I did not know A. Hunter White personally, but based on the amount of love being shown him on social media, I wish I had gotten to know him.
It's always sad when anyone dies suddenly and at such a young age, as White did at 36 two weeks ago. Reading the dozens and dozens of memories and heartfelt farewells from so many people has been tough because so many people that we both knew are hurting.
Barry CourterIn addition to sharing their memories online, and at JJ's Bohemia last Friday night where Dan "Danimal" Pinson decided to forgo his scheduled performance and instead turned it into a wake for White, lots of White's friends and colleagues have been asking what they could have done to have helped White and perhaps prevent his death.
Most, if not all, have expressed their sadness and disbelief that someone who seemed so happy and jovial would take their own life, and they have used social media to reach out to anyone else looking for a friendly ear or a helping hand.
A conversation was started online over the weekend about looking for ways to offer professional help to people who fall under the "creatives" label. Musicians and artists in particular. These people are no different than anyone else when it comes to physical or mental needs, but they are often independent contractors without access to the type of quality health care someone who works full-time at a company might have.
Austin, Texas, has looked into such a plan as part of an overarching attempt to help and protect its artist community. Even if the local folks don't find a way to create a formal program, having the discussion and making people aware of where they can find help is a good thing.
There have always been communities within the local music scene for as long as I have been aware, but never has there been the sense of being one community like there is now. Bands, and people within genres, tended to take care of their own before, but today folks seem to understand the rising-tide-lifts-all-boats way of thinking.
Not only has White's tragic death brought people together to mourn and ask why, they've been looking for ways to ensure it doesn't happen to another of their friends or fellow musicians. Several people have posted things like, "If you are hurting and just need to talk, I'm here for you," on their Facebook or Instagram pages.
Let's hope that message gets through to anyone in need.
Contact Barry Courter at bcourter@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6354.