Following the reports of the passing of Bobby Slone there has been a lot of expression of sadness and a sharing of wonderful memories of times spent with, and listening to Slone through the years.
Two of his close friends share their thoughts here.
Don Rigsby, a one time member of the New South, remembers him fondly ……
“Like all of the alumni of the New South, I am saddened at this loss.
Bobby was without any doubt one of the most humble men I ever met in bluegrass music. He played on arguably the most influential recording of the 1970s and was rock solid in doing so. He was never pretentious.
I remember seeing him in the 1975 band and also during the Whitley years. He was always so cool and quick with a kind word and a smile for us fans.
After I became a member of the New South, he would occasionally grace us with his presence at a show. It was then that I had a chance to get acquainted with him more and found him to be even more sincere and gracious. It was a personal highlight for me to have the opportunity to play some with him last year at Bean Blossom at the New South reunion. I will always treasure that memory and miss his gentle manner.
From me and all of your many friends, Thanks Bobby for your friendship and the amazing legacy of music you have left for the world. Rest peacefully.”
Musician and writer Frank Godbey sums up Slone after recalling the Sara Lee advertising phrase, “Nobody doesn’t like Sara Lee.” …….
“’Nobody didn’t like Bobby Slone!’ We’ve lost one of the best guys who ever played this music… a rock solid musician and a rock solid human being.”
Surely Godbey isn’t the only person who would also like to remember Slone for one of the things that he did best. He says…
“Here’s a clip from a series called Bluegrass Bluegrass that was recorded here in Lexington in 1977 that shows Bobby playing fiddle.”
