Gerald Anderson, Rest In Peace

[Russ Jordan]

Gerald Anderson passed away in his sleep Wednesday night/Thurs morning. Gerald was a great friend and talented musician/luthier, and on a personal level, was my wife's encouraging mentor as she took up guitar building in recent years. Gerald will be missed by so many, one of the kindest souls on the planet.

[Matt Livingston]

I was really sad to hear this. I bought one his mandolins from you, Russ, about 15 years ago. I took it to Gerald once or twice to repair at his shop in Troutdale and would bump into him occasionally at Galax or the Appalachian Folklife Festival at Ferrrum College. Always such a sincere and nice guy. I emailed him just a few weeks ago about the timing required for a mandolin built for my 50th birthday (in 2021).

[jim simpson]

Sad news indeed! My first good mandolin was made by Gerald, a #24. Here's his obituary:

https://seaverbrown.com/tribute/deta...#tribute-start

[sgarrity]

Very sad. May he Rest In Peace.

[fatt-dad]

met him once. Known of him for decades. Rest in peace, Gerald.

f-d

[sunburst]

Sad news.
I considered Gerald a friend.

[Phil Goodson]

Sad to hear. I'll miss seeing him during visits to Virginia.

[Bob Buckingham]

I first met Gerald many years ago and we picked a few times and he built my wife's guitar. It is a dandy. Gerald was a standup guy and will be missed.

[Gan Ainm]

Just "stopped by" the Cafe. This news saddens me. I met Gerald at the Richmond Folk Life Festival as part of the Folk Apprenticeship display with Spencer Strickland. I liked them and their work a lot and my wife commissioned a mandolin in 2008 for my birthday ("Red Spruce from the White Mountains"). It it still my favorite, and for me it plays BG, Irish, Klezmer and Italian traditional with equal aplomb, if I do my part. Of course Gerald became a friend and I loved his picking and singing also. One year I bought 10 of his CD's for holiday presents as representing a great mix of authentic down home Virginia music skillfully done, with heart. Gerald was all heart. A mensch.
Thanks for everything friend.

Colin
Nelson Co. Va and Athens Ga.