Sad news from the Crescent City…  Former WMV resident Will Sibbald has died. Will, and his partner Lee Brown, were enthusiastic and strong supporters of many of our most beloved local traditions and institutions including the library, the bluegrass festival, Beckwith Ranch and KLZR 91.7 FM among others. Will was a huge part of launching our fledging radio station and keeping it going by contributing both time and money. He spent countless hours loading music into our original music library and carefully curating music shows in all genres by finding tracks that were beautiful, surprising and sometimes provocative. Will told us that helping the radio station grow and manage it’s music collection was his “dream job.” He even got custom vanity license plates sporting the station’s call letters.

His support continued well after he and Lee moved to New Orleans.  One day he sent us a note saying he had 120 CDs in his cart – should he pull the trigger for the KLZR library?  He was generous that way. He stayed connected to his beloved Valley through the station and relationships with his friends here. He was always delighted to have Valley folks visit him in NOLA or Asheville, NC – showing them all his favorite eateries and other fun venues. And often sent surprise but somehow totally appropriate sweet treats to brighten up someone’s day.

We already missed his crazy dancing in the back of the big tent during the bluegrass festival and his informed opinions about music. Now we will miss knowing that he was listening and thinking about us from afar. Will Sibbald your legacy will dance through the airwaves here in the Wet Mountain Valley, stream around the world and ride on the radiowaves that echo among the stars. Thank you for loving KLZR and the Wet Mountain Valley, you made our community better for everyone.