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Topic: Bob Hempker over the week end |
Bill Myrick
From:
Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)
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Posted 26 Oct 2005 1:51 pm |
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Wife and I were in Branson for several days and had two or three visits with Bob and watched him perform with The Country Tonite Show and with The Jim Owens Show. Country Tonite producers need to "wake up" !! They had him buried with the sound system all night long and hardly featured him at all including the ride on "Together Again" !!!
Can you imagine having him in the band and giving that ride to a key board ??? -  Now---The Jim Owens show was another story. Jim always comes out with the crowd before the show to ask questions, etc. I told him we had attended the Tonite show (same theater) and they kept Bobby buried all night and he said "I know it" and I added that we were expecting something differant today and he replied "You'll hear Bobby Hemker, I promise" and we did !!! classic country and a great show Bobby was great !!!
Too early to discuss but Bobby and I are thinking of a CD production after the first of the year that will certainly be a classic !! We'll see how things develope.  |
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Bob Hempker
From:
Goodlettsville, TN.
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Posted 28 Oct 2005 8:54 pm
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Bill,
I really appreciate what you did. I was behind the curtain tuning up when you asked Jim Owen that question. I about fell off my pak-a-seat. The ironic thing about the way they bury the steel in the mix is I've been told that I play too loud. I think they'd really like to have some younger guy who plays 3 or 4 instruments than "just a steel player." It's sad, and I'm not going to beat a dead horse, but steel players are treated like crap any more. You're made to feel like a 5th wheel. It's sad, but most gigs are like that. I enjoy doing Jim Owen's show. They appreciate having a steel player. It's a shame the way things have gotten. BTW, Jim is going to use tracks next year, instead of a live band. Anyway, again Thanks!
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[This message was edited by Bob Hempker on 02 November 2005 at 04:50 AM.] |
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Ron Scott
From:
Michigan
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Posted 29 Oct 2005 9:11 am
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Bobby , This is Ron Scott who helps Terry with the Steel show in Branson each year and I can say that you most certainly are worth hearing so I agree with the volume going up.RS
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Franklin Guitars 
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Michael Breid
From:
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA
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Posted 30 Oct 2005 12:28 pm
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Bob, Most show owners are like club owners. All they want is $$$$. They wouldn't know talent if it walked up and bit them on the butt. They are like Pete Fisher of the Op'ry. If you ain't young and "shakin'it around" then you ain't the person I want working for me. What a crock of ca ca. It's hard to say, but unfortunately it's the truth. I don't know about Pigeon Forge and Myrtle Beach, but I know that Branson, and Nashville are all into what's going on NOW. If it's blind, one legged monkey dumping in a cast iron skillet, they want it if it will bring in not just bucks, but BIG bucks. Then they figure they can get some half way talented people and not pay them squat,(You can use the experience. How many times have we heard that line?) and still make more money. Then they find they can use tracks and fire the whole band so they can make even more money. Then when the crowds start staying away because their show really sucks, the owners start blaming their theater managers and accuse them of ripping them off. Me, Me, Me, what's in it for ME, and to hell with you. There's a lot of super talented pickers in Nashville and Branson...........and they ain't workin'. It's a cryin' shame for sure, but $$$$$$ rules. Common sense flew out the window years ago.  ( |
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Bob Martin
From:
Madison Tn
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Posted 30 Oct 2005 2:17 pm
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"If you ain't young and "shakin'it around" then you ain't the person I want working for me"
Well let me tell you guys something about Bobby Hempker we were picking at Gabes one night and someone brought some "special" fruit juice and we all had a little taste and in a few minutes Bobby was shakin it all around and playing some stuff you've never heard before :-)
So Bobby if we can find you some of that "special juice" we might be able to get them to turn you up in the mix LOL
Of course just kidding Bobby is a great long time friend of mine and I know you will never find a nicer guy or a better player and it's a pity that they have him turned down in the mix. The audience don't know what they are missing.
I sure miss you Bobby I hope to come and visit you someday :-)
Bob |
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Bob Hempker
From:
Goodlettsville, TN.
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Posted 1 Nov 2005 11:08 pm
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Bob, I think that was some of your "tater juice" I got in to. You had been into it also, so you may have been hearing things. Thanks so much, anyhow. I really miss you and all the gang at Gabe's. It was really a delight to be around and work with true professionals. By the way, I was told today that I won't be at Country Tonite next year. They hired Dean Holman, a good friend of mine. I don't have any hard feelings toward Dean. He's younger, more energetic, and can play dobro, banjo, do comedy, or whatever they need. I'm thankful that they finally told me. Now, I can make plans to go on with my life. I honestly feel I've had my fill of Branson. It's the biggest cutthroat, a$$ kissing scene I've ever seen for musicians. I should be worried about finding another job, but actually I'm relieved.By the way, I want to especially commend Boo Miller. He was asked to audition for the job. As a friend, he came and told me first. I told him to go ahead and go for it. I'd rather see him get it than one of these inbreds from around here. I have the utmost respect for him and his wife, Lisa. She sings on the Jim Owen show I play on in the morning. I'm officially declaring myself to be the "Smiley Roberts of Branson." This town has screwed over me about as much as Nashville has Smiley. Smiley, I hope you don't mind me taking on that title.
