The Mainstay and the Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association have worked together with the relatives of the late Karl Gottesman to produce an afternoon of bluegrass, folk and Americana in Karl’s memory at the Mainstay in Rock Hall, MD on Sunday August 25 from 12:30 to 6:00 p.m. Performing, among others will be The Lions of Bluegrass, Colonel Leonard’s Irregulars, The East Coast Foggy Memory Boys, Clark & Johnson, Pete Curry, Laurie Pamental and one of Karl’s favorite bluegrass bands, New and Used Bluegrass. Admission is free but donations will be collected on behalf of the Eastern Shore Bluegrass Association and the Mainstay. Mama Pia’s will set up outside the Mainstay with hot dogs, steak sandwiches, and more available and the Mainstay (cash) bar will be open all afternoon. For more information you can call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. Information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
In 1969, Karl Gottesman took a position in the office of continuing education at Trenton State College (later renamed The College of New Jersey), advising returning servicemen and other older students. He eventually rose to assistant to the vice president for academic affairs. He served in that position till 1994, when he retired and moved to Chestertown, where he had already bought a house in 1991. He soon made many friends locally, often because of his music.
Karl played guitar regularly from the 1960s through the 1980s in the Ground Round and Perimeter Coffeehouses in Camden and Trenton, N.J. When he moved to Kent County, he became a regular participant in the bluegrass jams at the Crumpton Auction. He played guitar in numerous groups including Col. Leonard’s Irregulars for about 15 years, once a month at the Medical Adult Day Care Center for a dozen years, and every Friday “since forever” with a bluegrass jam group – recently re-named “The Foggy Memory Boys.” His family recalled that Karl had bought his first guitar, a Sears Silvertone, for $10 at age 10. At the time of his death, he had eight acoustic guitars – plus two banjos and a mandolin. He was expert on all of them. Bluegrass was his favorite style, but he also played blues, jazz, folk and popular music of many eras. When not performing, he could often be found in the audience at the Mainstay in Rock Hall. He wore his red Mainstay T-shirt in the hospice.
Karl’s musical friends will pay tribute to his memory and play bluegrass, folk and American music in sets at the Mainstay starting at 12:30 p.m. The afternoon will be capped off by a set from New and Used Bluegrass, one of Karl’s favorite bands.
The Mainstay (Home of Musical Magic) is the friendly informal storefront performing arts center on Rock Hall’s old time Main Street. It is a 501(c)(3), non profit dedicated to the arts, serving Rock Hall, MD and the surrounding region. It is committed to presenting local, regional and national level talent, at a reasonable price, in an almost perfect acoustic setting. Wine, beer, sodas and snacks are available at the bar.
The Mainstay is supported by ticket sales, fundraising including donations from friends and audience members and an operating grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.
For information and reservations call the Mainstay at 410-639-9133. More information is also available at the Mainstay’s website https://www.mainstayrockhall.org.
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