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Mark McLaughlin Obituary

McLAUGHLIN BELOVED NEW ORLEANS STREET MUSICIAN HAS FINALÉ WITH SECOND LINE (New Orleans, LA 4/19/2011) - Bluesman, Mark D. McLaughlin, a beloved and long-time street musician, passed away last week. Mr. McLaughlin was born near Ft. Meade Maryland on December 9, 1953. He played guitar and blues harmonica from Hawaii to Tennessee and of course, in his beloved New Orleans. During his time on earth, Mr. McLaughlin had the opportunity to play with some of the greats, including Little Freddy King, one of Mr. McLaughlin's heroes. "Mickey" or "Slewfoot", as Mr. McLaughlin was also known, played so hard and so often on his corner in the French Quarter that some say the pavement still holds his footprints. In remembering Mr. McLaughlin, Fr William Terry of St Anna's Episcopal Church said, "Slewfoot gave to the music community, not only of his heart, talent and blues sound but of his time, in work with the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic, Music Makers Relief Foundation and St. Anna's Mission to Musicians. He and long-time band member, Carey B, were one of the first groups to play St. Anna's Mission to Musicians". Bethany Bultman of the New Orleans Musicians' Clinic and Assistance Foundation said of Mr. McLaughlin, "Slewfoot was a very powerful spokesperson for the Clinic and we truly appreciated his efforts". On Wednesday April 27, 2011 a full solemn funeral mass will be held at St. Anna's Episcopal Church, 1313 Esplanade Ave., at 6:00 PM. Following the service, at approximately 7:15, the community will step off in a Second Line tribute led by the famed Tremé Brass Band. The procession will travel down Esplanade Avenue, turn on to Frenchmen Street and end with a Benediction in front of the Apple Barrel Lounge, where Mr. McLaughlin and Carey B often played. The community of musicians, artists, residents, and friends of Mark "Slewfoot" McLaughlin are invited to attend the Solemn High Gospel/Blues Mass, Second Line, and memorial gig at the Apple Barrel, where musicians are welcome to bring their instruments and join in the celebration of Mr. McLaughlin's life. Memorial gifts in Mr. McLaughlin's name may be made to St. Anna's Mission to Musicians fund and sent to 1313 Esplanade Ave., NOLA 70116. For further information, contact St. Anna's Church at 504-947-2121 or [email protected].

Published by The Times-Picayune on Apr. 24, 2011.
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Memories and Condolences
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I played with Mickey and I considered him a friend.While in Durham,NC,he introduced me to Sapphire and John D. Holeman of whom we went on mini road trips together.RIP brother,I`ll see you on the other side.
Tim Rae,Raleigh,NC

May 8, 2011

I'll miss my friend Slewfoot a lot. Over the years I knew him, we became friends and we're both musicians. There's a special bond in being a musician even if you're not close to someone otherwise. It's special, and it's sad to lose another musician. Second Line with the Angels, my friend!

Lynn Magnuson
New Orleans, LA.

Lynn Magnuson

May 6, 2011

Begin your Guest Book entry here.I can't express enough how sweet and absolutely amazing this man is!! As a young backpacker, I had returned from Europe found myself in Hawaii Winter of 93, found myself dreaming about New Orleans, literally, never had been there before and a week later went from Hawaii straight into Mardi Gras with 4 other friends.... my first night on the street, fiddle in hand I sat on a bench in the mayhem of Jackson Square where I listened to a man playing saxaphone (Earl) and another delta player (Augie of the "Big Mess") just jammin away in the chaos of it all, Augie made me get my fiddle out, in which I hadn't played in years...we jammefd till morning. good times... that next day I met the Big Mess and Slewoot, Stoney B., Casey, etc. There were two groups that would play every day on opposite sides of Jackson Square.. Mickey always asked me to play with the guys, even though I wasn't that great of a player, learned quick but got the nick name Screech .. Stayed and played the streets for about 5 months... Mickey always had my back, a true gentleman and watching out for us youngsters.. Mickey, Augie, Cory Harris, Lisa, Casey, all these amazing musicians changed my life forever!!! The Treme should seriously do a show about Slewfoot, the real deal! New Orleans will never be the same without the force of this Angel.... hopefully there's guitar's in Heaven.... if not I bet God will give ya one!!! much luv , till we meet again!!!! ..... Kimmy Smith (aka Screech)

