Doom and gloom in the music world

This year, for the first time in many years, I decided not to make a spring music trip to the States. Turned out this was a good move, as we are now seeing the collapse of live music in the face of the coronavirus threat. Viva Las Vegas has been cancelled; so has SXSW in Austin; Jazzfest is under threat. The Tales From the Woods swamp pop show, starring Jivin' Gene, Johnnie Allan and Gene Terry, has been postponed until the autumn some time. Even the monthly Woodies meet up has been scrapped this month and a day out planned for next month has gone.
It seems unlikely that American artists will be able to perform in the UK for the foreseeable future, and of course, Trump's sudden ban on flights from Europe has cast another shadow over things. Will Porretta go ahead? Seems unlikely at this stage. So it's all doom and gloom really. Hopefully the situation will improve by the autumn and a Stomping USA road trip will be possible then - but I wouldn't bank on it.
Of course, music deaths have continued to take place. One of the most recent was that of guitarist Charlie Baty, leader of Little Charlie and the Nightcaps. Together with singer Rick Estrin the band, which was formed in 1976, recorded 14 albums and were a popular act at many festivals.

Another artist to have died is Cajun accordion player Ray Abshire, who spent many years playing with the Balfa Brothers band. On the day of his death he played alongside Steve Riley at a Mardi Gras event in Mamou.
Barbara Martin, who has died aged 76, was a member of the Primettes, the forerunners of the Supremes, when they were a foursome, and was with the group when they signed for Motown. She sang on many of the numbers on the Supremes first album but left in 1962 when she was pregnant and has been somewhat airbrushed out of the group's history ever since.

The Vinyl Word wishes RIP to them all, and good luck with avoiding the coronavirus to everyone.