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[This message was edited by Bob Hempker on 02 November 2005 at 04:44 AM.] [This message was edited by Bob Hempker on 02 November 2005 at 04:53 AM.] |
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Bob Martin
From:
Madison Tn
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Posted 2 Nov 2005 2:18 am
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Well Bob, I guess you are right I might have had a nip or 2 also LOL. On a more serious note I'm so sorry to hear about your job there at "Country Tonight" They don't know what they are loosing with you leaving.
I wish I could help you find something here in town I would love to work with you again. Please keep me up to date on your plans. I assume you have other work there in Branson to keep you busy.
Well good luck Bob and if I can help you with anythihg please let me know.
Bob |
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Bob Martin
From:
Madison Tn
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Posted 2 Nov 2005 4:57 am
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Hey Bob, I just had an idea and no it isn't going to die of loneliness hee hee. Why don't you take this time you have off (if you do have anytime off) and come to Nashville and we'll record you a steel guitar album. You know me and Murph were always going to record one and we just never got around to it so lets learn from the past and do it.
I don't know how many albums you have as a matter of fact I've never heard any of your recordings but if you haven't recorded any lately come on down and I'll take really good care of you I promise!!
I would consider it a privelege to get to put your great chops on tape (actually hard drives lol).
well anyway it's just a thought even if you don't want to record one come down and see me and we'll catch up on old times.
Big Bob
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Bob Hempker
From:
Goodlettsville, TN.
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Posted 2 Nov 2005 7:06 pm
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Big Bob,
I am officially off and un-employed the 11th of December. I've been planning a trip to BNA, anyway to see my kids and grandkids. It's been almost 2 years since I was in Nashville. That's a wonderful idea. We'll keep in touch in the meantime.
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Bob Martin
From:
Madison Tn
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Posted 2 Nov 2005 8:01 pm
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Okeedokee Bob I can't wait to see ya again. I'll fire you off an email and we can plan as the time gets closer  )
Big Bob |
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Michael Breid
From:
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2005 9:10 pm
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Bob,
Sorry to hear about you getting the boot from country tonight, but you hit it right on the head when you said Branson is a big a$$ kissing, "forget you, what's in it for me" town. I could see it coming back in the 80's, and that's when I got out of there. Don't miss it a bit. It seems like the older you get, no matter how talented you are they want to push you out. Ask Joe Griffin about that. One fine entertainer, and he got the boot. I wish we could push "age discrimination", but I think in our business it's a lost cause. Good luck with the rest of your life. |
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Marilyn Myers
From:
Merritt, Michigan, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2005 10:12 pm
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Bob,
I'm sorry to hear you'll be leaving Country Tonight Show, we sure enjoyed seeing you a few weeks ago. Now maybe you can make some of the Steel Guitar Shows around the country. By the way, I'd like to be one of the first in line to purchase your new album!
Marilyn |
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Ray Uhl
From:
Riverside, Missouri, USA
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Posted 2 Nov 2005 10:58 pm
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Bob, I won't go to Branson anymore...no more good Country like the old days, except for maybe Moe Bandy and Mickey Gilley. I love good Country dance music, I call it Texas Country barroom. Seems to be some good 'ole Country sounds coming from Texas. Of course, you're the Pro. You may know more behind the scenes than I do.
Good luck!!
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Bob Hempker
From:
Goodlettsville, TN.
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Posted 3 Nov 2005 11:24 am
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Ray, I won't try to discourage you or any one else from going to Branson. Many people love it here. Myself, I hate the place.
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Bill Myrick
From:
Pea Ridge, Ar. (deceased)
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Posted 3 Nov 2005 2:36 pm
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| Maybe one of those places where they say "Nice place to visit but wouldn't want to live there" Wait til the "Branson Landing" gets up and going -- crowds everywhere then. You can almost watch that deal from your back porch can't you Bob ?? |
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Bob Hempker
From:
Goodlettsville, TN.
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Posted 4 Nov 2005 6:23 am
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Bill,
The Branson Landing Project is just another example of the "good 'ole boy" network in this place running roughshod over everyone else. That was a blatant display of abusive power of eminent domain. Yes, I drive past it every day, and it makes me want to re-gurgitate when I think of the poor souls who were forced to move from their residences and busineses. It really saddens me. I don't want to get into discussing politics here. It's not the time or place, but that is a real travesty of justice.
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Michael Breid
From:
Eureka Springs, Arkansas, USA
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Posted 4 Nov 2005 7:00 am
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| I understand the idea of the Branson Landing is to make the 76 strip and all points west a ghost town. People will flock to the Landing and not want to go out on west 76. Well, DUH! Former Branson pickers, did we see that coming or what? Theaters are closing down and are up for sale along the strip. That's a shame, but they did it to themselves in one respect. Throatcutting, ticket overpricing, etc. it's like them people always talking about their "dogs and caramels"(dogma and karma). What goes around, comes around. Then in a few years a new complex will go up just south of Branson on the lake or west, and downtown Branson and all it's Vegas glitz will be old hat. I see where there are plans for a bid complex to be built around Branson West. Let the games begin. And they call it progress. I'll bet the people who were moved out of their homes by "eminent domain"(better known as "tyranny at it's best".) can't wait for another complex to be built that makes the Landing a ghost town. Gee, perhaps they can have that TV show that explores old buildings looking for ghosts check out some of the theaters on the strip fer "haints". And the beat goes on........... |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 4 Nov 2005 8:39 am
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| * [This message was edited by Gene Jones on 13 November 2005 at 12:15 PM.] |
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