April 29, 2011

I can't express enough how sweet and absolutely amazing this man is!! As a young backpacker, just returning from Europe found myself in Hawaii Winter of 93, had dreams about New Orleans, literally, never had been there before and a week later went from Hawaii straight into Mardi Gras with 4 other friends.... my first night on the street, fiddle in hand I sat on a bench in the mayhem of Jackson Square where I listened to a man playing saxaphone (Earl) and another delta player (Augie of the "Big Mess") just jammin away in the chaos of it all, Augie made me get my fiddle out, in which I hadn't played in years...we jammed till morning. good times... that next day I met the Big Mess and Slewfoot, Stoney B., Casey, etc. There were two groups that would play every day on opposite sides of Jackson Square.. Mickey always asked me to play with the guys, even though I wasn't that great of a player, he gave me the nick name "Screech" .. Stayed and played the streets for about 5 months... Mickey always had my back, a true gentleman and watching out for us youngsters.. Mickey, Augie, Cory Harris, Lisa, Casey, all these amazing musicians changed my life forever!!! The Treme should seriously do a show about Slewfoot, the real deal! New Orleans will never be the same without the force of this Angel.... hopefully there's guitar's in Heaven.... if not I bet God will give him one!!! much luv , till we meet again!!!! ..... Kimmy Smith (aka Screech)

Kimmy Smith

April 29, 2011

My walks along the river won't be as joyful knowing I won't be seeing Slewfoot.

April 28, 2011

Shortly before he passed Mickey, singing at the river where I was walking my dog, asked me to record a "favorite song" he just had written "for everyone who passes by me and smiles hello"... Here's the link to that and a few others:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-pnkfVTDy8&feature=feedwll

NewOrleans Thomas

April 27, 2011

Mickey was one of the first people I met when I first moved to New Orleans in 1981. He has been a great friend through the years and I will miss his music, smile, hugs, and advice so much. God Bless

Lori DeSalvo

April 26, 2011

Mickey was a gentle soul and so appreciative of any small kindness. I will miss his music and his smile. He is playing with the greats now.

Mary &George Deane

April 25, 2011

Mick was a dear, sweet man, and the world is less colorful without him in it. God speed, Mick - I know you're jamming with the greats, sitting on that plastic crate with a microphone duct-taped to a stand, that old many-stickered guitar, and your trademark cowboy hat with the bandana. Few had your soul, and while earthly riches may have not been showered on you while you were here among us, the stuff you did have you CAN take with you - the only stuff that really counts.

I hope this isn't out of line, but I did make a little video tribute to him - if anyone is interested, paste the following url in your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KwrJSrezgQ

Lee Friedman

April 24, 2011

I am Carey B's sister Amy and Mickey has been part of my family for many years. I have so many Mickey stories that it would fill up a whole newspaper! My fondest memories of Mick are when he and I would sit on the phone and talk for hours about books that he read, that I read and that we had read together. Sometimes we saw eye to eye... sometimes we did not, but that never stopped us! My Mom, Dad, our older sister Peg, me, my husband Nick, and my three kids, Kris, Lindsay and Emily are all going to miss Mickey "Uncle Mickey" but know that he is in a wonderful place and is looking down on all of us. Bless you Mick!

Amy Lorenzo

April 24, 2011

So sorry to hear of the passing of another street musician. I lived in New Orleans for years and am sure I saw and heard Mr. McLaughlin's music. Today the French Quarter are loosing too many musicians who play for the love of it instead of the money. May he rest in peace playing music forever

Dixie Prentice

April 24, 2011

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