One Saturday he went to town and came home with an old Mandolin, and in just a few days he was playing it. So now he needed someone to accompany him so he concentrated on teaching me to play the guitar, which was'nt easy. We would set facing each other and when I was supposed to change chords he would step on my foot. This went along OK until he turned 18 near the end of WWII and was drafted into the Army, and that was the end of my musical training. I never played much after that but I always had a guitar around even during my 4 years in the USAF. In case you missed it Delno as we called him was a musical genius, but I don't think he ever knew it. He taught himself to read music and for many years taught guitar and sold sheet music of his guitar arrangments through an ad in Down Beat magazine. He also played locally in the Middletown Ohio area. He could play any kind of music including Classical, Jazz, Country, and Pop. Sadly Delno passed away on May 31, 1999 all alone and neither of his sons or grand children attended the funeral.

I never thought I was necessarily musically inclined but I loved music as far back as I can remember. As a child I was always banging on pans, trying to build cigar box guitars(they never worked), and always singing.

I lived with my maternal grandparents and though money was scarce and radios in 1938 was in its infancy, my grandfather managed to buy an RCA console radio new and paid about $99.00 for it. At that time it was the only radio in our neck of the woods so every saturday night we would have lots of visitors to listen to the Grand Old Opry. I can still remember trying to stay awake but never could.

Following my first marriage in 1953 I began to have a lot of free time at home, so i decided that I would see if I could ever get good enough to sing professionally. I bought song books and spent at least 2 hours almost every day learning songs and practicing.
After about a year I had met and made some friends at the local music store, so one Saturday evening I stopped by the music store on my way to a blue grass show a few blocks away, and met a guy that said he was going to a barn dance and that I could come along.

When we arrived at the barn dance it seemed he knew all the musicians and proceded to introduce me as a singer. Later on that evening during the live radio portion of the show the emcee introduced me as a guest singer, so I made my debut on live radio. I must have done ok because they made me a regular member and I played there every Saturday night for over a year until the barn burned.

We then moved to another location at Franklin south of Dayton, gained a disk jockey (Dale Wright) from WING in Dayton as emcee, and started broadcasting live at WING with a show called Star City Jamboree. Thats me squatting at the bottom right.
Note: Dale Wright later had at least 2 hit records in the Rock & Roll field.

I'm not sure how long this lasted but when it folded I put together my own band and started doing benefit shows for practice, and soon graduated to Bars and Night clubs, some of the clubs I worked in were, Hilltop Bar, Holliday Club, Little Mickys, Ray's Club, Rancho Club, Rendezvous Club, Satan Club, Laredo Club, Mecca Bar, & the Blazing Stump, to name a few.
Dayton area musicians that I knew or worked with were, Marvin Argo, Red Allen(Osborne Brothers), Lucky Moore, Don Pettigrew, Rutherford Middleton, Estill Meyers, Peewee Meyers, Carl Eaton, Don Edwards, Larry Sprolls, Herby Smith, Richard Buggs, Ray Bolden, Rugh Boggs, Ray King, Russ Vickers, Tommy Turner, Frank Pacey, Roy Baker, Jim Caribin, Larry Easterling, Bruce Gastineau, Bud Frye, Tommy Hilgeman, Gene Hanson, Danny Logel, Bud Mantia, Ronnie Meyers, Art McIntosh, Rudy Platser, James Ross, Red Selover, Larry Stewart, Corky Shaw, Bob Smith, Peck Kendall, Tom Kirby, Chuck Dice, Glen Brooks, Benny Gabbard, Bill Grierson, Jimmie Fields, Holly Holiday, J. B. King, Don Morgan, Bud Meyers, Johnny Reagan, Ralph Rhoden, Gene Sloan, George Treadway, Gene Petit, Roger Sayre, Tommy Wekker, Bob Rushbrook, Skip Helvern, Bill Estes, Carl Bowers, Joe Niebel, Phil MeHaffey, Bennie Davis, Joe Molino, Jack Rosebury, Bud Rea, Ross Wellington, Larry Brown & Don Young who became Johnny Paycheck.

