Born in Newland, NC on August 13, 1932, son of the late Herbert Buchanan and Edna Belle Pritchard Buchanan, Herb passed away peacefully at his daughter’s house in Williamston, SC on Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at the age of 88.
Herb is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Peggy Ann Daniels Buchanan, and his three children and their spouses, Dr. Dale and Catherine Loftin Buchanan of Charlotte, NC, Pamela and James Young of Williamston, SC, and Cheryl and Steve Gaines of Easley, SC. His six grandchildren and their spouses, Joshua and Angela Young, Dr. Bailey Young, Alex and Amanda Buchanan, Herbert Andrew and Amy Gaines, Willson Buchanan, and Abigail Gaines have wonderful memories and will continue the legacy of their “Papa” for their lives and into future generations.
He is preceded in death by his six brothers and sisters, Alec Buchanan, Floyd Buchanan, Joe Hugh Buchanan, Margaret Johnson, Ella Parsons Hall, and Charles Buchanan.
Herb, or Red as he was sometimes called, was raised in the mountains of Avery County North Carolina with his lineage tracing back at least seven generations to the early 1700’s in those mountains and before that to Ireland and Scotland. He tended cabbage patches and dug and sold shrubbery as a young man until he moved to Charlotte for greater opportunities in his early twenties with his new wife, Peggy, who he married October 16, 1954. He worked for G&H Transit Company for the next decade and a half in Charlotte and Greenville, SC. In the early 1970’s, he took the bold step of starting what turned out to be a very successful landscape contracting and garden center business in Greenville, White Horse Road Nursery and Garden Center, which he ran until his semi-retirement.
Although he never had a significant formal education, he encouraged and prodded his children and grandchildren to achieve their goals through education, the result of which has produced successful professional and business offspring in all of his children and grandchildren. Every one of his grandchildren has earned at least a bachelor’s degree, something unimaginable to his generation coming from the rural North Carolina mountains. This is perhaps his proudest legacy.
Even in the face of gradually deteriorating health from congestive heart failure and diabetes, Herb stayed active up until the last couple of months of his life. He was constantly looking for fields of shrubbery to buy and sell. Peggy and he would travel to fruit orchards and gather apples, peaches, berries, and grapes for gifts to friends and family. He could always find someone who would let him gather pecans from their trees.
He was most of all, a faithful husband, a good father and grandfather, a generous soul, and a friend to almost everyone he ever met. He trusted in God and was a life-long optimist. He always led by example, and we, his family, will dearly miss him.
Thanks to all who helped care for him in his last days, especially AnMed Health in Anderson, SC, Carolinas ContinueCare Hospital in Charlotte, Interim HealthCare Hospice, and for the last several years, his and his wife’s aid, Gwen Campbell. Gray Mortuary of Pelzer is providing end of life services. A funeral ceremony will be conducted with a reception and a celebration of his life to follow on Saturday, October 17 at 1:00 PM in Newland at Appalachian View Event Venue.
Tonight, Friday, October 16th the 38 million member strong AARP will host a special screening of the documentary Herb Alpert Is...about the life and career of the legendary artist and philanthropist. Herb Alpert Is... premiered on October 1st. Over 20,000 viewers tuned in to the world premiere screening across 3 platforms - Facebook, Youtube and Twitter. The global LIVE event featured a Q&A with Herb Alpert and director John Scheinfeld moderated by the Grammy Museum's Artistic Director Scott Goldman and opened with well wishes from some of Herb's illustrious friends including Lionel Richie, Herbie Hancock, Billy Bob Thornton and more. The screening tonight is part of AARP's Movies For Grownups series and will begin at 8PM EST and is free with advance registration.
A companion audio box set of the same name, Herb Alpert Is..., was also made available on October 2nd, digitally, in LP format and features a coffee table book and a five-piece 180 gram vinyl set. Its also available on CD as a 3-disc set. This week the boxed set made its debut on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Chart entering at #4. Both physical formats will feature 63 songs spanning 5 decades, 180 pages of vintage photos, liner notes and an essay from music journalist Bud Scoppa.
