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Love your music. Your talent has been missed. Proud to know you were a Trentonian too
 Monday, February 06, 2012 at 11:05 |
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Thank you so much for this absolutely wonderful place you have made here. I can pour over & savor all the never before known details of Mr. Maury's life, his loving family,
& the ethereal sounds that flowed from his hands. Blows me away just how good he was. And, he started out on the piano!!! Wow!! Maury was sooo one of a kind. The perfect lead, The master of the perfect back-up & his super-natural style of the blend.
Monday, January 23, 2012 at 04:49 |
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I have a LP called "Jim Croce Songs nş 2", apparently issued only here in Brazil, that contains a song called I Remember Mary. It's a beautiful song sang by Maury and I never knew who was it's songwriter (written as M. Muehleisen) until now. I tried to find that song in other recordings as cd's or dvd's but I never find it. I have it in mp3 if someone wants it.
Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 12:14 |
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Ya know, in those days I would miss their "Midnight Special" or "The Tonight Show" appearances even a local concert venue in Wildwood N.J.. We always thought "Hey, we got all the time in the world". So this is normal that I be late here to say birthday wishes to Maury M. Being that Maury & Jim's born dates were 4 days apart I often wonder if the party started on the 10th and continue to the 14th. Wow! Such wonderful, talented and educated "wild and crazy guys". It hurts to miss them. One of life's unsettling events that I can not close and except. I have so reached out to my Lord and asked to be released of this pain but this seems to work like an aspirin to a headache and that it requires ongoing treatment. So I ask of my Lord Jesus Christ please continue the blessing of all the families of the men that your father summoned to his kingdom.
Sunday, January 15, 2012 at 02:19 |
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Oh, I Like that Bryan, "Remember Maury Everyday!!!!" Happy Birthday Maury!
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 17:53 |
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remember maury everyday!!!!
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 13:11 |
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today i struggle to say the words, on this day maurys birthday.maurys playing still blows me away after all these years.everyone that knew him only have had kind words to express about him and their feelings about maury.i know his family misses and cherishes him.the song i heard that means so much to me is maurys!his music goes down in history and has stood more than the test of time.i miss maury and think of him daily as the man who made jim croce rise to the top. thanks maury we love and miss you!
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 13:06 |
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happy birthday maury from a fellow bss alumni. those songs hooked me and i was only 13. it wasn't until later that i discovered that underlying those lyrcs was some very special guitar work.
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 12:09 |
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Happy Birthday Maury!
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 11:18 |
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I listen to him quite often and must admit that he was very talented indeed.
---ZoSo------
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 at 21:30 |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY JIM!!! You and Maury were and still are the greatest ever!!!!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012 at 02:10 |
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I will be listening to Maury throughout the day today. May God Bless the Muelheisen family today. Thanks again Mary. Peace and Love. Just wanted to send my respects to the Russia, St. Petersburg.
Friday, January 06, 2012 at 16:53 |
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Thank you for keeping Maury alive in our hearts.
I have been doing the same thing for my brothers, who also both died young, but who also wrote some beautiful songs. I can remember my brother Jimmy teaching me the lead to "One less set of footsteps", which is still difficult now, 32 years after my brother's death. Maury was an inspiration to Jimmy, because his lead took concentration, and poise, to stand there and play it, and also sing back-up, like Maury seemed to do effortlessly.
God bless you, Joe Aldworth
Tuesday, January 03, 2012 at 06:16 |
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Happy memories from Australia where I spent many hours playing their music, and my brothers tried endlessly to learn the guitar riffs. "Operator" is the best song and I'm so glad to discover this website and find out about Maury. XX
Monday, January 02, 2012 at 01:25 |
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I was a huge fan of Jim Croce. While watching the PBS special tonight, I like many others wondered, "who is the other guy?" Thanks to the Internet, now we know.
Maury & Jim died on my 8th birthday, also the same day as the Billie Jean King-Bobby Riggs tennis match.
I sincerely believe that Jim & Maury would've become huge stars had the accident not occured. You can hear many people today try to emulate their sound & songwriting, none come close.
This a wonderful site, God bless Maury, Jim & their families. Their songs will last forever, just waiting for each new generation to discover them.
Sunday, January 01, 2012 at 21:55 |
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Still emulating Maury's licks after all of these years. His music tied him to my generation just as musicians like myself tie it to the next generation (etc...ad infinitum)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 17:12 |
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Maury and my x husband Dan Gralick played together before they played with JIm. Maury played at our wedding in 1971 He was the most gentle soul. I still have Gingerbread on 33 am thinking about him now as the anniversary 12/30/71 approaches
Monday, December 26, 2011 at 18:23 |
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HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY AND A GREAT WEEK, MAY THE MUSIC OF JIM AND MARUY STAY IN YOUR HEARTS EVERYDAY AS IS DOES IN MINE. TWO PEOPLE, WHO HAVE TOUCHED SO MANY PEOPLE. ..
I have a new tune about Jim and Maruy I wrote, a few weeks ago. called
Keep the Dime,, Jim and Maury influence me like no other....
Sunday, December 25, 2011 at 06:32 |
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Jim and Maury were my influence in the late 60's to learn to play the guitar. It was more than magic between them and I am convinced that the music they created together will stand the test of time. All of their music has touched me on a very deep level and every song rests in a high place in my heart.
Thursday, December 08, 2011 at 21:01 |
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Music is the one thing that takes us back to our youth and makes us feel young again thanks to all who touched us like Jim and Maury. Though gone from us in body a spirit lives on in every song note and lyric that they created and play thanks
Sunday, December 04, 2011 at 00:39 |
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I first started singing and playing solo guitar at age 16 (now I'm 50) - still doing it. I tend to do more Latin Jazz now, "Gringo Flamenco", straight ahead jazz, big band jazz - lots of things, but my first real love has always been doing the solo guitar stuff - James Taylor, Kenny Loggins, and of course, Jim Croce.
I couldn't tell you how many times I sang "Time in a Bottle" in clubs where I was too young to actually stay there and talk to the people - bartender always made me leave on my breaks.
But I was a true Jim Croce fan. Even though he had died, his music lived on for us "troubadours" .
Tonight I was "fliping" through YouTube, looking at old Jim Croce videos, and there he was AGAIN - that same guy that always played with Jim Croce - the guy adding all those perfectly timed, perfectly blended harmonies - the guy who added all the tasty little guitar riffs - with the voice of an angel.
So tonight, after all these years, I just wondered - who was THAT guy? I had a feeling he died in the same plane crash, so I just googled "Who was that guy who always accompanied Jim Croce?" ... and it led me to this website.
I found Maury - so many years after he left us. I listened to some of his music - and immediately, YUP, that's the guy - that's the voice.
As good as they were together, you wonder why they weren't just billed as a duo, ie: Loggins & Messina, etc.. .
How nice to see his family and friends have kept his music alive - and his memory alive. Mr. Croce would have never gone as far and been as popular if Maury hadn't been right there next to him.
Watching them perform, you see how Maury is tuned into Jim's every breath - the perfect harmony singer. I know from many years of doing this - and being pretty good at it - the nuance it really takes to back someone up perfectly.
Maury was perfect at it - and obviously a great talent in his own right.
I may have to try to learn some of his tunes.
Bless his family and his memory,
Todd Gang
AKA: Tobaj
Monday, November 14, 2011 at 02:50 |
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I was beginning my sophomore year in High School when Jim, Maury and the others died. I still love Jim and Maury's music and will until the day I die. God bless the surviving family and thank you for this opportunity to express my feelings.
Sunday, November 13, 2011 at 16:35 |
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I am a 65 year old guy who has been trying to play guitar for 40 years. I finally today decided to look up who was playing with Croce on I've got a Name since it has always been the best guitar I have ever heard. So pleased to finally know this genius is so appreciated. Maury Muehlelsen! Wow.
Friday, November 11, 2011 at 21:24 |
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Got a tattoo today of a spider one like Jim had on his arm in the book
Life and Times, my first one, thanks Jim, thanks Maury for all the music you gave to me,,
thank yu Mary for your kind words. it makes my day to hear from someone who knew Maury, and now I do. it is a small world.
Saturday, November 05, 2011 at 17:02 |
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stopin by to say hi to all the friends of Maury and to say Hi to Mary. I hope your doing well. just to let you know, you and your family are in my heart and my daily thoughts..
Thursday, November 03, 2011 at 12:39 |
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Maury was an amazing guitarist, as a guitar player myself, I am amazed at the magic that came out of his fingers!!!
Saturday, October 29, 2011 at 15:21 |
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It was a great gift to come across the website. My heart still goes out to the family,all these many years later. I remember receiving the devastating news back in '73 and how it impacted my own life as a teenager at the time. The music remains top of my favourites, and the appreciation for who Maury was as a person has deepened all the more because of the website. Many thanks to Mary for this labour of love.
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 01:24 |
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I have admired Maury's genius for a very long time. He was the Hendrix of the acoustic. Although I play electric most of the time, it is Maury I turn to for inspiration.
Monday, October 24, 2011 at 19:02 |
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To the family of Maury: I know it may seem like Jim took all the glory, but true fans of Croce know, there was no doubting the essence of Maury. He was there, he was a voice that could not be tamed. As a kid I always knew knew there was someone else there with Jim when my parents played 'Time in a Bottle' or another of of Jim's tunes. As an adult, I became even more a fan of the music behind the lyrics, and know that Maury was there. I can't think of a worse tragedy than what happened to Jim and Maury. I wanted you to know that in 2011, someone is still missing Jim and Maury. They have been a part of my life, and even more so know in 2011 as I struggle to survive in this bad economy. Thank you for everything.
Friday, October 14, 2011 at 04:56 |
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I saw Maury and Jim twice in the last year of their lives. A concert at Immaculata College and at the hall on the Wildwood Boardwalk in August 1973. Two great concerts! I miss their music and the music they would have made.
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 17:35 |
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great great great musician. so talented
played from the heart
Saturday, October 08, 2011 at 06:50 |
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I had ALWAYS been in awe of the adept playing of Maury on Jim`s albums. His double-stop aproach to lead guitar accompaniment was beyond compare! It`s amazing to consider how in so relatively short a time he had attained such a proficiency as that. I relish their performances that are so well presented on Youtube. I look forward to oneday hearing Mauty`s solo album that is likely everything his fans say it is.
Tuesday, October 04, 2011 at 12:46 |
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" I Remember" a song for Mary and all the Mehleisen's
Jim and Maury have been in my life for years. I had the chance to email Mary and was touch by her friendlyness and down to earth personnality. she made me feel so connected to this family, . thank you. enjoy it, it makes me sad to listen to my own song.. !! ,, inmage that. its one of my best.. I feel. put a 1000 people in a room, play a Croce tune, and every one will relate to it.. I hope this does the same..
please go to my youtube sight , hope you enjoy the song Mary,, God Bless you and all your family...
Saturday, September 24, 2011 at 12:48 |
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Hi Mar, it's been a while since we've talked. I did have something to share for the 38th,,, {what do you call it? Anniversary? Some how this word doesn't fit or look right in print. Oh well.} but now I read the passing of Mrs Muehleisen and want to express my sincere condolences. About 25 years ago Bob Croce made a cassette recording of Gingerbreadd as well as some 'sittin' around' gatherings at Lyndell and I set up a mesh of these treasures and went way back to almost the beginning of this guestbook while listening. Whoa! So, to all that visit Maury's Guestbook and site, put on the GINGERBREADD album.. sorry, CD and go for a ride. Bring Kleenex. If you don't have Maury's Gingerbread GET IT!! I see 'JAWBREAKER' has visited. He didn't mention that he made the N.W.S.U pilgrimage. He is a true fan.
Thursday, September 22, 2011 at 20:57 |
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mrs mary my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
God and family are the most important things in this life and the older we get the sweeter both are. jim and maurys music have touched my life so much, my words cannot express and do justice in their memory!wish i could truly find the words to tell you what they still mean to me today.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 07:33 |
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Mary, I'am very sorry about your Mom passing notice. Still I remember your words about how your Mom had enjoyed my email you read her talking about how Maury's music came into my life.
Rest in Peace. They are both beside him now.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 04:46 |
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Only minutes now to the exact time when Maury and Jim left us on September 20, 1973. My heart is filled with so much kindness sent from all over the world to this site for me and my family to share. Thank you, everyone, for your sweet thoughts.
This year is a bit different for us with the passing of our dear Mom only a month ago. Maury now has both of our parents with him.
May your lives be blessed with much happiness and love,
Mary
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 22:42 |
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Maury, it hardly seems possible that so much time as passed since THAT day. Barb's 21st birthday and the day of your leaving this place, this life, brought together joy and sorrow--it still does. This year you have your Mom with you and I just know you're singing.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 22:38 |
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Hi Mary, it's been a lot of time since last post here. This is to remind this 38th anniversaire since Jim and Maury left this world through passing into glory. It's been one year since a met their precious music. Believe me: that made a stamp in my soul. I have cried, laughed, been very happy, sung with the beauty they left between us. Some changes have been in my personal life, their music aid me to carry the pain and the ilusion for my upcoming life. God bless them, and you Mary.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 18:12 |
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Thoughts and prayers on this painful day. ♥ Maury is singing with the angels.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 18:05 |
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Hello, dear Mary ("Mare"), I would not dare let this day pass without wishing contunued blessings and peace upon you and all the rest of Maury's family. His music will live within us until we joyfully join his concert in Heaven. Peace and Love to you all, Bill
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 16:36 |
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Mary,
I just wanted to drop you a note to say that I am thinking of you and your family today on this 38th anniversary of Maury & Jim. My thoughts and prayers are with you all and I pray for God's continued peace and blessings on you and the family.
I am still one of their biggest fans and their music never grows old to me.I have spent some time last night and today listening to their music and watching videos remembering them and the incredible legacy they left us.
God bless always,
Don Parsons
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 15:24 |
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It has become a tradition to remember Maury and Jim today by listening to their great music and reading the remembrances here on this site. Thank you Mary for all the info you have provided us all and helping Maury’s legacy to grow.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 09:43 |
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Maury's music was wonderful. He was gifted. RIP.
A note from Hong Kong.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 09:06 |
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Dear Jim & Maury, thank you so much for everything you have teach me thru the years... always with me, you've got a name! Un abrazo enorme desde Santiago de Chile, Cris.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 08:44 |
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Gone but never, ever forgotten. Listen to the music and smile.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 08:05 |
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RIP Maury and Jim. I cry everytime I hear "Operator".
I only wish I could have had the opportunity to see you guys perform live.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 03:42 |
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RIP Maury and Jim. I cry everytime I hear "Operator".
I only wish I could have had the opportunity to see you guys perform live.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011 at 03:41 |
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Tomorrow is the anniversary of that terrible day in 1973 when we lost you and Jim. The world still hasn't recovered, but if there is a rock and roll heaven, you know they got a hell of a band. We miss you.... Rick
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 14:31 |
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Thinking of you all today (already 9/20 here in Australia).
Monday, September 19, 2011 at 10:19 |
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Just listened to "I Got a Name" and had to look up who was playing the solo.... Thanks again Maury.......
Saturday, September 17, 2011 at 23:14 |
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Never realized how much that voice helped create such an amazing overall feeling - I'm sure M and C are singing it up...
Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 04:21 |
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Just like to say how much I enjoyed Maury's excelent guitar work with Jim Croce. What an inspiration he was.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 17:28 |
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It's been 38 years, and I still miss those guys, Jim and Maury.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 17:23 |
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After all these years Maury's guitar work (and don't forget his great supporting vocals) continue to inspire me. Playing in a duo , it is hard sometimes for muscians to leave the right amount of space between lines when accompanying. Maury did it just right, but his two albums also show what a great soloist he was to.His music will continue to inspire forever.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 12:24 |
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Damn that boy could play a mean guitar. Thanks Maury.
Friday, September 09, 2011 at 23:42 |
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Hi Mary....Hope all is well.....Been awhile...Was just listening to the 2 cd's I bought from you...Still fresh and clear....Thanks for keeping the "fire" burning....
Thursday, September 01, 2011 at 21:41 |
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Maury was an amazing musician. My appreciation for his work is growing every single day. Though he and Jim passed 6 years before I was born, I have a deep connection to both of their music. (And always will) Brings a tear to my eyes every time I watch the live performances!
Tuesday, August 23, 2011 at 16:22 |
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Maury and Jims music has been the most inspirational music in my lifetime. I am a musician also. I dont listen to their music,I feel it. Not everyone understands that.It is a travesty that they are not still here. There is no telling what they could have achieved had they more time.Heaven is a better place with them in the choir.
Monday, August 22, 2011 at 20:16 |
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I've never heard a more "gifted" guitarist than Maury.He is the reason I started playing myself. After 30 plus years of playing, I STILL can't duplicate his riffs'. What an AMAZING talent.He truly brought "life" to Jim's songs. Thank you Maury, And may God Bless You!!!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011 at 04:51 |
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I have been listening and try to play jim.s and Maurys musics for years listing to jims recording. after all the years and all the years of trying to play,I never stop learning from them I just brought Maurys, Before the Ever Since and am so inpressed with the songs. and Maury. this has open a whole new world to me, thank you Jim, thank you Maury, and a special thanks to you Mary for making this possible and keeping the music alive and fresh to the new fans and more inportant the old ones.. thank you
bob
Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 20:39 |
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Thanks fore great music Maury. About 5 years ago I came over the song "Bad bad Leroy Brown" on a cd my father got at the supermarked. The cd was a collection of different songs witch sold 1 million singels. I went to youtube after I´ve heard it fore a year over and over again. I heard all the other songs, and was "in love" whit this duo. So sad to find out that this musical talents was not anymore alive. But fore me they are true the music. Beautyfull music that you can´t get tired of. The music to day has nothing compared to this 2 guys. Thank you :)
Best regards from Norway.
Sunday, July 17, 2011 at 03:01 |
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I FEEL WITH ALL MY HEARTWITH OUT MAURY, THEIR WOULD BE NO JIM, THE COMBO OF THE TWO MADE JIM CROCE,, THE DOWN TO EARTH LICKS AND SMILE OF MAURY WILL ALWAY BE WITH ME,, THE QUIETNESS OF HIS ACTION, BUT THE TALENT OF HIS GUITAR, WILL ALWAYS BE ONE STEP AHEAD OF EVERY GUITAR PLAYER. I LISTEN EVERYDAY TO HIS LICKS, AND JIM MUSIC, EVERYDAY. I WILL TILL I AM GONE FROM THIS WORLD. AND THEN, I WILL BE SITTIN RIGHT NEXT TO THEM, GRINNING, WITH MAURY AND SINGING WITH JIM,,, GOD BLESS, THEM AND YOU MARY...
Wednesday, July 06, 2011 at 19:59 |
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I became a fan of Maury's when I first heard his licks while accompanying Jim Croce. To me, the music they made together is inseparable; and Maury's guitar-work unmistakable. In the mid seventies I had the pleasure of singing lead and playing guitar in an acoustic trio called "Home Free". We mostly played in wine and cheese cafes on Long Island. I recall a special evening at "Slaggers" in St. James, Long Island when the music was "...just right". My friend Myles played Maury's leads and sang harmony; I sang lead and played Jim's rhythms and finger picking; and backup and harmonies were sang by, my then girlfriend, Madonna. That evening was magic. Maury and Jim.....thanks for the memories; thanks for the music. Until we meet again.
Monday, June 13, 2011 at 12:26 |
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I met Jim and Ingrid when they began playing at the Riddle Paddock, an iconic steak and beer pub new Media, PA. I waited tables, tended bar and cooked.I put away more than a few shots and beers with Jim and swapped war stories about our time in the military. Jim was a solid entertainer with great songs and stories. I never met Maury, but I admired him from a distance. Maury had a huge impact on Jim's later success. In fact, it was the great merging of these two gifted men that bought us a torrent of rich music and songs that are still relevant today. Thank you Maury for your gift to those of us who loved Jim and the music he brought to the world. I am sorry you left us so soon. You brought great joy to millions. The joy continues to this day. You are dearly missed.
Saturday, June 04, 2011 at 20:11 |
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RIP
Monday, May 30, 2011 at 16:42 |
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No Comments
Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 15:34 |
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Thank you Mary and family. I loved Jim Croce and Maury. I could watch old videos of these two playing for hours. Both seemed so real and so nice. If you have to wonder what their music would have been like if they were here today. Miss them both very much.
Thursday, May 26, 2011 at 06:51 |
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What can I say that hasn't been said before and better?
One thing: I never knew Maury or saw him play. But his music struck a chord in my heart and those bell-like sounds still ring in my heart.
Friday, May 20, 2011 at 11:01 |
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happened on this nice site in memory of maury. like the late terry clements guitarwork made gordon lightfoots music come alive, maury's did the same for jim croce.
it was GOOD WORK. randy z
Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at 14:51 |
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for many years ihave been a fan of jim croce.iam ashamed to say it took me awhile to know the young man maury,ive had every albumn,8track,cassette or cd i could get my hands on.after years of listening i really begin to notice the difference in his music from his first early music.the difference i discovered, one word maury!this man, as far as im concerned put croce on his road to success!quietly maury sit and not only changed jims music but put his career on hold because jims career was taking off.theres no doubt whatsoever,maury would have a great career with his playing ability and also his writing and singing. thisis evident not only in jims music but maurys solo albumn!i would love everyone to buy his cds they are wonderfully written,played and sung! thanks maury for your beautiful contribution and unselfishness to jim and the great gifts you left us!the second string songman in my book is number one! thank-you!
Friday, May 13, 2011 at 10:39 |
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Maury is the unsung hero in Jims music, those of us who know with out Maury there would be no Jim
;NO ONE EVER HAD A RAINBOW TILL THEVY HAD THE RAIN.
WHEN THEY PASSED IT WAS THE RAIN. THE RAINBOW WAS AND STILL IS THE MUSIC THEY GAVE US.. MISSED DEEPLY AND AWAYS WILL... .. LOVE YA BOTH...
Saturday, May 07, 2011 at 06:03 |
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Just wanted to say I loved his music and he was the strength behind Croce's music. Great guy!
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 14:48 |
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No Comments
Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 13:46 |
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I check in now and then to view the comments. Though not in physical form, these two average poets seem to remain more alive than (I'm gonna say Elvis. Yes Elvis. The King.) anyone could ever imagine thanks to this wonderful technology of the internet and what it holds. It's not hard to become interested in these guys when someone hears them perform on U-Tube and then enquires about them. A box of tissues is all they really need to embark on the Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen journey.
Monday, April 25, 2011 at 23:25 |
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Thank you for the music, Maury. RIP.
A fan from Hong Kong
Tuesday, April 19, 2011 at 01:37 |
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Just a lovely tribute page to Jim's "other musical half". They passed away 3 months shy of my wedding and my husband and I continue to play their albums/cds to this day. We raised 3 kids to their tunes and to this day I smile when I think of my 3 year old trying to sing rapid roy... Blessings to Maury's lovely family. Thanks for sharing him with us...
Sunday, April 17, 2011 at 02:58 |
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In 1973 I graduated from high school. Living in deep south Texas we rarely ever got any of the popular bands, we were considered the outlands...next to Mexico. Much to my surprise I heard that Jim Croce was coming to S Texas, Brownsville! For us, that was big news. I made my plans to go see him and eagerly expected his arrival.
I absolutely enjoyed Jim's music, lyrics and the guitar work. Unknown to me was the contribution of Maury. When I heard about the airplane crash I was saddened as many were. Here was a man who pulled of the music trifecta, compose, play and sing.
I bought a songbook of Jim Croce's songs, which I still have. This name kept popping up, Maury something. It was then that I realized what contribution he had made to Jim Croce's music. I recently found this site. I was listening to a song collection that I have and Salon and Saloon played. Now I know the story behind that song.
Thanks for work on website and keeping Maury's music alive. I wish I could have seen him and Jim at Brownsville, that is one memory I would indeed treasured.
Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 00:16 |
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Simply beautiful, simply wonderful, but there is nothing simple about the technical ability. Whilst obvious to all that ability always enhances never detracts from the music, a skill many today would do well to emulate. It provides a window to the mans personality. I can imagine Maury Jim and SRV and others having a ball playing together. A quick note of respect from St Helens Merseyside England. God bless
Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 19:02 |
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I saw Maury with Jim Croce at the Main Point coffee house some time in the early 1970's--I think they were playing their final contracted gig there. On stage they talked about Maury's album Gingerbreadd and I've been looking for it off and on ever since. Nice to know he is so well remembered. He blew me and my first wife away.
Friday, April 08, 2011 at 10:12 |
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I heard Jim's "I got a Name" on Pandora today and it just made me view one of his performances on Youtube and saw Maury playing with him..Brought me here- I just really really miss Jim Croce and his music, and now Maury too- was not aware that he was killed in that crash too. Hopefully they are making some beautiful music together in Heaven!
Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 09:21 |
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I was raised in a music loving family, where a radio was playing ALL the time. I remember riding in the car with my mom and singing "Operator." She sang Jim's part and I sang harmony. I was five, the windows were down and the breeze was whipping my hair into my eyes and my mom and I laughed. When I had grown up and was going out on auditions, I was invariably complimented on my ear for harmony; I always remembered that car ride, and thanked Jim. It wasn't until a few months ago that I realized that the beautiful voice that helped me to develop my own gift was not a nameless session musician, but one amazing Maury Muehleisen. Thanks, Maury!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011 at 15:18 |
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Late last night I saw on PBS the Jim Croce Legacy special and although I had been a fan since the '70s I had never really seen much footage of his performances. I was mesmerized by the performance sequences. I knew Jim perished in the plane crash and was so saddened to learn that his musical partner had also been taken. I never knew that until today. There are tears in my eyes as I write this. So sad. The two of them made such effortlessly beautiful music together. So long Troubadours. Rest in Peace.
Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 15:50 |
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God Bless Maury and Jim and all the other guys! I remember seeing them with Jim's band on The Midnight Special and loved them! My parents and whole family listened to Jim Croce. Whenever I hear his music, it reminds me of 1970-74. It was a large part of the soundtrack of my life back then. We had almost all of the albums and 8- tracks (remember THOSE!? :-) ). I clearly remember the news of September 20, 1973. What a sad day for the world. My sister cried and we were all so sad. The Midnight Special did a tribute to Jim right after. Those guys were way too GOOD for this world. God wanted them in a Better Place. I sure miss them, as we all do. God bless you too Mary. You are doing a wonderful thing here with this site!
Sunday, March 27, 2011 at 05:28 |
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a quiet person....but maury's guitar playing to jim croce's music was loud enough for the world to hear!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at 14:51 |
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Love the guitar playing. Can see he was/is a humble man
Sunday, March 20, 2011 at 16:44 |
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I have followed the music since the 1960's living in Boston...I relised early on that the distinctive sound of Jim Croce was that of the guitar talent of Maury ,but until now had not heard any of his original music...I met Ingrid Croce years ago in San Diego,at their restraunt....I have lived all over the world,now in Subic Bay,Philippines,I play and sing all the Jim/Maury songs,even the lesser known...and my favorite guitar is my Guild 212XL..I am considered a copy of Jims singing voice,though not professional,I say this because evrywhere I go I sing these songs,no matter what the venue,EVERYBODY remembers,loves and cherishes the sounds and music of these two great talents..it amazes me how far reaching their music has gone.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 19:51 |
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I have enjoyed Jim and Maury's music for years. The music they left behind is a tremendous gift that keeps giving. Although I have appreciated his musicianship,until recently, Maury has always been "that other anonymous guy that accompanied Jim Croce". Thank you for bringing Maury's talented work to the forefront. Albeit to a lesser extent, I share your loss.
Thursday, March 10, 2011 at 22:45 |
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Saturday night on Europe. Time to gather dinner table. My 12 yo. daughter and I have the turn to do it. Meanwhile the job I hear she is singing in a soft voice "Mister Bainbridge is an executive eclectic ...". Well, maybe another generation includes Maury's music on their lives. I listen surprised and funny. Thanks Maury for your legacy. You're always beloved.
Saturday, March 05, 2011 at 18:46 |
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I am listening to 'A Song I Heard' right now...and it's taking me 'sailing anyplace I'd love to be.'
What a clear,kind,soulful voice Maury had...still touching us after all this time:-)
Monday, February 28, 2011 at 20:49 |
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I'm 54 and have loved Jim Croce since my teen years. I was aware of his being killed in a plane crash but had no idea that Maury, his lead guitarist, was also killed. I have been watching some videos on YouTube, while working in Amman, Jordan, and delved deeper into Maury's life to find this site. You must all still miss a beautiful talent but, at least, his music lives on forever. Thanks.
Sunday, February 27, 2011 at 08:34 |
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Maury has been one of my favorite lead guitarists since I was a kid. I did not really even know much about him until I got a jim croce dvd about five years ago when I realized: that maury was the one playing all those amazing guitar licks in the jim croce songs i loved.
Friday, February 25, 2011 at 19:57 |
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My daughter recently introduced me to the musical videos on Youtube and that was how I discovered Maury. For most of my life I had been enjoying his music through his playing and singing with Jim Croce, but for some reason he was not prominantly identified. To me, Jim and Maury are musical superstars, combining their playing and singing and enhancing the lives of all who get to hear them. I won't lament the music that they may have made but celebrate the music they created and shared with us.
Thank you for this site as a tribute to a very talented musician who was clearly loved as a brother, a man and as a musician. Whenever I hear one of Jim's songs I think of Maury's wonderful guitar playing that forms an integral part of the music and will spread the word of his contributions.
Thursday, February 24, 2011 at 14:31 |
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I was 13 when Jim and Maury lost their lives. I had three of Jim's albums. The future was so bright, and the possibilities seemed endless. I was so young. I thought the music would never die. The songs would keep coming. Life would be beautiful! When I heard the news, the afternoon after the crash, I was thunderstruck. It was, a lesson in life, learned, and lived, over and over, through the years. Life can turn on a dime. And it does.
I look back, and it's hard to believe Maury was only 11 years older than me. Actually, closer to 10. Now, i am 50. I can see, too clearly, what he could have given. What we lost.
At the time, he was a grown man to me. But, of course, he was just a very young man. A man, with a gift. With amazing talent. With a story to tell. The only thing, he didn't have, was time.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011 at 16:11 |
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maury, your music will remain in my heart forever....you brought soul to jim's songs...so sad you have to leave early...carry on..
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 13:01 |
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Just like their hits, the fans keep comming. Oh how I continue to miss their blazing talent and so often ponder what was to come. I pray that there is a 'Rockin' Roll Heaven' cause I got a front row seat.
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 12:48 |
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I live just north of Toronto Canada, and grew up listening to Jim Croce and loving his music. Only years later would I learn the name of the great guitarist that accompanied Jim. I recently bought a 12 string guitar and try to play one or two of the songs they wrote. I'm very gratefull to include Maury's music in the cherished soundtrack of my life.
Monday, February 21, 2011 at 10:09 |
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Just wanted to say how much Jim and Maury's music has meant to my wife and I over the years. The world lost an untold amount of great unwritten songs that day in 1973. Just wanted you to know they weren't fogotten.
Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 22:14 |
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a short poem i wrote
"To Two heroes i never met.." by Tony k.
Make no mistake my friend, thou thou time may dullith the blade that cuts youre very soul
It allways inflicks a deep pain that never lets go
For when the darkness falls, and our makers angels call
Its then, that all men are created equal.
For no messure of love of music,children or wife
will ever again inject the spark of light, of life
For September 20th of 73 will forever be
the day the heavens fill with real song.
I wished for many years, over many thousands of tears
that so many things had ended different
i wished jim had found his magic bottle and maury his song.
I wished the ride to never end
to only continue on and on again.
For there music forever fills my soul
And as i hear it, a little of the pain gos
For now we are left only with "the ever since"
I see Maury loved Mary, Jim life, his son his wife
I see two friend who departed on a never ending journy
only to find there selves paying to crouds filled with angels
and other heroes who departed before there time.
I bet they accended to the heavens on guitars of gold
harmonizing to "Ive got a name"
And to the friends i never met, i say yes you do, yes you do.
Sunday, February 20, 2011 at 19:42 |
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I was and am a huge Jim Croce fan. Even though I recognize his talent as a singer and songwriter, his true genius was in choosing Maury as his guitarist. It was clear to me the first time I ever saw a clip of them playing together that "that hippie" playing the guitar was responsible for the "Croce Sound". I eventually figured out the hippies real name and I relish the rare clips of his guitar playing. I am not surprised that this site is getting input to this day.
Friday, February 18, 2011 at 11:05 |
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I'd just like to say that Maury's guitar playing changed my life. I have never heard ANYONE play guitar like he does. The lead to Roller Derby Queen that starts in during the second verse... huh?!!...what?!!!...are you serious?!!!! Speedball Tucker... a 12 string guitar. You're not even supposed to be able to do that with a 6 string. Tears are the only words I have to describe Maury's playing...and that's it.
Friday, February 18, 2011 at 03:47 |
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"timeless music"; the very best working together. you could tell they were good friends...this is the way music should be and it doesn't get any better. thank you.
Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 14:50 |
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Always inspiring me to play harder and better!
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 18:40 |
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Thank you to Jim and Maury for the wonderful music, after 30 years I'm still enjoying it... Rest in Peace both of you talented men...
Wednesday, February 09, 2011 at 10:26 |
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God speed Maury & Jim!
Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 13:11 |
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What a wonderful tribute. I have been "learning" music for almost 50 years,I will be 63 in april 2011. everytime I hear "operator" I marvel at the beauty and simplicity of the guitar. The beauty that was within Maury flowed from his fingertips. What more can I say but thank you for sharing yourself with us.- Thank You.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 at 17:11 |
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No matter what music I listen to I always come back to Jim and Maury.My heart and soul thank you.
Wednesday, February 02, 2011 at 06:30 |
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For almost 40 years now, Jim and Maury have been my favorite musicians. Their music still touchs my soul.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011 at 09:35 |
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So ironic that I would find this site near the time of Maurys birthday. Such an amazing talent. Hope more people discover or rediscover his brilliance!!!!
Monday, January 31, 2011 at 00:56 |
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Hi Mary, Just finished lissening to Maury's CD again. It always brings a smile to my face......Incredible talent lost way to soon...
Friday, January 28, 2011 at 14:08 |
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I'm hearing WNTI radio program, I just heard "Salon and Saloon" Maury's version... No words to describe how lovely song in Maury's voice and guitar chord progressions. Beautiful voice, clear, melodic and expressive vibrato.
Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 19:28 |
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Interview tonight from 7 - 8 p.m Eastern time on 91.9 FM WNTI - www.wnti.org - Host, Carol Bernotas - Six Degrees with Carol.
Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 14:39 |
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We always remember our brother on his birthday and everyday. Thanks to all who share your "sweet memories" and new experiences of Maury's music & talent with us.
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 22:18 |
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Sitting in North East England listening to "Before The Ever Since" thinking of the amazing talent that still had so much to give when cruelly taken away. God bless Mary and your family.
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 18:14 |
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On Maury's 62nd Aniversary I remember him with emotion, listening his and their music. Always a beatiful thouthg about you far away from USA.
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 15:03 |
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Happy Birthday
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 15:01 |
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Memories of Maury fill the day.
Loved and missed forever!
Mary
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 11:40 |
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Happy Birthday in Rock-n-Roll Heaven,Maury!
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 08:30 |
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To all of Maury Muehleisen's family, friends, and fans; let's celebrate his birthday by listening to the music that lives in our hearts and minds forever.
Friday, January 14, 2011 at 08:21 |
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To Maury's family. I am a music teacher, age 52. I contacted Croce's on the anniversary of Jim Croce's 68th birthday. I told them, and I will tell Maury's family, that I shared how my love of music was shaped by these two beautiful men and wonderful musicians. BOTH MEN are very sadly missed.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 20:56 |
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alert('We Love You Maury!');
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 20:21 |
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Have you seen louigi?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011 at 20:19 |
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I saw Maury and Jim perform at the Syria Mosque in Pittsburgh in 1973, when they were touring with Loggins and Messina. It was a memorable night for me for many reasons and it still makes me smile when I think of their beautiful music
Friday, January 07, 2011 at 00:30 |
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Mary—It was great to hear your voice and your stories on the radio (internet) tonight. Thanks for the heads-up. We spent two very enjoyable hours listening to New Jersey radio while staying in Palm Springs, California for New Year's Day. Wishing you and all your family, friends, and site visitors a very Happy New Year!
Tim McMullen
Saturday, January 01, 2011 at 23:12 |
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I felt compelled today to revisit the incredible music that Maury brought to us and, once doing so, wonder what beautiful music he could have brought us. RIP.
Saturday, January 01, 2011 at 21:26 |
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Maury's guitar playing is as beautiful today as it was when he made it so many years ago. Great talent like his will always stand the test of time.
Saturday, January 01, 2011 at 20:23 |
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Saturday, January 1, 2011, WPRB 103.3 FM Princeton University Radio Station - DJ Scott Einhorn will be doing a show from 8 p.m. to midnight. The 9-11 p.m. segment will be in commemoration of the November 1970 release of Maury Muehleisen's "Gingerbreadd" LP. I will be the in-studio guest. Scott and I will talk about the release of the LP and play songs from Maury's album and also talk about Maury's contribution to Jim Croce's career as Jim's lead guitarist on the studio recordings and all his road performances.
Happy New Year 2011!!!
Saturday, January 01, 2011 at 15:45 |
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I'd always been a peripheral devotee of Jim Croce.
I was gradually introduced to his (and Maury's) incredible music via the likes of Time In A Bottle, amongst others, and while it didn't fit into my heavy rock persona, it was always a huge influence.
As we all mature, we come to realise what amazing stuff we've missed..... fortunately I caught most of Jim & Maury's work, and I assume most of you here have already.
So spread the word my friends; and thank you Maury, for your musical talent, your soothing nature and most of all, for the legacy you left behind.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 12:40 |
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The haunting notes played with authority followed in harmony and love are reflected in the love so achingly portrayed and preserved in your tribute to your brother. My heart is shattered just as completely as that day in 1973 when part of me died as well. The empty never does fill up. Go forth and go on. That is all that can be done.
Friday, December 24, 2010 at 02:18 |
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Hi everyone visiting this hartfelt site. If you visit & read all of Maury's site and purchase his music and then go on a Jim Croce tour I believe you'll take a wonderful journey filled with music, happiness and a sadness that hits the heart with an impact that it requires the large size Kleenex. After reading this page anything I could say would be uterly redundant. Thank you Mare and all that made this site possible.
Monday, December 20, 2010 at 21:30 |
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I had the honor & previledge of meeting Mary Muehleisen at the Record Collector store in Bordentown earlier this month. A nicer lady I have not met. Thank you Mary for your kind words & keeping the memory of Maury alive.
Monday, December 20, 2010 at 20:30 |
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ANONYMOUS TRAPPED IN THE DESERT |
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I stumbled upon Maury & Jim's combined genius at the age of 14 in the form of a scabby cassette in a junk shop in 1980's South Africa. Although I have travelled most of my life since and led a fairly exciting existence thus far, I've still never really felt that I've got to where I want to be or am meant to be. I am currently working in the Middle East or perhaps more truthfully, trying to work my way out of the Middle East but I just wanted to iterate the far reaching impact that music and fine people like Maury can have in this life. I have learnt a lot more about him today, even that we share a birthday, albeit 22 years apart. Stories like that of Maury and Jim are truly inspirational and although tinged by the sadness of it's brevity it is a union of such timelessness that almost 40 years on, a 20 year old colleague of mine remarked upon it's devastating coolness.
That's legend, that's legacy.
One can only remember with fondness and lament the fact we only got to sip from the cocktail that was Maury & Jim. Oh to have had the bottle!
I will be 40 next month an am currently writing my first song to get were I want to be. Inspired by Maury.
Monday, December 20, 2010 at 11:23 |
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Maury influenced how I layer second guitar parts over my songs. I heard him and Jim rise through the charts while I was in college, and they, along with Simon and Garfunkel, became the "roots" of how I sing and play - even today.
Friday, December 17, 2010 at 18:48 |
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I was listening to a Jim Croce song and remembered how great the guitar work by Maury was I found this site and just want to say thanks for his music
Friday, December 10, 2010 at 23:44 |
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I was just listening to Gingerbreadd again - A Song I Heard is one of my very favorite songs of all time - and it's comforting to hear someone who feels to me like a kindred spirit. Thanks for this website, and for making it possible for me to buy a copy of Gingerbreadd some time ago.
Thursday, December 09, 2010 at 02:48 |
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Thanks Maury for the spirit and the unique guitar accompaniment you brought to Jim's songs. I remember watching the 2 of you as a kid. I now play Time in a Bottle and Operator, I will always remember the both of you together, making joyous music. God bless you and Jim and your memory lives on.
Monday, December 06, 2010 at 01:39 |
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Music is within us all. Few muster the courage to express it: we’re so self-conscious and so very vulnerable.
Jim and Maury let it fly. It’s not technique that counts, its fearlessness. They were wonderful musicians.
Thanks, Mary, for this site. Maury makes me smile every time I hear him.
Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 02:11 |
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I still remember where I was and what I was doing when I heard of the plane crash that September day, but did not know the stories or relationships of the others who were lost that day.
I have come to discover that I've lived in ignorance for a long time, having known of and been impacted by the music of Jim Croce, but blind to the talent that helped make him what he was.
Tonight I happened to see a video of Jim on YouTube, and, not knowing who the gentleman was singing with him, did a little poking around to find out who it was. There I found "The Story of Maury." Quite impressive, and your family pride shines like sunlight.
Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 01:19 |
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I’ve been visiting your blog for a while now and I always find a gem in your new posts. Thanks for sharing.
Saturday, November 20, 2010 at 03:21 |
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Thank you for this wonderful tribute to an amazing talent...
Friday, November 19, 2010 at 05:31 |
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I love the music from Maury and Jim.
Greetings from North Germany.
Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 15:40 |
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As the years have passed seamlessly into decades, I’ve often wondered why it is that I continue to experience such joy and pleasure from the words and music of Maury and Jim. The fun songs, the touching ballads and the decent people that they were so positively influenced my adolescence. The songs have withstood the test of time, their guitar work still as fresh and unique as it was almost 40 years ago. I’ve heard the songs a thousand times, yet I still hang on Maury’s every lick. We can’t help but think of what might have been, yet we should be so grateful that they dropped by and touched our lives, and will continue to do so for our lifetimes, and generations to come.
Bob
Ottawa, Canada
Wednesday, November 17, 2010 at 09:31 |
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Dear Mary,
It is rather amazing to think that Maury's "music's haunted me" now for forty years (and that's not counting the later work that he did with Jim). What an amazing legacy.
Love, Tim
Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 01:59 |
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Forty years ago today, BILLBOARD announced the Capitol Records release of the "Gingerbreadd" LP by Maury Muehleisen.
Thank you to all who have been kind enough to take a listen and learn more about Maury and his music.
Always grateful,
Mary
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 22:10 |
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Thanks to youtube I was able to experience again the magic of these two wonderful musicians. Awesome.
Sunday, November 14, 2010 at 17:21 |
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Maury's gifted guitar playing made Jim Croce's songs so very memorable. What a talent to share with the world. May he be eternally playing and singing with the angels in Heaven.
Thursday, November 11, 2010 at 16:47 |
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Although I was vaguely familiar with Jim Croce's music and songs, I had not really taken very much interest until I caught a tv programme recently on his life and music. This stuff is brilliant. And then, to my great satisfaction I saw and heard Maury's gifted guitar playing and now I can't get enough of this terrific music. All the best from Ireland, Ray.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010 at 07:00 |
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Thinking of Maury today and listening to his amazing voice and guitar...♥
Thursday, November 04, 2010 at 21:22 |
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I was nearly 14 when Maury and Jim were taken away from us. From then until this day Jim and Maury will forever be my favorite singer/song writers.
Thanks to Mary and Ingrid for keeping up the respective Web pages.
Peace!
Byron
Sunday, October 31, 2010 at 11:57 |
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I have been speechless about their talent for almost 40 years...I am still speechless.
Thank you Mary...
Friday, October 29, 2010 at 06:43 |
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Hey Mary, just watched a documentary on the two greatest singer songwriters of all time on KET, no commercial interuption's, it was great. Those two were destined to play music together and should go down in history as the very best that America has to offer.
Thursday, October 28, 2010 at 22:01 |
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I have always been a big fan of Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen. Jim was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist and with the brilliant licks that Maury came up with it was masterful.
Wednesday, October 27, 2010 at 00:42 |
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Just had a reuninon last weekend with a bunch of friends I spent a year together with in LA 30 years ago. Two of the guys were in LA to study guitar play (thinking at the time they'd be rock stars...) and of course the guitars came out now as well. To my suprise they did not start with the usual Stairways to heaven or something but instead played 'Maury' style and I just had to google him. Thanks and God bless!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 18:37 |
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Really good job ;) nice website ;))
Tuesday, October 26, 2010 at 11:21 |
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Greetings from England. Just watched a great documentary about Maury and Jim and as the tears well up in my eyes, felt I needed to express my deepest respect for their talent, humility and musical legacy that will live with us for ever. God bless you Mary for giving us this forum to keep the memory of Maury burning strong.
Sunday, October 24, 2010 at 19:34 |
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One of the most underrated guitar pickers in the world. What an inspiration!
Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 20:17 |
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Being a lead guitarist, I was instantly drawn to Maury's style and I'm sure there is something of Maury's in my playing. He is still inspirational to this day.
Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 16:37 |
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Maury and jim you will never be forgotten
Sunday, October 10, 2010 at 10:59 |
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Maury you are missed and loved!
Saturday, October 09, 2010 at 15:09 |
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this is just the best musican that i have heard next to leona boyd . sorry i am canadian
Tuesday, October 05, 2010 at 16:55 |
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Hi Mary,
I don't know how you managed to find my blog post concerning Jim and Maury. I find it amazing that you managed to do so. I just want to reiterate to you that it was an honor that you read it and that it meant something to you. I will very likely mention Jim and Maury again in context of some kind of music or personal discussion of mine down the line in future posts. They never stray too far away from my mind.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 02:36 |
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Thanks so much for this site. I admire him so much. His playing is what lifted Croce's compositions into the higher plane.
Without Maury, Croce might have just been another busker. Maury is what made their sound immortal.
Sunday, September 26, 2010 at 11:39 |
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Shameful. That I let 9/20 pass without repeating how special Jim & Maury were. I was 11 years old when they passed. I learned of it from my grade school teacher who informed the class on the morning of the 21st with a look of resignation that I will never forget. My older brother loved Jim Croce; and I - wanting to imitate my older brother of course - also listened to Jim and Maury. How fortunate I was, to stumble onto their talents for such childish reasons. Their music has always been with me, and always will.
Friday, September 24, 2010 at 00:17 |
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It's been such a longtime, yet in some ways it seems like only yesterday. My thoughts are with you and your family as well as with Maury and Jim. It is remarkable that after 40 years Maury's songs still echo repeatedly through my musical mind. Many thanks for perpetuating Maury's dream.
Your friend, Tim
Wednesday, September 22, 2010 at 23:29 |
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Heaven really dose have a," Hell of a Band!" My thoughts are with you on this day.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 13:05 |
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Dear Mary, yesterday I traveled almost 300 miles and on the road Jim & Maury were my guardian angels... I said a little pray for them and my thoughts flew to Trenton, NJ and your lovely family. A big hug from Santiago de Chile, Cris.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 08:55 |
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10:45 p.m. Exactly 37 years ago since Maury has been gone from us. We miss him still.
Thanks so much for all the kind thoughts at this anniversary time.
Peace and Love,
Mary and Family
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 22:43 |
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Still missed 37 years later. Very proud of our brother and glad to know that his music is appreciated around the world and remembered on this day.
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 19:26 |
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Hey Mary, i put something on facebook for Jim and Maury today. If you are on facebook click on me and add as a friend. Thanks, love Rick
37 years ago !
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 18:55 |
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I would just like to let you know how much i appreciated Maurys and Jims music. I was only 10 when they passed away so suddenly and that today is the day of their passing.They will live in my heart forever and also in my children's heart's Thank you Jim and Maury'
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 18:23 |
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Since a couple of months ago I had never hear anything of Jim and Maury. Their music came to me by a TV spot, was "Time in a bottle", I got impressed.
During this time I learned, listened and watched all of their music and performances I could. I realised I was in front of two exceptional persons. Their music touch my heart and say me very special things.
Every time I hear Jim and Maury's music can't avoid to cry. Never thought I could find such musicians whom move me to reflect about life essence.
Thank you for being on the world, for giving so much, for making people happy listening your true message.
My best wishes to Maury and Jim's families, from Seville, Spain.
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 17:24 |
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Another Sept. 20th is here. I was 9 years old. My sister had just given me a Croce LP for my birthday a month earlier. In April of '73 I lost a close friend on the playground basketball court. He was only 9 as well, but had an undiagnosed heart problem and collapsed at recess. Then on July 20th one of my heroes(Bruce Lee) died. Then came Sept. 20th. Today I will, as I always do each year, play the videos and music and say a prayer for Jim & Maury & the 4 others that died in the plane crash. Maury & Jim are the reason I asked for a guitar on my 13th birthday and have been playing ever since. I'm 46 now and I still can't play like Maury. I guess some folks just can't be copied. Bless you & your family Mary.
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 15:48 |
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Today I will listening to the music and thinking about Jim, Maury, Dennis, Ken, George, and Robert.....not that does not happen everyday when the music comes alive on the radio.
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 10:42 |
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I will be listening to Maury throughout the day today. May God Bless the Muelheisen family today. Thanks again Mary. Peace and Love.
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 10:17 |
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I woke early today and listened to Gingerbreadd and some of Maury and Jim’s fine works. Excellent guitar work for sure. Because of all your dedication and devotion on this site and countless others that I found on the web it almost feels as if I lost a friend. Maury's music will forever live between my ears and in my heart.
