The “Comin’ Home Show” last Sat. at the Spiro Eagles was definitely the biggest Live Music Event so far this year . Great turnout , lotta fun and an awesome nite of music ! Bob’s Mother won the 50/50 , and like the humble lady that she is , gave it back to the Eagles ! What a nite.
Or in the words of my Hero of the 50’s, Mannard G. Krebs – It was a Gas , a Blast , it was Crazzzzzzy ! Bob Callaway is groovy , a Cool Cat ,one Hep Cat ! Can ya dig it , Daddy-o, The Hipsters and the Squares , Cowboys and the Beatniks , All got their kicks and went ape over the cookin’ sounds of Bob’s Band.
What happened in a few years time , started on a Stella 6 string and because Bob was so focused on learning music , it progressed into the original Sounds of the American 50’s on a Gibson Les Paul Gold Top ! A combo with a few polished songs went to Nashville ! And in just “Two Days” after driving into Music City , met the biggest Publisher/producer , Buddy Killen – the Head of all of RCA Artists , Chet Atkins and met several of Nashville’s biggest Country singer/songwriters ! That is HUGE ! In just two days , they had recorded A and B on a 45 rpm , signed a contract with RCA Victor and were on the road as part of a RockaBilly Show.
I know that it’s just a matter of time/place kinda thing . BUT after just an hour on the phone with Bob , I realized that he has a lot of focus , a lot of drive , a lotta finish in any thing that he attempts . He impressed me as an educated feller but is country practical bout his thinking.
He is a true gentleman and I’m disappointed that I didn’t get the chance to meet him , this time , and hear the band.
But back to Rockabilly ! Bob is still carrying the torch ! The genre is HUGE in England and Europe , still today ! Bob has some dates scheduled in Sweden in November . His songs are on every playlist and sought by record collectors . An original 45, “Tick-Tock” is listed on Ebay for $1500 dollars.
All this happened between 1956 when the band was the “Spiro Hep Cats” and around 1961 . Do the Math- The band went to Nashville when Bob was 14 . But because he had promised his Mother that he would go to college after HS and be the first in the family to do so , he enrolled in OSU ! Now this decision came after a lotta walking the floor and wringing of hands but he had promised his Mother ! So that was that ! No Regrets !
Now , I say that to say this ! In 1961 after more touring and recording , paying their dues and such , R.C. Gamble had moved from Bari-sax to piano,
and got purty good at banging on the keys ! The band , now the “Clicks” , were offered a chance to play in England. Rockabilly was the BIG thing there ! Bob said No ! A promise is a promise . At OSU, he was still playing and paying his way thru college with the Clicks , when R.C. took the offer to take his talents and take a band to England to record and perform some remakes of classical pieces – “Flight of the Bumble Bee” became the “Bumble Boogie” and so on ! That is the short version of how Bee Bumble and the Stingers (Terry Anderson on guitar) got to play “The Cavern”.
The Cavern was later famous for the start of the band that “opened” for Bee Bumble and the Stingers that nite ! An up and coming band called “The Beatles” ! Remember them ? True Story.
But back home, Bob worked on a Communications Degree at OSU ! He pulled shifts at the college radio station spinning Hits of the Day . Thru the glass in the other studio , playing the Classical records turned out to be the love of his life.
Fran soon became his wife and remained so for 58 years until passing . So College paid off in several ways.
Bob joined the military , used his film and audio skills to make training movies for the Army , CIA , then into the public arena . Did I mention that Bob was focused ? A life of choices that has been amazing ! Bob Callaway has my deepest respect as a musician , a son , a husband and a human . Thanks again for the time that we spent on the phone ! I hope to get a chance to hear you play again soon !
Live Music ! FORT SMITH JAZZ JAM will beTHURSDAY March 17 at the Bakery district ! Great music – awesome food ! Downbeat at 6:30 pm.
Hey hey ! Join us at Roosters on Garrison – South 49 on Friday , March 18th ! Festivities start up at 10pm.
David Carbrey invites all Y’all to hear Butch Cavendish ! They will be playing a couple of sets as a trio next Saturday the 19th at AJs Oyster House, for their Crawfish Boil! (12:30-3pm)
Libby and the Stray Dawgs will be at the Arkansas Brewery on Friday the 18th and Roosters on Sat the 19th.
Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak will have great food and music by Big Marty and the Dirty Dogs on Sat the 19th, Music at 7 pm.
That’s all Folks ! Support Live Music!
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