One of the most accomplished artists in the music industry, Alpert has sold over 72 million records and co-founded A&M Records, one of the most successful independent music labels in history and home to such artists as Janet Jackson, The Police, Cat Stevens and Peter Frampton. Herb Alpert Is... celebrates the life and work of Herb Alpert and the impact he has had on American culture. His latest album, "Over the Rainbow" was released in October 2019 and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Jazz and Contemporary Jazz album charts.
Filmmaker John Scheinfeld's (Chasing Trane: The John Coltrane Documentary, The US vs John Lennon) documentary Herb Alpert Is... a passionate and inspiring exploration of Alpert's personal and creative journey that reveals the critical events, experiences and challenges that have shaped an extraordinary life and instilled deep within the Grammy-winning trumpeter the desire to make a difference each and every day. Colleagues ranging from Questlove to Sting to Bill Moyers bring their unique voices and perspectives to telling this remarkable story.
In all, Herb Alpert has earned 15 gold and 14 platinum records; won nine Grammys between 1966 and 2014 and received the National Medal of Arts from President Obama in 2012. In 1962 Herb co-founded the indie label, A & M Records (with Jerry Moss) which recorded artists as varied as Carole King, Cat Stevens, The Carpenters, Janet Jackson, Peter Frampton, Quincy Jones, Sergio Mendes, and The Police. A&M would go on to become one of the most successful independent labels in history. Less known is his striking work as an abstract painter and sculptor. Mostly below-the-radar is his significant philanthropic support of educational programs in the arts nationwide, from the Harlem School of the Arts and Los Angeles City College to CalArts and UCLA.
Says Scheinfeld, "Herb is a true artist who did things the right way, achieved success on his own terms, and brought much joy to the world in the process. I wanted to make a documentary that would reflect this and, most importantly, to be a "Feel Good" film that will uplift, inspire and bring audiences together exactly as does Herb's music."
BLUE BELL, Pa.– Herb & Lou’s, LLC. – makers of Infused Cubes non-alcoholic cocktail mixers and innovators in the world of mixology – is proud to announce the appointment of Owen Rothstein into the newly formed position of Vice President of Operations & Strategy. Rothstein has been involved with Herb & Lou’s since their early days, consulting on product formulation and brand creation and now formalizes his role as a lead executive with the team. He comes to Herb & Lou’s with 20+ years of consumer product sales, marketing and product development experience. Rothstein’s key responsibilities as Vice President of Operations & Strategy at Herb & Lou’s will be to expand infrastructure, develop new product offerings and drive brand expansion through strategic partnerships.
Launching his career in consumer products with Plume Ridge Import/Export, Rothstein joined Drew Estate Cigars in 1997 and helped develop the brands that put them on the map during the cigar boom in the late 1990’s. His development of the company’s identity, as well as creation of their breakthrough product Acid Cigars helped propel the company to international success and recognition as trendsetters within the industry. Rothstein later developed his technical skills leading four departments at Multi-Flow Industries, including R&D and Marketing. Rothstein, a trained sommelier, learned beverage formulation while at Multi-Flow, utilizing his experienced palate to greatly increase Multi-Flow’s offerings and help them expand into the C-Store market. Most recently, Rothstein lead the formation of consumer health brand swiig for Simple Again. The creation of swiig unified the many disparate product lines previously offered through the company’s B2B division into a cohesive brand housing 100+ SKUs, driving growth in the CPG space.
Reid Rosenthal, Co-Founder and Herb’s grandson said “It’s exciting to watch our company grow. We’ve been searching for additional talent and I believe at this stage of our development, Owen will be invaluable. It’s great to have him on board full time.” John Wolgamot, Sales Director with Herb & Lou’s and a beverage industry veteran that joined Herb & Lou’s at the beginning of this year, added “as the unprecedented growth in spirits and premium mixers continues, Herb & Lou’s continues to expand its reach into additional channels of trade. Additionally, Herb & Lou’s premium non-alcoholic products are expanding into DSD partnerships as distributors have recognized Herb & Lou’s as a new-found source of volume and revenue that does not conflict with any current portfolio pairings. It’ll be great to have Owen to help build the business.”
