Wednesday, April 10, 2019

Come September 9, it will have been 23 years since Bill Monroe, the creator of Bluegrass music, died. He was a mandolinist, singer and songwriter who is known as “The Father of Bluegrass.” The genre takes its name from his band, The Bluegrass Boys, named for Bill’s home state of Kentucky. His performing career spanned 69 years.

Bill joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1939 and remained a member until his death. He took pride in saying he never missed an Opry appearance and was only late three times. His last Opry appearance was March 15, 1996 after which he suffered a stroke a short time later. He died Sept. 9, 1996 at the age of 84.

Monroe had a long history of performing in the Sabineland area. His first appearance was in Many on Nov. 14, 1947 when he set up a tent on a vacant lot on North Capitol St. and it was advertised as “next to the pool hall.” This was in the era just after Bluegrass was born. In the band were Lester Flatt, Earl Scruggs and Chubby Wise.

Bill next came to Many at the high school auditorium on March 10, 1968. Don Lyons was at KWLA radio then and he and I sponsored the show. There was such a turnout that we had Bill back by popular demand on June 8 of that year. On June 9 he appeared at the Memorial Day program at Rebel Park near Marthville.

By that time Bill and I had become pretty good friends. I noticed that he did not have a printed letterhead and I figured a artist of his stature should have one. Since I was in the printing business, I created one and had Negreet artist Donald Murphy draw a picture of Bill to go on both the letterhead and envelope.

On the letterhead I gave him the title of “Originator and King of Bluegrass Music Since 1939.” The moniker stuck and he started using it. Later, someone shortened it to “The Father of Bluegrass Music.”

By Thanksgiving of 1968, Bill and I had quite a friendship built, and he and his band came down and spent a week with us. He parked his big bus on the street in front of our house. He and his girlfriend at the time stayed with us and members of the band lived the bus.

He and the boys performed that Tuesday at a meeting of the Many Lions Club at McNeely Café. The room was packed. On Friday night, they performed a Gospel concert at the old Mt. Carmel Auditorium. It was cold and we had the wood heaters going, but we had a good crowd.

Bill wanted to go deer hunting, so on Monday of that week, the late Wilmer Birdwell took him hunting. He didn’t kill one, but he came close. That night we all gathered at a camp house on Berry Brake for singing and plenty of good home cooked food. During the week, I also scheduled other shows for him in this area.

On April 5, 1974, Bill came back to Many High School Auditorium. He had others with him, including son James and the Midnight Ramblers and called it a “Bluegrass Spectacular.”

Bill brought a “Bluegrass Special Show” to Marthaville High School Auditorium on March 3, 1979, and again on March 1, 1980 Bill brought his show back to Marthaville.

Through the years I visited with Bill many times at Bluegrass Festivals in this area and also backstage at the Grand Ole Opry.

He was always a kind man, even though he was a little on the strange side. During his lifetime, he wrote many great instrumental songs. He told me one time that he had all kinds of instrumentals swirling around in his head and that he could write hundreds of them, if he wanted to.

Bill loved to see a good sunset. “They are beautiful and no two are ever alike,” he said.

As far as I know, Bill is the only person in America who singlehandedly created a musical genre. I still love Bluegrass after all these years. I feel fortunate and blessed to have had the privilege to call “The Father of Bluegrass Music” my friend.

Several readers of Observations asked that we take a look at the overlay job the Police Jury did on Shuteye Road, which was carried in last week’s column. The concern was that the overlay was done somewhat recently and already the Jury is having to patch the road.

In a matter of clarification, Jury Secretary Bill Weatherford informed us that the Jury did not hire a general contractor to perform this job. The Jury hired Aklin Asphalt of Zwolle to spread the asphalt that the Jury purchased.

There was no bond or guarantee for the work. The work was finished on Oct. 9, 2017 and cost the taxpayers $114,901.01.

Signs Along Life’s Highway

Saw this one at the recent Hog Dog Trials in Winnfield. LA.

Governing bodies are known to call tax elections when there is nothing else on the ballot. That means they bear the cost of the election and very few people vote. The folks who want the tax get their vote out, others stay home and usually the tax passes.

Take the Town of Zwolle sales tax renewal for 15 years that was voted on March 20. 

There were four precincts used; 124 voted for the tax and 24 voted against.

That is a total of 148 people who voted, and the estimated cost of conducting the election was $5,000, to be paid by the Town of Zwolle. That breaks down to an expense of $33.78 for each person who voted.

Had the town of Zwolle called the tax earlier or later, when there were other issues on the ballot, then the high cost would not have been there. Of course, on the other hand, the tax might not have passed.

Don’t mistake this for a jab at Zwolle Mayor Pie Martinez and the Town Council Members. We love and enthusiastically support them. We just feel it’s our duty to point out how $5,000 could have been saved.

We had the pleasure of having lunch with four-time former Gov. Edwin W. Edwards last week in Baton Rouge. It is great to report that he is doing well and enjoying life to the fullest with his young wife Trina and five-year-old son Eli. On Aug. 7 of this year, he will celebrate his 92nd birthday. Shown above with Gov. Edwards are, from left, Joe Salter of Florien, Gov. Edwards, Pete Abington of Many and Mr. Observations.

