Hillbilly HOuse Tribute For Rich "DJ Hillbilly Dick" Dittman RIP "Decmeber 14th 2014

Hillbilly House Dj Tim Costa Radio Shows

“Life is the sum of your choices.”I would like to share with you someone in my life who has influenced me greatly, my father, Rich Dittman. He was a self-sacrificing man, who was fair in all of his dealings with others. Rich’s characteristic of sacrificing his time and energy for others was quite authentic – he was never trying to gain anything for himself. This is my tribute to him, may he rest in peace. I love you. Tim Costa John Ramsey: Listen to a special Hillbilly House music mix created by Timothy Costa to celebrate Rich's life. It will air at midnight tonight on Rich's old station, WWUH in West Hartford, CT. 91.3 in central CT. Listen on line at wwuh.org or use the free tunein app and just search for WWUH. This special will also be heard on WAPJ 89.9 and 105.1 in WAPJ FM 89.9 & 105.1 Torrington, CT, WWEB 89.9 in Wallingford and WDJW 89.7 in Somers. www.wwuh.org | WWUH 91.3 FM wwuh.org Bernard Bruce: Absolutely love to you Rich Dittman and Tim Costa - my first musical collaborations with these guys waaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in 1989 when I moved to Hartford and worked at the University of Hartford. I will carry on with you in my heart, Mr. Dittman! Mike Ross: R I P Rich Dittman , Thank you for taking me under your wing and into your home to Educate me on House Music and music with a funky vibe. I can remember leaving Rainbo after the midnight ramble and heading to the airport to catch a flight to New York for the NMS. You always had the hookups to the main events we needed to go to and the endless promotion copies. If it were not for Hillbilly House Records Piano Negro would not be on the map in Chicago as strong as it is today. My endless box of WWUH tapes will bring back some great memories. To Timothy Costa and the family I Love you all , Big Bear. Nico Mulder: Tonight I recieved sad news !! One of my true all time friends, Rich Dittman passed away. This was quit sudden and unespected. Rich his outstanding feel and knowledge of early House music is unsurpassed. His library of the old school early Chicago & Detroit scene is Smithsonian worthy. Together with his son DJ Timmy Costa, they formed a music stronghold called "The Two Hillbillies". TheirCollege radio show had gone "national". I was lucky to run into those guys in the late 80's - begin 90's. I imported House Music from Rotterdam into the USA. Got the Hillbillies to play the stuff on their "national" show. Together with them, I had set up a nationwide network of the most influencial DJ's in the USA, tapping into Rich his portfolio. If Rich "pushed" a record...people listened. Over the years we became such good friends, spend many many hours listening to music, he educated me in "how to listen". Timmy and I produced our own track called "Sploey". We never released it but used it in a great mix, I still have it somewhere in a box. After I moved back to Holland Rich has visited me numerous times. In no time the day was exchanged for the night. The Underground scene in The Netherlands had two visitors filled with good spirits, humor and an unbelieveble stamina. The amount of ribs we ate during our adventures at "De Klos" in Amsterdam is luckly unknown When he returned to the US, we had email contcact on a daily basis. Recently, Timmy has been signed by a NY label and is producing and making track after track. Recently he made me a homage track called "Nico, The Flying Dutchman". There is not a track leaving his studio before it has to pass my ears. I do not have a digital foto handy of Rich and me, I do have somewhere in my "vault" some pix of the early days on hard copy. When looking for such a picture, I found Rich" old cassette player he left at my house many mant years ago. I remember what he said when I told him that forgot his player. "No..thats my gift to you. There will be a day that all those cassettes will be replaced with "creepy shit" where you can listen music on. This player has give me hours and hours of pleasure. Do not throw it out, you might need it some day" Whilst looking for a pix and finding this little Gizmo, I was satisfied by just posting a little story, instead of making it a picture show. he wanted it that way. R.I.P Rich...luv ya, Man !!! Joe Incorvaia: I met Rich while sitting in on Markie Gee's radio show at WWUH. He had come up to the station during an overnight shift to meet with Mark and talk house music. Myself, being a child of the Brooklyn/NYC Disco and Hip Hop scene, we immediately hit it off. He then introduced me to his "son" Tim Costa. I never understood the relationship or how they came into each others' lives until now. It really is an amazing story. Knowing the relationship and how much they looked out for each other makes it that much more special. I remember various outings together where he took me away from a very awkward college life and showed me how to live in the moment. I learned about New Haven Pizza, met the band behind my favorite Sugar Hill