Late last year the Hudson Valley lost one of its pioneer bluegrass musicians when singer/guitarist Bob Milliken passed away at his home in Kingston at the age of 92. Although Bob made his living as a highly regarded architect in Kingston, he was well known to HVBA members as a welcome participant in the jam sessions back in the Pirate Canoe Club days. But few of Bob’s Canoe Club jam partners were aware that beginning in the late 1950s, he was one of a small group of pickers and singers from the mid-Hudson and Catskill Mountain area who began performing this then relatively new style of music. Together with his friends, Bob helped introduce bluegrass music to our area.
In the photo above, Bob, second from left, and his cohorts in their crisp white dress shirts, black slacks, and string ties stand around the WKNY mic in Kingston circa 1962. Bill Dillon (with mandolin) stands to Bob’s right, Art Sutton (banjo), Arnie Russell (partially obscured, fiddle), Richie Steenburg (guitar), and Ed Snyder (bass) stand to Bob’s left. Not pictured, but also a frequent member of the ensemble, is dobroist and steel guitarist Charlie Fererra, who among other things helped Woodstock’s internationally renowned steel guitarist Cindy Cashdollar get her start.
Bob was deeply steeped in the bluegrass of those days and could sing and play dozens of traditional songs. Like the first generation bluegrass pioneers he admired, Bob sang simply but with great feeling. Similarly, his guitar playing was unadorned but perfectly outlined the contours of the music. His timing was superb and he was very easy to play with.
I met Bob in early 1986 at a weekly jam session at the Getaway Country Inn between Saugerties and Woodstock. I was then relatively new to the area and didn’t know too many other musicians. Bob was very welcoming and over the years we played together a great deal. And it wasn’t just Bob; his wife Pat and his sons and daughters welcomed me as did his many friends in the music. His friends all knew and respected Bob as a musician and as a kind and generous human being. To me he was a dear friend and mentor; in his friendly way, he taught me a lot of bluegrass and helped me refine my musical taste. I could not have had a more informative but less professorial tutor.
Bob also introduced me to bluegrass festivals and to the art of festival camping, and helped me learn the many skills involved. Bob’s architectural training came in very handy at the festival campsite. With a handful of telescoping aluminum poles, a couple of very large blue tarps, and a blue and white canvas tent that he used for 50 years, Bob constructed a campsite for the ages.
Bob was a keen observer of people with a wry wit. I can hear him in my ear right now telling me to keep it short (and then taking me to task for not doing so). Bob could also roll with the punches. In all the years I knew him I don’t remember ever hearing him complain or seeing him flustered or angry. Even a ripping festival thunderstorm, with those aluminum poles flying through the air like javelins, didn’t faze him. He would patiently pick up the pieces, shake the water off tarps and tent, and rebuild Camp Milliken. More good lessons learned. Farewell old friend.
Andy, thank you for sharing your memories of Bob. You totally captured his kindness, patience, and how much of an impact he had on the Pirate Canoe jammers. I always looked forward to when it was Bob’s turn to choose a song. He ONLY knew beautiful songs. Every time I told him how much I loved his choices, he would have a gentle smile for me.
My heart is heavy with loss.