The music world gained another angel

A beloved local musician Michael DeGreve, passed away on Monday, May 11 from a difficult battle with cancer according to a post on his official Facebook page. Many musicians and fans have paid tribute to him also.

This is what the post says:

“On behalf of Michael DeGreve’s life partner, Kris Reitinger, I’m writing to let you all know that Michael passed away Monday, May 11th around 8 p.m. at his and Kris’s home in Grants Pass, Oregon after a long, hard-fought battle with cancer.

Michael is best known for his 30 years nightly performing at Cheyenne, Wyoming’s Hitching Post Inn starting in 1977 – as the self-described “Hippie from Hollywood Hills, California.” He quickly won the hearts of cowboys, cowgirls, ranchers, farmers, government officials and white-and blue-collar workers. In recent years, Michael and Kris performed in the mountains just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada which he lovingly called “Wyoming West”.

Most of all, Michael will be remembered as everyone’s friend – no matter their walk in life – and the person who always uplifted, stood by and dedicated his life to helping others – often appearing before city, county and state officials to lobby them on behalf of human, environmental and wildlife causes – including bringing Neil Young to Cheyenne to perform and raise money for Cheyenne’s residents after the August 1, 1985 catastrophic flood.

Michael always held a guitar in one hand and his heart in the other on behalf of everyone he met along life’s way.

While tributes to Michael’s life and legacy will follow, for now, we want to let all of you, Michael’s Friends, know that he’s singing in Heaven today and weren’t we all blessed he greatly graced our lives in so many ways over the years. . .”

Another musician, Brian Leneschmidt, also posted about his dear friend on Facebook.

Leneschmidt said, “Lost a great friend, musician and spiritual brother. 35+ years of a wonderful connection that inspired me in so many ways. In the last few years we talked almost weekly, even though we ended up on opposite sides of the country.
I will write more about Michael DeGreve in the coming days, but I’ll need some time.
I love you so much brother, may your journey be that of peace, just as your time on earth was. Thank you for who you are.”