This is part of a series of posts I’ve entitled, “Stories From the Road.” Each week I will post a new story from Rick Sikes, a Texas musician who traveled the roads of Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and out to California for well over twenty years. With hours to pass in a bus full of sweaty musicians, they found ways to entertain themselves. These stories are told in Rick Sikes’ words. I’ll do my best to correct grammar, but I want to keep them in his own voice.
RICK:
One time I had a fancy baby blue Cadillac Convertible, ElDorado Biarritz. Man, that was a helluva car. I’d ride around Brownwood with the top down like I was king of the world.
(You can see the tail of the car in this picture. I searched for ones that I know I had at one time that showed the full car, but cannot find them. Too many moves. 🙁 )
It was important back then to look good. You had to appear to be high rolling. If you didn’t, they wouldn’t want to pay you anything.
I had a fabulous guitar player one time that I brought back from California with me. I had met him on one of the trips out there to play. He was a guitar genius. It turned out that he was Roy Clark’s uncle, Gene Clark.
We were traveling around playing here in Texas when we stopped one night at a truck stop. There was a little raggedy country boy sitting on an overturned crate outside by the door and he had a little toy guitar. When he saw us, he jumped up and said, “Oh, y’all are a band. Aren’t you?” Of course, we told him we were.
His eyes lit up and he said, “I’m learning to play guitar and I can play “Honky Tonk.” He named two or three other songs he could play. Then he said, “I ain’t got a very good guitar, though.”
I said, “Oh yeah?”
He went on. “I put the best strangs in the world on it. I use them Black Diamond. Them’s the best in the world. Says so right on the package.”
I agreed with him and we went on inside to order, or whatever we had stopped to do. He followed us in carrying his guitar.
Gene asked the kid if he could see his guitar and the boy handed it to him. Gene sat down with it. It was one of those little cheap ten dollar guitars, not a Gene Autry, but something like that. So, Gene tuned it up and then started playing it. He literally was burning the strings up on it.
That little boy stood there with his mouth open. He couldn’t believe that sound was coming out of his guitar. Ol’ Gene could make a tin can sound good and he was making that little toy guitar smoke.
After a few minutes, he stood up and handed the guitar back to the kid and said, “Well man, I don’t see a thing in the world wrong with your guitar.”
The kid still in shock replied, “I guess it’s a better guitar than I thought it was. Thank you, mister.”
We left him there thumping on his guitar. He had found out that he had a heck of a good guitar. I’ve often wondered if that incident was a defining moment in that kid’s life and whether or not he grew on up to be a guitar player. You just never know.
But, that was the caliber of guitar player Gene was. He hung around Texas playing with me for about a year or so and then headed on back to California. I lost touch with him after that. He was one of the best guitar players I’d ever run across. But, like so many, he had a bad alcohol problem that kept him from being more successful.”
I’m glad I found this story from 2018, Jan. You really captured the trusting innocence of that kid when he says, “…says so right on the package.” That was when I became the kid’s fan.:)
Lol, Rob! I’m thrilled that you found this old post. I may re-run this series again sometime. It was loads of fun!
The story is a touching reminder of youth, trust and the simple desire learn.
I am so sorry. Drink lots of fluids and flush it out of your body. Hugs.
Jan- I just lovedthos story, I’m like Rick, I wonder what ever happened to that little boy. Love & hugs
Thank you for stopping in, Tonya. I hear you are under the weather. Hope you feel better soon! Sending healing vibes your way.
Thank you Jan, I truly feel like death warmed over and feel horrible.
Wonderful anecdote as Dickens once said “its trifles that make up the sum of life”
So true! Thanks for stopping by, James.
I have no doubt it was a defining moment in that kid’s life ~ in one way or another. Bless those who take the time to care ❤
I think so too, Tina. It would be pretty amazing to know what actually become of the kid. Maybe he’ll read this blog and tell us! Wouldn’t that be synchronicity at its finest? Hugs, and a million thanks for stopping in.
Will it and make it so, Jan! ❤
I love these stories, Jan. They bring me into a world of entertainment that I have not known, and they describe life when we were young. I love the memories and the excitement…all wrapped up in a story. Thank you!
Thank you, sweet Gwen. I do love sharing them. Hugs!
Thanks, John. I appreciate that you stopped by and left a comment.
I loved the story of the boy, Jan. I can imagine how proud he was of that guitar after Gene made it sing.
This was a very sweet one this week with the young boy. I could could picture his amazement and wonder if it changed his life. I couldn’t believe this is number 17 already. I have certainly been enjoying this!
Thanks, D.L. Yes, I too can’t believe this is already #17. I have lots more to share. Thank you for stopping by and loving this series.
I am so glad there is more to come:)
What a blessing, to have touched that child’s life with kindness! Love that Gene Clark was to be Roy Clark’s uncle. I have always respected and appreciated Roy Clark’s talent. Such grand memories. Thank you for taking the time to share.
Thank you, Annette! Hugs and have a great Wednesday!
These continue to amaze me. One f my favorite weekly stops. Cute story about the kid too.
Yippee!! Thank you, Craig. I am thrilled that you are finding these stories interesting.
Just seeing the fins on the tail end of that convertible is an indication of what a hot car it was. That’s a great picture of the guys too.
Loved the story about Gene Clark. I can just imagine that boy’s expression when he saw what a guitar player could do. It’s interesting to wonder if he went on to become a musician. There’s a story in there, Jan!
So true, Mae. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Jan, I could so easily imagine the old Cadillac convertible and the guys enjoying life. Have a wonderful Wednesday. Hugs.
Thanks, Teagan. You have a wonderful Wednesday too, and thanks for stopping by.