He was born in Winston Salem, N.C., to Dee W and Fronie Key Yarbrough, who preceded him in death; as did his only sister, Nellie Yarbrough Barton., He is survived by his caring wife of 50 years, Edith Weaver Yarbrough; three children, Kathy Yarbrough of Charleston, Penny Yarbrough Bowers (Ted) of Charleston, and Mark Yarbrough (Becky Gainer) of Clendenin. He has five grandchildren, Brandie Reed Green of Elkview, Laura Reed of Santa Clara, Calif., and Joshua, Jackson, and McKenzie Yarbrough of Elkview; as well as two great-grandchildren, Shelby and Joey Green of Elkview., His greatest pleasures in life were his family and his music. He entertained all with his great talent for the steel guitar and making people laugh as Roscoe Swerps. Herman was also employed at Paul White Chevrolet as a car salesman, a job he truly loved and enjoyed., He was loved by many and will be greatly missed by all., Service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at Elk Hills Memorial Park, with Pastor J. Fred Barton officiating. The funeral procession will leave the funeral home at 1:30 p.m., Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, May 2, 2011, at Hafer Funeral Home., In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hubbard Hospice Care, Charleston, W.Va., Online condolences can be made at www.haferfuneralhome.com. Hafer funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.
Herman was not a forum member, but I bet there are a few here who knew and remember him. Here's a picture of him with The Buddy Starcher Show. He's the guy in the middle of the back row.
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You are right b0b,Roscoe was a popular local TV entainer in Charleston WV in the 60s. He was a featured comedian and also played a Fender 8 string ( I forget the model) but he usually had 6 strings on it As a kid I would watch him every morning while waiting on my school bus, he was my first influence on steel guitar. He was a very modest man. The first time I met him ,he couldn't believe I or anyone else, could have possibly been influenced by him at all. I liked him a lot. In recent years his health has been a big issue for him. May he rest in peace..
Hook http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80_lwOFOecc
Hook, I also remember Roscoe, first on the Buddy Starcher Show, then on the Sleepy Jeffers Show. On the Jeffers shows, Roscoe usally played a MultiKord. I think it had maybe two pedals. He got a good sound out of it, and I recall that he used the thumb on his right hand as a volume "pedal".
Many great memories of both of those shows on WCHS, quite a few years ago, including a fine lead guitar player, Norman Chapman. Thanks, b0b,for posting the news about Roscoe.
Location: Williamsom WVA, raised in Nashville TN, Lives in Hallettsville Texas
Postby Johnny Cox »
I was born in W.Va. and Roscoe was the first steel player I ever saw. He was on the Buddie Starcher TV Show and did a Cousin Jody type character. Then I saw Don Warden on Porter Wagonner's show. That's the same time frame (1965-66) as when I heard my first record with pedal steel, the artist was and still is a family friend, Jimmy Wolford and the steel player was Hal Rugg. Roscoe had a lot to do with me being a steel player. I never got to meet him. May he rest in peace.
Johnny "Dumplin" Cox
"YANKIN' STRINGS & STOMPIN' PEDALS" since 1967.
I recall that Buddy Starcher had a record that got quite a bit of airplay called "History Does Repeat Itself" or something similar. The recitation listed a lot of coincidences between Presidents Lincoln and Kennedy.
And for those that remember the Sleepy Jeffers Show, then you probably remember "Honey and Sonny, the Davis Twins". Sonny often got a plug in for his business 'Sonny's Drive-In', emphasizing that "...we make our own chili sauce". I believe that Honey was Sleepy's wife.
In addition to playing steel guitar, Roscoe would play acoustic and sing novelty songs in a costume consisting of jeans, a funny hat and a plaid shirt that was buttoned with the buttons mis-aligned.
How's that for a walk down memory lane for those of us who watched these shows back when?
As a kid I would watch him every morning while waiting on my school bus, he was my first influence on steel guitar. He was a very modest man. The first time I met him ,he couldn't believe I or anyone else, could have possibly been influenced by him at all. I liked him a lot. In recent years his health has been a big issue for him. May he rest in peace..
