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From: Joe Horn
Date: September 03, 2008
Musta been about 1958 or 59. I didn't know Bob Wills from a bobwhite, but Dad and Mother were big fans of BW&TPs - I overheard as they slow-danced in the kitchen to Faded Love on the record player. (anyone remember the "Hi-Fi?") 'Twas a new supermarket opening in a suburb of Waco – Bellmead, Texas. Bob and the Playboys were up on a flatbed semi-trailer tearing it up. I was about six or seven I guess, and as I still do today, I'd wormed my way thru the crowd to the front-right of the stage. Don't remember the names of songs or such, but do remember it being a big swirl of music and movement, and everyone in the band having on big white cowboy hats. My Grandfather owned the first Dairy Queen-style hamburger / custard stand in Hillsboro Texas, to which I had unfettered access, so, yes, I was a chunky kid. Though it didn't dawn on me at the time, it shouldn't have surprised me when the crazy guy who'd been jumping around on the stage leaned down, put his face near mine and said "hey boy, wanna come up on stage?" He grabbed my arm and in one motion pulled me up straddling his hip. I looked out at the crowd and grinned, and they went wild as the Playboys busted off into “Roly-Poly, daddy’s little fatty…” I bounced on Bob’s hip as he danced and hollered, and I still can feel that sense of a whitewater raft ride of smiling happy music. Bob’s breath smelled pretty bad, and his unlit cigar kept poking me in the face, but all-in-all, it was quite an experience for a little fat kid. I’ve long felt that it was that event, that moment of being a part of the music; feeling the movement of the trailer as the band convulsed and bounced with the beat; the memory of being that close to a man who has become iconic in my view, that has driven my life-long pursuit of pleasure through music, in it’s many forms.