David Bell · CBC News

· Posted: Mar 10, 2023 5:59 PM EST | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

He was born in Texas and died four years ago, but a tribute to Melvin Wilson in a southern Alberta community is just starting to take shape.

"If you talk to people who know Melvin, they would say: 'Melvin was a mentor to many, a philosopher, just a wonderful friend and a really important part of our High River community,'" Elaine Schow told the Calgary Eyeopener in a Friday interview.

Schow says Wilson, who died in early 2019, shared his joy for music with generations of people old and young in and around High River, Alta., a small town about 40 kilometres south of Calgary.

Schow's partner, Richard Gullison, set up an online fundraising campaign for a mural a few weeks ago, and it's already gathered more than $5,000 in donations.

"Mel began teaching guitar in the 1980s and later established his teaching studio in High River," Gullison wrote in the fundraiser description.

WATCH | A video tribute to Melvin Wilson, who performs Cowboy Serenade:

"He was always willing to share his vast knowledge with students and peers alike. It's been a joy to encounter the many former students who have experienced the pleasure of playing guitar through lessons with Melvin."

Schow says her partner and Wilson had been friends for more than five decades.

"Melvin was one of my friends, too, for the past 30 years. He taught my daughter guitar lessons. We did lots of social events together. I knew Melvin very well," Schow said.

Wilson was about more than just music, Schow said.

"When you took a guitar lesson from Melvin, you didn't just come away knowing some more chords. You came away with a sense of believing in yourself, considering broader things in life," she said.

"Melvin loved to share his musical skills but also his philosophy of life: believing in yourself but looking beyond yourself to the larger world."

The mural is to be placed between two businesses on Fourth Avenue S.W.

"We have a local oil painter and artist, Don Hamm. Don knew Mel, so there's a beautiful connection there," Schow explained.

The mural will include imagery of Wilson, his music store logo and his beloved parrot, Ella.

"High River is known for its murals, there are lots of murals all over our town," Schow said.

"This one is going to be placed in a really nice, heavy traffic walking area, close to where Melvin's studio was. We know Melvin knows about this, and I think he would get a real kick out of it."