Last night on Reddit, I saw a heartbreaking update shared by Charlie Miller:
“I’m sorry to be posting this but Duncan Oldham was hit by a car after the Phish show and he has died. I watched my best friend die in front of me. I’m at the police station talking to the police about it. I’m devastated.” — Charlie Miller on r/phish
For those unfamiliar, Charlie Miller is a master audio engineer, tape archivist, and legendary taper in the live music community. He is widely considered a national treasure and hero to fan communities like the Grateful Dead and Phish, having spent decades digitizing, transferring, mastering, and preserving thousands of raw live soundboard tapes and audience recordings.
This morning, as I was gearing up for a productive week, I noticed that today’s Catholic Gospel reading is the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37). While I wouldn’t characterize myself as a religious person, I am deeply spiritual, and feel a connection with the universe. My normal morning routine is to make art for about an hour while listening to music, music that usually has been touched by Charlie.
In fact, while creating this piece, I was listening to Charlie’s soundboard remaster of the Grateful Dead’s October 5, 1994 show at The Spectrum in Philadelphia.
Reading the Parable of the Good Samaritan hit home for me this morning. The truth is, Charlie’s work rescued me at a time in my life when I needed it most. So when I saw his post, that little voice inside my heart told me not to pass by someone in pain without reaching out. I couldn't roll into the week without taking a moment to honor the life of Duncan Oldham, pray for my buddy Charlie, and make him some art. My hope is that it brings him a bit of visual joy, much like the endless joy his work brings to my life.
Sending Peace, Love, and Light to my brother Charlie Miller.
