{"id":551,"date":"2022-10-23T15:34:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-23T15:34:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/johnlancaster.com\/?p=551"},"modified":"2022-12-20T15:55:02","modified_gmt":"2022-12-20T15:55:02","slug":"barry-smith-1968-2022","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/johnlancaster.com\/2022\/10\/23\/barry-smith-1968-2022\/","title":{"rendered":"Barry Smith (1968-2022)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I went for a long walk this morning and decided to listen to nothing but some of the music Barry and I have made together off and on since 1990. I selected a particular song, turned it up loud, and when the groove kicked in I was greeted by his trademark monster bass tone. Right away I was overwhelmed with a wide range of emotions complete with tears, goosebumps, sadness \u2014 yet I managed to top it all off with a big smile on my face. I think I even laughed at myself for a second or two for this abrupt display so I\u2019m pretty sure anyone that saw me walking along Main St. in Barboursville this morning probably thought I was a lunatic. Oh well, I\u2019m pretty sure Barry would have had a good laugh at that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To say the least I am heartbroken to lose my longtime musical partner, but most importantly I lost one of my best friends. It all still seems somewhat unreal to me but just now after reading back the words \u201cI just lost one of my best friends\u201d, I feel reality slowly creeping in. And man, it hurts. My heart breaks most though for Caryn, Cameron and all of Barry\u2019s family. I wish I knew the right words to say to you in this difficult time, but know that I love you all very much and we will always be here for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much love to all of Barry\u2019s friends, too. He had so many and I know you are all hurting today. But just know we are all so lucky to have had someone like him in our lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love you, Barry. I\u2019m going to miss you so much.<\/p>\n\n\n\n