Another early movie of Lee by his brother  / Lee News

"it came from somewhere"

(Please stop the background music on the top right side of Lee's website to play the movie....you can hit your back button to return to this site after viewing video.)

http://www.nothingbutcrap.com/sites/leewelker/video/itcamefromsomewhere.mov

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October 15 & 25, 2005...newspaper memoriams for Lee  / 21st birthday & One Year Memoriams (Greensboro News and Record )

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A memory I had today - Oct. 20, 2005  / Mom

Lee, when your Grandpa Gary died, we were all in so much shock because he died very suddenly.  I wasn't sure you were alright...you were only eight years old.

I remember a moment at the funeral home...your younger cousin, Whitney, was standing all alone in front of your Grandpa's casket.  You saw her there and I watched you walk across the room to be with her.  You put your arm around her...comforting her.  I wish I had a photograph of that moment although I can see the image clearly (still) in my head. I was so proud of you.  You were trying to be strong for your cousin.  Words don't describe how very touching that memory is for me.

I remember many acts of kindness, courage and compassion on your part.  I feel so fortunate to have been a part of your life.  Love you always. Close

Part of a note from Carolyn 2005  / Carolyn Tennant (friend)
...Please know your grief has been shared by so many...Lee remains so much a part of us and will forever...He watches over us all...He is our lighthouse and we love him so much for all that he is.... Close

October 15, 2005  / Mom

My Dearest Lee,  It's almost impossible to believe I've survived a year without you in the world!  So many people are remembering you today...wishing they could open their door and you would be standing there.

This past year has been so hard.  You left us so suddenly.  It felt like all the air was gone from the earth and there was no hope for a future without you.  I wondered why I was left here to suffer your loss.

I've since realized there were many things you hadn't finished and I've tried to contribute to helping you with those.  It helps me to know I can still do things for you that would make you happy.

I've been watching videos of you and they make me laugh and cry.  There are images of you playing T-ball; playing soccer; opening presents at Christmas; riding your bike in the back yard; marching in the 4th of July parade; performing at the talent show at Irving Park; performing onstage at the Blind Tiger; your excitement on Easter;  singing along with Mr. Rogers....and so much more.

I miss you so much and yet I feel like you're always here with me in spirit.  I dream about you sometimes and wake up happy because I've been able to share time with you again. I always hope I will dream of you before I go to sleep.

I love you.  No one can replace you!  You were always so unique and special and will continue to be. That's the truth and I'm not just saying it because I'm your mom.  See you in my dreams, sweetie!
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Lee now listed on Eric's Blues Dates list!  / Lee News

Lee is now listed on Eric's Blues Dates; an international list marking birth dates and death dates of musicians and related fields. 

Eric LeBlanc (from Canada) has been working on these lists for years.  Lee will not officially be on the list permanently until next year but he has been added to the one posted this year to a blues list I belong to. These lists are posted daily to various internet groups for every day of the year.

Lee is listed on Oct. 15 & Oct. 25. By next year, he'll be a permanent part of this list. 
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eRIC's Blues Dates: October 15