About Herb & Lou’s
Founded by Herb & Lou’s grandsons to bring their passion for cocktails to a new generation, Herb & Lou’s Mixology is at an exciting point in their evolution – since revolutionizing the at-home cocktails experience in 2015. They’ve enjoyed recognition as winners of Nightclub & Bar “Entrepreneurs of the Year” and have been lauded by In-Style and Oprah Magazines, along with many others.
Herb & Lou’s now offers five selections of Infused Cubes – non-alcoholic cocktail mixers that, once frozen, flavor a single serving of one’s favorite liquor for a perfect cocktail. The product line includes The Cooper (for bourbon/rye), The Clyde (for vodka), The Cecile (for tequila), The Oliver (for gin) and The Seymour (for rum). Herb & Lou’s Infused Cubes have been crafted to pair with your favorite spirit, but can also be combined with seltzers, teas, and other beverages to create easily configured premium mocktails. (see more details at herbandlous.com).
All five Herb & Lou’s Infused Cubes flavors are made here in the U.S. and are now available in both 12 packs and 6 packs, both online at herbandlous.com and nationwide at retailers like Crate & Barrel, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom. The in-store retail footprint continues to expand in the grocery and liquor stores channels.
herb.indah.link KPCC/LAist senior politics reporter Libby Denkmann moderated an Oct. 14 debate between Holly Mitchell and Herb Wesson who are running for the open District 12 seat on the L.A. County Board of Supervisors. (Screenshot via KPCC/LAist)
It's been 12 years since the L.A. County Board of Supervisors last had an open seat. The candidates for the 2nd District position, State Senator Holly Mitchell and City Councilmember Herb Wesson, met Wednesday in a KPCC/LAist debate to make their cases — and sparks flew over the direction of housing policy and law enforcement accountability.
THE DISTRICT
Wesson and Mitchell are vying to represent parts of west and south L.A.: cities such as Inglewood, Carson, Compton, and Culver City, neighborhoods including Crenshaw and parts of Koreatown and several unincorporated areas of the county.
Both candidates tried to position themselves as the best choice to deliver criminal justice reforms in the county. Mitchell criticized Wesson's record championingCharter Amendment C, a 2017 measure that gave LAPD officers facing disciplinary proceedings a choice to face an all-civilian review panel. Criticspointed out at the timethat civilians rule in favor of officers more often than experienced command staff. "Is it appropriate to allow a police union to write language to police themselves?" Mitchell said. "I think the fundamental answer is no. [Charter Amendment C] took us decades back." Wesson pointed out the city council wrote the amendment and voters passed it — and he said he worked with the ACLU to ensure the requirement for civilian experience was reduced, opening the review panels to people with more diverse backgrounds, and added the program would be audited. "Is it better today than it was before? Yes," he said. "Is it perfect? No. But I always believe in moving the ball forward."
HOUSING
Housing policy was also a flashpoint. Wesson attacked Mitchell's votes to advanceSB 50andSB 1120, legislation from State Senator Scott Weiner that would have promoted higher density near transit options and eased zoning rules to allow triplexes and fourplexes in most neighborhoods across California. Both measures fizzled out, in large part because of opposition from L.A.-area lawmakers.
"[SB 1120] would have hastened gentrification. It will put our community at risk of losing our residential neighborhoods that we long for," Wesson said. "We live in Southern California, [for] a certain lifestyle." Mitchelleventually opposedboth bills, she said, after talking to community groups in South L.A. that organized to resist what they saw as infringement of local control ("I did my due diligence," she said).
But Mitchell also emphasized the need to make it easier to build new affordable housing in L.A. County. "The critical issue is: if not SB 50 or 1120, then what do we say yes to? Because we are 500,000 housing units short." Mitchell said. "And the local governments who have the authority to okay development have not done what they need to do to keep pace with L.A.'s population."
"What really upsets me the most...they just try to force this down our throat," Wesson said of the backers of SB 1120 and SB 50.
In the future, would Wesson support any change to local zoning that favors single family homes? "I am open to that," he said. "Have a conversation and let us give input."
Wesson brought up his support forMeasure JJJ, which passed in 2016 and allowed extra height and density for projects that provided affordable housing near transit.
