magazine
The Cherry Pickers Richard Sanchez, Andy Buschmann, Erin
Parks Walters, Eric Malott, Matt Kelley
For Bookings phone: 870-834-4923
On FACEBOOK HERE
For Bookings phone Nick: 870-834-2998
On FACEBOOK HERE
magazine
WELCOME TO OUR 2ND ISSUE!
First, we’d like to extend a heart-felt
“THANK YOU” to all the folks who
submitted pictures, questionnaires, videos,
links, and all kinds of useful information in
compiling this Special Music Edition. Obviously, we couldn’t have done this
without you!
Next: While we tried to be as comprehensive
and inclusive as possible in putting this
thing together, we realize that we haven’t
even come close to presenting all of the
musical talent in & around Independence
County (past & present); but we’re not going
to quit trying. Compiling this edition has
made us realize – even more than before –
what incredible talent – in so many areas -
exists in the area. It’s almost scary! So,
going forward, showcasing that will be our
primary goal. While we may have missed
your favorite talent with this issue, we will
find them. We’re talking about musicians,
artists, writers, actors, alligator wrestlers –
all forms of entertainment & leisure. So, if
you have any submissions or suggestions, by
all means, post them on our FACEBOOK
page. We’ll do our best to get to them.
Now, some tips for navigating this rag:
While Indeco looks like any other magazine
– where you flip the pages just like one you
picked up off that cluttered table at your
dentist’s office – being digital actually gives
us some capabilities you won’t find in a
printed publication. Most importantly, we’re
referring to LINKS. With these, you can tap
or click and be magically transported, via
the wonder of that series of tubes known as
the interwebs, to just about anywhere. An ad
from a restaurant, for example, may contain
a link that can take you to the menu, or that
restaurant’s website, where you can learn
everything about it. In this issue, you’ll find
links to performance videos of some of the
entertainers; to their Facebook pages, etc.
HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE LINKS?
Pretty much the same way you would on any
website. Most of the time, they’ll be printed
in blue, or some other color, and underlined;
LIKE THIS
So, if you tried that, you’ll see that you were
taken to another website (a shameless ploy
to drag you, kicking and screaming, to my
own website). How’d that work?
Another way to spot the LINKS is by the icon
on your screen as you hover over the words
and images. If your select tool (the black
arrow) or hand tool (open hand) gives you
the finger:
Then, that word or image is a hot
link, and it will … take you places.
Of course, if you’ve been using the internet
for any time, you know this. If you haven’t,
we’re so happy you found our magazine!
PAGES ARE TOO SMALL
We’ve heard this from some folks, mostly
using their phones to read our magazines.
Tip here: ZOOM IN – the same way you
would to view a picture on your phone; or by
scrolling in with your mouse; or by using the
+/- drag bar located on the right side of the
magazine page. We good now? Read on!
Special Issue
Magazine
Magazine
Vol. 1 No. 2, May, 2016 Published by TigerEye Publications P.O. Box 6382 Springdale, AR 72766 E: [email protected] Copyright 2016, Rick Baber
Magazine is electronically published quarterly, free to online
subscribers, by TigerEye Publications, through ISSUU.com
Statement of Copyright: All rights reserved. Individual authors
hold copyright on all materials herein. No part of this electronic
magazine may be reproduced – except by ISSUU.com – without the
written consent of Magazine or the author. Email requests
to copy any materials, including photographs and art work, to the
address shown above. Please feel free to share the publication, or
unaltered excerpts from it, via social media, with credit given to
Magazine and the author.
Acceptance of advertising does not carry with it endorsement by the
publisher. Opinions expressed by Magazine or any of its
authors, do not necessarily reflect positions of our advertisers.
For Submission Guidelines, email:
[email protected] Please indicate “QM Writer Guidelines” in subject box.
Advertisers: Please contact us via email: [email protected]
Magazine
-Rick Baber
Zach Mann reflects on his time in
Independence Co.
Magazine
Advertise with us!
Your ad on our pages
can be virtually
unlimited in its
capabilities. Link
from our pages to
yours – where you
have total control
over the content!
Email us [email protected]
About our May Cover:
Batesville Photographer/Videographer
Kris Caraway shot this image of singer/songwriter Chelsea Savage.
See more about Chelsea on Page 26,
and more about Kris
on Page 32.
magazine
JIMMY BOOTHBY
NOSTALGIA
Old photo of the Queen City Band of Batesville. This photo is circa turn of the century 1900.
A band concert on the Independence County courthouse lawn from the 1950s.
Band activity on the Independence county courthouse lawn in the early 1950s.
Old photo of the I.O.O.F. Home Band in the extreme early 1900s.
magazine
THE BUS FOR SMACKOVER LEAVES IN 15 MINUTES It was when I lived in Little Rock, third grade, that
I first discovered the coolness of music. Up until
then it had only been noise that my parents listened
to when they were partying with friends in the
neighborhood. Dean Martin. Nat King Cole. Roger
Miller... Elvis. Various and sundry other artists that
I wouldn’t give two hoots about for decades. We
kids had better, more productive things to do. Like
playing fighter pilots on our bicycles – wearing
goggles, riding right up behind the mosquito trucks,
pretending we were flying through the clouds.
Getting lungs full of that good ol’ DDT.
But then, on February 9, 1964, that all changed. The
Beatles came on Ed Sullivan – right there on our
TV, in vivid black & white - and even this 3rd grader
knew there was something magical about this stuff.
Right then, I made the informed decision to become
a rock ‘n roll star. But, having no access to musical
equipment, my only course of action at the time was
to call the local radio station, as often as possible,
and make requests for my favorite songs.
The very next year, our family moved to
Blytheville, Arkansas, right on the big river where
the blues lived. But of course I didn’t realize it at
the time. The Beatles got old for a while and The
Monkeys, for my age group, became the thing. To
emulate them, my buddy Woody (by far the coolest
guy in Blytheville) and I always had the mod-est
clothes – the striped pants and suede zip-up-the side
boots, and the widest belts that could be found. But
with still no access to instruments, the closest we
came to being rock stars was walking down the
street with our transistor radios, in step to the
music, in our fancy black boots.
I signed up for the 6th grade band, and selected the
coronet as my instrument. I was terrible at it (trying
to read those charts and blow the right notes), but
Quick exit off the Water Carnival stage. Doom blowing the sax.
Orion’s first gig – BJHS gym. Terry was hot.
That’s right baby, I’m
a rock god! Look how
excited these little
girls are over here.
Same. Damn. Outfit.
magazine
self-taught myself (poorly) a couple of tunes off my
parents’ Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass album.
I’d walk up and down the street in our otherwise
quiet neighborhood, playing Tijuana Taxi. And
nobody even called the cops…that I know of.
Sometime later, I talked my mom into getting me a
Teisco Del Rey guitar, because my cousin, Tim,
had a guitar and on a visit to their house he taught
me how to play the theme from Bonanza on 3 of
those 6 strings. So, I had that going for me, but
things like chords … and tuning … were really
harder than the guys on TV made it look. My family
didn’t know any musicians that could teach me how
to really play the thing, and given my lack of
aptitude and growing disinterest in the coronet,
taking actual lessons was never really a topic for
discussion.
Just before we moved from Blytheville to Btesville,
in 1967, Woody turned me on to The Young
Rascals. This. This was getting better all the time!
The first kid I met in Batesville, when his mother
drug him over to our house on Harrison Street to
make a neighborly introduction, was James Wesley
Milum. It wasn’t long after that before I learned that
he had two older brothers and they knew a lot about
music. They had more albums in their attic room
than I had ever seen, anywhere. It was like a radio
station up in there. So, this music appreciation
wasn’t just a thing in Blytheville. Maybe even more
prolific here in this other town on another river.
A guy named Steve Roberts lived in the big yellow
house to the south of Stanley Wood Chevrolet
(where the Batesville Police Department is located
now). I had hooked up with some guys that also had
eyes upon being rock stars: Bill Milum, Larry
Weaver, Steve Smith, Fred Harris – and somehow
it was arranged that we could get together and play
for a party at the big house. Of course, I never had
learned to play the Del Rey, but these guys, they
had amplifiers and everything! They knew chords
and whole songs. But, as I recall, the only one we
played – literally all night – was Sunshine of Your
Love. I didn’t know ALL of the words, and there
Orion. BHJS. Big muscles.
THERE’s
Clint!
Gawd, look
at these
moves!
Matched Tommy note for note on my handy air guitar mic.
magazine
was no Internet to look them up on, but they let me
sing what I knew. Over, and over, and over. We
were a huge hit, if even in our own minds. Stardom
was on the horizon.
The next time my family moved (we moved a lot)
was only over to the east side of Batesville, to a
little rock house on Boswell Street. It was only a
minor culture shock, because I had met most of
these “Eastsiders” at places like the Landers
Theater and track meets and football games. Within
only a few blocks lived aspiring legends like Fred
Harris and Steve Smith and Johnny Baxter and
Jerry and Tommy Lewis. Just a couple of blocks
away was the home of Regina Rowe, and there it
was revealed to me that even chicks were fans of
rock ‘n roll. Up there at her house, one week, the
next sensation was born, featuring yours truly,
Regina, Mark Wyatt and Mary Henry. But
something came up (I don’t recall what) and we
never did anything beyond practicing for a day or
so.
