Lorenzo “Logie” Meachum died on Dec. 29. He was a blues musician, storyteller, UNC Greensboro alumnus, community leader, and a former instructor in UNCG’s Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies. A Greensboro native, Meachum helped start the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society and was a recipient of the Keeping Blues Alive Award. He also received the O. Henry Lifetime Achievement Award for his commitment to arts in the Triad. While pursuing graduate work in English at UNCG, Meachum served on the Friends of the UNCG Library board of directors and performed at the annual dinner in 2012.
He was the author of a children’s book, “Great Googley Moogley” and also performed for children in the “Blues in the Schools” program. Among many other works, he produced a full-length CD, “Bump & Logie After Hours.” He performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and in 2007 won the Piedmont Blues Preservation Society’s competition, advancing to the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. Meachum published an essay, “Sweet Magnolia” in the 2015 book “27 Views of Greensboro,” about growing up in the Woodside neighborhood near Guilford College during segregation. He played a key role in recruiting the National Folk Festival to Greensboro 2015-2017.
Meachum is remembered in Greensboro as a generous collaborator, wise community leader, and a captivating musician and storyteller. Sam Pass, the owner of The Historic Magnolia House, where Meachum sometimes performed, called him “one of the gems of the performing arts community in Greensboro.”
Dr. Frank N. Woods shared the following: “For those who knew Logie, you will understand when I say he was an ‘experience.’ Being in his presence immediately energized your soul, uplifted your spirit, and always left you with a smile. One of things that Logie treasured most in life was his connection to the blues. For me, and many others, Logie was a consummate blues musician. He traveled the world blessing listeners with his talent and his desire to keep a vanishing tradition rooted deep in African American culture relevant for younger generations. Our shared love for this music brought us closer together and bonded us as good friends for life. I will always miss Logie, but I realize that my life was rewarded immeasurably just by knowing him. I am sure countless others feel the same way. I believe the best way for us to honor him is to find an old blues recording and play it in his memory. That would put a smile on Logie’s face.”
The memorial service is Saturday, 9-noon, at Guilford College’s Dana Auditorium. The first hour will be a music tribute, honoring his love for music.
Edited/updated 1/9/19.
