I am currently out on a tour of the United States with my old band the Dixie Dregs. I am the Tour Manager and Lighting Director as I was from 1976 through 1983. This is a 40 year anniversary tour of our 1st album, “Free Fall”. I know what you all must be thinking. These guys are old. Well you are right on. The youngest band and crew member is 62 and our keyboard player is 75 years old! Our violinist is a doctor. (Which may come in handy!)
My old dear friend, David “Dopp” Colvin was collaborating with me on this thing. He was going to be our Sound Engineer just as he was back in the day. Unfortunately he passed away peacefully on his beloved yacht “The Spanish Moon” at anchor in Muscle Shoals, Alabama February 1st. He was at his computer in his undershorts with the TV on and a peeled Clementine Orange in one hand, with one section of it in the other. His head was just tilted down. He evidently dozed off into eternity. There are worse ways to die I reckon.
I flew to Georgia to speak at his Memorial Service. Gathered together were Musicians and Roadies from all over the country. An outpouring of love filled every nook, cranny and heart in the room. Many a tear was shed and glass was rightly raised.
I’m sure Dopp was up on a lighting truss looking down on all of us with a knowing smile of approval on his face.
And so we carry on. Let’s always remember what was lost and carry what Dopp was with us until we meet again.
Jefe
The Price That Caring Costs (For Dopp)
Look up to Heaven
Lord above
When we die
What’s left is love
Left alone
We feel the loss
And that’s the price
That caring costs
Worry not
The passing pain
One day soon
We’ll meet again
Suffer not
And know thee all
We’ll meet again
When we too fall
Jeff Burkhart’s Rhyme & Reason
Sharing is caring!
beautiful tribute Jeff,
I’m headed up to Durham tonight for the show. I was especially excited to maybe see Dopp after all these years. I had the distinct pleasure of working w Dopp at a few Dregs shows in the 80s. I was a student at UNCC and volunteered regularly with the Media group for shows. First Dregs show on campus had me helping set the stage and run cables to the snake. Dopp and I really connected that evening. I worked with him many times thru the next years at every show I could get to. I have been doing FOH sound work since high school, Dopp was a patient and kind mentor for mixing and tonal insights I have used for these past decades to improve my technique.
All the best for the tour, Have fun and know our friend is in the balcony with a PBR watching the jam.
RIP Dopp and thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge with me.
B
Jeff I know you miss him on this trip .
Love this
Very nice Jeff! I will look forward to seeing you and the Dregs when you come to town.
Jeff, Sorry to read about Dopp. I posted on the Dregs FB page a picture of your joint business card you gave my husband on New Years Eve 1982 at the Celebrity Theater as a “backstage pass” to meet the band. We are bringing our son to see the band on his 15th birthday — April 22 in Scottsdale — and I am hoping that card might get him and my husband backstage as a wonderful birthday surprise! Hope to see you then!