The Story of Eddie Bond: "The Brown-Eyed Hillbilly" by Loretta Doles
Chapter 1: A Young Eddie James Bond
All over Europe, fans today are still dancing to this great performer's music and collecting his albums, 45s, cassettes and Cd's. Once a year they fly in from Holland, Sweden, France and England to get him to autograph their precious music collection. Each year Eddie performs at the Center for Southern Folklore Peabody Place in Memphis, TN. Every time he performs in Europe there is "standing room only" literally! These fans fill every auditorium that he performs in...standing "shoulder-to-shoulder," "wall-to-wall" "Rocking & Rolling" to his wonderful songs from the 1950s, 60s & 70s. In Europe they "always pack the house!".
The chairs are removed because there is simply no room for them when the boppin' ducktailed crowds poor-in, because in Europe, Eddie Bond is famous, a star, even today!Eddie James Bond, was born on July 1st, 1933 to William "Bill" Bond and Doshie Mae Riley Bond at Downtown Baptist Hospital Memphis. Growing-up during the depression, Eddie learned at an early age to work hard for anything he wanted. At 8 years old Eddie sold enough garden seed door-to-door to buy his first guitar. Eddie practiced on his guitar till his fingers bled, but he soon taught himself to play well enough to enter local contests.
Eddie said "My Momma always said she wanted a little brown-eyed-boy who could sing and play a guitar."When Eddie was 9 & 10 years old he cut kindling and sold to neighbors for their stoves and fireplaces. Eddie loved Country Music and in his spare time he practiced with his guitar. Among The first songs he learned to play were songs recorded by Hank Williams songs, "They'll Never Take Her Love From Me" and "Lovesick Blues." He listened to Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff and Carl Smith on the radio.
At 13 Eddie would sneak into Memphis nightclubs, sing and play his guitar. Eddie had a cheap microphone he plugged into the back of an old radio to amplify his voice. He had his guitar case open to collect tips. Eddie was taking home $28-$30 a night, a sizable amount back in late 1940s, especially for a teenage boy.In 1948 at age 16 Eddie had his first band "Eddie Bond and the Western Swing Band." Lead guitarist was Reggie Young (has played for probably 80% of the biggest stars in Nashville), Jimmy Smith piano, John Hughey on steel guitar (Hughey played for Slim Rhodes, Conway Twitty, Vince Gill and many more top name recording artists) and Johnny Fine on drums. They played all the local honky tonks, dance halls and night clubs.
Eddie even did two 15 minute radio shows on KWEM (call letters later changed to KWAM) while still in high school and sang with "Clyde Leopard & the Snearly Ranch Boys" in West Memphis Ark.After Eddie finished High School (Southside High School Memphis) the sign that said "Uncle Sam wants YOU" had Eddie thinking he would soon be drafted, so her joined the Navy. Eddie recalls when he was 20 years old in the Navy, hearing about the death of Hank Williams. Hank was one of Eddie's favorite singers.After his "stint" in the Navy, Eddie was back in Memphis and ready to re-unite his band. He was anxious to get back into the "spotlight" singing his favorite Country songs. He re-named his band "Eddie Bond and the Stompers."
Eddie's band was very successful, but his father told him "You need to get a REAL job!" So Eddie got a job at a paint factory to learn about their paint and became their "paint salesman." This was where his father worked at M.L. Campbell & Son. Eddie sold paint and varnish in 55 gallon drums (later when Bond became successful in the music business, he bought the company).For a short time Charles Holley played lead guitar for the Stompers and Charles' girlfriend Sue and another pretty young lady named Gladys Stephens sang as a duet with the band. The duet was called the "Tennessee Sweethearts." They sang the Davis Sister's songs (you know one of the sisters by Skeeter Davis) and they sang "I've Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know About Him." Eddie and Gladys were immediately attracted to each other. Gladys had beautiful blue eyes and blond hair, she worked for Southern Bell Telephone Comp. and was a switchboard operator for the Baptist Hospital in Memphis. They were both from strong Christian backgrounds.
Eddie Bond and Gladys
Eddie's father was a Pentecostal Preacher and Gladys and her parents were Assembly of God members. They both grew-up singing good old southern Gospel songs and believed in Christian values. Gladys knew Eddie worked for a paint factory so when he told her he was coming over in his "work clothes," was that OK? She said sure...To her surprise, Eddie arrived in a suit and tie. Ike & Virginia Stephens (Gladys' parents) of Cherry Valley, Ark. loved Eddie like a son and the two were married that same year.Eddie and the Stompers wore tuxedos and they were the "house band" for the swanky High Hat Club in Memphis.
Eddie sang Country Music but knew he needed another vocal singer for his audience to dance to. There was a new kind of music in the "air-waves," a kind of "jitterbug-bop," so Eddie advertised for an additional singer. A young man named Elvis came to the club to audition. Eddie liked the young man's style and voice so he hired Elvis. Elvis sang the fast "bop-style" music and Eddie sang the Country music. This ritzy club had what they called a "board of directors" who sat by the door and looked down on all the band members as if they were just waiting for them to do something wrong.
One night Elvis came in to sing, straight from his job wearing big black pants with a pink stripe down both sides, dirty from the days work and the grease in his hair had ran down on his collar. The directors "got in a huff." They thought the young singer was not dressed well-enough for their society crowd. Elvis was poor, Eddie Bond and the Stompers were also poor, but dressed-up in their tuxedos, did not look out of place with the "high class crowd."
The board members came to Eddie and told him "That greasy-headed kid is not singing in here! Either he goes, or you all go!" Eddie felt bad for Elvis but he could not jeopardize their jobs so he had to let him go.
Hi Hat Club nowadays
Elvis did not sing anymore in the High Hat Club, but he did sing other place with Eddie Bond and Eddie directed Elvis to additional people who could help him (two months later after Elvis became famous, the "club directors" wanted Eddie to bring Elvis back, he told them it would cost them $1500 a night! Eddie said "that sure felt good to say" after they had threatened them all with loosing their jobs). Elvis always remembered how kind Eddie had been to him and it was nothing for a limo to pull up to one of Eddie's radio stations on his Birthday with a Birthday cake from Elvis. Gladys remembers "Once when Eddie was doing a remote broadcast, a limo drove up and the driver handed Eddie a cake and said Elvis says Happy Birthday Eddie!" For a year Eddie Bond & the Stompers, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash "all toured together" managed by Bob Neal's Stars Incorperated.
Eddie and Gladys Bond at Fairgrounds Amusement Park in Memphis, 1954
Chapter 2: The "Birth of Rock & Roll"
The "Birth of Rock and Roll" some say was in 1954, when young artists like Eddie Bond, saw a distinct change in the music "air-waves." The young audience wanted faster dance beats.
They wanted music they could get excited about.
Their parents had the "jitter-bug" and they need their own kind of rocking music. In 1953 and 54 Perry Como and Doris Day were the top Pop singers and Hank Snow, Red Foley & Kitty Wells were the top Country singers. Suddenly over the "air-waves" came Bill Haley and the Comets doing "Rock Around the clock" and Elvis walked into Sun Studios and recorded a black Rhythm & Blues song called "That's All Right." In 1955 Chuck Berry "skipped across the stage on one foot" Playing "Maybellene" on his electric guitar and Eddie Bond went to EKKO Records in Memphis and recorded his first 45 record "Double Duty Lovin' and Talkin' Off the Wall."
Eddie's first record did so well that it got the attention of Mercury Records, who quickly signed him. Mercury Records was one of the largest record companies in the Nation. They distributed their recording artists' records to every radio station in the United States.
This was the break Eddie had been waiting for.Country & Gospel Music have always been Eddie's favorite type of music, but he knew to make a living in the entertainment business, he must give the audience what they wanted. Eddie and his father were running the business he purchased (ML Campbell & Co.) and they also had a Talent Agency helping to promote new local talent.
With this new record success Eddie was enjoying, he headed out on tour for one year of "one-night" shows on the road. Bob Neal's Stars Incorporated booked Eddie Bond & the Stompers, Elvis, Roy Orbison, Bud Deckleman, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, Sonny James, Harold Jenkins (Conway Twitty), Warren Smith, Jerry Lee Lewis, Faron Young & Charlie Feathers. They were all booked at the Louisiana Hayride, Big D Jamboree in Dallas, all over Texas, Louisiana, Miss., Ala., Ark., W. Tn., MO. & NM. Every big city they were booked in they played "gigs" in small towns along the highway. They played night clubs, school auditoriums, stadiums, parks & even played "on top" of the concession stands of drive-in movies.
They sang and played behind "chicken-wire" on stages in the rough bars across the country. They traveled in rain, sleet and snow, hot or cold, days and nights. There were no nice big tour buses. They were usually all packed in their cars with their instruments or the instruments were tied down on the roof of the cars. They toured nearly 500,000 miles in that year! Some of the "small gigs" they played along the highways were unable to pay for a full band so at times when Eddie would sing either Carl Perkins or Roy Orbison played for him "behind the curtain."
A music magazine found out and published it.
