I first met Denny Clifford nearly 50 years ago.  At that time he was already a highly skilled musician, at ease with most stringed instruments.  We became friends through playing together and remained more or less in touch through the ensuing years.  He was a brilliant and versatile musician.  Although in later years he was primarily a guitarist, he was a fine fiddler, knew several styles of banjo picking, and could get around on the mandolin and the slide guitar.  He loved to play for others, and his music enlivened many a gathering.

He read widely and was very knowledgable in the fields of American literature and history, especially military history.  He had a keen sense of humor and a quick wit and enjoyed using colorful and expressive language.  Old ways of farming, especially with draft animals, were of great interest to him, and he was an endless source of country lore.

Those who were fortunate to know him will miss him — he was one of a kind.