HUGH C. MCCRACKEN

I miss you Hugh and all the wonderful times we had together.
You will always have a piece of my heart and a lot of my love. May you rest in eternal peace

Wish I could of met you Hugh..Your cousin Steve was so proud of you..

Dear Holly,
I don't know if you will remember me, Al Lawrence, but I was in your apartment a couple times, once with my daughter Jennifer who I wanted to meet Hugh almost 20 years ago.
I could never forget the day in about 1966, when I had called Charlie Macy to help me on a demo. He couldn't make it but recommended a "new guy" named Hugh McCracken to me. I said yes and that was the first time, but by no means the last, that Hugh did a session for me.
I read another note from Frank Owens' daughter. Frank was probably on that session and Bobby Gregg and Joe Macho.
Shortly thereafter I loaned Hugh some money for a down payment on a Porsche roadster. He paid me back quickly.
I also remember when he discovered Sushi and introduced me to it. I didn't like it.
I also remember when he bought the motorcycle and promptly broke his little finger.
He was the greatest and it never occurred to me that we would lose him. I come to New York a couple times a year to see my daughter Jessica, who had also met Hugh, and always thought about calling you two. I'm afraid I've just learned a sad lesson about keeping in touch with friends.
I'm so sorry for you and the family.

Never got to meet Hugh but i knew his father..Have heard such nice things about him..So sorry to hear about his passing..May he rest in peace..

What sad news! My thoughts are with Holly and both of their families and loved ones. Hugh was a regular fixture at the Metropolitan Café until it closed in 2006, and I thought I'd attach a pic I took from those great years. It's hard to imagine many that have been such a part of so much beautiful music!

Hughie was somebody who had eternal youth as well as great wisdom and humility. I walked a million miles in every one of his smiles. Hugs to all the family and friends!

Although we were neighbors for years and nodded to one another in passing, Holly, I was privileged to meet Hugh professionally on a very few occasions. Having deeply admired his work since I was a schoolgirl, I was struck by his quiet modesty and reserved intelligence. He was a rare musical bird, and I am sure you were so aware of his gifts. Deepest sympathy to you and your family--love, prayers... an impossibly unbearable personal loss; I hope there is some comfort that his music will live forever, and that he will be eternally respected by his peers and generations to come.

My thoughts and prayers are with the McCracken Family. There's another great guitarist in Heaven today! His legacy will live on through his music.

Condolences to the entire McCracken family! I knew Hugh for a long time! Spent many days at Rosebud Recording studio with Hugh and my uncle Ralph MacDonald! God bless Hugh McCracken!!

I had the joy of knowing Hugh and his wonderful talent very well. Twenty-three years ago I worked the front desk for the jingle company Warner-Levinson/SingSong Productions on 68th and Broadway, and he was very much one of our staples. I can barely remember a session where he didn't come in and play. I also had the delight of meeting Holly on a couple of occasions. And one thing I'll never forget was shortly after his granddaughter Victoria was born and he went into the studio to make a song just for her, to the tune of "Sweet Adeline." I even got to mention him fondly in my book about the making of "Godspell" as a film because he did such exquisite work on the soundtrack. May he rest in everlasting peace, and all my sympathies to Holly and the bunch.

As a music fan and as a rock announcer in Nashville in the 70s and 80s, I learned to notice Hugh's name in the album credits, and his tasteful contributions in the grooves. What gifts for our journeys! I offer my sympathies to his family and community.

Dear Holly, children, relatives and close personal friends of Hugh:
I learned of Hugh's passing and illness, simultaneously. I am sorry for your loss. Hugh was a close associate of my father (Frank Owens)also a studio musician, although there is not as much recording in recent years. My memories of Hugh include foremost his loving relationship with you Holly and his infectious smile. (I asked about the two of you all the time Holly.) I never had an opportunity to know the children, but undoubtedly, they are nice the nicest human beings; they would have to be. Like the James Taylor classic reads - "I thought I'd always see you again". Yes, on the other side. Thanks for passing through Hugh McCracken. You played six strings of color, as if they were an extension of your Soul. You painted with sound, so that we might see beauty through your lens. May God be with your family for the difficult days and months ahead.

Deepest condolences to the McCracken family. Hugh was highly respected and admired by session guitarists everywhere, He will be deeply missed but leaves an elegant legacy of unsurpassed talent. May he rest in peace.

Hughs music will stay here forever! its timeless! condolences to his family!

Few moments spent together offered a lifetime of fond memories. To all his family and dear friends....best wishes for fond memories.

Sincere condolences to the McCracken family. Hugh was a boyhood friend, and bandmate in high school. He will be missed.

The world got a little darker when Hugh McCracken left us. I can't find the words to describe how gutted I feel... The only thing that transcended Hughy's incredible talent as a musician, was his warm heart and kind personality. I will never meet a more beautiful man. Hughy taught me so much every time I had the pleasure of working with him. His soft spoken nature was similar to his guitar playing in a way... when he spoke his words carried weight. And when he played, his performances last a lifetime. I will never forget our time together my friend... with love an respect... Rest In Peace Hughy.

McCracken Family, our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We love you all and will keep you in our hearts through this time.

Love "The Caps".

Hughy, You were an all around wonderful spirit. It will shine on. God Speed and I will see again in that Jam Band in the sky.

Leslie & Jenni West

Hugh was a genius at his craft....
He would always enter sessions with a smile that would "light up the room....."
I will miss him dearly.
I'm sure we all will....

One of the greatest studio musicians ever. Dry sense of humor thoughtful and smart, a great friend loving husband, father and a man's man . He is sorely missed. RIP