Eddie told them it's just to hold down the expense for the small club, they are not part of his band. Eddie said "You know we all work so well together, sometimes we would play 7 to 15 days straight together, Carl and his brothers, I loved um! After a long stint together we were exhausted. We would sit around and talk and you know Carl is a very deeply religious person and had a wonderful wife that was behind him 100%." Carl would say "Well the Good Lord let us spend these (how ever many days) together and I just hope He brings us together soon to do it again,"The Louisiana Hayride was live on the radio KWKH, a 50,000 watt clear station reaching 28 states.
It was also on CBS radio network to 198 affiliates across the country. It was called the "Cradle of the Stars" because so many young performers debuted there and then became super stars. After a year on the road away from his family Eddie decided this is not what he wanted to do. There must be a way I can be at home more with my family and still enjoy my music. Gladys always supported everything Eddie wanted to do and this would be no exception...
Chapter 3: At 20, Eddie is a "seasoned pro"
Memphis was the "hub" of Rock & Roll in the 1950s, spinning-out such greats as Elvis Presley, Eddie Bond, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Bud Deckleman, Johnny Horton, Sonny James, Conway Twitty, Warren Smith & Charlie Feathers. Bob Neal's Stars Incorporated handled these talented entertainers out of Memphis and booked them for a solid year on the road. Bob Neal was a Memphis DJ for WMPS radio station in Memphis, TN. Bob, like most jocks in that position, in his spare time put together shows of country artists and did some booking in the area to supplement his income.
Bob was honest and well liked, he was dedicated to helping the artists get work. He became Elvis' manager.Eddie at the age of 20 was a "seasoned pro," having been in the entertainment business since he was 15, handled all his engagements, hiring and paying his band members (except for booking this year long tour).
Eddie Bond and The Western Swing Band
Eddie, a mild-mannered young man was a"fire-ball" on stage. He and his band the Stompers toured for one year in Eddie's Oldsmobile 88 four door 1955 pink and white car. Eddie said they had a box built to go on-top of the car to hold all the instruments. They ate bologna sandwiches, cheese and crackers and drank lots of coffee and RC colas with moon pies. Eddie said "Now you've got to bear in mind that none of us had no money or nothing.
Gladys and Becky
After many months and hundreds of miles on the road together sometimes the guys played practical jokes on each other. One in particular that was done many times was whoever went on stage first, sang the next artists "sets" (or songs). This was done all out of fun and to break-up the monotony. Then they would come off stage and "wink" at the artist to go on next. A famous story told (whether true or not), was that Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry were arguing who would go on "last!" The artist to go on last, of course...was the "biggest star."
Jerry Lee finally said "OK, I'll go on!" (The story goes) Jerry Lee went out on stage and poured a coke bottle full of gasoline on the piano, set it on fire with a match and played "Great Balls of Fire" while the piano was burning! The audience went wild with excitement! He then walked off stage past Chuck Berry and (allegedly) said "Now, Follow that!" They all sat around together before the shows tuning instruments, shared their new "hot licks," "string bending" and up-right bass "slapping." While cutting-up they would "ride the large bass fiddle" while playing it and played each others instruments, kick the piano stool out of the way and played standing-up or with their foot. A lot of this fun "spilled-out" on the stage as they became more and more comfortable with their stage presence.
Many of these young entertainers were just teenagers (Reggie Young was 16), they had to have their parents co-sign their contracts with them.After a year of seemingly endless travel Eddie was ready to get a local job and continue his entertainment career from his home in Memphis. He had a small baby girl now, Becky (Reggie called her Beck Beck), and a beautiful wife that he had missed tremendously. When he was 15 he had a radio show on KWEM in West Memphis, AR. so that's where he went to apply as their DJ.
Eddie Bond with his daughter Becky
The station gladly accepted him on their "ALL Country Music Station (one of the few all country stations in the whole area). The station was "on the air" sun-up to sun-down. Eddie would sign the station on at dawn and off at dark Monday through Friday. His show was heard daily all over the mid-south. He showcased most of his tour buddies on his radio shows and he was one of the most popular DJ's of the times.
Tommy Tucker and Eddie Bond
Eddie also had a thriving business "Eddie Bond Enterprises Talent Agency" that kept him busy helping new young talent find jobs and providing show for them to perform on.February of 1956 Eddie & The Stompers signed with Mercury records and at a Memphis radio station they cut "Rockin' Daddy" & "I've Got A Woman" on 45 record. In March they recorded 4 more 45 records: "Slip, Slip, Slippin' In"/ "Flip Flop Mama" & " Baby, Baby, Baby"/"Boppin' Bonnie." In October 1956 they performed at the Big D Jamboree in Dallas, Rockin' Daddy & Boppin' Bonnie." Eddie was traveling so much with his Stompers on the weekends, that he "bought the Blackwood Brothers airplane,".
Chapter 4: Eddie buys the Blackwood Brothers´ Plane
Eddie Bond & the Stompers signed a year long contract with the Louisiana Hayride which required them to be in Shreveport to perform there every Saturday night. All of the band members including Eddie, had "day jobs," which met they were not making a living as entertainers.
They would all pack into Eddie's 1955 Oldsmobile after putting their instruments in the large container on the roof of the car and Friday evening they set out on the road to play shows Eddie had booked for them for the whole weekend. Saturday evening they would be at the Shreveport, Louisiana Hayride.The Hayride was in Shreveport's Municipal Auditorium which boasted a 3800 seating capacity, much larger than Grand Ole Opry's Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. The auditorium had a large wrap around balcony.
The Hayride allowed black & white performers and the audience was mixed races in segregated areas. The building was usually packed to capacity with young and older audiences, but always enthusiastic. The area had several colleges as well as Barksdale Air Force Base and people drove in from surrounding states.
The Blackwood Brothers´ Plane
Eddie booked the Blackwood Brothers for one of the shows he produced in Memphis and when he found out they wanted to sell their plane, It wasn't long before Eddie decided to buy it. Having a plane would cut down on the long hours of driving on the weekends. Eddie hired Buddy McNabb to fly the plane. Reggie Young recalls "I was 16 and it was the first time I had ever been in a plane.
All of a sudden the motor started sputtering and we all got really scared. We were in a "heavy rain storm" and the pilot said were gonna have to find a field to land in, were going down....then they saw a small landing strip it was in Laurel, Mississippi. They headed for it and landed, rented a car and drove the rest of the way to their gig in Mobile, Alabama. When they finished their shows, they drove back to Laurel, Mississippi where Buddy had the plane fixed and ready to fly again. He assured them it was a minor problem and it was safe to fly.
The plane was not far from Memphis when Buddy felt a chill and turned on the heater on in the plane. Suddenly everyone woke-up to a burning smell. The pilot could not imagine what could be the problem now, but he knew he needed to get the plane to the Memphis airport as soon as possible.
Eddie and the guys were "scared to death" (their words) and prayed they would make it home to their families. When they landed safely they all piled-out of the plane and started throwing rocks at it!" Come to find out, it was only because the heater had not been used since the previous cold weather and was only "dusty heater smell." Eddie sold the plane! Eddie decided then that leasing a tour bus when needed was the safest way to travel.The Ellis Auditorium in Memphis was a frequent spot that current stars performed in.
The North Auditorium was the largest of the two auditoriums inside, which seated 5500 people. One time in particular that Eddie's wife Gladys remembers " All the entertainers wives were sitting back stage together and we were talking and she heard Elvis Presley say, Which one of you is Eddie Bond's wife? Gladys said she raised her hand and smiled and Elvis came over to her and said "Glad to met-ja!" She said he was a warm, polite young man."
Johnny Cash was there (Eddie remembered when he first met Johnny he pulled his guitar out of a sack because he had no guitar case) he was tuning his guitar with some other musicians. Johnny Young (Johnny Paycheck "birth name" Donald Eugene Lytle) was talking with Eddie Bond about singing on Eddie's Radio Show. He would sing "Show-Me."
Eddie recalls "He was very shy, in the early years."KWEM changed their call letters to KWAM or K-WAM! they kept their tower in West Memphis, AR. but moved their studios to Memphis on Flika St. This is where Eddie would be a DJ and Manager for the next 17 years. Eddie had "live shows" on the air with greats like: Web Pierce (his best friend), Charlie Pride, The Wilburn Brothers, Johnny Cash & June Carter, Carl Smith, Mel Tillis, Connie Smith, Marty Robins, Faron Young, Bill Anderson and many more.
Eddie was booking major Country Music acts for shows at the Mid-South Fair, the Cotton Carnival and others venues and decided to buy a night club for these great entertainers to play in and also for the new young artists he was nurturing at his Talent Agency. Eddie opened up "The Little Black Book" but this was only the first of the many clubs he would buy and business he would go into. Eddie was an entrepreneur and was not happy unless he had "too much to do!"Eddie hired a young man named Jerry Lawler to be a DJ on KWAM.