Desha Byrd lived near Regina and her house was
the neighborhood hangout. There, with Fred Harris,
Steve Smith, Greg Otwell and … I can’t remember
who else, we formed a real band with a name and
everything: The Gregorian Tabernacle Choir –
although I don’t think we ever actually played
anywhere besides Desha’s basement. To be clear,
I didn’t play anything. I was just the singer. Nobody
else wanted to sing.
After that, my journey to rock godism is somewhat
blurred in my memory. I know I continued to jam
around with Smith and Harris. Keith Goforth was a
drummer and he had a basement with blacklights
and stuff, and we started another band and practiced
there. I think that was the first band with which I
performed in public, at a dance at the Jaycee
Building down by the bayou. I remember this
because as I was singing there my future wife
rushed up on stage and asked that, whatever we did,
“please don’t play a slow song!” I didn’t know her,
but she was hot, so I agreed. Then, this monster of
a date she was with (although she still tells me “that
wasn’t a date!”) came up and, basically, told me to
Sheila Horn, Terry Horn In the dungeon
Not as stoned as I looked.
Getting high in Cave City,
with Andy Buschmann
magazine
do a “belly rubber.” We did. Immediately. Did I
mention that he was a monster?
So, having performed in public, I was now a
famous rock ‘n roll singer. My family had moved
(yes, again) to a bigger house on Josephine Drive,
and we had a basement of our own. Another band
was formed and we practiced there. Ricky Walker
on guitar, Jodie Bristow on drums. . . the rest
escapes me. But the White River Water Carnival
was doing a tribute to Elvis Presley – who they had
run off several years earlier for wiggling his junk –
and they needed a band to do some Elvis songs.
Ricky Walker knew a guy who played, among other
things, saxophone, who was going to Arkansas
College. He managed to find this guy, Robert
Doom, and somehow convinced him to perform
with us. Robert knew a bass player named Ric
Buford and drug him in; and the gig was on.
We did two songs. One of them (the only one I can
remember) was Blue Suede Shoes. The girls
screamed (because, I think, somebody had
instructed them to do so, to fit in with the whole
Elvis phenom theme) and we had rocked our
biggest crowd yet. There was no stopping us now.
In the halls of Batesville High School, when I was
a sophomore, a famous drummer named Nicky
Fudge knew my girlfriend (the girl who had to slow
dance with the monster) and told me about a friend
of his who had a band and was looking for a singer.
Andy Buschmann was already legendary and I
jumped at the opportunity. He already had a
complete band, with Gary Smith on rhythm, Terry
Horn on bass, and …maybe not a drummer yet,
because he had previously played with Nick, who
now had a very popular band of his own called St.
Peter’s Road Show – with my old buddies Fred
Harris and Steve Smith, among others.
We had only practiced a few times when we were
approached by a couple of kids named Tommy
Lewis (lead guitar) and Clint Allen (drums) who
lured Andy, Terry and I back to that big yellow
house behind Stanley Wood’s where Clint’s family
now lived. And there, we started my first big-time
Tommy Lewis
Aka Tee Tot
Aka Partee
Terry Horn. Greatest 3-fingered
bass player in captivity.
magazine
traveling band, Orion. Tommy was the most
phenomenal thing I had ever witnessed on guitar –
fingers as fast as lightning, hitting every note. I
remembered him as the kid from our eastside
neighborhood who never played football with us in
the field behind his house, because he was
practicing. It all began to make perfect sense the
moment I saw how that practice paid off.
Orion became a pretty steady band, playing two,
sometimes three gigs every weekend – traveling
mostly to the far corners of Arkansas, doing high
school dances; the occasional nightclub in the
flatlands east of Batesville; private parties for rich
folk in Little Rock; stuff like that.
Like all bands, the personnel changed from time to
time. Reasons are hard to remember – or maybe
convenient to forget. Clint took up with Kai Haley
from Newport and they started their own “big hair”
band … and they were great. He was replaced on
drums by handsome Ransom Weaver. Chicks
always dig the drummers. Terry left and the bass
was picked up by a local banjo picker, Bobby
Barnett, who brought all kinds of new creativity
with him. Not many rock bands in the area could
throw in a banjo song when needed. When begging
& pleading couldn’t convince Mike Foster to play
keys, we managed to locate Robert Doom again –
still the most musically-talented person I have ever
had the honor to meet. He could play ANY
instrument, including saxophone, meaning we
rocked the Stones’ “Brown Sugar.” Later, Bobby
left and we needed a bass player. Tommy’s little
brother, Jerry, aka “Byrd,” agreed to fill in on bass,
if somebody would teach him how to play it – and
Robert did that right away. Byrd was a quick
learner, and soon became one excellent bassist.
Our house at 1819 State Street was dubbed
“Crackerbox Palace; and there was non-stop music.
Then, one day, like every band except the Stones, it
all just … ended. Everybody went their separate
ways. Mine was back to working “day jobs,”
Bob Barnett with Jimmy Driftwood
Bob, playing his favorite Chinese song, Tu Ning
magazine
figuring if THAT band didn’t get me there, none
would.
Withdrawal from playing music all the time was
difficult. I wasn’t easy to live with. Becky bought
me a flattop from Lou Desio (I still have it!), which
I could pretend to play from time to time, wishing I
was Tommy Lewis or Andy Buschmann. I picked
up a few easy chords and would sit in our bar room
on State Street and bellow, keeping the neighbors
awake late at night, I’m sure. It just wasn’t the
same without a band, making real music.
Briefly, I hooked up with Mike Branscum, Steve
Kimbrough, Roger McGee, and the Sutton brothers
from Southside and we started a band whose name
I cannot remember. We played a couple of gigs
before that one broke up too.
In 1983, with a 3 year-old son and a construction
testing job that was coming to an end, in search of
gainful employment, we moved away from
Batesville – and every single picker I ever knew. A
stranger in Springdale, I had to learn just a little bit
more on the ol’ Sigma, or limit my singing to the
shower. Here, I picked up a few solo gigs from time
to time, but most of my “performing” is limited to
family gatherings and my own self-gratification.
And after all these years, I still miss it, every time I
hear one of those songs on the radio.
For the most part, writing and publishing has filled
that void – but not all of it. In my first book, in the
year 2000, I included a (very) short story as an
introduction to a song (lyrics only) I wrote about
those days as a (as Robert Doom jokingly referred
to me) “Rock God.” None of this is to even
remotely imply that I ever thought I was; or that my
name deserves to be mentioned with those who are
named in this article – those “gamblers in the neon”
(Jackson Browne) who stuck with their dreams and
managed to “keep on rockin’” (Steve Miller). But,
by God, one thing that can never be taken away
from me is the fact that I knew them all, and I’m
very proud of that.
Anyway, enough rambling. The title for the story
was ala an on-mic quip made one night by the late,
great, Bobby Barnett: “The Bus for Smackover
Leaves in 15 Minutes!” Here it is.
Me & Ransom at practice…somewhere
Becky & Byrd in deep conversation in the dungeon on State Street
I
“Byrd”
magazine
Mike “Da Rope” Roper, Orion sound technician
Roper, Melanie Smithee (backup
vocals), Byrd, in the dungeon on
State Street
Handsome Ransom, dressed to kill
magazine
The Bus for Smackover Leaves in 15 Minutes
If seems like a million years ago.
We were all on the road.
Playin’ sweet rock’n’roll music,
When we weren’t broken down in the cold
We thought we’d become a sensation then,
Reaching out for the stars.
We’d daydream of touring the nation in
One of those big fancy cars.
But now my daydreams take me back
To those old highways,
In a beat-up van heading down to the Market Café.
And sometimes I still think we might have made it,
If a break or two had only come our way.
Ah, the Market Café.
Now, Terry’s back with the living.
(We’d given him up for dead.)
And Bird drives an 18-wheeler,
And makes sure his dog gets fed.
Bobby’s running the family store,
Drinkin’ whiskey and pickin’ the blues.
Andy’s filling bottles in a pharmacy.
Where Clint is, I haven’t a clue.
And my daydreams take me back
To those old highways.
Sometimes when the paperwork’s
Piling up too high.
The night that we broke down
In Mike’s Mercedes.
We’d have frozen to death
If that cop hadn’t stumbled by.
Mike’s old Mercedes.
I can still hear
Tommy’s Les Paul screaming.
And the sultry sound
Of Robert’s saxophone.
To the rhythm
Of Randy’s cymbals ringing,
I lock the office up
And take my daydreams home.
I take ‘em home.
Fred Harris in
the kitchen on
State Street
Trying to learn
some chords at
Crackerbox
Palace
Nearing the last days with Orion, with a cheesy half-stache
magazine
A Place in Time
Zach Mann
When people ask me where I am from, I
typically tell them I hail from the eastern
edge of the Ozarks on the White River in
northcentral Arkansas. Having never
considered myself as being from Batesville
(I went to high school and part of junior high
at Southside), it seems like a better way of
describing it. It was a wonderful place to
grow up. There were 53 seniors in my
graduating class and I knew them all quite
well. I worked on my best friend’s farm from
the time I was fourteen until I graduated
and often reflect on what a special space in
time this was for me. As farm laborers, we
were able to get out of school each day at
noon in order to feed cows, tend to fences,
haul hay, plant and harvest wheat and
soybeans, and all of the other various duties
associated with farm living. I knew then and
I know now how fortunate I was to grow up
when, where, and how I did. I wouldn’t
change a thing about it, even if I could.
