Coming together… It is just the thing that one must do when one of their own is overcoming a powerful obstacle that they are having difficulty overcoming in their life. In times of turmoil, it is up to us to step up, come together, and assist those who need help during their darkest moments.
Mc Geary’s Irish Pub was the place to be this Sunday, March 3, as regional musicians, artists, and patrons alike united to assist a musician who made a huge impact on the greater Nippertown music and arts scene for many years; Caroline Isachsen (Caroline Mother Judge).
Host of Mc Geary’s Best Damn Open Mike Ever, a volunteer coordinator of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, and a businesswoman of the local performance studio, North Albany Rehearsal Studios with husband, Sten, Caroline Mother Judge was a staple of the Nippertown music and arts scene. She previously performed at events including Still: DQ 2 (a benefit event for Dick Quinn- October 2015), HVCC Bulmer Telecommunications Center as part of an afternoon concert with Mitch Elrod, Bob Buckley, and other guests (March 2016), Down Every Road Celebrates Merle Haggard (April 2016), among others.
I was introduced to Mother Judge in October 2015 at Still: DQ2, held for super music fan, Dick Quinn, at The Hangar on The Hudson. It was only at both her HVCC show with Mitch Elrod and by chance, re-meeting her through a mutual friend at BuckStock a year later, that I was able to get a glimpse into the artist and person that Mother Judge was in the Capital Region. I wasn’t aware that she ran the North Albany Rehearsal Studios until I was asked to participate in a video project this year for a client.
I found out through mutual friends at the “Dick Quinn Memorial Concert & Art Show” that Mother Judge was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer and wasn’t doing well. It was sad to hear the news of her cancer diagnoses, especially with all the achievements that she has contributed to the community, including the release of her current album, Cold Warrior, this past year. When I received an invite to attend this event, I knew this was something that I must attend and support, especially for somebody who has done so much to make an impact on other musician’s lives in our community.
An outpouring of love & support from hundreds of family, friends, musicians, and artists alike came to Mc Geary’s to eat lunch and celebrate the life and legacy of Mother Judge. It was surreal to see so many patrons filling up the bar, raffle station, and the dining and performance area to its full capacity, if not, over capacity! The musical acts, The North and South Dakoda’s, Jim Gaudet and The Railyard Boys (featuring guest openers), The Ramblin’ Jug Stompers (featuring Val Haynes and Josh Greenberg), and These Are the Hits (ft. Greg Nash) was excellent and entertaining in every way within its varied genres of country, bluegrass, and classic rock.
What was interesting to learn that afternoon, was that each group had their own connection to Mother Judge. The North and South Dakotas and Jim Gaudet and The Railyard Boys were formed as groups by the songstress (The Railyard Boys were formed in 2006 at the Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival at an open mike jam), Michael Eck from Ramblin’ Jug Stompers was in a group with Mother Judge called Wood while the remaining Jug Stompers have joined her in the scene, and These Are The Hits had originated as a group from the open jam.
From selling Cold Warrior albums, auctioning off jewelry, art work, and music albums, to watching the acts perform their songs, it was clear to see how everybody was connected to Mother Judge and how this event gathered musicians and artists together during a time of need. During the mid-point of the afternoon, Tess Collins of Mc Geary’s thanked everybody that had come to her venue to perform, help with the raffling, and for being there in support of Mother Judge. She brought up a good point in her speech that lately, our music community is in dis-connect with each other. It is important for musicians and artists to support each other and connect with each other all year round, through good moments and dark moments. Being connected through the power of the arts and music is what makes the bonds of creativity and community stronger among the musicians, artists, and venues. This event certainly brought patrons together under one thing, their love of Mother Judge.
Saturday, March 9, 2019, Caroline Isachsen passed away from pancreatic cancer. My positive thoughts, prayers, & condolences are sent to Caroline and Stan Isachsen & their family, their band members, and the entire community during this difficult time. May the power of love and music bring together healing, community and strength to all during this time.
