Portland Press Herald, Maine, Bob Keyes column.(Column)

Byline: Bob Keyes

July 31--When I lived in the Midwest, I'd often squirrel myself away in my dark basement, plug a bunch of Bill Morrissey CDs into my six-disc changer and let his music and words sing me back home. Morrissey, who died July 23 at age 59, provided a lifeline to the New England culture that I grew up in. His songs grounded me when I felt misplaced and lonely. When I was most homesick, Morrissey provided my anchor.

His manager attributed his death in a Georgia hotel room to complications from heart disease. He had just finished up a few dates, and was making his way back home to New Hampshire. I am not alone in feeling devastated by his loss. The folk music community was abuzz all week as the …