Chapter 5: Recording his first Record
Being an entertainer on the road in the late 1950s, was an exciting, tiring profession. Traveling in a car all night and day, sometimes 1500 miles to get to the next "gig" was exhausting. Eddie said the money they made, paid expenses. By the end of his tours he figured he was only breaking even. All the profit he made went to the gas stations, motels, car repair shops and kwick food marts. Eddie decided to work as a Dj close to his home in Memphis, still perform nights and weekends but have a steady job.
He started out at $20 a week at KWEM/KWAM and ended-up as one of the highest paid Djs in the Mid-South. Eddie has the "gift of gab." Their was never a dull moment while he was on the air, whether introducing a song or doing a commercial..."he got your attention" and "sold you on the product!"Eddie was doing a lot of recording during these early years:
1955 he recorded on Ekko=Double Duty Lovin'/Talking Off The Wall, Love Makes A Fool (Every Day)/Your Eyes.
1956 on Mercury=I Got A Woman/Rockin' Daddy, Slip, Slip, Slippin' In/ Baby, Baby, Baby (What Am I Gonna Do), Flip, Flop Mama/Boppin' Bonnie.
Sun Records Stars ~ May 12, 1956
1957 on Mercury=Your Part Of Me/King On Your Throne (written by Gladys Bond unissued by Mercury), They Say We're Too Young/Backslidin', Love, Love, Love/Lovin' You, Hershey Bar (written by Eddie Bond)/One Step Closer To You.
1959 on Stomper Time (the first of many Record Company's Eddie would own)=Can't Win For Loosing/When The Juke Box Plays, Bop Bop Da Ca Ca/You'll Never Be A Stranger.
1960 on Spa=I Walk The Line/Only One Minute More.
1961 on United Southern Artists=Second Chance/This Ol' Heart Of Mine.
1962 on Sun (Eddie's first Album)=Hallelujah Way. I Saw The Light, If We Never Meet Again, Just A Closer Walk With Thee, Letter To God, Most Of All I Want To See Jesus, Precious Memories, Satisfied, When They Ring Those Golden Bells, Where Could I Go But To The Lord, Will I Be Lost Or Will I Be Lost, Or Will I Be Saved & Pass Me Not Oh Gentle Savior.
1962 on Sun (Eddie's second Album)=Double Duty Lovin', Backstreet Affair, Rockin' Daddy, I Thought I Heard You Call My Name, The Day I Found You, Back Home In Indiana, In My Solitude, I'd Just Be Fool Enough, I Can't Quit, My Bucket's Got A Hole In It, They'll Never Take Her love From Me, One More Memory, Our Secrete Rendezvous, Standing In The Window, You Nearly Lose Your mind, Your Eyes & Big Boss Man.
By now Eddie and Gladys have had their second child, Lisa.
Eddie owned several clubs in Memphis through the years: The Little Black Book, The Eddie Bond Ranch, The Diplomat and The Southern Frontier (he owned with Wrestler Jackie Fargo). Eddie would occasionally promote and MC wrestling matches and that's how Eddie met Jackie Fargo. Jackie Fargo had a show on KWAM with music and promoting his wrestling. A young 17 year old Dj Eddie hired (Jerry Lawler) was interested in wrestling so Eddie took him to the matches with him.
One night Eddie and Jerry walked into the Ellis Auditorium back-stage before a match and there sat Jackie Fargo and Tojo Yamamoto playing cards. Jerry Lawler was in shock! He thought these two were mortal enemies and wrestling was real, not a show.
From then on every-time Bond picked up Lawler to go to a match, he said "Go get your tights." He knew that Jerry wanted to learn to wrestle and these were the best! Tojo Yamamoto told Jerry, "You not showing real pain, in yo face." He pinched a hunk of Jerry Lawlers cheek and twisted hard. "OW!" Said Jerry. Tojo said, "Now, that real pain look!"Jerry would send the station, sketches he drew of the wrestlers. Eddie & Jackie Fargo were very impressed with the 17 year old fan and "took him under their wing."
They set him up with a small sign painting business next door to their club. "Being around these guys is why I got into the wrestling business," said Jerry Lawler. KWAM was Country Music only and Dj Jerry Lawler liked pop, so every now and then he slipped in the music "he liked" over the air. Eddie called him each time and said "only Country Music can be played on this station." One day Eddie was driving around Memphis and Jerry played a Pop song on the all Country Station again. Eddie called the tower (in West Memphis, AR.) and told them to "cut the transmission!" Suddenly Jerry Lawler called Eddie's car phone (very few people had a car phone then) and said "Eddie, did you know, we are OFF the AIR?" Eddie said, "I told you not to play that stuff, I shut you down!"Jerry also went with Eddie sometimes to his early morning TV show on WHBQ (TV show at 6:45 a.m. for 10 years then went regionally syndicated). "It's amazing," Lawler said. "I go to England to wrestle with the WWE and they have these big rockabilly shops and Eddie Bond is a huge star! He's bigger over there than he ever was here in the states!" Jerry was recently in Bolivar at a wrestling match at the National Guard Armory. He introduced Eddie Bond and told the audience, "Eddie is the reason I am in the wrestling business today." Eddie and Gladys are always happy to see Jerry.
They've been friends since he was a teenager.Eddie had a comedian/up-right bass player as part of his band, his name was "Droopy Duck." Eddie Bond, the Stompers & Droopy Duck, actually, almost caused a prison riot (while they were performing inside the prison).
Chapter 6: Eddie and his comedian almost start a prison riot
A través de los años, Eddie tuvo diferentes miembros en su banda. Su primera banda era "Eddie Bond & The Western Swing Band," con Reggie Young a la guitarra, Earl Logan on steel guitar, Johnny Fine on drums and Tommy Potts on up-right bass. As popular music changed to Rock & Roll, Eddie changed with the music rage. Country Music & Gospel Music have always been his favorite, but the money was in Rock N' Roll. Eddie changed his band's name to "Eddie Bond & The Stompers" and his new steel guitar player was John Hughey. Later Eddie added Jimmy Smith to play piano & sax, he was blind and had been playing in an "all blind band". "Although blind, I play the piano" Jimmy would say and "Although blind, I can eat...very well!" Other early band members were: Morris "Tarp" Tarrent & Gilbert Mickle.
In the 1960s Eddie hired his first comedian/musician, his name was Robert "Bobby" Howard alias "Droopy Duck." Droopy Duck was a natural comedian and had been performing for years with other bands. He wore overalls (farm attire) "slappn' up-right bass" and sang comical songs.
The last band he was with, he was driving all night (the rest of the band was sleeping) and the instruments were in a trailer (in-tow) behind the car. Before he knew it he was waking-up and the car was crossing the middle of the highway. He slammed on the breaks and the car and trailer fish-tailed. By the time he brought the car to a stop, the trailer had broke loose and tumbled down a ravine. All of the instruments were destroyed except his up-right bass. It didn't even have a scratch.
They were all on stage entertaining that night (with borrowed instruments) and Droopy Duck was "slap-playing" his bass and suddenly it "exploded" into a million pieces all over the stage. Droopy was holding on-to the only part still intact! The top of the neck of the giant bass fiddle in his left hand. He started waving his right hand in the "air" where the rest of the bass had been and then started "acting like" it was still there and he kept playing. The audience was laughing hysterically and thought it was part of the "act!" Eddie had a show at the prison for the inmates once and Droopy Duck was a "plant" in the audience.
He came in with the inmates, dressed in prison clothes and a guard told him "Tomorrow YOU get that HAIR cut!" (the prison guard thought he was a new prisoner) Droopy sat down amongst them in the audience. Eddie and The Stompers were a big hit with the prisoners. Suddenly someone in the audience started "heckling" Eddie. Eddie just ignored him, but he just got louder and louder and stood-up. The inmates were about to "put the hurt" on Droopy Duck when Eddie calmed them down with "It's Ok guys, he's with me!" Droopy Duck and Eddie had done this "routine" many times before, but this time....Droopy was "sweatn' bullets!" He said he was "scared to death," " those guys were gonna hurt me!" "I was messing-up their free-time!" Eddie met a "very special friend" in 1966 to be his second comedian. This man would become one of his best friends in life and continues to play in his band today, Bobby Joe "Cousin Bo Jack" Killingsworth.
Eddie booked all the "top stars" at his shows (stage, night clubs, radio and TV): Elvis Presley (this was when Elvis asked, which one of the wives back-stage, was Eddie's wife Gladys), Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, June Carter, Buck Owens, Webb Pierce, Mel Tillis, Red Sovine, Warner Mack, Loretta Lynn, The Wilburn Brothers, Donny Young (Johnny Paycheck), Johnny Horton, Bud Deckleman, Billy Walker, Del Reeves, Ernie Ashworth, Faren Young, Bill Anderson, Wanda Jackson, Jeanie Seeley, Jean Shephard, Charlie Pride, Hawkshaw Hawkins, Warren Smith, Hank Thompson and Carl Smith.
