part 2:

I recall a letter he wrote me in September 1993. The letter started out "Always good to hear from people with good taste". He went on to tell me about his solo album and the "ten hour, quite the fuckin' radical ear to ear surgery" he was recovering from. His return address: "The Human Pez Dispenser, Spring Valley Inn". You see his surgery left a scar from one ear to the other around his neck. Yet he was determined to continue to play with the BFers. Nothing would stop him.

Soon, I was off to the midwest. Stuck in South Bend with little chance of seeing the BFers on a regular basis like before. For sanity's sake, I started the BFers e-mail list on the internet. It continues to grow today. I was able to get tour info to the fans and converse with numerous fans not only across the country but all over the world. There were occasional swings to the Chicago area so I was fortunate to see them play. One of these swings was amazing since Dick's doctors found a reoccurrence of cancer yet there he was. Dick was on stage in front of the crowd. He was too weak to play drums and as soon as he returned to San Diego, he was to go in for more tests- this time on his thyroid.

Dick was determined to get healthy. He lost weight and actually cut down on those beer runs and shots at the shows. Sure, there was an occasional fun time but he was in this for the long haul. The BFers must continue. And they did. They released two albums on Sector 2 Records. The first was "Viking Lullabys" spelled that way because Dick liked it! Most recently, "Manifold" was released. This new record is considered by many to be the strongest BFer album to date.

Dick's solo album, a "concept album" he told me not long ago, was done and he was hoping to get it released soon. All things were looking up. Then suddenly on a Wednesday night, November 8th, while playing drums in Whistler, Brittish Columbia (about one hour out of Vancouver- a BFer strong hold!) the unthinkable happened. Country Dick was struck down by a heart attack at the age of 40 during the show.

The indestructible, fun loving, deep voiced, friendly, extremely humorous giant was gone. There are no words that can describe how any BFer fan feels. Country Dick Montana was a talent that can never be equaled. He had charisma to burn and it was that charisma that made the band into something greater than the sum of its parts. Sure he wasn't well known but anyone who ever saw a BFer live show could tell you that Dick was at his best- on stage. His presence will never be replaced and I know that the remaining BFers do not want to replace him- they know it would be impossible. Whatever shape the BFers take, it will never be the same without Country Dick Montana.

Country Dick: I knew you as a friend and I know that God does have a sense of humor and that you are where you belong- on that stage in the heavens. You are truly missed.

Ken Drew written and posted 11/11/95

Great article, thanks Ken. I've been a BF'er fan for years, and I feel the same crunch in my heart now as I did when I first heard of Country Dick's passing. You are very fortunate to have been personal friends with such a remarkable man.

I'm a fan as well, great posting Ken, thanks.

Great Tribute Ken.

I had the opportunity to interview Country Dick on my radio show back in 85' (I think), what a hoot! The Beat Farmers are yet another act that you simply had to catch live in order to appreciate their brilliance.

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also a shout out to the late great buddy blue--- thats when the farmers were at their best--

Former San Diegan here foggily remembering many nights at the Belly Up Tavern. "The Farmers" were truly an act, not a band. Waking up to "Happy Boy" on the radio every morning as it was a staple of the 91X morning show. Had the pleasure of catching CDM and the boys at the Satellite Club in Houston, followed by a drunken road trip to Austin to do it all over again at the Continenal Club. It would be erie how many of Webb fans have the same albums in our collections. Seems like we rolled bigger stones back then, seems like we rolled bigger stones. RIP