Today marks the loss of a great R&R figure whom many WW fans either know of or have seen back in the day. I post this every year as a tribute so today I carry on my tradition.

Ken

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In memory of Country Dick Montana 1955-1995 (by Ken Drew)

It wasn't long ago when I was back in my home state of California, working on my graduate degree at UOP in Stockton, and listening to KDJK on the radio. Another simple contest, one that I had garnered me a record or two before. Yes, Virginia, they used to give out vinyl at radio stations not too long ago. I won a copy of "Van Go" by the Beat Farmers (BFers). The year was 1986. I had heard the song "Riverside" on the radio. I had even heard the Budwieser beer commercial made from that song- you remember when Bud used to take a popular song and have the band redo it with Bud lyrics. Something about that album caught my attention.

I liked the music and all of the songs but the song "Big Ugly Wheels" was different. It was sung by some guy named Country Dick Montana. He had a real deep voice and made me laugh with his interpretation this song. I looked at the album to find Dick as the drummer and leader of "beer runs". Hey, that's pretty funny stuff. All in all, I was impressed.

Another year passed as I saw that the BFers were playing up in the Bay area again. I tried to find time to make it there but couldn't. Then a new album came out. "The Pursuit Of Happiness". It was awesome. I had to see these guys. I had already backtracked and picked up their first album "Tales Of The New West". This had the morning show cult classic "Happy Boy" on it. The new record once again featured more outstanding work. The combined guitars and voices of Jerry Raney and Joey Harris (who had replaced Buddy Blue) were more than just music to my ears.

Once again, Country Dick sang some songs as only he could. "Big River" was classic Dick material. Finally, I was going to see the BFers in San Francisco at Slim's. It was packed and I was treated to one of the best live shows I had ever seen and believe me when I say that. I have seen many a show while growing up in the Bay Area. To see a band that was having so much fun was a real treat. The crowd loved it. Soon I heard chants of "Dick, Dick, Dick, Dick,....". Then from behind the drum set stood this 6'4" man with a cowboy hat and a long coat. He made his way to the microphone, jokingly calling the crowd "maggots". Dick begins to sing "(You Picked A Fine Time To Leave Me) Lucille" as only he could- "400 kids and a crouch that won't heal" and "you picked a real bitchin' time to leave me, Lucille". Beer was everywhere. It was unbelievable to watch Dick twirl beer bottles, drink a full bottle with only his feet, and put a full bottle on his hat and do a turn around in a circle.

Soon, I was a regular at the shows. I would talk to people I knew. I would bring friends. My brother would bring friends. Friends would bring friends. They all enjoyed the show. It was something that could not be described. The music was great. The atmosphere was great. But most of all, people loved to see Dick. He would have an entire audience sitting on the beer soaked floor as he said "it was time to go camping". He would tell various insane anecdotes and sing "Lakeside Trailer Park", "Little Ball Of Yarn", "Mondo", or some other great sick little song.

The band was always (and still remains) very accessible. Dick could often be found wondering around the bar passing out the BFer Almanac, signing autographs, or having a beer. He would often stop and talk to me for a while. We would comment on the opening band. There was the time that Buck Naked and The Bare Bottom Boys opened up for the BFers. Buck wore only a plunger strategically placed between his legs. Dick said "that guy's crazier than me! And he is only get paid $10".

After enough shows, I was lucky enough to go backstage and talk to Jerry, Joey, Rolle, and Dick. I saw a side of the band that most didn't know. The side of the band that made me feel part of this large extended BFer family. Tom Ames, the tour manager and sound man, would always say hello and tell me about the current tour. The guys would give me info on new album releases and such. We would talk about our families. We would talk about everything not just music.

I learned how the BFers came together. When a young Country Dick (then known by his real name Dan McLain) as student body vice president at Grossmont High, invited Jerry Raney's band Glory to play a dance. The student body was not very receptive so Dick stepped to the microphone and gave a speech. "What's wrong with you guys? This is the best band around Can't you act like you appreciate some music? Do you have to hear it on the radio before you can appreciate it?" His charisma back then made an impression on Jerry. One that would ultimately lead to the formation of the BFers. The BFers started when Jerry received a phone call from Dick, who said, "Hey, Jerry, you wanna start a rolling musical pleasure unit or something?". The BFers were born.

The next thing I knew, another album came out. "Poor And Famous". This one didn't do so well. It didn't help that CURB decided to not promote the band. A typical label problem that every band has to deal with. The tours never stopped though. The crowds were always there. Then suddenly Dick was informed that he had cancer. He went through several surgeries to cure this throat cancer and there was a possibility that he could never sing again. He pulled through it as only he could. His sense of humor always present.

(part 1 ends due to limits on the board.....)