Monday, September 20, 2010 at 08:00 |
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I was recently watching a Public Television pledge drive on a Bemidji,MN. tv station and they were pushing Jim Croce material. I was wondering who the man was playing guitar with Jim so I had to start looking on the computer and because of wikipedia I came across this web site.The photo's of Maury and the rest of his family really touched my heart.I could see that he came from a really loving and nurturing home provided by 2 wonderful parents. I'm so sorry that such a talented man died so young and the terrible pain and shock his family experienced when he died but thankful his work lives on in his recordings. God Bless you all!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at 22:22 |
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I have always been a major fan and admirerer of Jim Croce, but it is only recently that I have come to appreciate the enormity of Maury's contribution to Jim's music. I have recently acquired Pete Hutlinger's instructional DVDs of Jim's music and I marvel at the beauty and intricacy of Maury's guitar arrangements. I can only envy his skill and hope that I am able to learn to reproduce those arrangements myself. At my level of ability, it require a considerable amoutn of time and effort on my part. But, if I am successful, I will be very proud to have done so.
Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 11:03 |
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I just discovered Maury, after reading about his/Jim Croce's death. (I was born in '62 and my parents listened to a lot of Jim's music.) I have a son who is a year older than Maury was at the time he died, and I'm just so sorry both men were taken right as their lives were taking off.
Your brother Joey's letter left on Maury's grave made me cry. :( I'm so sorry for your loss. I have 8 children myself, and we're a pretty close group. I can't imagine the pain you all must have gone through in losing Maury so young. He was very gifted.
God bless your family.
Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 11:31 |
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I bought the CD from your site, but I wish there was a way to get it up on Amazon or iTunes. I just think more people should get the chance to get this wonderful music. I had "I Remember Mary" on album 30 years ago, and it's always been one of my very favorite songs -- even though I lost the album 20 years ago. It's always stayed with me. Wonderful music, and a great legacy.
Friday, September 10, 2010 at 13:58 |
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Salon & Saloon - great tune. Can't find it on youtube. Brutal disappointment!
Sunday, September 05, 2010 at 20:58 |
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Jim Croce has been my favorite singer since I first heard him on the radio all those years ago. After all these years it is still their music that I listen to most often, still the music that reaches my soul. Thank you for continuing to keep up this website. I have just been watching all those old videos on Youtube. Jim & Maury still cant be beat, alone - they each were great, but one without the other was missing something. I am ordering Maury's cd to go along with all my croce cd's
Sunday, September 05, 2010 at 11:04 |
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Hey Mary, September rolls around awfull fast these days, the older you get the faster time goes. It still, after all these years takes me back to that day i was alone in a field in Alabama when the news came over the radio about Jim and Maury. I know we have to go on with our lives but i like to think that remembering them like this somehow brings them along with us, i know they will never leave my heart. I thought they were the greatest and still do. All you have to do is listen to what we have today and you know that they were special, that not everybody could do what they did together. It was a special time in my life and a special time in the history of music. I hope you are well and happy, do you have any plans for September 20th ? Would love to come visit someday, Love Rickey
Sunday, September 05, 2010 at 10:06 |
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Today for some unknown reason I woke up with the song, Photographs & Memories playing in my head all day long.An I cried for Jim & Maury.
Thursday, September 02, 2010 at 00:41 |
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I loved the sound that Maury and Jim created from the start and I still listen to the great callaboration and creativity that they produced. They were a big influence in my songs that I write and record even today. I,also, play a Martin D-35, which I purchased in 1973 and I must say that with every note played on it I recall the sound that Maury and Jim created and shared with us on their Martin's. RIP Maury and Jim and thanks again for all the great memories and sound............GP
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 06:51 |
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very moving,an excellent tribute, keep that candle burning........the songs will last forever....Im away for a wee cry....God Bless...xoxo
Tuesday, August 31, 2010 at 04:20 |
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I never knew who the phenomenal guitarist playing with Jim was, prior to an internet search. It blows my mind that he picked up the guitar at 17, created some of the most beautiful music known to man, and died far, FAR too soon at the age of 24. I had no idea he died in the crash. Such a tragedy, yet there's solace knowing that, long after we've all passed, generations to come will listen and admire his music.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 23:55 |
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I often think about the muisc left on the table by jim and maury. How many songs would have been written that never were. We were so lucky to have them both.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 23:45 |
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Thank you for doing this. I knew Maury died with Jim Croce and that was about all. Thank you for letting me know Maury better. It's a bummer knowing that I'll not be able to meet him. He'd of been cool guy to know.
Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 10:07 |
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Im speechless
Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 16:54 |
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My husband, Don, is a close friend of Maury's sister Ann, and I've loved the Croce albums on my own since forever. I wish I would have been around when Jim and Maury were making music together. I have been working on a song about Maury called "The Lace" -- can't get the chords right but I'll keep working on it. Can you even imagine the jamfest in Heaven? I know Maury is doing some tasteful guitar lace and I can almost hear it if I try.
Monday, August 23, 2010 at 17:59 |
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I've always been very curious about Maury Muehleisen because I had vaguely heard about his very important role in Jim Croce's musical development. Thank you for filling in some of these details, and the extras of his own career, family, friends, and love is such a treat! I'm looking forward to getting a hold of a copy of his Gingerbreadd album.
Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 19:16 |
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grazie!
thank you!
Tallo
Thursday, August 19, 2010 at 12:01 |
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Matt,
Thanks for posting about Phil Petillo. It truly is sad news.
I have been in touch with him for several years and spent some time with Phil and David in their workshop two years ago, talking about Maury and Jim. What a true pleasure it was to see and experience firsthand their incredible talent and devotion to the luthier craft.
Phil was a quiet, kind, gentle, brilliant man. His family, friends, clients, and the world will surely miss him.
Mary Muehleisen
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 12:51 |
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There is a story about Maury in the September issue of Inside Jersey.
Inside Jersey is a magazine published by The Star Ledger in New Jersey. There is a North Jersey issue and a South Jersey issue, which I believe simply have different regional ads. Both of these issues have the exact same article and photo setup.
The magazines have not hit the stands yet, but the online version is available on page 90/91.
http://www.nj.com/insidejersey/
As luck would have it, the guitar that was designed to honor Maury was ready just after the article was written by Tom Wilk, but before the photo shoot by Jerry McCrea.
The instruments in the photo are of the C. F. Martin & Co. D-35 Maury Muehleisen Commemorative Custom Edition guitars, designed and built at the Martin Guitar Factory in Nazareth, PA.
Jon Garon of My Favorite Guitars in Naples, Florida, is the dealer and more information about the guitars can be found on his site - www.myfavoriteguitars.com
Wishing everyone ~
Peace and Love,
Mary
Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 12:32 |
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My apologies - a correction to the prior post, Phillip Petillo passed away on Friday, August 13, 2010, not Friday, August 14th, 2010 - I just learned about the corrected information.
Sunday, August 15, 2010 at 16:48 |
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From announcements across the internet, I am sad to have to report that master luthier, Phillip Petillo, passed away suddenly last night, Friday, August 14, 2010, at the age of 64.
For those who are not familiar with Phillip Petillo, he was the instrumental genius who worked on and built guitars not only for Maury Muehleisen, Jim Croce, and Tommy West, but Johnny Cash, Tom Petty, and Bruce Springsteen - to name a small few. Petillo was responsible for working on and tuning many different instruments for Maury; he is also responsible for the work and sound of the Gibson Dove that Jim Croce played on all three of his studio albums.
David Petillo, Phil's talented son, has been working with his father in the Petillo Guitars shop in Ocean, NJ for years now; Phil was always proud of David's work, as he has done an incredible job in furthering the Petillo family name.
Please keep the Petillo family in your thoughts during this difficult time.
Saturday, August 14, 2010 at 23:10 |
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I used to listen to the music riding the school bus between Vandenburg AFB and Vandenburg Village back in the 70's. Good then and still great music today. They are both missed. RIP
Wednesday, August 11, 2010 at 22:42 |
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Being a player, I can't help but listen to the guitar work before I ever hear lyric's so in a sense I recognized Maury before I did Jim and loved them both. I'm a team player and they set the standard for being a Team! There's defense against music.
Monday, August 09, 2010 at 15:25 |
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I had the privilege of seeing Maury and Jim open for Loggins and Messina in Carnegie Hall. I've listened to Jim and Maury's songs many times since then and never fail to marvel at how much it sounds like one man with four hands, their sound is just so connected ,and Maury always had just the right notes for every song. May you have peace.
Thursday, August 05, 2010 at 14:44 |
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As a young guitar player I looked up to Maury, he was truly my greatest inspiration
Monday, August 02, 2010 at 14:15 |
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Hi there! You have a great site. Best regards!
Monday, August 02, 2010 at 14:14 |
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I have listened to ,and loved the craftsmanship of Jim Croce's songs. But they would have never flown without the accompaniment of Maury Muehleisen. Jim was blessed to have him to play, and as a friend. I am a Singer/Songwriter/Musician myself based in Nashville. I'd give all I have to have a partner, and friend like Maury to make my songs fly. He was the BEST in my book. R.I.P. Maury.
Friday, July 30, 2010 at 12:29 |
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I only started listening to Jim Croce about 6 months ago. It didnt take long to come across "A Long Time Ago" and "Operator". Everytime I hear these songs I can't help but think of the freedom you feel driving down a lonely country road. I am only 22 and was turned onto the music by my parents who suggested I learn "Time In A Bottle" on guitar. I did...but can't seem to do it any justice like they did. I just about break down and cry everytime I hear these songs because they are just so amazing...and yet...they go largely unnoticed to today's listening audience.
I love you Maury and you too Jim!
Monday, July 19, 2010 at 02:02 |
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Thank you, Mary for letting us know more about your wonderful brother and his music. He will always be more than just "the guy who played guitar with Jim Croce" Again, Thank you. And thankk You,Maury for your music
Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 16:54 |
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Having heard of the recent release of the Ltd Ed Martin D-35MM guitar, I am almost compelled to purchase one. Virtually not knowing anything about Maury until this came about, although I knew something was going on behind Jim Croce's songs...the definitive lead guitar work of Maury! Also, reading into Maury's past, I also learned he has the same B-day as mine, Jan. 14. I just wanted to say: he was taken way too soon & your music lives on...
Thursday, July 15, 2010 at 12:33 |
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I cant imagine writing a song that Jim and Maury hasnt been a part of. They are so important to me. Long live Maury and Jim
Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at 02:33 |
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Mary, Beautiful.... I've been playing Jim's and Maury's music for years. They have brought great joy to my life...
Sunday, July 11, 2010 at 22:13 |
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DEAR FRIENDS,WORDS COULD NEVER EXPRESS HOW MUCH MAURY & JIM'S MUSIC HAVE MEANT TO ME;THE INCREDIBLE MELODIES,THE INSIGHT IN THE LYRICS,SHARING THE HUMAN CONDITION;ARE SIMPLY AWESOME!THE PATHOS IN"SALON & SALOON",LEAVES ME SPEECHLSS.EVERY NOW & THEN,GOD SENDS US SOME"HUMAN ANGELS",WHO REMIND US OF WHAT LIFE IS REALLY ALL ABOUT;& SADLY THEY ALWAYS SEEM TO GO TO SOON.BUT WHAT THEY LEAVE US,LIVES ON IN OUR HEARTS FOREVER.THANKS MAURY FOR ALL THE BEAUTFUL MUSIC,& MEMORIES.YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN.YOUR SONGS LIVES ON IN MY HEART,& IN THE HEARTS OF THE MANY UNSEEN SENSITIVE,PASSIONATE SIMPLE FOLK,WHO KNOW BEAUTIFUL MUSIC WHEN THEY HEAR IT;& WHOSE LIVES ARE EVER CHANGED BY IT.GOD BLSS YOU MARY, SAM GREENE.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010 at 18:16 |
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Thank you, Gord, for sharing your memories and observations - and for your recognition of Maury's great talent and contribution to Jim Croce's success.
It's sad that Maury's dreams of doing "HIS things," as you say, were never realized; but it is my honor to provide this website as a way of introducing the world to Maury. I'm glad that you and so many others take the time to get to know Maury.
Thank you for your kind words.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010 at 00:15 |
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When I met my first girlfriend in June, 1973, she was a huge Jim Croce fan. Now, 37 years later, whenever I think about her I click onto a Croce song and the memory takes me back. But I didn't realize that Jim Croce had another guitar player with him until I saw a You tube vid. This guitar payer, the guy who picked out the leads and added the scores that truly MADE Croce's music, was Maury!. So since I am also a guitar player I jave watched all the vids of maury and am just blown away by his talented fingers. listening to his tunes on the website, I know that Maury was no second fiddle; that had he lived he would've split from Jim and gone on to other musical things, HIS things. And those things woulda rocked the world. And so now I've got a deeper respect for croce tunes and when I hear them now, I see in my mind;s eye an image of Maury, the lead player who made Jim's tunes possible.
Monday, July 05, 2010 at 21:04 |
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No Comments
Monday, July 05, 2010 at 20:54 |
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Just wanted to say that Maury's guitar playing has been very inspirational to me as a player myself. So even though I never met the man, he has definately given me something to strive for. Thanks Maury!
Sunday, July 04, 2010 at 23:46 |
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I write this listening to Jim Croce's Greatest Hits that being said I've come to know Maury's guitar playing as of today. I enjoy a variety of music and listening to the guitar playing of Maury I have realized that the world lost an extremely talented musician, the music Maury and Jim have produced will live forever. Sometimes life is unfair and takes us way too soon, but also life produces such quality people that the glow of these individuals will Shine on and on!
Saturday, June 26, 2010 at 12:17 |
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I was always a big fan of Jim Croce. His music was, just great! I'm also a big fan of you tube, and after watching the many videos of Jim and Maury, I'm like wow! They made it look easy. And when musicians make it look easy, then you know they are talented. I once took my Mother to a Jerry Garcia Band concert, his bassist, John Kahn, one of his strings broke, Jerry quickly covered a Peter Paul and Mary tune alone,with his band watching in aw, he made it look easy, because he had the talent, like Jim and Maury did with their tunes, atleast there together now. It is nice to have a sister post a tribute site to her talented brother. Peace, R.I.P Maury, Jim, and Jerry too! John
Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 23:43 |
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Maury wrote a great song with Kenny Loggins years ago that made it on to L&M's "Mother Lode" album, among his other accomplishments...That's how I first heard of him.
It's nice to find this memorial for him. Best wishes to his friends and familyl.
Friday, June 11, 2010 at 13:47 |
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I've been a Croce fan since early 1973. I've heard every song 1000 times. I never tire of it. Maury was the icing on the cake. He was the Jim Croce sound. Unique to this day. They were both great talents.
Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 20:20 |
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The world was robbed when we lost Maury and Jim. One of my earliest memories in life is hearing Time In A Bottle and wanting to cry. I was a very young kid at that time and that song was so haunting yet beautiful, it stirred emotions inside me that I did not understand until I was much older and became a musician and songwriter myself. In a sense, if Maury had never decided to write songs and be a musician, I probably never would have either. If I could only thank him for the inspiration.
Tuesday, June 08, 2010 at 22:26 |
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Dear Mary Hello,hope all is well!I and my singer Harold Slagle performed a medley of Jim Croce songs at Allen Park bandstand,Jamestown, last Saturday, and we dedicated the show to you,and to keep Jim and Maury in our thoughts.Iam playing Maury's leads while Harold does Jim's parts and all in all ,it turned out to be a magical event.Take care hun and thank you again for the sentiments!
Sunday, June 06, 2010 at 15:05 |
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Isnt it funny after sll these years one would feel the love these guys brought to those looking for it.
Musucians have something to offer thats impossible to describe with only words.I feel we would have been friends had we ever met,and i would loved to have told him personally how much we loved him.God Bless you and your families...Thanks for the music
Saturday, June 05, 2010 at 21:56 |
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From the first time I heard a jim Croce song i immediatly ran out and bought an album, and quickly noticed the guy in the background, Maury. They were destined to play together, I can't think of one without the other. God let us have them for a while and I am so greatful, if we could all just save Time In A Bottle......
Monday, May 31, 2010 at 11:39 |
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just seen a sky art's programme about jim croce, nice to think several thousand others were watching, maybe hearing the music for the first time.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010 at 15:07 |
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Just trying to piece together some of my long lost album collection and just loved gingerbread
Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 16:04 |
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Hello there. I've been a fan of Jim & Maury since I was a preschooler, around the time of their death. I was fortunate enough to hear some more obscure Jim Croce tracks that included some of his dialogues (the stories he told in concert, but captured in a studio). There was one song that backed up Jim's dialogue about the Chinese that I believed was attributed to Maury and Gingerbreadd. I've been waiting nearly forty years to track that song down and own it in its entirety. Unfortunately, it is not among the 11 tracks included in the 35-second samples here on this website. I also have forgotten the precise name, but do vaguely recall the word "Mind" being in the title (perhaps 'Edges of your Mind' or 'Corners of your Mind'??) I have a cassette transfer from LP of the dialogue that I can digitize and forward via email, if no one can recall the actual name and actual place it was published. I REALLY want the entire song.
Saturday, May 22, 2010 at 14:23 |
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I am from a small place in England called Windsor Great Park. It is beautiful. I grew up in a little village and dreamt of going to university in London and i did. In 2001 i went to Grenwich university where a strange guy at a party played "Rapid Roy" I instantly fell in love with the music of Jim and Maury! Being a gutarist who tried hard! It blew me away! Years later i have returned to my little village where i work looking after trees. I see so much beauty around me here and i think of Jim and Maury and those great times in London all the time! I'm 31 now and i reckon i'll still be listening in another 30 years!!! Thanks alot Arron
Thursday, May 20, 2010 at 17:46 |
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I've loved Jim Croce's music since I was 9 years old in 1972. I have never stopped listening to it and am now 46. I always wondered who the guitarist was because he was so good and different from the rest of the music at the time. Great to see the pictures now and visualize the man playing it.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 23:18 |
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In some strange reality, I consider myself a guitar player...until I listen to Maury that is. The man's gift and talent are to intense for words. The music that he and Jim produced was truly a wonderful thing. Imagine if they were both still with us?? Thanks for the music Maury!!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 07:58 |
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As much as I love Jim's songs I cannot imagine them without the sound of Maury. It took the combination of his playing along with Jim's lyric's to make the stuff that is embedded in my bones every time I hear their music.
God Bless
Sunday, May 16, 2010 at 01:14 |
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Well Mary , Like many others I never much of your brother and now ive looked furhter Into Jims Life I finall got to know the other voice and guitar that helped Jim become the singer song writer he was before their untimly death. I have just been watching Jim Croce Live and seeing Maury for the first time. I didn't realise how talented he really was. it amazing how many great artists Die way too young and Maury was no exception just another graet life lost. Thankyou again for this website.
Monday, April 26, 2010 at 10:42 |
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Hello Again Mary, I recieved the CD today. Thank you for the fast shipping and the enclosed note. I looked for this Album for years and could never find it. I look forward to listening to it. Tony
Thursday, April 01, 2010 at 11:57 |
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Hi Mary, Just letting you know i'm still livin and every time i pick up my guitar a Jim Croce song is played. Want to come visit so bad but don't know when we will ever get to. One day i'm gonna get on that Harley and say to my wife, we are going to see Mary, and Maury and Jim. Lots of love to you Mary !
Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at 11:52 |
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Hello Mary, I just recently discovered this site and I am pleased to see it. I met your brother back in the early 70's in PA. I was living in NJ and I was dating a girl from Point Pleasant. Her mother and father where divorced and her father lived in PA. One weekend we took a trip to see her father and it turns out he was Jims neighbor. He was living in an old farm house type duplex. The home where Jims picture was taken in the small gazebo in the back yard. Jim was out of town but If I remember correctly we took a ride over to Maury's house. Being a fan of Jim and your brother it was a thrill getting to meet him. Keep the site going and it's nice to see the re-release of his music will be ordering. Pease and Love
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at 06:55 |
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Iam a professional guitarist and Ovation player as well and upon learning more about this artist iam deeply saddened at his loss along with Jim Croce's.Since my dad passed away from cancer,the songs "I Got A Name" and"Time In a Bottle" are constantly on my mind and watching Maury and Jim perform on Youtube is very soothing and relaxing to my sensitive state of mind.Maury's personality and mine are very much the same and i know how it feels to get up there and spread joy to people without having to be Elvis!Maury you are in my thoughts and prayers god bless!
Friday, March 26, 2010 at 15:38 |
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Finally after many many years i bought Maury's CD Gingerbreadd
A song i heard and Free to love you are my favorite songs on the album
thanks Maury for your wonderful music
He was a great inspiration for Jim, both so talented musicians
grt Hans
The Netherlands
Friday, March 19, 2010 at 17:58 |
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Listen to Maury and Jim since I was 13 in Mexico and still enjoy his talent , they blended so well.
Im still trying to play like them 37 years later
Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 00:51 |
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I attended Northwestern La State University long after the concert and always knew that Jim and Maury performed their last concert there. In college I would look out in the area of the accident and think "This is where the world lost but heaven gained musical angels.
Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 19:50 |
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Great meeting you at Folk Alliance and talking about Maury and Jim at the Circle Star Theatre with Woody Allen.
Monday, March 08, 2010 at 20:11 |
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Thank you Mary...For this great site. You are the best..I will continue to spread the word, to help people remember. Love ya.
Peace.
Jim Russell, Sr.
Orlando, Florida.
Thursday, March 04, 2010 at 17:33 |
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You and Jim Had the best music. I'm sad that you both left too soon. You're family is beautiful and seem so close. I was born in 79, so I wasn't born when you died,but you left a leagacy of great music. See you someday in heaven with Jesus!
Wednesday, March 03, 2010 at 18:26 |
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Just stopped by to visit my old friends. Just listened to both of Maury's cds. Thanks to Mary, they are alive, and avalable. If you don't have them, GET THEM!! You will be very pleased. It will carry you away to a happier time.
Thanks again. Jim Russell, Sr
Orlando, Florida.
3-2-10, 12:46pm.
Tuesday, March 02, 2010 at 12:46 |
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Maury and Jim had such a great interplay as musicians. It greatly influenced my work as half of a duo as well. Hard to believe those tunes were actually on the radio--it was a different time. This site is a very good one. Thanks for all of the information.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 18:32 |
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Last year my brother Carlyle turned me on to the Pete Huttlinger DVD of learning to play Jim Croce's music--and while I knew about "that great guitar guy" who accompanied Jim, I learned so much more from Pete's DVD. Now Pete is one seriously good musician, and he says there's never been another like Maury. I'm just so happy to know I can come close to the licks those guys put together: a lot of their music is absolutely classic forever. Thank God for both of them and their families that allowed them the time to create the memories they made.
Monday, February 22, 2010 at 20:30 |
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As a young guitar player I looked up to Maury, he was truly my greatest inspiration
Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 09:22 |
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February 2010 Exciting News -
Many of you know that Maury played two Martin guitars, a D-18 and a D-35, when recording and performing with Jim Croce. One of my dreams has been to honor Maury with a commemorative guitar, and that dream is now coming true.
It is my pleasure to announce that My Favorite Guitars, an authorized C.F. Martin & Co. dealer, is going to offer a Maury Muehleisen Custom Martin D-35. This guitar will conform to the Martin standard series D-35, with a few special touches in tribute to Maury - a 1 & 3/4 low profile neck, a special interior label designed by Dick Boak, a premium Italian Alpine Spruce top, and an East Indian Rosewood back with a Solid Quilted Mahogany Wedge as a nod to the mahogany in Maury's D-18.
These will not be a Limited Edition, but will be built as long as there are orders, much like Martin's Custom Artist Edition guitars.
For more information, please e-mail me or contact Jon Garon at http://www.myfavoriteguitars.com.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 00:29 |
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Thank you!
Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 14:55 |
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I've always been a huge fan of Jim Croce's music, but I also always knew I was listening to some extraordinary guitar that was the work of more than one man. For the first time tonight I am learning about Maury and I am glad to finally be able to completely credit that great music. One can only wonder what we were deprived of since
1973. Anyway, glad to make your belated acquaintance, Maury, and thank
you, and God bless.
Sunday, February 07, 2010 at 20:58 |
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I have listened to Maury and Jim's last show from 9.20.73 and they were great right to the end.
Many thanks for the great music. You are so missed.
Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 22:12 |
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Just finished watching some old videos of you and Jim Croce. Thanks Maury and Jim for such great music. Wish y'all could have hung around a while longer.
Friday, January 29, 2010 at 13:47 |
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Just lostened to A song i heard and i t is still in my head great peice of music. I now know where jim got alot of his style from not hard to see how jims music changed after maury together they were heroes on the hearts of many. there songs still give me butterflys. i wish i had known maury. but i beleave they now play for god and i cant wait to get there to see what new songs theyve written. there to be good
Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 18:25 |
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I'll have to say that I have always been a big fan of Jim Croce, While growing up I never realized that he wasn't the one playing the guitar. As I got older and the internet came around, I pulled up a video and saw Maury. What a great talent. With out his music ability the group would have been nothing. I really appreciate this website. It brings a person alot closer to the music to know that the artist is human. Its to bad that his life was cut so short, but his music touched so many hearts. Thank you for bringing all of this to my attention. You should be very proud of Maury and I also look forward to perhaps meeting him after my life is over on this earth. Thanks again
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 06:07 |
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Hi. We'll be doing a one-hour radio program about the music of Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen this coming Saturday (1/30, 10 pm PST) on KPBX Spokane Public Radio (Spokane, WA). You can listen online if you're a night owl.
I've always loved Maury's work as Jim's right-hand guitarist. We'll be playing some of Jim's work before he and Maury hit it big (some of my favorite of their catalogue), in addition to the songs that topped the charts.
Monday, January 25, 2010 at 00:01 |
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I cant get say enough about how much Maury has inspired my guitar playing style. God bless to his family and friends.
Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 15:35 |
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I played Maury's Martin (D-18?) awhile ago. It was a mighty experience to hold that instrument.
Still had a set list taped to the top.
First song was "Operator".
Amazing to hear this stuff on the radio and know I held the very instrument that made that music!
Thanks to Mary for keeping the memory alive!
Friday, January 22, 2010 at 23:33 |
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No Comments
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 19:07 |
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Thank you, Mary, for keeping Maury's memory so vibrantly alive. The music that he and Jim made will clearly live on in the hearts and minds for many generations, but your efforts give immediate access to the deeper story.
Happy Birthday, Maury...
Happy New Year, Mary,
Tim
Friday, January 15, 2010 at 20:32 |
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Happy Birthday Maury (one day late)
I spent yesterday listening to Gingerbreadd.
Very calming and peaceful music.
Long gone, but not forgotten.
Friday, January 15, 2010 at 05:59 |
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RIP your music will live on forever.
Friday, January 15, 2010 at 00:54 |
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Happy Birthday Maury....you are always with us....
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 21:44 |
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Thank you to all who visit here, especially today, with your good thoughts of Maury on what would be his 61st birthday. The kindness that you all show in remembering Maury is more appreciated than you could ever imagine.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 16:56 |
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A birthday remembrance:
Time helps us in dealing with distress.
And a smile can hide the tears.
Your memory and music are timeless.
I think of you with each song I hear.
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 14:52 |
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Happy Birthday,Maury!You'd be 61 today and you're in our hearts still,and always.
♥
Thursday, January 14, 2010 at 09:22 |
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It is because of Maury and Jim along with other writers of the time that I became a songwritter & guitarist. Today is Jim's birthday as I learned from his son A.J. Croce's FaceBook page. I never knew Maury by name, but he has always been one of the most impressive players I've seen and heard. It was also cool to see that we both come from New Jersey!
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 17:24 |
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Way back then 'til now, I always love listening to Jim Croce's songs. I even tried to play it on acoustic guitar, to no avail. I only learned recently that there was Maury behind every masterpiece. Thanks for bringing your music into this world for us, our sons, and for generations to come.
peace and love.
joseph
Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 16:25 |
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amazing talent..im from the philippines
i love them both croce and maury a perfect combination..until now thier music still lingers in my ears...thanks for the music..
Thursday, December 31, 2009 at 13:53 |
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I went to Glassboro State College from Sept.1966 to June 1968 [left when I got married.] I had the pleasure of knowing Maury during the '67-'68 schoolyear. Along with Maury and 2 other friends I traveled to Philly where he turned us on to "up and coming" bands at little obscure places. Then we'd run up the steps of the art museum and soak in more culture and talent. He was a sweet and charming boy back then, and I was crushed when I got word that he was gone. Our mutual traveling companions were Tom C. [a history major] and a guy we called "Fish" [a music major] whose real name I don't remember. I was thrilled to find this site. Thanks for the memories!
Monday, December 28, 2009 at 09:54 |
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I remember watching Jim Croce on the program "The Midnight Special" so may times,I never new what Jim's guitarist name was,now I know it .I always thought
that Maury and Jim blended so seamlessly
together it was and still is incredible
to listen to them.I am a vocalist,so I always noticed also how Maury always watched Jim so intently so that his vocal harmonies were perfectly timed ,perfectly pitched and never overpowering Jim's.He was definitely a special person and extremely talented musician.I am sure he is going to be singing in the choirs of angels in heaven.I love to sing also and I hope I will also be singing along with Maury and all of my other musical heroes ther too.I know you have missed him for so long Mary,but you will be with him again when Jesus comes again.God Bless You.
Monday, December 21, 2009 at 03:28 |
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I was barely in Elementary school when Maury was called home. I appreciate that many have noticed what an extraordinary person this was that walked among us. His talents still impress.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 15:28 |
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I believe the first time I saw Maury and Jim together was on the "Tonight Show" in August of '72. They did "Operator" and I was blown away. What talents. What great chemistry. I have forgotten much over the last 37 years. But, I still remember that night.
Friday, December 11, 2009 at 00:00 |
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Back in 1978, while in college, I met a girl who introduced me to Maury's music; and for many years I could not take a road trip without having Maury sing to my soul. I would travel between Hopewell Junction, NJ to Rochester, NY and as I was going through the finger lake's area of NY it was always an experience to play the songs of Gingerbreadd. I was filled with tears, emotions ranged from longing for that perfect love to enjoying what life I already had. It has been almost 25 years since I thought or listened to Maury's music, but as life would have it I just recently became reacquainted with that special girl from 1978 and was reminded of Maury's songs. It will be so good to receive the CD and to again share these wonderful songs with my refound friend. Mary, thank you for keeping your love for your brother alive…
Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 00:27 |
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What a great guitar player who just played so pretty that it was incredible. He and Jim just complemented each other so well while playing. God bless them both. Their music is timeless.
Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 23:21 |
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Hi Mary! I'm an old friend of Maury from Glassboro days. We used to play together for folk mass back in 67-68. I'm so glad you've put this up, Maury & Jim have been much on my mind of late, been playing their songs quite a bit. I hadn't seen Maury for a while as I'd gone to England at the time he was developing the solo act and recording "Gingerbreadd". I returned about the time the album was released and we got together then. I was off again to Ireland, they died 8 days after I returned. I'm so glad you've been able to get the album re-released, Maury is far from forgotten but now more people will be able to hear the talent we was. All the best!
Paddy
Friday, November 27, 2009 at 23:49 |
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Hi Maury, I recently got back in contact with our mutual friend Barbara and she and I shared some very fond memories of our Hermitage days. I especially hold dear the times I shared singing harmonies with you. Today it seems like yesterday that we were friends. It will be so grand to see you again in the great beyond. You are still very much alive in my heart. Happy Thanksgiving.
Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 15:36 |
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On this beautiful November day, I send you all my very best thoughts and Happy Thanksgiving greetings. When I am thankful, I can't help but think of all of you who have come to visit my website and share your kind words about Maury.
Peace and Love to all,
Mary
Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 14:07 |
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Thank you Mary. Been away awhile. But Maury and Jim are always in my heart. Thanks for e-mailing me, and being so personal...with the signature on the cd's..I love them....
Thanks...Your friend...Jim
Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 18:07 |
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What a talent. Thank you for allowing this glimpse into a life cut short. I'm sure Maury has some great stuff to hear when we all get together again.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 02:46 |
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i was very young when jim croce died but have always liked his music .just recently i started listening again and tonite while viewing youtube i saw a guy playing behind him.i never knew there was anybody besides jim making that music.ive never heard maurys name before.being a guitar player i fell in love with him immediatly.ive now discovered it was jims voice and wordsand maurys soulful playing that made it all happen.what a loss what a huge talent the world lost.to all his family im so sorry.life goes on and so will his beautiful songs.forever.
joe sailor
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 23:53 |
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I have taken more interest in Maury and his legacy as time passes on. He was highly underrated and too often overlooked,especially in contrast to Jim (not to take anything away from him,however. A lot of fans are unaware how much Maury was an integral part of Jim's sound. I hope more info on his life will be available in the future, as well as putting "Gingerbreadd" back out on cd.
Friday, November 20, 2009 at 21:42 |
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Never have I seen or heard anything as wonderful as Maury and Jim playing together.That must be what the angels of heaven sound like.
Monday, November 09, 2009 at 22:44 |
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I am thrilled I found this site! I've been trying to find Maury on the Internet for years. My friend Mari and I loved Maury's 'Gingerbread' album and we almost wore it out! When I moved away, I missed it so much. I kept asking for years if she still had that album. I never could forget it. Now I can get a CD of it. I loved listening to the samples. Brought back many many good memories/feelings. Thank you so much.
Sunday, November 08, 2009 at 23:09 |
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My wife and I have seen video of Maury playing with Jim, but didn't know who he was until recently. I was only 13 and my wife only 9 when Maury and Jim passed away in that plane crash. I was in Manila, my wife in New York, but we both did the same thing on opposite sides of the world -- played Jim Croce's albums over and over again. People talk of comfort food. Well, if there is such a thing, Jim and Maury's songs are our comfort music. Hard to believe it has been 36 years.
Saturday, November 07, 2009 at 21:01 |
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Mary,
I never fail to find peace, comfort, and humor in Maury and Jim's music. I was raised in the seventies and mom and dad always had there albums "on the stack" on the turntable. Thirty years later my children are within earshot of their cd's. Know that someday they too will retreat to that peace and comfort captured in their music. Peace
dave
Saturday, November 07, 2009 at 09:48 |
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wish i could have heard more of maury and jim,s music. i was only 14 when they were taken from us.
Friday, November 06, 2009 at 22:45 |
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Born in 1968, I am a life long music lover and insomniac.
I remember vividly sneaking out to the living room to watch The Midnight Special.
I especially remember the first time I saw/heard Jim and Maury play.
I was mesmerised and fascinated. I had never heard anything so beautiful. I still haven't.
Over the years, I eventually learned the name of "the guitar player".
I only wish that there could have been more.
I am starting to ramble so
R.I.P.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 00:17 |
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Time is FLYING..we last saw each other at the Phillies before the World Series last year and I think we sent you that pic. Hope all is well, and like most on this page who ever knew him, Maury lives within us.
Love
Gene and Terry
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 15:49 |
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Hi Mary! Another September has come and gone, one of these years me and my wife are going to make up there and visit Maury's Grave. I hope to get to meet you. Take care.
Friday, October 09, 2009 at 01:15 |
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Maury was an incredible talent. It wasn't until recently that I found out that many of the slick guitar lines on Jim Croce's songs were actually played by Maury! We lost a fantastic musician way before his time.
We miss you Maury,
Chris
Wednesday, October 07, 2009 at 18:02 |
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hi mary,
i want to meet you soon, even i'm here in the philippines. i love to sing croce and maury song, it reminds me all good memories since when i was small.thanks jim, maury..
Tuesday, October 06, 2009 at 14:55 |
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On behalf of Maury, please accept my thanks for some of the best guitar ballad, feel-good, thought-provoking music ever written. Whenever I need it, listening to his great guitar work lifts me from where I am and places me somewhere higher. There are few, if any, human gifts that are more valuable or more necessary.
Rest well.
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 21:32 |
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I just ran across a wonderful cover of Maury's lovely and haunting "A Song I Heard." The performers YouTube name is TinkGerman. I'm sure you'll like it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOQB6fMFxms
By the way, this morning I posted my song called "Favorite Song" which was written as an homage to the finger-picking styles of Maury and Jim. My blog now has four pieces (and two songs) referring to the music of Croce and Muehleisen.
Enjoy, and check out TinkGerman.
Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 22:00 |
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I am a few days late in posting this, but that doesn't mean that Sunday went by without a pause and a prayer for Maury, Jim, their families, and the others that died that long ago Friday night. To this day Maury remains one of my biggest musical influences and probably THE most under-appreciated guitar player ever. The man should have been given a medal for having to listen to Jim's stories over & over & over *grin at them both*. The laughter and heart touching songs Jim gave us as well as the distinctive, master-stroke artistry of Maury's lead have made me shake my head in awe many times. I love them like family even though I never met them. So once again, I smile at the heavens and say thank you. You are never forgotten.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 20:36 |
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http://timmcmullenmissivesandtomes.blogspot.com
I have posted my previous comment and two longer reminiscences about Maury, Jim and my song, "Second-String Songman." I threw together a quick video (mostly captures from videos) last night so that I could get the song up on YouTube to commemorate Maury and Jim's passing.
The song has been on my MySpace playlist (in fact, it was because of requests from this list that I originally created the MySpace and YouTube sites), and it has been on this site (Songs about Maury) and the Jim Croce Tribute site for the last few years, but now it can be seen (heard) on YouTube and on my blog at
http://timmcmullenmissivesandtomes.blogspot.com
The blog includes an explanation of how I came to record the song.
Best wishes to Mary and to all the Muehleisens,
Tim McMullen
Monday, September 21, 2009 at 23:14 |
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Your wonderful dedication to your brother's life and talent has allowed so many—family, friends, fans old and new—to share an inkling of what a remarkable musician and person Maury was. Maury and Jim are famous not because of their fate, but because of the incalculable contributions they made to the hearts and minds of millions through their unique music.
This day is the anniversary of a tragedy, a sad reminder that very bad things happen to very good people, but it is also a reminder of how fleeting life is for all of us and that the way we live our lives makes a difference in this world. Jim and Maury's friendship, collaboration, musical vision, and legacy set a high standard for lives lasting three times as long. Today is a day to inspire us to have our mark in the world, however modest or grand, be a positive force in the world.
Thanks, Mary, for your love and dedication; thanks to the many who visit this site and share their love and admiration; and thanks, especially, to Maury and Jim for the inspiration—Thanks for saying, "I Love You," in a song!
Tim
http://www.youtube.com/TimMcMullen
http://www.myspace.com/tcbijou
http://timmcmullenmissivesandtomes.blogspot.com
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 21:57 |
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wow 36 years. I remember sitting on my bed 4 days before my tenth birthday listening to Jim and Maury on a vinyl record when my brother came in and told me of the crash. I remember it so clearly. It was heart breaking almost like they were my own family. I still listen to that music all the time and it is as fresh today as it was all those years ago. For such a short period of time together they left us with a lot of great songs.
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 21:43 |
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Dear Mary, I'm so glad that I recently found this site. I graciously Thank You for your kind response to my initial guestbook signing. I never fail to reflect upon the lives and music of Jim and Maury on this day, and, now I have a way of sharing it. I have recently discovered some incredible and priceless videos on YOUTUBE of them. You can almost reach out and touch them, as they definitely reach out and touch us! What treasures! I know that this day weighs upon you, yet, it must be of some comfort to know that people around the world still love your brother, Maury, and hold him dearly in their hearts. May God bless you, Dear. Bill Brabham - September 20, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 18:36 |
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September 20, 2009 - 36 years ago today, we lost two very special people. Maury and Jim - gone years longer than either of them lived. So missed. Treasured memories remain.
Thank you to all who keep them in mind and heart and song.
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 16:48 |
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Some of the best music I have ever heard was played by Maury and Jim. They will be remembered always. I only wish that I was born a generation earlier to have seen them perform live.
Sunday, September 20, 2009 at 10:30 |
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Dear Mary, I will be out of town the whole weekend (in Chile we celebrate our National Feast on Sept. 18-19) with no access to internet. Just want to send you my deepest feelings for next Sunday 36th anniversary. Maury & Jim will be on my prayers... Thanks God for their lifes and their music. Thanks to you for your friendship and testimony! Peace & Love from Santiago, Cris.
Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 11:48 |
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It is probably the most used statement in these pages but I cannot resist it. Jim and Maury changed my life.
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 21:35 |
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Pete LaBriola did a fantastic job last night sitting in for John Weingart on his Sunday evening "Music You Can't Hear On The Radio" show. The first half hour was filled with songs by Nanci Griffith, Kendel Carson, Mindy Smith, Artisan, and Bill Staines. Listen to them when you get a chance.
The next hour and a half was devoted to music and stories about Maury Muehleisen and Jim Croce, using clips of an interview Pete did with Tommy West and me earlier in the week.
He closed the show with a one-hour 9/11 tribute - songs sung by Greg Poulos, Bruce Springsteen, Lucy Kaplansky, Christine Lavin, Loudon Wainwright III, Judy Collins, Kristy Jackson, and Jimmy Webb.
I hope to have at least the segment about Maury and Jim up on my site sometime in the near future.
Remembering all our loved ones...
Mary
Monday, September 07, 2009 at 16:14 |
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Hi, Everyone,
The anniversary of September 20, 1973 is fast approaching and it's time once again to recollect memories. If you have a chance to tune in online, there will be a radio program devoted to Maury and Jim and the beautiful music they created together.
WPRB 103.3 FM Princeton, NJ 7-10 p.m.
www.wprb.com Sunday night
Music You Can't Hear On The Radio
Pete LaBriola sitting in for John Weingart. Pete interviewed Tommy West and me yesterday.
Thursday, September 03, 2009 at 12:56 |
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Hi, Mary. This site is truly a wonder: it gives an opportunity for so many people who were touched by your brother and his collaborations with Jim Croce to express their admiration and joy as well as their profound sorrow at his passing. Many people, of course, stumble onto Maury after years of knowing and loving Jim. Bill Brabham's very nice note expresses a somewhat atypical response, but one similar to my own.
I was a fan of Maury before I had heard Jim, so when the news of Jim's death filled the airwaves, I instantly thought of Maury, but I, too, found that initially they gave no information about the others. I, like so many other visitors to this site, am perpetually saddened by the loss of someone who I never met, but who I knew intimately through the unique musical legacy he had created both before and during his stint with Jim Croce. I meant and mean this line with all my heart, "The singing of a friend will never end" (from "Second-String Songman" by Tim McMullen).
To anyone who has not heard Maury Muehleisen's original music, I encourage you to purchase either or both of his recordings from this site. They are as fresh and moving now as they were nearly forty years ago. If you love singer/songwriters, you owe it to yourself to listen to his songs in their entirety! They are truly gems.
As I have said often in the past, thanks so much for your wonderfully touching site and for the chance to share your love with others.
Tim McMullen
http://www.youtube.com/TimMcMullen
http://www.myspace.com/tcbijou
http://timmcmullenmissivesandtomes.blogspot.com
Wednesday, September 02, 2009 at 23:47 |
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>I was a junior in highschool, when a friend of mine said that he had finally found some music that I would absolutely love. I hung on every note and line of every song of Jim and Maury from that day in early October, 1972 to this very day! I only play and sing now because of that day that I was introduced to that gorgeous and timeless collaboration. A day does not pass unless I play a Croce song, usually in restaurants and bars, or just for friends. I only wish for 4 hands so I could play both guitar parts at once.
>I was on my way to school on September 21, 1973 in rural Tuskegee, Alabama being blessed by a medley of Jim and Maury on the radio,- - - until the DJ came back on reporting that this was a tribute to the late Jim Croce who died in a plane crash "last night" in Louisiana. As horrible and sad and crushing as this news was, I could only hope that somehow Maury was not along. This DJ was not providing any details other than that "my mentor" was gone. That night I, of course, got the full story from all the TV networks.
>Until 911, the loss of Jim and Maury was the only time in my life I had cried and literally mourned for someone whom I had never met.
>Surely Maury chose your name, Mary, to honor you when writing "I REMEMBER MARY". I love to play and sing this beautiful song! Thank you so much for this site, and may God continue to bless the Muehleisen family and the Croce family. Peace and Love, Bill
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 at 15:56 |
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RIP to two greats.
Sunday, August 30, 2009 at 19:50 |
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Hi Mary
I haven't dropped by the site for quite a while. I was listening to Gingerbreadd the other night and rreflecting on the fact what would both Maury and Jim be like now if they had not passed away. I know the world is poorer for their passing.
It is graet to see all the new messages from fans from all over the world. I know I keep spreading the word in Australia and get Jims music played as ofetn as possible on request nights on the radio.
Love to you and the family
John from Geelong Australia
Friday, August 28, 2009 at 01:50 |
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I was watching some live Jim Croce footage online, and have always enjoyed his lead guitarist's work in his acoustic duets. So I dug a little deeper and found out who this genious guitarist was. Maury was incredible, especially for his young age and inexperience (I read he only started playing guitar at 17!). WOW, thanks for the music Maury
Friday, August 21, 2009 at 22:10 |
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we lived on S. Hermitage in '68 before leaving for Boston, and I never met Maury,but I was led to believe the family had lived on our block. I've always taken some pride knowing that such a talent came from my town. At the after-party last night we had a great session trading great songs from our rich heritage when a brilliant bassist, blues/soul artist from Chicago broke out "Operator". Heartbreaking. As I picked out the chords, he sang the lines they played. I got home and found the you-tube duet and was floored by the song, the crisp yet easy flowing swing, the strength and unity they shared. Beautiful, enduring music.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 02:46 |
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maury muehlheisen "lives"...he will always live on in the music he created...someday i, and millions of people will die, forgotten...but not maury...a true virtuoso, a talent that would be successful in any era, in any place...you are missed, maury
Wednesday, August 19, 2009 at 00:27 |
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You can't help but ask yourself what if? What if that plane had not crashed? What did the world miss when it lost Maury? True musical genius is missing in todays "stars"; it is tempered by digital support and digital correction. That is what sets apart the incredible talent of Maury. He set the notes apart, he could bend the notes together. He brought your ears alive. Like I said, what if.
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 17:25 |
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Hello everybody
I live in Santiago of Chile and thanks my Dad I grown up with Jim Croce´s songs and Maury´s music. I just to thank you for such a beautiful idea, for shering with us your memories and experiences with Maury,now I realized why he was so gentle and kind guy, because he had an amazing family.
Regards
Claudio
Monday, August 10, 2009 at 17:12 |
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Mary, it was so nice to meet you this weekend and spend a bit of time with you. By the end of the weekend, it seemed as though we had known you for a 100 years. We'll see you again before too long.
Friday, August 07, 2009 at 14:54 |
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Mary,
Thank you so much for sharing memories of Maury at The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum's annual gathering in Nazareth, PA. It was so nice to see you again.
And an even bigger thank you for bringing Jim's guitar. I'll always cherish the time I spent with.
-- max
Thursday, August 06, 2009 at 21:12 |
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Music has been good to me over the years. Then there are the times you remember those who had so much more talent and so little time to bestow it on the rest of us. I met Maury and Jim in a studio session in 72. Just one of a lifetime of moments that are personal and impossible to share. Had there only been more time, God knows what we would have witnessed.
Sunday, August 02, 2009 at 15:41 |
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Hi Mary, Just wanted to let you know not a day goes by that i don't think about Jim and Maury. They say not to dwell on the past but they were such a part of my life it was like my family when the news came over the radio, i was in the field working on the farm in Marion alabama and i pulled the tractor under a shade tree and just cried, i couldn't believe they were gone...... but then again they aren't, because we are going to keep their memory alive!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 21:55 |
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Jim and Maury were my favorites when I was a college student back in the early 70's. And I still listen to their music today - as do my kids. Good music lives forever.
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 11:18 |
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Hi, My father attended college with Jim Croce at Villanova and I still love Jim and Maury's music. I can't believe how young he was and yet so talented. Thank you Maury.
Monday, July 27, 2009 at 03:33 |
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I first saw Maury on a PBS special about Jim in late 1971 (?). I was so impressed with his playing, the sensitivity and feeling he put into the songs. I was a student at Sam Houston State University and had my tickets. I lost a part of me and my youth that weekend. May your songs and playing live on.
Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 22:11 |
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I really enjoyed your website, especially the pictures. Your brother was a wonderful musician and will be remembered forever.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at 07:57 |
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Thank you so much for the wonderful comments and love you have shared for Maury.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at 22:07 |
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i was watching the jim croce you tube
video (bad, bad, leroy brown) and
asked who was the incredible guitar/singer alongside him. i got the answer and came to this site- the pictures of maurice with his siblings struck such a chord.
same year i was born and so many similar
memories. peace and thank you maurice's
parents, brothers and sisters.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 21:33 |
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I came across your site and read the "family" stories. I think the letter Joe left on Maury's grave was the most touching thing I've ever read. God bless you all. I am sorry for your loss. Thank you for putting this online so we all can get to know Maury and your family better.
Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 20:55 |
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Thanks for this very nice website. I received Gingerbreadd yesterday and have already listened to it several times. I haven't known of Maury's music very long, but in that short time I've been touched by it. I feel very fortunate to have discovered his work and to learn more about him. Thanks for making Gingerbreadd available. I am very proud to add it to my collection.
Friday, July 10, 2009 at 22:38 |
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Hi Mary,There is a young man who works at our local library who is the image of Maury!I was thinking about how much he looks like your dear brother as I was walking to my van.As I turned the radio on,there was 'I Got A Name' playing:-)
Just to let you know...hope all is well.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 18:11 |
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You added so much to music! Gone but not forgotten! Thank you!
Friday, July 03, 2009 at 15:17 |
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Life is such a strange ride.Who knows why things happens as they do.Never seems to be a good reason for it.And it's never fair.At 56 years of age now I am looking back at the good old days and loving the music that has been made by those with this great talent.And so happy they cared enough for us all to share that with us...Thank you.
Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 14:57 |
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Thank you!
Thursday, July 02, 2009 at 04:02 |
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Just wanted to say that although I was born after the tragic death of Maury and Jim they are my heros and their music has got me through some toughest times in my life. thank you for everything
Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 13:16 |
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I am sitting in the Philly airport waiting to board a flight back to Chicago when I came across Maury's paged as link from the Jim Croce site. I am 46 now but there was a time in my life when the only persons I prayed for during the time of the mass when the priest requests prayers for the dead was Jim and Maury. Unfortunately, I have added many more to the list since then but still include them.