Eddie has owned over half a dozen night clubs, a paint company (with his father) a radio station, several record companies, a newspaper, a variety store and many of these "at the same time!" Eddie is not one to be idol. People use to tell Gladys "You live a very hurried life," because Eddie was always saying to Gladys "hurry, hurry!' Gladys said they called her husband "Fast Eddie" because he was always in a hurry! He only allowed himself a short time to sleep, maybe 4 hours a night or less and he was up, showered, dressed and off to work again. Growing-up during the depression Eddie knew, to be a success in life and provide a good life for your family, you had to work harder and smarter than the "next guy!" Eddie recorded on Ekko, Mercury, Sun, Mercury/Starday, "D", Stomper Time (his Record Co.), Spa, Coral, Wildcat, United Southern Artists, Memphis, Pen, Decca, Diplomat (his Record Co.), Millionaire, Tagg, Ashley, XL, Tab (his Record Co.), Enterprise, Deccer (his Record Co.), Erwin, Advance, Three Star, Rock-it, High Court, Rockstar, K-Ark, Southern Artists, Mercury Wing, Guest Star, MCCR, Redita, Phillips International, Rock-A-Billy & dozens of record labels in Europe. Eddie has written or co-wrote 44 songs.
Chapter 7: Eddie introduces Bufford Pusser to the world
Eddie's recordings are still being "re-leased" in Europe where he is a major Rock-a-Billy star even now. If you doubt that....just call-up Eddie Bond on the Internet (E-Bay) and see how much his music is worth today. Cousin Bo Jack (Bobby Killingsworth) is from McNairy County Tn. and a friend of his wanted to be introduced to Eddie Bond. So Bo Jack introduced his friend "Bufford Pusser" to Eddie Bond.
Bufford Pusser and Pauline
Every time Eddie saw Buford after that, Bufford asked him to write a song about him and about his "life as Sheriff of McNairy County Tn."...
Eddie Bond "bigger than life size" on a billboard along the Highway, advertising his family night club. A 12' tall Eddie Bond dressed in a white suit with a red scarf tie, holding his acoustic EB guitar (the 12' canvas image is now in the Music Museum in Hornsby with Eddie's other Museum pieces). Droopy Duck, Eddie's first comedian sidekick, had a skit that he pulled on the their audience. Droopy carried around a "slop jar" (porcelain chamber pot) with yellow Mountain Dew and a Baby Ruth candy bar in it. He sloshed it around and showed it to the folks and then turned it up...and drank out of it! The audience "had a fit!" UGH! Droopy loved working the audience. (The pot is next to his foot in the photo here) In 1968 Eddie and Gladys had their third child Eddie James Bond Jr. Now their family was complete, two girls Becky & Lisa & Eddie Jr. their son.
Eddie was so proud of his family and enjoyed his fast-pace life-style. Eddie Bond & Jackie Fargo were joint owners of the very popular Southern Frontier Club in Memphis. New band members were Enlow Hoskins on bass, Ronald Smith on Lead guitar, & Jody Chastain on steel. Bobby "Cousin Bo Jack" Killingsworth, a musician and (the second) comedian for Eddie & The Stompers, had a friend from his school days in McNairy Co., Buford Pusser (then Sheriff of McNairy County, Tn.). Buford told Bo that he wanted to meet Eddie, so Bo introduced them at the Club that night. Eddie recalls it as brief and something about Buford's stories as Sheriff including the ambush shooting of his wife Pauline in McNairy County, Tn. Buford asked Eddie if he had thought about writing a song about his life as Sheriff.
Eddie Bond and The Stompers
Eddie had not. Eddie & The Stompers were singing & entertaining on a flat-bed truck, for a crowd of people in front of a grocery store Grand-opening in Selmer, Tn. when Eddie said he felt someone tug on his pant leg, he looked down to see Bufford Pusser. Buford wanted to have coffee with Eddie after the show in the basement (Sheriff's Office) of the Court House. Bufford's father Carl was cook of the jail and always had fresh coffee brewed. After listening to Buford's eventful life as Sheriff of the county for the previous 4 years (he served a total of 6 years max allowed consecutively in Tn.). Eddie decided to write a song about Buford's life as sheriff and contacted a friend Jim Climmer. They wrote the first song, "Buford Pusser Goes Bear Hunting With A Switch."
The reason for the "bear" in the song, Buford was a wrestler when he was young and he actually wrestled a bear at a County Fair and "pinned it" (wrestling term meaning shoulders to the mat for a count of 3) and won! Buford didn't like guns and when he was first Sheriff he didn't carry one. There were times that he was in so much danger that he wished he had one. He did however cut a very strong tree branch and whip a man with it after the man beat his wife and then was hold-up in his barn with a shotgun. He threatened shooting Buford if he tried to take him to jail. Buford took the shotgun away from him and beat him with the stick in front of his wife. Helen (Buford's mother) took exception to some parts of the song.
The song goes: "On the day he was born he weighed 42 pounds." Helen Pusser said "He did not weigh no 42pounds when he was born Eddie Bond!" Eddie also recorded a song about Pauline (Buford's wife who was murdered), it's called "The Prettiest Dress." Eddie tells that Buford bought her the prettiest dress he could find for her to be buried in. Mrs Helen told Eddie "Buford never bought a dress in his life Eddie Bond!" She was a tall, thin very strong minded person, very dedicated to her family. Eddie had a lot of respect for the whole Pusser family and became very close to them in the next 6 years. Dwana said "I always knew when Eddie Bond was here because he always drove a big flashy new car," Eddie was driving a new black Cadillac with a car-phone antenna.
She said "I thought he was a big movie star, because he was on TV and radio."
Eddie was doing a 3 hour Radio show on K-WAM in Memphis every morning, a weekly TV Show on WHBQ TV Channel 13, recording for Tab (his own Record Comp.), Decca and Enterprise (a Country outlet of Stax Records). The "Jordanaires" sang back-up with Eddie on several of the Buford Pusser songs. Eddie was also performing nights at his night clubs in Memphis. Other songs Eddie recorded about Buford was: Buford Pusser's Walking Tall, Son of a Sawmill Man, Law Enforcing Man, Time, 200 Pounds of Swingin Hound, Buford Pusser's Child, Christmas in Heaven, The Legend of Buford Pusser, The Youngest Sheriff, Buford's Legacy, Pattern of Numbers and Ode to Buford Pusser. Eddie said "A lot of people said they knew Buford well, but few people knew the real Buford.
He kept to himself much of the time. There were very, very few people that got close enough to really know Buford. I feel like I did. Buford hated to carry guns & at first he didn't, but he decided he had to fight crime with crime. The criminals used guns so he used them to. You have to fight fire with fire sometimes and that's what he did. Buford taught me to shoot and how to handle a gun with respect. Buford told me some of the deepest secrets in his life.
He was a big, big man but very humble and had a big heart. He always took up for the underdog." Buford had a Saga Magazine in his back pocket that had an article about him when I first met him and he was so proud of that article. It was all dog-eared from him showing it and looking at it so much.
Buford was glad Eddie was singing songs about him, he said "Most entertainers put law enforcement down but this would help build it up." Bufford was shot 8 times, stabbed 7 times and ran over by a car in the line of duty. At times he thought about leaving the office but by the next morning he was always ready to go again. He said he was not a quitter! Eddie contacted W.R. Morris, he was a reporter for the Covington Leader and a correspondent for the Commercial Appeal, Eddie felt that Morris could tell Buford's story. Eddie drove Morris to Adamsville to meet Buford and as it turned out he wrote several books about Pusser's life as Sheriff of McNairy County, Tn.
Eddie spent a lot of time with Buford and said "He lived every bit of his life like there was no way he could ever get hurt." Eddie filmed a TV spot in the old Peabody Hotel in Memphis in the Channel 3 studio. The spot aired on Channel 13 and was picked up by CBS. A producer with Bing Crosby Productions saw the show and the next thing they knew, Paramount Studios of Hollywood was going to make a movie about Buford Pusser as Sheriff of McNairy County, Tn. Buford really appreciated Eddie and asked him to be Chief of Police in Finger, Tn. Eddie accepted. Eddie paid for his car and the lights and everything to make it a police vehicle so the town would not have to pay for it. Eddie started the Friendly Finger Festival and brought many celebrities in to their town to help raise enough money so the Fire Dept. could purchase a new fire engine.
Gladys, Eddie and Faron Young
One of the entertainers he brought in from Memphis was Channel 13 Meteorologist Leon Griffen, who Eddie had taken to Nashville to record his first record. There are people with mixed emotions about Bufford but he was re-elected twice and served 6 years as Sheriff. His scares were real and the life he led was a hard row to hoe. Eddie was impressed with his story enough to make it public. Whether you knew him, liked him or not he wasn't a man to back down. Buford died in a car crash in 1974.
After Buford's death Eddie did a tribute to Buford on WHBQ Channel 13 Memphis with Lance Russell entitled "Buford Pusser Another Side." Eddie talks about the "gentle side of Buford." As if Eddie doesn't have enough excitement in his life, he decides to make a movie.
Chapter 8: Eddie Bond makes a movie
Eddie has had many different band members through the years from the time he was 15 until today. Many of them are still close to Eddie and his family. Some went on to fame and fortune and others decided the entertainment business, demanded more than they wanted to give of their time and dedication. To Eddie it was not only his passion, but his job. One of the "memorable" members was Eddie's blind piano/saxophone player Jimmy Smith. He was born blind in Jackson, Miss and went to Braille School for 12 years.