Born on this day

ATHAS, ROCKY (g/songw/ARMADILLO REC) b. 1954-1015, DALLAS CO., TX
BAKER, MICKEY (g/MICKEY & SYLVIA) b. 1925-1015, LOUISVILLE, KY
BOZE, CALVIN (tpt/ALADDIN REC) b. 1916-1015, TRINITY CO., TX
COLE, FREDDY (p) b. 1931-1015, CHICAGO, IL
DICKERSON, LANCE (d/CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE) b. 1948-1015, DETROIT, MI
EDMONSON, WILLIAM (bass v/SOUTHERNAIRES) b. 1901-1015, SPOKANE, WA
HUNTER, EVAN (author/BLACKBOARD JUNGLE) b. 1926-1015, NEW YORK, NY
JACKSON, OTIS (v/gospel/PEACOCK/ATLANTIC) b. 1911-1015, COCHRAN, GA
JOHNSON, JOE (lead/THE CBS TRUMPETEERS) b. 1914-1015, NORFOLK, VA
JOHNSON, MARV (v/UNITED ARTISTS REC) b. 1938-1015, DETROIT, MI
JONES, SAM "BIRMINGHAM" (v) b. 1922-1015, WAVERLY, VA
LASLEY, CLYDE "PORKCHOP" (of BEA& BABY REC) b. 1915-1015,                  TN
LENNARD, ERROL L.  (tenor v/RIVILEERS) b. 1936-1015,           ? NY
LUTCHER, NELLIE (p/CAPITOL REC/X1912X1915) b. 1911-1015, LAKE CHARLES, LA
PALMER, TOBY (v/THE CHOSEN GENERATION) b. 1963-1015, FT. WASHINGTON, MA
SMITH, WILFRED JR. (b/JIMMY WITHERSPOON) b. 1916-1015, NEW ORLEANS, LA
SPIVEY, VICTORIA "QUEEN" (p/songw) b. 1906-1015, HOUSTON, TX
TAMARKIN, JEFF (critic) b. 1952-1015, BROOKLYN,        NY
WARD, ROBERT (g/FALCONS/BLACK TOP REC) b. 1938-1015, LUTHERSVILLE, GA
WATSON, JUNIOR (g) b. 1950-1015, VISALIA, CA

Died on this day

BECK, LEON W. (bsax/JOE LUTCHER) d. 1968-1015, LOS ANGELES, CA  56
BROIL, DOROTHY ELLA (p/SMOKEY HOGG) d. 1978-1015, LOS ANGELES CO., CA  62
CANNON, GUS (bjo/JUG STOMPERS) d. 1979-1015, MEMPHIS, TN  96
FRANKLIN, MELVIN B. (v/PLANET PATROL) d. 1996-1015, BOSTON, MA  39
FRIESEN, GORDON (publisher:BROADSIDE MAG) d. 1996-1015, NEW YORK, NY  87
GODIN, DAVE (author/NORTHERN SOUL MUSIC) d. 2004-1015, ROTHERHAM, UK  68
LESTER, BOBBY (co-lead/THE MOONGLOWS) d. 1980-1015, LOUISVILLE, KY  50
LORD INVADER (RUPERT GRANT) (v/songw) d. 1961-1015, NEW YORK, NY  47
PORTER, COLE (songw) d. 1964-1015, SANTA MONICA, CA  73
RAINES, EMBRY (g) d. 1980-1015, UPSON CO., GA  66
STRICKLIN, AL (p/BOB WILLS) d. 1986-1015, CLEBURNE, TX  78
SYLVESTER, HANNAH (v) d. 1973-1015, NEW YORK, NY  73
TYSON, BILL (prod/dj/JIMMY REED) d. 1995-1015, CHICAGO, IL  60
WALKER, FRANK B. (a&r/prod/COLUMBIA REC) d. 1963-1015, LITTLE NECK, LI  73
WELKER, LEE (g/p/hca/vln) d. 2004-1015, GREENSBORO, NC  19