Thanks,
Dan
Friday, June 12, 2009 at 17:52 |
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I was a big fan of Jim Croce and Maury's music because at that time when I was a teenager I really loved acoustic guitar music. I also live in Shreveport, LA not very far from Natchitoches. I was just entering high school when the accident happened. I'm so glad to find that there are people out there who remember Maury and appreciate his angelic guitar playing.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 20:42 |
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Maury and Jim were two fabulous talents in their own right. I will never forget the beautiful guitar work that Maury produced on his and Jim's recording. Thanks, Maury, and thanks to his family for creating this site.
Morris
Tuesday, June 09, 2009 at 15:14 |
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I'm just a guy from texas who, when growing up was never without Maury or Jim's music. When I heard about the tragedy It was truly another day that "music" died. The only consolation is that when we get to heaven the music will surely be the greatest. We love them, we miss them. Thank you for letting me say this.
Sunday, June 07, 2009 at 10:41 |
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oops I posted my E-mail address wrong on the previous sign in.
Friday, June 05, 2009 at 10:01 |
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I have to admit that like most people I love the work of Maury yet never knew who he was. I just purchased Gingerbreadd and just listen to it over and over. Between his incredible voice and phenomenal guitar playing you can’t help but get lost in the music. From what I’ve read about Maury (and I visited numerous websites) he was as wonderful a man as he was a musician. I would ask all of Maury’s fans to use this link and help get him a nomination into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. Just cut and paste this web address http://www.njhalloffame.org/vote2008/nomination_form.php After all the hours of listening pleasure he’s given us it’s only fitting we take five minutes to help Maury get one step closer to the recognition he surely deserves.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009 at 15:15 |
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Late, but not to late I became a fan of Maury Muehleisen. His guitarplaying was so wonderful and touched my senses. Now I found this really good website as a tribute to Maury. My respect. Keep it on.
All the Best for You and Your family, Mary
Michael
Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 09:19 |
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I just met Ingrid Croce here in San Diego and she shared with me the DVD she produced of Jim's music, which led me to your wonderful web site about your brother. As we watched the DVD, we wondered, who is that great musician playing with Jim? Here we are. Thanks for the tribute. We look forward to having the CD of Gingerbreadd. Peace.
Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 01:43 |
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One of my fondest memories as a young boy was listening to the music my father used to listen to. Music was an integral part of my Dad's life and plays an role of equal importance in mine.
While I was a little young to appreciate the impact of Jim and Maury's music as a child of 7, as an adult I came to see the inescapable clarity of both their combined genius and, for want of a better word, message. To this day, I cannot hear a Croce lyric or a Muehleisen lick and not think of my childhood and my Dad. Rest assured, they are most pleasant memories.
As my own kids grow, I want to impart on them the same appreciation for the true craftsmen that came before and have both earned a place a any table and are a continued and invaluable source of inspiration many years later.
It is quite conflicting to feel so uplifted by the music, while at the same time feel cheated because of the abruptness of the end. I have yet to hear any play anywhere close to Maury and I am sure I never will.
Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 01:14 |
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I'm so glad I found this site today. Maury really made Jim's music special and in my humble opinion Maury is one of the finest acoustic guitarists of all time. The world lost an amazing duo when we lost Jim and Maury.
God Bless his Family and all that loved Maury's beautiful music.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 17:53 |
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I have been a fan of Maury and Jim's music for a very long time (well, it seems that way to me: I'm 41)- they have always been there through their music in good times and bad. The way they played was and continues to be an inspiration to me. They will always be remembered. Thanks for having this site up.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 13:08 |
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I only recently discovered Maury's music. Maury's legacy lives on in every new fan that discovers his music.
They don't make them like Maury and Jim anymore and that's a real pity.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 08:16 |
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Just stopping by to say that I thought of Maury today:-)
Monday, May 11, 2009 at 21:12 |
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I can't belive how sad it still makes me feel when I think about the loss of Maury and Jim.
I had seen them barely a month before at the Philadelphia Folk festival.
They were just amazing together.
Thank you for this website Mary.
Peace,
Paul Scull
Friday, May 08, 2009 at 11:39 |
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They were soul brothers, together they made beautiful music on earth and continue to do so in heaven.
it's so wonderful to be able to listen to their gems daily.
Tuesday, May 05, 2009 at 02:19 |
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Thank you, Mary!
Sunday, May 03, 2009 at 09:58 |
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I play the guitar everyday of my life i dont ever go anywhere with out with Jim and Maury are the one who influenced my in to playing there my to favorite musicians ever and always will be.
Thursday, April 30, 2009 at 18:10 |
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RIP!! I truly loved your music. I can remember being in high school, being in love with my first real girlfrend and living by you and Jim's music. I hope your music lives forever!
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at 08:10 |
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Fantastic site! Maury and Jim were the best! As a guitar player myself I've always admired them.
Friday, April 24, 2009 at 18:04 |
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Hi Mary,
What a great site!
I'd always been a fan of Jim Croce. I couldn't believe it when my brother said he met two guys - Michael and Robert - whose brother played with Jim Croce. Thank you for keeping the memory of your brother and his great talent alive for all.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 19:45 |
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me likes maury,him playeded good musik
Friday, April 10, 2009 at 21:11 |
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Maury's music will last forever. God bless.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 15:51 |
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I was a kid when the plane went down,and always loved Jim Croce and his music. I am a guitarists and am working on a cover of 'One Less Set of Footsteps' as a tribute to Jim and Maury. I've got everything down except for the acoustic lead, which I may never get! Maury makes it look easy and Jim is so smooth.
To their memory.
Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 19:55 |
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Rickey C. Blankenship |
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Rickey c. Blankenship
On sept. 20th 1973 i was plowing a feild outside Marion Alabama, when the news came on the radio that Jim and Maurey, had died in a plane crash, I will never forget that day. And I will never forget those two freinds I had come to know through music. I learned to play the guitar because of them, you both will live forever in my heart. Heaven is a better place.
Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11:03 |
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I've loved Maury's playing since I was kid in '73. A few years later, I became a musician, and appreciated him even more. He had a unique sound --a great sound!-- and was a perfect match with Croce. It's still very sad, the tragedy of their untimely deaths. Maury will always be remembered through that great music.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 02:40 |
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I was in my senior year at Villanova (Jim Croce's alma mater) in 1972-3 when I took a date to the nearby Valley Forge Music Fair to see Woody Allen in what turned out to be his final appearance as a stand-up comedian. The opening act was Jim Croce, and I well remember sitting in the audience roughly adjacent to Maury Muehlheisen (who was stage-right in the line of Croce's small band) and noticing his versatile guitar work. Allen's subsequent performance was brief and uninspired, and when he opened the audience to questions, someone pointedly asked: "How long will Jim Croce keep you in his act?" Of course, Jim Croce and Maury Muehlheisen were killed some months later, and I have always remembered that performance with particular clarity, and sadness.
Friday, March 13, 2009 at 00:24 |
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I was 13 years old when that plane went down. It was my first experience with death. I loved those Jim Croce albums and I never knew how big a part he really was with those songs. What a talent he was. Thank You for sharing those precious memories.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 at 17:27 |
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Twenty years ago I was visiting my
brother on marthas vineyard.He lived in a great boarding house near the ferry and the local bars where his freind played guitar.The weekends would bring a long list of characters to my brothers room to hang out and play guiatr. One night a whole bunch of us were partying and playing guitars.Someone asked my brother who his favorite guitar player was.Maury Mueleisen,he said.his answer was pretty funny to us all because noone knew who he was talking about.Soon we were all trying to do some of Maurys phrasing and fills.He really was a great guitar player.I can remember that being one of my favorite nights on the island.
Monday, March 09, 2009 at 16:32 |
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Australia was always 'behind' in what was happening overseas - we have our own world. I recall (as a teenager - 16) returning home on a Saturday night, not wishing to go to bed straight away - watched "Tribute to Jim Croce" on MTV on our Government channel. From then on I was mesmerised with the music, introducing it to my family.
Not being musical beyond singing, recently realised Maury & Jim's talents when watching my own sons playing guitar & drums.
We are all the better for Maury & Jim having been on this earth.
Sunday, March 08, 2009 at 18:47 |
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Rain Desmond's letter is a marvel. I know that I have mentioned my song in regards to other pieces on the guestbook, but she has almost exactly captured my own original experience with Maury's album. My song, "Second-String Songman," on the "songs for Maury" page of this site, tries to evoke that same ethereal, mystical musical connection that his songs evoke.
I was more of a music hound (i.e., I really tried to track down every musical joy I encountered—I didn't just want that one cool Danny O'Keefe song or that quirky Townes Van Zandt piece, I wanted everything that they ever did, and I was seldom sorry in my quests). It took several years for Maury to pop up on the Croce album (we had no internet back then, so news was zero until somebody reemerged on album liner notes or in an article), but suddenly there he was on the albums and the tv shows.
And when you compared the pre-Maury Croce to the post-Maury Croce, you heard a remarkable transformation in Croce's phrasing and melodies plus those incredibly fluid and innovative guitar accompaniments that Maury contributed. So when I heard about the tragic crash, I mourned the loss of JIm, a great performer who was just coming into his own, but even before they said it, I felt the heart-crushing realization that Maury had to have been on that plane too, and that we had lost a second remarkable talent, but unlike JIm Croce, Maury Muehleisen had never really received the renown that he so richly deserved. This site, and letters like that of Rain Desmond, and the thousands of heart-felt affirmations of Maury's affect from friends and strangers, helps assuage the pang of such a loss.
Rain—your friends should be proud to be the recipients of such wonderfully thoughtful and evocative missives, and I, for one, thank you very much for sharing with the readers of this site.
Tim McMullen
http://www.youtube.com/TimMcMullen
http://www.myspace.com/tcbijou
Thursday, March 05, 2009 at 00:13 |
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Anche se sono italiano sono cresciuto con la musica di Jim e sopratutto di Maury.
L'ho sempre ammirato per la sua bravura.
Sono contnto di aver trovato un sito che lo ricordi.
Ciao Maury
Tuesday, March 03, 2009 at 11:36 |
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Having loved Jim's music for so long I'm embarassed not to have known until today how much Maury was part of that.
Thanks Maury I'm a richer person because of you and Jim
Monday, March 02, 2009 at 16:29 |
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Unbeleivable talent. There will never be two guitarist who complement each other this way... Never.... Possibly the two greatest song writers of all time. At 47 they still get my vote.
Sunday, March 01, 2009 at 10:39 |
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I was watching VH-1 and they were doing a special on music of the 70's adn they had a feature showing Jim and Maury singing "Bad Leroy Brown". I then recall the first time I met Maury at Glassboro State College in New Jersey. He was a friend of my roommate Nancy and I met him when she brought him up to our room. He lived in Hawthrone Hall and we often saw each other in the co-op where student gathered to eat, socialize play the jukebox and sing along with the sound or just sing to be singing. My frien Michael was a music major and him and Maury use to sing songs together. Muary was excellent on the guitar and one time I said to him, "you're good and you'll probably be famous one day". Maury was so oh so modest, saying "Okay, if you say so". and giving that smile which was always on his face. When I heard about his and Jim's deaths, I felt that the music industry had lost yet another set of great artist. But they're up there in "rock and roll heaven" making beautiful music with those others that we lost too soon.
Thursday, February 26, 2009 at 16:47 |
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This is personal letter penned to a friend just yesterday: You might find this interesting. You might not. Eh, we endeavor to communicate because we are expressive and the pain of not doing so would drive us more insane than the doing.
Do you remember Maury Muehleisen? I don't expect you to, but perhaps you will if I continue. I have been having frequent dreams that feature my mother and other dead relatives and friends. In the process of this, I was prompted to go to the library in search for books by Leo Buscaglia. One of the dead friends in one of my dreams had introduced my to Leo in the 80's. She literally introduced me to him. We went to Vt. to see him and after his talk she introduced me to him. I have a very dear photo of him hugging me. So, she comes to me with my mother in my dream and then in my day time hours I remember Leo (he's dead too by the way) and so, I get the urge to go to the library to retrieve some of his books because it is mid-winter in NY and I am getting brain starved, psychologically starved, emotionally starved - starved on so many levels starved. I used to make it a habit to go to the Saratoga Springs library every Wednesday afternoon. I got out early from work that day and so would head down there to peruse the shelves and see what book or books vibrated enough to me to catch my fancy and take home and read. But I haven't done that in may be 3 years. So, last Thursday I purposely headed to the library to find Leo books. That done, I wandered back down stairs, headed for the music cd bin to find The Essential Leonard Cohen, which I never found, but in the futile process of looking I serendipitously vibrated to the Jim Croce (he's dead too) Classic Hits cd. On the Classic Hits cd is Time in a Bottle which I have always and will always hold dear as the song for my mother - because, sincerely, she really was someone I would want to go through time with. So, here I am dead people coming to me in dreams, dead people singing songs, and dead people telling me some pretty essential and beautiful stuff that I needed to hear about loving. Well, so after having the cd in my possession for five days, last night I wandered over to where the plastic cover laid since opening it and sticking the cd in the stereo. I'd listened to the cd enough and was contemplating bringing it back to the library before the dog ate it or something and I decided well, I might as well read the liner notes. And I'm scanning over them because I have a hard time concentrating sometimes and in the process came across the words "On September 20th, 1973," and I think, oh, this must be when Jim died and the details of that held some interest to me. So I concentrate harder and re-read "On September 20th, 1973" and remainder of the sentence.
Do you remember Maury Muehleisen?
After Blue was born and I was living at home and we were friends (this is kind of like one of your "where were we when we were..." moments) and on one of our walks to Woolworths at the Loblaws (yes, I said Loblaws) Plaza (Blue was probably with us) we were sorting through the album bin (remember albums?) and Maury's album did it's little vibrational "me! me! take me!" chant to me and I bought the thing and brought it home. Do you remember this? And how I loved that album. Over and over and over I'd play it. "Eddie was a good man. He lived his life so free..and sometimes Eddie smiled at me." I let you borrow it too. It was all original work. He had some great songs and a clear as a bell voice. This must have been 1971 or 72. Over the years I would think about him and wonder why he never made it big and I would sometimes even laugh at myself for buying his album and who was he and what the heck ever happened to him? But when I would think about the album and the songs, I would thing, gee I really liked him and just figured, well, he was probably just some small guy who had the fortune of having an album produced and that was the end of him. I sometimes imagined him singing in small cafes still trying to make it.
So it is 37 years later and I have been dreamed into and vibrationally pushed into picking up the liner notes of Jim Croce's Classic Hits cd and the sentence reads, "On September 20, 1973, Jim Croce and his friend and guitarist Maury Muehleisen died in a plane crash along with four others in Natchitoches, Louisiana." And on the same page as this sentence is a photo of Jim and Maury. And I felt like I was kicked by a metaphysical mule in the stomach. I immediately burst out crying.
This is why my Maury never made it beyond that one little tiny album that happened to call to me 37 years ago in Woolworths.
So my mother and these dead people are sending me messages and (despite the fact that this is what your father hated about me) I am receiving them loud and clear and there is a lot of love going on in the nether world towards me. I imagine my mom up there chatting all these people up. Telling them about me and how I did this, and how I liked that, and Ollene (my old friend) is telling her xyandz about me and she brought over Leo and then Jim Croce showed up and then Maury.
I love winter in NY when I am starved on so many levels and the bridges are up and the mountain passes are closed and nothing is getting through but my own thoughts and voices from some other place.
Love you, Rain
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 13:25 |
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Maury has been an inspiration to me and so many other musicians in my life and just wanted to say thanks maury (and jimbo too!) for the gift of your music even you were only on loan from heaven for a short while your music will be a gift cherished for a lifetime . thanks guys hope i meet up with you both at that great jam session in the sky! also thanks mary for building this wonderful shrine to a magical guitar picker.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 00:14 |
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i'm 53 now....born in 1956.....i play lead guitar in temple,tx....maury's guitar work was a great inspiration for me in highschool...i'll never forget the first time i heard"operator"...rarely... have i ever been moved,such as that....when i first hear a song...i still wonder what he would be doing today if he and jim were still alive....oh well...as george harrison said"all things must pass'
THANK YOU MAURY...AND REST IN PEACE!
Monday, February 23, 2009 at 14:41 |
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I was just watching a VH1 show tonight called "Billboard's Hits of the 70s", and it features a live performance of Jim Croce playing "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown". It was just Jim on acoustic and vocals plus a groovy-looking dude playing delicious little acoustic licks and singing backup vocals. I realized I had seen this cat in other Jim performances, and tonight I had to figure out who he was.
After doing a little investigation (thanks Google and Wikipedia!) I discovered that this guy was named Maury Muehlelsen and that his sound, talent, influence and vibe looms incredibly large in the Jim Croce story. I've always adored the guitar playing on "Operator" and "Time In A Bottle" - it's ridiculously brilliant, taking the songwriting to an even more stunning place - and am grateful that I was able to find out more about this man on this important website. What a talent. Of course nothing will ever take away the tragedy of his loss, but he's alive forever, every time his art is once again sent out into the world, with his soul pouring out over those strings and out into the universe on those wonderful records.
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 02:42 |
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My father's mother was Cary Muehleisen. I remember my mother telling us that cousin Maury had died in a plane crash, but I hadn't ever met him, just knew he played the guitar. I spent a lot of time with other Muehleisen relatives near Trenton - Aunt Freida who raised my dad. Uncle Jonah who was a local engraver and artist, one of his paintings hangs in my apartment. Our family comes from talented stock. There was always music in our house. I got my first guitar when I was thirteen, a piano a few years later and played constantly through high school and college. I still have that first guitar, and a second guitar I bought 10 years ago an Ovation. I just recently learned Maury played one along with some Martins on the road. I still play once in a while but not as much as I wish I could. I'm very excited to be able to learn more about the cousin I never knew but heard while I was growing up.
Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 17:30 |
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I can't get enough of Jim Croce's songs and to find out Maury's special influence on them all is so interesting to me. I just wanted to say I appreciate all his work and I know its been 35 years since his passing, his music and contributions are so much appreciated today. Thank you
Saturday, February 21, 2009 at 12:09 |
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This is pure and honest talent that will endure through all time.
Friday, February 20, 2009 at 01:04 |
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Jim and Maury were a talented, personable duo with much to give and did in a much too short time. Thirty-five years later, their music still produces peaceful thoughts and a smile for me. They will never be forgotten.
Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 11:31 |
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Maury and Jim inspired me greatly as a young man. In watching some YouTube videos, I notice Jim's Ovation is exactly like the one I have (and still have). As a songwriter, they have also inspired me. Today, at 53, I am going to resume playing because, at long last I realize THIS is what I love. God bless Maury and Jim.
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 14:56 |
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I knew Maury in college. He was one of my very best friends. I was cleaning out a closet the other day and notice a box of albums untouched for years but dragged around unopen for many moves. Of course Maury's album was in the box. I remember many of my conversations with Maury about life, living and the future. God bless to his family. He was a wonderful man. And not until I started to write this note did I realize how often in life I thought about his advice. The thing is--I think I should ahve followed it more.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 20:45 |
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Just want to say..you are not forgotten
Sunday, February 08, 2009 at 15:44 |
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To all of Maury's family and friends,
I feel the love. Thank you for sharing his/your life with the world. Great information, great sentiment. God bless you all and all of us.
And, to Maury, thanks for sharing the talent.
Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 20:21 |
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Hello Mary and Robert...
This has evolved into a haunting and beautiful site. Your love for your brother is evident in every word on every page.
Hope you are all well. Write when you can - same addy as always.
Happy Birthday Maury. I watch you and Jim on YouTube. Timeless.
Love, your cousin, Shelia
ps. my oldest son looks so similar to Maury - the Malone/Muehleisen gene bonanza!
Saturday, January 24, 2009 at 22:46 |
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Peggy
Thank you to all Maury & Jim's fans for keeping them alive & passing on your interest in their music to your friends & families. I enjoy reading your messages to our family through this website. (Thanks, Mary)
As I am surrounded by Eagles fans at work every day, I would like to remind you of the movie "Invincible" The Vince Papale story, another Philadelphia local success story. "I Got a Name", with Maury's guitar playing, is the song played during the credits.
Thanks again, Maury's sister, Peggy
Sunday, January 18, 2009 at 07:46 |
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Well it's just a week now since I got Gingerbreadd and Before the Ever Since from you, Mary. I've listened to nothing else since! Maury's singing, guitar playing and songwriting are outstanding. These are quite simply the best songs I've heard in years. Love them all.
Thanks so much Mary!
Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 10:23 |
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Dean Little the one who posted below me is my dad. when i was little my favorite song was leroy brown. i have allways been a fan. my dad called me into his room one night and was like check out what i bought. it was Jim and Maurey. i really loved it. they both play guitar very well. i really appricate good music. todays music isnt near as good as the old stuff.
Jim and Maury live on through the music. =]
Friday, January 16, 2009 at 20:00 |
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i am 44 and have known all the words since jims 3 albums came out. bought the dvd a few years back,and enjoy watching maury and jim over and over.they were very special in my life and my older sister who originaly turned me on to it. got a text this week from my 15 year old son with the words to operator, he loves the dvd, great music always remains timeless. thanks for the great music....
Friday, January 16, 2009 at 19:31 |
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what a lovely site. you know, at 52, i still cry sometimes at some of jim and maury's songs because they are so missed. but what a gift they left for us all. bless you, love. i wish you peace.
Friday, January 16, 2009 at 17:14 |
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What an honor to be able to leave a message to Maury. I was only 15 years hold when I heard the tragic news and cried as if I had lost a member of my on family. I begged my mom to buy me a guitar and have been playing the same one ever since. I loved Jim Croce's songs and memorized every word but I new I would never be able to play like Maury or sing like Jim. However their work was truly an inspiration for me in playing the guitar. Now with the internet I search for every piece of video out there just watch them and see the beauty in what they created. What a joy. Now I have two birthdays to celebrate on January 15th. Maury's and my son James.
Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 17:59 |
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I was thinking of Maury on his birthday yesterday.Unfortunately,my compter crashed and I just got it working,but I want to say that Maury is always remembered and his music forever appreciated!
Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 16:20 |
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A posthumous birthday celebration is unusual, but we do it for the greats: Lincoln and Washington, MLK. Our Great Aunt Pearl died two years ago at the age of 102; her birthday was this week. We have continued to celebrate her birthday each year since, as we did when she was alive, by having dinner at her favorite restaurant. I encourage your site visitors to celebrate Maury's birthday by listening to his songs from Gingerbreadd and Before the Ever Since. His beautiful pieces still resonate deeply, and if you haven't heard them, you can buy them at this site. I coined the double-entendre—second-string songman—to describe Maury's career, but make no mistake: he was first-string all the way. I can't recommend his songs highly enough!
Happy Birthday, Maury
Thursday, January 15, 2009 at 03:30 |
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Thanks for the various remembrances of Maury. He would have celebrated his 60th birthday today, January 14. The kind words you all share during the year are much appreciated.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 22:41 |
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Happy Birthday Maury! He will always be remembered. A talent likes his will live forever through the music.
GAB
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 19:22 |
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Just wanted to say "Happy Birthday" Maury, where ever you are! Your music will live on for many many generations to come.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 16:21 |
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In 1975,Donna,one of my coworkers, loved Jim and Maurys music so much she wanted "Time in a Bottle" played at her wedding. When she found out I played guitar ,she asked me to perform it. After weeks of trying to get it perfected, I finally just had to wing it. Of course ,it was no way close to the beautifull original, and in embarassment ,I declined payment for the gig. Jim and Maury...your music will forever be a part of our memories...and I'm sure,will never be duplicated...
Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 14:00 |
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Wow,just came to know his guitar style and singing.very impressive,what a huge loss and condolences to the family.
Monday, January 12, 2009 at 14:38 |
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Rest in peace, Maury. You and Jim. Your music lives on forever.
Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 18:07 |
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I first heard Jim Croce's songs when I was in College. It was the back up singer's voice that i really like..that's why when I sing along Jim's song, I sing the back up part...I Love the guitar playing too.....
I used to wonder whose voice or who was the back up voice behind jim Croce's Song???
NOW I KNOW His Name...and I read his Story....
May You Rest in Peace, Maury.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009 at 22:30 |
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Happy New Year, Mary, to you, to your family, to all the visitors to this site, and to Maury's memory and the great musical legacy that he and Jim left us.
Have a great new year!
Tim
http://www.myspace.com/tcbijou
Thursday, January 01, 2009 at 04:04 |
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Great Music, Maury.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008 at 01:32 |
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What beautiful music. I stopped by You Tube recently just to see how it was done and became fascinated by Maury's incredible guitar work and understated singing voice. Like George Harrison, he was the one that made it work. That magic musical formula that so few share. It's a shame we've missed so much over the last thirty-five years but we were lucky to have them and lucky to have their music - always.
Monday, December 29, 2008 at 21:11 |
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When I first heard Jim Croce I was really impressed with the ability he had in writing pop songs. But what actually drew me into his songs were the guitars. First of all they played those damn Ovation guitars. Don't tell me how good they [Ovation guitars] were. They were a pain in the butt to play, BUT. I never in my life heard two guys make those guitars sound that good. I know they didn't stay with them throughout the 3 albums and that's okay. What I liked was what lead guitarist Maury Muehleisen was doing with the guitar. He made the Croce sound. Jim could write good commercial tunes and Maury polished them up so good that you just couldn't help notice. Like peanut butter and jelly, these guy were a natural fit. I thank God we all got to know them and sadden that we were left wondering what other great music would they have produced. Can't beat a PBJ. Thanks Maury your playing is still being talked about and your family should be proud of you and your accomplishment.
garagebandman
Thursday, December 25, 2008 at 00:07 |
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I have been a huge fan of Maurys and Jim sence i first heard them for the first time from a joot box from a reastraunt in Big Spring Texas where i worked as a busboy during the summer before school started...i remember that day like it was yesterday...you dont mess around with jim..played over and over and over...everybody loved it...everybody played it..and to this day i miss maury and jim and the "what might have been"..and wonder from time to time...when is hollywood going to make the movie about Maury and Jim
Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 00:31 |
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i was a kid living in amsterdam when i discovered jim croce's music and, through it, the voice and guitar of maury muehleisen. recently i have been playing it a lot and have been watching the many videos on youtube. the music is timeless, so beautiful.
Monday, December 22, 2008 at 07:18 |
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To this day I listen close to Maurys guitar work. He impressed me then and still does to this day. I played in many duets and had the honor of playing his riffs. I was 16 when he passed. Thank you for having this website up for us who will never forget him.
Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 20:12 |
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i am friends with his brother and just found out who he was related to , i love jim croce and his passing upsets me, great musicians need to be reconginized. great memorial from his family.
Thursday, December 04, 2008 at 19:50 |
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I heard "I remember Mary". Makes a big impression. Such a powerful voice. And such strange but nice harmonies. He came a long way in a short time. Thanx.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008 at 16:10 |
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I still listen to the music and wonder why no one has duplicated what they did. Maury complimented Jim's music like no one else could have done. What an amazing talent. Never forgotten. Let the music live on!
Sunday, November 23, 2008 at 18:41 |
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thank you very much for the music. goodbye maury. by the way, i just learned about you today.bought jim croce's dvd and i got curious about the the backup singer so i searched the internet and read everything about you and you touched my heart. i will buy your music. thank you maury for sharing your music.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 at 23:11 |
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Maury was such a talented young man. He and Jim made magic together.
Friday, November 14, 2008 at 11:13 |
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The music from Maury & Jim inspired me to make a career of the music business. I still fondly listen to their music now 35 years since I first heard them. It's timeless. Thank you for the inspiration.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 12:39 |
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I met maury at Glassboro in the dorm. He heard me playing guitar and ducked his head in to say hello. We hung out off and on for the next semester. He borrowed my amp once. We were both dating girls in the same dorm and always found ourselves dropping our girls of at the same time on the weekends. Maury, myself and our friend Guy Kern roadtripped to Boston one bored weekend. I lost touch with him as his career blossomed, but did see him a few more times and every time got a smile and enthusiastic hello. Maury had lots of enthusiam. I have other memories and they are still clear and pleasant. Goes without saying I was shocked and greatly saddened by his death.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 at 23:49 |
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Thanks a lot for sharing the memories of Maury, a wonderful musician, Jim Croce and Maury are probably the sound which best represents my teen years, and their songs were the motivation for me to learn English. They will always have a place in my heart.
Greetings from Santiago, Chile
Wednesday, November 05, 2008 at 11:19 |
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No Comments
Sunday, November 02, 2008 at 07:39 |
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What a wonderful musician!
Thursday, October 23, 2008 at 14:55 |
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The "what if" factor. That's what I cant stop thinking about, when I see Maury and Jim play together.
The world seems like a truly unfair place some days. I still love to watch those guys play. I'm nowhere near the musician Maury was but I recognize that grin when he and Jim would play. The grin says, "I am exactly where I want to be right now....doing exactly what I want to be doing"
Anybody who plays, knows that feeling, when you hit the groove and you can't help smiling. Thanks for this page. Your brother was a genius and taken from you...and the rest of us....far too soon.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 at 13:00 |
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What a gifted talented musician Maury was
what a wonderful song: a song i heard
ive listened to it about 20 times in a row now, trying to find out which chords he used
but really wonderful to listen to
thanks
Hansw16
The Netherlands
Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 09:26 |
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I found this site today after thinking about Maury's history. I took up guitar at an early age but it was after watching Jim and Maury on TV that I realized what a tremendous talent Maury was. Not since the Buffalo Springfield days had I heard the melodic fills that Maury brought to the music. There was always a song within the song. God bless his family members and like you I can only imagine how much more special he would have been had he lived.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 at 15:46 |
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How blessed the world was for having Maury an Jim in it. I still smile every time I hear I got a name. I was 13 at the time and I still remember when my 8th grade teacher told us of the accident. She loved their music too we played their albums the rest of the day.Thank you for sharing this web site with us.
Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 01:31 |
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All these years, and I still can't believe he's gone. I remember so clearly the morning I arrived to my office, and my younger sister telling me that Maury and Jim had been killed in a plane crash. My heart ached for the rest of the day as I just sat in dis-belief. I had been too young to know what it felt like to those hearing of Buddy Holley's death and how one could only feel that the magic was gone. Now I knew. But what I didn't know at the time, was how Maury and Jim would stay in my heart all my future years, and how their music would shape mine.
My love to all Maury's family, friends, and fans.
Monday, October 06, 2008 at 09:14 |
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Had Maury and Jim lived on, the entire face of music as we know it would have changed. God Bless Their families.
Sunday, October 05, 2008 at 23:04 |
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after all these years, i still get a tear in my eye when i hear maury and jim. the best ever.
Saturday, October 04, 2008 at 12:11 |
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92) Linda Bonine
lindabonine@yahoo.com
I was just a little girl when they were playing. I don't even remember how I came to know of them but I do know that I still have my album that I bought with money I earned babysitting. I only bought a few albums as a child but You Don't Mess Around With Jim was one of them. Tonight I took it out to share with my son who is a guitarist. I told him that this was one of my "favs" as a kid. Don't worry, Maury's not forgotten - not ever forgotten!
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Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 01:55
Thursday, October 02, 2008 at 13:36 |
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What a wonderful tribute to Maury. It is clear in everything that is done on this site, just how much you love and are proud of Maury. He was an incredible singer/song writer/musician. I think he must have been blessed to be part of a big supportive family.
Monday, September 22, 2008 at 14:50 |
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There's nothing that I enjoy more than playing those beautiful songs on my guitar and trying to make them sound good (they sounds much better when I am alone).
The best part is that watching Maury and Jim play is soooo easy these days with so many of their performances on YouTube. It's just two guys sitting on stage playing and singing, but I like it so much more than most things I see on a stage these days.
Thanks for giving us the music.
Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 23:55 |
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35 years, I remember sitting in the grocery store parking lot in disbelief. They are not forgotten and the music they made has stood the test of time and continues to show that it is timeless.
Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 02:08 |
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Can it really be 35 years?
Mary, their music will live forever.
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 19:51 |
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I was feeling sad about Maury and Jim all day.
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 16:54 |
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Dear Mary and all,
I have been thinking of Maury and Jim all day today.I have played their beautiful music as I do so often,and thought about how very much their spirits go on because of all the joy that their voices and guitar playing is still bringing us,today,exactly 35 after they passed away...and always will.
Hugs...
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 16:38 |
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To Maury's family:
For some reason, my subconscious mind kicked in and I was playing my Jim Croce DVD and CDs this week and I was once again in awe of the chemistry between him and your brother. I never got to see them live in concert but they were two of the driving forces to get me playing the guitar. After 35 years, their music is still unmatched.
Thanks and Peace to all of you.
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 11:36 |
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It was amazing when I had a chance to watch Maury, a great musician to work with Jim and showed his talent to everyone.
I began to learn Jim's songs when I was in high school,
I played with one of friend together, we often practice the songs like time in a bottle, I have to say I love you in a song, these dreams...We enjoyed being a part of playing the songs, especially the chords created by Jim and Maury, it was hard but super.
The next song I am planning to learn is " I got a name " 'cause I really like Maury when he started to play this song and lead all the way to the end, it is absolutely wonderful.
Thanks you.
Alex
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 16:11 |
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Bless you and your family on this upcoming aniversary.
I was only 13 in 1973 but I remember the music so well and the horrible news of the accident on the evening news.
Mury and Jims Music have never left me .
Today im a musician myself and The music that Maury helped create is a part of me and always will be.
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 05:57 |
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Mary,
I don't have words that add to the value of the screams of love and adoration that already adorn this website. Reading the stories and respect reminds me of my own family and how lucky we all were. A love that you all had and maintain, albeit in Maury's spirit. The world knows Jim Croce, and those who cared to understand knew and appreciated Maury. I believe Maury would have been as big a star as Jim, however like a man's man, Maury recognized that it was Jim's time, and that his would come. It didn't come on this earth, but I promise you, 35 years after me or 99 percent of the world pass, people won't be burning words on websites in homage, as they do Maury. Love and God Speed to your family. PS- Gingerbread is one of my favorite albums and I have it in the thickest plastic imaginable!
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 02:35 |
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Mary—
The love that you have poured into maintaining the memory or your brother—the opportunity for family, friends, and fans as well as visitors newly introduced to the musical marvel that was Maury Muehleisen—has allowed this fantastic outpouring of admiration and tribute to your brother. The anniversary of a tragedy has the potential for merely emphasizing our loss, but I commend you and the visitors to this site for consistently remembering and praising the incredible inspiration and lasting legacy of Maury and Jim.
I may have used the double-entendré to call him "Second-String Songman," but Maury was incomparable. He will forever remain #1 with a bullet...
Sincerely, Tim McMullen
http://www.youtube.com/TimMcMullen
Thursday, September 18, 2008 at 00:55 |
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Hi, Everyone,
Thirty-five years this coming Sunday - September 20, 2008 - since Maury and Jim died in a plane crash in Natchitoches, Louisiana. It's hard to believe.
My gratitude is overflowing right now. I feel so blessed with the good fortune of unconditional friendship with people all over the world - people who have taken the time to visit this website and leave such kind messages for me and my family.
Thanks for being there for all of us!
Peace and Love,
Mary
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 17:10 |
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1973 was such a huge year in my life and I lost two iconic figures in a short time-span: Jim Croce and Bruce Lee, but as a guitarist, I KNEW, and as technology advancements have proven, the extraordinary guitar music in so many Croce songs, ie. Lover's Cross, Dreamin' Again, and many others, came from the fingers and strings of Maury Muehleisen. The loss of such a great musician, and as Ingrid Croce describes, fantastic friend and person, is not to be overshadowed by the horrible loss of Jim Croce. I will miss them both all my life, even though I never had the pleasure of meeting, or hearing them in concert, and I still listen to and play on my own guitar, though I am sure I hardly do their great music justice, their songs quite often. Thank you! Respectfully, Tim
Wednesday, September 17, 2008 at 10:05 |
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Mom just reminded me that tomorrow (September 16) was the last day we saw Maury alive 35 Years ago. I can't believe it's been that long since we last said goodbye. I was only 12 at the time. What a special day that was. He had so much joy and hope for his future. Maury was so happy that day to be with all of his family and friends. I can still see his face in my mind's eye smiling at all of us. I will forever cherish that day. There was so much music and laughter. My sister Mary was very pregnant with her twins who would join us only months later. We were all so skinny back then. Maury especially. He could not have weighed more that a buck 20. I remember laying underneath his grand piano that day listening to him sing and play and also listening to other music including Patti Dahlstrom's album. One song called Emotion sticks out in my mind. Today is a day that my emotions are all coming back to me of that last day. Thank you Mom for reminding me and thank you Mary for giving us this wonderful site to remember our brother every day. Thanks to all of the people who are keeping my brothers memory alive by writing in to this site. You have no idea how much it means to our family. Love to all. Robert
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Monday, September 15, 2008 at 21:21
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 21:51 |
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I have had this webpage marked since July 2005 when I found it. I don't know why it took me so long to post how much I admired Maury and his playing ability combined with his low-keyed, humble attitude displayed in the films and live albums I have listened to over the years.
I was in Law School at LSU on the morning I received the news of Jim and Maury's death. My clock radio woke me up to "Time in a Bottle" but it was just the lead in to the tragic news that Jim and his long time duet partner, Maury Muehleisen, had been killed just a few hundred miles from where I was living. I was in shock and the whole school was buzzing with the news and the rumors of what had actually happened to cause the plane to crash.
I am still saddened when I think about the loss of such a great talent so young. I guess God needed another angel in Heaven just at that time.
Doug
Saturday, September 06, 2008 at 22:28 |
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Hi Mary. Great site, keep up the good work!
BTW.... I'm a computer field tech for a medical transcription company. Last week while doing some work in the Trenton NJ area, I got the chance to visit Maury's resting place at Saint Mary's cemetery.
Friday, September 05, 2008 at 09:05 |
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As many posters on this site, I too have recently discovered Maury. I also have been a Croce fan myself, performing many of his songs for crowds along the beaches of West Florida for years. I always knew there was that other guy laying in those great licks. I am glad to have found this information about him and his life. He was another incredible talent, lost too soon. His family and friends deserve to be as proud as humanly possible of him.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008 at 15:27 |
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I have always been a huge Jim Croce fan and could just listen for hours. Everytime a saw something with Jim, there was Maury. These two men had such wonderful talents and where taken from the earth much to soon. Thank you for the website about Maury and for sharing him with us all. Many prayers and blessings.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008 at 22:05 |
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I just recently found out about maury, during my research on him, I am big Jim Croce Fan and never new who the other guitarist was, until I did some research... Really amazing I listen to Maury's songs and I love them, he is such an awesome guitarist, and I look forward to learning more about Maury, I myself play guitar and taking lessons and working on some Croce tunes and most definitely going to tackle one or more of Maury's songs from his album just reall really amazing
Sunday, August 31, 2008 at 23:57 |
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maury and jim were the best 2 man band of all times.
ive been playing guitar for 40 years even tho im only 43 years old .
i remember the duos of maury and jim and they were the greatest .
i hope GOD enjoy's them half as much as i do may GOD bless the family and personal friends of the people who was tragically takin away from us
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 01:42 |
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I think that it is great that you have got this website set up to remember one of the greatest musicians of his time, and many of my favourite recordings are of him with jim. Do you ship the cd's to the uk or should I order via amazon or something?
Friday, August 22, 2008 at 17:44 |
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I was a senior in high school in 1973 when Maury Muehleisen and Jim Croce lost their lives on that tragic evening. Jim Croce's music greatly influenced my life and I know the influence Maury had with Jim's music. Just listen to any Croce song and listen to the phenomenal finger-picking. It's Maury.
Thanks for the site - Maury needs the recognition and tribute for his contribution to his legacy as well as Jim Croce's. Together they made magic.
Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 22:15 |
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Love You Maury and your incredible music.
Friday, August 15, 2008 at 17:51 |
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Hello Mary,
we spoke to each other at the registration in front of the Martin factory recently. I saw your name and thought there might be a connections with 'Maury's Music'. But a completely different story then followed!
It was nice having spoken and met you!
As for many people I too have good memories of the music Jim and Maury. I heard their music at the time I justed started playing acoustic guitar and their songs are great examples.
One thing I still have very clear on my mind was a documentary on the Dutch television where they mixed parts of a live version of a song with the studio version. It was so cool to hear that songs flowing so smooth, you would easily forget it was editted from live and studio cuts.
Jim and Maury both left beautiful music and we have to be thankful for that.
Friday, August 15, 2008 at 03:25 |
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Mary,
I would have been thrilled to meet you at the Martin factory. I'm a UMGF member and come to the site from Mike's post.
You've heard Maury's praises before, but (honestly!) I was telling a friend at Martinfest '08 that of all the backup guitarists playing the really great guitar licks behind the stars of the 60's and 70's (like Denver, Taylor, Stevens, Chapin, Lightfoot and others), the one playing for Jim Croce was absolutely the best! But I couldn't remember his name. So it is with great reverence that I come to this site, and I'm thrilled to find it! Every time I learn a Croce song, I'm most interested in Maury's guitar part. It's great to think what he did still thrills us so much today, and will continue to do so in the future.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 at 20:32 |
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Hi Mary...we met and spoke at the Martin Guitar Factory...under the tent during lunch. I enjoyed spending time with you, and have "introduced" you to the Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum members. Hope to see you onboard there soon.
I'm working my way through the site and enjoying it a great deal.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 20:49 |
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Thank you for the Memories and the Beautiful Music.
But for all who read this - please find your only peace - as for Jim and Maury - in Jesus Christ! Without Him we all are lost.
These incredible musicians gave us some of the most beautiful music and songs of our age - their songs will stand the test of time for all time!!
We are blessed and I praise God that we are Blessed! May Both Jim and Maury be in God's Safe-Keeping awaiting our re-uniting in His Glory. Praise Our Might Saviour! Without Him We are NOTHING!!
None Come To The Father BUT BY ME!! That is by Jesus Christ Alone. If you don't understand this - seek out someone who can help you with this - there is NO other way!!
One Way - Jesus. Seek Him. He is the Only Way!!
Thursday, August 07, 2008 at 11:51 |
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As a young boy around 8-10 I would listen to Jim Croce songs with this fantastic guitar playing and the soft wonderful folk music. At the time, I really didn’t know it was called folk music (am a Caribbean Island man) but when they would play songs like “Time in a bottle” and “Operator”, man that just moved me every time.
It would be years later that I would purchase a cassette tape with all his songs. Whenever I seen a video of Jim, I had always noticed this other guy playing the guitar along with him, but never knew until now that it was Maury Muehleisen. I didn’t even realize he was on the plane that faithful day in September.
This is the first time I have been on this site and read about Maury’s talent and untouchable guitar playing.
Sometimes the good lord sends down a few of his angels to touch the lives of many with a soft and loving touch for all to embellish our souls to.
I can tell you and everyone that they were angels sent to this world to play and write songs that will continue to lift and smooth our souls forever.
Thanks for this web site, and the introductory of your loving brother. May God continue to bless you all.
Craig Merren
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
Thursday, August 07, 2008 at 03:50 |
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Just a note to pay tribute to an individual who influenced my music and though only 14 at the time of this huge loss I grieved and felt the emptiness that day!The memories of Maury sitting back quietly working the magic in Jim's songs as Jim brought his subjects to life always brings a smile and Thank You Mary for this site!
Sunday, July 27, 2008 at 20:52 |
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Dale's reminiscence perfectly captures why I wrote "Second-String Songman." Here was one of the country's finest acoustic guitar players with an incredibly unique sound, yet "nobody knew his name...it seemed like quite a shame!"
The great thing is that although his album Gingerbreadd was virtually unknown at his death, through the miracles of technology and love (aka, the loving persistence of his sister Mary) that album is again available after a thirty-six year wait (not counting the Japanese version), and the original solo demo tracks are available here for the first time. Anyone visiting this site has got to consider getting these albums. The snippets on the "songs" section show you what a beautiful and unusual voice Maury had, and what a marvelous guitar player he was—you can tell both in a few notes. Unfortunately, the brevity does not allow you to hear what a truly marvelous storyteller and songwriter he was. Jim gets all the glory in that domain, and his credit is well deserved; he wrote some great songs, but, clearly, he began writing his best work "after" he met Maury, and he was clearly influenced by Maury's musical sensibilities. You can only hear that when you hear Maury's songs in their entirety. Give them a listen. They will grow on you "like a song [you] heard one time...about [you], so much of [you]."
All the best, Tim McMullen
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 13:48 |
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I began playing the guitar in 1975 because of people like Maury, Jim Croce and James Taylor. I'll never forget when I heard of Jim Croce's death, I asked a friend, "Was his lead guitarist on the plane with him?" At that time, I did not know Maury's name, but I did know his guitar style and I absolutely loved it. I have not heard anything else like it before or since his death. And it truly makes me sad that we never got to hear more from Maury Muehleisen.
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 12:27 |
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Mary - I just checked in to see how the website was looking these days. I like the new look. The bluegreen on the home page is very soothing.
Nice touch!
Patti
Thursday, July 24, 2008 at 17:38 |
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Maury and Jim will always live in my
heart and mind. I've been playing
guitar since the age of 6 and for the
past 42 years since when I need
inspiration I listen to them I'm a
much better Guitarist and musician
because of Maury and Jim. God Bless
both families.
Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 10:40 |
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I have been playing guitar since I was 10 years old, more than 43 years ago. Upon first hearing Croce's album with Maury's amazing guitar parts I could not believe my ears. How did he get that tone? Where did this guy come from?
Recently, due to the iPod era, I was digitally loading some old tunes into computer. A couple of Croce albums were loaded...it made me listen to them again, and again, I am truly amazed.
The passage of time has not taken anything away from the genius that was Maury. Hearing all of it again, made me find this website.
God bless the Muehleisen family. Your son and brother is still missed by all of us, and to a much greater degree... all of you.
Thanks for this great tribute and I still want to know how to get that acoustic tone.
Sunday, July 13, 2008 at 09:00 |
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Maury and Jim created magic together. The world misses them both.
Wednesday, July 09, 2008 at 00:22 |
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I just discovered the website and I have enjoyed looking at all the information on it. I've always been a big fan of Jim Croce and I knew who Maury was, but really didn't know anything about Maury. I'm grateful for the chance to learn more about him.
It's hard to imagine what music these two guys could have made had they been around during the past 35 years. We have all missed a special treat that it didn't happen.
Thanks for keeping the memory and spirit of Maury (and Jim) alive for all of us to enjoy and appreciate.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 12:26 |
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Hello Friends of Maury.I was most impressed by the the style that Maury had.I guess like most of us Maury represents the man of music not the man of limelight.This quiet gentle talent has had a deep impression on me personally.In Maury's music would always be the winner,and for that I thank him.To those who knew him personally I empathise with you all.Good luck to all in life. Hugh Murray Ireland
Tuesday, June 24, 2008 at 15:26 |
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Thank you Maury for all the wonderful music! Rest In Peace My Friend My Brother...
Saturday, June 21, 2008 at 07:10 |
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I started playing guitar in high school back in the mid 70s. One of my guitar heros was Maury Muehleisen. I loved playing acoustic 12 & 6 strings and tried to pattern some of what I did after what I heard Maury do on the radio. I still play a lot and I wish I could have met him and said thanks for making me want to be a better player. I would at least like to say thank you to his surviving family members. I miss him too. I hope you are doing well these days.
Monday, June 16, 2008 at 23:11 |
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THANKS FOR THE EMAIL. IT MEANS ALOT TO ME THAT YOU REACH OUT TO US-THE FANS. ONCE AGAIN THANK YOU. BY THE WAY I JUST VISTED THE MYSPACE SITE FOR MAURY. I HOPE YOU ADD ME!! THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME FOR ME.
-PAUL
Thursday, June 05, 2008 at 19:54 |
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I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE MUSIC OF JIM AND MAURY. MY FATHER PLAYED ME THESE ALBUMS AND 45S GROWING UP. THEY ARE SO A PART OF MY BEING THAT I CANT SEE MY LIFE WITHOUT THEM. I WISH THAT THEY WERE STILL HERE. I RECENTLY GOT THE DVD OF JIM AND MAURY DOING LIVE SHOWS. I WATCH IT EVERY NIGHT FULL BLAST. GOD BLESS YOUR FAMILY AND THANKS FOR MAKING MAURY A PART OF MY LIFE AND FOR BEING VERY GIVING WITH RELEASING ALL OF HIS SOLO WORKS.
Thursday, June 05, 2008 at 12:58 |
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I've always loved photographs & memories, but i never knew jim croce until my husband had a chance to get a cd featuring jim, alive... and only then did i found out he died in 1973, the year i was born. i kinda got intrigued and started to browse the net for more info bout him, how he died, and so on. the same intrigue got the best of me to also learn more about maury. and im so touched of their life stories, as well as of their friendship, that even in death, they never parted...
Tuesday, June 03, 2008 at 04:57 |
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Monday, June 02, 2008 at 17:46 |
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Just Happened across this site, And I am glad its here, I have been road mgr. for JOHN EDDIE and his band for the last 5 years, and many places we go Maury's name has come up when I mention i'm from Trenton. I proudly state that maury is indeed from Trenton, and that in my humble opinion, he is one of the greatest accoustic guitar players I have ever heard. although I was only 6-9 years old at the height of Jim And Maury's sucess, I was very aware of them due to the fact that I had a sister who was a generation older, and her future husband was a class mate of Maury's at cathedral high school. It still boggles my mind that two inner city northeast boys likeJim And Maury composed such a beautiful array of ballads, that even today challenge the very best of any country or americana ballads ever written. The sad things of course is that tradgedy put a stop to what may have been one of the graetest runs ever by anyone in thier genre. although i can say i have pretty much evey one of thier songs committed to memory, I have to say i was while rading my sisters record collection one night way back when, when i first heard "walkin' back to Georgia" i had never heard it before, nor had i ever been to macon georgia, but in that mere two minutes and forty seconds, the way I listened to music would be changed forever, It is to me the consumate ballad of all time, i just "works" and if anything probably statrted me on my way to the career that I have today, although i was not blessed with the ability to play an intrument" i still struggle with and old second hand sixstring" i always had a good ear, and 35 years down the road, i've still heard no one better at what the do than Jim And Maury....the real reason I'm writing is that I recently noticed a Mercer county Wall off fame ayt the sovereign bank Arena...I wonder what it would take to get Maury's name on that wall?...if it's possible, i'd like to help in any way I can, please let me know...Gino
Monday, June 02, 2008 at 01:39 |
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My 14 year old son Danny saved up his yardwork money and just bought his first acoustic guitar.When he first told me he wanted to learn to play the guitar,he told me it was because,'Mom,you have been playing Jim and Maury's music since I was a baby--OF COURSE I would want to learn after hearing those guys!'