It seems I was born with sinus trouble so by the late 50's I was starting to have throat trouble. I fought it for a while but finally gave up and started concentrating on playing instruments. I learned to play electric bass while I was learning to play Lead Guitar, the bass was easier so I could still work at it while I was learning guitar.

In 1960 I moved to Burbank California.
At this point in my career I could only play Rock & Roll lead guitar so for a couple of years I played with Rock bands around the Santa Monica and the beach areas. But I finally tired of that scene and returned to country music. I played bass for a while until I learned to play country lead.

GENE BEAR
The first musician I met in Burbank was the late GENE BEAR a man who had a lot of love for country music, and spent his entire life doing anything he could for country music. Gene became well known in the Los Angeles area as an emcee for the march of dimes, as president of the John Edwards Society at UCLA, and I could go on and on. Over the next 18 years I worked with Gene on many occasions. Sadly Gene passed away in August of 1988, we'll all miss Gene.

ORVILLE (Red) RHOADS
Another great musician that I had the good fortune to call my friend was the late RED RHOADS of Steel Guitar fame. On new years eve 1960/61 I arrived at the Palomino club in North Hollywood Ca. and Red arrived at the door at the same time I did. I helped him carry his equipment in and talked with him while he set up to play. This was his first night playing there, he remained there for several years and became the bandleader when Gene Davis left. A position he held for several years. I don't have the time or the space to list all the records and people Red played with over the years, even if I knew, but the one that stands out most in my mind was "The Games People Play" with Freddie Weller.. Red will long be remembered for his great talent as well as a good friend to everyone he met.

JERRY INMAN
The late JERRY INMAN was another of my good friends and a great intertainer who never quite made it to the big time but recorded a Beatles album that done quite well. Jerry was like a wind up jukebox when i met him he knew every country song there was and could sing them non-stop for hours. Jerry passed away some time ago due to stomach problems of which he fought for years..

BIFF ADAMS is still working as MERLE HAGGARDS drummer since I believe about 1969, BIFF, JERRY INMAN and I had a 3 piece band and was playing in North Hollywood when GENE DAVIS came down and hired JERRY to work at the Palomino club and left us without a lead singer. Biff went to Fresno Ca. and worked for 2 or 3 years with a band that owned their own club. He returned to La. in about 1967 and subsequently went to work at the Palomino with Red Rhoads as bandleader. He was working there when Merle Haggard hired him in about 1969, and the rest is history.

GARLAND FRADY another real friend who never got the credit he deserved and without a doubt could have been a big star. Garland has made a lot of records and written many songs but never got the right connections for the big deal. He recorded a song called "So Do I" DOT records 45-17003 in the 60's that was being played by every country station nationally the first week of it's release. Dot would not press & ship records and used it as a tax writeoff thus killing a smash hit. This seems to be the story of one of the best country singers of our time which has had some moderate success and is at this writing (3/6/00) living at Villa Rica Ga, and is very happy and contented with what success he has had.

CARL CRIBBS I played Lead Guitar with Carl for several years he was a great band leader who had lots of connections and booked us into some great gig's, allowing me to play with/for some of my heros like Merle Travis, and Tex Williams. Carl passed on in the early 90's.

FRANK BARNES Frank was a bandleader for many years in the San Fernando Valley of California where I worked for him many times and became a good friend. At this writing (3-6-00) he is living at Edenton NC.

TEX COLE:
A great Organizer/Musician who I worked for many times over the years lastly I worked for him at Big Bear Ca. in the early 70's. Tex is currently (3-6-00) living at Soldotna AK. and doing well in spite of severe health problems.

JACK CORRELL:
Jack was and still is a great steel guitar player, he worked for me when I had my own band, and also worked with me in other bands. He is currently (3-6-00) living at Stanley NC.

LLOYD EMANUEL Jr:
Lloyd played lead guitar for me in the early 60's when I was still playing band leader. He was one of the best tenor's that I ever worked with and made even me sound good. He also played some unique licks on the guitar especially Buck Owens style. Lloyd after a severe stroke and is living at Sunrise Beach MO.(3-6-00).