eRIC's Blues Dates: October 25

Born on this day

ANDERSON, ELESTER (g) b. 1925-1025, CONETOE, NC
BASSETT, ARTHUR "RIP" (bjo/MA RAINEY) b. 1903-1025, CHICAGO, IL
DAVIS, DON (g/prod/songw/STAX) b. 1938-1025, DETROIT, MI
DORAINE, PETER (founder: ABBEY/ALLEN REC) b. 1906-1025,              NJ
GOLDEN, QUINN (v/songw/ECKO REC) b. 1954-1025, MEMPHIS, TN
HATCH, PROVINE "LITTLE" JR. (hca) b. 1921-1025, SLEDGE, MS
HEATH, JIMMY (tsax) b. 1926-1025, PHILADELPHIA, PA
HOGAN, CARL (g/LOUIS JORDAN 1945-1947) b. 1921-1025,              GA
JACKSON, CHUBBY (b/DINAH WASHINGTON) b. 1918-1025, NEW YORK, NY
JOYCE, ARTIS"A.J." (b/CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE) b. 1956-1025, SAN JOAQUIN CO., CA
LANG, EDDIE (BLIND WILLIE DUNN) (g) b. 1902-1025, PHILADELPHIA, PA
LAVETTE, BETTY(E) (v/CALLA REC) b. 1946-1025, MUSKEGON, MI
LEDET, ROSIE (acc/songw/zydeco) b. 1971-1025, nEUNICE, LA
LITTLE HATCHET (hca) b. 1921-1025, SLEDGE, MS
MCKAIE, ANDY (prod/MCA/CHESS RECORDS) b. 1946-1025, FLUSHING, NY
MILLET, LI'L (p/SPECIALTY REC) b. 1935-1025, NEW ORLEANS, LA
PALMER, EARL (d) b. 1924-1025, NEW ORLEANS, LA
REEVES, REUBEN (tpt/APOLLO THEATRE) b. 1905-1025, EVANSVILLE, IN
ROBICHEAUX, COCO (g/ORLEANS REC) b. 1947-1025,                LA
TAYLOR, SAM JR. "THE BLUZMAN" (g/songw) b. 1934-1025, CRICHTON, AL
WARD, MICHAEL (d/perc/WALTER WASHINGTON) b. 1953-1025,              LA
WEBB, BRAD (g/BLIND MISSISSIPPI MORRIS) b. 1951-1025, MEMPHIS, TN
WELKER, LEE (g/p/hca/vln) b. 1984-1025, GREENSBORO, NC

Died on this day
                  
BABB, GEORGE H. (gospel v/THE RADIO FOUR) d. 1991-1025, HOPKINSVILLE, KY  68
BROOKS, DON (hca/studio/JOHN HAMMOND) d. 2000-1025, MANHATTAN, NY  53
CARR, BRUNO (d/RAY CHARLES) d. 1993-1025, DENVER, CO  65
DYANI, JOHNNY MBIZO (b) d. 1986-1025, BERLIN, GERMANY  40
GRAHAM, BILL (promoter/FILLMORE) d. 1991-1025, SONOMA CO., CA  60
HOLLEY, MAJOR (b) d. 1990-1025, MAPLEWOOD, NJ  66
JACKSON, WILLIS "GATOR TAIL" (tsax) d. 1987-1025, NEW YORK, NY  59
JONES, TOMMY "MAD DOG" (tsax) d. 1993-1025, CHICAGO, IL  71
RICHARDSON, JOHNNIE LOUISE (v/JOHNNIE&JOE) d. 1988-1025, NEW YORK, NY  43
ROBINSON, IKEY "BANJO" (bjo/g) d. 1990-1025, CHICAGO, IL  86
SCOTT, DANIEL JR. (of SLIM & SUPREME ANGELS) d. 1991-1025, LAS VEGAS, NV  --
STOOP, FRED "DIME STORE" (hca) d. 1994-1025, CHICAGO, IL  43
SYLVIA, MARGO (lead/TUNE WEAVERS) d. 1991-1025, SAN DIEGO, CA  55
WILLS, JOHNNY LEE (v/BOB WILLS) d. 1984-1025, TULSA, OK  72


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You Will Always Breathe  / Jimmie (Rae) (Brother)

I can feel the energy
Pouring off your soul
With every word that you sing to me
I just seem to know

That you will always breathe
You will always breathe

You're not gone, your voice remains
And is etched in every song
And it fills my lungs with deep breaths of hope
To know that you will live on

You will always breathe
You will always breathe

I can feel the energy
Pouring off your soul

- "you will always breathe"
- by Nothing But Crap
- http://nothingbutcrap.com

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Lee inscribed paver to be at Camberly's Garden  / Lee News

A donation has been made for a paver with inscription for Lee in Camberly's Garden; a section of the Bicentennial Garden in Greenboro, NC, that was established two years ago.  Camberly, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Greensboro Mayor Keith Holliday was an accomplished musician and danced with the Greensboro Ballet. 