He was amazingly independent, in that he walked to work in Memphis traffic. Eddie asked Bo to drive him home and as they drove he told Bo when to turn right and how many streets to go down. Bo asked how in the world do you walk to work in the traffic. Jimmy said "When I get to a crossing I just wait until someone comes up beside me and I take their hand and hold it as we cross and then thank them. He said one day, all the cars were screeching and blowing and I didn't know what was going on.
When we got to the other side, the other gentleman said, Thank You and Jimmy said for what? The guy said I'm blind!" Jimmy suddenly told Bo to stop! Pull into this Liquor store here on the left. He could feel of the bills in his wallet and knew what they were.
Jimmy could feel of material and tell you the color and if it was multicolored. Riding in a car he could put his hand in the wind and tell you how fast your driving. In the 1970s Eddie was still writing songs as well as running several night clubs (he owned), was Manager & DJ for K-WAM, Played out of town with his band The Stompers (and by the way Buford Pusser met Eddie in the Kitchen of his night club, where he and Jackie Fargo were grilling steaks). Eddie had his "hands in" literally, what ever he was doing. During this time Eddie wrote "The Love of my Life," "That Glass," "It's Wonderful," "Somebody That Won't Lie," and "Time." Several of those were Published by Eddie Bond Music Comp. and on one of his many record companies Tab.
Eddie also had several LPs released during this time and one was "Caution Eddie Bond Music is Contagious," and people around the world will still tell you that today. Eddie's Promoter in London said that Eddie Bond stories have been published in more than 6 languages in Europe in the last 30 years. With the excitement of movies being made in West Tennessee in the early 70s Eddie decided to "make a movie." He got together with his friend W.R. Morris (writer of The Twelfth of August) and he wrote and directed a movie for Eddie, "Sugar Man." Eddie Bond played Sugar Man, he furnished the moonshiners with all the sugar they needed and Bo Jack and Jacob (Castro a STAX Record Company Executive out of Memphis) ran the moonshine in Bo's "sooped -up " Chevy. In a scene: the car speeds around sliding sideways and runs off the bank into a lake.
Jacob (Castro) climbs out the passenger window and makes his way back to the bank. Bo Jack climbs out of the driver's side and collapses on the bank. The director hollered "Cut!" "Pull that car out with the wrecker and do that scene again!" "OH, NO! WE DON'T" said Castro, "I'm not going in that LAKE AGAIN!" They all got a big laugh. The guys were really having fun with this! At the end of the movie Sugar Man's girlfriend shoots him and as Eddie falls backwards (out of sight) "Bo Jack catches him." This was Eddie's first & last movie so-far.
Eddie opened another night club in 1968 called The Eddie Bond Ranch and started a TV show that ran till 1975.
It was called "Wake Up Ranch" at 6:45 to 7 Am Monday through Friday on WHBQ Channel 13. Eddie was always helping new young talent get recognized and gave them a "stage" to preform on, whether it was on radio, TV, his night clubs or one of the many concerts he booked, Eddie always kept his doors open to new talent. Eddie's Motto has always been (and was printed on his business stationary): It's Nice To Be Important, But It's More Important To Be Nice!" Eddie never smoked and riding in a car, especially on a road trip with someone smoking made him sick, but he didn't want hurt any feelings so he never said anything.
Bo Jack being the good friend he was to Eddie, told the band member "If you can not smoke all the way to Mark Tree, Ar. I can!" He said "OK." When they got there he said "Ready to light up?" Bo said "I think I can hold off till we get back." "Me to" and they did. When they got out, he said "Bo, ready to light-up?" Bo says "No, think I'll just wait till the end of the week." "Well, I will to!" His wife said she would make sure he stands by his promise.
Eddie Bond and Cousin Bo Jack
By the end of the week he came in the night club and he was a nervous wreck! He said "I don't know how your doin' it man." Bo said "Oh, it's not hard, I haven't smoked since 1961." He chased Bo all over that building. In the early years there were times Eddie paid his band members and he wasn't making any money himself. Bo Jack, recognizing this would refuse his pay. Bo had a good job driving a tanker truck so this was not his livelihood. Eddie would try to pay Bo but he refused, "When you make money, then you can pay me." After a good night at the club Eddie asked "How much did you guys say you had to have to play tonight?" They each said $20 (this is when minimum wage was $2 an hour) so he paid them each twenty, then he came to Bo and gave Bo $60. They said "How come you gave us $20 and gave Bo $60?" Eddie said "Bo, how much did you say you have to have, to play for me tonight?" Bo "I didn't say anything." They are still close friends today.
Chapter 9: Dave Travis books Eddie for his first European Tour
The Grand Ole Opry welcomed Eddie Bond in 1974, he was introduced by his good friend Roy Acuff. He performed on the same circle of wood that countless other stars have before him and yes, it was exciting to be there with many of the performers he had hosted in Memphis at his own concerts, night clubs, TV and radio shows. After working at K-WAM for 17 years in 1980, Eddie left and purchased his own station WVIM in Hernando, Mississippi FM 95 (and he also purchased another station south of Hernando).
Eddie had previously bought the VON Theater in Hernando (a full city block), re-modeled it and moved WVIM radio there and changed the name of the building to BON Theater. Out of this building he started his own newspaper "The Delta Banner" and sold it on the Memphis riverfront. Eddie was Owner, Manager & DJ of two radio stations in Mississippi. He always played a Gospel song as his last record on his shows. He had played gigs on the road with "The Kendalls" and they sent him their latest 45 record. So without hearing it first he introduced his Inspirational number "Heaven's Just A Sin Away."...
Eddie in front of his Bon Theater
Oh course, everyone got a surprise with that one! Eddie had live shows over the radio from the Bon Theater, twice weekly called "The Mississippi Hayride" which was family entertainment. Eddie believed that local artists should be able to have their music played on the local radio stations, so he did! Eddie said that was the way it use to be and still should be. "What I try to do is give the local people a chance to get started" he said. Eddie's WVIM FM-95 was Awarded Number One Country Music Station in the Nation in 1991.
Eddie received the award in Nashville. He also received the "Cash Box Country Music Station of the Year" award at the Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Front page of "his" newspaper dated Wednesday, January 16, 1980, was the announcement that "The Eddie Bond Show" will air Saturday on WHBQ Channel 13.
Eddie Bond and Dave Travis, European Tour
Eddie previously had a "Wake-Up Ranch Show" filmed at his "Eddie Bond Ranch" family entertainment club on Channel 13 for 7 years from 1968 to 1975. This show would be "prime time" on Saturdays from 1:30 to 2 Pm. Bond said "I am so proud to be back on Channel 13...after all, I was on there for seven years before and it will be like going back home. The show should reach over a million viewers in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. This is just what I need, I'm thrilled."
Then the front page article said: If anyone is interested in being on the Eddie Bond Show, contact......and he gives phone numbers & addresses including his newspaper. Eddie has always given local folks a stage to show-off their God given talents. One child was so small, he had to stand her up on 2 wooden coca-cola crates to reach the microphone.
One of Eddie's most memorable "special shows" on Channel 13 was when he was in the Phillips Recording Studios showing how he recorded his songs. As he stood at the microphone with his headphones on and sang those "now famous" songs, you felt like you were seeing and hearing the actual original recordings. His voice is still that strong today.
It's still a pleasure to her Eddie Bond sing his Country, Rockabilly and Gospel songs. In the 1990s when Fox took over Channel 13 they asked Eddie to do a "Re-union Special" which he did and it was so well received by the viewers he stayed on for an additional 5 years or so. This was also aired on Channel 7 and 30 later. Dave Travis a musician and promoter in London, England contacts Eddie and asks if he will do a tour of Europe.
Dave, an accomplished Rock & Roll Recording artist himself, has a band that can back-up Eddie and in March of 1982 Eddie flies to London, England for his first European Tour. The crowds are packed-in for every performance. Eddie is impressed that they know all the words to his songs in France and Holland and sing along with him.
So in-between songs he decides to talk with them. That's when he realizes they speak no English, they only know the words from listening to his records. They love the Rockin' Daddy and they holler "Slip, Slip" wanting Eddie to sing "Slip, Slip Slippin' In." Eddie sign's autographs for as long as they line-up and it's exciting and exhausting.
The fans were wonderful! On April 5th-7th Eddie is in recording sessions in London, England at Southern Studios and recorded 23 songs. Eddie said "I had to sleep with a tape recorded under my pillow to help me memorize the music."
Eddie also recorded on "Rockhouse" Records (in Holland, produced by Dave Travis). Eddie Bond is a Rock Star in Europe (Rock & Roll that is), even today! He has entertained in Sweden, France, Finland, Germany, Holland, England, Norway and Belgium. He has toured "across the pond" as they say in the UK (overseas) "5 times."
