I thought of Rod when I did The Friendly Beasts for our Tuesday evening Zoom group video. Even after 11 years I have fond memories of all the conversations I had with Rod.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

So fondly remember Rod. May we never forget those dulcimer friends who have gone on before.

Well said KenH.  To all our fondly remembered friends! 🎄🛷🕯

  To Rod... and our other Absent Friends.

Remembering our dear friend Rod.  

Fond memories of the Deputy, I received my copy of his small booklet of tunes while recovering from my first heart procedure, it helped !

@slate-creek-dulcimers Santa Claus put some stuff in the mail early this year.  :)

Oh, my, has it been ten years since Rod died?  I remember getting home from a family gathering and seeing the sad news.  

Rod was a generous and caring person. He was always so helpful. I've missed him over the years. I can't believe it has been ten years.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

On Christmas day 2020 it will be ten years since Rod passed away. Just wanted to post a fond remembrance of "Deputy Mo" again. He contributed so much friendship and encouragement to members here on FOTMD. Rest in peace and in music, Rod.

Sounds like I would have really liked Dep. MO. Sorry to realize he's no longer with us. Has anyone filled his shoes??

I came across Rod on PalTalk, and he was a good person. It was always a pleasure hearing his playing, as well as him talking about his assorted dulcimers and sharing what they were tuned to etc. I still can not believe it's been 3 years.

Thanks for that Lisa ! As for the angels, well, he always seemed to have plenty of instruments out on loan ............. !!! Dusty, I agree with you about Paltalk, he as good as held my hand when I first went on .

John

I can't believe it's been three years. Wow. Rod was the first one to welcome me to FOTMD. He was a generous and kind soul. One reason I don't join the dulcimer club on Paltalk much anymore is because his absence there--even after three years--is so palpable it makes me sad.

I like that image of him teaching angels to play the dulcimer.

FOTMD member John Henry in the UK recently posted a video of his beautiful version of The Friendly Beasts, one of my favorite Christmas Carols.

John Henry then mentioned that he was encouraged years ago here on fotmd by our then-moderator Rod Westerfield affectionately known to us all as "Deputy Mo". John Henry writes:

I had more or less abandoned noter play until I found my way here, used a peculiar form of chordal play instead, but thanks to our friend 'Deputy Mo', who offered encouragement not only in my use of the noter, but also in the way I approached this infernal machine...I gained a little confidence, and now you have me , warts and all. All I ever try to do is (i) illustrate that expression can be coaxed from a tune when using a noter, and (ii) share what I do in the hope that it may help others....

John (it was Rod who drew my attention to the use of this tune as a Christmas Carol ??? )

Rod loved this site dearly- tirelessly helping and encouraging everyone, particularly beginner players. He was a good friend and a great help in all ways. His posts and explanations are still helping people here. Sadly, Rod passed away unexpectedly on Christmas day in 2010, but his contributions, posts, and FOTMD page are still here on fotmd: https://fotmd.com/rod-westerfield

I remember Rod particularly at Christmas time here on the site, and John Henry's video and comments made me recall how Rod and I agreed that The Friendly Beasts was one of our favorite carols.

So I thought it would be nice to pull Rod's recording of The Friendly Beasts from his profile page playlist and post it here below. I've attached the MP3 clip at the bottom of this post. We can raise a little toast to 'Deputy Mo' this holiday season, and know that he continues to help and encourage players, both here on FOTMD and up on high...I like to think of him teaching the angels how to play the mountain dulcimer...