My friend, Forman, steel buddy. Very emotional video clip

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 19 Apr 2014 11:14 am

I have been wanting to post this for some time. However, everytime I try, the emotions are intense.

Billy Pacheco was not only my best friend but Forman also, and steel buddy who would often curse me for introducing him to the pedal steel. Billy was also a multi intrumentalist and even though hospitalized at Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, he would talk about steel guitar, harp, guitar, etc.

It was my honor to have known him and drive him three times a week to Boston for a year to the various treatments. Although he knew the inevitable, we had many conversations about the pedal steel, music. and comedy. Billy Pacheco passed away February 20, 2010.

The following video took place on the Luikiemia ward at Dana Farber institute and effected my life from that point. It was also my pleasure to know Nancy Kleiman who would play the harp (not harmonica) for hospice patients on the cancer wards. The following is unrehearsed, not scripted but a moment in time that just happened while a video camera was filming.

I know where Billy is and he will never break a third string again.

Len Amaral

https://vimeo.com/4031564

Dickie Whitley · Post by **Dickie Whitley** » 19 Apr 2014 12:02 pm

...just beautiful...

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 19 Apr 2014 12:27 pm

Len we serve and worship an awesome God.
It sure looks to me like Billy found the Lord in time.
Rest in Gods arms.

Hook Moore · Post by **Hook Moore** » 19 Apr 2014 1:52 pm

Lenny, I can sure see why that's hard for you. Our dear friends leave us far to soon..Sorry buddy..

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 19 Apr 2014 7:43 pm

Thanks all for the kind words. Happy Easter

Lenny

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 20 Apr 2014 6:13 am

He is risen!!

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 20 Apr 2014 8:13 am

Beautiful!

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 21 Apr 2014 4:35 am

Touching, Len. Thanks for posting. Sorry about the loss of your friend.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 21 Apr 2014 4:54 am

Thanks Doug & MIKE:

During my conversations with Billy I mentioned that I was thinking about getting into lap steel and I know he would have enjoyed hearing the both of you play.

He was the king of modifications and would make his own guitars, amps and we often did surgery on many items. He also was a great carpenter and tile setter. He did a basket weave tile floor design for my sister that was stunning. Billy was a ball of creativity and as you see in the video, in a very weakened state he still played & sang with feeling. He heard the harpist playing, knew what key she was playing in grabbed a harmonica, walked out of his room and started playing. Whew!

Lenny

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 24 Apr 2014 3:52 am

Wow.. THAT was powerful and simply beautiful...thanks for having the strength to share this Len...

Ron Pruter · Post by **Ron Pruter** » 26 Apr 2014 2:50 pm

Boy!. I bet you this guy could really sing at one time. And now. Very nice.

Andy Volk · Post by **Andy Volk** » 29 Apr 2014 6:40 am

Really touching and beautiful, Len. Thank you for posting and sorry for the loss of your friend.

Dana Farber is one of my video clients and the oncology teams there are truly amazing. For anyone who has interest, here's a program I produced/directed about how they use a team approach in cancer care:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJ3h1tFwUbo

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 Apr 2014 9:12 am

I think you guys will really appreciate this. A good friend, and also a member here, John Soper, is a gynecological oncologist. He belongs to a rock group called N.E.D. (No Evidence of Disease) and all members are GYN-Oncologists.

It really is an amazing story. There is even a movie about them. Check them out: http://www.nedtheband.com/

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 29 Apr 2014 12:19 pm

That was very interesting Mike... I'll send the link to a Dr buddy from Jersey..

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 29 Apr 2014 2:40 pm

The doctors and nurses that work on the oncology wards are made from a different mold. Most people that are in the Hospice organization usually had a relative or friend that witnessed a hospice patient/experience.

From conversations with various people involved at Dana Farber, it became evident
that general practicioners are consrvative in giving pain medication. One hospice worker told me there is a term that is used "Don't chase the pain" and learn where the toleration point is to keep patients comfortable yet aware of their surroundings. A very delicate balance and the hospice people are closely involved with the patients and their families. Can't say enough good things about these people.

Lenny

Tommy Cass · Post by **Tommy Cass** » 30 Apr 2014 5:35 am

Lenny,
Very emotional !! I know you really well and know that you were a true, sincere, friend to him. You will get your reward in Heaven.
Tom

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 30 Apr 2014 10:09 am

Tommy:

Commenting from you and others regarding this topic is heartfelt. Waiting on Harry to have his schedule clear so we can get together.

Regards,

Lenny

Jerry Van Hoose · Post by **Jerry Van Hoose** » 30 Apr 2014 1:59 pm

Len, thank you for sharing that beautiful, heartfelt moment.

Sam White R.I.P. · Post by **Sam White R.I.P.** » 30 Apr 2014 4:26 pm

Hi Len I know how you feel. I had a real good Buddy down in North Carolina when we were living there and his name was ray Walker who built Steel Guitar Road Casses and Walker Seats for Steel Guitars. I had a Steel guitar He built for a friend of his name jack palmer who was originally from Coventry R.I. and Jack and Ray worked for two years building this Steel .Jack did all the machine Shop work on it and Ray did all the Cabinet work on in including the Inlaid.I have a Picture of this Steel as I bought it from Jack and I just sold it about 3 months ago.Ray Passed away while we lived about 12 miles from hiom. He was a good Buddy and I cryed my eyes out when he died with Lung Cancer. Four months before that he went to the hospital and the DR. told him he should have never been able to walk into that hospital as his Main Artery to his heart was completly blocked the blood was just dripping through the Artery.I know how it is to get close to a friend.I feel for you as i feel for my friends also.I will bring the Picture to the RISGA meeting and show you this beauty of a Steel guitar.
Sam White

Laurie Ayres · Post by **Laurie Ayres** » 21 May 2014 11:48 am

This is a very touching video and I'm thankful that you shared it.

I don't get on here very often since I lost Roy but I still like to keep up with things.

I was a Hospice Nurse for 20 years after my first husband died of Lung Cancer.

My daughter started as a RN on the cancer floor, became a floor manager on her shift there and last week just promoted to the Manager Position. She has about 100 people working under her. She is in charge of the entire oncology floor and the out patient chemo lab. also.

There is no other job that is so rewarding but also painful.

Thanks for sharing.
Laurie

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 21 May 2014 12:42 pm

Thank you Laurie for the kind words. Your statement regarding rewarding and painful at the same time is on target. It takes special people to work the oncology wards and Hospice care.

Lenny