As an individual, he was no less impressive. He was a constant giver, especially of his time and influence to help other musicians through his popular radio show or behind the scenes to get them a break, or to promote music and cultural festivals and charities, humbly doing so when, perhaps, he could’ve been helping himself to greater renown. He staged concerts at Virginia’s state parks, its historic theaters and in the neighborhood joints dedicated to authentic music, featuring not only his band but showcasing others, even the combining the old Virginia with the Old World when performing with the Richmond Symphony. He was a Virginia Gentleman.

He meant something to many (witness the reflections in the comments of the article linked above). Even if you never heard of him, you probably heard him, as he was a popular commercial voice talent, and (see below), sang one particularly amazing ad. People will say you couldn’t talk to him for a few minutes before he would expound on the joys and beauty of Virginia and how infectious his love for it was. A personal story: As a young’en, so to speak (not long removed from college), I first heard him and his band Reckless Abandon at a unpretentious, stripped down establishment in an old building, where purveyors of Americana performed. After the show I gathered the nerve to speak to the star. It was as if I made an instant best friend and he invited me to an after party in the same building. A nobody, out of nowhere, suddenly was hobnobbing with the elite of their craft, a who’s who of music talent, just hanging out, a night so memorable I still can’t grasp adequate words to describe it. But the musical prose transcended poetry.

Although I followed him for some time, taking things for granted is a difficult-to-disregard trait — tragically, when people are involved. I only saw him perform sparingly in recent years, thinking, “I can always see Page. Next time.” Now there won’t be.

Two of the last times I can remember seeing him perform, ironically, were at a mutual friend’s mother’s funeral and at a memorial for another music industry figure, and he sang The Lord’s Prayer acappella in a way that would move you to no end. Unfortunately, all things must end. It’s just a shame some do sooner than we’d like.

For a look at this remarkable life, click here to see a story by WTVR/CBS6. Also, WCVE-FM, the home of his “Out O’ the Blue Radio Revue,” posted this audio report.

Words can only convey so much. His music speaks best. Below are two songs for which Page may be best known. Many believe ”Virginia” should be the state song (it opened his weekly radio show). No one loved the Commonwealth more, nor expressed it better, and this song epitomized it. Its lyrics, each phrase plucking at the heart a little stronger than the last, inspire while poignantly longing for Virginia and all its beauty, while maintaining a love for home even in the hereafter — which has come unfairly too soon.

Shed no tears at life’s passing . . . know the best is yet to come. When this earthly ramble is over . . . Virginia, home in my heart always.

Simply amazing.

Update: I found this version of “Virginia” where Page and “the boys” performed before a live audience, likely in the early 1990s.

Page Wilson: Virginian through and through.

In this case, the gentleman anchoring the coverage on Richmond NPR station WCVE-FM, filling time between the end of Governor Tim Kaine’s speech and the the Republican response (see Lynchburg News & Advance, here) by Delegate Dave Albo (R-42, Fairfax) and Senator Steve Newman (R-23, Forest), mentioned the governor’s new position as chairman of the Democrat National Committee.  Then he said:

“It remains to be seen whether the Republicans take advantage of this for their partisan advantage.”

This what the Mainstream Media does: It defines who’s right and just, and who plays negative, regardless of the facts, then puts it all out there as if irrefutable and from on high. In short, it creates stereotypes.

So, in the view of Mr. NPR Local Anchor: He basically dares those mean General Assembly Republicans, who are laying in wait, to pounce on the poor, defenseless governor, who just happened to take one of the most partisan and powerful jobs in the world with access to the DNC’s hundreds of millions of dollars and its D.C. command center — and pound away at him with its vast and endless arsenal from 9th and Broad in Richmond — for nothing but political gain.

Right. That makes sense.

We now return you to NPR’s sleep inducing classical music.