Got to visit with Bob about the “Comin’ Home” show at the Spiro Eagles this Sat. the 12th ! Music from 7-11pm ! It was an hour well spent with this very humble gentleman.
I say humble because as he told me about his musical career , I realized what a really BIG deal it was ! His story in Rockabilly music is Historic . His recordings and original songs are STILL sought after by collectors . He still travels to Europe (this year a show in Sweden in Nov.) to play for avid Rockabilly fans that know his songs by heart ! I quickly became a fan myself ! So this Homecoming will be about the coolest thing to happen in our area in a long while ! Make plans to be there.
One of the coolest things about it is that his Mother , 95 years of age will be there to listen and my Mother , Wanda (just a lil’ older than me) will be there dancing ! I hope to be there for a photo op and an autograph !
Bob’s Mother plays a big part in his story because she bought him his first guitar, a Stella flattop and later when the first band , The Hep Cats , were started , she bought Bob a Gibson Les Paul “Gold Top” which is heard on most of the famous recordings ! Nothing but the best ! But for my friends that are old enough to remember , he still had to deal with the Black Diamond strings of the day.
Bob had two Uncles that lived in Shawnee and they gave him lessons at family get-togethers every few months . So he would practice what they showed him and picked up more chords and songs at each lesson . He was hooked on guitar and was practicing every chance he got . And when he was 12 and had the “Gold Top” , he started gathering kids to start a combo . Spiro was somewhat limited in possible selections BUT had a wealth of talent.
There are a couple of things that our stories have in common . First , the Spiro Band Director encouraged the young musicians and loaned them a trap set (Drums) to help play their first gig . Dan Lynch helped us , the Mourning After , a lot , too ! Then , his Hep Cats rotated practicing at each other’s house . This caused all the parents to quickly find them a place to practice that didn’t disturb the parents and their neighbors ! Just ask my neighbor , Linda Holton , about the noise and the curfew in effect at our house on Willa Dr. ! But after that , our career paths have nothing in common.
The band moved to Main St to practice evenings and Sundays at Neeley’s Barber Shop owned by the Father of the bass player , Jim Neeley . The practice paid off . In 1956 , The “Barbershop” Hep Cats played a show on Sat. afternoon at KLCO Radio . In 1958 , they recorded a 45 up in Tulsa at KVOO recording studio . In 1959 , they pooled their money and went to Nashville without any contacts , just blind faith . The first door they knocked on was at Tree Publishing company and was welcomed by Buddy Killen . Ya can’t make this stuff up ! They got to record several of Bob’s songs and while they were recording , Roger Miller walked in to listen . Glen Cambell came in and played with the band . June Carter wandered in and offered to sing a couple of lines on one song ! Nashville Royalty in the house ! They signed a Recording contract with RCA Victor , after being in Nashville for only TWO days.
So that’s what floored me , Bob Callaway and the “Hep Cats” , later the “Clicks” , recorded several chart hits that were huge Rockabilly treasures and until recently I hadn’t even heard his name ! And it all started in Spiro Okla. ! There’s much more to this story . And next week , I’ll cover much more about this history in Rockabilly music ! Thx , Bob , for the visit ! I hope to get to hear you Sat. nite !
Live Music this week ! Spiro Eagles – Sat. the 12th from 7-11pm will be “Bob Callaway and the Clicks”!
“Make It a Double” – Connie and Dave Abbott , will be at Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak on Friday the 11th . Music starts at 7 pm.
“Oklahoma Moon” will be at the Front Porch Theatre in Alma on Sat. the 12th ! Music starts bout 7 pm.
Tylor Smith will be singing at Boondock’s on Sat the 12th at 7 pm . Tylor is a great singer and picker . Lotta talent and a lotta drive.
“The Wild Horse Band” will be at Dawn’s Diner in Red Oak on Sat. the 12th . Get there early , grab a bite to eat and at 7 pm , listen to some great Classic Country music.
For info , contact me at 918-649-5736 or tj.wiles61@outlook.com