REB ALLEN Ie. Robert Fogleman:
Now here was class, Reb was an LA. Policeman who stepped out on the weekend's in tailored Nudie suits with all the trimmings. When he walked in everyone looked, but in spite of that he was a fine singer and bass player. At this writing he lives near Knowville TN.(3-6-00).

BILL FORD:
Bill and I worked together for several years as members of a group led by Tommy Gardner one of the best singers I have ever heard, much less worked with. Bill is like a brother and I miss him a lot. He was (10-1-99) living at Kingman AZ.

TOMMY GARDNER:
I have to say this here, I have been blessed to have not only played with but been friends with three of the of the greatest singers ever, and Tommy is right at the top of the list. I worked with Tommy for several years and we still visit every chance we get, and he is still like my brother. Tommy is still alive and well at Cherokee Village AR (3-6-00).

AVRON (Al) GERSHEN:
Al will kill me for saying this but if he would have played Steel guitar full time he would have been well known today. I remember Al as a young man trying to learn country music, he ended up learning a lot for Red Rhodes. Al and I have been good friends for many years I even attended his first wedding, if you can imagine this hillbilly at a Jewish wedding. Al currently (3-6-00) lives at Grants Pass OR.

LLOYD GOODSON:
A great Songwriter/Singer played by a different drummer. I never worked with Lloyd much but he had the talent to write a song in minutes. He was also a fine singer and definitely a stylist..

RANDALL HATFIELD:
Great Lead/Vocalist, Randall worked for years at a club in LA. with Doy Mills, and many times I have worked with their group sometimes replacing Doy and playing bass, and sometimes replacing Randall on lead guitar. Randall is currently (3-6-00) living at Tontitown AR.

DARRELL HILL:
Singer/Front man and Ex. brother-in-law. Not too much we have'nt been involved with. He is currently (30-6-00) living about 2 miles from me in Weatherford OK.

WILL HUNT:
A great drummer and dear friend worked many gigs with Will. I know lots of good people but none stand taller than Will. I was working with my own band at 29 Palms Ca. which was near a Marine Base and 130 miles or so in the middle of nowhere. One friday night my regular drummer called and said he could'nt make it and was sending another drummer in his place that would meet me at a shopping center near San Bernardino. When I found out it was Will I had a fit I knew Will who was a big band drummer was learning to play country and did'nt quite have it yet, but too late I picked him up and we drove the 130 miles and played until 1:30am, one miserable night. The next morning I walked out of the motel and met Lloyd Emanuel my lead man, I said to Lloyd "what are we gonna do I can't stand another night like that". So after some small talk I decided I would just tell him. Minutes later Will came out and we went to breakfast, after we ordered I looked at Will and said "Will I can't stand another night of your drumming", silence, and then he said "well what can we do about it". Well! I really did'nt expect that from a man over 6 foot, so I said well lets think about it. Then I remembered that Lloyd was a pretty fair drummer so I said maybe if we went over to the club and let Lloyd show you what we need we can get through tonight. We did and it worked out fine and from then on Will progressed into a fine drummer and worked many years after that, with me and many other bands. Will and me became close friends and today is still one on my dearest friends and is currently(3-6-00) living at Oxnard Ca.

CHUCK JENKINS: A great Pantomine artist and 5 string banjo player.
Chuck is a good and talented friend but I never worked with him.

ROME JOHNSON:
A good friend and singer/songwriter, Rome was a big hit in his and my home state of KY. in the 40's with several hit records. He relocated to Ca. and subsequently was robbed of much of his material. He then gave up music for several years and in the 70's started working a one man lounge show. He later worked a stint with the "Sons Of The Pioneers" and later contracted throat cancer and passed on. Rome was as fine a musician as ever lived and I hope its payback time in heaven.

AL KEEFE:
A fine Bass player, we played many gigs together. Al came to me in the mid 60's absolutely crazy about learning to play music. He talked me into giving him bass lessons and soon he was working with bands. Later he worked with several bands that I worked with and today is still another one of my dearest friends. Al currently (3-6-00) is living at Carson City NV.