Former Murray State Basketball star, Herb McPherson, is this week's guest on the Runnin' with the Racers Podcast, episode 111.
The Runnin' with the Racers Podcast posts each week to GoRacers.com, iTunes and Soundcloud.
McPherson was inducted into the Murray State Hall of Fame in 1989 after an outstanding career for Racer men's basketball from 1964-67. Racer fans remember McPherson as an accurate shooter that lit it up for Coach Cal Luther.
Coach Luther had a mind for up-tempo offense and a philosophy that was perhaps ahead of its time. Consider McPherson's senior season of 1966-67 when the Racers set the program record by scoring 89.5 points per game in a time when the addition of the 3-point shot was 20 years away. The record stood until it bested by Coach Scott Edgar's 1993-94 season when the Racers averaged 90.0 points per game. No doubt, McPherson and his teammates loved to play fast as Coach Luther instructed.
"There were a few teams playing like that, but not many," McPherson recalled. "The "Hurryin Hoosiers" at the University of Indiana for Coach Branch McCracken come to mind. It was a different style and Coach Luther was always looking for that point guard that could read the floor and get the ball to you. The understanding Cal had of the game was just unbelievable."
McPherson, who wore No. 45, was one of four players during his time to become Murray State hall of famers. In 1978, Jim Jennings was inducted after being OVC Player of the Year in 1964 and he was followed in 1979 by Stewart Johnson, who was an All-America in 1966 and was one of the first African American players at Murray State. Dick Cunningham led the nation in rebounding in 1967 with 21.8 per game and was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame in 1986. McPherson was inducted into the MSU hall in 1989. These four legends played together and produced multiple OVC and All-America honors and three of them (Cunningham, Johnson and McPherson) were NBA draft selections.
On the night of Feb. 9, 1966, McPherson set the MSU single game scoring mark with 44 points against Middle Tennessee at Racer arena. The former record by Bennie Purcell of 41 points had stood for 14 years and it was Purcell (assistant to Coach Luther) who whispered into Luther's ear to put McPherson back into the game in the final minutes of an easy win for the Racers.
"First let me say, Bennie Purcell was a great guy and one of the reasons I came to Murray State was him," McPherson said. "It was funny, Bennie came down to the bench and said to me, 'hey, you only need a couple of baskets to break my record, I'm going to tell Coach Luther to put you back in'. It takes a big guy to do that."
McPherson's record of 44 points stood a couple of months shy of 30 years, when Marcus Brown scored 45 points against Washington University of St. Louis in 1995, also at Racer Arena. Brown's record is still tops at MSU.
McPherson was chosen All-Ohio Valley Conference as a junior and senior, when he averaged 21.8 points per game. He finished as the third-leading scorer in school history with 1,513 points. No Racer scored more points during the 1960s and McPherson is still No. 13 on the all-time list.
Out of Gas City, Indiana, McPherson and his wife, Laurie, are high school sweethearts, who were married about the time they came to Murray State and have celebrated 56 years together. The McPherson family is full of athletes and Herb is a proud Grandpa.
"All four of my kids went to college and participated in sports and now to have 11 grandchildren," McPherson said. "I've got one swimming at Michigan State, another at Saint Louis. We've got one playing collegiate football, volleyball and golf and several that are athletes at their high schools. We've got them spread out all over the place and it's fun keeping up with them."
Never far away from Herb's thoughts is his connection to Murray State.
"One of the best experiences for my wife and myself was being students at Murray State University," McPherson said. "We are very proud of our degrees that we received from Murray State. I was fortunate as a young man to be able to come to Murray and play for Coach Cal Luther and Coach Bennie Purcell."
About Runnin' With The Racers Podcast
Murray State Basketball great Jonathan Stark was the first guest when the pilot episode posted Aug. 29, 2018, The podcast is produced weekly and usually is available by Wednesday. The Runnin' with the Racers Podcast is mainly guest driven with news and notes of the week from the Racers. Dave Winder, MSU Athletics Associate AD for Media Relations is the host. The podcast is available on GoRacers.com, ITunes and Soundcloud.
The Link Lonk
Former Murray State Basketball star, Herb McPherson, is this week's guest on the Runnin' with the Racers Podcast, episode 111.