That shows what kind of legacy they have--Danny was born 20 years after that tragic plane accident.
I am continually impressed with this website,Mary.It truly honors Maury in such a beautiful way:-)
Wednesday, May 14, 2008 at 14:18 |
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Maury passed away 3 months before I was born, but I grew up with Photographs & Memories playing throughout my childhood. Fast forward 30+ years and still memorized with the musical genius that came of the union between Jim and Maury. Tonight, I was listening to "Don't mess around with Jim" and out of the corner of my eye, saw my 4-year old dancing around singing a choppy version of the chorus. And so the music passes on to a third generation.
Godspeed, Maury and family.
Friday, May 02, 2008 at 22:07 |
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Man,today i had my birthday,with a lot of family,and now i am washing the dishich and playing Maury,and never felt so good.
Friday, May 02, 2008 at 16:53 |
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WELL, STOPPED BY AGAIN, TO VISIT WITH OLD FRIENDS...I HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH MY NEW JOB. I RELOCATED FROM ORLANDO, FL., TO CHESAPEAKE,VA.
WANTED TO SAY THANKS AGAIN MARY, FOR ANSWERING ALL MY E-MAILS. IT IS VERY TOUCHING, THAT YOU FIND TIME IN YOUR BUSY LIFE TO RESPOND. I AM SORRY I MISSED YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND WHEN YOU WERE IN TAMPA, FOR THE WEDDING.
HOPE ALL IS WELL. I STILL ABSOLUTLY LOVE THIS SITE.
MAURY'S MUSIC STILL LIVES, AND I LOVE THE TWO CDs.THANKS FOR SIGNING THEM.
BY THE WAY, INGRID SAYS HI!!
LOVE YOU GUYS.
JIM RUSSELL, SR.
CHESAPEAKE, VA.
4-19-08@8:10 PM.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at 23:32 |
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Thank you for this wonderful website to remember Maury and the gift he shared with us.
I'll never forget seeing him with Jim for the 1st time in 1972 on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I was already familiar with "You Don't Mess Around with Jim", but it wasn't until I heard his beautiful lead guitar work on "Operator" that I just stared and thought 'who is this guy?'
I went out the next day and purchased the album.
As a guitarist myself, and like many others I know who feel the same, Maury was special, and could do things that people like me only dreamed of.
Thanks again for sharing all of this with his fans.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 15:50 |
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Thank you for the wonderful music - you live on in gifts that you and Jim Croce gave to the world.
I am glad for the time you had to give to this world
Sincerely,
KRM
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 06:53 |
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man, it is such a tremendous bummer that you're not here right now. you were something very special, dude. you sure touched my heart tonight and i don't even know you except for the feeling i got when i saw you on a pbs special...maury, i hope you are at complete peace wherever you are and have some joy in knowing you are still touching hearts so long after your death. i know we would have been friends if the time had been right. you are eternally cool and everything good. rest peacefully knowing your life made an impact and deeply touched many lives.
your friend, tammi
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at 22:37 |
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In a classic case of web surfing yesterday, I started out watching "Ambrosia" videos at YouTube and ended up totally immersed in the brief and wonderful lives of Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen. Like, hours and hours and hours worth.
And when you become immersed in something, it inevitably seeps into your heart and soul, and you feel a connection to the times and the places and the people. And you ache when you discover that that amazing guitar player accompanying Jim in all those videos passed away with him on the same day in 1973. I will hear every Jim Croce song with a new ear from this day forward.
Thank you for creating such a wonderful place to visit and the privilege of meeting your brother through picture, song, and word.
Sincerely,
Clay
Jn 14:27
Monday, April 14, 2008 at 04:37 |
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Hi
Thanks for building such a great website around Maury . One of the best guitar players of the world , for that I'm sure.
What he has done on his short lifetime is amazing.
Grtz From a fan from Belgium
Friday, April 11, 2008 at 14:36 |
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dear Mary,
Congratulations on putting up a terrific website
We all remember Maury and his contributions to music
GOOD Luck
Monday, April 07, 2008 at 17:24 |
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I am amazed at the talent Maury showed at such a young age.RIP,buddy.Thank you for the music!
Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 16:50 |
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I an ashamed to say i had never heard of you and jim but now i do know and i have heard some of your music and was i impressed poetry in motion with your guitars. you may not be with us anymore but you will remain with us with your music thankyou
Saturday, April 05, 2008 at 16:12 |
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Was raised hearing Maury's guitar on Croce's tracks. Always felt a sense of safety and warmth in his music. He has inspired my own music:)
Sunday, March 30, 2008 at 13:42 |
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i'm forty years old and have been a fan of jims music for most of those years,i always marveled at the guitar work,and just recently watching youtube i found out why,an incredible musician named maury muehleisen who was content to do his thing ,that music would not have existed and the world would have been missing something without it, i'm sorry for your loss,and the music world's loss. dave c
Monday, March 24, 2008 at 23:34 |
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Dear Mary
I received the Jim Croce DVD last year and was very impressed with Maury's guitar playing. Such a gifted man.
It is only now I realised he also passed away in the plane crash with Jim in 1973.
Maury and Jim were two of the most soulful people I have ever heard and ever will hear.
Adrian Shorland
Melbourne
Australia
Sunday, March 23, 2008 at 04:17 |
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I loved Jim Croce's music and heart, but Maury's accompanyment made the music what it was. I agree it was pure Genius! He made the music and songs soar. I have been an avid fan for 35 years and will be until I die. I will be attending their concerts in heaven.
With much love, Elaine
Friday, March 21, 2008 at 12:08 |
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I often refer to my guitar playing, harmony singing , best friend as, "my Maury". I cant imagine what Maury would have become. I take a little of him with me to every gig I play.
Monday, March 10, 2008 at 13:24 |
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I remember Maury with Jim and thinking at the time how great the music was and how well they meshed. I am glad to se Maury remembered on this site.
Sunday, March 09, 2008 at 12:22 |
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It was the fall of 1972 (I believe most definitely it must have been) when I was at a concert in the round in Illinois. I saw Jim Croce and his friend, Maury, and listened as they carried me away! I was mesmerized by "Jim Croce's band" -- he would tune the guitar as he went along, knowing what was right and wrong. He kept his instrument peeled, and watched Jim constantly to assure that their music was "one voice". As Jim engaged the audience with his eyes and presence, I watched Maury a lot -- he was a driving force in that musicality. Uneducated in Music, even I recognized the power of this Musician! I recall Maury breaking strings that night, and both he and Jim would look at each other and smile knowingly, and yet, he (they) played on, and played beautifully. The evening is one that I have not forgotten. From their both wearing working man's jeans to even what the heck I wore! Maury, I believe wore more of a 'country' shirt with red appliques on his blue shirt. All this is not important, I suppose. What is important is their impact on me. I remember exactly when I heard that their plane had crashed and I inexplicably started crying and couldn't stop. They had both given me something joyful in my life at a time when things weren't all that joyful. I was riding in 1962 blue Corvette Stingray with Hollywood Pipes and it was at a stop sign downtown (our town) just at a flower shop. I remember mostly after these decades, the warmth and friendship and command these two had on the audience -- and me -- that sweet evening. Sorry for rambling. But, thank you for sharing a site to attempt to verbally lay flowers of thanksgiving upon the memory of one so very gifted and so very, very giving of himself. Mr. Muehleisen was indeed an Artist of incomparable quality and one who will not be forgotten by this one who was blessed to experience, and truly appreciate, his gift -- in my way. I know you must miss him the very most. Please know that he made a difference in my life and in my Spirit!
Thursday, March 06, 2008 at 21:12 |
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I just watched Jim Croce and Maury perform "Operator" on youtube.com. In the comments, someone asked - "who is the backup guy?" and someone answered - "Maury Muehleisen. He Was Quality." That says it all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2iS8XctJKo
Sunday, March 02, 2008 at 13:59 |
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I didn't mean to sign my post (below) as anon, sorry... I was just too caught up in the emotion.
Friday, February 29, 2008 at 03:47 |
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Ever since 1973, I dread Sept 2Oth. Up until that point, Maury and Jim filled my life with colors... following that date, they futher changed my life as I ventured into show business to follow my own musical career due to the emotions that their talents created in me. I'd like to believe they would have enjoyed knowing how many people they inspired to do the same. I'd like to believe they know it now.
People around me today in music... they just don't understand my feelings about them. And frankly- in a world now where anyone who can whistle is hailed as an "artist"- they never will. They'll ask me "Why do you listen to that same part over and over so much?". Because... it's perfect. It captures emotions. It makes time stand still for a moment- something even Einstein could't do.
I listen to it over and over for the same reason an artist looks at the Mona Lisa over and over.
I never knew them, such is my loss. But it's my belief that Maury and Jim lived true to the that title of artist. They created. They gave. What I wouldn't give to have been able to sit down with them and rap. About anything.
So I thank you, and thank God, for this website.. up till now, Maury had been a bit of a mystery to me with so little precious info out there about him. To know he's buried so close to where I live here in NJ... and yet is still so far away in another respect.. is an unfair paradox I think I share with countless fans.
They say it gets easier with time... but it doesn't. The hole feels deeper. The mystery of their death just as haunting. The list of "why's?" and "what if's" grows more painful each time you review it.
I suppose for some it's easiest to overlook those lists by simply putting on a record. Who could blame them? The one comfort we have is to listen to their musical creations, and for that short time at least be in their eternally young company once again...
They stamped their image on their times, shared their talents with us all too briefly.. and left the sound of their voices for a world to enjoy.
And I miss them.
Friday, February 29, 2008 at 03:45 |
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Love the music, and I to am born on January 14 so his music makes it even more
better
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 10:42 |
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In Remembrance Of Maury:
Today a beautiful snowflake fell unto my hand,
It was special and made me smile.
But soon it was gone from where it did
land,
But it will be thought of all the while.
Like Maury ,here only a moment but not forgotten,
He left a unique and special gift...
And for his talent we're forever grateful,
For it is an amazing,soul warming lift.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008 at 13:39 |
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Was just watching some Croce video earlier tonight.
Jim's songs would not have been the same without Maury. Both seemed like really cool guys. The accident that took both their lives occured on my 17th birthday. They left us way too soon.
Remember the good times.
Sunday, February 17, 2008 at 02:17 |
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Just wanted to say Maury's music lives on and he was a great inspiration to me! Maury's guitar style was amazing, detailed yet simple and beautiful at the same time. I can only imagine Maury's spirit is similar to his music!
Monday, February 11, 2008 at 23:12 |
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As a classical pianist, I did not discover Maury until my fiancee introduced me to his music (with Jim Croce) 2 1/2 years ago. Maury is one of the greatest musical geniuses I have ever heard, in any style or any period of music. I NEVER tire oflistening to him,no matter how often we play his recordings. I am SO deeply touched by his guitar playing, and SO grateful to him.
Thursday, January 31, 2008 at 17:13 |
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I was only 12 when the tragedy happened. I have always been a fan of Jim Croce's music, but it wasn't until I saw a video of one of his performances & a closeup of Maury's guitar playing.
I was blown away watching those talented fingers bendinging those strings & giving those songs the unique "sound".
To watch Maury's fingers work those strings on songs like "One less set of footsteps" or "Working at the car wash blues" is like watching a gifted athlete or artist. It's pure magic.
To this day, I've never seen anyone equal what he could do in such a unique way. I can listen to his guitar playing for hours!
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 at 02:14 |
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I never missed a performance Maury did at the Gold Bug in Glassboro. He really touched my heart with his spirit and his music. I have only ever seen one other performer (surpising to me, even, it was Liberace!) who had the same immense and selfless love for his audience. I still miss Maury and the people he brought together in those years of the Gold Bug.
Monday, January 28, 2008 at 14:01 |
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I've been thinking about Jim and Maury lately. I know their birthdays were recent.Man I miss those guys.What
I would have given to have been able to hang out with them and jam some.They both actually gave me guitar lessons and never even knew it.I can remember sitting out in my Dad's Lincoln Continental(he let me drive it to college) back in the 70's with my guitar - listening to Jim's music.It had a quadrophonic 8 track player
that you could separate the left and right and front and rear channels. Maury's guitar parts were in one
channel and Jim's in another. I would sit there for hours trying to figure out how to play all those great
songs! It was a very memorable time for me.They both were truly unique and super talented.
Saturday, January 19, 2008 at 15:55 |
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Thank you so much for this tribute to Maury. I attended Glassboro State College with him and miss his quiet presence. I so wish he had lived to be able to see what he would have become. He left a huge gap in the music world and was definitely a musical genius. Funny how I just bought a USB player to change over his album to a CD as I found out about this site. Thank you.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 06:17 |
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Thank you all for your guestbook messages and e-mails - for remembering Maury on the date of his birthday. Your kind thoughts are so very appreciated today and through these past years since the website has been running.
Keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers - and wishing you all a world of
Peace and Love,
Mary
Monday, January 14, 2008 at 16:07 |
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On Maury's 59th birthday, my prayers and best wishes go out to his Family and Friends.
Monday, January 14, 2008 at 08:23 |
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I am thinking of Maury especially today,as tomorrow would have been his 59th birthday.Oh,how we all wish that fate had allowed him to be sharing birthday cake with us!But we feel the spirit of Maury through his wonderful music...it makes us smile,and that is a gift he gives to us for an eternity.
Happy Birthday,Maury!!
Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 14:40 |
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Wow! I never realized the Maury following was so strong!
Well, I am a huge Jim Croce fan. I recently purchased Maury's home recording CD from Mary. It was an incredible experience to hear the original home recordings of "I Remember Mary" and "A Song I Heard". I knew Maury was an integral part of Jim's success, but did not realize he was such an excellent solo performer. Thank you Mary for making Maury's music and memory available to all of us!
Saturday, January 12, 2008 at 22:42 |
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It took years of wearing out their albums and tapes for me to realize it was Maury's guitar pickin' that stood out and complemented the music. Jim and Maury's unique sound and story telling is what grabbed me back in that time.
Friday, January 11, 2008 at 14:27 |
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I "met" Maury thro Jim Croce's singing, back in the early 1970's. I was a keen folk fan, defining folk as 'one person with a guitar, and a story to sing.' It feels strangely satisfying now to know the details of this other gifted musician through this website. May the world continue to be blessed by one person with a guitar, and a story to sing.
Friday, January 11, 2008 at 08:47 |
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MARY I JUST WANT TO WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! WOW IT'S REALLY 2008? TIME IS FLYING...PEACE YOUR FRIEND
EDUARDO GUERRA
Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 09:20 |
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MARY I JUST WANT TO WISH YOU A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! WOW IT'S REALLY 2008? TIME IS FLYING...PEACE YOUR FRIEND
EDUARDO GUERRA
Tuesday, January 08, 2008 at 09:18 |
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JUST ANOTHER NOTE. MAURY'S CD'S ARE FANTASTIC!! IF YOU HAVE NOT PURCHASED THEM, PLEASE DO. YOU WILL BE CARRIED TO A WARMER TIME IN YOUR LIFE. BACK WHEN, THE MUSIC REALLY MEANT SOMETHING. WHEN YOU LISTEN TO "BEFORE THE NEVER", YOU WILL BE CARRIED TO LAZY DAYS, AND OLD LOVES. YOU WILL REMEMBER THE DAYS WHEN YOUR LOVE WAS "REAL". THERE HAS BEEN NO ONE SINCE MAURY AND JIM, WHO CAN MAKE YOU FEEL THE LOVE YOU LOST, OR FOUND, FROM YOUR PAST. THANK YOU, MAURY,AND JIM. I MISS THE OLD DAYS....
THANK YOU MARY...YOU ARE THE BEST....YOUR SITE IS HEAVEN SENT.....
PEACE AND LOVE.....JIM RUSSELL, SR.
ORLANDO, FL. 1-6-08@6:58PM......
Sunday, January 06, 2008 at 18:59 |
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Hello Mary, and family,
Took a small time away. Just stopping in to wish you and your family a GREAT New Year. I look forward to your book coming out. This site is the greatest, for a GREAT man, and his music. I just bought an acoustic guitar last Friday. {Guess who inspired me?} I will never, ever be as good as Maury, or Jim, but they are fantastic teachers. Thanks guys!
Thanks again Mary, I still play BOTH cd's all the time. Maury is a great traveling partner, while out on the Harley.
Peace and Love to You..
Your friend, Jim Russell, Sr.
Orlando, Florida.
1/4/08 @ 8:30 am.
Friday, January 04, 2008 at 08:30 |
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Today 1/1/08 has been the day that I finally discovered the name of the person behind the wonderful guitar work on Jim's music. All these years, I had thought it was Jim himself, until I saw Maury and Jim performing on a YouTube video. Just wanted to say how much I appreciate and respect Maury's talent and incredible contribution to Jim's success. Not only was his guitar work unusually spot-on proficient, but his harmony vocals were also perfect.. not overwhelming, but totally on pitch. May they both rest in peace.
Tuesday, January 01, 2008 at 22:10 |
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Happy New Year, Mary, to you and your family and the rest of Maury's family...and to all the fans of Maury's music who have found their way to this site and its wonderful tribute and memories.
All the best in 2008.
Tim
http://www.youtube.com/TimMcMullen
Tuesday, January 01, 2008 at 12:01 |
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The clock has just ticked over to 2008, so I guess I'm the first one this year to leave a post. Mary, thank you SO much for this site. I was 12 when Maury passed, but had already been playing guitar for 3 years at that point. As a guitarist, when I'd watch Jim & Maury on the Midnight Special, as great as the material was, my eyes & ears were on Maury. I did a tour of Holland in 1980 with a band & I made friends with a guy on the night of our first show there because he looked so much like Maury. We are still friends to this day. I've been a studio and stage guitarist for 25 years & Maury's influence has been there every time I had to play or record an acoustic guitar solo or accompaniment. His sense of melody and what was right for the song was so keen and strong. I am glad that his gifts are being recognized through this site and all the videos on YouTube so the younger ones can see what we've been talking about all these years. Best to you in 2008!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008 at 01:13 |
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The clock has just ticked over to 2008, so I guess I'm the first one this year to leave a post. Mary, thank you SO much for this site. I was 12 when Maury passed, but had already been playing guitar for 3 years at that point. As a guitarist, when I'd watch Jim & Maury on the Midnight Special, as great as the material was, my eyes & ears were on Maury. I did a tour of Holland in 1980 with a band & I made friends with a guy on the night of our first show there because he looked so much like Maury. We are still friends to this day. I've been a studio and stage guitarist for 25 years & Maury's influence has been there every time I had to play or record an acoustic guitar solo or accompaniment. His sense of melody and what was right for the song was so keen and strong. I am glad that his gifts are being recognized through this site and all the videos on YouTube so the younger ones can see what we've been talking about all these years. Best to you in 2008!
Tuesday, January 01, 2008 at 01:12 |
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If everyone could have a friend like Maury..............
Friday, December 28, 2007 at 21:35 |
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I had just turned 12 and was a big fan of Jim Croce's music when I heard the news. Recently I began seeing performance videos of Jim for the first time and saw a good looking gentleman accompanying him. I don't know how to explain it, but I connected with this man. There was something about him that touched me. It wasn't just the exceptional playing and singing, but something more. So I began searching and my search has ended here. I did not know Maury had died that same day and so I grieve once more. But at the same time I am thankful that this man obviously has touched so many others as well and I'm not alone. Thank you so much for this site to give the searchers a place to stop, read, learn, and appreciate the man who continues to touch people to this day and beyond.
Thursday, December 27, 2007 at 03:54 |
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I had immediately fallen in love with Jim C. and noticed the talent of the guitarist with him. So found out his name just for the sake of knowing it. That sad morning, I was getting ready to go to school. Sadly gone from this world, he has yet been with us always.
Sunday, December 23, 2007 at 09:20 |
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Hi Mary. The new site looks really good! I am so thankful you are keeping Maury's legacy alive and wish for you and your family a very Merry Christmas! I pray for warm, happy memories for you this season.
Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 09:52 |
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I have been picking a guitar for 35 years and I have never been able to come close to playing like Maury.I have allways loved his playing and the world lost 2 of it's greatest talents in 1973.Thank you for putting up this site.
Thursday, December 20, 2007 at 07:13 |
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I saw Maury play at the Main Point back in 1971/72. Jim backed him up at that time. His guitar playing sounded like someone playing a harpsichord. Amazing. What a gift. Hy told me about this site. Glad to see it. The Best to you all!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at 19:22 |
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Maury will always RULE!!!
Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 09:57 |
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HI Mary,
I really love the new look to your website. Kudos to Sean, too. It is so soothing and pleasing to the eye. Well, I think that it is safe to say that my 13-year-young son Tristan has begun playing bass guitar in large part due to my jamming on electric guitar here around the house, but indeed to Maury too. Through him comes all of our musical and technical inspiration!
It's been a wonderful 3 + years of friendship, Mary. Please thank your Mom for everything!
Armand
Springfield, Oregon
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 19:28 |
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Hallo all Muehleisen
Viele GrĂĽsse aus Germany( Pforzheim) an alle MĂĽhleisen in der Welt !!
Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 15:40 |
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As a guitarist for over 35 years myself,
I can't even BEGIN to describe how in-
credibly talented, no, GIFTED, Maury was. It's one thing to play the "notes".
Maury played the "music".
It's knowing EXACTLY, how hard to hit a note, or how soft. when to "kill" the
note , or let it ring. When to "bend"
a note, or "slide" one.
He truly "gifted".
His talent was definately "heaven sent"
And I have no doubt, he is in heaven,
giving Hendrix a few "pointers"!!!!
God Bless.
Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 01:33 |
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My son was 26 when he died last December. I had to leave my teaching job, go on disability - - and learn to live alone at night for he had been living with me since I had moved him in during 2004 following his graduating fromthe Art Institute at Pittsburgh.
Each night I play music from the '60's and '70's. Last week I began playing "Time in a Bottle," "I Got a Name" - - and I continued to see this outstanding, gifted guitarist sitting next to Jim. Since then, I have researched everything that I could find out about Maury. His voice is indescribable - - "angelic" is the best word I can think of. You are so right about his being the soul during the singing - - without him, there would NOT be the wonderful overall effect. I found Maury's song and played it today - -
I just wanted you to know that he is uplifting during my loneliness, and I will continue to listen to him in the next months. Your famaily must be so proud of what he did accomplish.
Friday, December 07, 2007 at 21:45 |
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Cristián GarcĂa-Huidobro C. |
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Dear Mary,
Congratulations for the new look of the web page! I really like it!
Kisses from Chile, Cris.
Saturday, December 01, 2007 at 19:13 |
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Mary—
I liked the look of the old site, but the makeover is excellent (slick and professional new pull down menus, nice graphics, etc). Kudos to you and and your webmaster for the new look. The experience for all those who find Maury's site has been enhanced. Thanks again for doing such a beautiful job of maintaining Maury's memory and the ever since...
Tim McMullen
http://www.myspace.com/tcbijou
Saturday, December 01, 2007 at 03:24 |
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Hello, Hello, Maury Fans,
Welcome to the newly designed pages of my Maury Muehleisen website. Hope to have some new items on here soon.
Enjoy...
Peace and Love
Mary
Friday, November 30, 2007 at 12:48 |
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In everyone's lives there are "when we first heard" moments burned into our memories. For me, learning of Maury and Jim's untimely passing is one of those moments. It is vivid through the years. They were special people who brought delight to those they touched through their music,
There are many artists to which they can be compared, but none can ever replace them. Their music is timeless and their songs are treasures.
Accolades to Maury's family for keeping their music, memories and dreams alive for those who never had the opportunity to see them perform, watch them on late night TV or play 8-track tapes of their music in the car back in the early 1970's.
It's as if it was only yesterday.
Monday, November 19, 2007 at 22:22 |
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I've pulled out the Jim Croce recordings again and I've been listening to them like it's the first time. I'm still floored as much by Maury's musicianship as I am with the material. Man, I am so sick and tired of what passes for "music" today. Maybe I am just a fossil, by today's standards (Maury was only a little more than four months older than me when he passed), but the songs aren't as interesting, and the musicianship isn't even half of what Jim and Maury left behind. Guys, I really miss you not being here, more than 34 years later. Wherever you are, I hope you're tearing it up! God Bless.
Thursday, November 15, 2007 at 07:19 |
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Actually Mary when i tell my students to listen to Jim Croce I always say and tell them that jim's Lead guitar player was Maury and that he has a web site too!!!! Believe me i new from vey early that Maury was someone very gifted and YES MELODIC GUITAR PLAYING IS SO NATURAL AND PEACEFUL THAT I THINK THE FAMOUS CLASSICAL GUITAR PLAYER SEGOVIA JAMMED TO MAURY! AGAIN HE RULES!!!! THANKS FOR ALL U DO MARY YOUR BROTHER IS SPECIAL ALWAYS IN MY MUSICAL HEART...PEACE EDUARDO
WWW.PSALM6TEEN.COM
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 at 10:39 |
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What can I say but Maury your guitar playing was brilliant and the music world has never seen another..As a musician, music teacher, writer what can one say but listen to the beautiful melodic sounds you crafted w your 6 strings....Yes Jim was great but your playing has touched millions of guitar wan- na bees...Whenever i get a new student i say buy Jim Croce's music and listen and you will be inspired to play...WE LOVE YOU MAURY!!!! BUT IM SURE YOUR PLAYING FOR GOD! YOU RULE!!
Monday, November 12, 2007 at 21:11 |
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His music talent was just amazing. I saw Maury and Jim in concert and for some reason kept watching him. He was so into the music. A true musician.
Lovely family pictures and stories. I can only imagine the beautiful music he's making in Heaven.
Thank you for the website.
Friday, November 09, 2007 at 18:55 |
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Through the internet, many years later, I have come to know the wonderful talent, " behind the scenes ", that Maury truly was. Thank you for bringing this site to us,as I have enjoyed learning more about him.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 23:40 |
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Hello again Mary,
I've been watching and listening to Maury and Jim again, on YouTube. I've introduced them to many young budding musicians, and non-musicians. I wish you could see their faces. The intensity of their appreciation of those songs is such a treat to watch.
Thank you again for keeping Maury's memory and talent alive. His talent will still be revered for decades to come.
Hope you're keeping well,
Peace,
Eric
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 at 22:25 |
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I just saw a dvd of Jim and Maury (replete with pre-song explanations)performing many of the great songs I had come to know as a "child of the seventies." I never really knew Marty was the sound I was hearing behind, or should I say along WITH Jim. Man! soulful, crisp and complimenting each other so well! I have fallen in love with the sound again. But more importantly, my kids are hearing this for the first time 34 YEARS later! They, like me, loved it immediately. But unlike me, they are HEARING Maury and I mention his name along with Jim's because I don't think the music they made would sound the same if either wasn't there. God bless you and Maury. Thank you Maury for timeless and wonderful music.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007 at 09:28 |
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I had to comment one more time. Maury's playing on this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2iS8XctJKo just kills me. It's perfect. I was born in '72 and these sounds were imprinted in my brain. I went on to play guitar and go to Berklee and now make my living with guitar and music. Maury is a link in a long line of musicians. And what a link!
Saturday, October 13, 2007 at 17:20 |
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Wow! I just discovered the name of this fantastic player who's music has been in the back of my mind guiding my acoustic guitar playing all my life...Maury. It sounds like he's a great guy and I look forward to meeting him "upstairs" on the future.
God bless Mary, wonderful site.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 at 22:26 |
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Thanks Mary.. thank you Maury.. and thank you Jim.. I can hear the two guitars ring like heavenly Earthly bells.. in my romantic soul of a mind.. and so lovely.. anytime I want.. and that's forEVER!.. God bless..
Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 23:38 |
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Just sitting here listening to music in the early hours, of the start of my hectic day. I have Roy Orbison, "Mystery Girl" on. I sudenly had to smile, as I could see Maury, Jim, Roy, Hank, Ronnie,Conway and Buck, all in an acoustic jam. Man, can you hear it. Guitars all tuned together, playing the Greatest song you ever heard. Gives me chills. I look forward to the day to walk up on that stage with some of the GREATEST musicians, our world has ever been blessed to have known.
By the way, I am listening to "GINGERBREADD", next.Thanks Mary, for this site, and your friendship.
Jim Russell, sr.
Tampa, Fl.
10-9-07 @ 5:25 am.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 05:25 |
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Last Saturday night I was to play an accoustic set at an outdoor party.
I'm the lead guitarist in a blues band with very little recent experience playing acoustic guitar. I played acoustic guitar exclusively from 1971 until 1981 when I recieved and electric guitar as a high school graduation gift and seldom played acoustic after that.
The other guitarist/singer and I had not even rehearsed as this was to be a casual event.
I turned to my Live Jim Croce DVD knowing that Maury's playing would inspire me, not to play his licks and style, but to be able to do my own thing.
The set went off really well. We had a great time playing and the people there enjoyed us.
Thanks to Maury.
Monday, October 08, 2007 at 08:36 |
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I was only 8 years old on that fateful day in 1973. Every since that time I'm still moved to hear Maury and Jim. I'm also still very much stumped trying to play like they did. Maury's guitar work is a soft explosion of technical brilliance. At a time when allot of artists on the top 40 were plugged in and turned up loud, Maury and Jim relied on microphones to pick up their guitars - and yet, they soared on the charts. We are all truly blessed to enjoy their timeless gifts. Thanks Maury for sharing your gift with us - I hope you and Jim are still together and making music!
Saturday, October 06, 2007 at 23:15 |
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As a guitarist who has been playing for over 30 years I still ask, how did he do that? I miss him.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 18:41 |
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I was sitting there watching and listening to the DVD "Have You Heard Jim Croce Live" and kept noticing the amazing "teamsmanship" (I don't think that's a word, but it fits what I'm trying to say) between Jim and Maury. I realized that I didn't really know anything at all about Maury and decided to check on the Internet, and what a treat to find this website. I knew that Jim had died in a plane crash, but had no idea that Maury had also died in the same plane crash, that was a very sad shock to read that. I had been hoping that he was still around and still making music. But much thanks to this website, and now whenever I watch the DVD I'll know more about who Maury was and also that he died on that same tragic day. Many thanks for the information on Maury, and for sharing the wonderful stories.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 09:16 |
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Me parece extrano no encontrar mensajes en otros idiomas pues no creo que los sonidos de la guitarra de Maury puedan pasar desapercibidos para quienes gustan de la musica y del sonido de una guitarra bien ejecutada. Sin tener vocacion de poesta o escritor he aqui estas breves palabras en reconocimiento al musico que le ponia alma a las canciones de Jim.
Sin su musica esas canciones nunca hubiesen sonado igual. Sinceramente Gracias Maury
Sunday, September 30, 2007 at 01:27 |
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hi
loved this music for years, years go by, so live for today everyone and take care. maury and jim were angels ahead of their time, and yet their music seems timeless. true artists, love to embrace these songs and i cry to them. i love the songs.xxx
Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 09:39 |
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I was a student at Pulaski Jr. High in Chester, Pa. when Jim Croce was a teacher there, saw him perform, followed his career, and was absolutely blown away by the arrangements Maury and Jim performed, nobody else was doing anything like that. Some people cite the Beatles as the great influence in their becoming a musician, but for me, it was Jim and Maury. I'm glad that their music lives on!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 20:50 |
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So many years have gone by since my older sister came into my room on the morning of September 20, 1973 and told me that Jim Croce had died in a plane crash. I was 14 years old and in high school and already such a big fan. I rushed down stairs to read the paper for the details and wonfered if Maury Muehleisen had died too. Although only 14 I had been playing guitar for 2 to 3 years already. My friend Steve Xenakis and I did many of the Croce songs with our crude attempts at getting Maury's part right. We knew Maury's talent and even did our own rendition of Salon and Saloon. When I grew up I wanted to sing like Jim Croce, but play guitar like Maury Muehleise. Now at 48 years old, the sadness that their lives were cut so short has never left me. Never. Ironically I have two of my four sons now at Villanova University. The older one Mike Cali plays acoustic guitar and sings. He has played at open mike night in the Connely center in the shadow of an old lifesize photo of Jim Croce looking on. I will make sure Mike knows who Maury was and is. Love to all who were touched by Maury. Thank you for sharing him with us on this site.
Saturday, September 22, 2007 at 18:57 |
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Thank you all for remembering my brother this day. We all have so many great memories of him. All of you are making more memories for me and my family. Especially Mom. It's really neat to hear how everyone relates to and enjoys Maury's music and guitar. I get chills when I read all of your thoughts in your guestbook entries. You really understand the music. We are so proud of him and are thankful for his legacy.
Love and peace,
Robert Muehleisen
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 21:41 |
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A great talent, too short a life. My best to family and friends.
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 14:38 |
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Mary,
God bless you and your family. Music is His gift to us - and Maury shared that gift so beautifully. Through you - that sharing continues.
Thank you.
Patti
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 14:32 |
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As every 20th September, I will remember dearly Jim and Maury listening to their records. I agree with Jim Russell that today there's gonna be a big party at Heaven... thanks Mary & family for keeping their true memory alive. From Santiago, Chile, kind regards, Cris.
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 10:17 |
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I've always loved Jim Croce's music. But I was always kinda baffled that I never heard anything about his guitarplayer. The more I listened to Jim's music, the more I found that Maury's guitarplaying is essential to the Jim Croce songs. It is part of what makes the songs such classics.
I earlier heard a live recording of 'Operator' on www.xpn.org, in commemmoration of this day 34 years ago. And that brought up my admiration of Maury's brilliant guitarplaying again.
And so I found this site. Good to see I'm not alone in this ;-)
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 09:06 |
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This morning, I took my moment of silence, just as I have each year before, on this day.
Except this year I added someone to my thoughts: My new "friends", Mary and her family.
I bet there is fantastic concert today in Heaven...
Bless all of you.
Your "friend" in Florida.
Jim Russell, Sr.
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 06:27 |
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Oh, with the help of a friend, I created a Maury myspace recently - www.myspace.com/maurymuehleisen.
Come visit!
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 00:57 |
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September 20, 2007 - 34 Years since September 20, 1973 - and yet it sometimes seems like yesterday that Maury and Jim were here. So many kind people sharing thoughts and feelings these past few years has been beyond what could be imagined. You have touched my heart and the hearts of my parents and siblings. Thanks and ever thanks...
With Gratitude and Love,
Mary
Thursday, September 20, 2007 at 00:24 |
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HAD MY WIFE WATCH THE JIM CROCE VIDIO "HAVE YOU SEEN-JIM CROCE", THE OTHER DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE OPENED UP A BOTTLE OF WINE, AND LIT THE CANDLES. I HAD WATCHED IT SEVERAL TIMES OF COURSE, BUT A FIRST FOR HER. I WAS TOTALLY AMAZED WHEN SHE SAID, "WHO IS THAT HANDSOME GUY, PLAYING WITH JIM?" "HE PLAYS SO AWSOME, AND IT ACTUALLY GIVES ME A CHILL". I HAVE ALWAYS TRYED TO INTRODUCE HER TO NEW MUSIC, AND DIFFERENT STYLES. SO FOR HER TO NOTICE THIS,MADE ME PROUD. WE SAT AND TALKED ABOUT HIS PLAYING STYLE, AND THE GENTLE VOICE HE HAD. NOW, MY TWO CD'S OF MAURY'S ARE IN CORINNE'S CAR.WELL, LOOKS LIKE THERE IS ANOTHER "NEW" FAN TO ADD TO THE EVER-GROWING LIST. THANK YOU MARY, FOR YOUR HARD WORK. BLESS YOU.
YOUR FRIENDS IN FLORIDA.
JIM & CORINNE RUSSELL
Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 06:57 |
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Thanks for sharing stories about your brother. Jim could not have been the success with out Maury and vice versa.
God Bless both of them
Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 12:03 |
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There are precious few things that can reconnect us to people and places in our past. Live video clips of Jim and Maury have done that for me, and led me to this site. Many thanks to Maury's family for an outstanding tribute to an amazing talent and person.
Friday, September 14, 2007 at 23:17 |
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Turned 60 this year and find Maury and Jim's music as relevant now as when it was written. Getting married this weekend. "Time in a Bottle" will be the song I have played for my bride. Our children and grandchildren have discovered the heart of Maury and Jim! Pete C.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 11:09 |
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Funny how things come together. I've been sitting at home this week recovering from recent surgery when I caught an old Jim Croce video on YouTube. While I was watching I got to thinking and wondering whatever happened to that talented guitarist that was accompanying Jim. Long story short, that lead me to this site.
I can only say that I think it is really groovy that people still remember Jim and Maury. They were two of the most talented gentlemen popular music has seen, or will see, in a long time. What a pity "they don't write 'em like that anymore."
Monday, September 10, 2007 at 17:14 |
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It's interesting how connections just happen. So, I'm up at work...walking with a group to go to lunch. A gentlemen started talking about a song he was learning on his guitar. I mentioned that I was working on learning a couple of new Croce songs. I could see his eyes light up as he said Croce had one of the finest guitarists he had ever heard--Maury. As I thought back on the Croce pieces I had learned over the years, I realized it was the magic of Maury's guitar playing the truly brought me to music of this unique pairing of storying telling and guitar playing...the next night I was searching the web to get a little more insight into the man playing next to Croce when I find Mary's tribute to her brother...Thank You...Carlos
[and Lee, yes I think your a gentlemen...thanks for the connection]
Wednesday, September 05, 2007 at 21:55 |
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MAURY WAS A GREAT TALENT.GINGERBREADD WAS GREAT. SO WAS HIS WORK WITH JIM CROCE.HE WAS ONE OF THE FINEST GUITAR PLAYERS I'VE EVER HEARD.HOPEFULLY YOUR WEBSITE WILL HELP KEEP HIS MEMORY ALIVE.
Monday, September 03, 2007 at 19:11 |
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I'm an avid fan of Jim his songs are wonderful,touches people and full of spirit. And now I know who was that man with a great hands in guitar,wow how I wish I could have copy for that CD's, are those CD's available in the philippines?
thanks , more power
allan lopez
cebu, phillipines
Friday, August 24, 2007 at 11:34 |
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Hello, music lovers. Just recieved my 2 discs from Mary. PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE buy them. They are fantastic. The artwork is fantastic. You can tell it was thought thru, with much love and devotion. And most of all, RESPECT. Mary signed my copys, and I am deeply touched. THANK YOU MARY. Thank you Tommy West also.
Thanks Maury, Jim, and all involved with this project.
Jim Russell, Sr.
Tampa, Florida.
8-22-07 @ 3:58pm
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 15:58 |
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Just a quick note to all who read this. I wanted to tell you how warm and kind Mary is. I did not believe it when I opened my e-mail, and here was an e-mail from her. And this was not a "cookie-cutter" e-mail. It was a warm, personal e-mail. I am deeply touched. I also ordered both of Maury's cds, and she actually autographed them for me. I have been on a Jim and Maury "kick" lately, and have been wearing my discs out. I love the warm, soft textures, and tones. It takes me back to a time when love was new, and my life was a little less hectic. I hope when I die, that I get the pleasure, and honor to meet Maury, and Jim. Maybe we could "jam" a little. Thanks Mary. For you, and for keeping a good man's name alive.
Your friend.Jim Russell, Sr. Tampa, Florida. @ 8-20-07.
Monday, August 20, 2007 at 11:28 |
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I saw Maury and Croce in 1972-73 at my university in NC. My first thought afterwards was, who is that guy on the guitar? He is awesome. That thought had bugged me for 30+ years and now I know his name. We lost some good people and a lot of talent in 1973. Thank goodness it is preserved for us and our kids to listen to, to sing to and cherish.
Monday, August 20, 2007 at 11:10 |
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Dear Mary, one of my best friend's father just passed away. The family requested me to play "Time in a bottle" at the funeral. It was tough, but I got through it. It just makes me so proud that Maury and Jim's music is still touching lives at all family occasions. Please say hello to your family.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 22:08 |
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Maury,
I remember my mom buying me "You Don't Mess Around With Jim". I was hooked from the start. I young, and didn't understand how one man made such sweet music. Then as I got older, I found out about "the other guy". You!! Wow. What a talent. I recently bought the vidio of you and Jim. "Have You Seen Me?" You two were so great together. I wish I only played half as good as you two did. I found "Gingerbread", and love it. I also love "I Remember Mary".
I will always be a die hard fan. I always give a little quiet time on September 20th. For that was the day two real musicians went to Rock And Roll Heaven. Man, what a band "THEY" have up there.
Your friend, Jim Russell, Sr. Tampa, Florida. 8-14-07
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 15:40 |
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WOW! Just discovering Maury now 4 the 1st time...Was always a big fan of Jim Croce as a teen in the 70's, & of course LOVED the whole sound as well as the songs. Tonight a friend emailed a J.C. video from Youtube. I watched another 1 & thought, "WHO is that great guitar player w/ him?". Then I learned more in the comments posted & thought plz don't tell me he died, too. ( sigh) I came to this site & am full of admiration 4 Maury & his family. Will order his CDsoon
Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at 01:26 |
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Always enjoyed hearing the texture behind Jim Croce's songs, even as much as the melody itself. Obviosly, he had the more humble role in this duo, but I doubt if there are many who really appreciate music, musicians and listeners alike, who didn't understand how much Muehleisen contributed to Croce's success (Croce included), who weren't pleased as much by one of those great riffs as by Croce's cutup lyrics. I was a Croce fan in my college days in the 70s, and since then I've never forgotten Maury M's name (though I couldn't spell it without a second look at the album cover.)
Monday, August 13, 2007 at 23:19 |
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Dear Mary Muehleisen,
Thanks to your hard work and passion your brother's timeless music will not be lost in time. Because of you, Maury Muehleisen's "Gingerbreadd" recordings produced by Tommy West and Terry Cashman will be available to all music fans; the young, the old, and the yet to be conceived. Mahalo means thank you.
Robert Max Langpaap
Filmmaker/Music fan
Saturday, August 04, 2007 at 23:29 Host: cache-ntc-ac08.proxy.aol.com |
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Hi, Phil,
Thanks so much for leaving a message here about your plans to close out the remaining copies of your book, "Music's Broken Wings: Fifty Years of Aviation Accidents in the Music Industry" - a book filled with so many interesting facts about 34 notable aviation accidents and their investigations. Your thorough research and supplemental documentation - commendable.
I'm glad I was able to help you and hope that others will visit your site before you run out of copies.
Thanks for your good wishes, too.
Gratitude and Friendship,
Mary
Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 11:48 Host: cache-dtc-ae16.proxy.aol.com |
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Hi Mary,
It has been a pleasure corresponding with you over the years regarding my book, "Music's Broken Wings: Fifty Years of Aviation Accidents in the Music Industry." Your help with the Jim Croce/Maury Muehleisen chapter was invaluable.
Unfortunately, even with great reviews and beginning book sales that seemed to promise good things, the sales have tapered off and I must begin the process of closing out the remainder books and moving on. My flying career must take center stage at this point in time.
The project of my book has been a great one. No regrets. I researched, wrote and learned about the subject that interested me, and I am better for it. I would not change a thing.
I wish you all the best for your upcoming book. Hopefully, all the radio hosts that promised me some interviews, and then never called, will follow-up with you and give you the great exposure needed to continue Maury's and Jim's memory.
I will always remain available to you, should you ever need anything. Anything at all.
Blue skies always,
William P. "Phil" Heitman
Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 19:07 Host: rrcs-70-61-222-210.midsouth.biz.rr.com |
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Mary:
I measure an artist performance on the total package. If you go to the "Grand Ole Opry" you would have to be a fool not to notice all the accomplished and talented musicians in the background eagerly waiting for an opportunity shine with their instrument. Maury's contribution really complemented Jim's music &
lyric and his vocal harmony and melodic guitar runs were a major force in that big sound. Best regards, Steve
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 00:48 Host: pool-71-112-198-8.sttlwa.dsl-w.verizon.net |
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I was just listening to Hey Tomorrow off the You Don't Mess Around with Jim album - and started thinking about Maury. I haven't listened to Gingerbreadd in years - it's buried in a closet - behind stuff that will all fall on my head if I start poking around. It will take a full day to find it I'm sure. But - I may take the easy way out and buy the CD version. Anyway - I got to thinkin - and remembering Jim & Maury playing in their kitchen in the farm house in PA - back in 71-72. I was a freshman at Glassboro State - and got introduced by some friends - Gracie LeGay and Jonh Emmonds. I was a struggling folkie myself - trying to find my way in a world where the coffee houses were already starting to close down. Maury visited me at the dorm at college - and we swapped songs all evening. He played my guitar - a brand new Martin D28 - and it has never rang more beautifully than when he touched it. His fingers held magic - and his soul just radiated such love and gentleness. He sang one song that I will always remember - though I've never heard it on recording. I still know every word.
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Hey Lady Lady sing me a song sometime
when you find yourself at home and I am on your mind
when you find that all your favorite words could rhyme with mine
when you know that your kind of woman is my kind
Hey Lady Lady come set the night a blaze
Let me see your golden hair go softly streaming
Let me see your emerald eyes so finely gleaming
Let me say I love you once and I'll go dreaming
When you get to feeling good all through and through
That's how I feel whenever I think of you
Hey Lady Lady come set the night aglow
when youg know that all you want to be I think of you
With your song so softly calling brings me shades of you
And until you say you need me I'll live in shades of blue
When you get to feeling good all through and through
That's how I feel whenever I think of you
Hey Lady Lady sing me a song sometime
when you find yourself at home and I am on your mind
when you find that all your favorite words could rhyme with mine
when you know that your kind of woman is my kind
===================================
So in answer to that evening back in 71 - I wrote the following (but never had the chance to share it with him).
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Painter of Song
Patti Slevin (autumn 1971)
The happiness your singing brings to me
so light and loving
your spirit runs as the sea
over rocky shore - and windswept beach
with warm tranquility
The sun - it rose -
The night - it grew
In your eyes
So full a day of feelings locked inside
but by a quiet voice - a friendly laugh
I felt music in a sigh
So may I thank you now.
I'd like to sing along your rhyme
And give you all I know
In a song
and my guitar.
==================================
I was so happy to find this website tonight.
Thank you.
And God bless Maury!
We are all better for having known you!
Sunday, July 22, 2007 at 23:43 Host: adsl-69-234-113-164.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net |
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As a kid in the seventies, I saw Maury and Jim on some television programs. Although Jim was the lead vocalist, I was always encaptivated with Maury; him playing the guitar so splendidly!
Even as a kiddo I used to sneal away to hear my father's band, in Austin, Texas, practice in the garage, and it was always the guitarist whom I revered the most.
My dad used to say to me, "Son, it's always me, the front-man that gains most of the accolades, but I'm just a small piece of the whole. I am blessed to sing amongst so many artists!"
That's how I feel about Maury - he was an artist in the highest sense!
I remember a tv program about Maury and Jim - their life and death.
Today, I just logged-on to my computer today, and found your wonderful site. Good-luck with it!
Sunday, July 08, 2007 at 14:28 Host: cpe-24-27-23-115.austin.res.rr.com |
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Just for leaving my sign.
Monday, July 02, 2007 at 04:01 IP: 219.166.45.211 |
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Mary; Was so nice to meet you at the Martin Club event in Nazareth. Was thrilled to hear Maury's story. I've listened to his CD's acouple times now. It takes me back to a golden time, a golden Era. Also found the Martin Magazine with Maury's photo and guitar on the back. I will be making a collage of the events this past week for story telling in the future. Maury will be a part of it. Thanks for sharing your life with me, Susan, and Big Jim. Hopefully our paths will cross again,
Monday, June 25, 2007 at 13:47 Host: ns65.statefarm.com |
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Hi Mary -
We met today at the "Martin-Day" festival (I was the younger of the two guys in the gift shop). I went through the site and found it really interesting. It brings such a real-life and human side to a "rock-star" story. I'm glad to have met you and will now be listening to Jim's music a lot more - and a lot more closely! Keep in touch and please do let me know when your book is complete - I'd love to read a little more about a fellow "Jersey Boy" (even though I live in PA now, I'm originally from Woodbridge.
Keep in touch -
- Brad Jacob
Friday, June 22, 2007 at 23:30 Host: 65-78-109-142.c3-0.eas-ubr6.atw-eas.pa.cable.rcn.com |
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I finally figured this wifi out. THANKS for the time we shared at the C F Martin Owners Meeting,and introducing me to Dick Boak. You tought me to listen to Jim's songs in a very different way. Again Mary, Thanks a lot. I feel I have a friend for life. Jim
Friday, June 22, 2007 at 23:26 Host: pool-71-162-176-149.phlapa.east.verizon.net |
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Hi Mary,
I'm glad to have this opportunity to express the influence Maury's talent had on me. Any chance I got, when I'd see he and Jim on TV (I was about 12), I'd watch Maury playing, very closely. I have searched in vain for years for a guitarist for my music that matched Maury. It has been a long road for me, and at every turn, I was always looking for him. It's just not going to happen. Such a void. Thank you again,
Peace always,
Eric Benson, British Columbia
Monday, June 18, 2007 at 13:16 Host: d207-81-94-109.bchsia.telus.net |
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Thanks for the great website ,I have always been a fan of Jim's . Since seeing the vids on youtube and some fuzzy memories from High school , I have always wondered who played with him.
Maury was a great talent and I am glad to know more about him.
