Rest in peace Curley Ennis, a charismatic guy with mountains of musical talent and songs
Curley Ennis (at right) with Robbie Wells, circa 2007 | Courtesy Marsha Wells
We were bummed out today to learn that Curley Ennis died on Friday. Ennis, who suffered leukemia, hadn’t played in about the past four years, but he is being remembered by plenty of folks who heard him play and got the chance to hang with him.
A memorial service is planned for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke, 2015 Grandin Road, S.W.
I heard Ennis play on several occasions, and he always came across as very knowledgeable about the old folk, blues and swing tunes he performed, while at the same time picking them strongly and singing with a Midwestern style that was never so strictly enunciated that the soul was strangled from the lyrics.
But he was maybe at his most impressive with just a small audience on a porch. I saw him picking, grinning and singing one night on a friend’s porch about 10 years ago. He was in his 60s, but a small crowd of young women were hanging on every song. Now that’s charm.
Hear him sing and play with his old friend “Fiddlin’” Robbie Wells on the youtube clip embedded below. Another one, posted by his daughter, Hannah Ennis, at youtube, is very nice as well.
Look for our news obituary in Tuesday’s edition of The Roanoke Times, and feel free to add your thoughts here about this regional folk institution.
June 25, 2012 - 7:58 PM
The Roanoke music scene will not be the same without Curley. He was instrumental in getting the Roanoke Oldtime Jam a place to play ( starting out in the “Coffee Pot” in the mid 1990′s).Rest in peace old friend!
That’s too sad. I remember him well. He used to come into my store on the market quite often and “hold forth.” Great guy, very unassuming and always cheerful. A big loss for us all.
Curley!
ol’ Penn’s place is empty now. I guess he’s long gone to his reward. I can remember all the songs he used to sing to me, I even know all the chords. So as I sit here by this road side on the road to where I choose, I’ve got his memory in my travelin’ bag and miles and miles on my shoes. Thank you for the music Curley.
ol’ Penn’s place is empty now, I guess he’s long gone to his reward. I remember all the songs he used to sing to me, I even know all the chords. As is sit here by this road side, on the road to where I choose, I’ve got his memory in my travelin’ bag and miles and miles on my shoes. Thank you for the music Curley
I heard the news while up here in New York, well here is hoping we will see each other on the other side bro. I would go to the service but have a gig at that time. Will do a tune or two for you and do what we always do, play the music and make people happy.
Rob and I just helped out at Curley’s service, and it was wonderful. Lots of different music happening! We had a blast! We will miss you dude!
Curly will never be gone, not as long as he is remembered:) I still do after 40 years..so…bless you man’…be at peace:) faith
Thank you all for sharing your memories and kind words. I know Daddy will never be forgotten.
My thoughts are with the Ennis family and friends at this time of great loss. Everyone is so right, he will never be forgotten