My family was not from Independence
County as my parents were both Okies
transplanted to Arkansas because of my
father’s career with Phillips Petroleum
Company. We lived in a middle class
neighborhood in Little Rock until he was
transferred to the Batesville area when I
was 11 to manage the northern Arkansas
Division of Marketing. My mother wanted
no part of the move, broke down in tears
upon visiting Batesville and filed for divorce
the very next day. Within the span of less
than a year, my father re-married a local
widow with three daughters. My brother,
sister, and I would come up for visits once a
month or so for a couple of years until my
sister and I both moved to be with our father
in Southside. She lasted a year, and I lasted
two, then moved back to Little Rock for my
freshman year, only to return to Southside
to for the last three years of my high school
education.
These were tumultuous times in the
south. Desegregation was in full swing and
though it looked good on paper, the actual
implementation of the same was not without
its problems. Having the option of
participating or not participating in this
great social experiment, I chose the latter. I
often reflect on how different my life would
have been had I stayed in Little Rock and
rode it out. My mother worked about 16
hours a day at her job and was not around to
supervise me. Left to my own devices, I was
not faring well in Little Rock (to say the
least), and felt lost in the shuffle, completely
rudderless. Divorce can be ugly and can
have lots of unintended consequences and I
doubt that either of my parents would look
back on what they’d put their children
through during these years with much
personal satisfaction. I loved them both
dearly, but, in this regard, they could have
and should have done a better job, but, life
got in the way as it so often does. When you
are up to your ass in alligators, it is
sometimes difficult to remember that your
objective was to drain the swamp.
Even though I lived in Southside,
Batesville was the obvious economic center
of our existence, yet back in those days,
there was no McDonald’s anywhere in the
county. Pizza Hut was the first major chain
to grace Harrison Street, and our discount
magazine
store choices were either Gibson’s at the end
of Main or Magic Mart. The two movie
theaters, the Melba and the Landers, each
had Owl shows on Friday night, where
pubescent boys could get a glimpse of the
occasional naked breast on the silver screen
by lying about their age at the ticket booth.
They were simple and wonderful times. The
White River Drive-In must have shown
Texas Chain Saw Massacre (the original), at
least a thousand times while Marlboro and
Viceroy smoke billowed from nearly every
car.
“Hot dog? HOT DOG!! Three minutes ‘til
show time! Visit the snack bar now!!”
I earned a dollar per hour working on the
farm and got paid every Friday. Forty
dollars in 1974 could go a long, long way.
The Southside Dairy Bar, owned and
operated by the Thomas family, featured a
foot-long hot dog with chili and slaw that
remains the best I’ve ever consumed
anywhere in the world and, coupled with a
large cherry Coke, the two dollar investment
would have been a bargain at twice the price.
The parking lot at the Dairy Bar was ground
zero for planning all of the mayhem and
mischief the night could provide, of which
there could be plenty. The first order of
business was often to determine whether or
not anyone was making a Newport run, or, if
not, who would drive up Hutchison
Mountain to the bootlegger. Either way,
often there would be beer, with Miller ponies
being the order of the day. Because there
were 48 of them to a case, and, because of the
way they fit so easily in our hands, no road
sign was ever safe. A more passive and
sensible way to enjoy an evening on the
cheap was to go to F.B. Headstream’s
skating rink and pool hall. F.B. and his
wonderful family were great guardians of
area youth and ran a safe, clean, and orderly
establishment. There was no getting out of
line at F.B.’s, more as a matter of respect for
him than any fear he imposed as he was a
pure and gentle soul whom no one would
ever want to cross. He was one of the best
people I’ve ever had the pleasure to have
known.
By today’s standards, life was very simple
then. The hardest drug around was
marijuana and you could always tell who the
“dope heads” were because they invariably
smelled as if they had showered in patchouli
oil. I suppose this was a way of covering the
pungent smell of the pot itself, though they
might as well have worn a sign around their
necks instead. Looking back on it now, I
can’t help but think that these kids were
safer than those of us burning up the road to
magazine
Newport, drinking and driving on Highway
14. Marijuana has never been my thing and
obviously must affect me differently than it
affects those who prefer it, but it certainly is
not the evil devil drug portrayed in Reefer
Madness. I can’t count on both hands the
number of friends I’ve known whose lives
were cut short by the ridiculous concept of
having dry counties in Arkansas. These
antiquated laws are a clear and misguided
attempt to legislate morality and have been
a miserable failure at best. There is blood on
the hands of the zealots who keep these laws
and this is a test of real morality.
Those of us who grew up in the 70s in
Independence County, Arkansas (I left
around 1980), are fortunate in many ways,
and on balance, not so much in others. On
the one hand, in a world of steel eyed death
and men who were fighting to be warm
(paraphrasing Bob Dylan), it was a great
place to find shelter from the storm. The fits
and starts of the civil rights movement, for
example, barely even grazed us as we were
blissfully ignorant of the pains felt so deeply
in the more urban centers of the Old South.
Most of the news on national television
might as well have taken place on another
planet, except of course, for the Vietnam
War, which remains a stain applied to us all
in one way or another. There were lots of
factory jobs around if you wanted to stay in
the area, but if you chose to leave, you could.
If you DID leave, however, you could never
look at it the same way when you came back.
The down side, and there is always a down
side to everything, is that growing up in such
a place and time can stunt your spiritual and
intellectual growth. If our job as human
beings is truly to evolve into something
greater in God’s master plan, it is a difficult
road within such a tightly wound, old time
religion bound culture. Our species is
evolving to be more inclusive on virtually
every possible level yet being resisted so
hatefully by fundamentalist movements
around the world. If God is truly love, which
is what we are taught to believe, we might
want to read those parts of the Word with
more responsibility and conviction. God
loves brown babies and black babies as much
as he loves yellow babies and white ones.
Science does not run against the concept of
God but will one day likely prove Divine
existence (that is, if we don’t destroy
creation in the meantime). Eliminating
hate amongst your immediate neighbor is
the first step to eliminating it all over the
planet. Judging your own standing with the
Lord by comparing your life to the perceived
sins of your neighbor will never suffice, as it
is woefully and diametrically opposed to the
concept of the power of love itself. You might
have the wrong religion, if it doesn’t let you
think.
I spent some time in Independence
County recently over several weekends in
2014. Racism is still prevalent, though not
quite as severe, yet the population remains
over 90 per cent white which is no
coincidence. Apparently, the scourge of
crystal meth is a real problem, just as it is in
lots of rural communities across the nation.
Treatment is the answer, not incarceration-
-- (say it over and over and over until it
comes true). On the up side, the region
remains an extremely beautiful and special
place. I’ll always remember it fondly and
with great reverence. A river makes its own
way, cutting canyons on a journey to the sea,
and that’s the way love goes.
magazine
I am Sheriff Steve Jeffery and would like
to give a heartfelt thanks to the good people
of Independence County. At the end of this
term serving as your Sheriff in this great
county and as your Chief Deputy for 8 years
prior to being elected Sheriff, I will have had
the honor and privilege to have served you
for the past 14 years. I have taken this
responsibility very seriously and have
always tried to do the best job I can. I have
achieved many of the goals I promised the
voters when I sought this office in 2010. My
main goals were, and still are, to provide
effective, proactive law enforcement; ensure
a safe community for "all" citizens; evaluate
the effectiveness of all departments;
apprehend drug dealers; and create a drug
unit for Independence County. The
formation of the Batesville Police
Department has reduced my force leaving
the county with no longer the drug unit I had
started. I intend to try to implement
another drug unit as funds become
available.
During my term in office as your Chief Law
Enforcement Officer, there have been many
accomplishments for this county. One
accomplishment that makes me so proud is
the Independence County Sheriff's
Department's first SWAT TEAM funded by
federal grants. This is a first class team
made up of county officers, reserve officers,
and volunteers. We have state-of-the-art
equipment and use the latest technology.
Our team has been asked to train law
enforcement teams across the state.
Another accomplishment is our Dive,
Search, and Rescue Team comprised of
county officers and reserve officers. The
community has donated money toward the
purchase of boats, and the Arkansas Game
and Fish Commission donated a boat for
search and recovery of drowning victims.
Due to the generosity of the House family
who donated over 30 acres of land to our
department, we now have a first class Firing
Range located by our jail. Now our officers
do not have to go to other counties to meet
state mandated qualifications.
We have also installed a secure drug drop
box at the Sheriff's Office where citizens in
the community can dispose of unwanted and
outdated drugs. Merchant & Planters' Bank
of Batesville donated a safe that is used as
the drug drop box. My highly skilled
officers provide Active Shooter Training to
schools and community businesses.
magazine
We have formed Neighborhood Watch
Programs. We work closely with the 16th
Judicial Drug Task Force aiding in the
apprehension of drug arrests. These
accomplishments are just the highlights of
what my officers do in addition to patrolling
and arresting law breakers on a daily basis
in a large county.