Saturday, June 09, 2007 at 15:58 Host: ip70-189-100-123.ok.ok.cox.net |
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Hi, Dave,
Thanks for writing. Maury had probably borrowed our sister's VW that day. Kind and softspoken...you've described Maury perfectly. Nice of you to recall that. I'll tell Joe and Tommy you remember them. Glad you like my website. Yes, we all wrote our names on records back then. Nice that she treasures her copy of Gingerbreadd.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Friday, June 08, 2007 at 16:30 Host: cache-mtc-ae16.proxy.aol.com |
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Dear Mary,I remember first meeting Maury as he gave myself and my girlfriend a ride as we were walking down West State street in Trenton. He was driving a Volkswagen back in the early seventies and was a very kind and softspoken person. I know you had quite a large family and I used to go to school with brothers Tommy and Joe at Blessed Sacrament. They were a year in front of me. Maury was a year behind(I believe) my sister at Cathedral High. This page is a great tribute to Maury and I wish you and your family all the best. And yes, my present girlfriend (of 29 years)has her original copy of "Gingerbreadd" at home with "her" name on it as was commonplace back in the day. Sincerely, Dave Stradling
Friday, June 08, 2007 at 13:15 Host: mail.lexpharma.com |
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To Maury's family,
I feel blessed to have found this fine tribute on the web. I was born in 1949, and Maury and Jim were part of my coming of age. (I am also from a large family, seven children)I watched Jim and Maury on black and white tv on the Midnight Special--what a talent Maury had! I miss him, but I know he goes on in my heart forever. A quiet,forceful presence.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007 at 00:37 IP: 76.209.83.225 |
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Thanks, CK, Sam, and Dan, for your recent guestbook messages. I truly appreciate hearing from you and know that my family and other visitors to the guestbook enjoy reading such kind words about Maury.
With gratitude,
Mary Muehleisen
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 17:40 Host: cache-dtc-ab14.proxy.aol.com |
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I caught a great YouTube clip of Jim Croce and his accompanist performing Operator, and was reminded that I'd always really dug the acoustic guitar licks behind Jim's songs. I thought, "gee, I'll see if I can find out who that guy was and what he's up to - I'd sure love to hear more". Happy to discover that that guitarist was Maury, but now very sad to learn that he passed away with Jim on that plane. It's pulls one up short, to realize that that keen musical intelligence is no longer in the world.
Sunday, May 27, 2007 at 12:57 IP: 74.12.96.43 |
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GOD Bless you...what a wonderful talented man!! Years ago.. I bought an acustic guitar wanting to learn how to play, well time goes bye and it's been sitting in the corner of my bedroom now for going on 4 years. Tonight I picked it up for the first time in a long time because of Maury....was watching "OPERATOR" video and somethng about him just stuck.. He still can inspire folks...even from Kansas!!! THANK YOU and R.I.P. MAURY Maybe you are up there in Heaven to bring inspiration to people...I Believe you are.
Saturday, May 26, 2007 at 02:50 Host: cache-mtc-ae16.proxy.aol.com |
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Really nice, really great to see this site. Wow. I'm not the only one to know Maury's name and appreciate his style. As a guitarist myself, his playing has been a big influence on me. Thanks so much for sharing this info and for keeping the sound and the spirit alive.
Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 18:58 IP: 137.90.48.26 |
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Thanks for putting Maury's album out on CD, Mary. Both of my vinyl copies are worn out.
Bob Mamrak
Thursday, May 10, 2007 at 09:49 IP: 216.79.146.128 |
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Life and Times and You don't mess
around with Jim were the first LP's
I ever bought in the 70's. The lead
licks from Operator are such a signature guitar sound, to play lead on
aucoustic like that was very special.
Such young talented lives lost Jim and Maury, no
words can change that over 30 years later, but the music is timeless and
terrific.
Sunday, May 06, 2007 at 21:32 Host: h24-207-93-71.cst.dccnet.com |
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Thanx for the site- My son and my family really enjoys the site and all of my guitr students are shown the site as well. Maury was truly talented and I enjoy letting people know just whom he was.
Friday, May 04, 2007 at 11:17 Host: tsbi.edu |
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hello,i received a dvd today called learn to play the songs of jim croce and it mentioned maury in the liner notes so i searched him and wound up here.i'am just a fan.seems all the good ones die young.
Monday, April 30, 2007 at 17:14 Host: ac86e796.ipt.aol.com |
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I was up on a Croce site and they had an rare interview with Terry Cashman (I think the only interview the guy has done over the years). As he went through the making of Bad Bad Leroy Brown he brought up Maury up saying "Jim Croce was great by Maury was a GENIUS and without Maury there would be no Jim Croce sound". After listening to several cuts I would have to say I know where Time in a bottle came from. I had always thought that Maury was older because he was so good. I had no idea until I saw the Croce DVD how young and good he really was. A great talent that had found a unique and everlasting chemistry with Jim that we lost way way to soon. I was only 13 in 1973 but we are coming up on 35 years and I still listen to his guitar playing every spring.
Saturday, April 28, 2007 at 01:09 Host: cpe-70-112-52-81.austin.res.rr.com |
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This is so weird. A couple of days ago i was talking with some co-workers and found out one of my co-workers (younger than myself) is from Hopewell Twp., NJ...well, that made me bring out my high school yearbook. As I was flipping through the pages, i came across Bobby & Michael's pictures...then i thought...you know, i heard somewhere (when in school) that the backup person for Jim Croce (who i was a big fan of) was their brother who was in the crash with Jim Croce. I don't know whether i thought about it then though. I know i was upset about the crash, but i guess being young, you don't dwell on as much as you do when you get older. So today, some 28 years later, i did a search on google and found this site on Maury. What an awesome site and a great tribute! I shared homeroom with Michael and Bobby. Hope they are doing well.
Monday, April 23, 2007 at 15:33 IP: 63.68.234.8 |
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We must have been watching the same show, Randell. It was a re-run of a PBS special that came out a few years ago to promote the Have You Heard Jim Croce Live DVD and the Jim Croce Classic Hits CD.
Thanks for your kind words about Maury...that you "instantly miss him indeed."
Monday, April 23, 2007 at 11:01 Host: cache-mtc-ae16.proxy.aol.com |
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Thank You for this site...For over thirty years I have wondered who is the man was sitting stage with Jim. I have only seen small amounts of video on television through the years. Who is this man that chimes in with the words "Right On" as Jim sings LeRoy Brown? And what ever happened to him...What is his name? And what is his significance to the band?.....After carefully perusing the Jim Croce web site, I was able to acquire his name..Next step, go to Google...And now we learn all about Maury...Jim Croce songs are as magnificent today as they were 35 years ago...The next time one of Jim's songs comes on the radio, its meaning will be pushed to an even more of a higher level, now that I have finally met Maury...
Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 23:06 Host: slip-12-64-126-198.mis.prserv.net |
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Saw some live footage tonite of Maury playing a few songs with Jim Croce and was taken with how gifted a guitarist he was.
Never been one for acoustic guitar driven music, but Maury was indeed a great talent. I was just more or less introduced to him and at the same time instantly miss him indeed.
Saturday, April 21, 2007 at 01:50 Host: c-71-230-93-188.hsd1.pa.comcast.net |
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Just stopping by for a brief visit down memory lane. It's amazing how songs touch our hearts and hold our memories...
Friday, April 20, 2007 at 16:40 Host: 216-229-83-203-empty.fidnet.com |
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Sande,
I'm so glad you got a record player in December and that you chose Maury's "Gingerbreadd" album at the antique shop. As teenagers, Maury and I used to buy records at the stores in downtown Trenton - brought them home and played them over and over again. It makes me happy to know how much you've enjoyed doing something so similar. Thanks for telling others about Maury and his music.
Monday, April 16, 2007 at 21:21 Host: cache-dtc-ab14.proxy.aol.com |
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About a month ago on the way home from my job, I stopped at a previously unvisited antiques shop. The women running the store were kind enough to point me in the direction of the records (I acquired a record player in December of this year). They were situated in a corner of a dark, nearly empty attic-- save for the four crates of records. I spent an hour rooting through these crates and eventually decided on a single record from a man of whom I had previously never heard. I was impressed by the beautiful artwork and care that was taken in compiling this record, and so although I was taking a chance of not enjoying it, I bought it. It was flung on the record player the moment I arrived home. It hasn't left the turntable once since then.
As you may have guessed, this record was titled "Gingerbreadd". I am continuously spellbound by Maury's amazing musicianship. I have been sharing the songs off of this album with virtually anyone who has come within audible distance of my record player. Many, many of my dearest friends haven fallen in love with his music.
I hope you rest assured that Maury is still finding his way into people's hearts and souls, even in today's teenage generation.
Friday, April 13, 2007 at 15:25 Host: c-68-48-200-55.hsd1.md.comcast.net |
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Thanks, Tim. I have to agree. Cris has done an admirable job. Thanks, Cris, and other musicians worldwide. It would be impossible for me to convey how much I appreciate all the people who have reached out about Maury. So many have touched the hearts of our family and filled a bit of our "missing Maury" with your kindnesses. Thank you all forever!
Peace and Love,
Mary
Friday, April 06, 2007 at 00:10 Host: cache-rtc-ad13.proxy.aol.com |
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I encourage all of Maury's website visitor's to check out Cristian Garcia-Huidobro's three tribute videos on youtube. They are beautiful.
See below where Cristian posted the addresses or see them and about 15 other videos of Maury and Jim (moslty posted by TheShadow01) on my Croce/Muehleisen playlist at youtube.com/TimMcMullen
Great job, Cris! And Mary, as you can see, your website continues to inspire!
Keep up the great work, Tim McMullen
Thursday, April 05, 2007 at 19:40 Host: cpe-75-84-10-111.socal.res.rr.com |
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Dear Mary,
What I promised... 'A Song I Heard' on youtube!
See you, Cris.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ztxbpp_4EAc
Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 15:40 IP: 201.215.2.39 |
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Dear Mary,
A little gift I've just made in the loving memory of Maury and Jim... Time in a Bottle in youtube!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wjnpfq_sRTs
Next will be Maury's A SONG I HEARD
Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 19:54 Host: pc-50-191-214-201.cm.vtr.net |
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Just dropping by to let you know how much I admire Maury's talent and his influence on the music he and Jim made together. I've watched the DVD now about 3 times, having just picked it up off Ebay last week, and I'm amazed at just how much beautiful music those two made. I've of course heard the music for decades, but seldom do you see any video of the two these days.
I watch their guitar licks, being a fledgling guitarist myself, at the age of 56 (just bought a new guitar). They're both so smooth. I can now see why Maury was so accomplished. His hand and wrist action on the guitar is flawless and those long fingers of his just carress those Ernie Ball strings on that beautiful Martin guitar.
These guys are really missed. They were sweet and lovely souls and we're all blessed to have have them in our midst for a short while.
Blessings in Jesus!
Jim
Saturday, March 31, 2007 at 18:56 Host: dpc6682009079.direcpc.com |
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With pages like this, Maury will live forever. I just found out about it thanks to a fellow alum.
I'll always see Maury & his girlfriend alone in the dorm lounge as she (we) listened & he strummed. It's a treasured memory.
Friday, March 16, 2007 at 16:28 Host: nj-71-1-58-111.dhcp.embarqhsd.net |
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I bought the Jim Croce DVD a few years ago, and rewatched it again last night. The whole time I was watching, I kept wondering who the second guitarist was, I looked for his name at the end in the credits, nothing! This is the only thing I didn't like about the DVD, it stood out like a sore thumb. Ingrid and AJ both spoke eloquently about Maury in the commentary section, so I don't understand why his name wasn't included in the credits or in memory. He certainly was an integral part of the duo, his graceful fluid style of playing was extraordinary. He came across as a humble, kind, and gentle soul, just as much as Jim Croce, and it is so apparent to me that those two had to share a deep friendship to coincide with the magic they created with their musical colloborations. After reading quite a few of the posts, the same theme kept popping up in many of them where people stated that they wanted to know who the second guitarist was and they, like me had to dilligently search to find the answer. Now I know who he is, and the credit he is so rightfully due will never be forgotten. He embellished the songs of Jim Croce like no other, and I am so glad that I was able to get to know him a little bit through this site. I'm a little younger than he was, I'll soon be 53, and I loved those songs back in the 70's, and now I know why, a gracious and humble spirit was providing an accompaniment that was so pleasantly appealing that one could not help but take notice. I hope the family will find peace and solace in these words that I write for a stranger who at the same time feels like a kindred spirit. Can you imagine the sweet sounds that are in heaven?
Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 03:44 Host: ca208-ch02-bl05.il-chicago0.sa.earthlink.net |
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Just wanted to say that your brother and Jim were highlights for me growing up. I remember hearing of the plane crash and not really understanding til I was older what the world had lost. I'm very sorry for your/our loss.
Thursday, March 08, 2007 at 02:34 Host: c-76-20-214-184.hsd1.ga.comcast.net |
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Recently watched some old Jim Croce video - first chance to really watch and listen to the guy playing with him - searched the web to discover who he was - low and behold it was Maury and to find this great web-site was a wonderful thing - God Bless the family.
This is definitely time in a bottle.
Peace
Monday, March 05, 2007 at 22:14 Host: itcdsl126232.iro.ptd.net |
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I really enjoyed reading the guestbook and family/friends sections of this wonderful website. What a beautiful tribute in memory of Maury. Some people may remember him as the man behind Jim Corce. I remember him as a musical genius that could play his guitar like no other. Maury's guitar work was spectacular, as well as his timing. I sit in awe as I listen to CDs or watch Maury play on video. Jim was so lucky to have the partner he had in Maury, the man who was responsible for his overall unique sound. Maury seemed like such a kind, gentle man and he is missed greatly. He will never be forgotten. Thanks again for the website and for allowing me to express my appreciation.
Monday, March 05, 2007 at 09:08 Host: c-68-43-141-188.hsd1.mi.comcast.net |
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Mary,
What a great tribute this website is to Maury. Maury & Jim will forever live on and their music and lives will never be forgotten. God Bless you and your family.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 08:50 IP: 12.26.69.1 |
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Thank you for the opportunity to learn more about Maury. He was an amazing musician. I love the music of Jim Croce and Maury, especially when played together. I believe that Maury's influence helped refine Jim's music. I love Maury's song Salon and Saloon. R.I.P. Maury, and thank you!
Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 16:56 Host: c-68-43-141-188.hsd1.mi.comcast.net |
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Hi, Mary—
I thank Mona Marie for her kind words.
In fact, I have had a number of inquiries about "Second String Songman" and other songs from fans of your site, so I have finally put together a site at MySpace that includes a few songs and a few videos.
Thanks again for helping to keep alive Maury's unique contribution to the world of music.
Tim McMullen
Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 02:06 Host: cpe-75-84-10-111.socal.res.rr.com |
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Somehow I am related to Maury. My maiden name is Taylor. I am also related to the Devaney's of Trenton and I think that is the avenue how I am related. I distinctly remember the day of the plane crash. I was over Len and Rose Devaney's when it happened and they were upset. My father (Don Taylor) passed away in 1990 so I can't ask him, Rose and Len Devaney passed away also. I really would like to know how the two families are related. Does anyone know? It is ironic that after I had kids, my daughters became friends to Tom and Cindy's daughters. That's when I told them that they are relatives of some sort. Please advise.
Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at 21:37 IP: 12.107.95.254 |
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Dearest Mary,
Is Tommy's and Terry's Lifesong album available to the public? If so where can we purchase it. Their tribute song to Maury is great!
Tim Mc Mullen's song for Maury is also beautiful and has a touch of Maury's style and flavor. Where can I purchase this Second string songman Album?
Please thank Tommy and Terry for their song. I am still anxiously waiting for your book to be published and released.
I love you Mary! I am so grateful to you and I too am so touched to see and read the multitude of different multicultural people across the globe, caring thoughts and acknowledgements to Maury which he so much deserved! Remember Mary my offer is still open to you and yours if you come out West to California, to take you to Universal Studio's. And I will never ever forget my gentle good friend Maury and now you too Mary!
Love Always
As I am
Mona
oxoxoxox
Friday, February 02, 2007 at 15:20 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I'm from Argentina, and I love Jim Croce's music.
Today, searching in Internet details of Croce, developed "Maury", as the lead guitar duo with Jim, and also I could listen the Maury's second voices and chorus in several J. Croce's songs.
I realized about this nice page and this nice "musician"!! and I just only say "What a wonderfull and magic music left Maury to the world".
My regards for the related persons!
Gerardo Sanguineti
gsanguineti@hotmail.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 18:53 Host: host74.190-30-76.telecom.net.ar |
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I live in Thailand. More than 20 years ago I was the one who loved the songs of Jim Croce. I appreciated the line of guitar duo of Jim and Maury .So I and my friend start a duo for university folksong competition.When we were the first year medical student In Mahidol university.We played "I have to say I love you in a song".,no one there had known the song even the judge.When we were second year medical student,we studied hard but we still practiced the songs of Jim/Maury.We were the champ that year ,we had played "Time in a bottle" and "These dreams".Until now I and my friend had our own works as a doctor,I am a cardiologist ,my friend is an ophthalmologist.I collect all CDs that are available of Jim Croce. But it hardly to find Maury Muehleisen CD in Thailand.This morning I have just watched Jim Croce's DVD,I love their musics forever.I want to buy Maury's CDs but I have no credit cart.When I buy something online, I use my sister's card. I will order soon.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007 at 07:39 Host: 125-24-167-62.adsl.totbb.net |
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When I was 12 years old (15 years ago), my uncle played a record called "Time In A Bottle" for me. As beautiful as the words and melody were, what hit me was the elegant simplicity of the guitarist in the background. I took that LP home and tried my hardest to learn the parts I was hearing. To this day, despite 15 years of trying, I still fail to evoke the tone and purity of heart that I heard in Maury's strings. I was devastated when I received my letter back, unopened and marked "return to sender" from the now defunct ABC records. It was only then that I found out we lost a genius on Earth to gain a musical angel in heaven. The greatest compliment I can give a fellow musician is that I didn't hear *him*-- I heard the song.Thank you for putting up this wonderful tribute to a hero of mine; a tribute to a man who played so well that you never knew he was there. Fortunately for all of us, he did not become another nameless and faceless musician whose contribution to musican posterity went unrecognized. Thank you for putting up this wonderful tribute to a hero of mine, a tribute to a man who played so well that you never knew he was there; he was a true musician-- a master of his craft who knew to leave the forest of a song better than he found it, leaving no trace and sweeping the path behind him.
Saturday, January 27, 2007 at 18:05 Host: cpe-065-191-038-077.nc.res.rr.com |
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Mary, superb website on Maury....he was a truly gifted player and I've spent many enjoyable hours listening to the music..
But I need to ask: Do you have any of his old guitars around that you could post pics of?......would love to see some of his "tools of the trade"!!!!!!
Thanks again so much and may God bless the memory of Maury.
Ted from Massachusetts
Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 13:50 Host: w.meditech.com |
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He was a great guitar player,he played feelings through his fingers. Very tasteful and clean...he is missed.
Rest Forever in Peace my friend
Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 10:02 Host: adsl-149-247-166.pns.bellsouth.net |
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It always takes one or two to make a band.
Jim had Maury and thier Music together we still understand!!
One you hear sing the song and the other you hear the music play
With us always they both will stay!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 17:57 IP: 67.36.26.16 |
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This website is such a beautiful tribute to Maury.What an incredibly talented musician he really was,and his spirit lives on in the melodies and memories.
Tuesday, January 23, 2007 at 17:17 Host: willowick-user.wepl.lib.oh.us |
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What a great musician!
Sunday, January 21, 2007 at 13:31 Host: bas6-toronto63-1096713130.dsl.bell.ca |
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I had the priceless privilege of getting to "hang out" with Maury and Jim at the old Cellar Door nightclub in Washington, DC, in the late winter/early spring of 1973 for several nights. I had only been playing music around town for a couple of years at that point, and I had so much to learn about this craft. What teachers both of these guys were! In 1994, I wrote "Down At The Old Cellar Door", a tribute to so many who taught me well. A day doesn't go by that I don't think about both of these guys. How different the musical landscape would be if that plane crash never took place. Thank you, Mary, for keeping Maury's memory alive for so many of us who loved what he did.
Len Jaffe
Barking Cherry House Concerts
Charlottesville, VA
Friday, January 19, 2007 at 08:01 Host: c-71-63-11-93.hsd1.va.comcast.net |
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January 14, 2007
Maury's 58th birthday
Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 23:37 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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Maury and Jim should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Although, their careers were tragically cut short, the musicianship and the quality of work they left us will last forever.
Sunday, January 14, 2007 at 19:54 Host: dialup-4.185.246.227.dial1.washington2.level3.net |
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Met Maury's brother Robert at Wildflowers, and by luck a Jim Croce song came on. I had mentioned to the friend that I was with that I remember the Trenton Times front page article about the plane crash in 1973 with Maury and Jim. It was a pleasure hearing about Maury and Jim. Thanks Robert for taking the time to speak to two bar flies!
Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at 09:55 Host: c-71-226-235-142.hsd1.pa.comcast.net |
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I'm just forty years old but I've always loved Jim Croce's music. It wasn't until the DVD came out that I saw for the first time who played the great licks and fills for Jim. What a great talented guy Maury was. A true inspiration for me to breakout my acoustic and learn those parts note for note. from what I've read from other people he was a good man - the kind who would be unaffected by stardom.
Sunday, January 07, 2007 at 22:08 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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Dear Mary—
Thanks for making this the best year for Maury's fans in more than thirty years. The release of two cd's was marvelous. Like I said on the first day of this guestbook, I look forward to your book! May the upcoming year be even better for you, for your family, and for Maury's fans.
Happy New Year, Tim McMullen
Monday, January 01, 2007 at 02:43 Host: cpe-75-84-10-111.socal.res.rr.com |
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I think of Maury often when I listen to Elizabeth tapes from the Gold Bug days. (I've missed his music since the advent of CDs). We had a cheap reel to reel tape recorder and Maury taped their concerts. We used the same tape the whole year (67-68), sadly taping over old concerts. Another person who died young was Wayne Ackerman an avid photographer who took pictures at the Gold Bug. I often wonder where all the photos of that time and place went.
Thank you for keeping Maury's memory alive and for helping me discover that I can get his music on CDs
Don
Saturday, December 30, 2006 at 23:20 Host: c-71-234-69-209.hsd1.ct.comcast.net |
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I'm an older guy, trying to learn guitar, having dropped it for about forty years.
Recently I saw some of the Jim Croce songs on video, and was just blown away by the fingerpicking harmony of Maury's playing. It's wonderful you are preserving and adding to the memory of one so talented. He has inspired me to try to do better, and his songs bring joy.
Tuesday, December 26, 2006 at 09:55 Host: pool-71-125-143-98.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net |
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I tour 250+ days a year with my wife, Stacey Earle, playing concerts on the folk-Americana circuit. I have many influences, but, it has often occured to me that Maury is an unsung influence on the way I shape my guitar playing in our duo. We have two acoustic guitars in our performance and it is very tricky finding a way for that to work out well. I think we have pulled it off and hear it from our fans nightly. I know that the best example of it (the two acoustic guitar approach) is Maury and Jim. Along with my Chet Atkins and Beatles and Merle Travis albums I studied Maury's playing alot as a young guitarist. And, I now know it affected my choices in choosing what to play against Stacey's guitar. We are so unlucky to be without Maury today, but, so lucky he left some great work for us to hear. Thank you, Maury,
Mark Stuart (Stacey Earle and Mark Stuart)
Thursday, December 21, 2006 at 00:03 Host: user-1120h3b.dsl.mindspring.com |
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Happy Thanksgiving to All!
I'm extra happy and extra thankful this year...thankful for all of you. I am so grateful for the many kind thoughts and feelings shared by those who visit this website for Maury.
I keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.
Peace and Love and Happiness,
Mary
Thursday, November 23, 2006 at 12:20 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I am a huge fan of Jim and Maury's. Been listening since I stole my mother's 8-tracks some 30+ years ago! Wish I could have thanked them personally for all the great music and free guitar lessons they have given me...but I will have only to thank Mary instead...so... THANKS MARY! Especially for devoting so much time and heart to this cool website for your brother. The Jim Croce story is truly a team story, and this surely helps the world to know that.
My best to you and yours.
Monday, November 20, 2006 at 20:57 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I was born and grew up in Trenton in the 60s and 70s. My dad was Jack Connell and I think I remember him saying he bought his suits from Maury's dad when I became a Jim Croce fan at age 13. I am still a fan after all these years and living 3,000 miles away in England. I introduce new audiances to Jim & Maury.
Monday, November 20, 2006 at 14:01 Host: 88-108-234-11.dynamic.dsl.as9105.com |
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I just came across this site dedicated to Maury. I've been a Jim Croce fan for years and to this day, when I listen to the songs that he recorded I'm still blown away and amazed at Maury's playing. Even though I've heard these songs thousands of times, Maury's guitar work never ceases to amaze me. He truly was amazing. I only wish that Maury and Jim were still around. I wonder what wonderful songs they would have recorded. So sad, but I'm thankful for the music.
Saturday, November 18, 2006 at 20:25 Host: cpe-24-94-87-105.hawaii.res.rr.com |
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maury thanks for your music ,you are inspiration for me and some friends living in my country HONDURAS
GOD BLESS YOU MY FRIEND WE LL LOVE YOU FOREVER
Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 23:21 Host: mundial.hn |
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Jim & Maury's music has always been my inspiration to play the guitar. Have always wondered who is that picker behind all these classics till i pick up a vcd of Jim with various footage of them playing together..my 1st look at the man on those strings. I was and still am in awe. RIP Maury...your pickings and music lives on.
Monday, November 13, 2006 at 15:04 Host: cm1.gamma9.maxonline.com.sg |
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I first came across Maury's solo album Gingerbread in 1970, just prior to my band Swampwater (Linda Ronstadt's band) recording our 2nd album for RCA.I fell in love with his tune "A Song I Heard" and recorded it on our 2nd album "SWAMPWATER", along with Herb Pederson on guitar. It was recorded in 1971 IN Hollywood at RCA STUDIOS with Jimmy Day's steel solo put on in Nashville.
I sang it and the track recieved alot of airplay. To this day I still get email about it.
Maury was an exceptional artist who, sadly, I never got to meet. I believe he would have been a major artist on his own had he not died so young.
Anyway, I just found this site...and will re-order Gingerbread.
God Bless you Maury & thanks for the wonderful music you gave us.
Cheers
John Beland
Flying Burrito Brothers
Austin TX
www.johnbeland.com
www.myspace.com/flyingb56
Sunday, November 05, 2006 at 19:04 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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nice to see the website to put a name and face to jims great guitar player what a unique style great job we still listen to his music
Sunday, November 05, 2006 at 17:20 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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I've always been a Jim Croce fan, but I'm glad I can finally put a name and face to "the guy who played guitar with Jim".
Maury was an incredible talent, God only knows the heights he and Jim would have reached with their collaborations.
As it is, what they did in a short time will live forever.
Sunday, November 05, 2006 at 01:32 Host: pool-68-163-136-242.bos.east.verizon.net |
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"MARY",
WHAT A WONDERFUL TRUBUTE TO YOUR TALENTED BROTHER...IT WAS NICE LEARNING MORE ABOUT HIM AND HIS GREAT FAMILY.
EVEN THOUGH "MAURY", HAD TO LEAVE US SO EARLY, HIS SONGS THAT REACH TO THE SOUL OF EVERY ONE WHO HEARS THEM WILL BE WITH US FOREVER....
THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS GREAT WEB SITE..
~DENNIS~
Thursday, November 02, 2006 at 21:41 Host: cache-ntc-ad10.proxy.aol.com |
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It has been an honor and privilege for me to have learned more about Maury through his family in the Trenton area of New Jersey. I love what was and miss what could have been.
Thursday, November 02, 2006 at 19:09 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I thoroughly enjoyed receiving the re-release of GINGERBREADD and the new Before the Ever Since CD's. The stories in the CD covers bring back so many memories for me. Thoughts of hangin' out with Maury in his room while he'd sit at his big wooden desk, late at night under a dim desk light, working out the words and music to another segment of his stringed magic. For those of us who knew Maury and those who know his music, the "ever since" is everlasting. Thank you Mary, for your perseverance and all your hard work on these projects. PS Still can't wait for the completion and release of your book. Luv ya! "Be Cool" Tom
Wednesday, October 25, 2006 at 11:39 Host: pool-71-245-114-218.cmdnnj.fios.verizon.net |
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Dear Rolland,
I know I've already sent you a personal thank you, but I want the world to know how much your poem means to me and my family. Space around me feels a bit warmer today - like a gentle hug coming from above and beyond...from Maury and from you. Thanks forever.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 09:34 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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Rolland:
What a lovely and fitting tribute to Maury's memory. Thanks so much for sharing your piece with the rest of his fans and friends.
Tim McMullen
Wednesday, October 18, 2006 at 01:11 Host: 69-167-6-104.lmdaca.adelphia.net |
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For Maury Muehleisen
I thought I heard a minstrel in the heavens late one night
'tis sure that others heard it for the tune was clear and bright
The night birds hushed their voices, the coyotes ceased to wail
It seemed the earth grew silent, from meadow, hill and dale
And every living being turnd their gazes toward the sky
In hopes they might discover the source up there on high
It was as I remember, a star up in the north
That seemed to be the center of this beauty springing forth
A campfire in the skyway where the minstrel stopped to rest
And sing a song of beauty on his gentle spirit quest
I don't know if he realized that others heard his song
So far below the heavens, from distances so long
Yet late one night we heard it, that sweet unearthly tune
That came from out of nowhere past the regions of the moon
No living thing that heard him would ever be the same
And something deep within me whispered Maury was his name.
(c)2006 Rolland B. Heiss
Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 23:28 Host: dialup-4.243.2.200.dial1.seattle1.level3.net |
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1973......heard the tragic news on our counter top radio in Flint, Michigan, I was 17 and just freaked, it was a constant struggle just to tune my darn acoustic. Maury was simply an amazing sound, I sure wish he and Jim had driven that day. Never could play Operator, sure could use Maury's instruction. RIP my friend.
Switching to DSL on Monday and changing emails, will update however.
Friday, October 06, 2006 at 05:01 Host: cache-ntc-ad10.proxy.aol.com |
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I just received Maury's "Gingerbreadd" CD in the mail today and am on my second listen. Simply put, it is AWESOME! Wow, what a beautiful, beautiful voice and such wonderful songs! Every song was written by Maury which is amazing to me. He was only 20 or 21 when he made this album. Such a talent!!!
A huge THANKYOU to Mary for working so hard to make this wonderful album available for us to enjoy.
Sheldon Castle
Monday, October 02, 2006 at 15:49 Host: twnd-216-37-226-88.ppp.twnd.epix.net |
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It is so coincidental that on September 20th, 2006 I check my mailbox to find the album "Jim Croce Classic Hits", which I ordered from my record club, has arrived.
The music of Jim and your brother Maury we the favourites of mine and my late wife. I remember so vividly the morning of September 21,1973 when my wife called me to tell me of the plane crash.
This album will be cherished by me as a memory of my late wife, your brother, and Jim.
Thank you for having this site.
I am hoping to order your brothers album very soon.
Sunday, September 24, 2006 at 18:34 Host: h209-135-110-24.gtcust.grouptelecom.net |
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Its a wonderful and tasteful tribute to your brother.He was an amazing artist and his talent luckily lives on here and in his body of work for future generations. If he is in our thoughts than he is with us. He also was lucky to have such a loving family.
God Bless You...Paul
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 21:18 Host: ool-44c5982a.dyn.optonline.net |
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On another note, Maury's music is available once again to family and friends. Visit my website for information on ordering.
With gratitude to all who are interested, and wishing you all Love in your lives,
Mary
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 08:16 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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Thanks, Ken, and all those who were kind enough to remember our family this week. Of course, September 20, 1973 is the actual date of the plane crash, but September 21 is another date that stays with us - the day we learned of the plane crash. We still miss Maury very much and cherish our memories of him.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Friday, September 22, 2006 at 08:06 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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That beautiful, full and unforgettable sound of Maury's guitar! I was just a young fan of the Croce songs at the time, and today-- so many years later-- playing some music got me to thinking of that unmistakable guitar sound, and wondering who the player was. Today I found out. My thoughts are for his friends and family, and for the days and music lost.
Thursday, September 21, 2006 at 14:44 Host: c-65-96-51-33.hsd1.ma.comcast.net |
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As every year on this date, I'll specially enjoy all the life and peace that Jim and Maury share with us through their music. Let's the magic begin with... "OPERATOR"... mmmm... great intro Maury!!!
Thanks Mary for your lovely site, and reserve a copy of Gingerbreadd for me!!! I'm travelling on October to US.
Greetings from Santiago de Chile. Cris.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 18:16 IP: 200.27.126.154 |
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Hello, Hello. Hard to believe it's been thirty-three years now since Maury's been gone from our lives. Thankfully, though, he is well remembered. I am so grateful to all of you for visiting this site and leaving such beautiful messages and sharing your memories. Thank you so very much.
The best news on this day is that Maury's music is now available. "Gingerbreadd" by Maury Muehleisen is a reissue of Maury's 1970 Capitol Records LP and includes a 10-page folder. "Maury Muehleisen - Before The Ever Since" is a compilation, produced by me and Tommy West, of Maury's early home and studio recordings of the "Gingerbreadd" songs, plus two bonus tracks by Maury - "Salon and Saloon" and "I Remember Mary." The CDs will only be available through this website - an order form will be on the site any day now. Thank you for your patience.
The prayer in my heart today will be for Maury, Jim Croce, Dennis Rast, Ken Cortese, George Stevens, and Robert Newton Elliott.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at 08:52 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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Hi Mary,
I think your brother would be proud of you and your efforts. I found this site a while back, but am now just getting around to writing this. I'm a long time fan of Jim and Maury's...I was 15 in 1973. Jim is still my favorite singer of all time, and as everyone says, Maury played a HUGE part in Jim Croce's success. Jim went from strumming the guitar to PLAYING the guitar with Maury's help.
When I bought the "Lifesong" album in 1974, I was so glad that Terry and Tommy did the "Maury" song to pay tribute to the musical genius the world would probably never know by name. The Jim Croce DVD that came out a couple years back really shows how Maury and Jim became ONE when they played together. I'm glad we finally have this video record that will live on forever.
Just as Maury will.
If there is a "Rock and Heaven", I'm sure that Jim and Maury are making people smile and feel good up there. And ya know what? They've never stopped doing that here on Earth.
Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 10:03 Host: bb-207-5-189-250.gwi.net |
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I have only recently seen the DVD of Jim Croce live, and had to find out the name of the lead guitarist.
Mary and family, thank you for this rare insight into the life of someone who has touched so many souls.
God bless.
Sunday, September 17, 2006 at 04:52 Host: 60-240-104-163-nsw-pppoe.tpgi.com.au |
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Listening to Jim and Maury, a little while ago prompted mr to write to you.
It just struck me how wonderful it was for Jim and Maury to find each other.
Both so talented, and for each to find the perfect complement for his talents is rare.
How fortunate for all of us that they did.
Thanks for keeping this treasure alive for all of us.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at 18:36 Host: 207-255-77-175-dhcp.aoo.pa.atlanticbb.net |
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wow! love this site! maury was really a great player , saw him and jim at the philly folk fest in 73 (at the tender age of 9 ! ) i grew up in langhorne pa and was surprised to learn that maury was from trenton nj (just across the river !! wow small world . i really have to agree with cashman and west when they say that jim's songs were greatly enhanced by maury's tasty riffs and whatnot . i sure wish i could find someone like that to ply my songs with ...... yeah right ! that aint happining maury was one of a kind ! thanks for the wonderful site i'll tell all my pickin buddies about it !! they all know and love maury's jams as much as me !!! chris
Monday, September 11, 2006 at 19:27 Host: ac81c557.ipt.aol.com |
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Please let me know when the cds will be available. Thank you.
Friday, September 08, 2006 at 10:25 Host: pool-71-248-143-46.dllstx.dsl-w.verizon.net |
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I am sooo glad this website is here. Music is not what it used to be, but the remembrance of what it used to be, makes it what it is now, it is still alive and you have kept it that way. Thanks. They left us way too early, but did not leave us with nothing. You have the physical memories and we have the intangible resevoir of thought and emotion provoking memories-through their music. We only wish we could grasp a portion of the memories you have, so here we are. Thanks for sharing.
Thursday, September 07, 2006 at 16:04 Host: cpe-70-122-71-6.houston.res.rr.com |
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Somewhere down this guestbook you will find an entry by a guy named Scott, my long time friend, teacher and former bassist (in that order). In Scott's comments he speaks of how watching Maury and Jim changed the course of his life forever leading him through a musical journey. While I never had the priviledge of viewing a live performance - that night in 1972 changed more than Scott's life. It changed mine. Maury's impact and influence can be directly traced to a deep friendship and musical internship between myself and Scott. It also made possible a musical ministry that touched countless other lives. As Scott so eloquently said, thanks for this website and for the gift of sharing.
Hg
Thursday, September 07, 2006 at 14:18 Host: usa.fmcti.com |
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I just learned of Maury...as tears fill my eyes I once again learn of a wonderful soul who truly graced this Earth with glory and grace. Thanks to Jim and Maury for all of the blessed song and beauty and truth. Thanks to their family/friends for encouraging and shaping them. Danke schone.
Saturday, September 02, 2006 at 00:20 Host: ool-4355f563.dyn.optonline.net |
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Some time ago on PBS there was a Jim Croce special or bio, and I remember watching and listening to Maury, thinking "What GREAT picking!" I didn't know who Maury was at the time, and during the show I wondered what he might be doing now. At the end of the show I found out... it was a moment.
Mary, your dedication to Maury and this website is truly marvelous. Thank you!
Friday, September 01, 2006 at 00:02 Host: sj-natpool-220.cisco.com |
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Hello, Hello, Everyone,
Thanks to Jan, a new friend of mine from Mississippi, I learned yesterday that the opening song in the new Disney movie "Invincible" about Eagles player Vince Papale is "I Got A Name." It's wonderful to hear Jim Croce's voice throughout the theater. Maury Muehleisen and Tommy West sang backup vocals on that 1973 hit song, written by Gimbel and Fox. You'll also hear Maury's tripled lead guitar parts, played on his Martin D-35. Tommy West played three guitar parts, using a twelve-string guitar and two six-string guitars.
Pardon me, my pride is showing.
The movie's great, too.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006 at 16:10 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I've always loved Jim Croce and coming across Maury Muehleisen adds a much needed dimension coming from the music of the both of them. So little do I know. Thanks for introducing me to Maury.
Jonathan
"I am still learning. . ." Michelangelo Buonarroti
Saturday, August 26, 2006 at 03:32 Host: ool-4574a341.dyn.optonline.net |
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It is always such a pleasure to read everyone's memories and thoughts about Maury's music and the duo of Maury and Jim. I'm so pleased that Maury's music will soon be available again, as it is apparent that so many of us are interested in keeping that talent alive. The one thing that has helped me all of these years after losing my brother, Maury, is that I have his voice and guitar music, as well as very fond childhood memories of him from my first 20 years of life. This is a treat that not many people have, and it brings such a feeling of peace to me and puts a smile on my face. It's certainly more than nice to know that so many people, of so many different ages, listen to his music and get such an emotional pull from it. You all make an angel smile when you write in. Thanks, Mary, for making all of this happen.
Love,
Ann
Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 23:22 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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What can I say?
I loved Jim's music... but even though I was just a high school kid with no musical training, I was immediately drawn toward the fills and back-up vocals of "that guy that plays with Croce" and I remember wanting to know more.
Unfortunatly, I didn't really pay attention to later... and now, some 30 years after getting my first guitar I find that I REALLY want to play.
Pete Huttlinger does a wonderful job of honoring Maury on his Croce instructional DVD. After a few weeks of watching those lessons, I have even more appreciation for Maury.
I sure hope I meet him someday... and I plan on mentioning Maury just about every time a Croce tune comes from guitar, as I play the little Coffee Houses of Northwest Indiana.
May his memory be eternal.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006 at 11:11 Host: c-71-194-192-180.hsd1.il.comcast.net |
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great guitar player
Monday, August 21, 2006 at 09:17 Host: 44.red-213-231-102.user.auna.net |
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He & Jim were perfect together. My friend and I keep their music alive every week as we try our best to play their songs note for note on our guitars. Currently working on "Car wash Blues" and I am working on Maury's part and it is soo intricate.
Dave
Wednesday, August 16, 2006 at 12:58 IP: 136.166.1.3 |
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Mary,
As a singer / songwriter, I cannot begin to tell you the impact your Brother and Jim Croce had on me as a young man.
I have always written music, but I would listen to a couple cuts off one of the Croce albums and feel an incredible inspiration to write "something new".
I have long been a Beatle fan, But only the music Jim and your Brother created ever has such an effect upon me.
My own 15 year old daughter plays acoustic guitar now and I have never been able to think of another guitarist, I would rather have her listen to than Jim and Maury. Their music was pure magic back then and it still works today.
My biggest regret is giving away tickets to a Jim Croce concert at the assistance of the girl I thought I would marry. I also later missed a trip to Europe on her account (only to have her leave me weeks later), but the missed European adventure still doesn't upset me as much as the third row seats I once gave away. It was only weeks later the boys were killed and my "I'll see them next time" became an unfulfilled opportunity.
I hope to get your Brothers CDs soon.
God Bless you and your family
Pastor Gary Holman
Sunday, August 06, 2006 at 18:27 Host: cpe-65-31-16-244.insight.res.rr.com |
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Music as it should be... Very few artists have touched me the way Maury's guitar and harmonies have. To this day I get chills listening to Alabama Rain. I can't wait to get a hold of Maury's re-released album. To the whole family, God Bless, and may Maury be in our hearts forever. His musical renditions are timeless masterpieces. He was a one-of-a-kind, a true genius. His music would have made many artists better musicians. That plane robbed the world of a fabulous talent. It is a tribute to their genius that they were able to record so much quality music in three years. I am humbled by the breadth and magnitude of the songs. mw
Wednesday, August 02, 2006 at 19:38 Host: adsl-69-212-158-82.dsl.bcvloh.ameritech.net |
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I was 12 when I "discovered" Jim Croce and was saddened when he died weeks later. Now I am 45 and watching the DVD I have "discovered" Maury. It feels like I have just "lost" him and am grateful that you started this site to honor his memory.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006 at 18:54 Host: highspeed65-174-20-110.peoplestelecom.net |
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I remember that cold and rainy morning of November 5, 1960 when I heard over my parents' car radio from the back seat, while coming down Barham Blvd. from Hollywood, CA into Burbank while passing by Warner Bros. Studios, the sudden death of country singer Johnny Horton from a tragic car accident that day. They announced, also on that very same day, that actor Ward Bond had died too. I learned of Maury and Jim's plane crash the same way, over the radio, on the morning of September 21, 1973. Both events have profoundly affected me still. We are all blessed to live in a century wherein the technology allows for us to still be moved by their music. Indeed, all of the billions of human beings who have come and gone from centuries past never had such a luxury as recorded music. Maury's crisp & clear touch will ring in my ears forever. I try to emulate his style on electric guitar, but not with much success, it seems. Thank you Mary for your constant friendship and continous e-mail contact. I am so hononed to be a small part of your upcoming book.
Armand
Springfield, Oregon
Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at 00:52 Host: c-71-193-221-103.hsd1.or.comcast.net |
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I ran across the DVD and wow, what a great tribute to both parties. Maury and Jim alike were "one of a kind" and the world lost two musical geniuses. We are lucky to have been left their blessings in their works.
God Bless!
Friday, July 14, 2006 at 13:12 Host: adsl-223-102-195.aep.bellsouth.net |
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What a great guitarist and singer. I greatly enjoyed looking at the pictures especially the one of the celebration cake for the new record deal. Its odd but when i look at it, i can see my family in a way.
Great sight
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at 03:06 Host: viborgdhcp-194.64-179-168.iw.net |
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I would just like to say thanks to Maury and Jim for all the great music
they left for us. I've been listening to it for over 30 years and will never
get enough.
Sunday, July 09, 2006 at 20:12 Host: mo-67-76-74-8.sta.embarqhsd.net |
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What a great tribute to an amzing artist. I was 14 when I first heard Jim and Maury back in 1972 and their music spoke to me in a way none had before. I listened to them all the time. I was a bit of a brooding boy back then and they lifted me out of the dark. There is no doubt that there never would have been a Jim Croce without Maury. They were just meant to play together and each brought life to the other's work. I will never forget that September day just a few days before my 15th birthday when I heard the news. I was riding in the back of my parents' car coming home from someplace when the story came on the radio. I was devestated. How could we lose these fine musicians so soon, too soon? I still mourn their loss. I have continued to play their music all through the years and just picked up a compilation CD and the work and feelings it inspires are as timeless as ever. I miss them, Mary. Thanks for this website. I hope you know how much I recognized then how beautiful and amazing Maury's talent was and how much it still is amazing. It's always Maury and Jim with me, never one without the other.
Sincerely,
Dana Deering
Friday, June 30, 2006 at 11:48 Host: ptlegress.unumprovident.com |
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I remember seeing Jim Croce and Maury on the television and thinking, "Jim is good, but that other guy is great!"
I know we all miss them both!
Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 01:22 Host: krasnet-grps.etk.ru |
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Maurice played a great part in the success of Jim as an artist. I saw him play as a backup in one of Jim's concert. He played well. Jim's songs gained more soul and meaning with Maurice's excellent guitar play. It is only just yesterday that I found out that there was Maurice in Jim's popular songs.
Thursday, June 29, 2006 at 01:21 Host: krasnet-grps.etk.ru |
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For years, I thought Jim Croce's music was played on a 12-string guitar. After I saw the Croce documentary, I wondered, "who's the other guitarist?" I just found out about Maury today after hearing his music for more than 30 years! Maury is great!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at 17:54 Host: ppp-69-218-214-69.dsl.wotnoh.ameritech.net |
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Thank you to all who take the time to sign my guestbook. As many of you know, I personally answer all e-mails and guestbook entries. The only time you won't get a response is if your e-mail address bounces back as undeliverable. So, if you've never heard from me, feel free to write directly to my e-mail address.
Monday, June 26, 2006 at 10:42 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I remember seeing Jim Croce and Maury on the television and thinking, "Jim is good, but that other guy is great!"
I know we all miss them both!
Monday, June 26, 2006 at 09:28 Host: ob.saisd.net |
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Maurice played a great part in the success of Jim as an artist. I saw him play as a backup in one of Jim's concert. He played well. Jim's songs gained more soul and meaning with Maurice's excellent guitar play. It is only just yesterday that I found out that there was Maurice in Jim's popular songs.
Sunday, June 25, 2006 at 03:52 IP: 210.213.76.178 |
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in the best and worst times of life jim and maury's music seems to appear and mean so much. was two when they where around but its been 36 years since and they always appear in the right moment. had the inside sleeve of jims album on my wall for years with maury's picture above him. dont know the reason why i went on the web tonight to finally find out more about who he was, especially after soooo many years of Jims music (now will always think of it as their music) to see who he was. Pretty cool. thank you to whomever put this together. enjoy!
Friday, June 23, 2006 at 01:10 Host: adsl-69-108-123-112.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net |
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The opening lick to "Operator" changed my life forever. In my opinion, Maury was the greatest acoustic guitar player in the world. Additionally, I'd like to add that if you really listen to the harmony he provided to all of Jim's albums, his voice is equally impressive. It just goes to show you he had the "big 3". That is he was a brilliant musician, singer, and songwriter. Special thanks to Mary and her incredible dedication. We can't wait for "Gingerbreadd".
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 20:08 Host: ip70-180-180-110.lv.lv.cox.net |
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It is always such a pleasure to read everyone's memories and thoughts about Maury's music and the duo of Maury and Jim. I'm so pleased that Maury's music will soon be available again, as it is apparent that so many of us are interested in keeping that talent alive. The one thing that has helped me all of these years after losing my brother, Maury, is that I have his voice and guitar music, as well as very fond childhood memories of him from my first 20 years of life. This is a treat that not many people have, and it brings such a feeling of peace to me and puts a smile on my face. It's certainly more than nice to know that so many people, of so many different ages, listen to his music and get such an emotional pull from it. You all make an angel smile when you write in. Thanks, Mary, for making all of this happen.
Love,
Ann
Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 05:19 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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Hello Mary,
It was nice to meet you at the Martin Guitar Factory on Monday. It was fun to hear your stories about Maury and Jim. I hoped you enjoyed my story about my sons guitar teacher wanting to know who was the amazing guitarist that played with Jim.
Best Wishes,
DW
Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 10:01 IP: 12.40.117.220 |
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Hello, Hello!
Check out the UPDATE page on my website. If you've been used to going directly to the site or the guestbook, you'll probably have to refresh your browser.
Peace & Love,
Mary
Thursday, June 15, 2006 at 05:40 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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Mary, I think we emailed back and forth a couple of times some time back. I am the guy who was Jim Croce's squad leader in the Army while in training at Ft. Dix in late 1966 and early 1967. I have the original Facets signed copy from Jim and I'm thinking of selling it. I have tried to contact Ingrid to tell her my own little story fo being around Jim but have not had any success with a reply from the official Croce website. I would also like for people close to Jim know that I have the album.
Regards,
Larry Galaske
PS your site is very well done and a great tribute to Maury.
Thursday, June 08, 2006 at 12:12 Host: dsl-69-4-71-7.3z.net |
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A day does'nt pass without the thoughts and sounds of the angels fingers dancing along those strings and I continue to ask WHY? I have to go now. May I come back? I'm so very happy I've found this site. There is so much more to share. From the great township of Upper Darby, PA. Yep! I was born & raised & schooled in Croce country. I'll be around again. Thank you.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006 at 02:58 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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Hello, Mary, and every lovely one of ya' that wrote so many beautiful and moving tributes to Maury. It's been a while since we've chatted, but I wanted to you know that they tell me many people still click on to the radio show we did together to honor Maury and Jim's works and life that's now on www.giantgene.com as a work of "love" for both of us. For those who do not remember Jim Croce playing back-up guitar for Maury, click over and give the program a listen. It's time for us to chat soon, Mary. Stay well.
