Rock Candy

We lost two other people important to the Arkansas music community for many years in the last two weeks. I read on Clint G's myspace that he wanted to community to come together.

Tim Quertermous, go-to guitar/stringed instrument luthier and repair guy, formerly at Boyd Music till it closed, then Rosen Music, then on his own. From an email circulated:

"Tim Quertermous was found dead at his home in Little Italy yesterday (Nov. 17). It was a heart attack. Tim had been having what he thought was acid reflux and went to a doctor last week who told him to make an appt w/ a cardiologist. ____ dropped a bass off at Tim's shop on Saturday for some work and Tim was going home early because he had no energy. Tim's brother-in-law went to Tim's home yesterday a.m. after no one could reach him at home or at his shop and found Tim dead on his couch. A tragedy.

Last night I pulled out that electric mandolin that Tim built almost 20 years ago. It's not only the best playing mandolin I've ever touched but also a work of art. Tim was the best. A caring and genuine human being. "

Ray Bell, guitar teacher
11-20-2008: "You probably heard about the untimely death of Tim Quertermous on Monday. Tim was a gifted luthier and worked at Boyd Music for 28 years. His funeral is tomorrow at 11 at Holy Souls Church in LR.
You may not know about Ray Bell, who taught guitar at Boyd Music for 38 years. Ray has been battling with cancer for some months now and is losing the battle. Ray has been my good friend since I met him in 1958. He is an inspiration to hundreds, perhaps thousands of his students and players all over the state and beyond. He is probably the only true master of the guitar in AR. He will be sorely missed by his family and the musical community. May God bless their families and give them comfort. --- Sincerely, Bob Boyd
11-21-2008
Be advised Ray Bell, noted guitarist and teacher and friend, passed away this morning about 9 a.m. at Doctor's Hospital Hospice. "