I’ll be reminiscing a little this morning. Back in 2011, we were at the Susanville Bluegrass Festival and I was out walking around, guitar in hand, looking for a jam. I ran into Lou McClenahan who led me over to a jam where my ears picked up the strains of an old Hank Williams song. Lou introduced me to Ernie Hunt and Jesse House and it didn’t take me long to know that I had found the jam that was just right for me. We picked and sang one country song after another and didn’t quit until late into the night. Jesse told me that he was glad to find someone who sang “his kind of music.” He and Lou were camping at Jesse’s fish camp up at Eagle Lake but promised to be back to pick again the next day. We picked everyday until the festival was over and as I was packing up to go home from Susanville, my husband, said, “Jesse has invited us up to his place at Eagle Lake for some fishing, pot lucking and more music.” There was no good reason to go home so we joined a bunch of other folks there for more fun times. I got to meet Jesse’s lovely wife, Dee, one of the sweetest ladies I know. This was the beginning of a wonderful friendship and the first of many Old Country jams to come. From then on, it became a tradition each year to attend the Susanville Festival then go to Jesse’s Fish Camp at Eagle Lake. The last two years, he set up a gig for us at the Spalding VFW at the Lake; he was proud to show off his musician friends to the locals.
I asked a few of Jesse’s friends to share some memories, anecdotes or thoughts regarding our friend. I snagged a couple from Facebook also. (Remarks inside brackets are mine). Here are a few:
Ernie Hunt- “I loved that man and will sure miss him. We used to joke back and forth a lot. I would call him, ‘Ugly,’ but then I realized people were always confusing the two of us so I couldn’t call him that anymore.” [Ernie, as many of you know repaired guitars for Martin] and he said Jesse told him, “I’m getting tired of folks coming up to me asking me to fix their guitars, the next time someone mistakes me for you, I’m going to take their guitar and ask for $50 up front.”
Frank Brewer- “I met Jesse in 2012 at the Susanville Festival. He was always smiling, full of life and talking. He told me matter-of-factly, ‘I only sing OLD country,’ I knew right then, he was a man after my own heart and our friendship grew from there. We spent many happy hours together in Jesse’s music room singing the old country songs and his lovely wife Dee would prepare great meals. He became more like a brother to me, a genuinely wonderful person. I loved him dearly, still do, sadly, I never told him often enough. Jesse, save me a seat and we will play, ‘I’m so afraid of losing you again’ once more.” [Jesse was a very loving and generous man. He knew of Frank Brewer’s military career and he gave him a Martin Limited Edition Veterans Model guitar, he even drove to Chico to deliver it].
Lou McClenahan- “About six years ago, I spent a week with Jesse at his place on Eagle Lake. Jess wanted to install full RV hook-ups for four sites. Being an old backhoe operator, I offered my services. We awoke about 5:00 each morning and fished for 2-3 hours then went to work excavating and installing water and sewer lines and 30-amp power to each of the four sites. At the end of the day, we would dine on some of the best food anywhere, thanks to his wife Dee who kept her freezer stocked with the best beef I’ve ever tasted. Twice during the week there, after a long hard day of work, I was in desperate need of a shower. Each time, I would just get all soaped up and the water would quit. It didn’t take me long to realize that this was a ‘Jesse induced problem.’ I swore all these years that I would pay him back but apparently it is not to be. I still love this man. Rest in peace, my dear friend.
Terry Ramos- “Jesse had a collection of ‘toys’ in his yard. There were boats, trailers, trucks, old cars, and tractors, manly things. My favorite was a very old road grader. One day I asked him if it was in running condition and he said, ‘yes, do you want play with it?’ We started it up and he let me drive it all over the yard. Jesse played well with others and shared his toys! Every time I went to visit him after that, he wanted to give me the old road grader and would ask if Jeanie would let me take it home yet. I’ll sure miss my friend Jesse.”
Cameron Little- “Jesse was always kind and encouraging and liked that I sing the Hanks (Williams and Snow). He was a man’s man with never a hair out of place.
Cowboy Bob and Lucy Mann- “There are similarities between the movie, Field of Dreams and Jesse’s music room at his home in Santa Rosa, “If you build it, they will come.” Eventually, the room was filled with musicians and Jesse and Dee were so proud and hospitable when they hosted us all.”
Cliff Lee- “What an unexpected shock his passing has been. He and DeeDee came over for Fern’s birthday party in early November and they were both hale and hearty. He was the youngest ‘old fart’ I’d ever known, didn’t give a damn about singing bluegrass [but loved the bluegrass family] and loved that ‘Old Country.’ I’ve gone to more than one festival expecting to hang out with him and he would up and leave because he wasn’t getting to play enough ‘Old Country.’ He seemed to mellow out the last few years as his musical family grew. Jesse was one of those people that would remember something personal about you; a song you sang, some funny story told during a BS session, or whether your preference was ‘Fireball’ or ‘Honey.’ It made me think he cared, I know I cared. Still do.”
Jim Johnston- “Our thoughts and prayers go out for Dee and family. Jesse was a good friend and we will miss the joy he brought to everyone. When a Country jam begins, Jesse’s presence will always be felt.”
Steve and Mary Tilden- “We met Jesse and Ernie Hunt through Elida Ickes a few years back at Parker, AZ. He and Ernie were uncanny look-alikes and it was hard to believe they weren’t related. Many people thought they were brothers and they enjoyed joking about it. Jesse especially got a kick one time when at dinner, Ernie’s mother (Ruth) told Jesse if she knew how good he would turn out, she would have kept him.
Lou McClenahan and Jesse were best of friends albeit on opposite sides of the political spectrum. One thing we admired about both of them was their ability to argue vehemently about everything yet it did not deplete their great friendship, if only more people could emulate them in these troubling times.
Jesse’s passing leaves a big hole in our hearts; he was a great man and will be greatly missed. He wouldn’t have much patience for us all sitting around feeling sad.”
Bill Downs- “Jesse was not only my bluegrass friend, but also my Navy buddy. I have fond memories of when he and I went to Alameda to tour the USS Hornet. When we visited the Boiler Room, he told me his memories as a Boiler Tender on the ship he was on and I told him stories of my experiences. One lie led to another. What a great day we had.”
Pat Calhoun-“Jesse was a kind and loving man who will be sorely missed.”
Randy Shelton- “It is difficult to write about Jesse in this time of sorrow. Jesse House was such a character. He was a musician, fisherman, crabber, a jokester and was always full of life and fun. He welcomed Mary Lou and I into the music family the first time we met. Jesse loved singing vintage country songs and sang love songs to his lovely wife, Dee. We offer our sincerest condolences to the House family and friends. Rest in Peace Jesse.”
I know many of you have some “Jesse” stories as well. Please feel free to share them on the Message Board. Have a wonderful, music filled, New Year. Hug your friends.