BUDDY LINGLER"
Only played with him once but great Lead guitar man.

JOHN MCKEE:
We go way back to 50,s Dayton Ohio, Fine singer/musician. Johnny and I worked the barn dances near Dayton Ohio in the late 50's, and when I arrived in Ca. who do I find, you guessed it..

JOHNNIE MEEKS:
The original Lead guitar for Gene Vincent, a good friend. I never worked a gig with Johnny but got to know him well.

JIMMY PRYOR:
Fine Steel guitar man, played many gigs together. Jimmy was a fine steel man and I worked many gig's with him.

DONNIE PRYOR:
Played some good rock guitar. Donny always like to play Rock & Blues. And I really enjoy listening to him play. We did work several gig's together.

BILLY (Blue) RILEY:
Great singer/front man. Billy was a fine singer and band leader, but I never worked with him..

RALPH ROGERS:
Hand him an instrument and he'll play it, good friend., Ralph Rogers plays three instruments and is a fine showman, he worked every dive in the La. area and in later years had a stroke. The Dr. told him he would never walk again, much less play music. Ralph said Dr. you are crazy I will play again. Today Ralph is playing music at the Gattlenburg Tn. ski lodge 6 days a week and shows no signs of ever having a stroke.

CHUCK ROSS:
Another San Fernando Valley drummer who played with everyone.

BILL WALDROP:
Fine bass player who played with everyone.

BOBBY WAYNE:
a great singer and a great comedian.

CRAZY PERKINS:br> and the Hamilton sisters I worked with them for a while.

LOUIE ASH:
He could play a guitar with hay bale wire strings.

ERNIE CAIN:
Great singer and band leader.

LYNN RUSSELL:
BOB RUSSELL:
Lynn's and Bob had one of the finest trios ever and played at the SkyStar Club for years. I had the priviledge of filling in for both at one time or another. Bob quit and went back to Missouri in the late 60's and Lynn later played bass with Rick Nelson.

AL HARRIS:
Great piano player worked with Rick Nelson and played at the Lazy-x with the Norm Rawleigh band after Rick. Went back to Louisiana and stayed.

JAMES BURTON:
James was on tour from Louisiana with the Bob Luman band when Rick Nelson heard him and hired him for his band. Later be played on Merle Haggard's earlier hits and subsequently ended up with Elvis Pressley.

GLENN CASS:
Played bass at the Palomino Club for quite a while Great Bass player.

NORM CASS:
Great Lead guitar player, came to LA. out of high school in the late 60's and idolized James Burton who taught him a lot, not sure who all he played with but last played with with Gene Watson, now lives in Texas.

Some well known names that i have worked with.
MERLE TRAVIS Merle Travis was a much better guitar player than people heard, due to him being a stylist he always played what he was known for.
He did a lot of shows where he would use the house drummer and bass player, and many times when we were playing the same shows I would play bass with him because I knew all his songs..
One night after his show I was playing with the house band and when we returned to the bandstand Merle came to me and asked if he could get up and play with us. Like I was gonna say no, "right", he got up and played guitar with us the rest of the night and played some of the prettiest guitar I ever heard, and not the finger style.

TEX WILLIAMS: Like Merle above I worked on a lot of shows with TEX fine gentleman, great singer, and if you only heard Tex on record you did not hear Tex sing. For years he owned a Night Club at Newhall Ca. and when he got up and sang you heard one of the greats.

DOY O"DELL: Another great talent from Oklahoma that I had the priviledge of working with on several shows. At one time he had one of the top rated TV shows in LA.

PATSY MONTANA:
I worked on several shows with Patsy and she was a fine lady and a real professional.

FRED MADDOX:
Now they threw away the mold when they made Fred, who was the Funny one of the Maddox Brothers & Rose.

LARRY & LORI COLLINS:
Played bass with them once at the Fresno Barn in Fresno Ca. about 1964, Great duets & Larry great showman.

I am sure that i have probably forgotten several people but as i think of them i will add them.