My Memories of Bakersfields Rainbow Gardens, & other mus

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 17 Oct 2008 9:27 am

I'm pretty much of an old fart now and have a life-long affection for the great dance halls and honky tonks of yester-year in Bakersfield that are long gone.

The Blackboard is probably talked about and remembered the most in large part to its rough and rowdy reputation. What I remember most though was the Rainbow Gardens. As a kid, I would jump in the car with my parents, and brother and we would meet up with friends there for a night of dancing and fun.
It was there, I first saw Buck Owens, Ferlin Husky Wynn Stewart, Bob Wills, Lefty Frizzell, Stonewall Jackson, Maddox Bros. and Rose, to name a few, perform. Less well-known artists like Skeets McDonald, Bill Woods and Billy Mize would perform too. Sometimes,some of them would appear the same night on stage... a real treat and value for everyone. Great side-musicians like Jelly Sanders, Roy Nichols, and Jay McDonald were in the bands. It was a much better time back then for sure and it represented all that was great about our music.

The Country Music artists and record company A&R people of that particular era are dropping like flies. Writers and historians like Gerald Haslam have spent much time, and effort in memorializing their wonderful contributions to the music industry and deserve our gratitude.

Larry Petree · Post by **Larry Petree** » 17 Oct 2008 10:53 am

Gary, like you, I remember those great days of music in our area. I am really glad to have lived, and enjoyed the real Country Music of those days.

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 17 Oct 2008 11:16 am

Larry-

Great to hear from you again. It's been a long time. How are you doing??Still steelin' Anything new on Jay's whereabouts. I've also read on this Forum recently that Fuzzy is writing a book about the California Country Music scene. Do you know anything about that? Hope to see you again soon.

My best.

Gary

Barry Blackwood · Post by **Barry Blackwood** » 18 Oct 2008 9:08 am

Gary, I played there once in my non-illustrious career. I remember it well. If Fuzzy's book ever becomes a reality, I'd love to read it.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 18 Oct 2008 9:31 am

Hello Larry & Gary,As you know the Kings of Barkersfield,California was Fuzzy Owens,Bill Woods,Billy & Buddy Mize,Buck Owens,Merle Haggard with Eddie Miller,Tommy Wiggins,Bonnie Price who form and shaped The Academy of Country & Western Music with Bill & Fran Boyd as well as many Musicians & Night Clubs owners with Radio Stations air personalities. Now it is Today's here in 2008 Bob Romeo's Academy of Country Music with his Staff of Lisa Lee,Brooke Primero,Daivd Young,Michelle Goble,Tiffany Moon,Katie Joe Sheek,Stephanie Rew,Nikki Discola,Matt Brantley,& Michelle Monaco. Fuzzy's Book should be that I know (Leo) a real History mark with many others who help him with his book in stories. Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Bill Fisher · Post by **Bill Fisher** » 18 Oct 2008 10:29 am

Hi, Eiff. When is that book going to be ready? I'm ready for it.

Thanks for your time.

Bill

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 18 Oct 2008 2:02 pm

Hey Fish,As soon as he (Fuzzy) gets a few more legal matters in order to put it out. I can't wait for it myself. Same as my (Leo)Book, " I'm A No Body - Who Used Who, My Memories. The right money in the right time. I'm not givin my book away for nothing.It's my life in this Music Industry Business. I have many stories and they are all true. LJ

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 18 Oct 2008 2:20 pm

Another dance hall/club in the 50's was at Pumpkin Center a little southwest of Bakersfield off highway 99. It was known as a pretty wild place, and as I recall weas made up out of a couple of old Quonset Huts from the military. I played there with the Ole Rasmussen Band with a double billing with the Maddox Brothers & Rose in the early fifties. I think a lot of the Country singers and bands booked in there at vaious times.

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 21 Oct 2008 3:19 am

Hey Gary, I never had the pleasure of doin' any time in the clubs of "Buckersfield" but I got to work with some of the locals when they were in the LA area. The first was at a club in Port Hueneme, Ca. named "Jerry's" which was owned by Fred Maddox. Our band leader/drummer/singer was Bakersfields own Toby Minter. Do you remember ol' Toby. He later changed his last name to "Rean" for some unknown reason. Fred would do his schtick each night and was fun to work with. Later I did a couple of stints at Bonnie Price's Foothill Club in Signal Hill with Billy Mize and Cliff Crofford. There were some excellent players from that area for sure.........JH in Va.

