Roustabout Lou by Buddy Pruit
It just seems that every time I bring up some history of music in our area, I get input from readers that will bring up more memories. I appreciate your responses. This one started a couple of articles ago when I mentioned “The Poteau Rodeo Song” written by Buddy Pruitt. Well, buddy had an album of songs that reflected the 60’s in our area. Buddy had deep roots in the Oilfield. Most of his songs had the subject of Black Gold in them along with a broken heart, cry in your beer tune or two. Got an email from Lynda Thomas Archey about a song Buddy had written about her Mom, Lue Thomas. We moved to Poteau in 1963 and Lil’ brother Chris and I were running buddies thru HS. Ya might remember their Dad, J.C. Thomas as the Principle of Simpson Grade School. Back when Poteau had 3 GS’s-Simpson, Hower and Rodman. They were a well respected family from the big town of Tarby, Ok. The song, Roustabout Lou(spelling), tells her story of working in the office for one of the big oil companies . Then, from the song, “She had a big ole family, everything was fine, when her boss came around and said it’s the end of the line. Ya gotta move out and the only job I got left is for a roustabout. Lou, Lou, Roustabout Lou. She was a hard-hat Mom in steel-toed shoes. She wore roughneck gloves and sang the oilpatch blues. Lou, Lou, Roustabout Lou. One line in the song shows the respect that she earned on the deck. “She took the job and she mad’em a hand”! That’s about the highest praise that ya get from the other roughnecks. That ya made a hand. You could do the job. That ya had a job tomorrow. It was a good memory from 1974 about a lady that I always held in high regard but it was a surprise when I learned that not only did she make a
hand but she was probably the first woman to be a roughneck in the state. My hats off to all the oilfield workers. I appreciate all the hard work that brings oil outta the ground and in my tank.
Live Music! Dawn’s Diner/Red Oak, after taking off for the Labor Day Weekend, will kick off Thursday 8th with Randy Fennell and Larry Taylor. Friday 9th, Glen Rogers will be singing Classic Country. Sat. 10th, Larry Taylor will be back as part of “Rearvue Mirror”. I like their samplin’ of Red Dirt, Americana, and Country. Great music all three nites and it starts about 6 pm. I-40 Dance and Music Hall will have Line-dance lessons for them that wanna learn. It’s kinda like clogging, buck-dancing or the boog-a-loo to the “Bootscootin’ Boogie”. Thursday 8th. live music by “The Lawman” band helps liven up the evening. Then on Sat.10th, one of my favorite singers, Earl Hearon and the “Sound of Country” will entertain. Earl sings Merle, George (Jones and Straight), Paycheck and Willie and will keep the dancefloor crowded. Make plans to be there. Music starts at 7 pm both nites. “The Stagemasters” are back at the Spiro Eagles on Sat the 10th. They will bring their show back on Sept. 17th, Oct 1st, Nov. 19th, Dec. 3rd AND will be the band for the New Year’s Eve Celebration on Dec 31st. They have become the favorite band there. Awesome singers and musicians that know how to play the right songs for the dancers. Music kicks off at 7 pm all nights except for the Sept. 17th (Eagles business meeting) and New Year’s Eve will start at 8 pm. Get there early and get a good seat.
Friday 9th, Crocky’s Cafe in Downtown Hackett will have Doug McCutchen. Doug sings a few favorites and some Praise and Worship music. Great family entertainment. Then more awesome music on Sat. 10th with Mike “The Quiet Storm” Lenzini. Great food-awesome music.
Several opportunities comin’ up in Sept. – “Live Wire” at Dawn’s Diner. Fort Smith Jazz Jam in the Bakery District. A car show in Cameron. The Shane Bailey Memorial Bash fundraiser. Get out and Support Live Music! Contact – 918-649-5736 or tj.wiles61@outlook.com Thanks for all the input and suggestions.
Get Local News!