My experience in law enforcement dates
back to the 1970s. I started as a dispatcher
and worked my way up to patrolman,
sergeant, Assistant Chief of Police, Chief
Deputy, and now Sheriff. I graduated from
two Law Enforcement Training Academies
and completed numerous trainings and
certifications in all areas of law enforcement
over the past 18 years.
I believe the voters should cast their ballots
for the Independence County Sheriff's race
based on the person with the most
experience and qualifications. I also believe
the voters should consider the
accomplishments of the department during
my terms.
Therefore, I am asking you to allow me to
continue the responsibility of providing a
highly trained group of law enforcement
professionals who make us proud every
day. I am asking for your vote for one more
term. I will then step aside and leave the
department in the capable hands of the
voters' next choice as their Sheriff.
Again, thanks so much for your past
support, and I am hoping for your continued
support in the upcoming election in
November 2016.
It has been my Honor to Serve You!
Sheriff Steve Jeffery
“Odds ‘n Ends. Andy Buschmann, Jim Ives,
Raydean McCarroll, Nick Fudge, Barney Anderson
Larry Barber (RIP)
1971
magazine
When choosing a leader; educate yourself
and research the candidates. What has each
candidate done for the community, how
involved are they, and what is the history of
their work ethics? What does each candidate
bring to the community, and will the
candidate be able to work successfully with
all law enforcement agencies?
Stephens-Sims Team:
Shawn Stephens was born and raised in
Independence County. He is the son of
Lowell and Glenda Stephens, who were also
born and raised here.
His working experience started at the tender
age of 9, on the farm. His duties included
clearing the hay fields of rocks to tying the
loose hay strings on the bales of hay. In his
tenth year, his family leased a poultry farm
and he worked on it for the next 10 years.
During this time he helped in the working of
cattle, hay work and daily operation of the
egg production. At the age of 15 he started
his own rice hull business; not only was
Shawn providing hulls for the family
operation, but to other growers as well.
During this time he was also assisting in the
management of the family cattle and poultry
operation. In addition to the time Shawn
dedicated to the family business and his
business, he was also attending Batesville
High School where he graduated in 1990.
After graduation, Shawn started working for
the City of Batesville in Dispatch. Along
with this job and the responsibilities of the
farm, Shawn began his education and
training in the Emergency Services Field.
He started as a Volunteer Fireman with
Northside Fire Dept. and training as a First
Responder. Recognizing his limitations in
the field, Shawn made the decision to
become an EMT. Once again, recognizing his
limitations and wanting to have the ability
to do more, he started his education as an
EMT/Paramedic.
Through the years Shawn has received
recognition, awards and commendations for
his exemplary service to his fellow man. He
is a man not only dedicated to the family, the
Stephens Family Sims Family
From the Shawn Stephens for Sheriff Campaign
magazine
people of Independence County, but also to
his fellow officers, emergency personnel and
volunteers. He has worked tirelessly, both
on and off duty, to bring law breakers to
justice. He’s put himself in harm’s way more
than once in an attempt to save and to Serve
and Protect. His work ethic, dedication and
integrity are unparalleled. Shawn has
worked diligently to improve his skills and
knowledge to better serve others and with
your help, he will work diligently to improve
the Sheriff’s Department for all of us in
Independence County!
He is married to Melissa Stephens and they
are the parents of Morgan Alana Stephens
and Xavier Hood.
Education:
Graduated Batesville High School
1990
Arkansas EMT 1993
Nationally Registered Paramedic
1999
Fire Department Instructor 1999
Law Enforcement Instructor 2011
Field Training Officer 2012
Nims Compliant
Multiple Supervisory Classes
A.L.I.C.E. Instructor
Emergency Vehicle Operations
Instructor
Career
Member of Northside Fire
Department since 1990; Currently
the Assistant Chief
911 Dispatch 1992-1997
Vital link EMS 1997-2007
Independence County Sheriff’s
Office Reserve 2001-2007
City of Oil Trough part time Town
Marshall 2003-2013
Independence County Sheriff’s
Office 2007-Present; Currently a
shift Sergeant
Honors and Awards:
1993 EMT of the year from
Independence County EMS
1998 Splendid Team Work and
Meritorious Service Award
1999 Employee of the year from
Vital Link EMS
1999 Appreciation Certificate for
Cave Rescue
2002 Certificate for Acts of
Bravery
2002 Certificate for service and
dedication as a reserve officer
2007 Fire Fighter of the year at
Northside Fire Department
2012 4th Quarter Officer of the
Quarter at Independence County
Sheriff’s Office
2012 Officer of the Year at
Independence County Sheriff’s
Office
2012 Letter of Commendation in
apprehension of a dangerous
suspect
2013 Arkansas Star of Life from
the Arkansas Ambulance
Association
2014 Certificate of Commendation
from the Floods
2014 L.E.P.C. Volunteer of the
Year
2014 Firefighter of the Year at
Northside Fire Department
magazine
Investigator Jeff Sims has been a
dedicated officer for the citizens of
Independence County with over 20 years
of Law Enforcement experience.
Jeff has been employed with the
Batesville Police Department since its
inception in June 2015 and currently
serves as a Criminal Investigator. Prior
to joining the Batesville Police
Department he was a certified officer
with the Independence County Sheriff’s
Department for 17 years. Hired by
Sheriff Ron Webb in 1998, he worked in
the Patrol Division as a deputy from
1998-2001. In February of 2001 he was
promoted to Corporal in the Patrol
Division with another promotion to
Patrol Sergeant in September of 2001
under Sheriff Dan Johnson. He
transferred to the Criminal
Investigations Division as an
Investigator in February 2008 under
Sheriff Keith Bowers. In 2013 Jeff was
promoted to Sergeant over the Criminal
Investigations Division until leaving for
the Batesville Police Department in June
of 2015. During the majority of Inv. Sims’
Criminal Investigations career he has
primarily been assigned to work financial
crimes including frauds, forgeries, and
theft schemes.
A 1992 graduate of Southside High
School, Investigator Jeff Sims began his
affiliation into Law Enforcement in 1992
after listening to a career orientation
speech from Captain Bill Lindsey and
Sgt. Jerry Hagar of the Independence
County Sheriff’s Department. After
talking his high school teacher, Sarah
Nail, into allowing him to do a one day
ride with a police officer, as a high school
student, Jeff rode with Sgt. Bobby
Norman and has been hooked on Law
Enforcement from that date. In 1992 he
joined the Independence County Sheriff’s
Department Explorer Program, a
program through the Arkansas Boy
Scouts, which was led by current County
Clerk Debbie Finley and retired Lt.
Brenda Bittle. In 1995 Jeff was accepted
and joined the Independence County
Sheriff’s Department Reserve Officer
Program under the late Sam McBride.
Investigator Jeff Sims frequently speaks
to groups and organizations about fraud
techniques and fraud prevention. He is a
member of the Arkansas Bankers
Association, a member of the Arkansas
Bank Security Council in Little Rock,
Arkansas and has served as a Task Force
Agent with the United States Secret
Service, Little Rock Field Office. Jeff was
honored in 2008 by being named Officer
of the Year under Sheriff Keith Bowers.
Jeff is married to Brianna Sims and has
four children; Peyton, Talyon, Ryleigh,
and baby Lillian. He is the son of Paula
and Fred Huckabee and the late Ronnie
Sims.
Shawn and Jeff have a combined total of
50 years in the preparation and work in
Public Service. An outstanding team for
the citizens of Independence County!
Your support for team of Stephens-Sims
is greatly appreciated!
magazine
I: Your name & current address?
Chelsea Savage Batesville, AR
I: What’s your connection to Independence
County?
CS: Born in Batesville, and raised in Charlotte until
my teens. I also attended school at Cord-Charlotte
Elementary and High School.
I: Tell us about your first interest in music. Who
were your musical influences?
CS: My first musical influence was my mother, and
my first experiences with performing were in a
small Baptist church that we attended in Charlotte.
She would play piano and sing harmony while I
sang lead. After showing an interest in music at a
very young age (about 2 years old), my parents
found a private instructor to give me lessons in
classical Piano. I can remember going to lessons
once a week after school all throughout elementary.
At the age of six, the family piano was moved from
our living area into my own room, and it was there
that I spent hours a day practicing music. I lived and
breathed music, but I did not realize until several
years later that people could actually 'do' music for
a job and as a career. I just knew that I was very
passionate about it, and it was a language that I
could understand very well. I cannot remember a
time in my life when I did not fully grasp the
meaning of music. It has always been a defining
part of who I am. When I was about ten or eleven
years old, my brother received a guitar for
Christmas. I had never really entertained the idea of
learning another instrument other than piano, but
the thought became a prominent one very quickly.
It was around that time that I had discovered Jewel;
I suspect that I had overheard my older cousins
listening to her music. I was very fascinated by her
ability to accompany herself on guitar while she
sang, so I knew immediately that I needed to learn
how to play so I did not have to rely on karaoke
tracks. LeAnn Rimes was also blowing up in the
music scene at that time, and I was particularly
interested in the art of yodeling, even though I did
not know at the time what it was called. One
afternoon I had managed to teach myself how to
yodel a song of hers, and I was practicing my
newfound, quirky talent outside on the deck. A
relative overheard and made quite a big deal out of
it. At that point, I remember that a lot of things
changed for me - music wise. I began singing places
other than church, and I think it was during that
time I realized that performing was to become
something I would be doing for the rest of my life.
