Robert (Bobby)
Robert (Bobby)
When he was 10 years of age, his family moved to
One of Bobby's fondest childhood memories is when his sister would take
him to the monthly band concerts held on the Pike in Long Beach, California. It
was there he fell in love with the big band sound that would later influence his
choice of music. His sister also broadened his love of music and took him to The
Pier in
He remembers Spade Cooley's steel man, Sean Haas. He was also and avid
admirer of Bob Wills and his style of playing.
Bobby's family moved to Medford, Oregon and after graduating from Medford
High school, he joined the Air Force for 4 1/2 years.
He met his wife Louise, while on leave from the Air Force. They celebrated
their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001. While Bobby was in the service, he heard
one of the guys playing fiddle and remarked to a friend "I can do that in
a week." The friend bet him $10.00 he couldn't. Bobby took the bet, found the
guy who played fiddle and gave him $10.00 to teach him how to play "Boil That
Cabbage Down." He learned it and collected his bet. That was the start of
Bobbies fiddle career .
Bobby has played with such greats as Ray Price, Willie Nelson, Lefty
Frizzel, Tex Williams, Jimmy Wakely, Freddy Hart, T. Texas Tyler, Faron Young,
Hank Thompson, George Jones, The Melody Wranglers, The Rogue Valley Boys and
Mister Shorty. He has enjoyed every minute of it.
Bobby is on the Board of Directors of The
Bobby was inducted into the POWS in 2002.
