In memoriam: Frank Wolking

Frank Wolking, a Westcliffe man whose Sons and Brothers Band starred at two of the four Rock Ledge Ranch Fiddles, Vittles & Vino festivals, died Oct. 15 of brain cancer. He was 53. The late Frank Wolking (second from right) and his sons (from left) Mike, Aron and Joe shared a light moment while performing at the fourth annual Fiddles, Vittles and Vino festival at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site Aug. 23. Frank and his boys are credited with having the idea for a bluegrass festival at Rock Ledge (which became Fiddles & Vittles). The group had also performed at the first event in 2005. Westside Pioneer photo        An estimated 1,000 people attended his funeral service in downtown Colorado Springs Oct. 25.        Musican/historian Mark Gardner, who has organized the music for each of the Fiddles events, credited Wolking and his boys with the original idea for a bluegrass festival at Rock Ledge.        A plumber by trade and musican by hobby, Wolking started Sons and Brothers in the late 1990s. The band featured himself and his three sons (Aaron, Joe and Mike), with his brother Fred joining in after Frank was diagnosed with cancer two years ago. According to accounts, despite his worsening condition, Frank never missed a gig and even played with his boys at a San Francisco festival 11 days before his death.        The band, which specializes in bluegrass and Christian music, plans to move forward, according to Kathleen Collins of the Colorado Springs recording company, Scott O'Malley & Associates. Westside Pioneer article