Love to all and to your family
Giant Gene Arnold
Monday, June 05, 2006 at 18:26 Host: AC93B4ED.ipt.aol.com |
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Hello Mary- I accidentally stumbled upon this wonderful tribute,a great website dedicated to Maury. I, as with many who wrote to the guestbook, knew Maury from the ol' 'Boro days. I was Glassboro 1972- and fondly remember Maury as he was a dorm mate when I was a freshman. I remember how amazed I was - listening to his magical voice and guitar when he used to play on the couch in the dayroom lounge. I recall being mesmerized by his phenomenal talent. After reading another person's entry- I also recall when Maury was introduced to a girl named Mary. She was, as I recall a stunningly beautiful girl. We(the dorm guys) were as amazed at her beauty as we were with Maury's talent I suppose!! I recall him playing at the Gold Bug as well as a place on High Street in Glassboro called, I believe, Martha's- it was a small night club/coffee house type deal. It was fairly close to the corner of Main and High. When did his first album come out?- as I recall buying a copy- and when I get a chance I will see if I can find it around the house somewhere I also recall keeping a few mini-posters and flyers (sp) announcing gigs that Maury had in the South Jersey area. I will do some digging. Can you fill me in on the time frame that Maury attended GSC? I would appreciate it if you can email me directly with this info! Thank you.- Once again, thanks for keeping a wonderful memory alive- Best regards- D Wyckoff, NJ 6-3-06
Saturday, June 03, 2006 at 18:26 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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I’d like to be able to believe, despite the age, in some sort of benevolent plan or Providence – this makes no sense, just should not have happened. To watch these guys, enter into their spirit and genius. The music consistently hooks, the lyrics – authentic, no tinge of melodrama. “Is it not life? Is it not the thing?” Melancholy, then to soar with “I Got a Name”. And how did Maury make those bends with his middle finger on a D-28? Didn’t start guitar till he was 17? Really, puts tears in my eyes.
Friday, June 02, 2006 at 23:11 Host: 207-255-127-046-dhcp.unt.pa.atlanticbb.net |
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I had the priviledge of knowing both Jim and Maury. I worked for The Hit Factory Recording Studio back in N.Y.where they did much of their recording; we were all quite devestated by the loss. Maury was a great musician and even a greater human being. He will always be missed.
R.I.P.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006 at 16:49 Host: pool-71-106-142-212.lsanca.dsl-w.verizon.net |
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i accidentally heard maurys album when in the offices of lifesong records.it was spectacular.at one point several decades latter, i called terry cashman to ask if they had any of his tapes.now it sounds like this album will be available in cd.please e-mail me at that time.
thanks
r
Monday, May 29, 2006 at 12:50 Host: c-24-2-241-173.hsd1.ct.comcast.net |
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Mary, what great news that Maury's album will finally be available again, and what a sweet and appropriate tribute to your devotion and hard work that you will be the one to enable its return.
Below I have included a post that I made to www.jimcrocefans.com. Someone asked if anyone had seen Jim and Maury perform. The following response seemed appropriate for your site as well.
I had the opportunity to see Jim and Maury perform only once. They came to the LA area in '71 or '72 and played in a theatre in the round; the circular stage actually rotated during the entire performance. Having played in a lot of different venues myself during that time (but never on a revolving stage), I'm guessing that it was a slightly strange experience for them, especially since Jim's form of storytelling and performing was so intimate. A constantly moving target must have been slightly disconcerting....
Needless to say, Jim and Maury's performance was nothing short of amazing. I have seen hundreds of acoustic performers—pretty much every major folk performer who hit LA from 1965 to 1985, and anyone of significance who has come through since then. But Jim and Maury's performance is still vivid in my memory after 35 years.
Jim's stories and introductions were awesome. Not until I saw Cheryl Wheeler perform in the mid-nineties had I seen anyone offer such an inspired mix of trenchant story telling and brilliant song writing. Croce's persona on stage was both hilarious and spellbinding. However, when they began to play, Jim's identity was merged into Maury/Jim, the wizard songsters. Jim was a very good guitar player with a strong baritone, fun and interesting; Maury, however, was pure magic. He was everywhere in the song: rhythm, lead, syncopation, percussion, and incredible harmony vocals. Put simply—he was mesmerizing. Then, Jim would launch into the next intro, and Maury would sit, quietly bemused until the next downbeat when his flying fingers would reassert his remarkable authority in the musical mix.
Despite the billing, watch any of the videos, and you see that Jim and Maury sat side by side. They were a duo, a dynamic duo if ever there was one. The lack of acknowledgement on some of the Croce releases notwithstanding, it is quite clear that Jim and Maury regarded themselves as musical partners whose aesthetic empathy surpassed any that I have ever seen. Not even David Lindley and Jackson Brown, David Bromberg and Jerry Jeff Walker, Jesse Ed Davis and Taj Mahal had that perfect a connection. The only guitar player I have ever seen who might have matched Maury's intuitive complement to his partner was Brownie McGee with Sonny Terry. His hands never stopped. He really didn't play chords at all, or rather, he played bass runs, lead runs, and constant chord prograssions intermittently throughout a song. Maury is the only other guitar player that I have seen who had that intuitive, eclectic approach to completing a song. (This may seem strange and self-serving, but if you heard him, you would agree—the only other person I have ever heard with that kind of full-service sound was my younger brother, Tucker McMullen, when he played with Bob Ward and the Cigar Band in the late 70's, and his inspiration clearly came from David Bromberg, Amos Garrett, Jesse Ed Davis, and especially, Maury Muehleisen).
It would be nice to have the opportunity to see more of Jim and Maury's work, and perhaps more footage will be uncovered in the future. Also, I add my voice to those hoping that Maury's album will again become available. Though always regarded as a jewel, my vinyl recording is not as pristine as I would like.
Hopefully this little reminiscence hints at the wonder that was Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen.
........Again, congratulations, Mary, for your pending re-release of Gingerbreadd. NOW, when will we have an opportunity to read/hear your book?
Warmest regards, Tim McMullen
Wednesday, May 17, 2006 at 19:01 Host: 69-167-6-104.lmdaca.adelphia.net |
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In 1969-70 I looked up to Maury and after 37 years as a performer I still do. Throughout all these years I remember how excited I was to get his Gingerbreadd album down at the local record store in Glassboro, NJ and how often it graced my dormitory stereo. What great music came through those 4" speakers. My copy disappeared a long time ago and I was never able to replace it. When I came across a copy at a new friend's house a few years ago I was so pleasantly surprised to hear how familiar these songs all sounded to me, like I had heard them just last week instead of three decades ago.
As a music major at Glassboro State in '69-'70 I was fortunate to briefly share a piano class with MM. Just classmates hating the 8:00 AM role call and having to try and be musical when all we wanted to do was sleep. Well, that's all I wanted to do, I can't speak for him. I don't remember any real personal connection but that was a long time ago.
I was elated to see and hear his great success with Jim so soon after that and just as crushed to wake up to the news of their tragic passing. Maury's graceful technique on the acoustic guitar, especially with his double-stop harmonized accompaniments and leads were (and still are) a level of focused musicianship that I still strive for whenever I accompany a performer.
I'm so glad that this tribute website exists, and I'm glad to hear that Gingerbreadd will finally be released on CD sometime soon. He was a tender soul who had a great future ahead of him and I'm glad to see that I am in some good company here - all folks that remember and still miss a very fine musician.
Sunday, May 14, 2006 at 21:56 Host: cpe-70-112-145-225.austin.res.rr.com |
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Hello, Hello, Maury fans!
Just wanted to let you all know the good news - I have recently received the license to reissue Maury's
"Gingerbreadd" LP. I will be getting the CDs manufactured soon and hope to have them available at a very affordable price sometime this summer. They will only be available through my website.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Monday, May 08, 2006 at 16:54 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I have been fans of Maury and Jim since I was 13. I bought Jim's album "You don't mess around with Jim" in the summer of 72 and I wore it out. A few months later I receognized Maurys name on the "Gingerbreadd" album and bought it too and became a fan of his. I hope one day that his album is finally released on CD.
Sunday, March 12, 2006 at 17:36 Host: c-71-198-200-247.hsd1.ca.comcast.net |
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Hi there,
thank you for this site. It´s great to see, that Maury isn´t forgotten. I admire his way of playing the guitar since i first heard a Jim Croce song. It´s a shame they had to go so soon. But they gave us a lot of joy and good times through their songs.
All the best
Christian
Thursday, March 09, 2006 at 13:51 Host: cache-frr-ad09.proxy.aol.com |
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I have long admired Maury's acoustic play, especially on the song "Operator". No one I have ever heard could bend notes and move up and down the fingerboard like he could. Amazing!
I was fortunate enough to hear Jim and Maury play at the Cellar Door in Washington, DC in 1972. Of the many concerts I've attended over the many years I've been listening to music, it stands out as one of the most memorable. In addition to being unique talents, they exuded warmth and charm
that is rare among performers.
I wish I had found this web site earlier. I look forward to getting a copy of the new CD that features their all acoustic recordings.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006 at 09:24 IP: 63.90.80.250 |
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Mr. Muehleisen is one talented man. I am 24, And I have been a fan of Jim Croce for a while, but I just did some research on his backup Guitarist (Have You Heard Jim Croce Live). Maury...Wow! Bad Dude! I Read some Bio's and Listened to Gingerbreadd, You can see why Jim Succeeded. True talent is few and far between!
Sunday, March 05, 2006 at 19:17 Host: c-69-255-76-28.hsd1.de.comcast.net |
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What a great guitar player.
Saturday, March 04, 2006 at 13:49 Host: rrcs-70-61-202-108.midsouth.biz.rr.com |
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very nice tribute, Mary! I know your brother was as nice as You. Good luck with the book. If ever you need anything, holler! M.
Friday, March 03, 2006 at 15:29 Host: 4Cust15.VR1.PAO1.broadband.uu.net |
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I 've also left a message at Jim's website a few months ago , and wanted to do the same here. I was a teenager when I first saw Jim and Maury perform ( I think it must have been one of the "Midnite Specials" ) and was TOTALLY blown away by their mastery of the acoutic guitar with the fingerpicken" and octaves that they played. If I could have traded places with anybody back then, it would have been Jim or Maury ( that is really saying something, 'specially at a time when real sports heroes walked the earth ). They probably had the best sound I ever heard. I have tried many times to get that sound , but just can't.No offense to Jim or his memory , but Maury's identity was never mentioned on any of the t.v. gigs they played, that I can remember. I'll soon be fifty years old . A lot of things go thru your mind at my age.I guess I am very lucky , in that a song can take me back to a certain time and place . Every one of Jim and Maury's songs "take me back to a happier day ". THANX FOR THE MEMORIES....
Saturday, February 25, 2006 at 15:50 Host: pool-151-201-115-148.pitt.east.verizon.net |
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Longtime fan of Maurys'extraordinary and beautiful guitar playing. I'm fortunate to have found your site. Thank you.
Friday, February 24, 2006 at 13:57 Host: cache-dtc-af02.proxy.aol.com |
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I was in high school in LA, 1970 or 1971. My girlfriend and I went to see Randy Newman. There were two opening acts. The first was a typical crunchy granola hippy girl. The second was a guy no one had ever heard of -- Jim Croce. His songs were great but the stories he told about the songs were even better. Best of all was the guitarist playing next to him. He didn't say a word, just played (as John Sebastian sang) "clean as country water, wild as mountain dew." About halfway through the show, someone from the audience yelled out, "Who's that guitarist playing with you? He's pretty good!" Jim told us a whole story about his partner and their travels together, then rolled into the next song.
Jim and Maury got a HUGE standing ovation, way way way more than Randy Newman did. They came out for their encore. From the middle of the theater, I could see their eyes absolutely shining, reflecting back the excitement they'd given the audience. They'd totally stolen the show from Randy Newman. We came away feeling we'd seen a star being born. It was probably the best concert experience I've had, made all the more exciting because they were unknown and we felt we'd discovered them just before the rest of the world did.
In the next couple of weeks, we started hearing "Operator" and "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" all the time on the radio, and I bought the album. On the record, I could still hear Maury's guitar, but it was covered up with bubble-gum generic record-company-type arrangements. It was great, and I'm sure the record companies and Jim and Maury knew better than me about what goes into making a hit record, but I don't think the record company had heard the saying, "Less is more." Anyway, the music didn't shine through the way it did live.
It seemed clear even to my 17-year-old ears that this act -- from Jim's relaxed voice to Maury's beautiful guitar lines to the really moving stories Jim told about the songs -- was made for the intimacy of coffee houses.
So I'm thrilled to find on iTunes now a live, unplugged recording. It's WAY better than the albums were, and it's a real gift to find that talent preserved.
All that was thirty-five years ago. Time moves on, but I want to express my sympathy to his family for their loss. Maury's talent touched lots of people and you'll never know the stories.
Anyway, now you know one more of those stories.
Wednesday, February 22, 2006 at 09:26 Host: 24-148-21-92.grn-bsr1.chi-grn.il.cable.rcn.com |
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I have been a fan of Maury's music from the mid 70's. I was around 15 when I first heard Jim Croce and Maury's style of acoustic music. My favorite tune was I Remember Mary. I was inspired to learn to play the guitar. I still play every day and enjoy acoustic music. Maury had an impact on my life that still affects me 27 years later. Thank you.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 23:12 Host: ip68-106-82-207.rn.hr.cox.net |
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Hi. I'm also from the Philippines. Just happened to watch for the first time Jim Croce's DVD last weekend. Jim, no doubt, was a truly great musician but it dawned on me, when I saw the DVD, that backing up Jim in those songs I have been enjoying all these years, was an equally great, talented, (not to mention very good looking) guy -- your brother Maury. I have since watched the DVD several times not only bec I enjoyed their music but also bec Maury was truly a handsome sight. That's why as soon as I got the chance to surf the net, I wasted no time in looking for more info not only on Jim but also on Maury and I'm certainly thrilled to have found this site. Can't help but feel sad that they both had to go at a very young age. Thanks for this chance and more power!
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 20:16 IP: 202.47.140.17 |
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My Maury influence story to share:
I am a singer/songwriter from a musical family. I was exposed to Jim Croce's music from a very early age and had always noticed Maury's name mentioned in the credits.
It wasn't until the DVD release of Croce's "Have You Seen Me Live" that I finally realized what an integral part Maury played in Jim's music.
I've been a huge fan ever since.
My dear friend Bob Hoppa is the same sort of friend to me as Maury was to Jim. He has been an integral part of my musical sound on all three of my releases. I've often tried to talk him out of his bar band gigs and join me in my small, (usually non-paying), intimate shows.
To no avail I plead to him, "Bob, I need you, you're my Maury Muehleisen".
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 at 11:30 Host: mail.boothnewspapers.com |
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*Note of caution -
For some time now, the guestbook has been receiving messages with web addresses relating to a variety of topics having nothing to do with this site. Some fans have written to say they find them objectionable. I am well aware and check the site several times a day in an attempt to delete them quickly. In order not to be offended, I would suggest not visiting any website address unless the message is specific to this site. A simple complimentary message about the site is often not really about the site.
Sunday, February 19, 2006 at 16:54 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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thank you for the music
Tuesday, February 14, 2006 at 01:49 Host: 212-127-219-236.cable.quicknet.nl |
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I just wanted to say I enjoy Maurys music
Thursday, February 09, 2006 at 21:17 Host: 1Cust109.VR1.DEN4.broadband.uu.net |
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It was December 1970 when Jim Croce opened for Maury and Maury opened for Jimmy Webb at The Main Point.
It was May 1973 when you would have seen Jim and Maury - "the band" - at the Spectrum. Jim always played rhythm. Maury always played lead. Tommy West occasionally joined them on the road, but not for that appearance.
Tuesday, February 07, 2006 at 16:05 Host: cache-rtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I am so happy to have found this.
I remember meeting Maury backstage at The Main Point in Bryn Mawr, Pa. It was also the night I met Jim Croce and found out that we had mutual friends from high school [ Upper Darby High!] my friend Pete [ Jesse] DeLa Rosa took me there to hear Maury. I forget how he had met him.
I do remember That Jim played first act , then Maury , then Jim Webb.
We had a great time back in the Green Room. I think it was back in 1970 or 71. I remember that after I got Maury's album Gingerbread my girl friend, lover and later fiancee , who had a beautiful voice herself, loved the album so much that she kept it for years even after we split up!!
I remember going all the way to NY city and getting the last copy they had !!, before I went to Australia in 1975.
The saddest part for me is the last time I saw Maury and Jim. It was on a very rainy day in Philadelphia and we went to see Jim and the band play.
were running a bit late and we recognized the bands car in the parking lot. I think it was a van from memory. We ran throught the rain and we heard the band playing as we got to the door and the ticket taker said : that's their last encore!!
We went " WHAT" they're the headliners!! He said that the bands had an arguement over who was to play first, second etc, so Jim said: we'll play first !! No big ego there!!
We got our money back and went back out to wait by his van.
after about an hour we finally gave up and decided to go back stage and find them. There we were, two soaking wet long haired characters at the back entrance.
We told everybody we met that we were looking for Jim and the band. we did not try to sneak in. we told them that we had waited at the van and we got several people sending us off through the bowels of the Spectrum.
We were given nothing but coutesy until we ran into a very officious security person whom I actually knew from Upper Darby. He called security cops and just then Jim came out of a room and saw us there. He said he was doing interviews and for us to come in and have some lunch/dinner with them!! The look on the ' official's face was pricelss!!
the sad thing is that after a great meal , some drinks and a lot of stories I said to Jim and Maury: "you must be happy to have finished for awhile."
Jim said that they weren't. They had one more 'gig'to do and they were actually going to lose money on it by the time they got there and played and flew back. I asked why were they going then and he said: : "They booked us when nobody knew us, we owe them for that." I remember Maury agreeing and everybody nodding in agreement.
that next gig was the one they died in the plane crash for!!
My Gingerbread album was damaged in a house fire.. If any one knows where I can get another or actually two: one for my old girl Bobbi whom I still am very close to , I would pay whatever I could afford.
Sorry to be so long winded. it was just like those guys to go out of their way like that. Maury got Jim the gig to play lead for him at the Main Point all those years ago and when Maury's album did get the sales [ or maybe because Jim Webb was getting less applause for his singing than Jim and Maury for their's], and they let Maury go. when Jim got his band together he brought in Maury. Friendships like that in the record business are pretty rare [ I learned that later!!]but Maury and Jim were two of nature's gentlemen. I have missed them these many years. If anyone else would like to share stories: my email is : papabear_au@yahoo.com
take care, Bruce
Sunday, February 05, 2006 at 22:27 Host: c-69-141-2-32.hsd1.pa.comcast.net |
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My fellow guitar players,
Mary,
Before I start. I want to thank you for your support of Pete Huttlinger's DVD project. He did an excellent job. I was so glad to see that he gave Maury much deserved accolades for his guitar work as an accompianist on the Jim Croce recordings.
When I spoke to Pete Huttlinger several years ago. I spoke to him about Jim and Maury's playing style together and gave him a CD of their lesser known recordings. I told him that I have never heard two guitar players, play so nicely/melodically in unison. Evidently he must have agreed. I caught on to Maury fill in guitar playing right away. I had the quadraphonic tapes and heard Maury's guitar on its own channel. I knew that had his guitar not been there, by turning his channel off, how incomplete the beautiful story songs of Jim Croce would have been. I miss their music, but Pete has resurected it. I hope you get more supporting accounts of Pete's work and I certainly am looking forward to Pete's next lesson.
Again thanks Mary. I am from Ohio and would love to meet you personally someday to thank you and to learn more about Maury. I hope you put me on your mailing list for your book!
AS I WAS SAYING!!!!
MY FELLOW GUITAR PLAYERS!!!
For those of you who play guitar and have cherished the guitar sounds of Jim and Maury, do I have great news for you. That special sound that has yet to be duplicated now is available for you to learn to play yourself. I highly recommend you visit the website of a great person and guitar genius Pete Huttlinger. Pete Huttlinger played guitar, mandolin, and banjo while on tour with John Denver the last 4 years of JD's life.
Pete has just created a DVD entitled "Learn the Songs of Jim Croce". I have it and it is great!! If you close your eyes, you might even think you are listening to Jim and Maury's guitars. The tablature is included. It was just released in January and it is a hit. Pete is already being asked to release a 2nd DVD with more songs.
Pete lives in Nashville and plays internationally. He graduated #@*%! laude from Berklee in 1984. He has written and arranged many great compositions himself and also provides the tablature to most all of his songs.
He also has a set of 3 DVD's to "Learn the Songs of John Denver". I have them all and my guitar playing is almost like hearing JD play. It is great!!!
Please visit his website at www.petehuttlinger.com . Tell him Jim Redman recommended him to you. I remember trying to play Jim Croce's on a 12-string guitar in the 1970's, but I will tell you Pete Huttlinger has it down. I guarantee you will enjoy learning from these DVD's. The DVD's are also available at www.homespuntapes.com
Good Luck
Jim R.
Thursday, February 02, 2006 at 21:55 Host: cpe-24-166-208-31.woh.res.rr.com |
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I have always admired Jim C as a great writer and an American Original, but I have to admit that I have always wondered who the guy was that I saw every time I watched a Video or clip of Jim. It has struck me on several occasions that there was always this pretty amazing guitarist just hanging out and killing on the acoustic guitar in every clip or picture I saw. I don’t listen to much radio these days, but a couple of weeks ago I heard Operator for the first time in several years. It inspired me to buy his Photographs and Memories CD. I figured it was time to learn something about “that guy”. Well I must say I am pretty impressed and I especially found it awesome that Maury was one member of the long list of musical geniuses to come from my home state of NJ, and Trenton no less…. I live in Jackson… what a small world. Thanks to this website I now know who that guy is and I think it wonderful that his family continues to keep him in the public eye…Kudos…..
Saturday, January 28, 2006 at 11:42 Host: ool-44c052c4.dyn.optonline.net |
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There are serveral people in the world that I regret having never met. Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen are two of those people.
Warren Mayo
Sioux Falls, SD
Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 10:43 Host: host-157-250-9-69.midco.net |
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Hi Mary,
The Scott Einhorn show was fantastic. It was so nice to hear Maury's songs and music on the radio and the internet. What a great interview. I am so proud of you for all that you have done to get the word out about Maury and Jim's Music. You are amazing. I can not wait to read your book about them. I think it will be a best seller!
Love,
Robert
Monday, January 16, 2006 at 18:15 Host: pcp0011953156pcs.lambrv01.nj.comcast.net |
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Happy Birthday to Maury & Jim.
Mary, the WRSU show,last Monday,is now a very special memory. You gave a great interview with Scott & brought wonderful stories to life for us all. It was so good to hear them. Thanks. Love, your sister, Peggy Ann
Saturday, January 14, 2006 at 11:16 Host: 0-2pool232-170.nas81.newark2.nj.us.da.qwest.net |
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAURY!!!!!
Lots of love from
Ron, Margaret, Tom and Chris
Saturday, January 14, 2006 at 09:19 Host: pcp03676513pcs.nstnig01.ct.comcast.net |
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Laurie,
Thanks so much for writing and for your sweet recollections about Maury. Thanks also for taking the time to reach out and find my website.
For those of you wondering about the songs showing up on iTunes - SHOUT! Factory has just released a new product produced by Ingrid Croce - HAVE YOU HEARD JIM CROCE LIVE - a CD made up of the songs from the DVD of the same name. It took some doing, but this new product is "Dedicated to the loving memory of Maury Muehleisen" - he would have been 57 tomorrow!
Friday, January 13, 2006 at 16:11 Host: cache-mtc-ae10.proxy.aol.com |
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I am so glad to find this page—what a lovely tribute to your brother, who was obviously very loved. A live album of Jim’s just went up on iTunes, and in playing it, I thought about Maury and decided to Google his name just to see what I could find.
I was a ninth-grader in September of 1973, and I can still remember the girl in gym class who told me Jim was dead. I remember thinking immediately of the “cute guy with the long hair” who was the other half of the act and wondering if he was okay. I’m sorry, I did not know Maury’s name at that point, but my eyes were always drawn to him whenever I saw Jim perform on TV. There was something special about him that went beyond his obvious musicianship—what a talent, and what a spirit! Thank you for sharing him with us!
Friday, January 13, 2006 at 15:00 Host: 24-247-164-244.dhcp.bycy.mi.charter.com |
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Great site!!
Thursday, January 12, 2006 at 13:26 IP: 71.224.53.142 |
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Great hearing your interview on the radio last night, Mary. It was good to hear you give credit to Cashman & West, as well as Joe Salviuolo. They were all so instrumental in the success of Jim and Maury, yet get so little public recognition.
I would also like to mention the Jim Croce website, run by Tom Orecchio, and managed by my husband, Ron - if anyone would like further information on this incredible duo. The site is: www.jimcrocefans.com . Please check it out and visit our Forum and Guestbook.
Lastly I'd like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Jim, where ever you are. And an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Maury for Jan. 14th. We'll all be together again some day.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006 at 07:27 Host: pcp03676513pcs.nstnig01.ct.comcast.net |
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Thanks so much for the email regarding the show tonight. As i write this i am listening to the show right now. It is great to hear you tell the stories of your brother and Jim. As I worte you a year ago or so, I grew up listening to the lp's of Jim and am still looking for Gingerbread. Can't wait to see it one of these days on Cd.
Listening to the music instantly transports me to my youth. I was only 3 when they passed, but that was the first time i really understood what death was. I remember sneaking into my parents records and pulling them out and looking at them every chance i could get. The songs are a big part of my childhood. Even to this day i listen to some of the songs every week.
Jim and Maury were, in my opinion, one of the best duo's in the 70's. Keep trying on the RE-Release of Gingerbreadd.
Thanks so much for the show, stories and keeping the legacy alive.
Monday, January 09, 2006 at 17:51 Host: 12-203-45-101.client.insightBB.com |
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OOPS! Forgot to say - 8-10 p.m. for the Scott Einhorn Radio Show tonight - January 9, 2006.
Monday, January 09, 2006 at 07:53 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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January 9, 2006 WRSU 88.7 FM Radio
Rutgers State University (New Jersey)
Check out the Scott Einhorn Radio Show - Tribute to Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen in commemoration of their January birthdays (Jan 10 and Jan 14)
Best way to listen in -
LIVE STREAM www.nj.com/wrsu/audio
Sunday, January 08, 2006 at 17:59 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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What a talent!!! For many years I refered to Maury as "the golden haired guy" and the real musician behind the music. I am so thankful I was able to see him in concert. I was going to see Jim Croce and instead I spent the whole time watching the GREAT guitarist that sat beside Jim. Thanks Mary for doing such a great job on this site, Maury is proud. I can't wait for the book.
Sunday, January 08, 2006 at 17:33 Host: host-216-79-213-85.sld.bellsouth.net |
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Thankyou for this wonderful site honoring Maury. He was incredibly talented and I cannot think of Jim Croce without also thinking of Maury. I believe that Maury was a big part of Jim's success. I never knew Maury but I'll never forget him. God bless your family; rest in peace Maury...
Friday, January 06, 2006 at 13:09 IP: 12.19.225.242 |
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Im from the Philippines. Im now 36 yrs old and ive been wondering since I was 12 who played the guitar behind Jim Croce's songs, until i bought a DVD titled "have you heared Jim...Live" a week ago. Their songs are still my favorite and Ive never heard anyone played as beautifully as them. Thanks for this site and sharing with us Maury. By the way, i learned to love and play the guitar because of their music.
Thursday, January 05, 2006 at 01:08 Host: 210.5.126.3.pldt.net |
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I have been watching Jim Croce's DVD, "Have you heard - Live," lately and really enjoy Maury's guitar and vocal contributions. Maury was a wonderful musician. Best wishes and may God bless!
Thursday, December 29, 2005 at 21:59 Host: c-67-188-58-252.hsd1.ca.comcast.net |
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was pleasantly surprised to find your website attended BSS and Cathedral with your family grad 71 remember Tom and Maury best am still in the area looking forward to your book MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all best of luck in your labor of love Jack
Monday, December 26, 2005 at 14:57 Host: pool-71-251-141-103.cmdnnj.east.verizon.net |
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Just watched the Jim Croce DVD "Have you heard - Live" and i noticed this guy who was ALWAYS there adding harmonies to Jim's songs either with his guitar or vocals and i was intriuged to find out who he was.
Kind of like David lindley to jackson Browne.
Sad to hear of the loss of Maury and there's not enough credits to him on Jim's dvd.
I very fine musician.
Saturday, December 24, 2005 at 06:47 IP: 58.165.55.29 |
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Thanks, Philip. Your comments are very much appreciated. It's wonderful to know that Maury is recognized by Jim's fans.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 21:19 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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I've just watched the DVD of Jim and Maury. Sitting there with my 1-month old son, Harry, in my arms, it was an incredible experience hearing the music that practically shaped me as I grew up singing and playing the guitar, and watching it being made. I had never realized just how central Maury was in creating the overall sound I associate with Jim Croce's songs. I'm very grateful for the gift of their music.
Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 19:03 IP: 69.251.247.159 |
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I "grew up" with Jim Croce and Maury Muehleisen's music in the '70s (I was born 1958). I loved their music from the start. It still "holds up" after all these years--it is real, and full of heart.
Everyone thinks of Clapton, Beck, Page, Van Halen, Hendrix, etc., but I do think Maury was one of the best guitarists of the era (although he obviously played quite a different style than those mentioned above).
As with the deaths of Kennedy and Lennon, I can still remember where I was when I heard about the plane crash as if it were yesterday: my high-school girlfriend broke the news to me between classes. Like a fool, I tried to act aloof and "tough," but I was crying inside; still am.
The day the music died.
Blacky
Wednesday, December 21, 2005 at 11:06 Host: rrcs-24-123-80-100.central.biz.rr.com |
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Thanks for writing, Fred, and sharing your memory from the old neighborhood. Glad you got to meet our brother Tom. Sorry it had to be under those sad circumstances.
Friday, December 16, 2005 at 05:44 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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After the World Trade Center disaster I worked with my wife for 6 months at the NJ Family Assistance Center. During that time I ran into a state trooper with the same name as Maury. Turns out its his brother. What was a really bad time in the world suddenly got better when he found out that I live off exit 7a. We talked for some time about what a talent Maury was and how he is missed. I remebered the times that Maury would stop by to check out a band that I hung out with called 8th Train here in Trenton, New Jersey. They were across the damn street from his house. Even when he was famous with Croce he always had time to say hi. Man that is a blast from the past. I still hear Croce's music and smile cause I know the talents behind him.
Thursday, December 15, 2005 at 18:14 Host: pcp08938849pcs.trentn01.nj.comcast.net |
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To Mary: I enjoyed meeting you, members of Maury,Jim's family and fans at the gathering 25 years later. There is now a cd version of Maury's Gingerbread on a Japanese import,however it is hard to find and is quite expensive compared to newly released cds at Fye, Tower or other cd stores. Hope things are good in New Jersey. Take care. Sincerely,
Martin Pardys
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 18:03 Host: cache-rtc-ad08.proxy.aol.com |
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Dear Mary,
Thank-you for your work and dedication in creating such a wonderful and loving
website for Maury.
It is my belief that all of Jim Croce's fans have just as much love and respect for your brother, Jim's other musical half.
They really were an incredible duo.
Maury brought such a beautiful, melodic, inspiring and uplifting element to Jim's songs.
I am sure that, had Maury lived, he would have become an incredible talent in his own right, and would have had Jim's approval.
As a long-time fan,and musician myself, I grieve over the incredible loss of Maury and Jim, such fine, wonderful, talented people.
But what remains, is a shining light of spirit and love, which will never diminish. May God bless you and your family, and of course, Maury, Jim, and the other members of Jim's entourage, who left us so early on that fateful day.
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 10:54 Host: 24-177-6-117.dhcp.nwtn.ct.charter.com |
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Mary,
Your cousin Sandy told me I should write in the guestbook to get in touch with you. I was looking for Maury's CD, and was unable to find it. My father and I absolutely love his music, and I wanted to get a CD for him for Christmas. Thanks a lot if you could help me.
Thomas St. Pierre
University of Maine
Class of '09
Friday, December 02, 2005 at 17:24 Host: stpierreta2.umeres.maine.edu |
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That Maury and Jim were both true geniuses is unquestioned. They had a life changing effect on me and my music, and are by far my biggest influence. I wish the words I am writing here could better express my true feelings for both of these young men, who left us so soon. But I am not the poet that they were.
I truly believe that they would have become the "American Beatles" if the Music Gods had decided to afford them the opportunity to continue creating and sharing their songs with us.
In my heart, Maury and Jim's music will live forever, as will their memory.
Wednesday, November 30, 2005 at 12:07 IP: 141.157.34.10 |
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I just got thru listening to "Box #10", (my favorite Jim song), and then heard "You don't mess around" on the radio afterwards, and it hit me how much an impression this work has all these years later.
I don't know what led me to this site, other than to say that Maury was a genius, and Jim's CD's are a mainstay in my player.
Monday, October 10, 2005 at 10:55 Host: bumblebee.nuco.com |
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so many hearts were touched by those guitar strings...it did mine. Thanks, Maury
Friday, October 07, 2005 at 20:29 Host: adsl-34-240-82.asm.bellsouth.net |
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I disagree that Maury's death went unnoticed, many Croce fans mourned the death of Maury Muehhleisen as well as Jim Croce, so much talent lost on that day. I recently purchased the DVD of Jim and Maury playing and it is great to watch. I can recommend it to anyone. Two real masters of their craft.
Wednesday, October 05, 2005 at 21:07 Host: ppp-69-229-18-97.dsl.irvnca.pacbell.net |
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"Don't you know I had a dream last night", and Maury appeared so clearly to me. I have only dreampt twice about my parents since their passing many years ago and this is a special sign to me. Somehow Maury was trying to tell me something. I wish I had written down the dream at 4:00 AM, but I chose not to awaken my lovely wife Lisa at that peacefully meditative hour here at the foot of the quiet Cascades in Western Oregon. This was last Sunday night, Mary, after you and I had spoken on the phone (what is IM?). It seems like the past three decades have lacked Maury's presence in the public eye, in large part due to the selfishness,lack of sensitivity and callousness on the part of the surviving members of the Croce family, a family who has chosen not to acknowledge nor share the credit with the Muehleisen family for Maury's musical genius and immense contribution to Jim's subsequent success. Maury is all over the DVD, of course, and nowhere in the written credits. Maybe this is indicative of the nastiness of the music business. Forgive my negativity here, Mary and family. It is as if I had lost one of my own, even though I never knew Maury on this earthly plane. How fortunate are the fans and friends who knew him personally in NJ. I simply cannot wait for your book to come out, for it'll fill in many gaps for me and countless other fans too, so thank you for always returning my calls and e-mails, Mary. God Bless!
Always, Armand
Friday, September 30, 2005 at 22:30 Host: c-24-22-36-250.hsd1.or.comcast.net |
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Wow, Maury was amazing.
Nice talking to you on IM!
Thursday, September 29, 2005 at 20:15 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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Thanks, Frank! You're not alone.
Monday, September 26, 2005 at 13:51 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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There is a gentle kindness to Jim and Maury. They died before I was born, but it sadens me greatly that they lost so much time. I love them. I miss them without ever knowing them.
Monday, September 26, 2005 at 00:51 Host: AC5-Webproxy69.direcpc.com |
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Dear Mary,
Wow! What a great job you have done on the web site. All your hard work and dedication has paid off. What a tribute you pay to Maury each and every time you hit the keyboard. Your family must be so very proud of you. Maury is surely smiling down on you along with Maury Ann and your Dad.
With love and deep admiration,
Ann
Sunday, September 25, 2005 at 18:25 Host: pcp09665748pcs.nhanvr01.nj.comcast.net |
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Maury and Jim touched my soul. I'll always carry their music with me. God Bless
Pete Grauer
Thursday, September 22, 2005 at 16:41 Host: ip24-254-243-253.hr.hr.cox.net |
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To Mary and the Muehleisen family...my thoughts and prayers are with you today. Maury is not forgotten! Mary, just wanted you to know that my band played a show this weekend and we did "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" in tribute to Jim and Maury. Everyone sang along and danced...I'm sure Maury would've loved it!
Warmest regards...Bob.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 19:30 IP: 68.191.53.3 |
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On this somber day,I would like to thank
Mary and her family for creating this site. I was turned on to Maury's music by my older brother,and I have since added to my collection (almost)everything that they have commercially recorded. I can only say,by reading the memories listed,that Maury was the most caring,friendly,warmest friend that anyone could have had. I watch the DVD regularly,and it always brings me tears
of loss,as well as joy. Mary,God bless you and yours,and thank you very much for all your hard work,in Maury's name.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 16:11 Host: adsl-68-73-253-86.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net |
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As an acoustic guitarist, I have always listened to what instruments are going on behind the vocals. Maury's work stood out so strongly with licks that simply amazed. I certainly mourned the loss of Jim Croce but I surely miss the most beautiful music that Maury made. This site is a great tribute to the man so that we may learn more about him.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 10:29 Host: 68-22-214-66.ded.ameritech.net |
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From Santiago de Chile kindly regards of a very very fan of Jim's and Maury's music. They and their music are an importante part my life since I met them on an old-lost-rusty cassette back on 1993. Thanks dear guys for been such a treasure! Cris, 27.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 09:21 IP: 200.27.126.154 |
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Another anniversary comes around - 32 years since Maury...
He is still very much missed.
Thank you to all who keep Maury, Jim, Ken Cortese, George Stevens, Dennis Rast, and Robert Elliott in your thoughts and prayers.
Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 05:19 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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As a singer/songwriter I have been greatly influenced by Maury's guitar creations. Jim Croce's music has been equally influential but we all know that his music elevated tremendously the day Maury joined him. It's too bad he wasn't given more recognition before his passing. This site is a wonderful way to pay tribute to a truley amazing person and musician. Maury's music will continue to make the world go 'round and will live on forever! Thanks!
Monday, September 12, 2005 at 14:45 Host: adsl-68-126-226-191.dsl.pltn13.pacbell.net |
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nice talking with you mary on IM -
i am so excited about that instructional
dvd - i feel like a 48 year old kid!!
Monday, September 12, 2005 at 10:26 Host: h-69-3-168-188.phlapafg.covad.net |
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No Comments
Monday, September 12, 2005 at 10:24 Host: h-69-3-168-188.phlapafg.covad.net |
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Maury was such a special being. I remember him sitting on the huge blue pillow in my living room (in the GoldBug days) in south Jersey. We would take turns playing our music, one after another and he could always make any song we played sound great! And he was one of those gifted people that could sing harmony to any tune...a mark of a true singer! It was pure magic watching his fingers, hearing his voice. He was the sweetest, most magical person. In fact, everytime I'm in a store or restaurant and hear one of their tunes, I feel a real strong spasm of the sads...and then I smile knowing that I was blessed to have had time with him.
I was always touched that he took the time to sing my babies to sleep whenever he came over to visit. He loved the little children. I miss him still.
There was always a twinkle in his eye and I remember alway thinking that he was much like an elf...a gift from the Universe...and he was.
Thank you for this site and sharing other people's memories of him.
Sherrie Hill
Saturday, September 10, 2005 at 20:10 Host: nc-67-77-138-117.dyn.sprint-hsd.net |
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jim croces right hand, amazing guitarist,heart and soul rest and peace brother. will never forget you.
Thursday, August 25, 2005 at 13:56 Host: rtr.usxpress.com |
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I am absolutely blown away by Maury's artistry! One of my favorite DVDs is "Have you heard Jim Croce Live" and seeing Maury's duets with Jim I feel that the chemistry they shared was something so special..The music is timeless and Maury's guitar playing is so ethereal and brilliant! The special sound that Jim and Maury created is so unique that I often wonder how it would have been if that fateful night had not occurred..yet the music still inspires and will be a lasting legacy to the brilliance of this wonderfully gifted artist! I am so pleased that there is such a wonderful site such as this devoted to Maury..Great job!!
Saturday, July 30, 2005 at 09:30 Host: cpe-70-116-89-159.houston.res.rr.com |
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I cannot express how Maurys and Jims music makes me feel...It just feels so homegrown.
I think thats why I love them so much. Both of them look like everyday folk, and being 20, its nice to know that at one point in music history good music didnt need sex, videos, digital editing or any of that stuff to make it good.
Sorry if it seems im rambling, but Im just so excited that theres a site devoted to maury.
Would there be a chance I could send somthing to get autographed? I would be extremely thrilled to get an autograph from any member of the Muehleisen family.
Its as close as I'll ever get to Maurys autograph!
Well God bless your entire family and someday we'll all be in heaven listening to maury and Jim jamming away their soulfilled music.
Thanks for making this site!
Monday, July 25, 2005 at 18:36 Host: rrcs-67-52-212-100.west.biz.rr.com |
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Thank you, Brian, for your recognition of Maury's contribution to Jim's success. It means so much to our family to know that people like you take the time to share your thoughts.
Monday, July 25, 2005 at 06:33 Host: cache-mtc-ad08.proxy.aol.com |
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I just want to acknowledge Maury and his incredible talent. I of always seen him as underappreciated for his contribution to Jim's sound and songwriting. For all practical purposes Maury was an equal partner and deserved much more credit than he got.
Sunday, July 24, 2005 at 20:39 Host: ip70-176-15-6.ph.ph.cox.net |
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Thank you all for your tolerance of the recent rash of guestbook messages advertising gambling, etc. I am keeping up with deleting them as quickly as possible.
Your kind guestbook messages and e-mails mean more than you can imagine.
With gratitude, peace and love,
Mary
Tuesday, July 19, 2005 at 05:55 Host: spider-mtc-td073.proxy.aol.com |
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Hi Bob,
Thanks for sharing this page with me. We had a very nice night in Atlanta,(at the Marriott). It is great to know this site is available. I loved this band from their beginning, and I was only like 13. I hope you are doing well and please keep in touch. Sorry it took me so long to sign in, but I did and I really enjoyed meeting you.
Love, Janet
Monday, June 20, 2005 at 00:40 Host: cache-rtc-ad08.proxy.aol.com |
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I just found this website today...I'm glad I did. Because my older brother was a HUGE Jim Croce fan, Maury's guitar playing was heard constantly in my house! I'm 43 now, and I play guitar (just treated myself to my first Martin acoustic last month!). I played at a party with my band this past Saturday...the first song of our second set was "You Don't Mess Around With Jim." Later in the set, we did "Roller Derby Queen." Both songs had the party guests dancing and singing.
Maury's music will live forever!
Regards...Bob (New York City).
Thursday, June 09, 2005 at 10:51 IP: 204.128.192.8 |
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Your website is a beautiful tribute to this amazing talent.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005 at 22:51 Host: ool-45766e17.dyn.optonline.net |
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Remembering the man behind Jims Music. His guitar with Jims voice is breathtaking.
Monday, June 06, 2005 at 21:57 IP: 12.153.207.203 |
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Quando nell'estate del 1975 rimasi folgorato da You don't mess around with Jim, avevo 16 anni. Il disco era uscito circa 3 anni prima ma in Italia erano ancora in pochi a conoscerlo. Jim e Maury non c'erano giĂ piĂą.
Trovai Gingerbread due anni dopo, nello scantinato di Honest John a Portobello (Londra), la stessa copia che in questo momento gira sul mio piatto e che, trent'anni dopo, ancora mi commuove. Mi emoziono nel pensare a tutti i ricordi che legano la mia vita alla musica di Jim & Maury, mi emoziona parlare con te.
Goodbye and have a nice trip.
Franco Fusilli. Roseto degli Abruzzi (TE) - ITALIA
Friday, May 13, 2005 at 14:39 Host: ppp-170-182.27-151.libero.it |
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I didn't know about the PBS special but I was in Circuit City the other day looking for a gift for my mom and saw the Jim Croce dvd. I watched it with her today. I was greatly impressed with how just 2 acoustic guitars can fill a stage... a credit to the players. I also found myself saying, "Who is that guy"?! I am an amateur musician but I have the ability to recognize gifted individuals, that's how I ended up here - I just had to know more. Isn't the internet a great vehicle to educate and inform? Maury could certainly play. Thank you for sharing his life with us.
Saturday, May 07, 2005 at 20:24 IP: 206.15.139.98 |
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An insparation to all musicians everywhere. One of the reasons i never use a pick when playing was because i was trying to figure out the insane things this man did. Thanx Peace and Love
Wednesday, April 27, 2005 at 05:37 Host: ca32-ch01-bl02.ny-newyorkc0.sa.earthlink.net |
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Maury i can still hear you and your guitar in the breeze and the soft winds..i love and miss you always
Tuesday, April 19, 2005 at 13:38 IP: 216.248.70.66 |
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I met Maury in our freshman year of college. We were in the same dorm - both music majors. We jammed together, played some gigs together at the Gold Bug. I have been blessed with a lifetime of making music, and I have to say with all sincerity that Maury was one of the most talented and creative musicicans that I have ever known. I often wonder what amazing things he would have acheived, if only . . .
A lot of folks here have talked about Maury's gentleness, kindness, and quiet nature. Yes, he was all of those things - and honest, and loyal, and remarkably intelligent and creative. But the boy knew how to raise some hell, too! He could party. And we did. And I miss him.
Friday, April 08, 2005 at 14:54 Host: static-68-161-241-85.ny325.east.verizon.net |
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Maury and Jim created magic together. Though I was only 8 at the time of their unforfortunate passing, I fell in love with the music they helped one another create. I am from Louisiana. These songs by the both of them played in my head over and over until such time I picked up a guitar and tackled them. I've only been able to master Jim's parts but my good friend Jarrod Nix seems to channel Maury when we play these timeless ballads together. I worked very hard to do them justice, for they are these individuals legacy here on earth. I've had people walk in off the street (I play primarily in New Orleans) and just stand mesmerized while listening to these songs. They will walk right up to you at the conclusion and immediately share some vignet of their life that was shared in Maury and Jim's time. I have long given huge credit to this very young man who was a genius for his unmistakable contribution to this catalogue of living songs that I intend to share the rest of my life as a performer with others who would listen. I performed on a show called the Abita Springs Opry March 12th, 2005. Jarrod Nix and I did a tribute to Jim Croce and Maury. Operator and Lovers Cross were my choices that night. The crowds reaction was nothing less than moving. Maury and Jim continue to live on in the hearts and minds of the lovers of their songs. May they always. Bless you for this long over due and wonderful tribute to your brother whom you apparently loved deeply and miss profoundly.
Tuesday, April 05, 2005 at 20:02 IP: 68.112.214.176 |
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Since the early 60´s I care for music. One of the records that touched me the most was I´ll have to say I love you in a song. Not only the words, but very much for the music in which the guitar of Maury moved me especially. He played right out of his heart.
Of course I knew about Jim´s accident. I
Saturday, March 26, 2005 at 06:59 Host: ip545344d2.adsl-surfen.hetnet.nl |
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Mary, I love the site. Connie
Thursday, March 24, 2005 at 14:43 Host: user-2ivf9dv.dialup.mindspring.com |
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Just an addition - I surely am not intending to discredit Jim Croce with my last comment. What an amazing musician Jim was and what a great team those two made. I just didn't want anybody to read this and think I didn't see the greatness in Mr. Croce, that's impossible to miss. I hear his son is quite a performer in his own right. I'm going to pick up a CD of his. Thanks again. DL
Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 14:51 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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I just watched the "Have You Heard" DVD. I'm 47 years old and my brother and I spent a lot of time on the piano and guitar singing and playing what I thought were Jim Croce's songs. Although Mr. Croce was an incredible musical genius and songwriter, I just now discovered that Maury was the "Croce" sound. Those guitar lines and riffs that I remember most were all his. Thanks so much for this site. It is with great honor that I add my comment here. May more and more people realize the part Maury had in the greatness of Jim Croce. DL
Tuesday, March 22, 2005 at 14:48 Host: cache-dtc-ae05.proxy.aol.com |
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I'm 55 and learned playing guitar in 74 and I was so lucky to love Jim Croce's music..He had so many chords in each song and really limbered me up for many songs that I learned..I loved I remember Mary that Maury wrote and sang. Salon and saloon was a very good song..I have the guitar chords but if anyone has the true piano chords for this song I would really appreciate it. Jim and Maury were so great...I guess it's true...Only the good die young..thank you
Sunday, March 20, 2005 at 13:53 Host: pool-68-238-126-195.atl.dsl-w.verizon.net |
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i grew up in the late sixties and seventies, but began listening to jim and maury around 1974-75. Their music will always be around. Music will come and go, but generations to come will enjoy jims voice and maurys acoustics.
Sunday, March 13, 2005 at 18:03 IP: 205.208.159.99 |
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I recently watched a Jim Croce special on PBS and I was so taken by the ethereal young musician that accompanied him. I just had to find out more about Maury;obviously, a very special man. The sixties and early seventies were full of young people that left this world much too soon..... I just hope to get to know more and more about Maury through his music, which I hope to easily find.
Sunday, March 13, 2005 at 16:22 Host: ACD0E7E2.ipt.aol.com |
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Hi there,
When one thinks of it, it's truly amazing how music can transcend time and touch all corners of the world. I was born in 1979 - Maury & Jim were before my time. Thankfully I came across their music and as an aspiring guitarist/songwriter nothing has inspired me more. I can't imagine how wonderful it must've been to sit in front of Maury while he worked his magic.
He wasn't here long enough, but long enough to touch more people than most could in a lifetime.
Monday, February 14, 2005 at 10:53 Host: hwcgate.hc-sc.gc.ca |
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Many thanks to Don Tandler "The Record Handler" from 101.5 radio in NJ for pointing us to this site.
Maury was a true artist and a perfect sound behind Jims golden voice.
Why do the good ones always go way before their time ?
Monday, February 07, 2005 at 08:20 IP: 199.43.32.68 |
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There aren't words for someone that touches and changes your life.
Thank you for bringing your family stories, all to us.
Just thank you, truly.