In 2002 she died suddenly of an aneurysm. Friends developed Camberly's Garden as a healing place.   Brick pavers are sold there in memory of children whose lives are shortened due to accident or illness.

It will take couple of months for Lee's paver to be in place but it will be announced on this website when it is there. 

"To memorialize their friend, and all other children in the Greensboro area who died in their youth, Girl Scout Troop #859  (Camberly's Troop) decided to plan and build a memorial called “Camberly’s Garden.” Troop members and leaders solicited contributions to a fund they established at the Community Foundation of Greater Greensboro to finance the park. Their efforts raised more than $6,500 to purchase materials. They also solicited in-kind donations from area businesses, and received paving bricks, plants, flowers, benches and other materials.

Local sculptor Jim Gallucci provided the centerpiece of the garden, a sculpture of a piano bench and music stand at-cost to the Troop."


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Lee Welker  / Jack Nugent (Lee Welker Scholarship )

I didn't know Lee, but I know his music and from what I've heard he was a great guy.  I wish I could have known him, but I am proud to be the recipient of his scholarship.

(Note: School Year 2005/2006) Close

The first student to receive a scholarship from Lee's fund!  / Lee News

Jack Nugent received the first scholarship from The Lee Welker Memorial Annual Music Scholarship.  I met him today (Oct. 1, 2005) at the Scholarship Donor Dinner at Appalachian in Boone, NC and spent some time with him afterwards.  He's very talented!  You'll hear more about Jack on this website!  Jack plays classical and rock...and is a freshman at App.  His favorite band is Led Zeppelin.  By the way, Jack LOVES blues music!

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Tropical Storm Lee - August 31, 2005  / Lee News
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Lee's Obituary  / Gaile (Lee's mom )
Following is part of Lee's obituary. Lee's mother wrote it for Lee's hometown newspaper.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Eric "Lee" Welker Jr., 19 ... died Friday, Oct. 15, 2004, in Greensboro.

The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today at Forbis & Dick North Elm Street Funeral Home.

Lee was a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, where he was studying music. A music student from the age of 4, he played piano, violin, harmonica and acoustic, bass and electric guitar [and any other instruments he decided he would learn to play....he was very musically gifted].

Lee began college at GTCC at the age of 16, while he was a home-schooler. He graduated from high school in December, 2002 and began attending Appalachian in January, 2003.

While still in middle school, Lee won first prize in the Barnes & Noble Guilford County-wide poetry contest. The theme of the contest was "If I Could Change The World". Lee changed the world of everyone he knew with his loving and kind personality.

He appeared on numerous local television shows, and, along with his best friend, Ben Crissman, appeared in the NC Public Television film, "The Birds for Christmas."

Lee was a favorite at the Music Maker Relief Foundation Christmas and New Year parties, where he jammed with such accomplished performers as Carl Rutherford, Capt. Luke, Macavine Hayes, Willa Mae Buckner, Timothy Duffy, Drink Small and International Blues Talent Show winner, Abe Reid. He first appeared on stage playing rhythm guitar at the age of 13 with the band Soul Glo.

After completing over 1500 hours of volunteer work at the Natural Science Center in Greensboro, Lee received a gold Presidential Award from President Clinton....
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Lee Is Everywhere  / Melissa Smith (Another grieving Mom )

I'm Everywhere

Please don't mourn for me I'm still here,
though you don't see I'm right by your
side each night and day
And within your heart I long to stay
My body is gone but I'm always near
I'm everything you feel, see or hear
My spirit is free, but I'll never depart
As long as you keep me alive in your heart
I'll never wander out of your sight
I'm the brightest star on a summer night
I'll never be beyond your reach
I'm the warm moist sand when you're at the beach
I'm the colorful leaves when fall comes around
And the pure white snow that blankets the ground
I'm the beautiful flowers of which you're so fond
The clear cool water in a quiet pond
I'm the first bright blossom you'll see in spring
The first warm raindrop that April will bring
I'm the first ray of light when the sun starts to shine
And you'll see that the face in the moon is mine
When you start thinking there's no one to love you
You can talk to me through the Lord above you
I'll whisper my answer through the leaves on the trees
And you'll feel my presence in the soft summer breeze
I'm the hot salty tears that flow when you weep
And the beautiful dreams that come while you sleep
I'm the smile you see on a baby's face
Just look for me, I'm everyplace...

