The Passing of an “Old Friend”, Russ Reed [AUDIO]

This happened last week actually.  I had been waiting for a photo of him so I could create a tribute blog, but am having a little trouble locating one.  Well, here’s my tribute anyway!

Russ Reed was a good friend of the station.  An old friend.  Actually, that was the name of his duo- “Two Old Friends”. His singing partner, Dennis, his lifelong friend, passed on last year.  But Russ continued doing his gigs. - always the traveling troubador.  He strummed his guitar and belted out his favorite classic country songs on the nursing home circuit, many times doing two show a day.   What made this even more interesting is that Russ was one of the first heart transplant recipients in New York.   Despite the constant concern about rejection, and the heavy medication he was on for years, he continued on with his love of music.

And I’m sure his incredible sense of humor didn’t hurt in terms of his longevity.   Whenever I talked to him on the phone - no matter how serious the conversation, it was always he that ended with the joke -and usually one of an adult nature that I could never use on the radio, so I guess I can't repeat any here.I have an example of his humor concerning his medical situation, however.   He was a great songwriter, and we produced this little song that he sold at his shows to help make ends meet.  And with the rising medical costs for both he and his wife’s illnesses, he would have had to sell alot of CD’s, let me tell you! Even the title of the song slays me-"I Love You From The Bottom Of Someone Elses Heart" Now is that clever or what?

I’m including our little snippet of the song here.

So from the bottom of MY heart and everyone elses here at WGNA, here’s to you, old friend.   Condolences to his wife Donna and the rest of the family.   You will be missed for sure, old friend.