Bruce
Wednesday, February 02, 2005 at 17:41 Host: h0080c80c4757.ne.client2.attbi.com |
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I hAD A HARD TIME FINDING MAURY'S WEB SITE, BUT WAS GLAD I DID.......THIS IS A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO A FANTASTIC GUITAR PLAYER AND PERSON...I WAS WATCHING A SHOW ON JIM CROCE ON TELEVISION, AND WAS REALLY AWED BY MAURY'S GUITARMANSHIP......HE WAS TRULY A MASTER......THANKS FOR PUTTING UP THIS WEB SITE......A VIETNAM VET~:-)
Sunday, January 23, 2005 at 13:32 Host: cache-ntc-ac08.proxy.aol.com |
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I've always had to know who was playing behind the artists I admired, be it Motown or the Beach Boys. I was born in 1971, so I've never known a life without Jim Croce's music, but as I got older, I wondered about the spectral prescence supporting him on stage (I always preferred the 'stripped down' stage versions of Croce's songs to the more lushly arranged studio cuts.) This led me to Maury Muehleisen and "Gingerbread." I met somebody who had a copy and allowed me to borrow it and I was instantly hooked. When will this be availaible again? And is there more? If there is great, if not - that one album is a lifetime's worth of listening.
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 20:20 Host: pcp0010308936pcs.avenel01.nj.comcast.net |
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I toured with Maury and Jim on and off for two years during 1972-73 in an opening act. Every night, as soon as we were through with our set, I would find an obscure spot on the edge of the the stage, and I would watch every minute of the two of them playing together. The combination of Jim's rambling, gritty, funny stories, the timelessly great songs, and the fabulous interplay of Maury and Jim's guitars was as powerful as anything I've ever seen in concert in the thirty years since. I thought at the time that I was incredibly lucky to get to see them perform night after night, and, of course, I feel a thousand times more so today.
My partner, Tom Johnson, and I were originally booked for that gig in Natchitoches, but the flight plans changed from a commercial flight to a private plane, and there weren't enough seats for a duo, so a comedian from LA was flown in to cover that gig and the next. Our friend and road manager, Kenny Cortese, was on the plane, too.
Thirty years later I still can hardly think or write about it. Our grief was so great at losing our friends. Maury was an easygoing, down to earth person, like Jim, and not egotistical or arrogant at all, despite the fact that talent blazed from him in a way that made us all look like mere kitchen matches.
One last thought. Jim and Maury's playing on those songs sounds as fresh and up to date today as they ever did. I heard "Operator" on the radio the other day and still thought, just like I did then, "God, what a gorgeous song. What unbelievably beautiful guitar playing."
Saturday, January 22, 2005 at 18:46 Host: CPE-65-27-69-63.mn.rr.com |
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Greetings from Nova Scotia. I saw Maury and Jim on PBS and was in complete awe of Maury's talents. I had always been a Jim Croce fan but had never known that Maury was the driving force behind those great tunes.
He was blessed with so much talent and, now I realize from viewing this web site, with having such a wonderful family.
Friday, January 21, 2005 at 11:50 Host: GR-SJM.ccfne.ns.ca |
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i would just like 2 say"i am a big fan of maury,i love listinging to him and Jim jam out on the Guitars...
Tuesday, January 18, 2005 at 07:33 IP: 165.139.17.4 |
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I remember the first time I heard Gingerbreadd. It moved me then, it still moves me now. I purchased a copy from Japan a few years ago, and listen to if often. Great Web site.
Monday, January 17, 2005 at 11:08 Host: user174052.pclan.ets.org |
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I began playing guitar the evening I saw Maury and Jim at Harper College in Palatine IL in 1972. Also that evening they made nationwide tv on "In Concert" on ABC after the late news - I believe that may have been for their first time. I was aware of their music as I was 15 and always tuned into AM radio. You Don't Mess Around With Jim had been played fairly heavily - and I liked it! I had to go see this Jim Croce. Well, we had front row seats. I found myself about 10 ft away from 'the other guy'. I watched and listened to him all night - blown totally away with his tasteful guitar licks. I was hooked on Maury. I practiced to all the Croce music I could for hours on end almost daily, learning the 'Maury' parts. I dissected his work, becoming more intrigued the deeper I got. What I didn't even realize was I became a pretty good player myself - not as good as Maury of course, but the influence was there (and still is). I miss Maury to this day and still hate Sept 20. It's been a long time now, but I still feel that if it hadn't been for Maury - I would be a much much different person today. Music is an extremely important part of my life and always will be. I can't say that it would be today if I hadn't seen 'the other guy' sitting right by me, teaching me the guitar. Thank you for this website.
Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 14:06 Host: fgusap1402i0.abbott.com |
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Maury and my sister Margaret met when they both were members of Saint Mary's Cathedral choir. Maury was Peggy's escort to her senior prom. One night He and I sat in my living room jamming on 2 of my guitars, (he made them sound like I wished I could). Mom yelled down the steps to me, go to bed, he's here to see your sister. I did!
Tuesday, December 21, 2004 at 08:45 Host: pool-151-204-75-247.delv.east.verizon.net |
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The music of jim and maury touched my life as a teen, and even to this day, overwhelms me. It is so tragic that two such beautiful human beings and wonderful musicians were taken so soon. To Maury's and Jim's family and friends, many will never forget what they gave us in their short stay. Bless you all.
Friday, December 17, 2004 at 15:01 Host: 68-235-112-54.kntnny.adelphia.net |
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God bless you and your family and know that one day we that believe in Jesus Christ and Heaven above will see our love ones again someday. And I just recently ordered a DVD with Jim Croce and Maury on it so I'll be looking at them and remembering their wonderful music and harmonies.
Friday, December 17, 2004 at 07:26 IP: 198.173.15.251 |
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I am looking forward to the publishing of the book.
Tuesday, December 14, 2004 at 13:44 IP: 207.106.135.252 |
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maurys guitar style one of a kind this coming from a fellow guitar player his music lives on
Wednesday, December 01, 2004 at 14:51 Host: cache-rtc-ad08.proxy.aol.com |
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Maury's music is magic.
It was what music should be.It is soothing.It heals.
It transcends the boundaries of language and time.It has a universal appeal.
Intricate guitar work,words straight from the heart and a refreshing voice.
This tribute comes from someone who came into this world four years after Maury died.Proof that Maury will always live in our hearts.
Love,luck and laughter,
Mintu,
India,Earth.
born_dreamer@indiatimes.com
Friday, November 26, 2004 at 15:36 Host: ool-4357150e.dyn.optonline.net |
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Tomorrow, Thanksgiving Day, will mark exactly one week that I first discovered Mary and Sean's wonderfully warm tribute to Maury on this website. So, I hope you don't mind my 2nd signing here, for I have been playing my Jim Croce/Maury Muehleisen CD all this week (Maury's last name was misspelled on this "Time in a Bottle: Jim Croce's Greatest Love Songs" CD,which is why I misspelled Muehleisen in my previous message. At least he was acknowledged on the CD, unlike on the DVD "Have You Heard?". Rather odd considering Maury held the key to Jim's success. So, 30 years of wondering about Maury have left me with many lingering questions, now answered so kindly by Mary. Had Mozart played the guitar, he would have sounded like Maury. Maury is in the unique league of guitar master Lenny Breau (who also died tragically early)and Les Paul. Maury is beyond Eric Clapton, I believe, and made the steel-string acoustic guitar ring like no other ever has, before or since. Thank you, again for this quality, loving website.
Armand
Springfield, Oregon
Wednesday, November 24, 2004 at 21:58 Host: 0-1pool47-250.nas6.eugene1.or.us.da.qwest.net |
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I owe my desire to begin guitar to Maury Meuhleisen, literally. I was living in Hollywood, CA on the morning of September 21, 1973 when a sad, fornlorn message, as if from afar, spoke over the radio. When I learned of the aviattion fatality on that foggy autumnal morning, I immediately decided to go buy a guitar, for it was Maury whom I listened to, his orchestral magic, more than Jim Croce's voice. No one has ever duplicated his unique touch. He was beyond Chet Atkins! Thank you Maury, and to your sensitive family members who suffered such a loss beyond compare. I am 54 now and am still playing guitar, thanks to the Magic of Maury!
Thursday, November 18, 2004 at 22:38 Host: 0-1pool55-248.nas8.eugene1.or.us.da.qwest.net |
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I've read every message in your guestbook, and I can't imagine finding anything to say that you haven't heard before. And yet, I find myself compelled to pay my respects to you and your family, all of which I'm sure felt an unbelievable loss at Maury's passing. I pray you all have peace of mind knowing that in his passing, he left an undeniable, indelible presence.
Thursday, November 11, 2004 at 21:41 Host: pwas.pgh.portsys.net |
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Hi Mary
I'm a friend of Joe Salvioulo. Joe was talking about whaqt a musical talent Maury was and how he still misses him to this day.
I hope all is well.
Michael Anthony
Monday, October 25, 2004 at 19:44 Host: dhcp-0-9-5b-27-40-c9.cpe.townisp.com |
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Hi Mary,
Just want to write a quick note, probably like thousands you've no doubt received over the years. It goes without saying, that the music of Jim Croce had a major influence on my life. At the time, I was a kid, and didn't associate anyone other than the name Jim Croce with the music. As I've grown, however, and have become a musician in my own right, I've come to appreciate and understand that Maury's guitar work absolutely defined and guided the songs, and that Maury and Jim complimented each other, probably more than any other 2 musicians I've ever heard.
Because of my young years, being exposed to the music of Jim Croce and your brother, it shaped my "musical brain", and I've been a guitarist ever since. I still listen to the music, and more than any other instrumental work I've heard, that music moves me.
Thanks.
Thursday, October 07, 2004 at 11:39 Host: gk-east-24.srvs.usps.gov |
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I was blown away to find your site mary as I from time to time look for maury on the web. I wrote your folks some 6 years ago,the m&m's told told of how I had looked for year to find maury's album ,and they wrote me back ,as well as yourself. I was a young kid when I first heard maury from my not ex-brother-inlaw. he knew maury and some of the people that went to glassboro state with him. it makes my heart feel so uplifted to have seen this wonder site you have with so much love put together for your brother!
Tuesday, October 05, 2004 at 10:52 Host: ca12-ch01-bl04.mo-stlouis0.sa.earthlink.net |
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forever an inspiration
Monday, September 27, 2004 at 23:24 Host: cache-ntc-ac08.proxy.aol.com |
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I am an avid fan of Maury/Jim and I was grateful that I came upon your site.It really brings back good memories. It's because of him that I learned to play the guitar, although I can never play like him. He was a great guitarist and songwriter. However, I only have one wish and that is to get their DVD concert.I live in the Philippines and I can't find this DVD. I would surely be forever grateful to you if you can send me a copy.Thanks and God bless you.
Ronald
Sunday, September 26, 2004 at 06:17 IP: 166.87.100.17 |
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It's amazing what a search engine can find! My wife Susan and I are sitting here watching and enjoying the PBS Jim Croce special on Philadelphia's channel 12 which shows all of those wonderful performances by Jim and Maury. We were married right before the tragic plane crash. The show peaked my curiosity and sure enough, I came across this site. It makes me remember the first time I really learned of the major contribution that Maury made to these great songs. Maury's brother Robert and I worked together for over a dozen years or so and I still remember the day back in 1983 when I heard one of the songs on the office radio and started to sort of sing along. Bob said to me proudly something along the lines of "that's my big brother playing." I had no idea of the connection and he told me the story. Since then, I always think of Maury when I hear any of the songs. I still have the vinyl albums, so I guess it's about time to get those great songs on CD. Hi Bob!
Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 15:52 Host: 0-1pool80-4.nas15.jersey-city1.nj.us.da.qwest.net |
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What a wonderful surprise to find this website! The two guitars really sound like three. Virtuoso acoustic performances by two very talented young men. To think Maury had only played the guitar 7 years when he died... He could have done "anything" on the guitar given the time. These Dreams still affects me, no matter how many times I listen to it. Maury's talent reached into the next millennium, and will live my heart forever. I'm so glad to hear his whole family has survived the years without anymore losses. One untimely death is too much for any family. He is more loved and recognized thirty-one years after his passing than ever before. God Bless all of you who love their music and it's messages to all of us. We need to return popular music to talents like Jim and Maury. mw
Saturday, September 25, 2004 at 07:49 Host: cache-dtc-ad15.proxy.aol.com |
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I have been learning Jim Croce songs since I was 13. Now I'm 32 and was SHOCKED to realize (watching the DVD),that I've been learning Maury's genius parts this whole time thinking they were Jim's second tracks!
What an AMAZING musician Maury was.
Credit where credit is DUE!
Friday, September 24, 2004 at 10:22 Host: tide74.microsoft.com |
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I'm really glad to have found this site, and to express what so many others also feel: that Maury was just as responsible for Jim Croce's success as Jim.
Individually they were extremely talented, but incomplete; together they made special music. And as much a fan of Jim's as I was and still am, I knew that Maury's playing style was a perfect complement to Jim's melodies and lyrics.
Anyone who doubts this should listen to some of Jim's early solo work. Good as it is, you can tell that it needs help -- and Maury provided that.
No disrespect to the others on the plane in 1973, but the sadness that I have always felt about the crash was that it took TWO truly special talents from us, just as they became stars. No one else played like that, before or since, and I really miss them both.
I look at the videos of them playing and see the beauty and simplicity of the production: two guys on stools just playing away. Emphasis on the performers and their work, without a bunch of distracting stuff. How much better that was than what we see today!
Their music was compelling -- it made you WANT to listen and pay attention. Even now, if I put on the videos, thinking I can listen while I do something else, I find I just have to watch too.
I'm really looking forward to the book, and I hope the efforts to get Gingerbreadd re-released are successful too.
Thursday, September 23, 2004 at 08:48 Host: firewall2.kalmbach.com |
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Thanks for this website. I only recently came to realize the tremendous impact of Maury's talent and contributions to Jim Croce's success. Everytime I hear one of Jim's recordings on the radio I will also hear Maury and think of them both. They live on through their music.
Thanks!
Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at 10:06 Host: pcp02406252pcs.gnscrp01.va.comcast.net |
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Monday, September 20, 2004
Just a "Hello, Hello" and "Thank You" to everyone for visiting this website and sharing your thoughts and feelings. Thirty-one years have passed since the tragic accident that took the lives of Maury and Jim and Ken Cortese and Dennis Rast and George Stevens and Robert Elliott. Remember them all!
Knowing that so many people, those who knew Maury and those who never had the chance to know him, care so much after all these years, means the world to our family. Your sentiments are treasured by all of us - Mom, Dad, Peggy Ann, Mary, Ann, Joe, Tom, Michael and Robert - more than you can imagine.
With peace and love and gratitude,
Mary
Monday, September 20, 2004 at 06:16 Host: cache-rtc-ad10.proxy.aol.com |
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It is so bittersweet to remember dear Maury. In the early 70's, I spent every spare moment of my days practicing guitar, and trying to recreate some of Maury's riffs. For me, the guitar was always the sweetest sounding instrument and to hear the sound that came out of one in Maury's hands was heaven on earth! His passing hit me hard and still brings tears to my eyes. Last night, I watched the Jim Croce program on PBS and was so happy to be able to see the two of them together. Through my tears, I was transfixed by the strains of Maury's guitar and his voice that so exsquisitely blended with Jim's to create those wonderful songs that have truly stood the test of time all these years later!
Sunday, September 19, 2004 at 19:22 Host: pcp09647382pcs.mnhwkn01.nj.comcast.net |
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Amazing how all the threads of one's life weave, unravel, then wind back together again. As with many here, I started the path to this page by seeing the Croce special on public tv. But as a Glassboro '71 grad, I watched with our different eye. There was the gentle smile and soul of Maury, so at ease in the edge of the limelight. (Yet so very much the core of the songs, I think.)
I am not a true music buff, but I did go to the Goldbug, and knew Maury from our writing prof (his manager). I feel others have shared this, but it is a strong truth- Maury's presence stayed with all who even casually met him. He was quiet, focused, and an intense yet gentle man. I think he truly felt that everyone he met was a person of worth who had a tale to teach him. But because he stayed with us so briefly, we were left alone to rise up to the value he saw in us.
I think Mary and these family members here are doing just that, and superbly! Thank you.
laurie faunce
Saturday, September 18, 2004 at 20:36 Host: pcp092989pcs.audubn01.nj.comcast.net |
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I never realized that the talent lost that day in '73 was more than just Jim. After watching the PBS thing and seeing the other half of the talent, my curiosity made me investigate. It increased my sadness, as Maury never got a chance to shine alone as he truly would have. My sympathy goes out to his family, who has at least the satisfaction of knowing that Maury's talents will never be forgotten due to his collaboration with Jim and also maintaining fond menories of him when he was among us.
Saturday, September 18, 2004 at 16:54 Host: 209-165-3.204.lightspeed.net |
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I just watched the PBS special and was reminded AGAIN how much I enjoy Jim's music and Maury's great contribution to their memorable duet.
It's amazing how much better Maury made Jim...together they were awesome.
Thanks for setting up this great memorial to Maury!
Thursday, September 16, 2004 at 22:53 Host: c-24-16-183-47.client.comcast.net |
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Absolutely outstanding guitar player....Great musician and he and Croce sure were magic together.
I'm just a cross country coach and long distance runner, who wanted to be a guitar player like Maury.
I saw them play together on TV way, way back...At first, I was not a big fan of he and Jim's music because I was more into the rock scene, but when i saw them play that night....WOW!
For some reason, I still remember the headlines in my little local paper the day after the tragic accident....
He was a great, great guitar player and musician and I thank Mrs. Croce for going on PBS and bringing them back in the public eye again.
He is not forgotten. He was the backbone!
Thursday, September 16, 2004 at 13:15 IP: 138.162.0.41 |
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Mary: Thanks for the clips from Maury's album. I've been a big fan of his playing since I first saw him play with Jim on TV way back when. I never knew his name until years later. I'm glad to finally have a taste of his solo work. The guitar playing is amazing and he had one of the greatest voices in the business. Truly an awesome talent. Thanks again for keeping his memory alive. I look forward to reading your book when it comes out.
Wednesday, September 15, 2004 at 15:54 Host: pcp06166868pcs.phnixv01.pa.comcast.net |
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I want to thank you, Mary, for keeping your brother's memory alive. You have done more for your brother and for other people than you can possibly know or measure.
Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 14:37 Host: cache02.nyc.untd.com |
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The PBS special allowed me to learn about Maury for the very first time. I have always loved Jim Croce's music, and now I know that Maury helped make that music possible. I am no less an admirer of Jim Croce, but now I am also an admirer of his incomparable musical partner, Maury. Thanks to Ingrid and A.J. Croce for keeping this music alive.
Sunday, September 12, 2004 at 10:49 Host: cache02.nyc.untd.com |
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I just watched the Jim Croce special on PBS, and and learned at last who was playing with him! I've loved the arrangements and the beautiful guitar accompaniment since I first heard Croce's songs on the radio more than 30 years ago, this was the first time I'd ever seen video tape of Jim and Maury playing together. Their music moves me now even more deeply than it did those many years ago. It's a shame Maury hasn't received the same level of recognition that Jim has. After seeing the tape of their live performances, I feel certain that had they not both been taken so tragically, Maury too would have reached the same heights of fame that Jim only did in death. Thanks for this website and for sharing the memories of Maury with us.
Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 20:37 Host: adsl-69-151-206-220.dsl.hstntx.swbell.net |
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Such a beautiful man with such beautiful music... So tragic... he will never be forgotten.
DKC - League City, Texas
Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 19:22 Host: 216-119-134-158.ipset14.wt.net |
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I saw the special on PBS. Maury, with the quiet smile and the wonderful talent. Their music was so special and always will be! God bless!
Saturday, September 11, 2004 at 18:19 Host: pool-141-150-255-222.pskn.east.verizon.net |
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This is the most moving tribute sites I have come across. I didn't know Maury, but a few of the musicians I was playing with in the mid-70's had known him at Glassboro, and missed him so much. God bless all.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004 at 16:17 Host: pool-68-239-233-41.nwrk.east.verizon.net |
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Years ago, when I first heard Jim Croce's music, I was fascinated by the guitar playing.
I would play the songs over and over again, to hear the "other" guitar player.
I didn't know that the intricate & complicated picking belonged to Maury, until recently, when the Jim Croce DVD came out.
Maury was the inspiration for my wanting to learn how to play the guitar, years ago!
The sound he produced was simply amazing. It still is, and always will be. He was one extremely talented guy.
Today's over-night, cookie-cutter pop stars should listen to Maury's real talent, and take serious notes.
Thanks, Maury -God Bless
Speaking of Maury's music: While browsing on Ebay, I found a CD of Maury's "Gingerbreadd" album, from Japan (item #: 4035510020).
Monday, September 06, 2004 at 23:16 Host: pool-68-237-42-24.ny325.east.verizon.net |
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I was so happy to see the release of the live JC DVD that showcases Maury's talent. Maury and Jim's sound was so pure live that you can play the album along side and the two never miss a harmany or note. Maury's music lives on, he was a gift whose talent burned bright.
Monday, September 06, 2004 at 17:16 IP: 69.51.144.82 |
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To Piper and all the many other fans interested in Maury's "Gingerbreadd" music:
Capitol Records owns the master for "Gingerbreadd" and I am in the process of trying to get it reissued. Thank you for your patience.
Friday, August 27, 2004 at 14:06 Host: cache-dtc-ad15.proxy.aol.com |
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Does anyone have an idea where i could get maury's cd? will someone sell me a burned copy?
Friday, August 27, 2004 at 12:06 Host: nr20-66-42-240-188.fuse.net |
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I knew Jim Croce featured another guitar player in his songs, but not until I saw the video "Have You Heard" did I realize that the best guitar playing came from Maury, and not Jim. How essential Maury was to the success of Jim Croce cannot be underestimated.
Friday, August 27, 2004 at 11:42 IP: 63.76.139.65 |
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Thank you to all who have signed the guestbook and sent e-mails and letters. Thought you might like to know that there's a new entry on the "Friends" page. Enjoy!
Mary
Wednesday, August 25, 2004 at 13:30 Host: cache-dtc-ad15.proxy.aol.com |
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today, i found a box of my old LPs in the basement. musty and mildewy, none worth keeping. except . . . oh wow, tears came to my eyes when i pulled out gingerbread. i remember maury from glassboro state. one of the first and nicest people i met there. i did a search to see if there might have been a CD made of his music. i guess not, huh, mary? a friend will see if he can salvage anything off this musty old LP for me. i listened to the little audio clip of "a song i heard one time" and just about broke down. is it a false memory or did jim croce once back maury up at a glassboro concert? thanks for this site and tribute to your brother, mary.
Sunday, August 22, 2004 at 17:37 Host: cache-dtc-ad15.proxy.aol.com |
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I am a guitar player and I have the Croce cd " The 50th Anniversay Collection". There are many songs on the CD that JC recorded before Maury joined him. The songs are good but they are lacking something. You then hear the songs that JC recorded with Maury backing him up on lead. All of sudden the songs come alive. There was a real chemistry between these two. The acoustic guitar arrangements are some of the best I have ever heard. I have a hard time duplicating the original arrangments when I play these songs. The tabs I found are not all that close to the records. I wonder what other guitarists think.
Wednesday, August 18, 2004 at 17:13 Host: 164.piscataway-13rh15-16rt.nj.dial-access.att.net |
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I was watching PBS on Jim Croce and really was mesmorized by Maury's playing. It became obvious to me that his guitar was the drive to the duo's music.
Monday, August 16, 2004 at 20:46 Host: cdm-66-233-181-7.nacd.cox-internet.com |
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Jim and Maury were simply the best. I am about the same age as the two of them and their music has continued to affect me all through my life. Oh how I wish they had lived, but the memories and the music will live on forever.
Sunday, August 15, 2004 at 13:18 Host: h0007950e1a8e.ne.client2.attbi.com |
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I'd only been playing the guitar a few years when Jim Croce came along. However, it wasn't Jim that impressed me. It was the guitar playing and harmonizing of Maury that inspired me. The primary reason I continued to listen for the next few years was to a absorb the soft harmony and fantastic acoustic leads of Maury. Maybe Jim could have made it without him, but I doubt it. I'm glad the internet has made it possible, after all these years, to say thanks for the lessons. I really mean it. Darryl Myers
Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 23:14 Host: cpe-066-061-125-073.midsouth.rr.com |
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Wednesday I said to my wife "you know what I wish? I wish Jim Croce had lived." She came home Wednesday night with a DVD about Jim and of course Maury was there with him for every song. Jim and Maury were two of the great ones and we miss them.
Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 20:20 Host: oh-65-41-202-76.dyn.sprint-hsd.net |
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I'm another PBS watcher and a long-time guitarist. I've been transfixed for the last hour watching Jim and Maury's live tunes and like others, did some surfing to find out more. Maury's tasteful playing is an inspiration and I've got some catch-up listening to do! Thanks for maintaining this site and helping people make a connection to Maury and his music.
Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 18:48 Host: h00d09e706040.ne.client2.attbi.com |
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Long time Jim Croce fans know that Maury was the Best Right Hand Man that a singer/songwriter could have. We loved Maury just as much as Jim, and the day they died was the saddest day in my life. I will never forget either of them! I still play their songs as if I were back in time.
Thursday, August 12, 2004 at 16:49 Host: pcp842642pcs.beridg01.fl.comcast.net |
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I don't know where I've been. I just discovered Maury Muehleisen tonight. I just watched a special on PBS about Jim Croce. I saw Maury playing and wanted to know more about him so I went surfing the net. What a talent!
I need to know and hear more.
Thank you for such a wonderful site.
I shall visit often.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at 18:03 Host: cae168-249-041.sc.rr.com |
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I loved Jim Croce's music, and from the start I knew the impact that pairing with Maury had on it. When I would watch a tv performance, my eyes would be riveted to the man usually placed to Jim's right and slightly behind him. The day the news announced the plane crash, I was home sick from high school. No one to call and share my grief with. I knew a music reporter at the Bergen Record and when I reached him my first question was, "Was Maury aboard the plane?" No news cast covered who else had died. I had tried to hold out some hope that Maury had not been on the plane. It angered me that the press did not recognize how much a part of Jim's music and success Maury was and that he deserved recognition as well.
Thank you Jim and Maury for many happy hours of music all through the years.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004 at 03:46 Host: du154-1216389.dialupat.pennswoods.net |
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I just saw a PBS special and was mightily impressed by Maury's work. Question: I failed to find a link to this wonderful site at Jim Croce's address. Did I miss something??
Sunday, August 08, 2004 at 09:29 Host: wnpgmb11dc1-161-172-219.dynamic.mts.net |
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What a wonderful story! Can't wait to read the book.
Saturday, August 07, 2004 at 17:09 Host: cache-mtc-ad15.proxy.aol.com |
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The title of the song you're thinking of, Debbie, would be I HAVE NO TIME. Maury would sing, "If I had the time, I'd be the first to sing you another song ...
The lyrics can be found on this website.
Thanks for the memory.
Mary
Thursday, August 05, 2004 at 05:33 Host: cache-gtc-ab10.proxy.aol.com |
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Maury was a big influence on my playing. I listened to him playing with Jim Croce when I was first learning guitar. He was a great guitarist. I'm glad I got to hear his music.
Wednesday, August 04, 2004 at 19:57 Host: pcp575268pcs.wilmsc01.tn.comcast.net |
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Thanks for creating such a wonderful website. I have often thought back on those good old days at Glassboro State College and how great it was to hear Maury sing and play at the Goldbug. There were also times when I was visiting friends - who I can't remember now, It was too many years ago - and he would arrive and the fun and music would begin.
Didn't Maury also have a single? I remember that there was a contest on the college radio station (WGLS I think) and the winner (me) got a single from Maury. Could it have been "If?"
I remember playing it a lot until I got his album. Now I do not have either but I do have fond memories of those "good old days."
Wednesday, August 04, 2004 at 12:20 IP: 146.229.152.48 |
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I have loved the music of Jim and Maury my entire life - as bands and performers wax and wane in terms of popularity, this duo ALWAYS remains in my current stack. I will turn 40 this year and cannot remember a year without the music of these genuine a truly touching songs.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 06:03 Host: adsl-66-140-149-145.dsl.hstntx.swbell.net |
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I was barely a year old when that tragic thing happened in 1973. Growing up, I always hear my eldest brother (or "kuya", that's how Filipinos call their elder brothers) play Jim Croce songs every now and then, and even play and sing "Time in a Bottle" every now and then.
Anyway, that's how I learned of the music. Recently, I bought a copy of Have You Heard, and became curious about the guy always accompanying Jim to his sets. I always thought that the guitar were all Jim's. But there was Maury. He IS really great.
Sunday, July 25, 2004 at 13:50 IP: 61.14.193.73 |
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How could one forget the kindness and talent of Maury? I remember one summer night in a NY hotel room when he played a new song for me "Salon and Saloon." What a
beautiful, kind spirit. I think of him still and know he continues to create.
Saturday, July 10, 2004 at 09:56 Host: dialup-4.230.90.217.Dial1.Houston1.Level3.net |
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I was 16 when I heard of the plane crash involving Jim and Maury. I enjoyed the music and couldn't help noticing the guitar player playing with Jim on TV shows and photos. I always thought he looked like John Lennon. His style of playing is as unique as Jim's music and lyrics. It wasn't until later that I learned his name was Maury. My older brother and I learned to play guitar and always tried to imitate his style by watching him play on TV. We were both very upset that he died with Jim that day. My brother died about 16 years ago and every time I hear a Jim Croce song I reminece about how we both admired Maury. Every Christmas on the radio they've been playing "It doesn't have to be that way". The guitar playing of Jim and Maury is beautiful.Listening to that song at Christmas makes it just more enjoyable. Thank you Jim and Maury.
Monday, July 05, 2004 at 20:13 Host: c-67-163-46-225.client.comcast.net |
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Thanks for this amazing site about the reminiscences of Maury. I'm from Bursa,Turkey. Now I'm 44 years old.
I have always been familiar with Jim's and
Maury's music for years. Their music had
always made me sad. Whenever I listen to any Jim Cross song , I remember my good old days that shared with my friends,lovers and my beloved father in Istanbul. These poignant songs played by
Jim and Maury take me another places.
What a pity they are no longer living.
They'll always be remembered by real music lovers like me. Although they were short-lived but their legacy would last forever. I long to hear them in a concert as an amateur guitarist. Thank
you again for the great music.
Now I want to share some lines of a beautiful poetry written by Cahit Sıtkı who is a most famous Turkish poet.
"Our first love looks hazy, far away,
A memory driven from our heart.
Friends who set out with us on life's way
Took separate paths and strayed apart.
Now our lonliness grows day by day."
Kayhan TĂĽmerdem.
Bursa, TURKEY.
Saturday, July 03, 2004 at 06:55 IP: 193.243.207.122 |
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So pleased the PBS special is running highlighting our old friends. Our tribute program to Maury featuring Mary and Ray, a a few tales from behind the scenes will preview shortly at www.giantgene.com. Our site was damaged by a hacker, and we are just now able to post new programs on our "Sounds Of Philly" site, including this great tribute to Maury and Jim.
I always promised to keep their music alive forever, and fortunately, my part in that was not needed, as it is timeless and has a life of it's own. That's what "Gingerbreadd" is all about.
The program should be available within a week.
Thanks for all of your love.
Giant Gene Arnold
(The first to play Gingerbreadd on the air anywhere.)
Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at 06:17 Host: dialup-4.239.33.19.Dial1.Philadelphia1.Level3.net |
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Wonderful site for a wonderful musician. God bless you.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004 at 15:55 Host: proxys.or4.marketscore.com |
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Hi. Thank you for this site. I've alwasys wanted to know a little more about Maury.
I'm a guitar player and a fan of Jim Croce's music for 30 years. I've always been enchanted with the interplay of Maury's and Jim's guitars. I have spent many hours dissecting the guitar parts on those songs, learning to play them, and trying to understand how they work from a musical sense.
I really like Jim's songs. But Maury's parts took the songs to another level. I loved the way he would weave little counter melodies over the song. His parts also brought in harmonic interest because he would play extensions or different chords than Jim creating a single, more complex chord. And he would do this without stepping on the melody of the song.
Maury's playing has been a huge influence on my own.
Mary, thank you again for this site. Your brother sounds like he was a special person. I'm sorry for your loss and you and your family will be in my prayers. Maury touched a lot of people in his 24 years. I know his playing challenged me, and put a smile on my face.
Rich Kelley
Tuesday, June 22, 2004 at 16:54 Host: vancsn02.vcd.hp.com |
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I just picked up the "Have You Heard" DVD and I was very impressed with Maury's playing. I wanted to find out more about him so I googled his name and found your website. Thank you for an excellent introduction. I am so sorry for your loss. Finding out that Maury died in the same plane crash as Jim Croce just makes the crash that more tragic. Who knows what contributions to music we all missed out on by losing the two of them.
Saturday, June 19, 2004 at 11:38 Host: dialup-4.234.42.41.Dial1.Miami1.Level3.net |
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I just heard Maury's music on the Channel 11 (Chicago, IL) special with Jim Croce. What a great person to have toured with. I hoped he hadnt been killed in the tragic plane crash to got on the internet and was sad to learn he had, in fact, been killed along with Jim Croce. I'm going to search for that record. Peace
Saturday, June 12, 2004 at 07:51 Host: slip-12-64-48-167.mis.prserv.net |
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Hi. I'm yet another Croce Fan and only recently became aware of the source of magic behind his sound. I started playing the acoustic guitar back in 1969 when I was 9 and so when Croce's music came out I was instantly reeled in by the awesome guitar pickin'. Great music is timeless and Jim & Maury's music sounds better than ever. God bless you as you continue to honor and remember your brother. Thanks for sharing the photos of your family and the beautiful testimonies.
By the way, I'm one of those who would love to get a copy of "Gingerbread".
Mark Teachey, Wilmington, NC.
Friday, June 11, 2004 at 12:45 Host: cpe-024-211-215-012.ec.rr.com |
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I watched the PBS documentary on Jim Croce last night and during the show wanted to hear more information on "the man behind Jim". I've always enjoyed Jim Croce's songs and now have much more of an appreciation for the delicate music and harmonies from Maury. Like many listeners, I wish I could hear more of his music. Thanks for the site!
Friday, June 11, 2004 at 07:41 IP: 165.134.61.72 |
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A friend from Illinois e-mailed me last night to say that he had just seen part of a new PBS Special - The Legacy of Jim Croce. It is not scheduled anywhere in New Jersey yet, but it is scheduled to be shown on many public television stations across the country. Thought you might all want to watch for it in your local TV listings. Our family will wait and watch when it is shown locally.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Monday, June 07, 2004 at 19:52 Host: cache-mtc-ad15.proxy.aol.com |
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Mary, thanks for letting me know about this site. I have been coming to it since you first told me it would open, but couldn't bring myself to sign the guestbook until now. Kind of hard to deal with, and to put down into words and sound right, knowing Maury's loving friends and family have much to say, and I'm just someone out of the blue you've been a friend to.
Like others I heard Maury's guitar playing right away on Croce's songs and was amazed. It made me want to hide my acoustic. Then I heard "I Remember Mary" and was haunted by the voice and the guitar, and had to learn every lick and word myself (though after all these years I'm more of a writer than a player-but still acoustic). So just like "A Song I Heard", I hunted like crazy until I found Gingerbreadd (though I taught school I had a collectible record store on side) but it took years. Years later I finally put it on CD so I wouldn't wear out the LP which was in great shape(I always sleep with soft music and usually listen to Gingerbreadd. Iput it on at night set to repeat and listen to it as I go to sleep, and many of my dreams will have essences of the songs or titles in them.) I dug for years to try to find out more about Maury, because even though I loved Jim Croce and his music, singing, and writng very much, it was Maury who touched my soul. He drove me to be a better songwriter, player, and singer. He inspired me as no one else ever did. I am thankful that he had parents and siblings to love him and help him be the kind of man he was, that he could be such a person. And most of all Mary, I thank you for lifting my spirit, sharing memories of Maury over the last few years, and picking me up sometimes when I have been down struggling from another heart attack or effects of my illness. It has helped me to get back in the studio myself as my health permits. Your kindness doesn't go unnoticed or forgotten. May this site grow and be seen by all those who have been touched by Maury, including those who have by his music and don't even know it's him. And good luck with the book Mary. Stay in touch, and thanks for being a friend! For the rest of you if anyone wants to email it's bobby.@winget.net just remove the other . and you will have my address (have to avoid getting spammed).
Sunday, June 06, 2004 at 15:28 Host: ppp-62-209.customer.wingnet.net |
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Mona Marie ( friend of Maury's and Jim |
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Oh Mary
God bless you for all the love and support you have given your precious brother MAURY. I remember he told me all his sisters and brother's names,and I never forgot yours, and now I finally got to meet you on the phone at last! It is always good to here from you Mary. The Muehleisen family has been in my prayers for over 30 years, and will continue to be, your parents are awesome! God bless all of the Mueleisen's I really was blessed to have known dear Maury while he was in LA. He enjoyed Marie and I driving him around on our side of town, we had a lot of laughs and very special and sweet memories of him sing and playing just to us. He was a great example to people everywhere, thats for sure!
Come visit when you come to California! I'll take you to Universal Studios okay?
Love you sweetie
Mona
Sunday, June 06, 2004 at 00:37 Host: cache02.nyc.untd.com |
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WHAT A LOSS FOR THE WORLD. HE AND JIM WERE DIAMONDS. WE NEED MORE LIKE THEM ON EARTH.
Thursday, June 03, 2004 at 20:36 IP: 68.31.60.46 |
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Greetings from Santiago, Chile from a truly fan of Maury's style to play the 6-string guitar. I'm still learn some finger tips every time I play one of Jim's song with Maury's arrangements.
Thanks for the site, i'm gonna keep it in my little box of wishes and dreams,
CRIS.
Wednesday, June 02, 2004 at 09:02 IP: 200.27.126.154 |
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I first heard of Maury this week when I stumbled on a couple of Jim Croce music videos on cmt.com. I enjoyed Maury and Jim's music very much when exposed to it on 33 LP by my college roommate in 1975. What a loss.
Thursday, May 06, 2004 at 17:01 Host: bc01.cummins.com |
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where do i buy maury's cd? I have been looking for ages... any ideas?
Sunday, April 25, 2004 at 23:11 Host: 24-193-97-119.nyc.rr.com |
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The world lost a lot when Maury passed from our lives. My ten year old son was just introduced to Jim amd Maury's music for the first time two months ago. He has been taking guitar lessons for four years and has been listening to the c.d. since I got it, dropping his Strat in favor of my acoustic to practice Maury's style. Damn if he isn't getting it. I am glad I found your site.
Sunday, April 25, 2004 at 22:45 Host: cache-rm07.proxy.aol.com |
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I got your e-mail and had to reply right away. It's nice to see Maury getting some credit for his contributions to music. His free-style playing is pretty amazing. It's very hard to play so much and not overpower the song. Maury had a gift that allowed him to play freely and with feeling while enhancing and defining Jim's music. There's no way any other guitarist could have defined Mr. Croce's songs the way Maury did , and the music world was blessed with his talent.
Friday, April 23, 2004 at 17:47 Host: 1Cust98.tnt1.altoona.pa.da.uu.net |
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Our family owns the rights to all of Maury's words and music, but Capitol Records owns the rights to the recordings on the GINGERBREADD LP. Some years ago, EMI/Capitol reissued it in CD form and it sold out quickly through a company in Japan. I have been in touch with Capitol about another reissue and will let everyone know if that happens.
Wednesday, April 21, 2004 at 06:34 Host: cache-dtc-ad15.proxy.aol.com |
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How can one get a copy of Gingerbreadd? I'd be happy with a homemade CDR. Why isn't it available?
Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at 09:45 Host: adsl-64-216-10-126.dsl.eulstx.swbell.net |
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I just found out that Maury was a cousin of mine threw Shelia Lenaghan Sulkowski. My great grandmother was Katie Malone.I always loved there music.
Joe Lenahan Jr.
Sunday, April 18, 2004 at 22:04 Host: plns-209-74-17-24-pppoe.dsl.plns.epix.net |
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I play guitar - the embellishments
that Maury added to all those songs have
entranced me for years - I wish I could
have played even a few notes with him!!!
He is one of my inspirations!!
Monday, March 29, 2004 at 15:04 Host: h-69-3-168-188.phlapafg.covad.net |
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No Comments
Saturday, March 27, 2004 at 17:53 IP: 155.92.180.76 |
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Maury was , in so many
aspects, as big a part of Jim Croce's success as Jim himself. I fondly
remember the sight of Maury accomplishing such magic on his guitar as
the two of them performed all over TV back in 72-73. This webpage is a
loving and a very fitting tribute to a talent who was so much more than
just a "sideman".
Good Work!
Tuesday, March 23, 2004 at 19:02 Host: hssx-sktn-166-196.sasknet.sk.ca |
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I would just like to
say hi maury you're the best:)
Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 22:40 Host: delta.ams.ubc.ca |
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Just got the Jim Croce
DVD - Maury & Jim were absolutely stunning together and I'm very glad
you've put this website up for him. I enjoyed looking at all of it & I
hope with time more people will learn of his breathtaking talent.
Thursday, March 11, 2004 at 02:38 Host: c68.112.165.118.dul.mn.charter.com |
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Hi, I recently ran across
this site, and I was very happy to find it. I’ve been a fan of Maury
Muehleisen for several years now having first heard him on the Jim Croce
records and later on his album Gingerbread which I fortunate to find a
copy of. I wish he could have recorded more music, but I’m glad
to have the opportunity to hear the great music he made. Anyways, thank
you for the great website, and I look forward to checking out the book
you’re writing.
Best regards,
Allen Mann
Sunday, March 07, 2004 at 10:03 Host: AC9A96A9.ipt.aol.com |
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Hi Mary:
I am from Hong Kong and I now live in Canada. It was in Hong Kong in the mid 70's that I came across excerpts of Jim Croce's concert on TV. The song was "One Less Set of Footsteps". I was hooked. I liked Croce's songs and I went about looking for his recordings. But I must confess that it was that long hair guy next to Jim that attracted me to Croce's songs. I remember his guitar style. I remember his fingers moving confidently and swifty across the guitar. The sound of his sparkled and gave so much colour to Croce's flowing melodies. I never could find out who the guy was. I did not even know he was killed in the same air crash.
It was couple of days ago that I bought Croce's DVD and it brought back lots of memories and images of many years ago. I could not help but ask myself the same question who that guy was that played the wonderful guitar next to Jim. It was after much search that I found this site. And I must say to you that after many years I am still Maury's fan, and he deserves to be remembered with Croce.
Regards
Friday, March 05, 2004 at 22:04 Host: cr1017512-a.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com |
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Hi Mary!
I just called up WDVRFM and mentioned Maury after hearing a Croce song.
They went on and on about him afterwards I was astounded.
The man mentioned he was searching for Maury's solo album, not Gingerbread.
I don't believe Maury did a solo album but I didn't know well enough to contradict him.
He even knew of Gingerbread. And the lady cohost was as enthusiastic.
They talked about he was local boy etc etc...
I fed em a lot of it of course.
Felt you should know.
And...Mary?
You did me a great honor visiting me at the Old Mill gig I did.
One very respectful thank you.
Then I sat down after the phone and saw Maury smiling at me from my screen from the front page of the site?
I had a chill.....
TERRIBLE site address, they almost shrieked when I told them the address..
hahahahahaha
They said that a search at google on the last name..they respelled it would work.
I thought the polish had the awards on horribly spelled last names...yucko..muehliesen?
That a tough one.
Bye bye.
Me,
Dan Brady
Friday, March 05, 2004 at 08:23 Host: netcache-3002.bay.webtv.net |
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Hello,
I've just found your website. I'm from Trenton, my Brother is Theodore Muehleisen and my Father was Theodore Muehleisen. My Mother was Lillian. I believe that Maury was my cousin. This is a lovely website and very nice stories. Thanks for allowing me to visit. Please drop me a line if you could. thank you.
Wednesday, March 03, 2004 at 17:11 Host: 66-231-204-14.oxfordnetworks.net |
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Very surprised to find
this.....I knew Maury at Glassboro State in 68 and 69. I have a lot of
memories of him- those were very intense days to be young. I remember
the concert that is pictured with Joe Sav, my Communications Professor
at the time, I was there. I think the photo was published in the Glassboro
yearbook....funny what we remember. Like the night that I heard about
the plane crash on my car radio driving through South Jersey and silently
hoping (but knowing otherwise) that Maury wasn't aboard. I once introduced
Maury to a girl named Nancy, very blonde and pretty, Maury was smitten
but, well...she didn't hang around too long as I recall. Like I said those
were intense times to be young. I remember Maury being the first person
busted at Glassboro State for a tiny amount of pot and it was so trivial
that Maury appeared in the tiny Glassboro Municipal Court with people
paying parking fines, and got off with a slap on the wrist. We all shared
a (relieved) laugh over it at the Student Center. After that he was a
folk hero on campus until the day he left. Maury....one is never gone
when they are remembered fondly by long lost friends. Until we meet again.
R.
Tuesday, March 02, 2004 at 12:46 Host: proxy.nola.fmi.com |
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Hi Mary!!
This website it fantastic!! You are fantastic!! I can't wait for the book to come out, so that I can find out everything about my cousin Maury. I was only 6 years old when his creative life ended. I can remember that day as a matter of fact. My Mom was so upset... I don't know how many times I actually got to be with Maury, but I do actually remember one specific time. My Mom, Dad, sister Regina, and maybe some of my older brothers were at Uncle Maurice and Aunt Margaret's house in Trenton. I remember Maury played for us. I remember sitting with my Mom, and her reminding me how important it was to sit still, and listen quietly - not always easy for a little kid. But I realized as soon as he sat down to play the piano, that this was an important moment. I can see the snap shot in my head, sitting in the living room of that house full of life, and joy. I like to think that that moment had something to do with why music has always been such a big part of my life - so important to me, ever since I was little. Several family members have written in the guest book that there is definitely a creative spark in this big, lively family of ours. I am so proud to be a part of it! Thank you for being the wonderful, kind, caring cousin you are. You are an amazing soul for doing all of this - to keep Maury's music and messages alive for all of us! I only wish I could have known him while he was here, and that I could see all of this great big family of ours more often!! God bless you always! Love - Your Cousin - Kristina
Wednesday, February 25, 2004 at 12:02 Host: vt-williston-cuda1h1-199.sbtnvt.adelphia.net |
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I'm an unashamed Jim
Croce "Tragic" and have been ever since I heard "Operator" on the radio.
The song was so refreshingly original and different and that difference
was undoubtedly due to Maury's inspirational guitar playing.
I'm a songwriter and guitarist and evr since that day I have modelled my guitar style around Maury's style.
Both Jim and Maury created something no one else will ever reproduce. I've been fortunate enough to obtain a copy of "Gingerbreadd" and it is highly apparent that Maury's genius was overlooked. It begs the question what would he (and Jim) be writing today?
Mary, your web tribute to your brother is wonderful. He didn't die in obscurity, hey, I live in Australia and I tell everyone about Maury in the same breath when I talk of Jim...you can't have one without the other... just listening to their music is proof of that. Long live both Jim and Maury.
David
Friday, February 20, 2004 at 15:17 Host: CPE-144-136-123-226.nsw.bigpond.net.au |
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What a great tribute
to a wonderful songwriter/guitarist and person. I have loved the music
of Jim since I was 12 in 1973. It has been only in recent years that I
learned who is great guitarist and friend was. I love watching Maury and
Jim together on the new live DVD. Maury is an awesome guitarist and his
vocals are wonderful as well. I only hope that one day I'll be able to
purchase his one and only solo album on CD...Gingerbreadd. Take care and
thank you for this site. God bless Maury and Jim.
Dave in Mass.
Saturday, February 07, 2004 at 17:48 Host: cache-dp02.proxy.aol.com |
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Very nice tribute to
my cousine Maury. We Tallons were a military family and were away from
our Trenton roots most of our lives. When we visited Trenton we came to
see our Muehleisen family. All of us have treasured memories of those
visits, the Muehleisen family and Maury. After reading the messages on
this site it appears Maury has touched many souls in his time here on
earth. I'm sure we will all see him when our time comes. Cousin Mark.
Sunday, February 01, 2004 at 12:43 Host: dpc6682009033.direcpc.com |
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I bought the the new
dvd of Jim Croce and wondered who the guy was playing with him. Now i
know. This is a very nice webpage. I liked the one picture of all the
kids at Christmas. Even 30 years later, sorry for your loss.
Friday, January 30, 2004 at 13:54 Host: 194-231-173-209.dialup.infinetivity.com |
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To never be forgotton
and to be loved is two blessed and beautiful things.....
Your faith and family love that you have for each other is truly beautiful and definitely from the spirit of God....
Thank you for allowing me the chance of getting to know your brother and all of your family better.....
He is blessed to have you........
I wish more people in the world pursued these things.......
Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at 22:05 Host: 24-216-128-47.charter.com |
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I JUST PICKED UP A COPY
OF " JIM CROCE LIVE" AND NOT ONCE IS MAURY MENTIONED.
JIM INTRODUCES HIM ON ONE OF THE CUTS,BUT THATS IT.
I ONLY MET MAURY A COUPLE OF TIMES, BUT I HAVE MISSED HIM EVER SINCE.
WHAT A TALENT.
WHAT A LUCKY FAMILY YOU ARE TO HAVE HAD HIM BE A PART OF YOU.
Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at 14:05 Host: 168-38.9-67.se.rr.com |
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I didn't know this site
existed until this morning. Ann wrote to me about Robert, I hadn't heard
or talked to anyone in a long time and was glad to get news and have an
opportunity to wish Robert well. I think I had a crush on him as a child,
then found out from all the big courins and siblings that "ick that is
NOT ALLOWED!"
I felt complelled to tell Ann something I had never shared with any of your family about a moment where I was the recipient of Mauries humble, beautiful and unforgettable magic. The following is pasted here from my e-mail to Ann:
Please give your love to your family. One of my very fondest memories in life was seeing your brother Maurie lost in his music, playing the piano. I don't know where everyone else was but I was alone at the top of the stairs and he was by himself playing. It was my first memory of being truly moved by artistic expression. There was no line between he and the piano, they were one, it was truly moving and changed the way I looked at things. I don't know if I've ever told your parents that but I would like them to know. I think I was 10 at the most and it is the only memory I have of visiting that year. There is a gene in our family connected to art and he found the genius in it and did something with it. Nuture any sign of art up there in this family, I believe it is a very special gift and sounds like many of us are using it and others are struggling to try.
