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A4 • COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • JULY 25, 2018 O PINION Family, community mourns Richard Swift’s passing “I never want to be looked at as a rock star dude… I’m pretty comfortable being the guy driving around town in the big silver van who’s got the radio show at KSOW on Sunday nights and spins records at the Axe & Fiddle on Monday.” —Richard Swift Quoted in an August, 2008 edition of the Sentinel I n the years since he spoke with his hometown newspaper (with this au- thor, it should be noted), Richard Swift found himself in many ways living the quintessential life of the “rock star dude,” despite his objections to the label. Soon, a packed schedule put a halt to his local radio show, as well as appearances at the Pub of the great DJ Donald Fivepen- nies, who had filled Monday nights with the boom-tat, hum and squeal of the best soul, R&B and rock records ever made. Tours around the world as part of re- nowned rock acts the Shins, the Black Keys and the Arcs added to an already impressive resume as a solo artist and producer and helped fuel a decade of con- stant touring, recording and producing up-and-coming acts from his home stu- dio, National Freedom, in Cottage Grove. During this time, Swift found himself on the world’s biggest stages, blasted across screens on some of its biggest television shows and rubbing elbows with many of its biggest names. And yet, when the tour ended and his home life again beckoned, Swift returned to Cottage Grove, to his wife, Shealynn, children Madison, Kennedy and Adri- an and a host of family and friends. At times, he’d be seen piloting the silver van, but more often he’d simply stroll about downtown, sticking out (quite comically, at times) like the proverbial sore thumb in his ever-present all-black attire, su- per-dark shades and frizzy black hairdo. Talented musicians sought out his wiz- ardry in the studio, and bands that trav- eled to Cottage Grove to record often fell By Jon Stinnett Community member and past Sentinel editor in love with the unique charm of this town and its people. During their time here, road-weary musicians enjoyed the whole- some change of pace that this communi- ty provided, patronizing local businesses and making friends of their own all over town. Over time, Swift proved himself the best kind of rock star, one whose unassuming and engaging nature, whose love for his craft, whose genuine interest in and desire to nurture the creative endeavors of oth- ers could help foster in them a deep and abiding love of music and all its powers. It’s no stretch to believe that Richard Swift made just about every musician he’d ever encounter a better musician in some way. And he did it from a town that was largely unaware it harbored one of the industry’s most prolific talents. These days, those of us who knew and truly loved Swift are left to ponder the what-ifs and what-might-have-beens of his saga, longing all the while to return to what today seem like simpler, much happier times. On the morning of July 3, 2018, Swift succumbed to an illness brought on by alcohol addiction, passing away at a hospice care facility in Tacoma and, at age 41, cutting short a career and a life that still held untold potential for inspiration, true happiness, undreamt-of success and love. In the moments following Swift’s death, well-wishes poured in to his family and friends, along with recognitions of his unique gift from those who admired, appreciated and were changed by his work. A few days later and still very much grief-stricken, his family chose to disclose the cause of his death, explaining through his Facebook page that Swift had been diagnosed with hepatitis and liver and kidney distress the previous month. “I just wanted to get the truth out there,” Shealynn Swift later said, “that it’s possible to drink yourself to death at an early age. There are a lot of functional alcoholics out there, and it’s so socially acceptable. But alcoholism is a terrible disease.” While working to preserve her hus- band’s artistic legacy, which should in- clude the release of a newly completed album this fall, she said she’s also hopeful that his story can somehow save oth-ers from a similar fate. She advocates Al-Anon as a resource for the family and friends of someone struggling with alcoholism. “If even one person can reach out, get help and survive, it’s worth it,” she said. 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As with all letters and advertising content, the newspaper, at the sole discretion of the publisher, general manager and editor, reserves the right to reject any letter that doesn’t follow the above criteria. Send letters to: nhickson@cgsentinel.com or cmay@cgsentinel.com HOW TO CONTACT YOUR REPS We’ve come a long way since The Dixie Chicks controversy — but in the wrong direction the president of the United States and I can tell you that the sense of betrayal felt by the Lone Star State is from Texas.” Reaction from the other side ran deep. Ultimately, the backlash ended of the pond in America was swift and, as the coming weeks what had been a cosmic rise to and months would prove, unre- superstardom. Now, 15 years later, in a not- lenting. Many country fans and t was 15 years ago this past Americans in general felt the so-subtle twist of irony, it’s the March when the once sky- rocketing career of the coun- try singing group Dixie Chicks came crashing back to Earth after Ned Hickson making a comment disparaging the president while performing on foreign soil. The Texas-based trio of sisters group betrayed a sacred trust be- American people and the intelli- Emily Robison and Martie Magu- tween the American people and gence agencies representing their ire, along with lead singer Natalie their elected president, regardless interest around the world who Maines, were performing at the of which side of the vote they had have been disrespected by the comments made by their presi- Shepherd’s Bush Empire Theater landed on. dent while on foreign soi Simply put: You don’t “dis” the in London and kicking off their The reaction? international Top of the World president when you’re on foreign Swift ambiguity. Tour following the multi-plat- soil. While a few in the U.S. Con- Almost instantaneously, ra- inum release of their album gress have used terms like dio stations stopped playing the “Home.” At the time, then-president group’s music, country music “shameful” and “bizarre” to de- George W. Bush was supporting stars like Toby Keith and Reba scribe President Trump’s vocal the invasion of Iraq, and Maines McEntire spoke out against the support of Russian president took the opportunity to voice her group, one-time fans and even Vladimir Putin’s denial of elec- opposition to the impending war. radio stations held CD-crushing tion meddling, the vast majority “Just so you know, we’re on the parties during which cars and have offered little more than fin- good side with ya’ll,” Maines said. trucks were driven over stacks of ger wagging and generalities. The president offered no such “We do not want this war, this Dixie Chicks albums. I was living in Texas at the time generalities when he specifically violence, and we’re ashamed that I From the Managing Editor’s Desk called out the FBI, remarking: “They said they think it’s Rus- sia. But I have President Putin; he just said it’s not Russia,” later adding: “President Putin was ex- tremely strong and powerful in his denial today,” effectively say- ing he took Putin at his word. Regardless of the president’s personal feelings on the Mueller investigation and talk of collusion between foreign and domestic in- terests participating in swaying the 2016 election, to shake hands and openly express supporting the word of a strongman dictator over America’s top intelligence agency and the people it serves is, at the very least, disgraceful. At its worst, it raises the ques- tion of whether Russia’s influence has already swayed its way into the White House. In an era where taking a knee in protest has created so much con- troversy and division, it would seem we’ve come a long way since the Dixie Chicks’ remarks drew disdain from so many Ameri- cans. But, apparently, we’ve come a long way in the wrong direction. Oregon state representatives Oregon federal representatives • Sen. Floyd Prozanski District 4 State Senator PO Box 11511 Eugene, Ore. 97440 Phone: 541-342-2447 Email : sen.floydprozanski@ state.or.us • Rep. Cedric Hayden Republican District 7 State Representative 900 Court St. NE Salem, Ore. 97301 Phone: 503-986-1407 Website: www.leg.state.or. us/hayden Email: rep.cedrichayden@ state.or.us • Rep. Peter DeFazio (House of Representatives) 405 East 8th Ave. #2030 Eugene, Ore. 97401 Email: defazio.house.gov/ contact/email-peter Phone: 541-465-6732 • Sen. Ron Wyden 405 East 8th Ave., Suite 2020 Eugene, Ore. 97401 Email: wyden.senate.gov Phone: (541) 431-0229 • Sen. 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