This is a short, simple story but one of my precious memories.
Not everyone got the chance to carry Eddy's guitar but I did ,even if it was
only about 10 or 12 feet. In 1947 I was 15 years old and working as a theater
usher in Houston Texas. My mother worked a radio station KLEE and they had live
shows featuring well known recording artists. Well, I went down one afternoon to
see Floyd Tillman in person, and during one of the breaks in the show for a
commercial Eddy Arnold's first manager, Col. Tom Parker, came on and announced
that Eddy would be appearing at the Rice hotel in Houston, and gave the date,
and I remember my great disappointment knowing I had to work that night and
wouldn't be able to go. I wanted so much to see him. Being only 15 I couldn't
drive and my mother would pick me up after work, and she did so on the night of
Eddy's appearance. Knowing how much I wanted to see him she drove me to the Rice
hotel and to the entrance the entertainers used. We waited about half an hour
and his show was finished and I was on the sidewalk waiting for them to come
out. Well, I was rewarded beyond my hopes because first out was a musician I
can't name, but second out was Little Roy Wiggins and in those days the
musicians carried there own equipment. Roy Wiggins was carrying a heavy steel
guitar and an amplifier. Then came Eddy and I call it "providence". He also was
carrying his guitar and an amplifier. A lady ran up to him for an autograph and
he set his things down to give it to her. When he finished he picked up the
amplifier but left the guitar and walked that 10 or 12 feet to a little silver
colored teardrop trailer they used to carry their instruments and equipment in,
and I seized upon the moment. I stepped over and picked up his guitar case and
followed him to his trailer, and handed it to him after he had put his amp
inside. I will never forget that big wide famous Eddy Arnold smile and the thank
you that had the warmth that all who have ever listened to Eddy speak have to be
familiar with. That's it, that's all, but it was at the same time so very much
to me. I had no idea back in 1947 that Eddy would be a life long icon to me. I
loved him as if he were my brother and I will be 80 years old in February of
2012 and he and his voice are still a part of my daily life.
One thing is for sure.
I couldn't have chosen a better role model than Eddy
Arnold.
Bob Williams