I self-taught guitar and was regularly performing by
age 11 and a half.
magazine
I: When did you first know you wanted to perform
in public?
CS: I really do not remember a time when I was
NOT performing in public to some extent, but I
believe it really clicked for me around age 11.
I: What was your first public gig? Do you
remember any of the songs you played?
CS: I can remember entering a few talent shows
and playing classical piano pieces before the age of
9 or 10. However, my first public gig singing
outside of church was at the Independence County
Fair Youth Talent Show, the year would have been
maybe 1998. I yodeled the song Cowboy's
Sweetheart and won first prize. Somebody in the
audience heard me and within a month I was invited
to yodel in Mountain View at the Ozark Folk
Center. My first performances were all of old
country songs made popular by artists such as Hank
Williams Sr. and Patsy Cline.
I: What instruments do you play?
CS: Piano, Guitar, and Ukelele
I: Who were some of the individuals and groups
you have publically performed with? When?
CS: Most of my career has been solo acoustic
performances.
I: Where are some of the places you have played?
CS: I have played several venues all over the
southern US and Nashville. American Pickers Store
- Antique Archeology, in Nasvhille The ROW Pub,
Nashville PorchFest in Franklin, TN Hotel Indigo
Lounge, Nashville National Pipeliner's Reunion
and Convention, Conroe, TX Smoke and Barrell
Tavern, Fayetteville, AR Thee Abbey Kitchen at
Arcadia Academy in Arcadia, MO The Fox Front
Porch Show in Jonesboro, AR Just to name a few...
I: What was your favorite venue? Most
memorable?
CS: I loved Antique Archeology and played the
venue several times over a year or two. Nashville is
fun because I always meet new people and some of
them I have been able to stay in touch with, thanks
to social media. Smoke and Barrell Tavern in
Fayetteville was very fun and memorable, I played
that show with a band called Honeyshine. They
were a very folksy / bluegrassy type band. The
percussionist was a very cool lady who played the
Washboard!
I: Are you still performing in public? If so, why –
and where? If not, why not?
CS: I haven't performed a lot in the past year due
to my daughter's unexpected diagnosis of a rare and
incurable autoimmune disease that attacks her
muscles and skin (Juvenile Dermatomyositis). She
was diagnosed in Feb of 2015. I dropped everything
magazine
at that time to put my focus on her 100%. In the
beginning, she was very sick and weak, and needed
to use a wheelchair when we went out and about.
She is still on very powerful medicines, Intravenous
Immunoglobulin Infusions and low dose
Chemotherapy injections. However, she is
recovering well and still fighting towards
Remission from the disease. To date, she has been
hospitalized a total of close to 40 days (not
consecutively). She is ten years old. I am starting to
book gigs again though, just last weekend I played
at Fox Creek BBQ here in Batesville. It has always
been one of my favorite venues. A few months ago
I played the Duck Blind. I love all of my friends
there and that venue as well. On May 21st, I will be
returning to Piney Creek in Zion, AR to play a
Songwriter's Showcase as an extension of the
"Jubilee" events put on by Michael Worch.
I: Do you have any favorite venues in & around
Independence County?
CS: Fox Creek BBQ, The Duck Blind, Cooper's
Hawk Restaurant and Golf Course in Melbourne,
AR. And definitely the Jubilee events put on by
Michael Worch in Zion, AR. Those have been some
of my most memorable performances to date.
magazine
Pocket Park Street Dance
by Kris Caraway
magazine
Chris is 32, from Mount Pleasant, and a graduate in
psych from UCA. He also has a photojournalism
background from his time in the Air Force and a
pretty well-rounded working knowledge of camera
operations. However, he says he recently wanted to
do something new....videos. And since he is friends
with several very talented local musicians, he came
up with the idea to start producing music video.
“It would be a great project for me to take on since
it would help showcase some of our area's amazing
talent and also learn about video production more.”
In the past year or two, Chris has shot several live
performances by The Lockhouse Orchestra,
Chelsea Savage, and Natural Disasters (John Parks
and Sarah Roark).
“This past summer, I had the pleasure of working
with John and Sarah on a special project at the
Batesville Area Arts Council Gallery on Main
Street. We shot several takes of approximately 10
songs, which included several originals as well as
covers. It was an awesome experience....I learned
so much about how to move with musicians and
keep up with the flow of the song. I can't wait to do
more stuff like that. I have recently begun working
with Chelsea Savage Vanscoder on a similar
project, that I hope to have finished by the early
summer. Unfortunately I do not have a website or
YouTube channel, only videos that are public on
my personal Facebook account. They can also go
to Sarah Jo's music page and view the videos. If
anyone is interested in making some music videos,
please message me on Facebook.”
Any musicians in the Independence County area
who are considering making videos; or even if you
just want some excellent photographs – check Kris
out! Here is a small sampling of some of his work.
Chelsea Savage Vanscoder
magazine
Lockhouse Orchestra Beatles Tribute
Randy Wade of Wade’s Music
John Parks, Sarah Jo Roark, Danny Dozier
Amos Lee, under the lights
Dana Louise and The Glorious Birds
magazine
Mayday by Midnight at the Water Carnival
John Parks and Sarah Jo Roark
magazine
Salado Coliseum
By Zach Mann
The Salado Community Building is still
standing. I know this first hand because I
went there not long ago, all alone, and
walked around it twice, quietly reflecting on
some very fond and profound memories from
over 40 years ago. I thought about the old
woodstove which we would fire up before
band practice, not knowing exactly how to
work the flue and invariably filling the place
with smoke. I thought about how we passed
the hat among the original band members
and our loyal entourage to cover the rental
fee. I thought about having to work around
the Coon Hunters’ Association schedule as
they had first dibs. I also thought about old
Floyd Milligan, Salado’s constable on the
beat, who collected the rent with diligence
and always with a verbal warning about the
volume. “If it gets too loud and the neighbors
complain,” he’d say, “I’ll have to shut you
down,” but he never did. Floyd was a good
egg and he knew we weren’t out to hurt
anybody.
In the original band there were a pile of
us. We had 3 guitar players, a bass player,
a drummer, and two singers who doubled up
on cowbell and tambourine. We also had an
organ but nobody knew how to play it, so it
just sat there, taking up space on the stage.
The name of the original band was my idea
and in hindsight not a very good one. We
were called Roundhouse, which is what a
certain Native American tribe called the
place where they went to smoke peyote.
None of us had ever seen peyote but the
name seemed cool enough, at least until
magazine
someone in our minor fan base got pissed at
us for not letting them hang out at our
practice and dubbed us Roundmouth in
revenge. Billy Sutton and I played rhythm
guitar under the tutelage of Gary Sutton on
lead guitar who, by far, was the best
musician in the band. We would listen to
songs we wanted to learn on Gary’s eight
track in his GMC pickup and he would figure
out the progressions and then teach them to
us. Trudy (Gary Mansfield), played bass and
Randy Weaver was the drummer. Bobby
Cummings and Debby Duffy were the
primary singers. Our first gig featured a
song list of about 15 tunes, including half
that many we actually knew well, and we
proceeded to wear them out, sometimes
repeating songs three or four times over the
course of a night. The song GLORIA had
long since been the standard for start-up
bands everywhere because of its three chord
simplicity and heavy rock ‘n roll beat. Proud
Mary was another which was usually
followed up with Born to Be Wild. We
stepped way out when we learned American
Band by Grand Funk Railroad and stretched
our young wings even further with
Aerosmith’s Midnight Confessions.
Eventually, through hard work and
dogged determination, we were a real band.
After about 3 or 4 dances at the Salado
Coliseum, we had developed a considerable
following amongst our school mates and soon
became the talk of the teen scene. We were,
after all, well on our way to becoming tri-
county rock gods. We played gigs in Cave
City at their community hall, a couple of
local area proms, and even a couple of minor
festivals. By this time, we had grown weary
of being referred to as Roundmouth and
changed our name to St. Dominic’s Request,
mostly because there was a band from
Batesville called St. Peter’s Road Show and
we wanted to cash in on some of their
considerable notoriety. Eventually, as is
often the case with rock and roll, there were
creative differences within the band and we
split the sheets. Randy Weaver and I had
gotten to know a couple of the guys who had
defected from St. Peter’s Road Show and we
were shocked when they agreed to start a
new band with the two of us. Enter Fred
Harris and John Baxter, who were both way
out of our league in terms musical prowess
and development. This time, it was Randy’s
turn to name the band and he came up with
a way to utilize a slogan that was in the cool
vernacular of the moment. The idiom was
“to the max,” and typically used to describe
all things awesome or over the top, such as,
“Man, she started to dance and took it to the
max.” We became, therefore, The Max Band.