Something the average person doesn't know about CD sales today (and book sales as well), is that a recording company, or artist, purchases a warehouse full of their product so that it can "Debut at Number ONE" then they have to sell their product as they tour to get their money back, but the publicity of it being a "Number One" seller, makes a lot of people want to buy it....It "must be good" right? Sometimes a top artist will buy-up a young protege's first recording to invest in them and makes the money back plus interest as they sell the product.
Eddie never did this and said his sales would have been better than some today, if calculated on actual public sales. Eddie has numerous awards and certificates from the Governor of Tn.,(Frank Clement), Mayor from Memphis (Wyeth Chandler) and small towns all over the mid-South for the many shows he has done for charities and fund raising's.
Eddie wanted to hold a yearly fund raising for a local town and Bo Jack (Bobby Killingsworth) suggested his home town of Stantonville. Eddie and Bo asked the Mayor and he was excited about the potential for his town and graciously accepted. From 1986 to 2007 Eddie & Cousin Bo Jack hosted the yearly "Stantonville Fire Festival." Not only did they help raise a lot of money for the Stantonville, Tn. Fire Dept., but brought many entertainers to their town some later became big stars such as: Tim McGraw, Tracy Lawrence, Charlie Louvin, Ernie Ashworth and Narvel Felts."
Chapter 10: Eddie has a heart attack
Among Elvis Presley's items auctioned off at the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino in Los Vegas, Nevada (in 1999) was a letter dated 1972 from Eddie Bond to Elvis. Attached to the letter was 10 tickets to the 2nd Annual Friendly Finger Festival and one of Eddie's Chief of Police badges w/his ID in a black leather case. On Bond's business stationary, he urges Elvis to donate $10.00 for the 10 tickets to the Festival. It was auctioned off for between $800 & $1,000.
Eddie booked many benefit show through the years, one in particular was for the Shriners. The Al Chymia Shrine Temple was to benefit, as Eddie produced and directed (through his Unique Image Management Company) "The Country Music Event of the Year." The big event was in 1992 at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis. He promoted it as The Grand Old Opry Comes to Memphis. Eddie had 2 big shows with: Bill Anderson, "Little" Jimmy Dickens, Jimmy C. Newman, Del Reeves, Johnny Russell, Faren Young, Hank Thompson, Narvel Felts, Ernie Ashworth, Johnny Paycheck, Jeannie Seely, Bill Phillips, Billy Walker, Joe Stampley, David Frizzell, Myrna Lorrie, Kari Reeves, Elmer Fudpucker, Eddie Thompson & Bobby (Bo Jack) Killingsworth.
The Bon Theater in Hernando, Mississippi was the size of a city block. Eddie re-modeled the theater and moved in, his radio station (WVIM FM-95), his newspaper (The Delta Banner), his own show (The Mississippi Hayride) played live over FM-95 every Sat. night. On Friday nights Eddie hosted a Gospel Show at the Bon Theater. Eddie even added a Dinner Theater, where on Thursday nights he grilled steaks as the audience was enjoying live entertainment. Driving home exhausted, Eddie drives into a ravine. He suffered only minor injuries (they thought) It was the seven day work week with only cat-naps for sleep that caught up with him.
Lisa (Eddie's daughter) said she was setting the table and placed a glass of tea to her fathers right and as he reached for the water glass next to it, he knocked the tea glass to the floor. He said he never even saw the tea. He told his family his right eye was blurry. He went to an eye doctor and found out the wreck had caused the optic nerve to die. Nothing can be done for it. He didn't let it get him down and never mentioned it again.
Lisa said "Daddy has always pushed himself. In the 1970s he came home after being on the road for two weeks. He was exhausted, but he went to the backyard where he had a vegetable garden (he always had to have a vegetable garden)." Lisa said she thought her Dad was acting silly to scare her as he often did (playing with his kids with rubber snakes and such). She said "Your scaring me Daddy, making those faces." So Lisa ran behind the storage building. When her Dad didn't answer her, she ran back around to find him laying in the garden unresponsive. She start screaming "Help, Help my Daddy!" Painters next-door came running over, an ambulance was called and Eddie was taken to the Baptist Hospital in Memphis where he stayed for two weeks and had a stint put in his heart. Eddie had his first heart attach.
"Daddy promised us all he would slow down." Lisa said, "he tried but it was not happening. He went right back at it." As the weeks and months went by they all prayed for him because he was not slowing down. His family worried about him but he loved what he was doing and he never complained.
Lisa was having "flash-backs," here they were again in the Baptist Hospital in Memphis, where their Mother works as Telephone Operator and their Dad is in the Emergency room with another heart attach. He had been to Europe again a couple of times for 6 weeks or longer. She hated his trips to Europe, because it took so much out of him each time he went. The three children were married now, but still a very close knit family. They were together every Sunday.
Eddie had been feeling really bad when he went to his Doc. The Doc put him in the Hospital again. They had scheduled surgery to put another stint in, when Eddie had another heart attach. Gladys called the children to come to the hospital at once. Lisa was running down the hall as she could see her Dad's black hair. He was on a stretcher being rolled to the surgery doors. Eddie said "Wait, I hear my Daughter Lisa running to me!" He recognized the sound of her heels on the tile. So they stopped and Lisa got her kiss from her Dad.
Gladys, Becky, Lisa & Eddie Jr waited and prayed as Eddie had more stints put in to keep that "precious heart" beating. Eddie spent two weeks in the hospital and again his family wanted him to slow down, but nothing could keep the "brown-eyed hillbilly down long!
Sputnick Monrow, from Monrow, Louisiana sold radio time for Eddie's station. Lance Russell worked for Eddie and every Saturday night Tim Van Horn came to help Eddie so he gave him his first job on radio.
Eddie again re-modeled the Bon Theater in Hernando, Miss. but this time into Apartments up-stairs and a restaurant downstairs and sold the building. He sold his two radio stations, one in Hernando and the other in Drew, Miss. Then he sold his newspaper The Delta Banner.
Chapter 11: Eddie sells his Stomper Time Records to Dave Travis
The rich baritone voice of "The Rockin' Daddy" Eddie Bond, is unmistakable. Since his early teens when his voice changed, it was only a matter of time till he would not only be on stage, but on radio with his own show. Eddie not only had a striking voice but was a "born salesman." Since 1953 listeners have recognized that rich baritone voice. As soon as you scanned the stations and came across his voice, you knew who he was and needed to look no further for the best Country Music on the radio. He had the top Country Station and was known all over the Mid-South as Mr. Country Music.
The telephone rang in the Middleton, Tn. office of Real Estate Broker James Berry and a "familiar voice" at the other end said, "Hello, this is old Eddie Bond" (James knew it was him, he recognized the voice) Eddie said, "and who do I have the pleasure of talking with?" James told him and was very pleased to find out that Eddie was looking for land to buy in Hardeman County.
Within minutes James said "I felt like I had known him personally for years." James told Eddie that he learned to play guitar when he was 11. He now plays lead guitar for a band at Big Hill Pond Community Center on Hwy 57 East of Pocahontas in McNairy County, Tn. When Eddie was a boy living in Memphis with his parents he would take the train from Memphis to Grand Junction and visit his Grand-mother who grew-up there. He loved the country and often thought about retiring there someday. Eddie had recently suffered his third heart attack and knew he must make a life-style change or he wouldn't be around to enjoy the family he loved. James Berry set-up an appointment with Eddie to show him some property for sale in Hardeman County.
It was important to Eddie to be able to have easy access to a main highway to Memphis. Even though he wanted to live in the country he still had business in Memphis. James said, "My partner and I own a piece of land right off Hwy 64 on the West end of Bolivar. It has a nice little lake on it." This caught Eddie's attention and he wanted to see it. They drove out to Deer View Lane (named for the many deer who often lazily walked around on the hills and across the road). Eddie and James got out of the car and walked up to the bank. Fish came up to the top of the water expecting to be fed. Eddie was hooked! He put down "earnest money" and in 30 days the property belonged to Eddie Bond and his lovely wife (of 44 years) Gladys.
Acres of grass and trees and a beautiful quiet lake "stocked with fish" who could ask for more? Now all he needed to do was build a house here and sell his house in Memphis. James Berry and his partner purchased the Big Hill Pond Community Center and booked Eddie Bond & Bo Jack for a show. Eddie liked the building and brought his daughter Becky and son Eddie Jr. to see it.
They wanted their Dad to buy it for them to book local show in, so he did. Now Eddie was really excited again, he was building a small retirement home next to his lake. He had another building to book local talent and bring in stars from out of town.
This is what he always enjoyed doing, giving a stage and audience to new young talent. Eddie has always loved helping other people, especially young unknown artists. He never forgot where he came from and how people helped him when he was an "unknown." Now he could give back. He lives by his motto "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." Eddie recalls, "You know, it was my good friend Webb Pierce, who first told me that and it's true! Webb was a close friend of mine and he was the one that helped me get on Mercury Records. I booked him on a lot of my shows through the years." The Big Hill Pond Community Center was remodeled and named "The Eddie Bond Country Club."
