A Historic Audio Document of this musical community's highly creative renditions of our favorite Lee Ruth songs.

Lee's songs are meant to be sung and they will...long after we (the participants) are all just some myth or mystery in history somebody (out there in Tomorrow Land) will come across and wonder about...

I just wanted to say what a great privilige it's been to be a part of this historic project! THANK YOU

Our whole family is excited about this project and are awating its completion with great anticipation. Thanks to all who have made this happen for my very talented and deserving brother...
"Everybody's Got Love."
Love, Barbara

I am so gratified to see that a song that crashed down all at once to inspire me one night 20 years ago in Happy Hollow still lives on. KB

I grew up in Columbia listening to Lee. His music had a huge influence on me, and when I really grow up, I hope I can play just like him.

It's all good... Thanks to Steve, Pete, Neal and all concerned for perservering with this most worthy project. This website, with all the accompanying notes and insights, is absolutely deluxe. Love to all, Michael

I lived in Columbia from 1977-1981 and took guitar lessons from Lee Ruth. It has been 23 years since my last lesson with Lee, yet I can honestly say that there is a bit of what he taught me in nearly everything I play to this day. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to have been his student and look forward to getting a copy of this tribute CD.

Lee and company - thanks for the memories and the great music both then (way back then) and now!

Hey, Lee. Long time no see, but I remember you well. LONG LIVE LEE RUTH SONGS!

This is a geat project!

We are so grateful that you have filled our lives with music, Lee. And appreciate all the wonderful songs for others to sing! By the way, Half the Sky Productions is becoming a patron. KOPN has our money on this. So, please make sure that this happens!!! Half the Sky productions put on the LunaFair. Thanks!!!

Even before I was an old geezer, there was Lee Ruth. And way after I'm gone, Everybody will still Got Love.

can't wait to buy the cd. actualy can't wait to hear it. no speakers on this computer makes it a bit difficult but matt fokler is a very good friend of mine so i do have an idea. i've read a few of the songs and like i said, can't wait to be able to buy the cd. love,peace and harmony to the world, adelaide

I'm just happy to know that so many of ya are still alive! I was there in 1968 when Lee worked at Ben Bolt Hotel - even remember Eric the Red and worshipped Sound Farm. We all went to Colorado in 69. I was one fourth of Crystal Clear and EVERYBODY jammed at our place when they weren't out at the farm. Jerome and Dan Peek, damn! I'm buying this one! Thanks to you all!! Just for being alive! Thanks!! WOW!

Want to disagree with Lee that he never performed 'the birthday party'--I heard him play it at the Chez, and it brought the house down. By the way, I think the birthday in question was Sunshine's, was it?

I first heard Lee Ruth sing and play the guitar in 1964. It's great to listen to this CD.

familiar voices paint our stories come to light ... rivers of our heart bring us home aloha

I met Lee Ruth more than three decades ago standing outside the old Loading Zone and talking about -- what else? -- music. I was just a freshman and he was already a legendary figure, larger than life, but he treated me with respect. He was unforgettable. In my mind he was "The Sage of Conley Avenue." And he still had so many great songs in him. Two years ago my wife and I flew into St. Louis just to get a front-row seat at the Focal Point to experience the estimable triumvirate of Lee, Bob Dyer and Bartholomew Bean at Clint Harding's SongCircle of Friends. Sitting with us was John Schneller, whom Lee taught to play guitar. It was a magical experience. Now I've just gotten my hands and ears on this CD. Wow, what a beautiful tribute, and how fitting that John Schneller and his daughter Katherine are among the performers. Congrats to the Radio Ranger and all the others who made this happen. I hope it will bring about a wider popular interest in Lee's work, not least of which should be a rediscovery of his 1988 album, "Happy Hollow Songs," one of the great neglected recordings of original American music. And to The Sage of Conley Avenue himself, I wish continued inspiration for at least 50 golden years.

Congrats, Lee! I'll have to wait 'til I have access to technology to listen to the CD.....Or until I return back that way....& thanks to ecveryone who helped to make this salute to a great musican possible!

Yo Lee !! Great website....and your album looks fantastic!!! I must get it! I get to Columbia a few times a year and will have to find you and hear you again. I miss all my ol' singin' buddies! cbailey@iowatelecom.net email me and let me know how you are!!

What a cool picture. And the CD is great, I played it on my show "Cool Creations" KOPN, and sure enjoyed it.

Peace,
Sheryl Clapton

I didn't grow up in Boone County but as an aspiring journalist/teen @ U of MO from '68-'71, I sure did a lot of growing up there - inspired by so many incl. Lee, Jerome, Bummer (will never forget summer '69 - our walk in Harlem, Bummer armed w/ his proverbial double-scoop of double chocolate on sugar cone) when Sound Farm played NYC & stayed at Algonquin -along w/ Muddy Waters '69) & countless others...still keeping the spirit of the times alive & all of us young. Thank you.

Seen this Ruth fellow at concerts in Lupus, What a talent,and to hear one of his songs sung by our son Matt puts the frosting on the cake,

Lee, Enjoyed your websight and Matts Part of it. Am a friend of Matts dad and am down in south Texas visiting friends.

Lee, The songs--the years--the streets of Columbia--the '60's--the Ivanhoe--the Gray Day--the songs--the Chez--the Gladstone--Ford's Theatre--the campfires in wee hours--the topo maps--the strip pits--the songs--the van-maintenance--the Rat's Nest--the full moons--Happy Hollow--Moniteau--the chilifests--the decades--the songs. Keep'em comin' old friend...they weave a soft and lovely tapestry of our lives here in Middle MO, & beyond.....

what a great project. i fell in love with jessi about the first time i met her, which i suspect was the case with just about anyone who did. we had a little trio for a bit with another woman whose name escapes me. but it holds a fond place in my memory banks. what a beauty she was and still is no doupt. god bless you jessi wherever you are. steve robertson

I'm just sending off my CD order. A chance to hear Lee's great music and some of the great musicians I heard when living in Columbia from 1964 to 1973. Getting to know Ken Shepherd in a philosophy class led me to the places where I heard Lee, the Sound Farm, the Celebrated Renaissance Band and others. I'll always remember the sight of Lee startling drunks in the Ivanhoe by lighting up his beard.

Hi, Lee. You gave me guitar lessons many years ago. I've been playing music ever since and now teach guitar in Prague, CZ. Thanks for those fingerpicks!

We became friends with Jerome thru the internet. Some of you, his friends, know that he was not only a very talented musician .. but he also played online RPG games. That is where we met him. He will be missed by all of his online friends, as well as his family and real life friends. We had a nickname for him "The Rat" ... he made us laugh with his quick wit and sense of humor, and we found his thoughts on everyday life very thought provoking. We will miss him a lot .. but understand fully that he no longer has the illness that he fought so hard, for so many years to overcome. We will see you in the hear-after, Rat! Love ya, Ken and Ellen