Bill Woods Southern Ca club owner etc Dies

Janice Brooks · From: Pleasant Gap Pa

Bill Woods

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (AP) - Bill Woods, a band leader who helped Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and other country music stars launch their careers, died Sunday. He was 76 and underwent triple bypass heart surgery about a month ago.

In the 1950s, Woods ran The Blackboard country music club in Bakersfield. The club attracted many country music stars and helped develop what became known as the Bakersfield Sound.

Owens and Haggard were regulars at the club early in their careers. Years later, in 1972, Haggard honored Woods by recording ``Bill Woods from Bakersfield,'' a song written by Simpson.

At about the same time, Woods went on the road with Haggard for a year to play in his band.

Woods also could play many instruments, including piano, guitar, fiddle, drums, and the banjo.

Besides running the club, Woods also worked as a disc jockey and even tried his hand at stock car racing.

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Janice "Busgal" Brooks
ICQ 44729047

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Yes Bill was a mover and a shaker, it's sad to see another of the 'golden era' pass away.
He played fiddle for Tommy Duncan's Wetern Swing All Stars in 1949 to 1950 and then led the band at the blackboard Club for 12 years, with Red Simpson, Don Markham, Buck Owens and a lot of other pickers going through his group.
In 1949 he worked with a group including Billy Mize and Herb Henson, two guys who would make big inroads for the Bakersfield Sound and live TV in SoCal, while Bill did radio work as well.
His Records in the 1960's and 1970's were few and far between, but did include various Buckaroos guesting, while Don Rich used to sit in with Bill's group 'the Orange Blossom Playboys through the early 1960's.

Thanks for posting this Janice I've heard froma few of the Bakersfield boys and everyone is very saddened by this loss.

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Ron Page · From: Penn Yan, NY USA

I think that song went something like this ...

quote:

Let me tell you all a story ‘bout a guitar pickin’ man
To me he is the greatest picker in the land
I followed him and he taught me guitar pickin’ in harmony
Bill Woods from Bakersfield the Bakersfield Guitar Man

Now Bill never made it big, but he didn’t miss it far
And in my book he’ll always be considered a star
He taught me how to play in E and taught me how to sing on key
Bill Woods from Bakersfield the Bakersfield Guitar Man

When the roll is called up yonder and we’ve all met our quest
I’ll bet he’ll be chosen to pick there with the best
Up there with his gold guitar where things are right old Bill will be the star
Bill Woods from Bakersfield the Bakersfield Guitar Man

I'm sure I'm off a little, but you get the idea.

[This message was edited by Ron Page on 02 May 2000 at 12:47 PM.]

Jason Odd · From: Stawell, Victoria, Australia

Visitation (viewing Bill) will take place 12-8PM this Thursday and Friday At Mish Funeral Home 4030 Wible Rd. Bakersfield (661) 396-9700. Services will be Saturday May 6, at Valley Baptist Church, 4800 Fruitvale Ave, Bakersfield (661) 393-5683 at 11AM. Burial will be at Hillcrest Memorial Park, 9101 Kern Canyon Rd.(661) 366-5766.
By the way fans of Bills can buy his CD'S at www.musickings.com

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