‘Every time he picked up a guitar he played his soul out’
Friends organize a concert in honour of local musician John Feltham, who died unexpectedly in Glovertown last week
Vibrant, creative and artistically talented is how John Feltham’s loved ones describe him in his touching obituary. A lover of music. A dedicated father. A light so bright, it was captivating.
His friend and fellow musician Gene Browne says Feltham was all this and more.
“There is not enough time in the day for me to tell you all the good things about him,” Browne tells The Telegram, saying Feltham’s personal motto might best have been described by a well-used Dr. Seuss quote: “Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
Browne and Feltham were close friends for years, having been former band mates. While their contact ebbed and flowed over time, like the best friendships, whenever they caught up it was like no time had passed at all, Browne said.
Feltham was a native of Glovertown and had been living there with his family — his partner, his two daughters, ages seven and 10 and his young stepson — working as a plumber with his own business and playing music as a solo artist at coffee houses and various events. He had a passion for local music, Browne says, and was a huge supporter of local artists.
“If you did something and loved it, that was good enough for him,” Browne says. “He was all about doing what you liked to do and being proud of it. Every time he picked up a guitar, he played his soul out.”
When Browne was owner of downtown bar The Levee, Feltham would often play there for free to help attract a crowd, Browne says. In 2012, when Browne lost his home and most of his belongings in a fire, Feltham was one of the first to get in touch, offering Browne a place to stay rentfree until he was able to get back on his feet and helping with a benefit show to raise financial support.
Browne says he was crushed when he heard last week that his friend had suddenly passed away on Jan. 23.
“Oh my God, I wasn’t prepared for that phone call,” Browne explains. “I just wasn’t prepared for that.”
Browne is among Feltham’s friends who are organizing an event in his memory at The Ship in St. John’s Thursday night. Featuring music by Jordan Young, The Daisy Cutters, Led Zeppelin tribute band The Crunge, The Gene Rippers, Mike Mcdonald and Stephen Rossiter, the show has no set cover charge, but donations will be accepted on behalf of Feltham’s children.
A Go Fund Me campaign has also been set up to receive donations to support the children: www.gofundme.com/f/lucy-and-emily-and-andrew
Browne hopes the event will be a gathering of Feltham’s friends and of those who enjoy local music — like he did.
“He’d do it for me,” Browne said of organizing the event. “Hopefully it will give people some closure and some good memories.”