Paul Hartsfield

Paul B. Hartsfield



Paul B. Hartsfield died on Oct 27, 2023. He had been dealing with rheumatoid arthritis for several years. His medication had allowed him to live a relatively good and active life. But the damage from both the illness and medications ultimately proved too much. Despite his recent illness, Paul had a rich life.

Paul was born in New York City on March 12, 1946. He and his parents, Frank and Gertrude, moved to Phoenix in 1957 when Paul was eleven. It's during Paul's time in Phoenix that his parents impressed upon him the importance of social justice, humor, and the love for music. Living in Phoenix allowed Paul to be active in sports both indoors and outdoors. A year after moving to Phoenix, Paul was a guest on the Lou King Ranger TV show as a Duncan Yo Yo expert demonstrating sophisticated tricks. He appeared alongside the then up and coming singer, a young Wayne Newton. As a teenager Paul played in the Phoenix Tennis Junior League allowing him to travel solo to the west and east coasts riding Greyhound buses to play in tennis tournaments. In the late 1950's, Paul "tuned in and turned on" to rock and roll and then in the early 1960's, it was Frank who introduced Paul to the first Bob Dylan album. From that point on music became a central focus of his life.

Paul graduated from the University of Arizona in 1967 with a degree in Psychology. He then went to the University of California Berkeley's Law school where he completed his JD. Paul was supposed to graduate from Berkeley in the spring of 1970. However, with the Kent State riots, several members of Paul's graduating class, along with Paul, boycotted year-end exams in honor of the students at Kent State. Luckily Paul's exams and graduation were deferred until the winter.

In early 1971 Paul focused his energy and career on music, leaving the practice of law behind. He moved back to Phoenix from Berkeley and opened Space Records, a new and used record store. A year later he closed the store in Phoenix and moved to Albuquerque where he opened Natural Sound, one of Albuquerque's oldest independent record stores. Throughout the years, Natural Sound became a vibrant part of Albuquerque's music community, by introducing anyone who walked through the door to new and old music from multiple genres, seating areas to listen to artists of their choice, and having an incredibly knowledgeable, witty, dynamic, and diversified staff. Along with focusing on Natural Sound and its presence in the music community, Paul expanded his musical horizons by bringing bands to Albuquerque, the Ramones, Richard Thompson, Joe King Carasco, Albert Collins, Kinky Friedman, Romeo Void, and others. He supported and promoted the Breakers (aka Broadway Elks), Crawling Walls, Jet Girls to name only a few, and produced a Rockabilly CD "This is Albuquerque Not Roswell" and the Bayou Seco children's CD "Use It Again". As a drummer, Paul reveled in playing with Sleepless Knights, Frantic Romantic, Six Foot Fender and the Palsce's Drive Bender. After 40 years, Paul closed Natural Sound to the dismay of many, but he was still interested in selling music and he opened a booth at Antiques and Things. He also sold music and books on eBay under the name Desert Lobster.

Paul will be remembered for his love of music, humor, creativity, fairness, and acceptance of all people. He is survived by his wife Shelley Carter and son Javier Hartsfield who keep his memory close. He will be missed by numerous friends who were a vital part of this remarkable and caring man's life. A memorial for Paul will be held in the spring of 2024. For those who wish to make a donation in Paul's memory, please consider Sweet Relief Fund, a not-for-profit organization that supports musicians in need of health care, housing, counseling and transportation. Their website is:

www.sweetrelief.org.