We feathered our nest with a lot of ZZ Top
tunes, some Steely Dan, Chicago, Sly and
The Family Stone, even some disco tunes at
the behest of John Baxter. Because John
was a college student at Arkansas College,
and, along with Fred, very well known in the
music scene in north central Arkansas, we
got a lot of gigs. It was a blast. Eventually,
John was chosen to tour the world with Up
with People which left us without a bass
player. The woods were full of suitable
guitar players at that time but there weren’t
many bass players and we needed to come up
with one fast. Fred convinced me that I
should start playing bass and we would find
another guitarist in the meantime. We
auditioned a bunch of them before we settled
on a guy from Pleasant Plains named Dennis
Farrier. He was a more than adequate
magazine
player, could sing a few (which we were all
doing by now), and girls loved him. This
machination of the band was gaining
notoriety fast as we got our show together
back where it had all started at the Salado
Coliseum. By now, we were seasoned pros
in comparison, but never so much so that old
Floyd Milligan treated us like we were
anything special, and we weren’t. We were
just kids wanting to make a little music.
“That’s 15 bucks, boys,” he’d say,
“remember what I said about the noise.”
Darrell Fulbright, Mike Branscum,
Jerry Sutton (RIP), Pete White (RIP)
Thanks to Brenda Jackson Maha
Thanks to Debby Duffy Ohl
Thanks to Sandy Jenkins, Kenneth Rorie, Tony Victoria
magazine
Nick Fudge I was born in Batesville, Arkansas in 1953.
My older brother, Bobby Fudge, had a Rock
‘n’ Roll band in the mid-50s, so I heard that
music as a small child. He taught me You Ain't Nothing but a Hound Dog and would
have me sing it to everyone. I can’t
remember not singing. So Elvis was my first
influence, as I got older, the Beatles, the
Stones, and other bands, but Joe Cocker
songs are the ones I most like to sing.
I first sang in public at church, and still do.
Also at West Side School in the second grade.
By the 7th grade we formed a band and
began to play. At an early gig we probably
played House of the Risin’ Sun. I'm a
drummer and lead singer. Some of the
individuals that were in bands I have been
in are: Andy Buschmann, Jim Ives, Ric
Buford, Gary Smith, Terry Horn, Frankie
Snapp, Mike Smith, John Baxter, Gib
Ponder, Robert Doom. Then I didn't play for
about 30 years. Had to raise a family.
I moved back to Batesville in 2009 and
reconnected with old friends and started
playing at BHS 40-year reunions. Married
Katrina Rowe in 2011 and she said “Why
don't you get a set of drums?” and I did. We
now have a band, "The Roadshow" with Mike
Foster, David & Denise Johnston, Taylor
Johnston, Katrina Fudge and me.
We play mainly around Batesville: Fox
Creek BBQ, Elizabeth's, and Simply
Southern to name a few.
Music has always been a big part of my life
and some of my life-long friends I met
through music.
magazine
The Roadshow Band: Denise Johnston, Mike Foster, Katrina Fudge, Nick Fudge, Taylor Johnston, David Johnston
With Steve “Tomcat” Smith
magazine
St. Peter’s Roadshow. Nick, Jim Ives, Fred Harris
St. Peter’s Roadshow. Steve Smith, bass;
Jim Ives Fred Harris Steve Smith
John Baxter
Mike Smith Nick Fudge Frankie Snapp
A reunion show in Batesville. (L to R) Mike Foster,
Nick Fudge, Steve Smith, Mary Henry, Jim Ives
Jim Ives
magazine
LINK to the VIDEO
CLICK the IMAGE
DANNY DOZIER
Purple Haze
Jimmy Barnett, Pete Harris,
Danny Dozier, Mike Farrier,
Steve Black
magazine
Rick Calhoun, Danny Dozier, Mark Calhoun, Johnny
Bradley, Chuck Willis (circa 1972)
The Howlers in Hattiesburg, MS
The Howlers at Willie Nelson’s club in Austin, TX
Tommy Conner, Hugh Garraway, Kent (Omar) Dykes,
Danny Dozier, Bobby Field, Jimmy Barnett
Danny as Grandpa Jones, with Alex Prince
CLICK the IMAGES
above & below to play
Videos
magazine
Click the image above to read the
current issue of
Question Mark Magazine
magazine
I: Your name & current address?
Sarah Jo Roark Melbourne, Ar
I: What’s your connection to Independence
County?
SJR: Danny Dozier and I started working together
12 years ago and he took me in and introduced me
to the Independence County scene.
Click picture to play VIDEO
I: Tell us about your first interest in music. Who
were your musical influences?
SJR: I began singing in church at the age of 7. My
mother was a singer and I always loved to sing.
I: When did you first know you wanted to perform
in public?
SJR: I joined a community theater group when I
was 11 and performed in musicals on stage. I loved
being in front of the crowd. Around the age of 15, I
began entering local talent shows. After I won a
couple I got the performance "BUG."
I: What was your first public gig? Do you
remember any of the songs you played?
SJR: The actual first 'gig' I got was when I was
18. I opened up for Exile at the Izard County fair
in Melbourne. This was BIG for me even though I
had no band and used cassette tapes to accompany
me. I can't remember any of the songs but I do
remember they were all country because I thought
I was a country singer at the time.
I: What instruments do you play?
SJR: I am not accomplished on any instrument but
I play around with the guitar, ukulele and
harmonica.
I: Who were some of the individuals and groups
you have publically performed with? When?
SJR: The first band I joined in the early 90s was
called "Louisiana Fire." I later formed my own
band called, "Double Shot" and now play in the
"Lockhouse Orchestra with Danny Dozier, Jerry
Bone, John Parks, Penny Wolfe and Jason
Moser." I am also a member of the duo act, "The
Natural Disaster's" with my partner John
Parks. John and I met in 1996 when he was the bass
player in Double Shot.
magazine
I: Where are some of the places you have played?
SJR: I've traveled with all these groups to many
places and performed many events and venues. I've
opened up for Restless Heart, Little Texas, John
Michael Montgomery, Tracy Lawrence, Doug
Stone, B.J. Thomas and a few others that are
slipping my mind at the moment in my old
age. Probably two of my favorite performances are
when members of the Lockhouse Orchestra
traveled to New York City in the fall of 2011 to
perform at the top of the Chelsea Towers. That was
Amazing! The entire band also traveled to Boulder
Colorado during the Boulder flood in 2013. The
venue was 6 feet under water and we had to move
the event, that had been in the making for over a
year, in 24 hours to another venue. I've been blessed
with many, many years of fun and interesting
music.
I: What was your favorite venue? Most
memorable?
SJR: I'm going to say the New York City gig is my
most memorable.
I: Are you still performing in public? If so, why –
and where? If not, why not?
SJR: I still perform for weddings, corporate events
and festivals as well as certain restaurant venues. If
you are in Batesville you can catch me at Fox Creek
BBQ (the old train depot) or Josie's Steakhouse
usually at least once a month. Fox Creek is an
intimate setting with great detail in the architecture
and memories of the old trains coming through.
You usually have to get reservations for that
show. Josie's is a beautiful treat with majestic
views of the famous White River.
Thanks for including me!
Sarah Jo
magazine
magazine
I: Your name & current address (city only is fine)?
Clint Allen – San Diego & Las Vegas
I: What’s your connection to Independence
County?
CA: Grew up in Batesville from grades 8- thru 11th
grades in Jr. High school.
I: Tell us about your first interest in music.
CA: Ever since I could hear the sounds of music from
my crib. The rhythm and melodies from the 50’s
and 60’s music. That expanded into listening to
records and radio-Beatles, to Grand Funk &
Steppenwolf Iron Butterfly, Glen Campbell, Simon
& Garfunkel Crosby still Nash etc. 70’s progressive
rock radio: KAAY Clyde Clifford’s Beeker
Street, WLS Chicago, KLAZ- LR FM Album
Rock
I: Who were your musical influences?
CA: You name it, from Beatles, Motown Hendrix,
the Monkees to Mahavisnu Orchestra to ELP and
on and on.
I: When did you first know you wanted to perform
in public?
CA: Circa 1968. I witnessed my first rock live rock
show which was Steppenwolf Concert in Little
Rock; subsequently Jesus Christ Superstar, Three
Dog Night, Grand Funk, Rare Earth, Tower of
Power, etc. in the 60’s; and the 70’s ELP, YES,
Eagles Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Kiss, Nugent
Frampton, etc.
I: What was your first public gig?
CA: I think my first actual paid performance was with
Orion at Batesville Jr. High School circa spring 75?
I: Do you remember any of the songs you played?
CA: Songs by ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, America,
Dobbie Brothers, Allman Bros., Marshall Tucker
band, Creedence Clearwater.
I: What instruments do you play?
CA: Drums, Bass, Guitar, Keyboards, Flute.
I: Who were some of the individuals and groups you
have publically performed with?
CA: Orion 74-76, Strawboss 76, Kidz, 77, Mighty
Quick 77-78, Quick Sister 80-83, Diamond Romeo,
83-86, Quick Sister & Diamond Romeo open Concerts
for such bands as Black Oak, Mountain, Twisted Sister,
Outlaws, Alcatraz, Kick Axe, Krokus …
magazine
I: Where are some of the places you have
played?
CA: I have appeared on stages in Clubs and venues
from Alaska to Florida and many in between
predominately in the midwest , south and southwest
markets of the country.
I: What was your favorite venue?
CA: All venues have been favorites because I really
appreciated being paid as an artist to perform. I
never once took that for granted. I remember the
first autograph I signed was at a gig in Paris,
Arkansas with Orion. Other venues - Uptown
Theater in Kansas City, Agora Ballroom Dallas,
“Rockers” in Houston, and Cardi’s in Austin,
Flannigan’s in Memphis, these club capacity were
1500+ and the crowds were nuts.
I: Most memorable?
CA: 10 years of the fast lane on the road in rock &
roll. Some of the acts I also toured with; Atlanta
Rhythm Section, Charlie Daniels, Nitty Gritty Dirt
Band, Leroux, Wet Willie, Ozark Mountain
Daredevils, Heart, Guess Who, Hank Williams
Jr., Crystal Gayle, Ronnie Millsap, and several
more (just to name a few off the cuff) as a road
manger, and production manager, and individual
Little Rock area shows, such as: Rush, ELP
Aerosmith, Doobie Brothers, Van Halen, and many
others from years 1978-80 that performed in the
Little Rock / Central Arkansas. It was during this
time period when my contacts in the business
allowed me to open doors for my mother to start her
own concert catering business, which is still
ongoing today after 37 years - now serving to every
artist on the road since 1980. ALL are most
memorable.
Moment of Rock Goddery, 1985
1983
magazine
Concert Company, 1979
I: Are you still performing in public? If so, why
– and where? If not, why not?
CA: Not performing publically now, just
occasional studio sessions for my enjoyment and
creative exercise. My first band Orion was a
working band, from then on all the bands I put
together and participated in were working bands
(generated dollars). The market has changed
drastically and unless the money is there to support
quality marketing, production and a cause, I am not
interested in playing live for the sake of my own
ego or the experience of playing. I toured for 10
years (some of those years as many as 300 shows a
year) and in every capacity within the music
business I could possibly partake; drummer, bass
player, rhythm guitarist, road manger, production
manager, lead singer, sound & light
company owner - been there and done that ... open
but with discretion...
I: Do you have any favorite venues in & around
Independence County?
CA: Cannot readily recall however played many
with Orion, Strawboss, Kidz, and Quick Sister –
venues--JC Building, Arkansas College, Batesville
High School.
With Kidz, 1977
With Kai Haley in Quicksister
magazine
I: Your name & current address (city only is fine)?
Andy Buschmann - Batesville AR
I: What’s your connection to Independence
County?
AB: Born, raised, & spent most of my life in
Independence County
I: Who were your musical influences?
AB: Buying Help and Ring of Fire albums; getting a
transistor radio in the 5th grade and listening to
Moon River (Andy Williams). I soon realized I was
more a rock guy than a country guy. Rick Buford
and Jerry Grigsby were taking guitar lessons from
Mr. Dennis Ball. I dropped piano and started guitar
also.
I: When did you first know you wanted to perform
in public?
AB: I wanted to play at the JC's Teen Center after a ball
game.
I: What was your first public gig?
AB: First gig was maybe a carport party at Cathy
Callaway's house. Her Dad gave each band
member $5. First open public gig was at the
Southside Roller Rink on 3/13/1968. We made
$0.75 each and played Midnight Confessions.
With Jimmy Payne, Terry Horn, Sheila Horn, and …?
I: What instruments do you play?
AB: Guitar, bass, harp, flute, keyboard.
With Jimmy Dillard
magazine
I: Who were some of the individuals and groups
you have publically performed with?
AB: Nick Fudge, Jim Ives, Norman Hunter, Frank
Snapp, Mike Smith, Terry Horn, Gary Smith,
Tommy Lewis, Jerry Lewis, Rick Baber, Ben Treat,
Jimmy Payne, Ervin Lambert, Rick Buford, Mary
Henry, Danny Dozier, Gib Ponder, Clint Allen,
Randy Morrison, Gene Reagan, Joe Mitchell,
Johnny Bridgeman, Cliff Hudson, Jimmy Woods,
Mike Foster, Erin Walters Parks, John Parks, David
Johnston, Butch McCullum, Robert Doom, Glenn
(PD) Barris, Gary Hughes, Joe Rogers, Jamie
Bledsoe, Vic Gargano, Jimmy Barnett, Bobby
Barnett, Barney Anderson, Jerry Sanders, Stanley
Sanders, Steve Smith, Richard Wise, B J Davis,
Dennis Devine, Bill Gramling, Chuck Driver, Ray
Dean McCarroll, Curt Pomranky, Wendell Elms,
Sheila Horn, Gene Howell, Bobby Fudge, Dick
McCoy, Bruce Howard, Richard Sanchez, Jon
Healey, Fred Harris, Bill Carder, Gary Rounds.
Bands: Soul Searchers, Odds 'N Ends, (Haunted)
Attic (All Night Rock Band), Sundown, Orion,
Crosswinds, Cliff Hudson Band, Junction, Low
Down Saints, Jimmy Payne Band, Thin Air, St.
Peter's Road Show.
I: Where are some of the places you have
played?
AB: Old Salado Community Center, multiple high
schools and bars across the state, parties in cow
pastures, Little Rock Convention Center, LR
Riverfront Amphitheatre, Subiaco Academy…
Nick Fudge, Andy, Butch McCullom and Ric Buford (seated)
I
With Marilyn, dancing.
magazine
I: What was your favorite venue?
AB: I can say that nothing beat the thrill of playing
at the JC Teen Center after a ball game when I was
16. Salado is up there also. Favorite venue is Fox
Creek BBQ for acoustic music.
I: Are you still performing in public?
AB: Randy Morrison and I perform as an acosutic
duo, The Randy and Andy Show, on a regular basis
around Independence County. Fox Creek Barbecue
is our home venue. I also play in Crosswinds with
Randy, Gene Reagan, and Joe Mitchell. I play with
the Cliff Hudson Band. I am not even close to
stopping.
(Training the next generation?)
magazine
WEBSITE: Rockinluke.com
FACEBOOK:
www.facebook.com/rockinluke
TWITTER: @ROCKINLUKE
YOUTUBE:
www.youtube.com/officialrockinluke
Name/city
Luke Stroud, Cave City
I: What’s your connection to Independence
County?
LS: I have been a repeat performer at many shows
in Independence County, including Main Street
Batesville events, the Fourth of July celebration at
Riverside Park, Sulphur Rock Trolley Car Days,
Pleasant Plains Plainsman Day and while the Cave
City Watermelon Festival may be associated with
Sharp County, its location, at the Cave City Park, is
in Independence County. I have been fortunate
enough to have performed there the last 20 years. I
have been blessed to perform across the state and
tri-state area for more than 20 years.
I: Tell us about your first interest in music.
LS: My parents listened a lot to the radio when I
was younger, and I sang in church, but when I was
9 years old my dad bought me a Jerry Lee Lewis
cassette tape. The first three songs really knocked
me out and I’ve been a musician at heart ever since.
I: Who were your musical influences?
LS: Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams Sr., Elvis and
everyone who recorded for Sun Records in the
1950s.
I: When did you first know you wanted to
perform in public?
LS: When I started getting paid. No. That’s the joke
answer! When I got off stage at the Cave City
Watermelon Festival in 1995.
I: What was your first public gig? Do you
remember any of the songs you played?
LS: The Cave City Watermelon Festival in August
1995. I performed a 19-minute medley of Jerry Lee
songs after only playing the piano for five months
and was brought back the next day for a
performance! I sang and played “What’d I Say,”
“Carrying On,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole
Lot of Shakin’ Going On.”
I: What instruments do you play?
LS: Piano is my specialty, but I also play guitar,
bass, drums and I sing.
I: Who were some of the individuals and groups
you have publicly performed with?
LS: I opened for the original Urban Cowboy
Mickey Gilley (cousin to Jerry Lee Lewis and
Jimmy Swaggart) at the Rock ’n’ Roll Highway 67
Festival in Pocahontas in 2010 as well as for SUN-
recording artist Sonny Burgess (who I was also in a
band with from Newport) and the Legendary Pacers
many times over the years and for Gary Puckett and
the Union Gap at the Rock ’n’ Roll Highway 67
Festival in Pocahontas in 2011.
However, I have appeared on the same bill with
many legendary artists of the 1950s and ’60s SUN
era as part of Newport’s annual Depot Days and a
benefit held in memory of SUN artist, the late Billy
Lee Riley, at Newport’s Silver Moon Club in 2009.
magazine
I: Where are some of the places you have
played?
LS: Aside from those already mentioned, I have
performed at Bally’s Casino in Tunica, Mississippi
as well as world famous Beale Street in Memphis
at Blues City Cafe many times. Concord,
Batesville, Pleasant Plains, Newport, Cave City,
Hardy, Bald Knob, Searcy, Jonesboro, Marked
Tree, Trumann, McCrory, Little Rock, Smithville,
Strawberry, Ash Flat, Evening Shade, Sidney,
Melbourne, Cushman, Tuckerman, Wiener, Calico
Rock, Clinton … well that’s some of them!
I: What was your favorite venue?
LS: The Peabody hotel in Little Rock was nice.
Most memorable? The Silver Moon Club for the
tribute/memorial for SUN Artist Billy Lee Riley.
I: Are you still performing in public?
LS: I am currently available for solo bookings (just
me and the keyboard) or with my band. For more
information, visit Rockinluke.com. I’m always
ready to rock ’n’ roll!
I: Do you have any favorite venues in & around
Independence County?