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 21 Oct 2008 11:56 am

Hi Jerry-

You sure worked with some talented people. Cliff Crofford was a unique entertainer and a regular for awhile on the Cousin Herb TV show, as was Billy. I'm sorry I don't recall Toby Minter (Rean).

By the way, I picked up a couple of outstanding 45 recordings by Bobby Durham on Capitol circa 1965 and 1966 from E-bay that feature Mooney ("Let That Be A Lesson To You Heartache" and "Too Much Like Lonesome)". It doesn't get much better than that. Bobby's still going strong in Bakersfield and sounds great.

I always look forward to your posts. They're fun and informative.

My best.

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 22 Oct 2008 9:00 am

Gary, one of my favorite recordings by Bobby Durham was a tune called "My Past is Present". He really showed his vocal chops on that one. Is his brother Wayne still around?

I remember one night in the kitchen of the Foothill Club when ol' Cliff was very distraught and visibly upset. I asked him what was wrong and he said "I never thought he'd do that to me, I thought we were friends"...... This was during the time that Cliff was writing songs for those Clint Eastwood movies and some of the tunes that Cliff had written 100% of, he was told by Snuff Garrett that he'd have to give Snuff a piece of them or they wouldn't be used in the movie. One of 'em was "Send Me Down to Tucson" which Mel Tillis recorded. Cliff was a nice dude for sure, do you know if he's still alive or not? I know that Billy's been having some problems especially that stroke he had......JH in Va.

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 22 Oct 2008 11:46 am

Jerry-

"My Past is Present" is a classic indeed. It's not on either side of the records I bought. I wish it was. Bobby was very, very, underrated in my opinion. The last time I saw Cliff Crofford was at Bonnie Owens' funeral a couple of years ago.He's aged but still looks pretty darn good. Billy was there too but was slow getting around because of a stroke. He's still handsome as the devil in his mid 70's.

My best.

Billy Tonnesen · Post by **Billy Tonnesen** » 22 Oct 2008 4:15 pm

Saw Cliff Crawford about last January at a benefit for Guitar Player Lou Martin and another bass player who I don't recall the name, at the VFW Hall in Riverside, Ca. (both had passed on). Cliff was still in good voice and singing with the band and looked good. We talked for a while about the good ole days before So.Calif. became a "DEAD ZONE" for Country music.

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 23 Oct 2008 6:40 am

Hello Billy,I just talked to Cliff & Lawton Jiles. They are still writting songs together.Some good ones at that. I've listen to a few that Lawton played for me while I was in his Studio. The Bass Guitarist was a great songwriter & Singer and his name was " Daivd Austin ". Country Music is not dead here in Southern California Billy.It's only alive if you're out there Playing it. I know you can't play it anymore, you would be out there doing it that's for sure. See'ya,Leo J.Eiffert,Jr.

Howard Tate · Post by **Howard Tate** » 23 Oct 2008 2:07 pm

I moved to Bakersfield in 70 or 71, The Rainbow Gardens must have been before that. I don't remember it. I played at The Barrel House for quite a while, and off nights at The Blackboard. There was a very knowledgeable fiddle player named Oscar Whittington around that ran Democrat Hot Springs. I often wonder about him, and if he's still around. The Hot Springs was a fun place to play, lot's of good memories from there.

Larry Petree · Post by **Larry Petree** » 23 Oct 2008 4:12 pm

Howard, Oscar is still with us, in fact last month we played his 80th birthday party at The Crystal Palace.

Jason Odd · Post by **Jason Odd** » 24 Oct 2008 4:53 am

The Durham's, both Wayne and Bobby are active, Wayne not so much in the music field as he went into a white collar lifestyle, but remains involved in the entertainment industry.

Bobby has a new myspace page, a new official website is on the way, and a new album, he's been shopping it around some.

