Having played music in and around Louisville most of my life I was well aware of Tim’s legend. I knew that he had played with Jimmy Buffet and had written many songs that some big name artists (mostly country) had recorded. And although he was just seven years my senior it was enough of an age difference that it seemed like he was part of an entirely different generation.
And it showed. He was good. Really good.
There have been many people who have been thrilled to play with Tim Krekel. Some of them are well-known, but it’s also important to emphasize that Tim regularly encourages other musicians to join him for a song: His humility onstage makes it easy for those performers to do their best. They might be a little more nervous if they realized that Tim has played with performers like Jimmy Buffett, Billy Swan, Bo Diddley, Delbert McClinton, Skeeter Davis, Steve Forbert, Tracy Nelson, Pam Tillis, Marshall Chapman, Lonnie Mack, and Sam Bush. Tim has appeared with Mark Germino on Late Night with David Letterman. He has also performed on NPR’s Mountain Stage with Matraca Berg. Speaking of public radio, Tim is a favorite of the pioneering Louisville station WFPK. He was named among their Essential Artists A-Z in 2000. Four of Tim’s tunes were voted among the 2001 Greatest Songs All Time by WFPK listeners.
I met Tim around 1999 while he and The Groovebilly’s were working on the CD “Underground”. I seemingly was always at the studio (Reel to Real Recording) working on some project or other and often Tim or some member of the Groovebilly’s would stop by to over-dub a part or just hangout.
But alas, the Groovebilly’s broke-up shortly after the release of “Underground” – chalk up yet another band break-up due to personality conflicts.
For a brief time following that break-up Tim and I would trade off playing guitar for yet another major local talent Ms. Robbie Bartlett.
The last time I saw Tim was several years ago at some club on Market street in downtown Louisville. I was playing with Robbie’s band and in walked Tim with a bunch of White Castle hamburger bags (another local late-night favorite. If you’re not familiar with the hamburger chain White Castle – let’s just say they have earned their nickname, “Sliders”).
Tim passed away yesterday, June 24th.
So, now heaven has another angel.
Rest in peace Tim. Rest in peace.
