Megan B. Lynch – FiddleStar Camps and Publishing
If you didn’t know Sunshine McClenahan, I’m not entirely sure how to begin to describe her, and therefore to express what the world has just lost. I met her and her husband Lou when I was a little kid and their son Bryan and I were both competing in west coast fiddle contests. I remember wondering if my mom would ever let me run around festivals without shoes, like Sunshine always did. Years later, when I began to play bluegrass, I heard about this legendary weekly jam in Redwood City and decided to check it out, hoping whoever was hosting it would forgive my bluegrass ignorance and just welcome an eager fiddler. I needn’t have worried. When I walked in the door of that eclectic home in the hills and realized that this was indeed Sunshine and Lou’s house, all my fears disappeared and I vowed to spend every available Friday night with those people, in that spot. We hung out at festivals together, they invited me to their summer rental home on the coast, and they introduced me to a wacky and talented collection of musicians and raconteurs that I will never forget. Most of you know that, even ahead of the music itself, I value how music brings people together and I can trace my passion for that cause back to a handful of people. Sunshine was one of those people and I will miss her terribly. I hope there are well-tuned banjos and soft grass for bare feet where she’s going. #sunshine
And see a defining photo of Sunshine that goes along with the post: https://www.facebook.com/fiddlestarmusic/