Help for the family of Chris Morgan

Our fellow musician, band member and dear friend, Chris Morgan, passed away suddenly and tragically on March 1st. Words don’t fully describe the shock we all are still in and the void we feel with him gone.

Right now, we just want to help his wife, Viki - the loss of Chris from her world is indescribable for her, but reality is also the near complete loss of income from jobs they would have done, and could only do, together. We don’t want her to have to worry about how to pay bills and keep the house they made a home together.

 

Chris Morgan was a lifelong musician, playing drums for more than 3/4 of his life. He was active in numerous bands and musical collectives in both Woodstock(Salted Bros, Hallow Dog and SPiV) and NYC(Swollen Monkeys and CMS with Karl Berger).

 

He worked as a professional home painter and dry waller for over 30 years and would often show up to rehearsals covered in paint. It was a sight that showed both his hard working nature and his musical passion in a single glimpse.

 

Chris was the drummer for my band, SPiV, for nearly 20 years and together we produced 6 albums, and we were working on the 7th when he was taken too soon from us. His rhythm will live on with the music and talent he shared with everyone.

 

Chris was kind natured, down to earth, funny, hard working, talented and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.

***From Chris’ stepdaughter, Sylvia***

”My mother Viki and Stepfather Chris had an interior/exterior painting business together. A team of two. With his sudden and unexpected passing, she is unable to continue on with many jobs they had lined up without his help. And many future jobs are out of the question as he had a particular and niche set of skills she does not have. Anything you can contribute helps so that she can stay on top of bills and continue on through this difficult time and give her room to assess future prospects.”

***From Chris’ wife, Viki***

“We were ready for another summer exterior painting season.  But that is over before it started.  I will be keeping the business going with smaller jobs, interiors only. But the reality is I can only generate less than half the income Chris and I made together.  If you ever saw my husband work, you understand this.  He was a machine on a ladder.  I was/am the details, the corners, a thousand wooden windows.  Chris worked like he played the drums, hard and excellent, with speed and power.  I work more like a writer.  I cut lines.
Sham Morris convinced me that this fundraiser is alright, there is no shame in it. Yes I used the word shame.  I wasn't raised to ask for help.  But I will admit, that a little help right now will give me a time to figure out how to keep the house we have worked on for the last 10 years.  Chris was very proud of this house.  If I have to sell it in the future, so be it.  But I would rather take a breath, and weigh all of my options.  Hold onto the dream a little longer.
I am going back to work in Monday.  I will be working hard, every day.  So what I am asking, essentially, is for help in filling Chris's shoes.  Just for the moment.  Please.  And thank you.”