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Re: Wlady Pleszczynski, Shawn Macomber, Jeff Jacoby, Jeremy Lott & W. James Antle, III's Lawrence Henry, 1948-2009:

I was sad to hear of Mr. Henry's passing. Sad, but not surprised, because Mr. Henry wrote with an openness and honesty that few master. He wrote often of his disease, never sugar-coating it, but at the same time was never self-pitying. His columns are an able guide of how to face our mortality with dignity and determination, balanced by an urgency to never waste today. I have enjoyed his writings for TAS over the years, especially the ones about golf, and I will miss his insights. Of course, he was a wise enough man to write them down, and I am certain they will still be cogent a century from now. To his family I offer my condolences, and I want them to know that he meant something to me. May he rest in peace.
-- Andrew J. Macfadyen. M.D. 
Omaha, Nebraska

Massachusetts somehow seemed more tolerable with Larry Henry among us. I never did get to meet him (although he came within an ace of attending our Kentucky Derby party the year Barbaro won), but he was my friend. His "Praise Music Flunks" essay is a classic. As a pianist with ready access to the piano bench at my church, I've left a copy for the "reading pleasure" of the worship team members.  Prayers especially to Sally, Bud, and Joe.
-- Jay Swiatek
Mansfield, Massachusetts

I am so saddened to learn of Lawrence Henry's passing. His writing touched my heart in many ways, and so many times. A pure, innocent, honest, authentic, grateful, and joyful character, mixed with sober reflection on the struggle of holding firm to faith in the face of debilitating physical weakness. How often was I reminded of my blessings in Christ while reading his contributions to TAS. What an inspiring spirit! You made it, Mr. Henry, you made it!
-- Mike Showalter
   Austin, Texas 

As a retired veteran of the music business who managed to make a few bucks with my vintage Chet Atkins guitar, along with 30 plus years behind the microphone as a radio disc jockey spinnin' them golden platters, I'm sorry to say I never had the chance to read Larry Henry's "Rock and Roll Songwriters Handbook." Having sketched-out more than my share of cheesy hook-lines, I have a feeling some of Larry's writings might have pushed me beyond Moon, June and...nouns rhyming with Spoon.

I never met the fellow, but judging from the theme of Larry's Song Writer's Handbook...he was probably one of those deeper thinker-types who no doubt appreciated a well conceived lyric. I suspect, too, that he might have nodded in agreement with the prophetic imagery behind Dion's Abraham, Martin and John, the first time he heard the line... "sometimes the good they die young."

Maybe it's just me spending too much time around the hourglass, but sometimes a great lyric is a damn shame.
-- Dave
Sacramento, California

I just found out about the death of Lawrence Henry on the website. I read him quite often myself. These are good remembrances about him -- that is a fine tribute all of you put together.
-- Pete Chagnon

Kierkegaard wrote about a perfect man of faith, Abraham; someone who saw "virtue of the absurd." When tested beyond belief Abraham had full faith in the Lord; he did not lose faith when asked to sacrifice his only son. Likewise Mr. Henry did not lose faith when tested for years by grave illness.

Kierkegaard wrote:

Fools and young men prate about everything being possible for a man. That, however, is a great error. Spiritually speaking, everything is possible, but in this world of the finite there is much which is not possible. This impossible, the knight [of faith] makes possible by expressing it spiritually, but he expresses it spiritually by waiving claim to it.

Mr. Henry kept a brave face in all is his TAS writings, never whining about his illness and never wishing or praying it away. His strength and faith were an inspiration.

Good knight of faith, well met and good night.

As is said the Jewish tradition, may your memory always be a blessing.
-- Ira M. Kessel
Rochester, New York

BARRY CAN'T APE ABE
Re: George Neumayr's Steroids, Stimulus, and Lincoln: