Johnny Case
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2014 2:49 pm |
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I recently learned that pianist Arthur McNulty passed
away on August 20, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. During the mid-1950's he played in the bands of Billy Gray and Bob Wills. He's the pianist on the Dance-O-Rama album Billy Gray recorded for Decca. His solos are bright, swinging jewels that maintain interest amidst some stellar contributions from the tight-knit guitar team of Bill Carson (standard) and Bobby Koefer (steel). McNulty's expert accompaniment during ensemble passages and behind other soloists is solid and never obtrusive. It was my pleasure to nominate Arthur McNulty for the Cowtown Society of Western Music Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also
inducted into the Texas Western Swing Hall of Fame
in San Marcos that same year.
I had first encountered him in 1964 when I was
breaking into the music profession and he was one of
the most popular pianists working in Dallas clubs.
Getting reacquainted with him was a real pleasure and
he shared some amusing tidbits from back in the day.
One involved Hank Garland coming by during Gray's
recording date for Decca, and jamming with the band
while Gray was understandably concerned about the
clock and how all this fun was eating up his studio
time. Nevertheless, Gray's album is a classic - I just wish the jam with "Sugarfoot" Garland
had also been recorded !
At the time of his death, Arthur was 83, having been born October 17, 1929.
He was among the musicians who set high standards which the rest of us hopefully aspire to reach. |
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