Indeco may 2016 revised

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

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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

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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!

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Special Issue Magazine Vol. 1 No. 2, May, 2016 Published by TigerEye Publications P.O. Box 6382 Springdale, AR 72766 E: cybermouth@hotmail.com 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.

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Advertisers: Please contact us via email: cybermouth@hotmail.com

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-Rick Baber

Zach Mann reflects on his time in Independence Co.

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Advertise with us!

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.

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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!

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JIMMY BOOTHBY NOSTALGIA

Old photo of the Queen City Band of Batesville. This photo is circa turn of the century 1900.

Old photo of the I.O.O.F. Home Band in the extreme early 1900s.

A band concert on the Independence County courthouse lawn from the 1950s.

Band activity on the Independence county courthouse lawn in the early 1950s.

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That’s right baby, I’m a rock god! Look how excited these little girls are over here.

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 Monkees, 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.

Same. Damn. Outfit.

Quick exit off the Water Carnival stage. Doom blowing the sax.

Orion’s first gig – BJHS gym. Terry was hot.

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

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THERE’s Clint!

Orion. BHJS. Big muscles.

Gawd, look at these moves!

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.

Matched Tommy note for note on my handy air guitar mic.

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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

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.

Getting high in Cave City, with Andy Buschmann

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.

Not as stoned as I looked.

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

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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

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Terry Horn. Greatest 3-fingered bass player in captivity.

Tommy Lewis Aka Tee Tot Aka Partee

Bob Barnett with Jimmy Driftwood

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.

Bob, playing his favorite Chinese song, Tu Ning

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,”

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figuring if THAT band didn’t get me there, none would.

Becky & Byrd in deep conversation in the dungeon on State Street I

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.

“Byrd”

Me & Ransom at practice…somewhere

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.

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Handsome Ransom, dressed to kill

Roper, Melanie Smithee (backup vocals), Byrd, in the dungeon on State Street

Mike “Da Rope� Roper, Orion sound technician

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Nearing the last days with Orion, with a cheesy half-stache

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.

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Trying to learn some chords at Crackerbox Palace

Fred Harris in the kitchen on State Street

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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,

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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 17

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 18

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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

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

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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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.

Batesville Guard Photo

“Odds ‘n Ends. Andy Buschmann, Jim Ives, Raydean McCarroll, Nick Fudge, Barney Anderson

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

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Larry Barber (RIP) 1971

Stephens Family

Sims Family

From the Shawn Stephens for Sheriff Campaign 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

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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 23

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.

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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 

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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

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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

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

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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!

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Photo by Alena Fears

I: Your name & current address?

Chelsea Savage Batesville, AR Photo by Jessica Scoggin

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?

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.

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

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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.

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 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?

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I: What was memorable?

your

favorite

venue?

Most

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

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.

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Gift Better.

CherryPicd.com

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Pocket Park Street Dance

by Kris Caraway

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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.

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

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Chelsea Savage Vanscoder

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Lockhouse Orchestra Beatles Tribute

Amos Lee, under the lights

Randy Wade of Wade’s Music

Dana Louise and The Glorious Birds John Parks, Sarah Jo Roark, Danny Dozier

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Mayday by Midnight at the Water Carnival

John Parks and Sarah Jo Roark

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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

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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 tricounty 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 38

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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

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.”

Thanks to Brenda Jackson Maha

Thanks to Debby Duffy Ohl

Darrell Fulbright, Mike Branscum, Jerry Sutton (RIP), Pete White (RIP)

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Thanks to Sandy Jenkins, Kenneth Rorie, Tony Victoria

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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.

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The Roadshow Band: Denise Johnston, Mike Foster, Katrina Fudge, Nick Fudge, Taylor Johnston, David Johnston

Batesville Guard Photo

With Steve “Tomcat” Smith

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St. Peter’s Roadshow. Nick, Jim Ives, Fred Harris

St. Peter’s Roadshow. Steve Smith, bass;

Mike Smith

Nick Fudge

Frankie Snapp

John Baxter

Jim Ives

Jim Ives

Fred Harris

Steve Smith

A reunion show in Batesville. (L to R) Mike Foster, Nick Fudge, Steve Smith, Mary Henry, Jim Ives

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DANNY DOZIER LINK to the VIDEO CLICK the IMAGE

Batesville Guard Photo

Purple Haze

Jimmy Barnett, Pete Harris, Danny Dozier, Mike Farrier, Steve Black magazine

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Rick Calhoun, Danny Dozier, Mark Calhoun, Johnny Bradley, Chuck Willis (circa 1972)

Danny as Grandpa Jones, with Alex Prince

CLICK the IMAGES 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

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above & below to play Videos

Click the image above to read the current issue of

Question Mark Magazine

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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.

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.

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?

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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.

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!

I: What was memorable?

your

favorite

venue?

Most

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?

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Sarah Jo

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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?

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

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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 …

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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.

1983

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.

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Moment of Rock Goddery, 1985

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...

With Kidz, 1977

With Kai Haley in Quicksister

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.

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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.

I: Your name & current address (city only is fine)?

With Jimmy Payne, Terry Horn, Sheila Horn, and ‌?

Andy Buschmann - Batesville AR I: What’s your connection to Independence County?

AB: Born, raised, & spent most of my life in Independence County

I: What instruments do you play?

AB: Guitar, bass, harp, flute, keyboard.

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?

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With Jimmy Dillard

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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

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.

Nick Fudge, Andy, Butch McCullom and Ric Buford (seated)

With Marilyn, dancing.

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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?)

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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: What was your first public gig? Do you remember any of the songs you played?

I: Tell us about your first interest in music.

LS: Piano is my specialty, but I also play guitar, bass, drums and I sing.

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.

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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?

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 SUNrecording 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.

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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.

With Brian Stuhr from Memphis, on stage in Blytheville, AR

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 Ray Gann, Jerry Lee Lewis’ bassist

At Jerry Lee Lewis’ Café & Honky Tonk, Beale Street, Memphis

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With Sonny Burgess

At The Silver Moon, Newport, Arkansas

Luke & Lacy

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I: Your name & current address (city only is fine)?

MH: Mary Henry Batesville Arkansas

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: 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

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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 65

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.

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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☎đ&#x;?Łđ&#x;’Ťđ&#x;’Ťđ&#x;?źď¸?

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With George Bartlett

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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?

I: Your name & current address?

I: What’s your connection to Independence County?

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.

GB: I grew up in this area and graduated from Batesville High School in 1992.

I: Who were some of the individuals and groups you have publically performed with? When?

I: Tell us about your first interest in music. Who were your musical influences?

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-).

Geoff Blair

GB: My name is . I currently work with the studio bands Ursa Minor and Invisible Sun. I live right outside Batesville.

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.

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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.

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I: What was memorable?

your

favorite

venue?

Most

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

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Paperback. 142 pages. $9.95 TigerEye Publications View/Order from bookstore HERE Also available at

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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

1982. Sweet Baby James on State Street, rhythm, vocals

With Bec & Dr. Beeper at some Fayetteville restaurant. It’s not a sinus infection, he’s playing the harp

20…14? Sweet Baby James on Harp

A patio gig at sister Robin’s house, Springdale

Me & Dr. Beeper while he cooks some ribs

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So, that brings us to the present …