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 The Steel Guitar Forum
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 Cowtown, San Jose?
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| Author | Topic: Cowtown, San Jose? |
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Jason Odd Member From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
posted 28 October 2002 06:58 AM
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Bobby Black with his brother Larry used to play this San Jose bar called Cowtown, and the Commander Cody & The Lost Planet Airmen legend has it that that's where they first saw Bobby perform and led to them hiring Bobby into the group. I've seen references to the venue on the forum before, it's obviously been active since the 1960s, possibly earlier. I assume it's now closed, has anyone got any history or stories about his venue? Redd Volkaert once mentioned played with Don Cox & The Cowtown band (with Bobby Black) in the 1980s, the story was that Don had been associated with the venue for some twenty years by the mid 1980s, but I may have missed something in the story. Would appreciate any thoughts or recollections. Jason ------------------ |
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Jack Francis Member From: Mesa, Arizona, USA |
posted 28 October 2002 05:33 PM
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I'm responding to bump this. I only played at cowtown once about 1982. Our band went down from Santa Rosa, CA. to San Jose. A friend of mine lives here in AZ, that used to be a lead guitarist for Don Cox. His name is Bob Veltry. He moved up to the mountains but I will call him and find out what he says. I worked a few gigs with Don's daughter, Donna, a fine bass player and singer. Jack Francis ------------------ |
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Jack Francis Member From: Mesa, Arizona, USA |
posted 28 October 2002 08:20 PM
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Just got off of the phone with Bob Veltry and he told me some of what he recalls. Bob replaced Larry Black as the lead guitarist in the cowtown band. He played some gigs with Bobby Black but not at Cowtown. The steel player that he worked with was Barry Blackwood. Bob told me some stories about playing with Don but they really can't be repeated here. Don owned 1/3 of Cowtown and The Saddle Rack, also in San Jose. When they closed Cowtown the band moved to The Saddle Rack. Bob wasn't in the band at the time. The Saddle Rack closed in '97 or '98. He can't remember the year Cowtown closed. Sorry that's all the info I have. Jack ------------------ |
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Jason Odd Member From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
posted 29 October 2002 06:18 AM
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Hi Jack, thanks for the reply. I have some info on the Saddle Rack and there's an article online that talks about it's last run as a club. (from 1997 I believe). Bobby Black returned to the Cowtown after your friend left I'd say, Bobby of course spent a good time on the road with other acts and also worked at other clubs over the years. When Redd V. worked with Bobby Black at the Cowtown, it was the mid to late 1980s, Redd split for Nashville circa 1990. Thanks for the input, regards Jason |
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Jack Francis Member From: Mesa, Arizona, USA |
posted 29 October 2002 10:51 AM
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Jason Years ago I played a few gigs with Nicky Nelson's father, in Carson City, Nevada. (Nicky was the singer with Highway 101) She introduced me to her guitarist, Jack Daniels, Jack also played at Cowtown in the old days. small world. Jack |
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Richard Sinkler Member From: Fremont, California |
posted 29 October 2002 04:17 PM
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Actually, Don Cox didn't own any part of the Saddlerack. He was part owner of Cowtown and Sam's Club. When the original Cowtown closed down, Sam's was renamed Cowtown (if my old age memeory serves me correctly). I played there many times with Don's daughter, Donna, a band I was in called Desert Star prior to that, and later with Charlie Thompson. I used to do the Sunday jams with Donna as well as Barry Blackwood and Redd Volkaert (sp?). Was real sad to see that club close. What ever happened to Barry Blackwood??? ------------------ [This message was edited by Richard Sinkler on 29 October 2002 at 04:21 PM.] |
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Jack Francis Member From: Mesa, Arizona, USA |
posted 29 October 2002 04:59 PM
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I guess I was having a senior moment, Your absolutely correct. I don't know why I called Sam's Town, The Saddle Rack. They weren't even close to each other!! Jack |
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Richard Sinkler Member From: Fremont, California |
posted 29 October 2002 07:02 PM
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As a side note, some of the other great steel players that graced the stages of Cowtown were Pete Grant and Carlos Claveria. ------------------ |
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Jason Odd Member From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
posted 30 October 2002 05:47 PM
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Don't see Pete post much of late, anyone seem or heard from him? |
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