State Rep. Frankie Howard spoke to a group of local businessmen last week about the upcoming session of the State Legislature. One of the bills proposed will end capital punishment in Louisiana. He reported there has not been an execution on Angola’s death row since Jan. 7, 2010.

The Representative said Gov. John Bel Edwards is under the impression that a humane combination of drugs for executions is not available.

The death penalty was reinstated in Louisiana in 1976. Only one person has been executed in the past 15 years. Between 1983 and 2010, 27 persons were executed in the state.

Prior to chemical injections, the electric chair was used for executions. It was first used in 1941.

Someone suggested maybe a bill should be offered that would provide for a person found guilty of murder to be executed in the same manner as their victim. With the horrible homicides we see committed today, that could be with a knife, hammer, chain saw, gun, or any manner of terrible means. Bet that would bring the murder rate down in the state.

Brandy Roberts, one of the most popular musicians to play at Music in Many is returning this Saturday, April 13, to the Many Community Center.

Doors to the Many Community Center will open at 6 p.m., and the show will begin at 7 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children under 12.

Roberts was the first musician to ever pack the 204-seat Community Center when he first played there three years ago.

Get ready to rock and roll because there’ll be a whole lotta shakin’ going on starting at 7 p.m. when Roberts performs his tribute show to Jerry Lee Lewis. Roberts said this year’s show will be particularly meaningful because of Lewis’s recent stroke. Lewis is currently in a rehabilitation hospital, and Roberts especially wants to pay tribute to his longtime musician idol.

“We are thrilled to have a performer of Brandy’s caliber agree to  return and do a show in our town,” Many Mayor Ken Freeman said. “Frankly I was shocked when he accepted our 2019 invitation because he is booked up to a year in advance. One of the reasons we can attract musicians like Roberts is because they enjoy performing in the historic old theatre that is now the Many Community Center,” he said.

Roberts recently told Many Cultural District Advisory Committee’s chairperson Mary Brocato that he really enjoys playing at the vintage Sabine Theater that’s been converted into a Community Center. He has also said the Many audience is one of his favorites because they seem to enjoy his music so much.

Roberts is a high-energy performer who offers up a top-notch Jerry Lee Lewis-type show. And he is personally endorsed by the Killer. His act is always a crowd-pleaser.  

Roberts has opened shows for Jerry Lee Lewis and also performed at Jerry Lee’s private birthday celebrations from 1995 to 2000. At the gathering celebrating Jerry Lee Lewis’ 40th year in the music business, Brandy performed on stage with Jerry Lee.

Brandy Roberts was also a member of the Louisiana Hayride from 1985 until it closed in 1987. He performed at the world famous Reo Palm Isle in Longview, TX as well from 1997 to 1999. There he opened shows for performers such as Gary Stewart, Johnny Rodriquez, and Eddie Raven.

When recording his first CD in Memphis, TN, Roberts used Jerry Lee Lewis’ All Star Road Band. Now many CDs later, he has sold numerous recordings across the U.S. and around the world in Europe, France, Germany, Australia, and Sweden, to name a few.

Jerry Lee Lewis had this to say about Roberts, “Brandy Roberts has been a personal friend of mine for many, many years. He is extremely talented in his field and I highly recommend Brandy for any upcoming performances he may encounter.”

Roberts captures the essence of Jerry Lee completely. He was smitten with Lewis’ style of music at an early age and from that moment on, that’s how he wanted to play. An award for “Entertainer of the Year” for best Rockabilly CD attest to how successful his efforts have been.

However, Rock n’ Roll and Boogie-Woogie are not his only genres. He is a fine Country singer as well. For his show this Saturday in Many, he has chosen a mix of upfront Rock n’ Roll, Jerry Lee Lewis songs, Blues and ballads. There will be something to please every member of the audience.

Critics say that of all the Jerry Lee Lewis imitators, Brandy Roberts is the closest thing on the planet. His stage act is like the Jerry Lee Lewis of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and his piano rockabilly is considered the clone of Jerry Lee.

In addition to playing a lot of the Killer’s material, he will also perform hits of Carl Perkins, Mickey Gilley, Chuck Berry, Charley Rich and others.

Some of the songs he plans to perform include “I’m On Fire,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Nadine,” his own composition of “Boogie Child,” “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “Good Night Irene” and “Mexicali Rose.”

The Brandy Roberts Show is sponsored by Many Mayor Ken Freeman, the Many Cultural District Advisory Committee and the Town of Many. Concessions will be available for only $1 each, and Brandy Roberts CDs will also be for sale.

I love to hear your thoughts and ideas for future articles, so call or write me and let me hear from you. Send an email to robertrgentry@gmail.com or call me at (318) 332-8653. Recently archived Observations are featured on the following pages. Older ones are archived on our Facebook page, where they are listed under Photos and listed in Albums by date. To print, send or save this week’s column, click on the appropriate icon below.

-30-