Last night I was watching the Grammy's. That part came on where they show the industry people who passed away during the year. The name and image of Vic Chesnutt appeared and my mouth dropped. I simply could not belief it and despite this being a person I only met one time I was instantly sad. Legit sad. I don't spend a ton of time online reading news and Vic was not real mainstream so I had not heard
about his death. I just had not checked in on his current tour schedule recently.
I discovered Vic Chesnutt's music in 1996 when I was reading about one of my favorite movies "Slingbade" (Vic was the guy in the wheelchair in Doyle's band) Then I heard the band LIVE do a cover of Vic's incredible song
SUPERNATURAL. Once I heard that I bought every album he had made up to that point. I have gone to every show he plays in Dallas since.
I dont know really know how to descibe Vic Chesnutt to you other than to say that as an artist he was more human than anyone I have every seen, and more supernatural in spirit. He energy was simply incredible and I would say this video of a
recent performance (video below) says it all. Check your pulse on that. His last album AT THE CUT is great.
Read about it here.
This statement will give you a sense of how other artist feel about Vic.
Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel): “In 1991, I moved to Athens, Georgia in search of God, but what I discovered instead was Vic Chesnutt. Hearing his music completely transformed the way I thought about writing songs, and I will forever be in his debt.”
Seth Godin recently blogged this..
Art is made by a human being.
Art is created to have an impact, to change someone else.
Art is a gift.
Thanks for the gifts Vic.
RIP.