LS: I would love the opportunity to play at more
locations in Batesville, like the Independence
County Fair or White River Water Carnival, and
with the improvements being made to Main Street
and downtown area, I know it will soon be the place
to be.
With Brian Stuhr from Memphis, on stage in Blytheville, AR
With Ray Gann, Jerry Lee Lewis’ bassist
At Jerry Lee Lewis’ Café & Honky Tonk, Beale Street, Memphis
magazine
Luke & Lacy
With Sonny Burgess
At The Silver Moon, Newport, Arkansas
magazine
I: Your name & current address (city only is
fine)?
MH: Mary Henry
Batesville Arkansas
I: What’s your connection to Independence
County?
MH: Started Central School in the second grade.
Grandparents started first integrated Poultry
industry in the state. (We were bigger than Tyson's
in the '70s); Started Citizens Bank.
I: Tell us about your first interest in music. Who
were your musical influences?
MH: I started experimenting with sound in the
marble lined bathroom on College Street. Great
acoustics and I loved hearing the different ways I
could manipulate my voice at that time. It drove
my parents crazy, but, I was allowed that..., hey, I
was a nice and cooperative daughter!
Julie Andrews was my Guru!!
Hell, I thought I was Mary Poppins!
Also, Maria in The Sound of Music, Peter Pan,
The Wizard of Oz, and Frosty the Snowman!
I: When did you first know you wanted to
perform in public?
MH: In Jr. High, like I said, I "thought I was Julie
Andrews!! (Yes prob a personality disorder), and
was devastated when I wasn't chosen to be Jr. High
select chorus.
I: What was your first public gig?
MH: I recorded Blue Bayou In Concord (Rem
Rock) with Bill Daum/Hart Radio Show.
Then Bill invited me to sit in at the Moose Lodge
in 1972. OMG!! What a disaster!! I sang Country
Roads, and when they asked me what key I sang it
in... I shouted out C. Oops, wrong answer, I sing it
in G, and when I started on the chorus, it was a no
go! Bill stopped the band and said "Oh my
goodness, this can't be right!"
I died a little that night!!
I: Do you remember any of the songs you played?
MH: Are you kidding??
I have all of the song lists from the many
incarnations.., exploring with Gib (Ponder),
(Robert) Doom, Ric Bufford, Clint Allen....., I can
send song lists!!
Other than that, Blue Bayou/Linda Rondstadt,
Girls you've been in love too long/Bonnie Raitt,
All Shook Up/Elvis
You've Got a Friend/Carly Simon
Midnight Blue/Melissa Manchester
magazine
Tumblin’ Dice/Rolling Stones
Crazy on You/Heart
Magic Man/Heart; Janis Joplin/Mercedes Benz
and me and Bobby McGee.
I: What instruments do you play?
MH: Vocals and keyboards, basic guitar, and
drummer in the Bag Pipe Band.
I: Who were some of the individuals and groups
you have publically performed with? When?
MH: Arkansas College Lassies 1973-1974.
Including a USO Tour of England and Germany
for 2 months. Gib Ponder, Ric Bufford, 1973-76,
Clint Allen was drummer 1973-4. Jim Lefler, Ed
Nicholson, BJ Davis, Steve Patrick, Frank Cox
1974-80. George Bartlet, Andy Bushman, Danny
Dozier, and John Baxter. Was on many musical
theatre productions including 'Guinevere in
Camelot' 1981. Later worked with Barbara Rainey
and Burger for 15 years in Little Rock and did
jingles. BB King in 1990-94... Lucious Spiller
Little Rock 1993-4.
I: Where are some of the places you have played?
MH: American Legion/Newport;
House Band at. Poor Richards/Fayetteville1974-5;
House Band/ The Library/ Fayetteville1975;
State Fair/Kentucky background for Lacosta
Tucker; White Water Tavern/ LR;
Juanita's /LR; Every Country Club in the State.
I: What was your favorite venue? Most
memorable?
MH: Studio work where I won an Addy Award.
I: Are you still performing in public? If so, why –
and where? If not, why not?
MH: Ummm, every chance I can!
I would love to just sing harmony, but, no one
seems to value my ability and desire to simply
sing back up/harmonies.
I am a chameleon, and have no desire to "be the
star"!
I would love to fill in the holes for someone else. I
learned the value of that in LR as a Studio
Vocalist.
I: Do you have any favorite venues in & around
Independence County?
MH: My house☮🐣💫💫🏼️
magazine
magazine
magazine
With George Bartlett
magazine
I: Your name & current address?
GB: My name is Geoff Blair. I
currently work with the studio bands Ursa
Minor and Invisible Sun. I live right outside
Batesville.
I: What’s your connection to Independence
County?
GB: I grew up in this area and graduated
from Batesville High School in 1992.
I: Tell us about your first interest in music. Who
were your musical influences?
GB: My earliest influences were David
Gilmour (Pink Floyd), Jimi Hendrix, Steve
Howe (YES), and Eric Clapton. Hearing
Gilmour and Clapton on FM radio as a kid
fueled my instant obsession to pick up a
guitar at six years old.
I: When did you first know you wanted to perform
in public?
GB: I started putting bands together or
jumping into anything remotely organized
by 12. I was often more serious about it
than other kids my age who became
distracted and wouldn’t commit to putting
the time and effort in.
I: What was your first public gig? Do you
remember any of the songs you played?
GB: Being only 14 at the time, our earliest
gigs were playing at friend's parties, church
lock ins, or getting a permit to play down at
the river for a couple of hours. Mostly 80's
cover songs in those days...."Sweet Child of
Mine", "Breaking the Chains", "Somebody
Save Me", along those lines.
I: What instruments do you play?
GB: I do a bit of everything in the studio.
My primary role has always been lead
guitar/songwriter. I do a lot of drum
skeletons, keyboards, and engineering. I am
a decent singer, but went in more
progressive, instrumental directions over
time. Often leaving the vocal duties to
others with more range and depth.
I: Who were some of the individuals and groups
you have publically performed with? When?
GB: The most serious and successful touring
groups I've been associated with are : Fate
(1991-1992), Stillife (1993-1996), &
Palomino (2000-2002). I have concentrated
on studio work almost exclusively since
2003, working with OA (1998-2013), and
currently Ursa Minor (2013-) and a
cover/tribute side project Invisible Sun
(2013-).
I: Where are some of the places you have played?
GB: I moved from Batesville in 1993,
relocated to Memphis through 2009. Most
of my pro studio work and gigs occurred
around Little Rock & Memphis, with stints
in Nashville, the casino district near the
Mississippi border, and a festival roadtrip to
Philadelphia.
magazine
I: What was your favorite venue? Most
memorable?
GB: The best memories were as Stillife and
Palomino worked our way up the ranks to
headlining locally (in Memphis). Weekends
on Beale Street or the Pinch District to
packed houses was a blast and decently
lucrative. You can’t beat a Saturday night
headlining Hard Rock Cafe with people
pretty much hanging off the rafters going
nuts. The sound guy was an old friend of
ours and that house PA was off the charts.
Elevated stage, it had a mini arena feel to it.
Those were a lot of fun, during the Palomino
days. (2000-2002 area)
I: Are you still performing in public? If so, why –
and where? If not, why not?
GB: After nearly twenty years on the road
regionally, without the ultra- rare 'big break'
very few musicians get.....I got burned out on
that side of the business and wanted to stay
behind the scenes writing and recording. I
spent a lot of time compiling essentially a
small scale version of what any good pro
studio needs into my home studio. Which
has evolved a lot over time and with
experience. I have no problems with the
idea of 'one off' or situational gigs if the right
opportunity presented itself.
I: Where can our readers see more of your stuff?
GB: Our primary host site is
http://www.soundclick.com/StudioBArtists
which also exports to a Facebook page. A
smaller sample also available on
ReverbNation.
Here is our Youtube video channel
link: https://www.youtube.com/user/Apoc37
Paperback. 142 pages.
$9.95
TigerEye Publications
View/Order from bookstore
HERE
Also available at
Amazon.com
HERE
Gareth McAllister is a talented young bagpiper who, despite his gifts,
is somewhat lacking in self-confidence, and is having a bit of trouble
with a bully at school. The death of his great-grandmother precipitates
a trip to Scotland where he enters into a world he did not know
existed, and an adventure much larger, and more exciting than he had
anticipated.
Paperback; 158 pages
$9.95
Order HERE
From
TigerEye Publications
also available at
Amazon.com
“Insanely funny short
stories from and of the
Baby Boomer Generation”
Includes: Dinner with WT
Ode to a Silver Screen
The Great Ice Capades of 1971
The Bus for Smackover Leaves
in 15 Minutes
120 Minutes in Hell
& more!
Reviews:
"... I think it is almost certain to become a collector’s item..." -- Amy H. Peterson
"A smooth blend of wit, irreverence, nostalgia, and whimsy..." -- Jennifer Koplitz
"W.T. serves up a mixture of stories and poems guaranteed to satisfy anyone hungry for homespun
humor and charm." -- Hannah Hanszen
.. a full, barbecue buffet of good readin' -- Amy H. Peterson
Rick Baber is a man of vision; vision not of the future but a vision of the past. --
Jacqueline Anastasia
Top Related