May God Bless You!
http://blakemoore.memory-of.com

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And so it is ...  / Poem

And so it is
That now I've learned
It's possible to laugh
With a lump in your throat
And tears can be hidden
If you really try
And the roles we people play
Would earn more Academy Awards
Than the screen ever knew

-Javan

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Note for Lee  / Found On One of Lee's Message Boards on Web
Posted: Sunday 10/17/2004 0:14:52am

I never got to say sorry. We never got to hang out again. I never got to tell you that you really do rock. This place in my heart that you own that's trying to rip itself out is trying to kill me, and right now I wouldn't mind being dead.

The s**t that goes on in this world makes me want to puke my soul out and give it back. -Something you'll never get to read, something that probably won't make a difference now. What's the use?

God! Oh, God! I wish, oh how I wish, with all the " what if's" and " maybe if's"... what door will open when the door that closed on you took you with it? We're all just us- special, unique- with our own lives and spirits, souls. You don't have a replacement, because you're you, not he's you or she's you or you're them. You're you. Damned if you're not coming back!

I hope you're in a better place. I don't know where you went. I'd like to think it's where you're strong and healthy, unfazed by anything. Safe and comfortable, not worrisome and alone, like here.

I wish you knew who would live to have you back right now. You have no idea. We don't know who we have until they're gone. It's true. What a pity. Maybe days would go by even quicker, but go also go by better. Maybe time would be hated and less and less people would procrastinate. Maybe, maybe, just maybe... menial things would become important things and important things would become menial. Dinner with mom would replace staying longer at work, and catfight over shoes would be replaced by listening to your bestfriend cry about her ex. I don't know.

Your presence has left a bittersweet photo album in my heart. Everytime I open it, you're beautiful and stupid and bitchy and hilarious. You're stingy and sweet and pouty and scoffing at the world's ridiculousness. Your fun factor is underrated and your energy is ambiguous. The album's not empty; it's full. That's where the heartbreak begins, because you're missing. Missing in action.

I hope to meet you again. Meet you and tell you everything you missed. Hear you tell me all about your life and everything I missed for the years we hadn't seen each other. I want you to tell me how ridiculous I am and how totally absurd all our conversations are and that it's a waste of time to talk about this s**t and walk off, and then come back. And then make me go home. And then later coerce me into coming over again. Whatever. Anything. As long as you're around again. I would waste my time all over again.

I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. You'd be abashed if you knew. Like, "whoa". God, I'm sorry, Lee. I should be apologizing to everyone. Everyone I don't take the time out to know, to listen to. People don't stick around and wait. Everybody dies someday, and time waits for no one. But, like I said earlier, I would hopefully like to hang out again, if you'll still take me up on my offer. I'd really like that. We'd all like that. Love you, babe. D Close

Lee's Wish List  / At Age 13
1. I wish I could go to Manchester, England to see the bar that Liam from Oasis got kicked out of.  They have a big sign that reads "Liam Gallanger banned from this pub."  I really want to see this.
2. I wish I was old enough to drive a car.
3. I wish I had my own phone in my room.
4. I wish my mom would let me go more places.
5. I'd like to stay up later at night.
6. I wish my allowance was bigger.
7. I'd like to paint my room black but my mom won't let me.
8. I wish I had a computer in my room.
9. My mom doesn't like me to hang out at the mall with my friends but I don't see anything wrong with it.
10. I wish I could see my brothers more.
11. I wish the world was perfect. Close