Bluegrass banjo player Frank Solivan, Sr. is recovering after being rescued downstream from a small truck he was driving, which was submerged in floodwaters at Lonetree Ranch near Tracy where he lives. The incident occurred in the early morning hours on Monday, January 16. Frank was returning from taking a friend to the airport and was caught in the rising waters on his way home.
He was rescued through the efforts of his neighbor and ranch owner Rhona Cheatwood and the local emergency rescue service. He was taken to San Joaquin General Hospital in French Camp. His friend Sharon Nichols Elliott and his niece Tamzen Smith Millen have been with him at the hospital.
Frank is best known for creating Kids On Bluegrass at the CBA Father’s Day Festival in Grass Valley and for launching the bluegrass career of his son Frank Solivan of Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen fame. He was also a longtime volunteer at the Strawberry Music Festival and started the kids programs at the NCBS Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival and at the Plymouth Bluegrass Festival.
Frank is still hurting, but feeling better as of late Tuesday and hopes to leave the hospital in a few days. A full recovery is expected.
