Words are always difficult
following the loss of a close friend. But when a music-making duo –
known locally as “Avalanche” – recently lost musician Charlie Prazma
to a sudden heart attack, the other half of Avalanche, Dennis
O’Brien, lost more than a friend; “close” in this case included
thirty-plus years of sharing a stage and making audiences smile as
they watched the pair perform on untold occasions and at numerous
venues around the Fox Valley and beyond, underscoring the love for
singing and playing guitar the two great talents shared. And a whole
lot more… Dennis graciously agreed to allow us to share with you the
eulogy he presented at Charlie’s funeral. I think it describes well
the reasons why Charlie’s presence – and his music – will be sorely
missed. Richard Ross
Thank you so much...to
my friends and family for the continuous outpouring of love
and support for me as it relates to the passing of my wonderful friend Charlie Prazma. Please indulge me while I share with you our relationship.
Charlie was my musical partner for over 30 years. We met in 1980 while
performing the musical “Hair”….I was in the cast and he was in the band. We soon
learned that we were both out performing in some of the same clubs...And a few
weeks later, I decided to go out and hear Charlie…. While there, he invited me
to sit in with him. He asked me if I knew any of the Loggins and Messina
songs…..I told him I did, and after a quick discussion of who was going to sing
what parts, we proceeded to play what has since become known (in our circles) as
the Loggins and Messina medley. After we finished, Charlie looked at me and
said, “We have got to start singing together”. And that is when the magic
began….
Over the years, we performed songs written by other artists while creating our
own meaningful arrangements that apparently (and sometimes profoundly) moved the
people that came out to hear us. All I can say is that when we played together,
it was simply magical. It was natural...and easy and It was a very successful
relationship on many levels.
It was such a blast to play with Charlie…We were extremely relaxed performing
together on stage and could play 40-50 songs a night without referencing a set
list….we simply would look at one another and often times know exactly what song
to play next…..and then just smile at one another…Our banter between songs
became endearing to the audience. We had so much fun together...and loved to
make fun of ourselves. When we began to lose our hair, the appropriate joke was
that we were putting a new tribute band together….and we were going to be named
“The Bald Eagles”.We recently seriously considered changing the name of our band from “Avalanche”
(which we never really liked) to “Assisted Living”. We thought that was
hysterical!
In recent years we had the opportunity to work with some of the very artists
that we grew up idolizing. While working with the band “America”, we had the
pleasure of spending about a half hour back stage with them and Charlie (of
course) had Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley in stitches laughing at Charlie's
jokes. When we worked recently with Kenny Loggins, Charlie again was able to
have a meaningful discussion not only with Kenny’s band, but was able to banter
back and forth with Kenny as well. Apparently it was so hot on stage during our
warm up that Kenny asked Charlie if he should wear a
vest over his long sleeved shirt. Charlie replied, “Kenny….if I were you I would
wear some sandals, shorts, and a just a Dago-T on
top”…Kenny thought that was hilarious.
Charlie had the ability to engage in conversation with anyone, anywhere at
anytime. He had an uncanny knack to be able to draw people into a meaningful
discussion; leaving them with the thought of his wonderful sense of humor and
intelligence. And always at some point he would throw in a joke….or two….or
three….that would literally have everyone roaring with laughter. He was the best
joke teller I have EVER heard!
Charlie taught me many things over the years. Musically, he taught me how to
appreciate what was not being played; that the space between the notes was as
powerful a force as the music itself. He also taught me that breaking a song
down to its simplest form was the ultimate way to create an impact, and the
respect gained from a meaningful arrangement far out-weighed the
applause….always.
What I took from Charlie that was most profound, was his simplicity, the same
simplicity he strived for in every area of his life. I will miss him...our
conversations regarding family and how proud he was of his children Michael and
Lisa and his wife Carol. I will miss his music and his humor that made me “belly
laugh”.
Charlie’s reflection on life was pure and natural. He was so many things to me:
He was my partner, he was my teacher, he was my brother (like I need another
brother), and he was my best friend…
Charlie and I knew that this awesome journey we had been on together for the
past 30 years was reaching it’s end….but we also realized that we had
just...hit...our sweet spot. We figured that we probably had played over 450
gigs together in just the last three years...and we had never sounded better.
NEVER!... I know we had a few good years left in us and selfishly speaking, I
was not ready for this magic to end.
The sense of loss is enormous when someone who has been such a huge part of your
life for such a long of time is no longer by your side. My hope for all of us is
to find comfort in knowing that we have a new guardian angel...and by
remembering the fine things that we shared with Charlie.
When I grow up…..I want to be just…..like…..Charlie.
Thanks for the great ride everyone….You were a huge part of our joy together.
Charlie was my musical partner for over 30 years. We met in 1980 while
performing the musical “Hair”….I was in the cast and he was in the band. We soon
learned that we were both out performing in some of the same clubs...And a few
weeks later, I decided to go out and hear Charlie…. While there, he invited me
to sit in with him. He asked me if I knew any of the Loggins and Messina
songs…..I told him I did, and after a quick discussion of who was going to sing
what parts, we proceeded to play what has since become known (in our circles) as
the Loggins and Messina medley. After we finished, Charlie looked at me and
said, “We have got to start singing together”. And that is when the magic
began….
It was such a blast to play with Charlie…We were extremely relaxed performing
together on stage and could play 40-50 songs a night without referencing a set
list….we simply would look at one another and often times know exactly what song
to play next…..and then just smile at one another…
In recent years we had the opportunity to work with some of the very artists
that we grew up idolizing. While working with the band “America”, we had the
pleasure of spending about a half hour back stage with them and Charlie (of
course) had Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley in stitches laughing at Charlie