They were open Thur., Fri., Sat. nights with Country Music & Sunday afternoon 2-5 Pm with Gospel Music, all family entertainment. Eddie's whole family was involved in running the huge building. It measured 6,000 sq. ft. and held 400 people. Gladys & Becky worked the concession stand, Lisa greeted at the door and collected admission prices and Eddie Jr. was part of the band and helped with the sound system. They had family dancing, line and square dancing ages 8 to 80 and then some. Eddie booked such star here as: Del Reeves, Ernie Ashworth, Narvel Felts, Marty Stewart & Connie Smith (were there one night), Ace Cannon, WS Holland and Carl Mann. Eddie Bond & Bo Jack now had a "new" Stompers Band, consisting of James Berry on lead guitar, Boyd Brown on keyboard and Howard Bridges on bass. Eddie decides to put a grill in the kitchen where he grilled steaks. Eddie loves to grill steaks! He has place-mats printed with Jerry Lawler's comic book sketches of Buford Pusser on them.
I can imagine some of those place-mats never saw a drip of food on them but were saved as souvenirs. There was again, no slowing down for this busy man. Eddie was now on two TV stations, WHBQ (Fox) Channel 13 and WBBJ Channel 7 in Jackson, Tn. He recently came back from another singing tour of Europe and sold his "Stomper Time" Record Co. to his friend and European promoter Dave Travis. Dave released 31 of Eddie's 1950 & 60s records on CDs previously unissued in Europe. Dave released 51 songs including Country, Rockabilly & Gospel on a 2 CD pk. called "Rockin' Daddy." Eddie's promoter in Nashville was working on having Eddie's CD put on Lou Hobbs syndicated show that airs in 185 markets in the US & England. The songs can be downloaded and heard in 100 + countries over the 2000 MPS site."
Chapter 12: Eddie finds out his son is a singing sensation
Being an Honorary Chief of Police has it's perks. Eddie enjoyed giving friends unexpected gifts, such as Honorary Deputy badges. He gave one to Bobby Killingsworth (Cousin Bo Jack), James Berry, Boyd Brown & Howard Bridges. He also had his band outfitted from Hewlett & Dunn Western Wear. James said he loved driving around with Eddie. They drove to Middleburg to Lax's Grocery where 80+ year old Mrs. Lax had turned the old Train Depot (still there today but closed) into a Grocery and Dinner.
They would always order a bologna and hoop cheese sandwich. They enjoyed sitting and talking with Mrs. Lax for hours while she told them stories about how things use to be in the old days. Then they would drive to Selmer to the old Buford Pusser jail in the basement of the old Court House. Eddie showed James how the prisoner's drawings and writings are still on their walls. Eddie said it was going to be paint over and he urged them not to, "That's history. Wash it, but leave the prisoner's marks" he said, so it's still there.
The Sheriff's quarters are still there. Eddie takes pride in having a hand in making Buford Pusser nationally known. Becky is in the living room with Eddie Jr. and he says, "I have something I want you to listen to and tell me what you think." He took out a cassette tape, placed it in the player and watched his sisters face. She smiled as the music and singing started. "That's Daddy, when did you record him singing that?" Eddie Jr. got the response he wanted. She heard a professional, she heard her father's classic voice! Eddie Jr. said "No, that's me!" Becky, thinking he's joking with her(as usual), said "No, That's Daddy!" Eddie Jr. now smiling from ear to ear, said "I recorded it at a friend's house with a music track.
That's ME singing." Becky was in shock. She, nor her family had any idea that he could sing. How can someone be 31 years old and no one know he has this remarkable voice? No one in the family except the mother and father had ever sang. Eddie Jr. had played guitar for years but had only sang in private. His father's shoes were pretty big to fill. Much would be expected of a son of a man known as Mr. Country Music, King of Rockabilly, known all over the world as The Rockin' Daddy. Eddie Jr had the looks. Tall, slim, dark hair, handsome by any ones standards. He knew of other star's sons who had tried to break into the music field and were compared to their famous parent and didn't measure-up. He had to be ready, he had to be at his best! The Stantonville Fire Festival was a big success every year.
The Bonds were getting ready to leave.
Eddie & Gladys in their car and Becky riding with Eddie Jr in his. Becky was excited, she had coxed her brother into singing on the stage with The Stompers Band. "I just can't do it Beck, I'm too nervous." Becky encouraged him all the way to Stantonville. "You can do this for Momma and Daddy, Eddie.
They will be so proud of you. God will help you to do this." When they reached the crowds at the festival grounds, Becky made her way straight to her parents and told them "Eddie Jr is going to sing." Her dad said "Can he sing?" Becky said "Yes Daddy, he sings really good!" Eddie Jr's family was on the front row to support him, Eddie and Gladys, Becky, Lisa & her son Ryan. Bo Jack had no idea Eddie Jr could sing, he knew he could play a guitar, so he asked "what are you going to sing? I'll back you up Son (Eddie Jr and Bo Jack were very close). "Don't Rock The Jukebox" was Eddie Jr's answer. The band gave him an intro and then just like the professional his father is, Eddie Jr sang "Don't rock the jukebox wanna hear George Jones. My hart ain't ready for no Rollin' Stones."
Eddie and Gladys were smiling from ear to ear and so was Bo Jack. WOW! This was their Son, their little boy! He can sing! Boy, can he sing! They were bursting with pride as was Becky. She knew what he had to give and the apple sure didn't fall far from the tree. This young man was destine to be a recording star just like his Dad. With a sister's love and support, Eddie Jr had conquered his fears of not being good enough to perform on his Dad's stage. Eddie Jr had seen many performers who thought they could sing and his Dad would give them the opportunity on TV, Radio and stage, but the talent just wasn't there. Eddie Jr was determined not to go public until he could make his family proud of him. Not only were they proud, but overwhelmed with a great blessing they never expected. Becky and Eddie Jr always arrived hours earlier to the Eddie Bond Country Club than everyone else. They would decorate to the season and holiday. They strung lights to the ceiling of the dance floor and all around the stage. Becky has always had a knack for decorating and thoroughly enjoys it.
Eddie Jr is the perfict brother always helping her with anything she wanted to do. For Halloween they all dressed-up in costumes. Bo Jack was surprised as Eddie Bond came in dressed-up as Bo Jack. All the girls dressed as witches and Eddie Jr dressed as Dracula. Eddie Jr had his daughter Alexis from Nashville for the week end and they all had a wonderful time together, as they always did. Eddie Jr was now singing on Eddie's TV shows and everywhere his Dad performed his Son was part of the entertainment. Everyone was impressed with Eddie Jr's voice and stage presence, it was as if he had always performed with his Dad.
A local young man that Eddie had previously had on his shows, Todd Pulse and Eddie Jr. became close friends. Eddie introduced Todd on his TV Show as: "If you ever want to know anything about this area Hardeman County, just ask Todd. If I need to know anything or want anything here I just ask Todd."
Chapter 13: A tragic loss
What a wonderful surprise it was to Eddie Bond and his lovely wife Gladys, to hear their son sing on stage for the first time. He was a natural, just like his Dad! He had the true sound of traditional country in his voice and style. Standing on the stage in western clothes with his tall lanky handsome frame, gave you the feeling of a young Hank Williams with a sound of a Marty Robins & Ernest Tubb, but as Eddie Sr said "It's all Eddie Bond Jr sound. It's his own sound and there's nothing like it." Eddie booked his son on all the TV and stage shows he played.
A father could not be more proud of a son. City Cafe' on Main St. in Middleton was up for sale so Eddie bought it for his Son to run as a Bargain Store. Later they turned it into a family entertainment hall called "Home Grown Country" building. Eddie taped his Channel 13 & 7 TV shows on location at the Eddie Bond Country Club (Big Hill Pond), Lake Vonda (Hwy 125 between Bolivar & Middleton) and at the Home Grown Country building in Middleton, Tn. Lake Vonda was owned by PT Grantham and for a while, they had a weekly show taped on the grounds to promote land sales.
Regulars on the TV shows were Eddie Bond, Bobby "Bo Jack" Killingsworth, Eddie Bond Jr., Todd Pulse, Norris "Fish" Fisher, Shane Swindle, Larry Frye, Kenny Forbess, James Berry & Tom Mathis. Others who at times were on the TV shows were Burl Boykin, C.W. Gatlin, W.S. Holland, Joey Killingsworth, Ben Ben Adler, Narvel Felts & Dell Reeves. House band for the Home Grown Country Building was James Berry, Boyd Brown & Howard Bridges.
(It would be impossible for me to name all the band members Eddie has had through the years, or his guest singers. They would number into the hundreds, if not thousands, but it is safe to say he gave a lot of unknown talent a chance to entertain on stage, radio & TV.)Eddie Jr was ready to record and one of the Home Grown Country Band members, Boyd Brown, could record for him on his Wolf River Production (W.R.P.) label and with the help of the Eddie Bond Organization (E.B.O.).
Eddie Bond Jr recorded his first song "I Never Go Around Mirrors" (with a little help from Dad). The CD was sent to John Hughey in Nashville to add his steel guitar sound. John Hughey was one of Eddie's original band members in the 1950s and went on to become know as one of the "world's greatest" steel players.