Records, ate my first Gray's Papaya hot dog and he helped me promote the first Hip Hop group I ever worked with. Anyone who knew Rich will tell you that he was the most accepting, kind and loyal friend that a human being could ever have. His passion for music and commitment to help bring his beloved House Music to the masses always inspired me. Over the years we lost touch; life gets in the way sometimes. I always missed those times. I will always miss Rich but I know some day we'll all be reunited for one huge eternal party!! Joe Clausell: Hello Tim, I am so sorry to read this news. my memories of your father, as well as with all of you were what the music industry should have aspired to be in terms of both kindness and being real. I am sure that where ever he has transcended to that he is grooving. I take this moment to send you and your family my condolences but filled with love and happiness. With more love Joaquin Chris Pellerin: I had the privilege to meet Rich, I remember sitting out in his backyard just shooting the shit. I think he was a mentor to all who knew him, since he really cared about the people around him. I , too, learned so much from him. RIP Ditty Bob Leblanc: I'm not sure what year I met Ditt but my first day of BCHS as a freshman he drove me to school in his '54 Caddy hearse. We spent many hours together practice for the band. NYC trips and hanging out. So sorry to hear this news. My condolences to Lisa Addison David and Ruth. Rest in peace. Bob LeBlanc. The Bunkers (uk) I first met Dit through my brother Ian in the late 70s/early 80s during one of his many visits to the UK at that time and immediately realised what a great character he was. We were warmly welcomed into the Dittman home by Dit and Lisa (and their many cats!) during our unforgettable trips to the US in 1983 and 1988. We also all met up again more recently in 2010 and had a great day together in NYC, when our son Daniel met Dit for the first time, with him thinking what a cool character he was. Tony Brown: My friendship with Dit started in 1976, when we met him at the Reading Festival in the First met Dit in 1976 at the Reading Festival in the UK. Stayed with him and Lisa in 1979. Such a character and will remember the great times together. All of his friends in the UK will miss him very much and he will remain in our thoughts for ever. Joan Beatson: When I think of Rit I remember his great love for NYC --I can still picture him behind the wheel of some old van many years ago as he drove Lisa, me and his "limey" pals from England to NYC for a night of dancing in the clubs. I remember visiting Lisa in the hospital after Addison's birth and the look on Rit's face as he held his newborn son. I remember Rit wanting to make sure that Addison grew up watching all the "important" classic cartoons, like the Katzenjammer Kids. And I remember Rit's love for music and his phenomenal record collection. Lisa Roberge: When I heard of Rit's passing I started thinking of all the good times we spent years ago when we would take trips to Manhatten to go dancing!! They were in some really old clunkers that he proudly drove until the poor cars could not go another inch!!! One time in particular we had to stop and take a picture of the odometer as it was turning over to 100,000 miles!! Then there was the time we broke down on the way home from an night of dancing and partying in NY... We were all dressed up in our night of dancing clothes and Rit had forgotten to leave his tools in the car so we had to wait for help. While waiting we had to use a bathroom and the only place nearby was a school in Brewster which was just starting their day, we were looked at like we were aliens by some kids that were passing by and we looked on them the same way because their school had a large claw machine that dispensed apples ( this was in early 80's)!! Thanks Rit for some great memories. And, I am sure that everyone who's life you touched have some great memories to remember and share as well. May you Rest in Peace! Uncle Remus: Dj Dick, Thank you for the music mentoring and the trips to the "Big Apple." I've experienced more in one day hanging with you than anyone can imagine. Lisa and Addison my prayers to you both. John "Uncle Remus" Vanden Heuvel Greg Clauss: So very sad to hear of Dit's passing,but so very happy that I had the privilege of having him be a huge part of my life. His memory and the times we shared together will live with me forever. He was a friend that gave you his all, someone that loved to share all his knowledge and made me a much better person than I would have ever been had I not had him in my life. Lisa, Addison I offer you my sincere condolences. The world was and continues to be a much brighter place because of his presence in it. Thank you Rit for enriching my life,for shaping me into the person I am today. I love you. May you rest in peace and have a Chevy Nova that never needs to be worked on where ever you are. You made sure others were happy in this life and I wish you the BEST in the next life. Until we meet again Ditty.