Randall Palmore · Post by **Randall Palmore** » 27 Oct 2008 6:15 pm

Gary- Thanks so much for this post. I grew up in Oildale and began music lessons at Gene Moles' music store. My first guitar teacher was Carl Haas. I do remember visiting the set of Cousin Herb's television show and seeing my first pedal steel. I could not figure what the rods on the front were! I vividly remember my folks dancing at the Texas Barrel House, The Blackboard and The Rainbow Garden. I was obsessed with the music of Bakersfield, but moved back to Texas at thirteen (1971). I really enjoyed visiting my friend, Larry Petree in the summer of 2007 and seeing the Crystal Palace and enjoying a Saturday night at Trout's in Oildale. I was inspired to play music in Bakersfield and I continue play be a Texas steel player to this day. I sure would like to pick some at one of those Bakerfield night spots some day! Randall

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 29 Oct 2008 1:53 pm

Randall-

You're sure welcome. It's great to hear from those who know about and experienced Bakersfield's country music heritage. Many of the repondents like you, have relocated to other parts of the country, but still consider Bakersfield their first home.

You certainly picked a plum to hang out here with in Petree. He's a class act, a fine steeler, and knowlegable as anyone about Bakersfield's country music history.

Your comment about visiting the set for the Cousin Herb Show stirs some memories for me too. Do you recall if it was located at the old El Tejon Hotel downtown?

Thanks for your kindness and interest. I look forward to reading your future posts.

Gary

Randall Palmore · Post by **Randall Palmore** » 29 Oct 2008 5:43 pm

Gary- I actually met Larry at the Texas Steel Show a number of years ago, I knew pretty quickly that he knew a lot about the Bakersfield music scene in the famous 60's. He is a great guy and I wanted to recall those days. Like I said we visited him in 2007. I really enjoyed him reminding me of where ZB was located at one time. Also,some Mosrite guitar history, etc. I could remember going to the skating rink (from house in Oildale) and passing the Blackboard.He refreshed my memory on quite a few landmarks,etc. I hadn't been back in 33 yrs. I have fond memories of the River Theater(later Buck's studio). I do not remember the actual location of the Cousin Herb set. But, I remember the fine instruments,especially the odd looking steel guitar. I should have rephrased my desire my to play in Bakersfield. I would have really loved those dancehalls that you speak of. The Toys of Tots shows around Chrismas time were great. I made a couple of those before we moved back to Texas. Nice to recall such great times! I probably needed to be a little older at the time to really experience Bakersfield, but I've studied quite a bit. Take Care!

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 1 Nov 2008 9:32 pm

Remember in the garden of the Funny Farm Club. LJ

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 2 Nov 2008 6:46 pm

LJ-Do you mean the Funny Farm that was on or near Union Avenue. It didn't operate very long.

Gary

LJ Eiffert · Post by **LJ Eiffert** » 3 Nov 2008 7:21 am

Hey Gary,The Funny Farm ,That's the one on Union Ave. I worked there with " Ted Foss " & " Reb Allen ". I've got my real Education of Could Music from you Town with some great geart Musicians. I have many memories from what I got out of Bakersfield. Leo

Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 3 Nov 2008 9:01 am

Hey Gary, when I was working in Eddy Drake's band we had Red Simpson for a guest a couple of times at the club. One occasion he brought a female vocalist who'd been working the road with him named Kathy Robertson. She was a very good singer. Does she still live around those parts? Also Red brought a guy named Sonny Anglin who had a couple of records out at the time (early eighties) with him for his show. Sonny had lived in Bakersfield for a few years at that time. Is he still around there? Also, if you see Brian Lonbeck around town, tell him hi for me. I haven't seen him since I left SoCal in '85 and that was at a benefit for his old boss (Tony Treece) who'd passed away......JH in Va.

GaryHoetker · Post by **GaryHoetker** » 3 Nov 2008 10:38 am

Hi Jerry-

It's fun to hear from all of you who live throughout the country that have great memories of Bakersfield.

I don't remember either Kathy or Brian. I do remember Sonny Anglin. He's listed in the phone book.

I think Red Simpson still plays at Trout's once a week, along with Larry Petree.

My best.

The Steel Guitar Forum

My Memories of Bakersfields Rainbow Gardens, & other mus

My Memories of Bakersfields Rainbow Gardens, & other mus

Bakersfield

Pumpkin Center

cliff Crawford

Oscar