The vivacious Janie Kuban lost her fight with cancer last week at the age of 56, and was buried on Sunday.
Janie was married to Frank Kuban, an upright bass player for various bands around North Texas. Together the Kubans frequented music festivals over the years and befriended many people, including myself.
Janie was a Texas character, sweet and salty at the same time. One of her typical greetings when you’d run into her at a party or musical festival was to flip you the bird with a big smile on her face. Then she’d give you a hug. She loved the sun and water. And she was the most devoted Rolling Stones fan in Ferris, Texas, where she lived all of her life. Even while knee-deep in her fight with cancer, she made it to the band’s June concert at AT&T Stadium.
Frank stayed by her side every day throughout her year-long battle, taking her to treatments and doctor visits. The Kubans wanted to keep everybody up to date on Janie’s condition, so Frank began writing weekly missives that described their journey in detail. The posts could be heartbreaking to read at times, but revealed an incredible will to live on Janie’s part, and a beautiful devotion on Frank’s part.
At about 4:20 this afternoon, Texas Renegade Radio host Obie Obermark will play a memorial set of songs for Janie on KNON 89.3 FM.
“A set is usually 20 minutes,” Frank said. “[Obermark] said he would play some music that he knew she liked, and I’m sure he will say a few words about her.”
I’ll be listening.
Thanks for the heads up Jeffro
Very nice, Jeff, thank you:)
Thanks, Jeff, for such a well written article. I’ve spread the word a little bit, so most friends and family will be listening. My memory of her regarding you is that she always wanted you to play your “Lasso the Moon” song whenever we were sitting around picking. Thanks again, buddy.
I could always count on Janie requesting/demanding “Lasso the Moon” when I was picking a guitar somewhere and she was there. That song would have been a No. 1 hit if Janie had her way.
Great set, Obie. I particularly liked Waylon Jennings’ version of “We Had it All.”