Leigh Hill, formerly of Felton, a teacher, bluegrass radio host, and a past Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society Board Member & Past President, died on January 20 from the complications of a stroke. He was 75 years old.
Hill was a longtime NCBS/SCBS member and served for several years on the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Society board. He was president in 1990-1991 during a pivotal era of transition in Society leadership and organization. He attended many festivals and concerts and emceed the Santa Cruz Bluegrass Fair at the Duck Pond Stage in San Lorenzo Park for several decades. He also emceed at the Good Old Fashioned Bluegrass Festival during its early years. He was a beloved friend to many in the area bluegrass community.
He was born in Ithaca, NY, grew up in Palo Alto, and was a UC Santa Cruz graduate who taught for many years in Santa Cruz and Monterey area schools. After retirement, he joined other members of his family in Eugene, Oregon.
He was introduced to bluegrass music when he sought to do a folk music show on KUSP community radio in Santa Cruz but was told that the new station needed someone to do a bluegrass music show instead.
To prepare for the program, he carefully researched the early pioneers of bluegrass and thus launched both his love of bluegrass and his new radio show together in 1972. He continued his “Down On The Pataphysical Farm” program until the station closed down in 2016. He then helped launch the new community station KSQD where he continued to do his bluegrass show for several more years.
Leigh Mattsson Hill is survived by his siblings.
Leigh was one of the nicest people I ever met. We naturally became friends at a bluegrass show in the late 70’s and we attended many music events through the years. His KUSP shows were always great. Leigh loved music. It was always fun to hang out with him; I’ll miss him very much.