Sadly, late in the summer of 2001, V-Keith of Corbin Kentucky passed away after a motorcycle accident. I had the honest pleasure of meeting Keith on one of the V.B.M.O.'s annual Oz runs to Independence Kansas in June of '99. A giant of a man both in stature and spirit, he was the real deal, loyal to his brothers and sisters of the V.B.M.O., and a fellow rider of the road. Few knew he was also an accomplished painter and singer, the man was humble, but was quick to share a joke or entertain with one of his songs. Below you'll find a poem written by one of his V.B.M.O. brothers.
For Keith
I hung
my head low late last nite
and wept but had no tears
the bitterness of premature death
has hounded me for years
Mountain man where are ya
I called to you last nite
I called your name into the air
I strained for one last site
you left us way to soon it seems
did you finish the job
fullfill your dreams
look down upon us kindly
we need to no yer there
for the goodness that escapes us
your memory we share
Riding hard on moutain roads
foreboding intimidating look
most just knew the cover
a handful knew the book
we lost our gentle giant
things will never be the same
take a moment, think of him
and speak aloud his name
author: Sludge