The song went to the top 10 songs on Independent Music Chart for weeks. Eddie Jr's first album CD was "I Never Go Around Mirrors," his second album was "The Devil is a Woman." Eddie & Gladys sold their house in Memphis and moved into their new home built next to their little lake in Bolivar. Eddie added on to his house a garage and next to the house an office for his EBO (Eddie Bond Organization).
Eddie was never far from his work, it was part of a driving force, that and the love he had for his family. Bob Timmers inducts Eddie Bond into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Nashville. Eddie was one of the first Rock & Roll stars and was honored to be part of the RHOF.
www.rockabillyhall.com Bob Timmers became a good friend of Eddie's through the years to come. Eddie starts another Radio Show, this time on Bolivar's own WMOD FM. People in the area are excited to hear the Great Eddie Bond, right here in our own town. We've all heard him for 50 years out of Memphis, but now he's decided to make our County his home.
The radio show is exciting with the unmistakable dynamic baritone voice of this master DJ and salesman Eddie Bond. "I told Bill Baily, It's against the law, to sell furniture too cheap, but he does it anyway!" "The steaks they grill out there at Hwy 100 cafe', are so tender they just melt in your mouth!" "You've just got to have some of that home made apple pie, it's the best I ever ate." By the time he gets through selling you, your sold on what ever it is! Eddie Jr is right in there with his Dad, learning the ropes from a professional. Eddie taught his Son how to be a DJ, work the boards and spin the tunes, talk in between the music and the commercials and watch the clock.
Eddie Jr learns to do it all, just like when Eddie taught Bo Jack and other DJs years ago. Eddie, just like he always has in the past, plays local artists music. Eddie's shows are "Live on the air" and you could here the truckers blow their horns at Eddie as they drove by the studio on the corner of Main St. and Hwy 64 going through Bolivar. Local folks would call in to talk with Eddie and it was truly a joy to listen to. Eddie's Radio sponsors were: Bill Hatton Attorney, Timeless Tributes, A Haven of Flowers, Bolivar Lumber Co., Joe's Restaurant, AJ's Sports & Awards & Hwy 100 Cafe'. Eddie Jr has been suffering with Lupus for years and is living with his parents in Bolivar and on June 27, 2002 Eddie James Bond JR dies in his sleep.
It's impossible to express the grief and loss. A parent simply doesn't want to live after such a tragedy, but they must hold on and with the strength of the love of their daughters and Grand children Eddie & Gladys hold onto their faith in God that He knows best. This loving tight knit family holds on to each other and to their faith in an Almighty God. Parents never get over the loss of a child but knowing that he is in Heaven and his spirit with them often, helps them meet each new day with hope and faith.
Chapter 14: 50th Wedding Anniversary in Paris, France
Inside Country Independent Charts has Eddie Bond Jr listed in the charts for months and Bo Jack "Bobby Killingsworth," drives Eddie to Green Bay, Wisconsin. Where he is booked every year at the Annual Rockin' 50s Festival. Bo knew that it would be good for Eddie to get out and active again. Everything was more difficult to do now that Eddie had lost his Son, but he knew that his Son's spirit was with him where ever he went and the family must hold on to each other and stay positive.
That's what his Son would want. Eddie had his Son's guitar, boots and hat, put in a large glass shadow-box frame and hung on the wall of the Home Grown Country Music Hall in Middleton, Tn. That's what you do for a star. The walls of the building were filled with other Country Music legend's photographs, awards, posters and articles. Bob Timmers of The Rockabilly Hall of Fame in Nashville, sent Eddie many Museum pieces to go in the Music Hall at Middleton.
Then he added Eddie's Home Grown Country Building to his Internet site as the "First Mini-Rockabilly Hall of Fame Museum." www.rockabillyhall.com/EddieBond1html April of 2003 Eddie & Bo Jack appeared at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in Nevada, as part of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame's Stage Program. Home Grown Country had many local & not so local entertainers perform in it's hall such as: Ryan Seawright, Bo Jack, Al Coleman, Phillip McMahan, Anthony McMahan, Todd Pulse, Boyd Brown, Howard Bridges, James Berry (also the house band), Ramsey Kearney, Annett Kearney, Laurie Naylor, Ed & Loretta Doles, Michael Doles (also house band), Al Beal (house band), Terry Doles (also house band), Larry Frye, Jimmy Stevens & The Music Highway Band (also house band), Back roads Boys, Jo Rickman & The Country Classics, Brian Rickman, Jim Gilliom, Burl Boykin, Mary Riley, Bill Durham, Shelby Smith, Carl Mann, CW Gatlin, Dave Wooten, Gene Simmons, Wilford Ray, Norvel Felts, WS Holland, Turkey Creek, Cyprus Creek, Purdy Grass, The Tennessee River Boys and from London, England Dave Travis. (There are many others too numerous to list).
Ed Doles set-up cameras to capture the shows on tape. Becky manned the concessions stand and Loretta Grantham (always there to assist any way she could) often collected the admission. Becky always decorated to season and Ed was always building anything Eddie needed in the Music Hall. It was always a joint effort, everyone loved working for the good of the the Music Hall and to promote Eddie and local talent. Eddie & Gladys' 50th Wedding Anniversary was going to be special, they would re-new their vows with Bro. Doug Baker (their pastor of Parrens Chapel Baptist Church), all their family and friends were invited.
We all dressed in 1950s clothes and Teresa Brown made a beautiful wedding cake. Eddie & Gladys were very pleasantly surprised when Reggie Young (Eddie's original lead guitar player from the 1950s) and his fiance Jenny Lynn showed up to celebrate with them. The grand climax was when their Granddaughter 5 year old Gena, sang "Rockin' Daddy" over the microphone to everyone.
Dave Travis, Eddie's friend and promoter in England, sent Eddie & Gladys first class round trip tickets to Paris, France and booked Eddie for concerts to the delight of his European fans. It was Gladys' first trip to Europe and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Gladys said Eddie signed autographs for 3 hours after one concert. She said she handed Eddie fresh pens every time he ran out of ink. Eddie recalls "I had 7 encores for "Slip, Slip, Slip-pin' in" at one show." Eddie said "How many people get to spend their 50th wedding anniversary in Paris, France?" Eddie was back on WMOD radio again with a new DJ side-kick, his daughter Becky Bond Collins and even had help on commercials with his wife Gladys.
It was a wonderful family affair and the magic of the Eddie Bond voice was filling the air-waves again. Dave Travis came from England to visit Eddie and made a guest appearance on his radio show and at the Home Grown Country Mini-Museum & Music Hall. The yearly Rock-A-Billy Festival at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tn. (where Eddie sang each year) had a special guest, the "new owner" of the famous Sun Records Shelby Singleton, was there to present Sam-Sun Record Awards (named after Sam Phillips) and Eddie Bond's name was called.
Eddie had no idea that Shelby was even going to be there, no less present him with this prestigious award from Sun Records. There was a lump in his throat and a tear in his eye, as Eddie Bond accepted this award after almost 45 years since he recording with Sun. Eddie Bond, one of the few original Sun Rockabilly stars. After a big final show at the Home Grown Country Building, Eddie decided to retire from the local weekly stage and radio show.
Ed Doles had been doing all of Eddie's recordings for years now on VHS, CD & DVD so Eddie asked if he wanted to buy all the sound equipment. Ed has a recording studio on his farm, so this would be a great addition to his current systems. Eddie gave Ed some of the Museum pieces and stored the rest. The Museum in Memphis that Eddie had been featured in for years, had closed recently and Eddie had also brought those pieces home. Ed Doles decided that this man deserves to be in a Museum...if anyone deserves to be in a museum, Eddie Bond does! So Ed and his wife Loretta (myself) started working on the 80+ year old farm house on our farm. One side was already a recording studio and we renovated the rest of the house into a Music Museum. Having been fan's of Eddie Bond since the 1950s we have collected a lot of memorabilia.
Eddie & his family have loaned us many precious items of Eddie's for display in the museum. The Music Museum website: www.dolesenterprises.comWe, like Eddie are dedicated to local talent and feature them also in the Museum, Country Cabin Music Museum on Parker St. Hornsby, Tn. Eddie Bond still performs yearly at the Center for Southern Folklore in Memphis and at the Mini-Music Museum (during the Hardeman County Music Festival) in Bolivar once a year. Eddie still has that dynamic baritone voice and sings as good as he ever did.
To listen to Eddie sing, takes us all back to those Rock & Roll days of sock hops & poodle skirts, but Eddie is more than just a great rockabilly singer. He is an amazingly talented man who gave everyone who dreamed of being on the stage, a chance to be in that "spotlight," with him. He's a man who lives his slogan, "It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." He and his wife Gladys are enjoying their retirement years on Dear View Lane with kids & Grand-kids feeding catfish in their little lake.
Country Cabin Music Museum in Hornsby, TN
Country Cabin Music Museum in Hornsby, TN ~ Eddie Bond Wall
Ed Doles, Eddie Bond and Loretta Doles (Country Cabin Music Museum)
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