The site is a touching and loving way to keep Maurie's well spent time alive and well, an example of a life filled with purpose and not a moment wasted. A gift and a reminder we all have something to contribute and it is a choice.
Thank you Ann and Mary for finding a way to share this. Love from a long time ago. I remember better now. Love, Trish
Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 11:47 Host: cache-dp02.proxy.aol.com |
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Saturday, January 24, 2004 at 11:35 Host: cache-dp02.proxy.aol.com |
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I was just watching
a video with Maury and Jim-what a gentle spirit your brother had, not
to mention an awesome talent, I was a little down when I put the video
and and was truly blessed by him-I miss what he could have been-I know
you do also! God Bless you and your family.
Hadee
Sunday, January 18, 2004 at 18:42 Host: 208-191-24-26.x.newroadstelecom.net |
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Hi, All,
Just a little reminder that today would have been Jim's 61st birthday. Maury's 55th birthday would be this coming Wednesday...January 14th. Keep them, as I do, in thoughts and prayers.
And thank you to everyone for visiting and enjoying this website.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Saturday, January 10, 2004 at 13:15 Host: cache-dp02.proxy.aol.com |
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Hey Mary!!! What a great
job you have done here. I'm really proud of your efforts to let everybody
know who Maury was... not only as a superb musician, but as the sensitive
and caring individual he was. Maury always wanted to make things just
a little better. He accomplished that in his music.
We that write and perform, are secretly sharing a part of our own heart and our souls... "that" is what makes the songs come to life, and that is what Maury was so good at.... bringing to life a story or a message with his words, his notes and his heart.
It was a lifetime ago, but I miss playing with the guys... but most of all, I miss them as my brothers in life. Life can be very difficult, but we all believed the music made it just a little bit better for everyone - Joe
Friday, January 09, 2004 at 18:53 Host: cache-ntc-ac08.proxy.aol.com |
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After years of storage,
I set up the turntable and pulled out my LPs to reminisce. There were
a few albums that influenced my appreciation for music during the late
60s and early 70s. Maury's Gingerbreadd was one of those memorable works
that has stayed with me over the years. Although I knew of his passing,
not much had been available out there and I wanted to learn more about
his life. Today, I found your website! Mary, reading through the wonderful
comments in your guestbook, most are family and friends. Though I am one
who never knew Maury, many have echoed my appreciation for his work...and
yours. THANK YOU for putting your heart into this effort. Grace and peace.
Monday, December 29, 2003 at 09:06 Host: ip134-053-132-037.s132.muohio.edu |
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Incredible talent. Thanks
for keeping his memory alive.
Sunday, December 28, 2003 at 19:50 Host: cache-rm07.proxy.aol.com |
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Dear Mary - I never
knew Maury but recently met your father at the RWJHH Cancer institute
where he proudly spoke of his family. I have since read and listened to
the music on your website and would like to aqcuire a CD if they are available.
Maury had a wonderful voice and beautiful guitar playing. Best wishes
to you and your family.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003 at 21:24 Host: pcp01381178pcs.levtwn01.pa.comcast.net |
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I'm sorry for hogging
space in the guest book but I can't say enough good things about Maury.
I recently bought "have you heard Jim Croce live"? dvd and to see the
two of them play together is just plain hypnotizing. Their music has changed
my outlook on life forever. I finally found peice within myself. Now that
I've discovered Maury I need to find more of his music...I don't know
where to look. If any one can help me please feel free to e-mail me.
Thank you Maury,
God bless you.
Rob Francis,
Nova Scotia, Canada
Sunday, December 21, 2003 at 21:50 Host: u160n202.hfx.eastlink.ca |
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I've been listening
to Jim croce on the radio for over 25 years. I didn't know until dec.2003
that there was another player with him. That player was Maury. I thought...wow
what an amazing duo. Jim's music wouldn't have been the same without Maury.
Maury wouldn't have been the same without Jim. I want to thank the two
of them for leaving us with such amazing music. Thank you Jim and Maury....we
love you still.
Rob Francis
halifax, Nova Scotia
Canada
Thursday, December 11, 2003 at 23:03 Host: u160n202.hfx.eastlink.ca |
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I have always been impressed
with Maury's contributions to Jim Croces songs. I don't think they would
have had half the impact they did without those sweet acoustic guitar
lines going on in and around the melodies.
Nice site. Nice tribute....
Friday, December 05, 2003 at 11:13 Host: tan7.ncr.com |
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I think I probably first
met Maury somewhere on Glassboro's campus. One or both of us probably
had a guitar. I was a sophomore, and very sophisticated, while Maury was
a mere freshman, young and rather shy. I was at that time an aspiring
Folk music artist, and had played in small clubs in and around the south
Jersey area. The talent show was coming up, and once I heard Maury play,
I convinced him that we should do a duet. We did "A Monday Kind Of Tuesday"
originally recorded by Spanky and Our Gang. We got quite a reception.
Maury went on to play more venues at the college. I remember some other
event where Maury was playing, and he had me come up and do something
in a D modal tuning. I can't remember the song. Maury and I were friends.
He was a magnificent artist, and I was not the least bit surprised when
he showed up at school after a lengthy absence and announced, that he'd
been signed to record, and would be playing with Jim Croce. That day in
Glassboro's snack bar, the "Co-op", was the last time I saw him. I followed
his career with pride, taking every opportunity to boast, "I know him,
we played together", to anyone in earshot if one of their songs came on
the radio, or on some TV appearances. One morning, a few years later,
married and the mother of a small daughter, I went back to sleep in the
morning with the radio on next to my bed. I had a dream where I saw Maury
walking toward me, ragged and dirty, carrying a suitcase and a guitar
case. He was saying to me, "I'm o.k., Tweak (my college nickname), you
don't have to worry about me. I'm in a really good place. I'm alright,
honest." When I woke up, I thought it was a strange dream. Why would I
suddenly dream about Maury? I hadn't even thought about him in a while.
I remember feeling a little unsettled by the dream, and went about my
buisness. Later in the day, I heard the broadcast. Still today, I have
mixed feelings about that dream. My rational mind tells me that my subconscious
heard the news and incorporated it into my dream. But, knowing Maury,
I think he came to me, so I would not mourn for him. I remember being
sad that day, but somehow comforted by the thought that he had thought
enough of me to come and tell me it was alright. The grieving came later,for
what we had lost. I have no doubt that his talent would have become widely
recognized. I'm so glad to see that he has not been forgotten, by his
friends, and by those who never met him but through his music. I'm glad
I knew him.
Monday, December 01, 2003 at 19:10 Host: cache-mtc-ak08.proxy.aol.com |
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Hi, All -
The song was I HAVE NO TIME. A very appropriate title for most of us at this time of the year.
I was thinking of all of you...family, friends and fans...on Thanksgiving Day. I am so grateful to be in touch with so many who were touched by Maury during and after his life. Thank you all for sharing your memories and kind thoughts and may your lives be filled with many blessings.
Peace and Love,
Mary
Monday, December 01, 2003 at 08:14 Host: cache-mtc-ak08.proxy.aol.com |
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I have some "Maury Trivia".
He was talking about the studio work on Gingerbread and he was telling me that the drummer, at one point, played the sticks on the change in his pocket. He was drumming on his pants pocket which was full of change.
Maury thought that was simply wonderful.
Unfortunately I can not remember which song it was.
Gives a whole new meaning to playing for small change, doesn't it?
Wednesday, November 26, 2003 at 09:19 Host: netcache-3002.bay.webtv.net |
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Hello Mary,
Yes, we did know Maury. He joined us and played music at our wedding in Glassboro. We remember him well and cherish those thoughts. While I knew him only briefly, I believe he gave me the gift of a rare mystical experience. I was a guitar player of average skill when I first met Maury. I loved his music and his willingness to share it. But I never played music with him. I was too insecure about my ability, and his own music flowed so easily. I always regretted that, particularly when his death meant that there would not be another chance. But in a way I could not at first explain, my ability with the guitar changed suddenly ... immediately ... after his accident. I could do things I never thought of before, improvising and soloing in ways that I never learned. I believe that Maury was not yet finished with his music, and chose to share this spirit even after he left this world. I sense that he gave some of it to me, and perhaps, to many others. They may not have realized it, but I do. I am a terrible skeptic about many things, but not this. So I think about Maury often, and am continuously grateful of what I see as a very special gift.
Tuesday, November 25, 2003 at 16:15 Host: cache-mtc-ak08.proxy.aol.com |
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I have no idea WHY Maury
and Jim Croce aren't everyday, household names.
I play only acoustic guitar because of Maury's influence. Staggering musical skill.
JL
Monday, November 24, 2003 at 11:31 Host: adsl-67-36-179-137.dsl.chcgil.ameritech.net |
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Dear Mary, I want to
thank you for setting up this webpage as a tribute to Maury. I never did
meet Maury, but I've always felt that I've known him through his music
on the album Gingerbreadd. As a college freshman at Lehigh Univ. in 1971,
I found a promotional copy of Gingerbreadd at the campus radio station.
I played it, and to my surprise, I really loved the music and the lyrics.
Maury's music was very catchy and light, with terrific acoustical guitar.
It's too bad that the album was so underheard. I used to play Gingerbreadd
over and over again at the college, and many of my friends at the dorm
and the frat house would ask me "who is that?". When I found out that
Maury had joined with Jim Croce, I recognized his acoustical guitar style
instantly. I often hear "A Song I Heard" running through my mind. Your
brother was a terrific artist. I hope many more can discover Maury's solo
album through the internet. Best of luck on your book!
Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 14:42 Host: bcccache6-3.tco.census.gov |
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I have always thought
that Jim and Maury were the greatest singers that ever lived. My wife-to-be
is from Yugoslavia and had never listened to any of their music before
or even heard of them and she loves them now too. If I had one wish, it
would be to have Jim and Maury back with us. Mary, I really enjoyed reading
about your brother. I wish I had know him. Take care.
Monday, November 17, 2003 at 12:17 Host: CPE0080c8291737-CM000a73658db0.cpe.net.cable.rogers.com |
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Mary - I still cannot
believe you are Maury's sister. Jim Croce was my all-time favorite singer
growing up! Seems like our gifts from God continue to grow and amaze us
all the time. Who would have thunk it? Meeting each other, working together
in TOT, and sharing this phenomenal love of music! Truly inspiring! You
have done an incredible job here. Kudos!
Saturday, November 15, 2003 at 21:33 Host: cache-rm07.proxy.aol.com |
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Yeah so change the X
to a @ and you can reach me.
So we'd get together and drap ourselves around Louie's living room, candles and incense and pass the guitar around showing off our most recent acquisitions.
Louie was more of a stylist and a vocalist then a guitar player, although he tried. We would say Louie was playing a spastic guitar.
Something in his hand never seemed to "get it". He did good stylizing.
I ain't dissing him.
So during a break, Louie and I were standing in the dining room talking and he says something to the effect that, Did you hear how he introduced that song? He said this is the song that "The song that Louie doesn't like"!!??? Yeah...that was happening....
hehehehehehehe
We were so young.
Maury should be sainted, at least beatified by the pope next time. I mean that. He coulda been a saint or something like that. But dang....
He was stuck on the fact Louie gave him a thumbs down.
hahahahaha
Oh anyway geee.....
And of course, all here who were conversent with Maury knows that such a response was uncharacteristic of Maury.
And yes....some of us would be in chairs, but as some other signers here noted, he sat on the floor.
We really did drape ourselves around the room, candle light and perhaps Mickie, Louie's wife would burn an incense stick out in the kitchen so it would just hint in the front room.
And when the sun rose, we'd either go home or someone would do the donut run.
The guitar was never really passed around one to the other. But turns were passed around. We all pretty much preferred our own instruments.
I wrote one song that had an A minor with a F# in the base. That was the one.
And he did some peculiar things with his base line in "A song I heard One Time". That was what it was.
We both said..Hay! What was that you did there!!???
Yeah, and we taught each other the other one's song and then played them after folks drifted back in from their various break pursuits.
Please..remember, he was growing faster then any of us. It became that, Maury would play and there was simply nothing to say. He Just started to grow more every week. I wonder what he was doing to get such growth.Maybe he was ALWAYS expanding like that on the instrument and I/we just came to recognize it because of our weekly gathering.
At least we were able to share for that time.
Of course it was so sad that he was on the threshold of real fame and megabucks when he passed.That mattered to me, when I realized he was gone.
Personally, about our gatherings, I suspect he was doing sheet music stuff, probably transferring all he had learned from his Piano into his guitar work. And then he's spring em on us next meeting.
He was doing things that were simply not evident from the guitar view point. In my opinion. Even "A Song I heard one time" had "movements" in it that just didn't seem to be from the guitar.
I guess this isn't clear, what I'm trying to explain.
Isn't it said the past is gone....
Dan
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 09:13 Host: netcache-3002.bay.webtv.net |
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Yeah so change the X
to a @ and you can reach me.
So we'd get together and drap ourselves around Louie's living room, candles and incense and pass the guitar around showing off our most recent acquisitions.
Louie was more of a stylist and a vocalist then a guitar player, although he tried. We would say Louie was playing a spastic guitar.
Something in his hand never seemed to "get it".
So during a break, Louie and I were standing in the dining room talking and he says something to the effect that, Did you hear how he introduced t5hat song? The song that Louie doesn't like!!???
hehehehehehehe
Maury should be sainted, at least beatified by the pope next time. I mean that. He coulda been a saint or something like that. But dang....
He was stuck on the fact Loie gave him a thumbs down.
hahahahaha
Oh anyway geee.....
And of course, all here who were conversent with Maury knows that such a response was uncharacteristic of him.
And yes....some of us would be in chairs, but as some other signers here noted, he sat on the floor.
We really did drape ourselves around the room, candle light and perhaps Mickie, Louie's wife would burn an incense stick out in the kitchen so it would just hint in the front room.
And when the sun rose, we'd either go home or someone would do the donut run.
The guitar was never really passed around one to the other. But turns were passed around. We all pretty much preferred our own instruments.
I wrote one that had an A minor with a F# in the base. That was the one.
And he did some peculiar things with his base line in "A song I heard One Time". That was what it was.
We both said..Hay! What was nthat one???
Yeah and we taught each other the other one's song and then played them after folks drifted back in from their various break pursuits.
Please..remember, he was growing faster then any of us. It became that, Maury would play and there was simply nothing to say. He Just started to grow more every week. I wonder what he was doing to get such growth.Maybe he was ALWAYS expanding like that on the instrument and I/we just came to recognize it because of our weekly gathering.
Of course it was so sad that he was on the threshold of real fame and megabucks when he passed.That mattered to me, when I realized he was gone.
Personally I suspect he was doing sheet music stuff, probably transferring all he had learned from his Piano into his guitar work.
He was doing things that were simply not evident from the guitar view point. In my opinion. Even "A Song I heard one time" had "movements" in it that just didn't seem to be from the guitar.
I guess this isn't clear, what I'm trying to explain.
Isn't it said the past is gone....
Dan
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 09:05 Host: netcache-3002.bay.webtv.net |
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If you want to e-mail
me put a "T" at the end of my edress.
I signed a guestbook once before and was spammed to death by various web entrpenuers. Yuck.
Maury had a daytime wake downtown at St Mary's. Well, at Murphy's Funeral Pallor right next door.
It was the first time I had ever seen a guitar set up by the coffin.
Seen a whole lot of guitars in their stands, along side of coffins in the years sie.
I have been forced to continually deny that I played with Maury and Jim Croce over the years. Last year , I can remember, correcting people who mistakenly believed that I had.
Well, I didn't.
Before Maury met Jim Croce he and I and Walt MacNichol, and Louie Klienerman and.....seems like there were others.....can't remember..
Hay! I'm freaken 57, I'm allowed some errors in memory!
What was I saying?
Oh yeah...
I believe it was either every friday or saturday, every week, or every other week, we would gather and sit through the night taking turns playing songs.
And, ahem, drinking coffee.
One night he and I swapped songs. I had written one and he had one and we took the time to teach each other the song. Then we played, solo, the others song. THAT was interesting.
We really used to prepare for gatherings.musically. Thats what it was all about.
"A Song I heard One Time", and I forget the name of the one I had written. That was the song Maury had that night. Louie didn't like it.
He and Maury got stuck on the fact that Louie didn't like it.
And Maury was really a perfect hippie gentleman. He had all the ideals. That was the only time I ever saw him faulter. Funny.....
During this period Maury made significant advances on the instrument. It was apparent week to week. At one point, the simple facts were that, he was significantly enough better that he began to over shadow the rest of us.
He began going over to Yardville, Croce's place, shortly thereafter instead of making our gatherings.
Of course I had the GingerBread album.
I liked Maury.
I'm still "Travis Picking", as Maury was prone to do, and burn a few CDs here at home. Hustle em off to friends. Last few years I've been playing like I never had before in my life. Playing now more then I ever played. Learning and developing like never before.
I've recognized some of the other guest book signers. Wanted to let them know where I'm at and what I'm doing. I do a solo gig now and then.
I see Lonnie Van Eaton posted.
Was wondering about him recently, and his brother.
So...Maury did good in his life.
Dan Brady.
Friday, November 14, 2003 at 07:43 Host: netcache-3002.bay.webtv.net |
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What a great guy, you
were Maury - miss you. Wish we had more time
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 19:56 Host: dialup-171.75.64.178.Dial1.Weehawken.Level3.net |
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Dear Mary
May God's blessing's forever remain with you and yours.
Although I have not met Mr. & Mrs. Muehleisen, I truly feel they could write a book of their own, on: How to raise a long lasting loving family !
I had the honor on becoming Maury's friend, from California.
And remember all the stories Maury would share with me about his Trenton family. Back then (30 year ago)he spoke of his sister Mary and I knew Maury was close to his sister and all his family.
Maury was a precious and rare gem, a Gentle Genious. Humble yet wise beyond his years. Inspirational as a musican, indeed but his also as a caring human being who was a fine example of what it truly means, to be the best we can be! Maury's words in People I love you, says it all.
Mary, Maury will always inspire me to be the best I can be. I am grateful to have known him and thankful for you Mary also and for all your faithfullness to honesty and this tribute to Maury. I feel the Muehleisen family is a real blessing. You all have my deepest respect. I have so much to be thankful for!
Take Care Mary!
Thursday, November 06, 2003 at 00:05 Host: ACC61265.ipt.aol.com |
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Thank you for puting
this page up. It is nice to know that I am not alone in remembering him.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 16:13 IP: 209.192.112.130 |
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Thank you for puting
this page up. It is nice to know that I am not alone in remembering him.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003 at 16:13 IP: 209.192.112.130 |
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I was introduced to
Maury's music via a little song called "I Remember Mary" that was well-hidden
on the Jim Croce collection, The Faces I've Been. I fell in love with
that song instantly and had to find out more about the man who was responsible
for the vocals. Ever since then, I've looked in new and used record stores
and, in recent years, all over the internet to find out if more music
and information is available about Maury Muehleisen. So far, obtaining
more of his music has been nearly impossible, but at least I can discover
more about the man, thanks to this web site.
A Fan Forever,
Nick
Thursday, October 30, 2003 at 15:39 IP: 64.172.226.100 |
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As a fairly proficient
guitar player, I'm generally unimpressed by technique. It's a means to
an end. Maury is the exception -- and probably the reason I'm a fairly
proficient guitar player today. His playing set the standard for everything
I ever recorded. I don't think it takes anything away from Jim Croce to
say that we lost two of the most talented musicians of the 20th Century
on that fateful day. I look forward to hearng Maury's music (Maury's "Salon
and Saloon" was one of favorite Croce recordings). Thank you for this
long overdue Internet tribute to a wonderfully influential talent, taken
from his friends, fans and family far too soon.
Friday, October 24, 2003 at 13:13 Host: 38pool207.usinter.net |
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Although I never met
Maury, I have been listening to his music for over 30 years, both as a
solo artist and as Jim Croce's musical partner. I am so happy that these
pages are here so that we all can learn more about this musical genius
and his life.Thank you, Mary, for allowing us to do this- you did a wonderful
job! I am looking forward to your book!!
Saturday, October 18, 2003 at 17:59 Host: cache.up.net |
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What a fantastic tribute
to Maurys memory. All of your hard work and research has been beautifully
delivered to all of Maurys friends and family. I look forward to viewing
and listening to more of the website on my next visit.
THANK YOU,
Cousin Frank
Wednesday, October 15, 2003 at 21:11 Host: 57-pool1.ras15.nynyc-t.alerondial.net |
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When Mary and I went
to Natchitoches for the 30th anniversary of Maury's death, we were treated
royally by our new friends, Robert, Maynard, Lanie, Mark, Cat, Billy,
Lindsay, Sam, Patti, Terrance and Belle. Walking around this beautiful
southern town by the Cane River Lake and attending the "inaugural meat
pie festival with great music and friendly people was wonderful. We walked
through the stores and bought presents for family and friends. Lanie took
us to the radio station where we talked with Rodney Harrington (a.k.a.
Johnny Earthquake), listened to one of Maury's songs from his Gingerbreadd
album and ate meat pie. We met so many nice people and had so much to
talk about each night before going to sleep. The most difficult, nostalgic
and incredibly moving part of our trip was the time we spent walking around
the Natchitoches Regional Airport where Maury and Jim took their flight
into heaven. From Prather Colloseum, across the Cane River Lake, to the
airport - it was all right there - just a small airport. It held so many
answers to questions we've wanted to ask for 30 years. Someday we'll have
those answers, but by then it won't matter, because we'll be with Maury.
I've learned a lot about love in the past 30 years, and trying to make
the most out of the time I have on this earth. I'm sure Maury is sending
smiles and blessings to everyone who has written in this guestbook and
to all of the people yet to hear about it. It's been such a pleasure to
read everyone's thoughts and memories and to see names that I haven't
seen for years. I read these messages with smiles and tears, and want
you all to know that it's so nice to hear from you. Billy McGlone, you
write beautifully. I can't believe I used to want to be a nun. Boy, did
that not work out!
Thanks, everyone, for remembering so much and making our lives richer
for the memories and the friendships.
Love, Ann
Sunday,
October 12, 2003 at 06:48 Host: pcp085298pcs.arnysm01.nj.comcast.net
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Hi Mary & Ann
You know I've been tring to send this for a while now. I check on the
site almost every day, to learn more about Maury and his friends and family.
It's been a wild ride these last two years starting with the making of
docmenteryon Maury and Jim's last night in Natchitoches, then coming to
New York for the film festival and meeting you and your family, Tommy
& Terry. Then winning best music documentery. And then for you and Ann
to make the trip to Natchitoches on the 30th. Anniversery ment so much
to all of us. It's funny how after 30 years Maury and Jim's Music is still
bring people from all walks of life and all around the world together.
But after everything that happened (know what I mean) it's not suprising.
Give mine and Lanie's to the family and hope to hear form you soon. P.S
can't wait to read the book. All our Love
Mark, Lanie, Lindsay and Sam
Friday,
October 10, 2003 at 08:36 Host: usr70.cp-tel.net |
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Mary, nice talking to
you today. This is such a nice tribute to a great musician. Looking forward
to hearing it on CD soon.
Your friend,
Rob Christie
Capitol Records
Wednesday,
October 08, 2003 at 12:46 IP: 65.207.169.235 |
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Mary, Just had a chance
to review the guest book again and take a trip down memory lane. I can't
get over some of the names of the people that have written in.
Billy McGlone from around the corner on Cumberland Ave. His mom sometimes
took me and Michael to school in her big green Nova when it was raining
or we were late. I'm talkin mid sixties. His email got me thinking about
how Mom would get Maury up out of bed early on Sunday mornings sometimes
to take Michael and me up the street to church before the rest of the
family had to go. He would walk us up there dutifully and it was so nice
to be with my big brother on those days. I'm sure he had better things
to do at that time. Like sleep longer and create more music.
It is so nice to hear from our friends from The Gathering like Ron and
Margaret, Don Parsons, the Brun's and everybody else that was there five
years ago that made so many memories come alive for us again. God bless
those fantastic and beautiful people.
Robert
Tuesday,
October 07, 2003 at 19:01 Host: cache-rm07.proxy.aol.com |
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Dear Mrs. N (Mary!)
-- what a wonderful site! You have truly done a fabulous job. I will never
forget when you would play Maury's music for us when we were little and
we would dance around the living room singing songs ike "Bad, Bad Leroy
Brown." But remember - we weren't allowed to say a certain word in the
chorus of that one so we had to improvise - -("baddest man in the whole
'mmmm' town . . .")
Thank you for teaching me early on about the man behind the voice - it
touches my heart whenever I hear his guitar playing on the radio, and
it always makes me think of the Muehleisen family and its amazing spirit.
Love always,
Colleen xoxo
Monday,
October 06, 2003 at 12:49 Host: cache-dp02.proxy.aol.com |
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I was 3,500 miles away
in England, back in 1973, when a good friend brought round a copy of "You
Don't Mess Around With Jim" for me to listen to. The music on that album,
and all the rest I've heard since, changed my life completely. I was hooked
and a fan for life, and soon realised it wasn't just Jim, but a close-knit
team I was listening to, Maury being the musical genius adding so much
to Jim's songs. I later listened to Maury's own "Gingerbreadd" album and
was amazed by his talent, and pure emotion in his songwriting.
I owe them so much, not just for the music, but for them being instrumental
in me meeting my wife Meg at the gathering in Philadelphia in 1998. I'll
never forget that time, nor the lifelong friends I made there, certainly
not least of which were Maury's wonderful family.
Congratulations, and thanks Mary for the great job on this web site.
Monday,
October 06, 2003 at 11:59 Host: pcp03676513pcs.nstnig01.ct.comcast.net |
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Mary, As I sit here
reading all the "sweet memories" from family & friends, I have a smile
on my lips & tears in my eyes. The tears are mixed with joy & sorrow.
We loved & lost Maury but we gained support & friendships world wide because
of him, for him.
I wanted to answer the e-mail from Gene C. The song was "I Remember Mary"
.
You've done a great job on this website and I'm sure your book will be
loved by all. Having heard the first chapters leaves me with the anticipation
of it's completion.
This makes me feel like the sun shining on the yellow brick houses across
the street after a storm that Maury called "a glow of nostalgia".
Thanks & much love, your sister, Peggy Ann
Sunday,
October 05, 2003 at 14:42 Host: 1Cust125.tnt3.phl1.da.uu.net |
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I was priveleged to
have known, played with, traveled with, sung with, laughed and cried with
Jim for nearly thirteen years beginning with our firts day as Freshmen
at Villanova U. I did not have the same opportuniies with Maury and I
FEEL CHEATED!I met Maury only once backstage before a concert in Wildwood,NJ
in August of '73 where he and Jim and Maury's friend and others were gathered
before the show. Maury greated me as a long lost friend and made me feel
like the star that he was. He made me feel very special - probably because
he was so special. The beauty of his heart and spirit are self evident
in the songs he wrote and sung and in his outstanding musiciandhip. To
those who knew Maury well,I say count yourself blessed because in the
brief hour I was with him and the countless hours I have listened to the
music that he lovingly and experly made, I have been blessed and deeply
touched and changed for life. Thanks for that, Maury!
Sunday,
October 05, 2003 at 13:23 Host: cache-mtc-ak08.proxy.aol.com |
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I'm so glad that Mary
found us through a visitor to our site who noticed a special picture of
Maury and Jim, and contacted Mary, who got in touch with me. I noticed
all of the glowing warmth in the messages in this guestbook, and a note
from a few other old friends such as Joe Salviola. My fondest memories
of Maury and Jim go back to one of my early radio shows where they came
in and sat on the floor and played and sang "Gingerbreadd" songs live.
We also spent time at a summer home that Joe had rented, and at the time
of their fateful deaths, I made a promise to "keep their music alive forever!"
I'm very glad that's a promise I didn'thave to keep, as the world kept
it for me. I will never forget the sound of the church bells ringing in
Trenton on the day of Maury's funeral.
We currently do "The Sounds Of Philly" program educationg and informing
people about the great "hit machine" that was our city from the 60's through
the 80's, and we are also featured on www.soul-patrol.com with our soul-oriented
Philly programs. I hope come visit and click to our scrapbook pages to
see some of your old Philly favorites.
This is a wonderful tribute to a happy, warm person who enjoyed nothing
more than sharing the full and vibrant sounds of his guitar and voice
with the world, and still does through the timelessness of classic radio
worldwide.
My best to all friends of Maury on the 30th anniversary of that fateful
flight.
Gene
Friday,
October 03, 2003 at 08:39 Host: phi-209-137-173-84-dsl.cavtel.net |
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I only knew Maury through
some mutual friends in Trenton. So I was a little surprised when he knocked
on my door--well, my girlfriend Bea's door, in Bordentown--one Saturday
in 1970, I believe. Maury came in with his guitar and we talked. He was
pretty excited about touring with Jim and putting out an album. He told
me that sometimes he played backup for Jim and sometimes Jim played backup
for him. Then he sat down on the floor and he played a song on his guitar
and he sang. He was great. Then he played another song, and another, and
another. I remember thinking how busy Bea and I had been before Maury
came by, but now none of that seemed to matter. His songs were so beautiful.
And the sunlight playing off his face and hair made me think what a beautiful
person he was. I couldn't believe my luck--Maury just came in and sat
down and gave us a private concert. It was a Saturday I never forgot.
Thursday,
October 02, 2003 at 20:50 Host: cache-dm06.proxy.aol.com |
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Mary,
This is great work. The family recollections and pictures are a revelation.
I actually believe it wouldn't matter how much of Maury you managed to
squeeze on here, it wouldn't be enough. Like all great performers he left
us wanting more.
Well done.
Peter
Thursday,
October 02, 2003 at 16:32 Host: dialup-1-206.MelbournePwrtl2.dft.com.au |
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Mary it is wonderful
too see a page dedicated solely to Maury, it is long overdue. For his
fans who realised his talent and the difference he made to Jim's music,
this is a fine tribute. I have always talked of them as a pair because
without Maury we may never had had the best of Jim.
I love my copy of Gingerbreadd and the beautiful, gentle songs he wrote.
Thankyou once again for the great tribute.
Wednesday,
October 01, 2003 at 16:12 Host: harpoon.pipeline.com.au |
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Hey Mary! - What a wonderful
website and tribute to Maury - THE greatest musical genius of all time.
I was a sophomore in 1972 at Corinth High School in Corinth, MS when I
first heard Jim Croce's "You Don't Mess Around With Jim" and at that point
my life and musical preference was changed forever. I was totally captured
by Jim and Maury's music and began soaking up every guitar note,chord,
and lick I could. While I strained my ears to seperate Jim's part from
Maury's I struggled even harder to try and learn his delicate and well-placed
parts (later after Quadraphonic 8 track tapes came out it was sooo much
easier to seperate the two because I could isolate to some degree Jim's
guitar on one speaker and Maury's on the other!!!). I must say that I
regret that I never quite could get the hang of his intricate guitar style
but to this day I am still in total admiration and respect for his talent.
I only regeret that I never had the opportunity to meet him and Jim and
jam some with them. Thanks for sharing with us all, you and your beautiful
family's memories of Maury and Jim. I will always treasure those precious
hours we all met and spent together back in September 1998 in Philadelphia
and Trenton at The Gathering. Hope to see you all again someday. May God
Bless you and yours always - Don Parsons
Wednesday,
October 01, 2003 at 12:33 IP: 207.203.34.140 |
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Mary Beth, you have
created a beautiful website! I am so grateful to Dennis White for sending
me the Flash Back article from The Times, since I live in Pennsylvania
since 1977. I think of you (and Ray) guys from Cathedral High often, and
your wonderful family. But I miss most of all the friendship Maury and
I had, especially when we hammed it up at the piano for all the Music
Festivals at the War Memorial from high school. I think of him often,
especially when I hear the Jim Croce songs on the radio, and our old year
books get their turn for viewing in our family. Thanks again for putting
together such a memorable web site, and keeping Maury's memory alive for
all of us. Fondly, Zoltan
Wednesday,
October 01, 2003 at 08:56 Host: C7144728.state.nj.us |
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What a wonderful job
Mary. Your efforts in putting together this beautiful tribute to Maury
evoked many fond memories of growing up in what was to me the greatest
place ever. For many of us who grew up “down by river” we lived at a time
when everyone did know each other by name, looked out for one another
and we can say we lived at a time when we knew what neighbors, friends
and a sense of community were all about. I still recall you and your sisters
holding “school” in your backyard during our summer recess and all of
us boys making it a point to simply be “boys”. As I reflect here I could
go on forever with memories and can’t help but to think that much of Maury’s
motivation in his short life came from the times growing up in the city
where we may have not had much in a material sense but were rich with
friendships and caring about others. My regards to all of the family and
again thanks for taking me back in time through the memories of your beloved
brother.
Tuesday,
September 30, 2003 at 17:37 Host: ool-43549d57.dyn.optonline.net |
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I was only 12 when Maury
died. He was my cousin. I don't have many clear memories of him. Our visits
to NJ were not frequent, so a lot of those memories are just a blur to
me. Maury was 11 or 12 years older than me. What I do remember is this
--- he was PATIENT . . . I remember a truly NICE person . . . Most of
all I remember seeing him sitting at a piano and playing for us and what
a treat it felt like to be a member of that audience. I have his album
on tape and listen to it often and always feel a sense of pride (we were
cousins, after all!) mingled with an ache in my heart for such a tragic
loss. He obviously touched so many lives in such a positive way --- and
it seems he still is! What a gift.
Sunday,
September 28, 2003 at 21:11 Host: p3m1.dycon.net |
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My Mother mailed me
the Trenton Times story and I read through your entire website this morning.
It is a beautiful tribute that I know all of your family and friends must
really appreciate! We used to live down the street from you on North Hermitage
( so we probably even waited together for trains to pass on the way home
from school). Your Dad gave me my first job, which was in a downtown clothing
store. I remember the day he came in and first showed us Maury's new album.
He was very proud of it! Please tell him I said "Hello!" -Tim Buckley
(Louisville, KY)
Friday,
September 26, 2003 at 08:33 Host: host-209-214-170-11.sdf.bellsouth.net |
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I just got my new computer/internet
and this is the first site I visited Mary!
Love,
Ann
Thursday,
September 25, 2003 at 12:43 Host: pcp167378pcs.nhanvr01.nj.comcast.net |
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I enjoyed learning about
Maury and several times was overcome with emotion.
God bless the entire Muehleisen family.
Wednesday,
September 24, 2003 at 17:42 Host: user-2inilbp.dialup.mindspring.com |
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I never met Maury, but
knew Tom growing up in Trenton-Hermitage, Rutherford, Stuyvesant Aves.............good
ole days. My thoughts are with the family. Terrible tragedy. May god bless.
Wednesday,
September 24, 2003 at 10:18 Host: CD94055A.state.nj.us |
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It was my privilege
to have told a small part of Maury's story in my book, "Music's Broken
Wings: Fifty Years of Aviation Accidents in the Music Industry."
It is very tragic to have lost the music that he certainly would have
produced. Blue skies always Maury.
Monday,
September 22, 2003 at 15:08 Host: cache-dm06.proxy.aol.com |
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I just read the article
in the Trenton Times yesterday and went directly to the website. I never
met my uncle, but I feel like I knew him from all of the wonderful stories
I have heard and read about him.
Monday,
September 22, 2003 at 11:38 IP: 38.139.32.97 |
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Thank you for the "whatever
happened to" newpaper article. Ann and I were friends&classmates, Maury
was in my sister Janet's class.He was always so kind and gentle and the
smile...could melt a thousand hearts. I felt I was not just his little
sisters friend or my sisters younger sister, I was a special person that
he would stop in the hallways of Cathedral to talk to or in the streets
as we changed classes.My family has heard at least a millions times as
we drive near Hermatiage Ave the stories of my happy memories visiting
your home. I cherrish my albumn, it brings a part of a past life back
home. Maury lived a good life in so many ways and for that everyone he
touched was most fortunate.
Monday,
September 22, 2003 at 11:04 IP: 146.145.105.44 |
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Mary-
Great site. It certainly was great hearing his music clips again. The
site certainly is a tribute to his memory.
Pat
Monday,
September 22, 2003 at 08:50 Host: sarc7a155.snip.net |
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Mary-
I had the pleasure of meeting Maury at Alice Tully Hall (Lincoln Center)
in 1973. Jim played a great show and afterwards invited anyone backstage
to meet him and his parents. I spoke to Maury because I really enjoyed
his guitar playing. He was a wonderful, kind, talented man who was very
friendly to my wife and myself. I actually held tickets for a concert
that was never to be-Jim was opening for Loggins and Messina in N.Y. I
probably still have them somewhere. Every time I hear a Jim Croce song
I think of them. At the Lincoln Center concert-Maury did one of his songs
that had your name in it. I think it was "I remember Mary" or "I Cant
forget Mary"-something like that. Please be comforted in the fact that
so many people remember him fondly.
Monday,
September 22, 2003 at 07:26 Host: from.nice.com |
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Dear Mary,
This is such a wonderful web site! Thank you for including the photos
of Maury and your family. These photographs are such a nice touch as they
show a warm and personal side of Maury and your family. Each September
20th I try to sit down and listen quietly to Maury and Jim's music. Today
we are thinking of Maury, Jim, you and your family. Maury has been such
an inspiration to me. May God bless you and the entire Muehleisen family.
Love,
Tom & Debbie Brun
Saturday,
September 20, 2003 at 20:50 Host: ip68-9-54-106.ri.ri.cox.net |
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Thank you for helping
me to learn about another member of your dear, beloved family.
Saturday,
September 20, 2003 at 18:33 Host: cache-mtc-ak08.proxy.aol.com |
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I went to see Maury
today at St. Mary's. I still miss him. So many days, like today, I have
his songs in my head and heart and wish that I could call him to let him
know that I'm thinking about him. I am so happy that you have created
this site so that people can show their appreciation for what a talented
and beautiful person that Maury was. He will never be forgotten.
Robert
Saturday,
September 20, 2003 at 16:56 Host: pcp03137205pcs.lambrv01.nj.comcast.net |
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Very nice web site.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family today and always.
Your parents and brothers are wonderful people!!
Gail & Jim
Saturday,
September 20, 2003 at 15:33 Host: pool-141-150-206-155.delv.east.verizon.net |
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Dear Mary, Great job.
Brings back lots of memeries and emotions. Love Michael
Saturday,
September 20, 2003 at 09:25 Host: cache-mtc-ak08.proxy.aol.com |
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Thirty Years Gone: dedicated
to Maury & Jim
I would like to say that very few musicians have meant as much to me as
Maury Muehleisen and Jim Croce. When I first heard their music, I was
hooked. It was then, and is now, so different from anything out there.
It had a different sparkle of genius about it. I have always believed
that if Jim Croce had never hooked up with Maury, he would have probably
released another failed album and would have never gotten the recognition
he deserved; it might have ended his career. Jim was a great writer and
guitarist but he needed an extra spark to make it all come together. He
found that spark in Maury Muehleisen. Like the liner notes of the Jim
Croce release, "The Faces I've Been" says: "Maury was the icing that made
the cake something really special."
Here's to you guys, Maury & Jim. I know you are making great music for
the Angel Band.
Saturday,
September 20, 2003 at 05:04 Host: cache-dm06.proxy.aol.com |
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Maury.
Gently present in our past.
Greatly missed in our present.
So far away but as close as a song.
I remember this cousin of mine as quiet with smiling eyes and a gentle
way of being. He was nice to everyone, and what a sense of humor he had!
Mary Beth, the website is wonderful!
Love, hugs and prayers,
Mary Kay
Thursday,
September 18, 2003 at 20:04 Host: 21.piscataway-13rh15rt.nj.dial-access.att.net |
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Dearest Mary:
I am so very proud of you and all you have accomplished and will accomplish.
I have been on every part of the web site, and it's great! What a beautiful
tribute to a beautiful soul--I wish I could have known him.
I can't wait to read your book--it will be terrific, I know. I'm sure
Maury is smiling down on this tribute and on his sweet family. You all
have something special, and it is to be treasured and nourished.
God Bless you all. Enjoy this very special time in your life.
I love you.
Your devoted Friend,
Nancy
Thursday,
September 18, 2003 at 19:03 Host: 208-58-243-144.s398.tnt2.atnnj.pa.dialup.rcn.com |
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I remember his name
and his picture, several stories from my mother. A vague memory of his
records on the wall. Now I can know more. Thanks.
Thursday,
September 18, 2003 at 17:52 Host: slip-12-64-103-68.mis.prserv.net |
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Thanks to all of you
who have been signing the guestbook and sending
e-mails to remembermaury. It's so nice to hear from you all.
Your thoughts and remembrances are more appreciated than you can know.
I'll be thinking of you all on September 20, 2003 - Thirty Years
"The World Will Know You, Maury"
Thursday,
September 18, 2003 at 11:27 Host: ool-4354926c.dyn.optonline.net |
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Nice website!!! Now
that I'm playing guitar more myself, it was interesting to see where certain
talents branch to in the family (not saying that I have any talent with
the guitar!!! - ask my wife!!!)
Wednesday,
September 17, 2003 at 19:26 Host: nycmny1-ar1-4-33-081-237.nycmny1.elnk.dsl.genuity.net |
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Mary,
The site is wonderful and VERY informative. I look forward to taking the
time to go through every page and picture and learn more about your brother.
Send our love to Ray and Beth Ann.
Love,
Philip, Janine & Nicholas
Wednesday,
September 17, 2003 at 07:30 IP: 66.129.93.5
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Thanks for the memories.
Carl
Tuesday,
September 16, 2003 at 19:04 Host: pcp198565pcs.trentn01.nj.comcast.net |
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Dear Mary, God, how
much I love you and for the tremendous hours of work you have put into
this website and the book and managing so many different things connected
with Maury and our family. Maury meant the world to me and still does.
Yes, I still live close by to the cemetary and still say I LOVE YOU every
day as I pass by, on Olden Avenue and then again on Cedar Lane after I
make my left hand turn towards home. I know he hears me and all my prayers
every day that I pass by. Sometimes, when I really, really need him, I
stop in and really talk to him, on a personal basis. It brings me back
to September in '73 though, and I start crying again at age 47, remembering
the burial and the faces of so many people at one grave. I remember being
an alter boy for our church and remembering Maury's funeral and thinking,
I've never seen so many cars at one funeral before. I love you Maury and
I love you Mary for doing all of this work for him. You are the sunshine
for Maury's life, that's why you'll always be around. Hum a few bars :-)
I never expected a site like this from you, you did a great job Mary.
I meet people from time to time who say that Jim would never have been
anything without Maury's spectacular music abilities. These words come
from people and conversations over the years and whom I've never seen
again, but I'll always remember, like Maury and Jim. Thanks Mary, for
the pictures, the music and the memories of Maury's and Jim's, they mean
the world to me and so do you and the rest of our great family and friends
of Maury's. Love always and forever, your brother, Joe P.S. Thank you
Sean for all of the great help you have been to Mary with this GREAT web
site. God Bless you.
Tuesday,
September 16, 2003 at 16:51 Host: cache-dm06.proxy.aol.com |
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What an effort! I didn't
know Maury, but I do know Mary and I know the love she has for her brother
and her family. This is a wonderful tribute.
Judy
Tuesday,
September 16, 2003 at 16:36 Host: cpe-024-211-211-043.ec.rr.com |
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Dear Mary,
I have just read through this beautiful tribute to a dearly loved brother
and I am awed by his gift and humility but mostly touched by the family
he came from. Surely your mother and father created a beautiful environment
for this talent to be nurtured in. I really love the Christmas photo of
all the kids in their "church" clothes. It really evokes memories of my
own. Thank you for reminding all of us of the really impertant things
in life. When I hear a Jim Croce tune in the car I always think of Maury
and what he meant to all of you and how his all too short life really
mattered.
Love,
Janine
PS Great job Sean!!
Tuesday,
September 16, 2003 at 06:53 Host: ool-4354a1e6.dyn.optonline.net |
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Mary,
What a beautiful, moving tribute to Maury! Congratulations on launching
the website and best of luck with completing your book...I can't wait
for the booksigning!
All my best,
Joan
PS Can't forget the webmaster...good job, Sean!
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 19:29 Host: cache-rm07.proxy.aol.com |
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30 years...I just looked
through his high school yearbook with a woman he graduated with in 1967.
She works with me now, and we had the greatest time looking at all the
people he went to high school with in Trenton. Now, I look at this and
see more pictures and memories. It's bittersweet.
Mary, I wish you well on your book and thanks for getting the right guy
to help you with this web page. It's great!
Ann
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 17:02 Host: pcp085298pcs.arnysm01.nj.comcast.net |
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What a wonderful webpage
of loving memories of Maury from his very special sister,other family
members, and friends! This brought back so many fond memories of early
days spent with the family on Hermitage Ave as a very special friend of
Mary.(I think I even had a little crush on Maury at one time too). God
bless you and thank you for sharing Maury with all of us.
Love,
Joan
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 15:34 Host: cache-mtc-ak08.proxy.aol.com |
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Great job mom! All of
your hard work paid off. I love the pictures and stories. Now I know much
more about the uncle I never knew and about all of the people who loved
him. Kudos to you too Sean-- you are an expert!
Beth Ann
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 12:42 Host: cache-dm06.proxy.aol.com |
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My memories of Maury
and the family are hard to sort at this moment. He was so full of energy
and so happy to share every time we visited. I remember Maury, my brother
Tom, and I racing one another through the space between the houses.....Maury
wearing a plaid shirt, sitting on the front steps sharing tales of fabulous
adventures since our last visit....Maury at the new piano in the living
room, playing and singing "Hey, Mister Tambouring Man...." so beautiful
and playing a song for US! And, after his death, the many times I have
driven long lonely roads and Maury's voice and music entwined with that
of Jim Croce come from the radio - and it isn't so lonely anymore. Thank
you, Mary Beth and "The Maurices", with love, Beth Anne
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 09:35 Host: cpe-024-211-088-136.sc.rr.com |
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Thanks, Mary. This is
long overdue. I remember hearing Maury for the first time. It was in a
little coffee house called the Goldbug in the basement of a church in
Glassboro. Croce backed Maury on guitar back then. Sometimes Maury backed
Terry Shore. Yes, Maury's guitar was incredible, but let's not forget
that voice. I thought he had an echo chamber built into his chest. Quiet
and gentle indeed.
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 07:39 IP: 216.229.197.30 |
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ITT WAS WORTH EVERY
BIT OF IT TO HERE AND BE PART OF THIS TRIP THANKS AGAIN DAVID
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 07:31 Host: cache-rm07.proxy.aol.com |
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The timeless music created
by Maury Muehleisen now has a stage!
And now I realize where Maury received his love for 'life' and 'song.'
It was his heartfelt 'songs' that inspired me to tell a humble story.
Mary thanks for your friendship and kindness.
I never met Maury but time with your family makes me feel like we had.
Peace and Aloha,
Robert Langpaap
'Jim Croce- Last Night in Natchitoches'
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 05:30 Host: 170-215-187-162.nas5.blu.wv.frontiernet.net |
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Mary,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and rememberences with us. The 60's were
kind of a blurr to me as I'm sure they were to a lot of our musician friends
from the time. I remember Maury as a sweet gentle soul. Very soft spoken,
but alive with talent. He would come over to my place and we would sing
and play guitar. Those are times I enjoyed so much. I will never forget
him. Thank you Mary. I look forward, with anticipation, to your book.
Good luck,
Mark
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 04:47 Host: cache-dm06.proxy.aol.com |
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Wow. Mare, you did a
great job. Maury would be proud. I can't wait till everyone can read your
book. Sean, super job on the WEB.
Monday,
September 15, 2003 at 04:25 Host: ool-4350472a.dyn.optonline.net |
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Thank you very much
for creating such a sweet and loving tribute to Maury. One can't help
but feel the deep admiration and affection that he deserved and earned.
I can't wait to read your book.
Keep up the great work, Tim
Sunday,
September 14, 2003 at 23:24 Host: ACC2424A.ipt.aol.com |
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Hi Mary: This is Frank
Stallone, I also lived on Hermitage Ave. It was 1970 or so, I had just
finished playing at a Be- In at Washingtons Crossing. When I got back
home to Hermitage Ave with Lon Van Eaton and Jacobs Creek, that is when
I met Maury, we sat around playing guitars and he was showing me all these
great James Taylor licks. He was very complimentry of my voice and my
songs. I remember mostly that he was a very kind person. When I saw him
playing with Jim I was so happy for him. I was living 2 doors down on
Hermitage with my girlfriend when I woke up to the horrible news. I kept
telling her that I knew Maury,I was very upset. I still have his album
I thought it was great then and I still do now. It was a great little
music scene in Trenton back then, I know it's hard to believe to see it
now, but it was really cool. God Bless Mary
Sunday,
September 14, 2003 at 23:09 Host: lsanca1-ar42-4-61-186-174.lsanca1.dsl-verizon.net |
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Thanks Mary... Maury..
the days on Hermitage avenue. He was one of us young poets who hung around
and joked about it being Dublin and he was Yeats or Joyce did we know?
Frank Stallone was another and old Robin... It is the way to honour and
understand those who have traversed the in between. Loves
Sunday,
September 14, 2003 at 21:26 Host: 216-160-164-194.customers.uswest.net |
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Beautiful Tribute to
a great musician and person. Can't help thinking what beautiful music
we could have been listenting to today if Maury had not been taken so
young.
God bless you and your wonderful family
Sunday,
September 14, 2003 at 21:05 Host: pcp01779865pcs.trentn01.nj.comcast.net |
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Sunday, September 14,
2003
Hello, Hello and Welcome!
I have wanted to create a tribute to my brother Maury Muehleisen for quite
some time...for his family, his friends, and his fans...in the Trenton,
New Jersey area and around the world.
September 20, 2003 is just around the corner now and will mark thirty
years since Maury left this world for another. My hope is that the music
and stories on these pages will bring back happy memories for all of us
who loved him so...and touch those who never had the opportunity to know
Maury in person.
Thanks for stopping by to visit.... come again soon...
Peace and Love,
Mary
Sunday,
September 14, 2003 at 20:20 Host: 24-193-233-212.ucwphilly.rr.com |