Nick Travis III

Nick Travis III Nick Travis III passed away at 2:20 a.m. on May 24th, 2010, in Austin Texas. He was born March 10th, 1955, into the New York hipster home of jazz trumpet player Nick Travis II and his actress wife Pat Turner. Nick's father died when he was nine, and at fourteen he left home to hitchhike across the country, finally ending up in Austin in the early 1980's where he pursued his musical career. Initially Nick was a harmonica player, but he soon found his permanent place as a bassist in the Austin music community. During his thirty year career in Austin Nick has performed with Stockton and Johnson, Natalie Zoe, The Shadowcasters, The Solid Senders, Apaches of Paris, The Vanguards, The Big Pow Wow, Tracy Conover, Van Wilks, Guy Forsyth, The Paul LeMond Band, LeeAnn Atherton, Hosea Hargrove and many others. Most recently he performed with Miss Lavelle White, John Gaar and The Hopeful Souls and Julieann Banks. Nick was also an actor who has appeared in films and commercials and was the body double for Billy Bob Thornton in "Friday Night Lights". Nick and his wife Melissa worked side by side to help rebuild the homes and lives of the victims of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and to protest the United States involvement in the war in Iraq. He was a founding member of Instruments for Peace and a sustaining member of The Crawford Texas Peace House. Nick is survived by his wife Melissa and stepson Gram Garner of Austin Texas, brother Pete Travis of Missoula Montana, mother-in-law Frances Thornell, sister-in-law Chris Lumadue- Thornell, nephew Will Thornell, and niece Deidre Haby of San Antonio, Texas. Nick was courageous in speaking out against injustice and ignorance. He was thoughtful, respectful, introspective and observant. He had a wry wit that ran through his commentary. He pursued truth doggedly. He worked hard to improve himself, and to improve the world for others. Nick was a character, larger than life. He always kept us laughing with a story to tell, a twinkle in his eye and a big grin on his face. He was always there for anyone in need of help or advice and had wonderful dear friends in many walks of life all over the world. He was a passionate advocate for the causes he believed in, and he put his ideas into action. An informal gathering of friends will be held Monday, May 31st from 5:00 - 8:00 at Leeann Atherton's Barn at 3600 S. 2nd Street in Austin Texas. A memorial concert and party to celebrate his life will be held in August. "The only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes "Awww!"" Jack Kerouac "On The Road"