I am saddened today to hear of Chuck’s passing. While I was still in Alaska last weekend, I happened to be telling a friend about Chuck, and I thought that when I would return to Colorado, I would give him a jingle and see where he would be playing and maybe if the timing were right I could go hear his new songs since it’s been about 10 years! Obviously, I am just a bit too late for that opportunity.
The first time I heard of Chuck Pyle was in 2003 when he sent us his Press Release packet and latest CD’s to review for our Whistlepig House Concert gig in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. I remember the afternoon very well: my (then) husband was just recovering from appendix surgery enjoying the afternoon sun in my studio while listening to Chuck’s recently released album “Affected By the Moon.” Grinning, after listening to his first cut, we immediately said simultaneously, “Let’s book this guy!” After his first performance at our house concert, we hosted him to play our house concert again a year later. The last time I saw him was during a house concert he was playing near Seattle, Washington in 2005. Surprised to see me in the audience he grinned, and like any of us who met Chuck, we will say “he treated you as if you were one of his best friends.” Chuck had a pure spirit. My condolences to his wife, son, relatives, concert hosts and all his friends! We’ll be missing him!
Click here to read the Denver Posts’ obituary and the video clip of Chuck Pyle singing one of my favorites of his: “Colorado.” Starting off with his car crossing the New Mexico into Colorado border, the scenes in the video are from my neck of the woods in downtown and surrounding areas of one of the most beautiful places in Colorado: Pagosa Springs.
Traditionally, as any of you who know me personally, I am not a fan of cowboy music. However, I became wide open to the sounds of the West after hearing Chuck’s music. Please do yourself a favor and introduce yourself to Chuck Pyle and his music, please visit his website at: www.chuckpyle.com
You can listen to a few of Chuck’s songs on You Tube. I just listened to a sweet “growing older” song called “Now Everything Does” Click here.
A Celebration of Life honoring Chuck Pyle will be held on Saturday, November 14 beginning at 11:00 AM at the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts, 304 Hwy 105 in Palmer Lake, Colorado 80133
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Chuck Pyle Memorial Fund. Donations can be sent to:
Chuck Pyle Memorial Fund
PO Box 726
Palmer Lake, CO 80133