Overby, Reinhart, Flores WOW

Johnny Cox · Posted 28 Oct 2003 8:39 pm

Joan and I had the good fortune to attend two dances this weekend in Ft.Worth. Saturday night we went to Pearls Dancehall to see one of the best country singers on the planet, Jake Hooker. Jake is truly a great singer as well as a great upright bass player. That night he had Dickie (the heart) Overby on steel and Bobby Flores on fiddle. These two guys are all any true country band needs for a lead section. Sunday we went back to Pearls to see Bobby's band which included Reggie Ruffer on fiddle playing perfect twin parts with Bobby. Randy Reinhart playing wonderful steel, Jim Loseburg on drums, Jake Hooker on Bass and a wonderful guitar player (who's name escapes me). Anyway, this was the best two days of music that I have heard in many years. These guys are serious about playing real country music. I could not help thinking about how much Nashville is missing by not having these players there. Oh well, glad they are here. I also had the honor of setting in a set with each band. It reminded me of why I started playing in the first place. Thanks guys for making Joan and my weekend so special.

Johnny Cox

Bobby Flores · From: Blanco, Texas, U.S.A. (deceased)

Many thankin's Johnny! It was so cool to have you & Joan out there with us, and a real treat to have you pick with us! Thanks!

The guitar player is Trevor LaBonte from Austin. He is one fine young musician and has chops for days! We are both Tommy Nash fans and I'm fixing to turn him on to some Clint Strong as well. He's coming from the straight ahead jazz background but is quickly closing in on the Western Swing thing.

We have all been amazed at how Jake has not only picked up but taken complete control of his upright bass. Where the heck was the "transition"?? I mean from the first gig he used it on, it's been a full charge on his part! Just unbelievable. Timing, tone, intonation...the right notes. Hats off to you JakeMeister!

Pearl's Saloon is definitely one of the finest places to go to for traditional country music, that's for sure. Other regulars there are our buddies and cohorts Justin Trevino, Jim Snider and others. The management & owners have done an excellent job in remodeling that club and they are also great people to work with too. The people that come there are hard-core country folk and they have been wonderful supporters of the music we love to play.

Hope to see you there again soon Johnny & Joan!
Bobby

Larry King · From: Watts, Oklahoma, USA

Bro Johnny......Not to take you to task, BUT....Nashville would not appreciate these guys OR their style of music.....therein lies the problem........why, it'll make a guy leave town and move to Texas. You've entered a new old world where we still know what country music is. My business card reads " an uncompromised comittment to the preservation of traditional country music". What you heard at Pearl's is what it means. Welcome.

[This message was edited by Larry King on 29 October 2003 at 03:39 AM.]

Joan Cox · From: Eustace, TX USA

I'll second what Johnny said. Some of the best playing I've heard in a very long time. I envy the players down there. They "get it". It was a real treat to get to hear Randy play steel. I hadn't seen him since he was with Buddy on stage at the St. Louis show back in the late '70s. Dicky played some really nice stuff too. Bobby, Jake you guys are the best. I told Johnny if Eddie Stubbs would have been there, I'm sure he would have said "Are there any questions?:

I had a wonderful time, and it was an honor to get to shake hands with Bobby Flores and Jake Hooker. It's exciting to get to meet guys that you really admire and respect. You guys are truly wonderful musicians and very nice folks. I'm looking forward to getting to come and see you again. Take care.
Joan Cox

Steve Pacholl · From: Minneapolis

A friend gave me a copy of one of Jake Hooker's CD's. I was really impressed. After the first listen through I thought this guy sounds similar to Johnny Bush and Ray Price. In fact on this CD he was covering a number of Johnny Bush songs. The whole CD is filled with classic western swing filled with plenty of steel and fiddle.

Since I was so impressed I checked out the website for his record label and got a chuckle when I saw one of the press releases was comparing him to Johnny Busy, Ray Price and others.

Hooker has talent. I plan on ordering a couple of his CD's. I will definately try to check him out the next time I'm in TX. Looking at this schedule I don't think he will be doing any gigs in Minnesota.

Steve Hinson · From: Hendersonville Tn USA

I have to agree with everything said about these guys...I heard them last nite and they made a BIG impression on me!Haven't heard that kind of music played that well in a LONG time...thanks to Jake,Bobby,Dicky and Jeff for a very enjoyable evening!

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