RIP Bob Douglas

[Eric Platt]

Longtime Twin Cities mandolin mainstay Bob Douglas passed away over the weekend.

Bob was a founding member of The Powdermilk Biscuit Band on A Prairie Home Companion -



Then was in The New Prairie Rambers (along with Peter Ostroushko)



Later Bob was in the local Irish band Captain Kaliber



And also a great band The Tune Jerks

(There is a video of them on YouTube, but I reached my limit on number of videos in a post.) That video is from the Bob's CD release party. Called "Just Tunes" it featured Bob in three different band settings. Not flashy, just good playing.

Bob was a huge influence on me, not just mandolin but as a musician and person. Rarely crossed paths with him once I started focusing on the mandolin. Really wish now I had taken a few lessons from him.

[theinone]

Another Minnesota mandolin lost, Ufdah! He was a very generous soul and shared his music with all he met. He used to contribute to the early MBOTMA magazine every month with tasty tunes. One that I still play today - the Bee's Wing. A bit of a twisty, finger bustin' Irish tune that is a whole lot of fun. Last I saw Bob was when we played for John Berquist's memorial, another Minnesota Legend. I'll have to go over the New Prairie Ramblers and see if I can't dust off the Spotted Pony and others he played so well. We'll miss you Bob!

[theinone]

Ok, while we're all waiting for the foot and a half or more of snow that's coming up north here next to the unsalted sea... here is the "Bee's Wing Hornpipe" tab I found from Inside Bluegrass that Bob transcribed years ago.. hope this works ok. It's Bb and loads of fun to play.