Comments on: Remembering Happy Traum (1938–2024)

By: Marino

Marino — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 17:23:28 +0000

I met you through You tube relatively late and respect you immediately.
Thank you and rest in peace.

By: David Eirikson

David Eirikson — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 02:24:52 +0000

Happy was a wonderful teacher, folklorist and musician. I still have copies of his Blues Bag and Fingerpicking Styles for Guitar. I was fortunate to spend a week hanging around with him and Jane (and Steve James) at the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues in Washington State about five years ago. A tue gentleman, and so modest. It was a delight to hear him talk about Brownie McGee, Pete Seeger and Bob Dylan, although you had to drag the stories out of him.
RIP Happy. You have enriched so many lives.

By: Ron Spencer

Ron Spencer — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 01:23:23 +0000

Happy opened the world of finger picking to me. With that, I was able to pass on some techniques to my daughter, who is a songwriter. I loved his teaching persona.
I also learned good stuff from his brother Artie. I’m grateful for that too. I imagine they’re playing duets together in heaven now.
Thanks, Hap.

By: Clive James

Clive James — Tue, 30 Jul 2024 22:19:38 +0000

I owe a great debt to Happy Traum: I learnt to flat pick via his Flat-Pick Country Guitar book which was published in 1973. Living in the UK, this book also opened my mind and ears, to new musical styles. Condolences to his family and friends.

By: Gary Eagan

Gary Eagan — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 23:19:53 +0000

He was a joy to watch and listen to. Not many people I can say that about. Sorry he’s gone. Happy he lived.

By: Annika Dronge

Annika Dronge — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 09:51:58 +0000

Thank you for this lovely tribute to Happy. He and my father, Mark Dronge, had been friends for 78 years until my dad passed…they were both proud of their long-term friendship which began in Kindergarten in the Bronx. Often, they would chat and “kvell” over their roots, their friendship, their shared vision of bringing joy through music to the world, their quest to inspire musicians, and above all – their love for their families. Jane, we hope you can draw a little peace from the music community and continue to hear how much Happy was beloved and appreciated. Happy will be missed dearly. And we will continue to celebrate his music on the daily. He touched many of us and his legacy lives on. With love, Annika (DR Strings)

By: Pamela Hay

Pamela Hay — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 05:14:49 +0000

Quite upset to hear this sad news. I have happy recollections of meeting , sharing dinner & spending a day showing Happy & Jane a little bit of the Aussie bush & beaches around Perth Western Australia when Happy was a Special Guest at the Australian National Folk Festival in 1985. A warmer, more gracious and accessible musician & teacher would be harder to find. I do regret not being able to show Happy & Jane a koala on the slightly rainy day but we sure did enjoy the Sunday Yum Chai luncheon we shared in a Northbridge packed with local Chinese folk. A joyful experience. I regret also never having been able to “come visit in Woodstock”. Happy’s last words to me on parting.
VALE: A True Gentleman.
Condolences to all his family & many friends. 💔🎼🌹

By: Raul

Raul — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 17:54:42 +0000

I still have my copy of Guitar Finger-Picking Styles and Flat-Pick Country Guitar. What a wonderful, full life Happy had, blessing all of us with his music, his teachings and wonderful spirit.

By: Camilla Dronge Corona

Camilla Dronge Corona — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 15:18:13 +0000

“Happy Traum is my oldest friend- since the 1st grade.” My father, Mark Dronge, would say fondly anytime Happy’s name came up. Both dad and Happy have a long history in the music industry. They both left beautiful legacies in the MI and with their families. I am deeply saddened, yet grateful to have known Happy and share a little piece of history with him. May his memory be a blessing.

By: John Shalanski

John Shalanski — Tue, 23 Jul 2024 12:26:40 +0000

Happy deepened my love of music and the acoustic guitar in a class at Jorma’s Fur Peace Ranch. Not only did he make all of us students feel like guitar virtuosos, he captivated us with tales of Dylan, Brownie McGhee and Pete Seeger.
The music world has lost not only a great instructor, but a first class person.