Charlie Hall - In Memoriam
Photo by Todd Ryan Event Photography
Our dear friend, Black Rose co-founder Charlie Hall, passed away Dec 11, 2018 after a long journey with brain cancer. He lived his last years to the fullest, filled with family, friends, and so very much music.
It was 1994 when Charlie and friends Hope Grietzer and Murry Stewart came up with the idea of an “open stage” in the historic log Black Forest Community Center. Since then, thousands of music lovers of all ages have been inspired, have picked up instruments, and have enjoyed the wit and musical brilliance of Charlie and his teaching. Through private instruction, the Black Rose, the Colorado Roots Camp, and his many years playing and jamming at the Walnut Valley Festival, Midwinter Bluegrass, Pickin’ in the Pines and more, Charlie enriched our musical community. His wicked wit kept us laughing, and his sheer joy for acoustic music will keep us playing and singing in his honor for years to come.
Charlie’s wife Marianne asked us to accept donations in Charlie’s honor to continue the mission he started with the Black Rose almost 25 years ago. You can contribute here:
(You can also donate by postal mail. Click here for our mailing address.)
Media
A beautiful video of Charlie’s memorial service from Doug Kladder and Donna Crouse:
Charlie’s obituary:
A remembrance article from our local newspaper:
An interview segment on our local NBC affiliate in 2017:
With Prairie Como in 2017:
At his tribute show in 2017:
With Phil Volan in 2015 (shortly after Charlie discovered this Susan Werner song):
In his trio, “Black Rose”, from the late 1990s/early 2000s: