What I Worry About / List By Lee - Age 13 1. I worry about being grounded. 2. Bad grades 3. UFOs 4. The world ending 5. South Park getting cancelled 6. X-files getting cancelled 7. getting my hands cut off so I can't play guitar 8. getting up too early 9. Publisher Sweepstakes 10. My stereo breaking 11. My Oasis cd being broke 12. not having a car 13. breaking my guitar
I read this poem today... / Poem ...and it helped me. Maybe it will help those of you who miss Lee, too.
Joy is not a treasure you can lose. Unless you will not, you will be consoled. Linger with me long as you may choose. In music as in life no joy is cold. Undo, then, the tight corset of your grief So that you might enjoy the moment's keening. Give ear to music, eloquent though brief, Restoring to the miracle its meaning. Of all we think and feel and say and do, So little, really, must be bound by time. Still palpable, I'm here with all of you, Musical as ever in this rhyme. All I was, I am, and yet will be, No less in love, although in memory.
Copyright by Nicholas Gordon
September 15, 2005 / Gaile
It's almost a year now since you left us, Lee. Hard to believe. I've been watching videos of you growing up and find myself smiling a lot while watching them. Your personality shines through on every image! Thank you for all the wonderful memories. Love you always. -Mom
NC Eye Bank - The 2004 Faces of Donation / Lee News
"The North Carolina Eye Bank takes great pride in our ability to share the gift of sight with thousands of people every year through corneal transplant, research and education. This gift does not come without a price. We must remember that for each grateful recipient of a transplanted cornea or medical breakthrough achieved, there is a family who is struggling with the loss of a loved one. These are the stories and remembrances of their family members — the faces of donation." (see website link below)
(A mistake was made in the text on the website. Lee graduated from high school in Dec. 2002)
Student Memorial at Appalachian - Sept. 17 / Lee News Read >>
Student Memorial at Appalachian - Sept. 17 / Lee News
A memorial service will be held for all the students who have died while attending Appalachian on Sept. 17 (2005) at 11:30 a.m. in the lobby of the B.B. Dougherty Administration Building at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Dean of Students, Susie Greene, will read the remembrances of Lee. Close
Lee's CDs for sale / Lee News Lee's CDS are now on sale. All proceeds go to the Lee Welker Memorial Annual Music Scholarship at Appalachian State University.
The two CDs are "watching the sounds" and "a kid named lee"
The Journey of Lee's Spirit / Lee News "THE JOURNEY OF LEE'S SPIRIT" - for upcoming website and news of book about "The Journey of Lee's Spirit," watch this site. To see a quicktime movie of Carolyn Tennant's release of Lee's spirit in Ithaca, NY, go to:
Please stop the background music in upper right corner box on this page in order to watch this movie.Close
Lee's first musical influences / Gaile (Lee's mom )Read >>
Lee's first musical influences / Gaile (Lee's mom ) Lee's first musical influences were the Beatles and Mr. Rogers! He used the whole five dollars (!) from the tooth fairy when he lost his very first tooth to buy a Beatles poster for his room.
Lee continued to always love the Beatles, and when he was ten, he added Nirvana as another top favorite band. He was devastated when Kurt Cobain left us and Lee was still writing about that time period in the last months of his life. He obviously felt much compassion for Kurt and his pain. We all mourn for Lee...and for Kurt, John Lennon, George Harrison...and have compassion for anyone who has lost someone they love. Close
Mostly, I would like to be remembered As someone who was passionate for life. The days of unsought ecstasies are numbered, However long we linger in the light. I was one who cultivated wonder, Less of one contented to explain. Delighted by the promises of hunger, Enduring for their joy the years of pain. Gifts I had aplenty: Some I savored, Others sacrificed for others' needs. Remember me as someone who was favored, Despite constraints, to tumble in the leads, Ocean to what winds I could not be, Nightrider through what worlds I could not see.
Appalachian Alumni Association "What's Happening" Blog - June 30, 2005 / Lee News Read >>
Appalachian Alumni Association "What's Happening" Blog - June 30, 2005 / Lee News
Appalachian Alumni Association "What's Happening" Blog - June 30, 2005
A MOTHER'S LOVE: Last fall the Appalachian family mourned the death of student Lee Welker. His mother, Gaile, is still mourning. She can't talk about his death, but enjoys discussing his life. Her love has spurred her to create a special scholarship at Appalachian in her son's name:
Music was Lee's passion, one he shared with his entire family.
"Everyone played dulcimer in our family," Welker says. "It bonded us together."
Lee grew up steeped in music. He got his first piano when he was just a year old and started music lessons at age 4. Lee went on to become good at a host of instruments: piano, violin, harmonica and acoustic, bass and electric guitar. ...
Before his death, Lee was studying music at Appalachian State University and writing a lot of music. He worked so hard at his craft that Welker sometimes would find her son sleeping with his guitar. ... Welker recently established a music scholarship at Appalachian State University in Lee's name, to help kids who share her son's passion and dreams.
"I want to try to help some other kids have a future - help them financially," she says.
GoTraid.com spoke with Gaile and printed her comments prior to a benefit concert last weekend. You can read the story here. She also has a website in memory of her son, which features his music for sale on two CDs. All proceeds go to the Lee Welker Memorial Annual Music Scholarship at Appalachian State University.
Article including Lee - Yes! Weekly / Lee News Read >>
Article including Lee - Yes! Weekly / Lee News
Chris Roulhac sends love across the airways
by Brian Clarey/Editor/ Yes! Weekly
The studio of WQFS, Guilford College’s radio station at 90.9 on the FM dial, lies at the end of a labrynthine hallway on the second floor of Founders Hall next to a seldom-used elevator and a men’s room with the door propped open. Chris Roulhac’s name is misspelled on the station’s 2005 summer schedule thumbtacked to a bulletin board on the wall, even though she’ll celebrate her sixth anniversary as a community DJ and host of “The North Carolina Music Show” (Wednesdays from noon until 2 p.m.) this week, but she’s a pretty cool chick and she lets it slide.
She’s plugging a benefit on the air today, devoting in fact her entire show to the story of Lee Welker, a teenage guitar prodigy from Greensboro who was taken from this world too soon. The benefit at the Blind Tiger will include a host of local bands like Lube, Marcus & the Mantras and Blue Bambooza and the proceeds will go to a scholarship fund begun in the boy’s name by his mother.
“I’m gonna start off the next set with an original tune by Lee Welker,” she breathes into the mic in her soft drawl and then hits the switch on “Starlight Breaks,” a gentle instrumental on acoustic guitar, before filling out the information on her playlist.
It’s freezing in here, a measure to protect the transmitter and rows of shelved vinyl against warpage, and Chris wears a red hoodie sweatshirt while she sits at the soundboard.
“I could play anything I want,” she says while the tune spins away, “but I feel grateful for the opportunity to help people. I think helping people is the most important thing you can do.”
She’s known around town as a champion of causes major and minor. She’s the first to publicize benefits on her show, and she’s the type who actually shows up at the events as well. And her philanthropy spreads from her radio show into other projects. Just this year Roulhac organized a Triad-wide benefit for the tsunami in Asia, an effort that comprised 62 bands at 11 venues in three cities.
The benefit raised more than $8,000, she says, “and it snowed that day.”
Roulhac supports a community that once gave her a shoulder to lean on, when her grief seemed insurmountable and her burden too heavy to bear.
“I’m a widow. I don’t know if you knew that,” she says in the studio, its walls busy with graffitoed ink drawings, pencil sketches, carvings, Magic Marker rantings and juvenile caricature. She lost her husband suddenly almost five years ago and was left to face the world with her son Will, then five years old.
“I know it sounds kind of sappy,” she says, “but when my husband died, having this show, being tied to this… well… the music is healing.”
Now she fingers through a collection of CDs she’s brought with her in a case.
“What’s next… I think I’ll go with some Marcus,” and she pulls out the latest recording from Marcus & the Mantras, a four-piece outfit with a high profile on the NC bar circuit. While she’s queuing the cut an overhead light strobes, signaling a caller. She answers the phone and recognizes the voice right off.
“How’s it goin’, how’s it goin’?… Oh cool… I hear you… well bless your heart, I was worried about that…so do you have any shows? A tiki party? Hmmm.”
It’s local musician Bob Sykes from the Revelators, among other bands, and he’s got some news about another benefit, this one for bassist Chris Carroll held at the Tiger a few days prior and where Roulhac worked the donation booth for most of the early evening.
“Chris was in the hospital for three weeks,” she says. “Can you imagine?”
And the show goes on, with heartfelt love going out over the airways for local artists and anyone who needs someone to lean on.
“Lee Welker died when he was just nineteen years old,” she says on the air. After she’s turned down the mic she says, “Can you imagine losing a child?”
The show was originally offered to her husband when WQFS was looking for community DJs in 1999.
“I said, ‘I kinda would like to have a little radio show,’” she recalls. “So I ended up doing it and it has definitely been one of the highlights of my entire life.” She fills out her playlist and shuffles a few CDs around on the desktop.
“You know I’m really shy,” she continues. “Who would have ever imagined I would do this?” WQFS DJ Chris Roulhac has spearheaded many a Greensboro benefit. (photos Brian Clarey) “The North Carolina Music Show” airs on 90.9 WQFS on Wednesdays at noon.
GREENSBORO — Gaile Welker cries every day. Instead of greeting each new day with joy, Welker wakes up to a nightmare that never really ends.
It all started Oct. 15, the day her 19-year-son, Lee, died. Since then, she has never been the same. People have told her to move on. But she can't take that advice. She sees it as an insult to the indelible mark her son's life and death has made on her.
"You never get over it," she says with a sad sigh. "You just learn to live around it, and there is no getting back to normal — you always miss them."
Lee died because of a longtime heart complication undetected by doctors. But Welker is reluctant to talk about her son's death. She prefers to talk about the things Lee loved, such as art, film and music. That's why she decided to hold a benefit Sunday at The Blind Tiger to raise money for a scholarship in his name and to play the music he loved so much.
Music was Lee's passion, one he shared with his entire family.
"Everyone played dulcimer in our family," Welker says. "It bonded us together."
Lee grew up steeped in music. He got his first piano when he was just a year old and started music lessons at age 4. Lee went on to become good at a host of instruments: piano, violin, harmonica and acoustic, bass and electric guitar.
Welker says that her son also spent a lot of time helping her produce her local cable blues show on GCTV, and through that show, he became pretty close with the artists involved with Tim Duffy's Music Maker Foundation, a nonprofit in Hillsborough that helps elderly blues musicians.
One of Lee's most treasured possessions was a guitar given to him by North Carolina blues artist Willa Mae Buckner. "Lee was simply born to be a musician," Welker says.
Before his death, Lee was studying music at Appalachian State University and writing a lot of music. He worked so hard at his craft that Welker sometimes would find her son sleeping with his guitar.
Welker always thought her son was special. She also knew he was always in a hurry. In fact, Lee was almost born in the lobby of the hospital. But she also had a feeling, deep down, that her son was not too long for this world.
"People have told me that for some reason I always seemed scared for him and was overly protective of him," she says. "My oldest son never understood it —but I think Lee knew it. His whole life, he was in a real hurry — to learn things, to create things, to leave something."
These days Welker works tirelessly to keep her son's memory alive. Her Web site overflows with love and fond memories. You'll find audio of Lee's original songs — he had completed his first CD, "Watching the Sounds," right before he died — as well as videos, stories and pictures, from his first drink from a baby bottle to playing onstage with Statesville bluesman Abe Reid.
Welker recently established a music scholarship at Appalachian State University in Lee's name, to help kids who share her son's passion and dreams.
"I want to try to help some other kids have a future — help them financially," she says.
Do you want to be a part of that? Here's how. On Sunday afternoon, musical folks in our community will get together to share stories and the music of young Lee Welker at The Blind Tiger and raise money for Lee's music scholarship at ASU.
So go. Remember Lee. Dive into his memory and revel in the gifts he brought to us. Donate some cash and have a good time.
Lee would have seriously dug that.
Allison King, a local award-singing singer, has covered the Triad's music scene for 11 years for various publiciations. Go!See!Do! Benefit for Lee Welker When: 4 p.m. Sunday [June 26, 2005] Where: The Blind Tiger, 2115 Walker Ave., Greensboro Cost: $5 Information: 272-9888 Etc.: Bands slated to appear include Abe Reid and The Spike Drivers, Sky Kings, Ladies Auxiliary. Doors open at 4 p.m. Bands start at 6 p.m. Gaile Welker's Web site is http://lee-welker.memory-of.com. Her eldest son also has a Web site dedicated to his brother's memory, www.leewelker.com.
Love always... / Terri McLees (second mom )
I loved all your humor and your musical talent. You will always be loved and missed more than you will ever know. So sad without you here with us. Close
When Lee was ten years old, his favorite band was Nirvana. Not long before Kurt Cobain died, Lee's dad lost his best friend to the same exact type of death.
When Kurt left us, Lee was so moved by both circumstances, he was still writing about those times in the months before his death. Here are part of some words Lee wrote when he was 19:
"I was ten years old when I first saw my dad cry I didn't understand and I kept asking why And then I found out that his best friend died No...it wasn't f**king cancer Tommy committed suicide.
And then in the footprints of my dad's best friend, The only hero I'd ever known put his life to an end...."
Lee goes on to say, at the end, how he didn't think people should commit suicide. Some people choose to leave us and I guess some people are chosen to leave us. However it happens, it's never easy for the many people who love them. Close
Tribute from bluesman Little Pink Anderson / Alvin "Little Pink" Anderson Read >>
Tribute from bluesman Little Pink Anderson / Alvin "Little Pink" Anderson
A few years ago I met Lee. I am Little Pink Anderson, blues performer.
Lee was a real serious music fan then. Along with his mother we walked the grounds of Merlefest taking in all the entertainers. I noticed that Lee paid more attention to the music and musicians than the conversation we were having. His interest in the music surprised me because ,after all, he was a teenager listening to old style music.
The more he and I had a chance to talk, the more respect I gained for this young man. I later learned that he was also a musician himself which told me that he had a gift that would some day put him on stage.
Well God called him. I can't help but wonder why? I mean today this world needs people like Lee. Our future is our children and one of the best of his generation has been taken from us.
To his Family and friends I say don't grieve to long. Lee was a happy person and I truly believe he would want the people whom he loved the most to carry on in life as he looks down on you with that one of a kind smile.
Be thankful for the time Lee was with us and look forward to the time when you will see him again. Remember as long as there is a memory your loved one is only a thought away. And in thought you can find the love and comfort you need to be strong.
I lost my mother when I was only six years of age. I lost my son when he was six years of age. I 've found that memory keeps a lost one alive and faith provides something to hold onto.
Ask not why just...be thankful that we were fortunate enough to be blessed to have someone like Lee In our lives. I feel blessed for having him touch a portion of my life. May he rest and be at peace with the Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit.
NOTE: 11/23/2005 - Little Pink Anderson had re-located to San Diego after playing at a festival there. He then went to Italy on tour a couple or months or so ago and returned to San Diego. After his return, he suffered a stroke. He has moved back to his hometown in S.C. and, although he's lost a lot of weight, he is out and about; just played a gig a week or so ago.
NOTE: 12/1/2007 - Little Pink Anderson has been living in South Dakota for a while now. He gives guitar lessons and plays gigs once in a while. He's hoping to go out on the road before too long. Close
From Aunt Gariann / Gariann (Aunt)
When Lee was born Gaile and Eric were so happy. Gaile never let Lee out of her sight. She was such a good momma ...And Lee grew up to be the best kid ever. Love you Lee and I will miss you. Aunt Gariann
From Aunt Robin / Yvonne Robin Cross (Aunt)Read >>
From Aunt Robin / Yvonne Robin Cross (Aunt)
If I could have a lifetime wish, A dream that would come true. I'd pray to God with all my heart For yesterday and you. A thousand words cannot bring you back I know because I tried... Neither will a thousand tears I know because I cried.
From a letter to Lee's mother / Katherine Bassler (friend)Read >>
From a letter to Lee's mother / Katherine Bassler (friend)
...I met Lee when I was 16 and he was 13, and in the seven years I knew him, he touched my life more than words ever could describe. He was sensitive, generous, intelligent, and talented beyond belief. I think that anyone who met him, whether they experienced his presence briefly or for an extended period of time, walked away with wonderful memories and new ideas. That's how influential your son was in everything he applied himself to.
If I recall correctly, you didn't like the idea of us dating when I was in my Freshman year at UNC-G. I was content just to have him in my life. I will look back on every moment I spent with him and smile, simply because he was there for me, and he was who he was. Thank you for raising such a beautiful person....
Tributes and Condolences
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