Phoenix FM, the home radio station from whence Morris broadcast in Bendigo, recorded Geoff’s memorial service this morning, and posted it online for his friends around the world to enjoy this remembrance of his life.
Lovely, but perhaps bittersweet.
Tag: Geoff Morris
Geoff Morris passes
Geoff had announced at the end of last year that he would suspend his Wall-To-Wall show on World Wide Bluegrass while undergoing high-dose radiation therapy to treat an aggressive tumor discovered in his head and neck in December 2012.
Sadly, the cancer got the better of the situation and Geoff passed earlier today in a Melbourne hospital. He was 70 years old.
David C. Blood, mandolinist with Mixt Company and a close friend, tells us that Geoff fell hard for the music when he first discovered it as a young man.
“He actually trained in youth as a concert pianist, and if he had stayed with that, I have no doubt he would have been very, very good. But then he heard a bluegrass band at a folk festival in Australia (possibly Hamilton County Bluegrass Band). When he discovered Doc Watson, this being in 1962, that was it. He was hooked from there.”
Wall-To-Wall ran twice a week since 2006, and Geoff was preparing to broadcast his 500th show on WWB when it was suspended. He also hosted a bluegrass program on Phoenix FM in Bendigo, which was his home.
Kimberly Williams, publicist with East Public Relations and bass player/vocalist with The Expedition Show, fondly remembers Geoff from the time they first met several years ago at IBMA.
“We became instant friends and he came to see our band a number of times at The Station Inn when he was visiting Nashville. Geoff was the kind of person that when you saw him, you instantly felt better about yourself. He just made you feel special. He was always smiling, always cheerful and always promoting bluegrass. He was a kind soul, a true gentleman and one of the nicest people I ever met. I’ll sure miss him.”
R.I.P Geoff Morris, on the behalf of a grateful bluegrass public.
Wall-To-Wall Bluegrass on hiatus
Morris has recently received the unwelcome diagnosis of a virulent form of cancer in his neck and head, and will be required to undergo high-dose radiation therapy for the next six weeks. This will necessitate him staying in Melbourne for treatment, and away from his radio studio for the duration of therapy. Not to mention that he is unlikely to feel up to a weekly commitment to put together a show.
His program last week would have been his 500th on WWB had health concerns not precluded the broadcast. There will be an episode of Wall-To-Wall Bluegrass tonight (12/31, 8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), his last at least until this course of therapy is completed. Geoff invites all of his listeners and friends to join him this evening to ring in the new year.
“I am very saddened to have to discontinue my regular shows after this one, as for me it has always been and remains a lifeline to so many wonderful people and the regular opportunity to share the loveliest music in the world. May I wish you a happy and richly blessed New Year and look forward to our meeting, regularly, in the not too distant future.
The outcome of all of this together with its impact short- and long-term on my health remains to be determined, but be very assured I will tackle it with all the positivity and resourcefulness I can muster.”
We certainly wish Geoff a full and speedy recovery.
WorldWideBluegrass.com is an online radio service that operates 24/7. There is no fee to listen, though donations are welcome. The service also allows listeners to chat by text with the hosts during their programs, so everyone will have a chance to wish Morris well as he steps down for this period of treatment.
