A listings guide with feature articles
Performances are sorted by area and venue for acoustic and roots-based music
with features on performing artists. We publish in letter-size pdf format and
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In Memoriam
BILL WISNOWSKI, “UNCLE BILL WHISKEY”
The New England folk community lost a big chunk of its soul on July 19th when musician/craftsman Bill Wisnowski suddenly passed from this life as a result of a ruptured aortic aneurysm.
His wife, Lyn Hottes, a contributing editor for Acoustic Live, posted the sad news on Facebook. Lyn, a professional editor, had offered her editorial skills free to Acoustic Live for a few years before I accepted (finally realizing how badly I needed it) and we became fast friends.
Bill’s band, My Dad’s Truck always had an annual slot at Acoustic Live’s yearly Falcon Ridge unplugged showcases at our booth on the midway. Bill was always quick to offer his services as a showcase host in my absence, allowing me to attend the Friday afternoon Emerging Artists Showcases at the mainstage.
Bill was multifaceted, playing guitar and singing and providing fiddle backup for his own band and many other musicians. He kept some heady company. There are a number of Facebook pictures of him, along with others, performing with Pete Seeger.
He’d play his pre-covid solo gigs, mostly around Danbury, Conn., using the moniker, “Uncle Bill Whiskey.” He was fond of Celtic music and would play an “Irish Happy Hour” at local pubs and restaurants.
During the shutdown, he played livestreams, “Uncle Bill Whiskey’s Sip ‘n Sup” — with weekly guests.
He had a carpentry business and was one hell of a craftsman and designer. A perusal of photos on his Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/bill.wisnowski.94) shows some of his beautiful work. One of his former clients was clothing designer Eileen Fisher for whom he created numerous display units.
Bill was a sweet, good-natured soul and will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our sympathies go out to Lyn, his daughter Bonnie and all his close friends. Our sorrow at his loss and the empty space in our hearts cannot be measured.