Lena Morsch
Daily Egyptian
Longtime local blues musicians killed in weekend accident
Family, friends and fans mourn the loss of the Hurd Brothers
HARRISBURG- Local blues musicians Doug and Forrest Hurd were killed this weekend in a car accident in their hometown of Harrisburg.
According to Illinois State Police, the accident occurred at approximately 1:27 a.m. Sunday morning at the intersection of Doris Heights Road and Oglesby Street in Harrisburg. The Hurd brothers were traveling home after playing a gig in Fairfield.
The accident occurred one mile from their home after Raymond Moss, 38, of Harrisburg ran a stop sign, police said.
Doug Hurd, 40, was driving a 1972 Chevy truck and, according to police, swerved to avoid hitting the 1996 Kia driven by Moss. The truck hit the left side of the Kia, causing the Kia to hit a tree. Hurd's truck flipped on its side and was completely consumed by flames.
Hurd and his brother Forrest, 43, were pronounced dead at the scene, and Moss was taken to Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis with major injuries. The condition of his passenger, Aimie Debose, 21, of Eldorado, is unknown.
According to police, Moss' license has been revoked since 1997. He had been awaiting trial for charges stemming from an incident earlier this year in which he was charged with aggravated fleeing of a police officer, possession of a stolen vehicle, criminal damage to government property and aggravated battery of a police officer. His trial had been rescheduled because of the death of his attorney's father-in-law, and he was out on bond at the time of the accident.
Saline county Sheriff's Deputy Bill Duncan was called to the scene of the accident. He had been a longtime friend of the Hurds and their family. He said he is devastated by their deaths.
"It is always difficult to go on a call such as this, but when it is someone you know it's a horrible thing. They were such stand-up guys. I had to break the news to their sister, whom I work with. It is a night I will never forget," Duncan said.
The Hurd Brothers had played throughout Southern Illinois for the past two decades, including Carbondale nightspots such as Booby's and PK's. The band also toured nationally and opened for acts such as Buddy Guy, Steppenwolf, Robin Trower and Molly Hatchet. Guitarist Forrest Hurd was featured in a past issue of Guitar World, according to the group's web site.
The Hurd Brothers' friends say they were a huge influence to many musicians in the area. Members of the band Stoney Curtis Group say they were close to the brothers. Marshall Watkins, bassist for Stoney Curtis, recalled his admiration for the brothers.
"They were the blues band of the area," Watkins said. "No one could compare. I remember they called me once to fill in for Doug. I was very intimidated because they were legends to me."
Arick Reeder, one guitarist for Stoney Curtis, had known the brothers since 1996. He said he feels he has lost two of his closest friends.
"When I first saw Forrest play, there was a god-like tone coming from his amp," Reeder said. "Any guitar player who would come and see him would watch him in awe. I remember talking to him after I first saw him play. He was so down to earth."
Band members said the brothers were exceptional human beings and anyone who met them immediately liked them.
"They always had a smile on their face and were happy. They were clean-cut and never smoked or did drugs. I used to kid them about drinking coffee at gigs," Watkins said.
Reeder said the brothers were the best of friends and had a strong sense of family. He said in 1996, the pair suffered a great loss when in the course of two months they lost both parents and a sister. As a tribute to his father, Doug Hurd opened a bakery filled with sweets from recipes that his father made when he was employed at a bakery for 32 years.
Stoney Curtis members said they were grateful for the guidance that the brothers gave them.
"They took us under their wing when we first started playing music. They were seasoned musicians and they advised us about how things work," Watkins said.
"We used to go out to their farm where they both had their own cabin. Doug and I would stay up all night listening to Hendrix and talking about music. I learned so much about music from both of those guys just from hanging out with them," Reeder said.
Stoney Curtis guitarist Kyle Morse was celebrating his birthday Sunday when he learned of his friend's death.
"There are just no words to express how shocked we are. It is difficult to imagine that we will never see them again," Morse said.
The State Police is continuing it's investigation and said charges are pending against Moss.
Traffic was heavy along Doris Heights Road Sunday afternoon as the road filled with friends and family wanting to pay respect. Watkins said the community is shocked and outraged by the loss. The band is planning to do a tribute show in memory of the lost friends.
"We went to our jobs today and are trying to cope, but Southern Illinois has lost two of its best musicians," Watkins said.
Reeder said that not only Stoney Curtis, but all musicians from the area, loved and respected the brothers.
"I would not trade knowing them for a million dollars. I was so fortunate to be their friend," Reeder said.
Mourners can attend service from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Gaskins Funeral Home, 109 W. Poplar, Harrisburg. For information on tributes to the band, visit the website www.hurdbrothers.com.
Reporter Lena Morsch can be reached at lmorsch@dailyegyptian.com.
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
