle in the short time I saw him, but melodica or something like that. That was probably about 6 years ago, I should think. To be honest, I didn't think he looked that well.

Metamora were originally a duo with Malcolm Dalglish and Grey Larsen, who made a great album called Thunderhead and then Pete joined, I think I'm right in saying.

Sad news. RIP.

Pete's passing is a particularly great loss for those of us here in Vermont. His presence was a treasure to all. He had been battling cancer for quite a while and was in control of his passing thanks to Vermont's Death with Dignity law.

Yes Pete Sutherland was a great musician and fine person. We played together in the Appalachian Gap String Band here in Vermont. We played last this summer at Middlebury College Breadload Writers conference and had a ball. Over the past several weeks the pain and dysfunction from his metastatic cancer got the better of him and he decided it was enough. He was totally serene at the end . Death with Dignity here in Vermont. Pete could play anything well including the mandolin. He has left a huge mark on the acoustic/old-time/traditional music world and his smile and influence will be steadfast in our hearts. RIP my old friend Doug Campbell in Vermont

I never met Peter but have a recording of his waltzes and his book of waltzes: "The Neighborhood Waltz."
I have played lots of them and really love "Upper Valley Waltz" and Will Patton's version of it.

at recent Fiddle Hell Online (on zoom), Rodney Miller introduces a groovy tune "Coral Riff". Pete's Posse is next on the schedule. My brain goes "click! he is the composer!", chat request goes out "play Coral Riff!!!". and they do! Yay! Highlight of the year! Learned the tune, now one of our local favourites. Last tune of this contra dance set: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-enCvxHfZ0. RIP.

Pete was so much more than a fiddler or musician. He touched lives in a deep way. His songs were prayers like this one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGxAPCbevM0